102820 - Southern California Midweek Edition by Asian Journal Community Newspapers

October 28-30, 2020 Volume 30 - No. 85 • 2 Sections - 14 Pages

Several Fil-Am candidates seek New survey: AAPI public ofﬁce across the country registered voters in DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

10 battleground states highly motivated to vote

WITH less than a week to go until Election Day, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) registered voters in 10 battleground states are favoring former Vice President Joe Biden and are highly motivated to cast their ballots, according to a new survey. As of September, 59% of AAPI voters in key states prefer Biden, the Democratic nominee, while 33% President Donald Trump, based on a survey called “AAPI Voters and the 2020 Elections” presented by Garin-Hart-Yang Research Group, the National Education Association and the Majority Institute. When asked about job approval rating, 64% of AAPI voters “disapprove” of the current president’s performance. Meanwhile, 47% of voters had a “positive” view of

u PAGE A4

Fil-Am millennial Jason Tengco shares his role building coalitions with the Biden campaign, importance of voting As protests over police brutality and the killings of Black Americans by police officers grew in cities across the United States, President Donald Trump drew criticism for having U.S. Park Police and National Guard troops clear a path using tear gas, so he could take a photo in front of the St. John’s Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. Jason Tengco, coalitions chief of staff for the Biden campaign, had just finished his graduate degree in May from the University of California, Berkeley, and was on a road trip with his fiancé when he learned of the photoop incident. “I already knew that we couldn’t afford another four years under the current president, but that was the day that I told myself that I wanted to jump back in and get involved in the campaign myself,” Tengco told the Asian

u PAGE A3

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

ALTHOUGH Filipinos have been in this country since before the United States’ conception, the first election of a Filipino American didn’t happen until the 1950s. In 1954, the late Peter Aduja became the first Fili-

pino American elected into public office when he served as a representative for the Hawaii State Legislature. The Republican official hailed from Ilocos Sur and, like many Filipinos, served in the United States Army for World War II. For nearly 20 years, Aduja was the only Filipino elected official in the U.S. until 1973 when Filipino

American engineer and “energy czar” Larry Asera of Vallejo, California served in a variety of elected positions, including deputy secretary of state and chief legislative consultant to the California State Legislature. Until very recently, elected officials in the U.S. were

u PAGE A2

Silverado, Blue Ridge fires continue to rage in Southern California by AJPRESS TWO wildfires broke out across Southern California on Monday, October 26, prompting tens of thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. The Silverado Fire, which started near Irvine after 6:45 a.m. on Monday, has swept through 12,600 acres as of Tuesday in the Santa Ana Mountains at Santiago Canyon and Silverado Canyon roads. As strong winds have contributed to the spread, about 5% has been contained with no structures lost, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. However, two firefighters, ages 26 and 31, were critically injured on Monday. As of press time, Southern California Edison was investigating whether one of its power lines contributed to igniting the Silverado fire. Meanwhile, the Blue Ridge Fire, which began in Yorba Linda after 1 p.m. on Monday, has scorched 15,200 acres across Orange and San Bernardino counties. It BLUE RIDGE FIRE. Members of the Corona Fire Department battle the Blue Ridge Fire on Monday night, October 26, after a brush ﬁre broke was spreading near Chino Hills, prompting some resiout on the west end of Corona in Riverside County and quickly spread into Orange County. The ﬁre threatened homes in Yorba Linda and dents to flee. burned about 8,000 acres.

u PAGE A2

Photo courtesy of the Corona FD

2 Fil-Ams seek local posts in Orange County by CHRISTINA

M. ORIEL

AJPress

TWO Filipino Americans are vying for local posts in Orange County in the upcoming general election on November 3. Jose Paolo Magcalas is seeking re-election for the Anaheim Elementary School District Board of Education after serving a four-year term representing Trustee Area 3. He faces Lucille Kring, a councilmember who has represented District 4 in central-south Anaheim. In the final days, Magcalas has been clad in PPE to go door-to-door in the precinct as well as connecting with voters online. He recently appeared at a candidate forum hosted by a local parent group, while his opponent did not

show up. “Since I’ve lived here for 30 years, taught here for 14, and have served four years on the local school board, I am highly invested in this neighborhood,” Magcalas told the Asian Journal. “It’s been a grassroots community effort, relying on friends, family and students. I haven’t taken any corporate PAC money.” Magcalas is an assistant professor of education at California State University, Los Angeles, and previously taught ethnic studies and United States history at Loara High School. The Anaheim Elementary School District serves over 17,300 students at 23 schools. During the 2018-19 school year, 1.4% of students in the district identified as Filipino, ac- Jose Paolo Magcalas

u PAGE A4

Photo courtesy of Anaheim Elementary School District

April Bautista, a candidate for La Palma City Council Photo by Randy Bautista

Metro Manila retains GCQ status for November Fil-Am doctor cautions against large by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, October 27, announced that Metro Manila will remain under general community quarantine (GCQ) until November 30. According to the chief executive, the mayors of Metro Manila wanted to keep the GCQ status in the region. “Ang gusto ng mga mayor, karamihan, gusto nila (The majority of mayors want to), make it permanent because they have seen the goodness of the result. It has considerably lowered the number of people infected with President Rodrigo Duterte shows a document while holding a meeting with the Inter-Agency the microbe,” Duterte said in a Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) core members at the Matina Enclaves taped public address. in Davao City on Monday, October 26. Malacañang photo by Arman Baylon “So gusto nila ito. Palagay ko

naman sa inyo rin itong kapakanan (I think this is for your own good). Look, we are not here to make your life miserable or sad. We are here to make your life comfortable and to make you happy,” he added. Aside from the capital region, the provinces of Batangas and Lanao del Sur, and the cities of Iloilo, Bacolod, Tacloban, and Iligan will be under GCQ for the whole month of November. Last week, Metro Manila mayors sought to extend the GCQ status in their areas. They also decided to impose shorter curfew hours in the capital region, going from the current 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew to 12 a.m. to 4 a.m. The mayors likewise decided

u PAGE A4

gatherings ahead of flu, holiday season by AJPRESS

HEADING into the last week of October, Los Angeles County reached the milestone of 7,000 confirmed COVID-19 deaths and 300,614 positive cases. On Monday, October 26, the LA County Department of Public Health confirmed eight new deaths and 861 new cases of COVID-19. Since the beginning of the month, cases have increased from around 940 new cases per day to, as of last week, almost 1,200 new cases per day. This increase, while not as steep as seen in July, is cause for concern. To prevent the future spread

of COVID-19, Filipina American Dr. Jasmine Eugenio, a pediatrics specialist at Martin Luther King Jr. Outpatient Center, reminded the community to minimize contact with non-household members, especially as the holiday season approaches. “Whether it’s Halloween or especially for Filipinos, Christmas is important to have the whole family there, unless you actually live with them, it’s not a good idea to have any gatherings with people that are outside of your home,” Eugenio told the Asian Journal. With Halloween this Saturday, October 31, the Health Officer Order prohibits large-scale gath-

u PAGE A4

SPOOKTACULAR

TREATS PROMO PERIOD | OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2020 ADOR FARM / ECU

ITE JUMBO WH -ON SHRIMP HEAD 14% VE SA REG. $6.99

$ 9/L9B

GHT FRESHLY CAU NORTHWEST IN THE PACIFIC GTON, USA OF WASHIN

LHEAD FRESH STEE ON BABY SALM SAVE 30% REG. $4.99

$ 49 /LB

SHOP ISLAND PACIFIC | DOWNLOAD THE APP

AN BEEF KORE BBQ RIBS SAVE 22% .99 $8 G. RE

$ 9/L9B

A OctOber 28-30, 2020 • Socal ASIAN JOUrNAL

Silverado, Blue Ridge fires continue to...

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

From the Front Page

PAGE A1 About 70,000 homes were under mandatory evacuation in Irvine, while 8,000 homes in Lake Forest and 2,500 in Yorba Linda. Fil-Am resident Nathaniel Epstein of Baker Ranch in Lake Forest evacuated with his wife, who is pregnant, on Monday morning ahead of the evacuation order. “We decided it would be best to leave to my in-laws because they live south away from the fires,” Epstein told the Asian Journal. “Since my wife is pregnant, we thought it would be best to be prepared and get ready to leave since we live along the area of the fires.” Arleen Delos Santos-Aquino and her family stayed on Monday night at their home in Lake Forest’s Whisler Ridge, but could continue to see the fire across the Silverado Canyon. “It’s very nerve-racking . But what can we do? No time to cry. Pack the essentials and those what can’t be replaced and evacThe Silverado Fire is seen at a distance from Lake Forest, California on Monday afternoon, uate if necessary,” Delos Santos- October 26. As of Tuesday, it has scorched 12,600 acres. Aquino told the Asian Journal. n Photo courtesy of Arleen Delos Santos-Aquino

Several Fil-Am candidates seek... PAGE A1 overwhelmingly white, straight, elderly and male. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, it was a novelty to see a woman or person of color in any elected position. Before that, it was nonexistent. But the influx of Asian immigration to the U.S. in the 1980s and 1990s ushered in a new generation of Filipino Americans that came from families looking to assimilate their U.S.-born children in the American mainstream. Fast forward to 2020 in a postdiversity American culture and society when the push for people of color — particularly women of color — in leadership positions is at its utmost urgency. Filipino Americans are the second largest Asian American group but are still widely underrepresented in all elected positions across the board. But there is a strong contingent of Filipinos from all walks of life looking to rectify the diversity gap. Marvin Lim, Georgia State House of Representatives Marvin Lim, who immigrated to Atlanta from the Philippines at the age of 7, is gunning for District 99 of the Georgia House of Representatives. Representatives serve two-year terms in the legislature and are not subject to term limits. In June, Lim, a civil rights and violence prevention attorney who has worked with the ACLU, won the Democratic primary with 61% of the vote and is unopposed going into the general election. Gina Ortiz Jones — Texas’ 23rd Congressional District Filipina American U.S. Air Force veteran Gina Ortiz Jones is currently running to represent Texas’ 23rd District in the House of Representatives after narrowly losing the same ticket in 2018 to the Republican incumbent Will Hurd. But with Hurd opting out of reelection this year, Ortiz Jones, 39, has a viable chance at being the first openly gay woman of color to represent the Lone Star state. She is currently in a tight race against Republican candidate Tony Gonzales, a former Navy cryptologist, for the district that spans from San Antonio to the Texas-Mexico border. In a recent debate with Gonzalez, Ortiz Jones — whose mother is from Pangasinan, Philippines — argued that healthcare is the most pressing issue in the “medically underserved” district and vows to fight for a “public option so that people will have access to quality affordable health care, even if they’ve lost their job.” “We need leaders that are going to make sure that we’re doing everything possible to protect people’s lives and livelihoods and holding them accountable when they don’t do that. And I look forward to making sure that we get this pandemic under control but also make sure our economic recovery is inclusive as possible,” she said. The race for Texas’ 23rd District is monumental this year because the currently Democrat-heavy House can potentially swing right with all seats up for grabs this election cycle. TJ Cox, California’s 21st District Elsewhere in Congress, Filipino American Rep. TJ Cox (D-Calif.) is seeking re-election two years after he narrowly beat Republican incumbent David Valadao for the district centered in Fresno, California. The 2020 race for the 21st District has been racked with mudslinging from both sides. Cox’s campaign has been playing up Valadao as a “yes-man who who voted with [President Donald] Trump 99% [of the time],” and Valadao’s campaign has been painting Cox as an out-of-touch millionaire whose financial controversies make Cox “the single most corrupt member of Congress.” Cox’s win was monumental, not just for visibility of Filipino American leadership, but for the nation’s congressional landscape in general. Cox’s victory helped Democrats take one of the seven House seats in California that Republicans lost in the historic 2018 midterm elections. It was also a particular surprise for the district which hasn’t seen a Democratic representative since 1981. In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Cox called out his opponent as “[House Minority Leader] Kevin McCarthy’s pet project,” noting that McCarthy has been trying to win back the seats his party lost two years ago. But Cox stressed that policies that McCarthy and his cohorts endorse — including “limiting healthcare access and a woman’s right to choose, tax cuts for the very wealthy” — aren’t the causes that benefit the rural, overwhelmingly Latino constituency. On the East Coast, longtime

Rep. Gina Ortiz Jones (Texas-23)

Marvin Lim, a civil rights attorney, runs unopposed for District 99 of the Georgia House of Representatives

Rep. Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-Virginia)

TJ Cox (D-Calif.)

Assemblymaker Rob Bonta

Todd Gloria for San Diego mayor

Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes

Godfrey Plata, a public education advocate, seeks the CA Assembly District 53 seat

Rep. Robert Scott (D-Vir.) is seeking re-election after nearly 30 years of legislating for the district in southern Virginia. Scott, who is African American and Filipino (from his maternal grandmother), also chairs the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. Scott is generally seen as a safe vote for Democrats; the district has almost consistently voted for Democrats in the primary and general elections. Todd Gloria, San Diego mayor Another Filipino American looking to shake things up is Democratic California State Assemblymember Todd Gloria who, as previously reported in the Asian Journal, is currently running to become mayor of San Diego (part of which he currently represents as an assemblymember). Gloria, 42, was the second person of Filipino descent ever elected to the California Legislature after the first, Assemblymember Rob Bonta, who is currently running for re-election for California’s 18th Assembly District (Alameda). “He deeply cares about people, their safety and their welfare. He is a true leader and a professional and he gets things done,” Bonta recently said of Gloria. If he elected, Gloria would be the first person of color and the first openly gay person to be elected as mayor of San Diego, an ethnically diverse city of more than 1.4 million. Both Todd and Bonta (who has served his post since 2012) made strides for the Filipino American community in California, and there’s another Filipino American in the Los Angeles-area looking to increase visibility of the community in the legislature. Godfrey Plata, CA State Assembly (District 53) Organizer and former teacher Godfrey Plata won the primary election in March and is currently running a progressive campaign for California’s Assembly District 53 (Koreatown). If elected, the tenants’ rights activist would be the only renter in the State Legislature which has

tried and failed to address the state’s mounting housing problem. In the vein of Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Plata’s grassroots campaign envisions massive bureaucratic changes to the government that prioritizes at-risk, underserved communities. “There’s so much money at the table that is controlling the way in which we elect people and the way we make decisions,” Plata told the Asian Journal in February. “Lots of people want to know, “What do you want to change?’ But people aren’t thinking enough about what is the process of making change. I really want to shine a light on that and explore how we can expand our leadership and make our leadership work for us, not the other way around.” Sean Reyes, Utah Attorney General On the other side of the political spectrum, Sean Reyes, attorney general of the historically conservative state of Utah, is also running for re-election for his post that he’s held since 2013. A Trump ally, Reyes recently spoke at the Republican National Convention on Aug. 27 where he said in a 4-minute speech that he interacts “with some of the most marginalized victims on earth and they love America. They love President Trump because he’s fighting for their freedom and America’s freedom.” “I’m a proud American and proud descendant of warrior ancestors, women and men alike, from my Hawaiian, Filipino, Japanese and Spanish heritage,” Reyes said. “My father demonstrated his warrior spirit over 50 years fighting a dictator in his homeland, the Philippines. Barely escaping with his life, he started anew in America.” Back in April, Trump endorsed Reyes’ re-election, saying in a tweet that Reyes is “a fighter and hard worker for the Great State of Utah. He is a big supporter of our [Make America Great Again] Agenda — Strong on Crime, the Second Amendment and Loves our Law Enforcement….” n

(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com

Dateline USa

Fil-Am millennial Jason Tengco shares his role... PAGE A1

Journal. Having lived in the capital for almost eight years, Tengco recalled the countless times he walked by Lafayette Park where the protestors had been gathering, and realized that he wanted to be fully invested in making sure former Vice President Joe Biden would be elected as the next president. Despite already having a job offer lined up in California’s Bay Area, Tengco emailed out his resume to people he knew on Biden’s campaign, and from that, came his role as chief of staff of the coalitions team. “Joe Biden really understands that we cannot take any community for granted, that we all need a seat at the table, that our issues matter, that our concerns matter, and that we need this coalition of voters not only to win in November, but also when we do win, this will be the governing body to help Jason Tengco (center) with former Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden Joe Biden when he’s in the White issues that Joe Biden is trying to nior Advisor to the National FedHouse to really push his agenda,” really advocate for, we have to eration of Filipino American Assaid Tengco. make sure that we speak in their sociations (NaFFAA), the largest The coalitions department was language,” said Tengco. national affiliation to promote the announced in May and signaled “We are so lucky to be able to welfare of the approximately four the Biden campaign’s efforts to have really strong leaders with million Filipinos throughout the ensure that the diversity of the Filipino Americans for Biden U.S, after serving as its executive campaign mirrored that of the who have been helping us orga- director. country. Tengco’s interest in political nize digitally and reaching voters, “We’re really proud of the knowing that we’re not doing as activism sparked while studying team that we’ve assembled,” said much in person,” he added. at the University of California, Tengco, adding that it’s one of the Another big part of the cam- Los Angeles, where he obtained most diverse coalition of leaders paign has been making use of his B.A. in political science. working on issues ranging from surrogates who are typically ceGrowing up, discussions on building the country back up af- lebrities passionate about Biden’s identity and culture wasn’t someter the coronavirus pandemic to candidacy and who speak on be- thing his parents engaged in climate change and immigration. half of the campaign. — an experience not uncommon Involved are nearly 30 people Asian American Olympic figure among second generation Filin its national staff represent- skater Michelle Kwan, for exam- Ams whose parents encouraged ing nearly 20 coalitions focused ple, joined the Biden campaign them to focus more on studies. on different sectors and minor- as a surrogate after also being a It was through meeting fellow ity groups like AAPIs, African part of Hillary Clinton’s campaign second generation Fil-Am stuAmericans, Latinos, the LGBTQ in 2016. Before that, she served dents who were going through community, seniors, veteran and as public diplomacy ambassador the same struggle of learning military families, young Ameri- under former Secretary of State about their identity and roots that cans, and students among many Condoleezza Rice, and continued later fueled his passion for civic others. as an envoy under the Obama ad- engagement, especially in the “I almost feel like I’m sort of a ministration where she worked Fil-Am community. connector in a lot of ways, just with Biden and Clinton. “I’ll always remember this making sure the trains are run“It’s been such a pleasure. I quote that I learned in college: ning on time,” Tengco said of his absolutely love the team that the No history, No self. Know hisrole. campaign has built,” said Teng- tory, know self,” said Tengco. With campaigning largely go- co. “We have great teamwork On supporting Biden ing online due to the pandemic, and really that passion to get When it comes to supporting Tengco said the campaign has things done.” Biden, Tengco said Biden’s track built a robust digital organizing Prior to becoming the coali- record is telling of his commitprogram that includes efforts like tions chief of staff, Tengco served ment to the Fil-Am community. phone banking in different na- as the National Asian American Biden has publicly courted the tive languages, especially in key and Pacific Islander Outreach Fil-Am community during his states. Director during Clinton’s 2016 campaign, most recently sending “You might not always have campaign, and as deputy direc- out a tweet for Filipino Amerisomeone on the other end of the tor of the White House Initiative can History Month in which he line who understands or speaks on AAPIs during the Obama ad- praised the community for its English very well, so in order to ministration. “immense contributions” to the reach voters and to talk about the He also recently served as SePAGE A4

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • OCtObeR 28-30, 2020

A OctOber 28-30, 2020 • Socal ASIAN JOUrNAL

Dateline USa

2 Fil-Ams seek local posts in Orange... PAGE A1 cording to data from the California Department of Education. A resident of Anaheim for three decades, his personal involvement in local groups caught the attention of several residents who encouraged him to run for a vacant seat on the school district’s board, as previously reported by the Asian Journal. Magcalas was elected to the board in November 2016 to represent Trustee Area 3, which covers five schools in the southwest region of the city. As a board trustee, the Fil-Am educator has pushed for a resolution to offer dual language immersion — giving students the opportunity to learn two languages — during the current school year as well as putting copies of “Journey for Justice: The Life of Larry Itliong” by the late historian Dawn Bohulano Mabalon and writer Gayle Romasanta in all 23 elementary schools in the district. In February, the board voted 5-0 to include ethnic studies in school curriculum starting this school year. “I am proud that we understand the importance of including everyone’s contributions in the U.S. history curriculum. I wish I learned about Filipino-American history

as well as many untold histories as a child,” Magcalas previously told the Asian Journal. If re-elected to another term, Magcalas and the board would be faced with how to help reopen schools safely. The board recently voted to resume in-person instruction on Jan. 19, 2021, which Magcalas voted against. “I will look at the numbers closely, but at the same time, I firmly believe that we have systems in place that will ensure the health, safety and protection of all of our teachers, staff and students” he said, noting the district’s investments in HVAC systems and plexiglass for student desks. “So really, that is my biggest challenge right now as a board member is ensuring the safety of all of our students, open or not open.” Meanwhile, in La Palma, April Bautista is gunning for one of three available seats in city council. She faces five other candidates. Bautista, a political science graduate from the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, has over 10 years of experience working in government, nonprofit organizations, and customer service, according to her biography.

The millennial Pinay was living in Hawaii but returned to her hometown of La Palma to care for her aging parents. Among the top issues concerning the city’s residents are maintaining neighborhood safety and support during the pandemic. “Running for office as a woman of color is not easy and navigating campaigning is also not easy; however, the city staff have been so helpful by offering advice and words of encouragement,” Bautista told the Asian Journal. In 2013, the city of some 15,000 residents ranked 31st in the “Best places to live” among small cities (50,000 or less) in the United States by CNN’s Money magazine. Though COVID-19 has limited door-to-door and in-person campaign efforts, Bautista is continuing to get out of the vote ahead of Election Day by engaging voters on social media and attending virtual events. “Even though national politics make people turn away from engaging in politics, it has also been a beacon of light seeing so many BIPOC be empowered enough to act through activism, voting, and/ or community organizing,” she said. n

Fil-Am millennial Jason Tengco shares his role... PAGE A3 U.S. and for their service in the military or as frontline workers. One major accomplishment attributed to the Obama-Biden administration, Tengco said, has been the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program which protects immigrants brought to the U.S. illegally as children from deportation, and gives them work authorization. Tengco added that Fil-Am representation in political leadership was another area Biden helped amplify in his career. Some Fil-Am leaders under

the Obama-Biden administration include Nani Coloretti, who as deputy secretary of Housing and Urban Development, was the highest-ranking Fil-Am in the administration; and Judge Lorna Schofield who became the first Fil-Am federal judge. “Vice President Biden wants to continue to build off of that significant progress and make sure that we have diverse, talented individuals in his administration,” said Tengco. There was also the fact that the Obama-Biden administration made an effort to recognize the contributions of Filipino World War II Veterans, something that Tengco was personally invested in. “That issue for me as a college

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY SOUTHERN IFB NO. EP210-21 CALIFORNIA REGIONAL Purchase of Hy-Rail RAIL AUTHORITY Man Lifts IFB NO. EP209-21 Purchase of Railcar The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) Lift Jacks is seeking bids for new Hy-Rail Man Lifts. Upon award, a purchase order will be issued for the goods included in the solicitation. Beginning October 21, 2020 Invitations for Bid (IFB) may be obtained via download from SCRRA’s website at http://www. metrolinktrains.com/agency/ page/title/doing_business. Electronic bids must be submitted online at http://www. metrolinktrains.com/agency/ page/title/doing_business on or before 2:00 PM Local Time on November 5, 2020. Electronic bids will not be received after this date and time. The Contract to be awarded will be subject to a financial assistance agreement between Authority and U.S. Department of Transportation under grants issued by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). As a condition of financial assistance agreements between the Authority and U.S. DOT, the Authority has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program and overall DBE goal in accordance with Title 49 CFR, Part 26. Authority’s overall DBE goal for the current Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) is twelve percent (12%). The Authority has not set a contract-specific DBE participation goal for this U.S. DOTassisted project, but bidders are encouraged to afford DBEs every opportunity to compete for and participate on this U.S. DOT-assisted contract. SCRRA does not discriminate against, or provide preferential treatment to any individual or group on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, age over 40, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, disability including AIDS, mental condition, cancer-related medical condition, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or marital status in its Contracting activities. Questions regarding this procurement should be submitted via the Online Q&A Module of this listing at http://www.metrolinktrains.com/agency/page/title/doing_business no later than 2:00 PM Local Time on October 27, 2020. For further information contact Angelos Kastrisianakis, Principle Contract & Compliance Administrator at 213-4520215 or email kastrisianakisa@ scrra.net. 10/28/20 CNS-3410179# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) is seeking bids for new Railcar Lift Jacks. Upon award, a purchase order will be issued for the goods included in the solicitation. Beginning October 21, 2020 Invitations for Bid (IFB) may be obtained via download from SCRRA’s website at http://www. metrolinktrains.com/agency/ page/title/doing_business. Electronic bids must be submitted online at http://www.metrolinktrains.com/agency/page/title/doing_business on or before 2:00 PM Local Time on November 5, 2020. Electronic bids will not be received after this date and time. The Contract to be awarded will be subject to a financial assistance agreement between Authority and U.S. Department of Transportation under grants issued by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). As a condition of financial assistance agreements between the Authority and U.S. DOT, the Authority has established a Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Program and overall DBE goal in accordance with Title 49 CFR, Part 26. Authority’s overall DBE goal for the current Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) is twelve percent (12%). The Authority has not set a contract-specific DBE participation goal for this U.S. DOT-assisted project, but bidders are encouraged to afford DBEs every opportunity to compete for and participate on this U.S. DOT-assisted contract. SCRRA does not discriminate against, or provide preferential treatment to any individual or group on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, age over 40, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, disability including AIDS, mental condition, cancer-related medical condition, political affiliation, sexual orientation, or marital status in its Contracting activities. Questions regarding this procurement should be submitted via the Online Q&A Module of this listing at http://www.metrolinktrains.com/agency/page/title/ doing_business no later than 2:00 PM Local Time on October 27, 2020. For further information contact Angelos Kastrisianakis, Principle Contract & Compliance Administrator at 213-452-0215 or email kastrisianakisa@scrra.net . 10/28/20 CNS-3410166# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

student actually was the reason why I got into student organizing. It was the reason why I got into politics — that issue opened by eyes to social justice,” said Tengco. On getting out to vote Tengco has long been an active advocate for voter empowerment, especially in the Fil-Am community. In an op-ed he wrote for the Asian Journal in July 2019, he highlighted that only 50% of eligible Fil-Am voters exercised their right to vote in the 2016 election. “The AAPI community is extremely diverse,” said Tengco. “We represent over 50 ethnicities. We speak over a hundred different languages and we are not monolithic. We are different across communities, and this campaign gets that.” In his op-ed, he urged Fil-Ams to pay close attention to what the candidates were saying on issues like immigration, which affects Fil-Ams. He wrote that more than 300,000 Filipinos in the Philippines were hoping to be reunited with relatives in the U.S. Another estimated 310,000 Filipinos in the U.S. are undocumented, including 5,000 who benefited from the DACA program. With Election Day coming soon on Tuesday, November 3, Tengco joins others in encouraging people to exercise their right to vote. “It’s so important to be able to elect a president who not only knows what he’s doing, but also knows how to make sure that we can leverage the resources of the federal government to really protect our communities,” said Tengco. In support of Biden, Tengco added: “He has this real commitment to making sure that workers have the resources, the essential services, and the protective equipment that they need. That is something that impacts Filipino Americans — Filipino nurses and health care workers and our own Kababayan.” (Rae Ann Varona/ AJPress)

Fil-Am doctor cautions against... PAGE A1 erings like carnivals, festivals and haunted house attractions. Doorto-door trick or treating is not recommended. Meanwhile, the health department advises in favor of online parties, car parades, drive-in theaters, or outdoor meals. While the optimal situation is celebrating solely at home with one’s household, those who host or attend a private gathering must follow public health protocols, such as: physical distancing outdoors, limit to three households and wearing cloth face coverings when not eating. Eugenio also warned about a possible “twindemic” as flu season begins to not overwhelm the health care system. “The problem with having both is that they can co-exist in one patient — that doesn’t mean that if you get COVID, you’re not going to get the flu. You can get both at the same time,” Eugenio said. “COVID and flu are spread the same way as respiratory illness. While there’s no vaccine for COVID yet, it’s important to get a flu vaccine.” She also reminded the community to continue to observe measures like wearing a mask and frequently washing hands. She added, “It can be overwhelming but we have to remain very vigilant to make sure we protect ourselves and our loved ones. We have loved ones who can get infected if we are not careful.” n

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

LA city, county officials join USC Schaeffer to launch COVID-19 rapid testing pilot by AJPress RESEARCHERS at the University of Southern California (USC) Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics are collaborating with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, and the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health on a project to examine the use of coronavirus rapid antigen tests among first responders and school-aged children. The multi-pronged pilot study aims to determine the best methods for using the inexpensive tests with the hope of supporting additional reopening efforts. Rapid tests have the potential to quickly alert people who are contagious and need to isolate, thereby stopping the chain of transmission. Los Angeles is one of the first metropolitan areas in the country to launch a large-scale pilot study of rapid tests in both symptomatic and asymptomatic participants. “I am grateful for this collaboration between the County and the City, and our partners at USC for these efforts to vastly expand and enhance testing capacity,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. “We continue to work together to keep our communities safe and healthy, while gradually moving forward with additional reopenings and in-person learning for our children and youth.” “Our new rapid tests are cheaper, faster, and more accessible -- and they are a potential game changer in our ability to respond to COVID-19, reopen our schools, and get our economy back ontrack,” said Mayor Garcetti. “Los Angeles never shies away from a challenge, and we are tapping into our trademark creativity, our innovative spirit, and our strong partners with USC and the County to advance groundbreaking research, prevent the spread of this virus, and save lives.” The first phase of the project kicked off last week with firefighters at the Los Angeles Fire Department receiving three COVID-19 tests at City testing sites: a self-administered rapid antigen test, a lab-based PCR test, and an antibody test to identify prior infection. The project, which aims to enroll up to 1,000 first responders, will provide insight into how each test performs and how to best administer these

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti joins the launch of a COVID-19 rapid testing pilot which will explore the use of rapid testing among first Responders and school-aged children

tests to essential frontline workers. PCR tests cost upwards of $100 apiece and can take days to deliver results. Rapid antigen tests can cost as little as $5, deliver results within 15 minutes, can be conducted using a paper strip, and have the potential to be selfadministered when paired with a smartphone app that can accurately interpret results. “Rapid antigen tests have a lot of promise in our path to reopen schools and businesses because they are cheaper and provide quicker results than PCR tests. But, there is a lot we don’t know,” said Neeraj Sood, director of the COVID Initiative at the USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy & Economics and USC lead on the collaboration. “We want to understand whether rapid antigen tests identify infectious and asymptomatic individuals, whether they can be self-administered and how they can be used for screening at schools and workplaces. We are especially excited to be piloting a new rapid antigen test and mobile app that uses computer vision technology to automatically interpret results.” Sood is also a professor at the USC Price School of Public Policy. The second phase of the project seeks to assess the feasibility, acceptability, and accuracy of repeat rapid antigen testing for screening in school-aged children. Sood, along with USC Keck School of Medicine Professor Jennifer Unger will co-lead this project to determine the best process and strategy to test large numbers of students in institutional settings. Both phases will rely on volunteers as study par-

ticipants. “This partnership with USC and the City of Los Angeles is an enormous opportunity to implement cutting edge research that has the potential to transform the way we approach the pandemic and how we can slow the spread of COVID-19,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of the Department of Public Health. “Identifying strategies to protect our essential workers and get children back to school safely are among our highest priorities.” Researchers are looking at the pilot studies, focus groups, and surveys as avenues to tackle a number of challenges, such as establishing the best way to deploy rapid testing; determining how often a person should repeat testing; and identifying the best way to conduct large-scale testing and develop an effective implementation strategy. The project is a public-private partnership led by the University of Southern California, the Office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and the L.A. County Department of Public Health. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Gauss provided the rapid antigen tests and computer vision app. CedarsSinai provided the PCR tests, antibody tests, and lab analysis. Support for the project was provided by the Office of Mayor Garcetti, University of Southern California, Los Angeles Fire Department, Rockefeller Foundation, Arnold Schwarzenegger and other individual donors. School administrators interested in participating in this study can email COVIDstudy@healthpolicy.usc.edu for more information. n

Metro Manila retains GCQ status for...

PAGE A1 to allow people aged 18 to 65 to leave their homes. Meanwhile, the Inter-Agency Task Force allowed non-essential travel between areas placed under GCQ and modified GCQ subject to

the regulations imposed by the local government unit (LGU). Hotels in areas under GCQ were also allowed to operate at full capacity. As of writing, there are 373,144 confirmed cases of the novel

coronavirus in the country, with 7,053 fatalities and 328,602 recoveries. The Philippines has the second highest number of COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia after Indonesia. n

New survey: AAPI registered voters in10 ... PAGE A1 Biden, a 4% increase since July, while 34% view him negatively. “One of the more important numbers for any incumbent, especially the president, is the approval rating — their vote share usually corresponds to their approval rating,” said Fred Yang of Garin-Hart-Yang Research Group said during a virtual presentation of the results hosted by the NEA and the Pilipino American Los Angeles Democrats on Monday, October 26. The survey was conducted online and in English from September 16-24 among 875 registered AAPI voters in Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. It builds on a previous survey the groups did in the same states in July. “The API electorate has historically and often been overlooked and under-resourced in targeted electoral campaigns,” said Carrie Pugh, political director at the NEA. Among the Biden supporters, 65% were from the Blue Wall consisting of Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota. 56% were from the Southwest consisting of Arizona, Nevada, and Texas, while 60% were from the South consisting of Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina. On the other hand, 28% of the Trump supporters were from the Blue Wall, 35% were from the Southwest, and 31% were from the South. Sen. Kamala Harris, Biden’s running mate, got a favorability bump from July to September with 43% “positive” after she was announced on the ticket. Though the survey did not present disaggregated data, 26% of respondents are of Chinese descent, 21% Indian and 15% Filipino. Other communities surveyed include Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese and other South Asian groups.

The 10 states represent about a third of the total count of AAPI registered voters in the country, which is around 6.4 million. The survey also found that 54% of the AAPI electorate favor the Democratic Party ticket in six states with Senate races, while 35% favor the Republican side. For Congress, 56% favor the Democrats, while 34% favor the Republicans. Voter motivation Heading into the election, 55% of voters are “extremely motivated” to vote compared to previous election years. “Voters, in particular AAPI voters, are actually voting the way they’re polled,” Yang said. Breaking the enthusiasm by age, 67% of voters over the age of 65 showed the most motivation, compared to 45% of voters between 18 to 34 years old. The survey also asked the AAPI voters who did not vote in the 2016 elections and found that 38% of them now are extremely motivated. Of those who said they were “not at all motivated,” the non2016 voters had the highest rate at 6%, followed by the age group of 18 to 34 years old with 4%, and the 35 to 49 bracket with 3%. Meanwhile, the 50 to 64 age group and 65 and up were tied at 2%. That motivation has been illustrated so far as over 500,000 more absentee ballots and early votes have been cast by AAPI voters this cycle than in 2016, and 34% of voters previously didn’t vote four years ago, Pugh said, according to Catalyst data. “When you look at these numbers in these key battleground states, there really is a potential for the AAPI electorate to be the margin of victory,” she said. Key issues The survey also asked the respondents about the national issues they considered important. The four issues that received the highest rates were jobs/econo-

my (91%), health care (89%), COVID testing (86%), and fairness/equality (85%). “At least on issues, if not other factors, the AAPI electorate is pretty much in line with the rest of the country,” Yang said. Of those who answered jobs/ economy, 54% considered it an extremely important issue while 37% said it was very important. Of those who answered health care, 57% said it was extremely important, while 32% said it was very important. For COVID testing, 53% said it was extremely important, while 33% said it was very important. Meanwhile, for fairness/equality, 54% said it was extremely important, while 31% said it was very important. The other issues rated were equal opportunity (84%), COVID recovery (83%), national security (81%), education (81%), environment (77%), racial discrimination (74%), taxes (74%), gun control (71%), and police discrimination (69%). Method of voting As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage the country, the survey asked the voters their preferred method to vote. Thirty-five percent of the AAPI electorate said they would vote in person. On the other hand, 30% said they would vote by mail and 17% would vote absentee/return by mail. The majority of the electorate also said they trust voting in person, with 59% saying they trust it “a great deal,” while 32% trust it “a fair amount.” At the end of the survey, respondents were given a box to write comments and largely commented on the importance of having AAPI-specific data, according to Yang. “A significant number of respondents at the end of the survey understood the uniqueness of this research and expressed themselves that way,” Yang said. (Ritchel Mendiola/AJPress)

(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • OCtObeR 28-30, 2020

Dateline PhiliPPines

Pope Francis names 9th Filipino cardinal IATF: Allowing foreigners to enter PH being studied by ritcheL

MendioLa AJPress

Capiz Archbishop Jose Advincula is one of the 13 new cardinals named by Pope Francis on Sunday, October 25. The Pontiff made the surprise announcement during his Sunday Angelus at the Vatican, according to the official news service of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). Advincula will be elevated with the new cardinals at a consistory on November 28, 2020. He is the ninth cardinal in the Philippines, following cardinals Orlando Quevedo, Luis Antonio Tagle, Gaudencio Rosales, Jose Sanchez, Ricardo Vidal, Jaime Sin, Julio Rosales and Rufino Santos. He is also the fourth living Filipino cardinal, along with Rosales, Quevedo, and Tagle, who currently serves as the prefect of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. Advincula was born in Dumalag, Capiz, on March 30, 1952. He was ordained as a priest of Capiz on April 14, 1976 before being appointed bishop of San Carlos in 2001. The 68-year-old has been serving as head of the Archdiocese of Capiz since January 2012. Catholic prelates, for their part, expressed their support for Advincula’s appointment.

by aJPress

Newly-appointed Jose Cardinal Advincula

“Amidst this COVID-19 pandemic, the appointment of Jose Advincula is our sign of hope, source of joy, and moment of comfort. We are grateful to our Holy Father and we accompany Jose Cardinal Advincula with our prayers and collaboration,” said Bataan Bishop Ruperto Santos. “It is an abundant blessing to our country, indeed immense grace to our Church. We now have a Cardinal from Visayan region, a worthy gift to the universal Church,” he added. “We are indeed very happy for this new appointment of Arch-

EASING travel restrictions into the Philippines amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic should be done gradually, according to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF). IATF vice chairman and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Saturday, October 24, said they are studying the possibility of allowing more foreigners to enter the Philippines again. “I can’t predict when we will allow the entry of foreigners who belong to other categories. Basically, it’s a work in progress. It’s something that is being studied. We are looking at the numbers,” he said in an online forum. “The point is we are opening CBCP photo (the country) but we don’t want bishop Jose Advincula, DD as to do it in haste,” he added. “We one of the 13 new cardinals... appeal for some patience. It’s We assure him of our prayers moving and we listen to all reand support,” Cubao Bishop Ho- quests... It has to be calculated nesto Ongtioco said in a separate and very calibrated so our system statement. would not be overwhelmed.” Meanwhile, Sorsogon ArchNograles also said that the bishop Emeritus Arturo Bastes government is calculating the pointed out that Advincula is carrying capacity of the country one of the new cardinals under the age of 80 eligible to elect the Pope’s successor. “We Filipinos are grateful to have another Cardinal who can participate in the next Conclave THE Philippines made history who will elect the successor of in international labor when it Pope Francis,” he said. n became the first observer-nation to be elevated as vice chairman of a group in the International Labor Organization (ILO). The Philippine Overseas Labor Office in Geneva reported to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello 3rd that this is the first time in the 100 years of the ILO that is a 51-year-old Filipino and an observer nation was elected worked in the ambassador’s ofvice chairman of its government ficial residence at the back of the group, the body that represents embassy’s main building. governments in the tripartite The CCTV footage recorded global labor organization. from the diplomatic residence “This milestone, I believe, was used as evidence in a comgives hope to countries that plaint against Mauro in late Auhave no voice and no vote in the gust, the report said. ILO,” Bello said. According to the official webHe added that it was “the site of Philippine Embassy in dawning of a new hope for the Brazil, Mauro presented her crevoiceless in the ILO.” dentials to Brazilian President The ILO, the United Nations’ Michel Temer on Apr. 28, 2018. oldest specialized agency, is The Philippine Embassy in made up of titular member Brazil also has jurisdiction over states, deputy member states Colombia, Guyana, Suriname and observer states. The first and Venezuela. n two have speaking rights, with

Philippines pulls out envoy in Brazil over alleged staff maltreatment by Patricia Lourdes Philstar.com

Viray

MANILA — The Philippines recalled its ambassador in Brazil over supposed maltreatment of their personnel, the country’s top diplomat said on Monday, October 26. “The Philippine Ambassador to Brazil has been recalled effective immediately to explain the maltreatment of her service staff,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said in a tweet. The Department of Foreign Affairs said Ambassador Marichu Mauro was instructed to go

home immediately after the release of video clips showing her “berating and mistreating” her household staff.

“The household staff left Brasilia on October 21 and is back in the Philippines. The DFA is reaching out to her to ensure her wellbeing and cooperation in the investigation,” the DFA said in a statement released Monday afternoon. The DFA assured the public that a thorough investigation into the incident will be conducted. According to a report from Brazil’s GloboNews, the victim

in anticipation of the holiday season. “We are calculating the carrying capacity, how many are anticipated to come home, how many OFWs (overseas Filipino workers), all these are being studied to determine if we have the carrying capacity in anticipation of this coming Christmas season,” he said. He added that the government is having discussions related to reciprocity in outbound travels. “There are discussions on reciprocity. Some countries accept travelers from the Philippines. In a manner of reciprocity we may also be open to them. But the other question is whether that country has low or medium prevalence,” Nograles said. On Oct. 22, the IATF allowed the entry of foreigners with investors’ visas starting November 1. Under IATF Resolution No. 80, foreigners allowed to enter the country include: • Those with visas issued by the Bureau of Immigration pursuant to EO No. 226 or the Omnibus Investments Code, as

amended, and Republic Act No. 8756; • Those with 47(a)(2) visas issued by the Department of Justice; and • Those with visas issued by Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority, and Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority. “The entry of these foreign nationals to the country, however, is subject to conditions, such as they must have [a] valid and existing visa at the time of the entry and must likewise have a pre-booked accredited quarantine facility,” said presidential spokesman Harry Roque. “In addition, they must be subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry and must follow applicable immigration laws, rules and regulations,” he added. The IATF also lifted the ban on non-essential outbound travel, with Filipinos traveling abroad no longer required to present a negative result for an antigen test taken 24 hours before departing. n

PH gets key post in int’l labor group only the titular member states bestowed with the right to vote. Observer nations have neither speaking nor voting rights. With its election, world labor observers said the Philippines, long consigned to an observer status, could now play a pivotal role in the clamor for equality by smaller countries, especially those in Africa and Asia. Unequal representation has long been a festering issue in the ILO. The problem was highlighted in 1986 when a landmark amendment to the ILO constitution was passed that called for the “democratization” of the organization’s membership. The amendment was meant to level the playing field between rich nation members and member countries belonging to the world’s historically poorer states and regions. Nearly four decades after its adoption, the amendment remains unratified. Labor Attaché Cheryl Daytec

said the Philippines would automatically take the chairmanship of the government group in 2021 when its term as vice chairman expires next year. “I congratulate the Philippine Permanent Mission to the UN and our POLO in Geneva for judiciously pursuing our country’s long quest for a substantial seat in the ILO,” Bello said. To mark the ILO centenary last year, its highest governing body the International Labor Conference (ILC) adopted the 2019 Centenary Declaration which called for “full, equal, and more democratic” participation of all its constituents in the crafting of global labor standards, policies and programs. The Philippines will chair the group in time for the 2022 ILC. As Philippine Labor secretary, Bello will sit as chair of the group during that conference. (Jomar Canlas/ManilaTimes. net)

A6 OCTOBER 28-30, 2020 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

OPiniOn

Losing the battle

FeatUres

IN the battle for hearts and minds, the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict lost this one. The inter-agency task force continues to receive flak for advising celebrities about the perils of fraternizing with the Gabriela party-list. The group has been tagged by the NTF-ELCAC as a front of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army. The advice was given by one of the two NTF-ELCAC spokespersons, Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade, chief of the military’s Southern Luzon Command. He gave the advice to movie star Liza Soberano, best known for her role in the latest remake of “Darna,” and former Miss Universe Catriona Gray, with a reference to actress Angel Locsin and her activist sister Ella Colmenares, whom Parlade implied had joined the New People’s Army in Quezon. His advice might have been shrugged off, but it included a warning that Soberano could suffer the same fate as Josephine Anne Lapira, a 22year-old biochemistry student of the University of the Philippines-Manila, who was killed in an encounter in November 2017 between government forces and the NPA in Batangas. Soberano had spoken at a webinar sponsored by Gabriela Youth, to mark the International Day of the Girl Child on Oct. 11. She was introduced as a young woman influencer. She and her defenders have invoked her right to free expression, especially since the topic of her talk at the

webinar was women and children’s welfare. The NTF-ELCAC, created in December 2018 as President Duterte gave up on formal peace negotiations with the CPP and National Democratic Front, has a multi-pronged approach to achieve its goal. A number of the approaches, including the provision of “responsive” basic services to make communities “conflict-resilient” as well as the improvement of infrastructure, livelihood and poverty alleviation are intrinsic elements in addressing the root causes of insurgency. Other aspects, however, need finessing, particularly in the area of countering rebel messaging. The NTF-ELCAC has received the heaviest flak in its strategic communication aspect, wherein it has been accused of “red-tagging” or linking certain groups to the CPP-NPA. The latest imbroglio of the task force is the and Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla. takedown of its anti-CPP-NPA streamers from Both Malacañang and Defense Secretary Delfin strategic spots in the city of Manila and the prov- Lorenzana, meanwhile, have advised Parlade to ince of Cavite on orders of Mayor Isko Moreno keep his mouth shut unless he has evidence to

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

link individuals or groups to the rebel movement. In this controversy, if the NTF-ELCAC fails to see who’s losing in the battle for hearts and minds, the task force is in trouble. (Philstar.com)

Decisions 2020: Trump vs Biden on plans to heal and rebuild America from the pandemic (Part 1) The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS HOW do we start rebuilding our lives and our nation amid the continued threat of the coronavirus pandemic, more than nine months after it has become a health emergency around the world? Here is what the two candidates for commander-in-chief have to say. Donald Trump’s plan is “Let’s Go Back,” while Joe Biden wants to “Build Back Better.” On his website, the former vice president details a plan called, “Build Back Better.” Biden believes this is no time to just build back to the way things were before, with the old economy’s structural weaknesses and inequalities still in place. This is the moment to imagine and build a new American economy for our families and the next generation. An economy where every American enjoys a fair return for their work and an equal chance to get ahead. An economy more vibrant and more powerful precisely because everybody will be cut in on the deal. In this time of crisis, Joe Biden has a plan to create millions of good-paying jobs and to give America’s working families the tools, choices, and freedom they need to build back better.

Commentary

GLORIA T. CAOILE MY mother is a proud American citizen. Even now, in her 90s, she recites the Pledge of Allegiance and sings “The StarSpangled Banner” enthusiastically. She came to this country with the belief that with hard work and determination, she can better her life. And she did. I grew up the daughter of immigrants, and learned through her about our American ideals. She taught me about our American history and our Filipino history, and to be proud of who we are. But, more importantly, she showed me that what makes America so great is that it’s made up of millions of people like me who see America as a place where our

That starts with a real strategy to deal with the pandemic. We can’t solve the jobs crisis until we solve the public health crisis. Trump may have forgotten about COVID, but COVID hasn’t forgotten about us. On March 12, April 27, and June 11, Biden laid out a comprehensive strategy to get the pandemic under control and effectively reopen the economy — an approach that will both protect the health and safety of our people and boost economic activity. He will start implementing that plan on Day One. Biden will also provide further immediate relief to working families, small businesses, and communities. He will also: Provide state, local, and tribal governments with the aid they need so educators, firefighters and other essential workers aren’t being laid off. Extend COVID crisis unemployment insurance to help those who are out of work. Provide a comeback package for Main Street businesses and entrepreneurs. And, Biden will immediately put people to work by enlisting them to help fight the pandemic, including through a Public Health Jobs Corps. But that’s just the start. The Biden economic recovery plan for working families will build our economy back better. Whenever America has had its back against the wall, we have acted together to lay the foundation — through public investment and a strong social contract — for the American people to pull together and push forward.

The Biden plan will mobilize the American people in service of four bold, national efforts to address four great national challenges. As President, Biden will: Mobilize American manufacturing and innovation to ensure that the future is made in America, and in all of America. Mobilize American ingenuity to build a modern infrastructure and an equitable, clean energy future. Mobilize American talent and heart to build a 21st century caregiving and education workforce which will help ease the burden of care for working parents, especially women. Biden will soon announce a plan to make it far easier to afford child care and to ensure aging relatives and people with disabilities have better access to home and community-based care; to elevate the pay, benefits, and professional opportunities for caregivers and educators; to create millions of good-paying new jobs in these areas with a choice to join a union; and to free up millions of people to join the labor force and grow a stronger economy in return. Mobilize across the board to advance racial equity in America. We’ve seen again this year the tragic costs of systemic racism. Biden believes that addressing those costs has to be core to every part of the economic agenda, and also a distinct priority in its own right. As president, he will pursue a dedicated agenda to close the racial wealth gap, to expand affordable housing, to invest

in Black, Latino, and Native American entrepreneurs and communities, to advance policing and criminal justice reform, and to make real the promise of educational opportunity regardless of race or zip code. Building back better means an updated social contract that treats American workers and working families as essential at all times, not just times of crisis –– with higher wages, stronger benefits, and fair and safe workplaces. We’ve seen millions of American workers put their lives and health on the line to keep our country going. As Biden has said, let’s not just praise them, let’s pay them — a decent wage, at least $15 per hour, and ending the tipped minimum wage and sub-minimum wage for people with disabilities, and strong benefits so they can live a middle-class life and provide opportunity for their kids. This starts with passing the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, providing public service and federal government workers with bargaining rights, and taking other steps to make it easier for workers to organize unions and collectively bargain. Biden will also address discrimination and harassment in the workplace, and pass the Paycheck Fairness Act as the next step in efforts to ensure women are paid equally for equal work. He will pass universal paid sick days and 12 weeks of paid family and medical leave. And he has a plan to ensure that every American has access to quality, affordable health care, by

providing a public option and lowering costs for care and for prescription drugs. Building back better means helping small businesses and entrepreneurs come out the other side of this crisis strong, while demanding more from corporate America. We’ve seen the second bailout in 12 years for big corporations and Wall Street. And we’ve seen the Trump administration provide all the tools necessary to help big businesses and well-connected cronies, while small businesses had to jump through hoops and many couldn’t access the relief they needed. Biden will ensure that corporate America finally pays their fair share in taxes, puts their workers and communities first rather than their shareholders, and respects their workers’ power and voice in the workplace. And Biden will help small businesses manage through the pandemic and recover, so that millions of entrepreneurs can get back on their feet and carry this economy forward. To see this agenda through, Joe Biden will make new, bold investments and speed up the timetable for many of the 10year investments he has already announced. He will pay for the ongoing costs of the plan by reversing some of Trump’s tax cuts for corporations and imposing common-sense tax reforms that finally make sure the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share. Today’s elevated unemployment will mean lower demand,

which will mean lower growth for our economy (which relies on consumption). A robust jobs agenda will increase demand. That is why many economists agree that if we fail to make far-reaching, productive investments, it will undermine not only our long-term growth potential, but also our long-term fiscal situation. Additionally, for communities of color that are experiencing disproportionate rates of unemployment, and for young people entering the workforce, getting to full employment as fast as possible is critical to their futures and all of America’s future. Those who argue we can’t afford these investments are the same people who doled out trillions in giveaways to the wealthy and corporations the past three years. Now they’re saying there’s no money left for working families? Joe Biden fundamentally rejects that notion. (To be continued) *** 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.

*** Gel Santos Relos has been in news, talk, public service and educational broadcasting since 1989 with ABS-CBN and is now serving the Filipino audience using different platforms, including digital broadcasting, and print, and is working on a new public service program for the community. You may contact her through email at gelrelos@icloud.com, or send her a message via Facebook at Facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos.

The future of Filipino Americans rests on the ballot

diversity unites and strengthens us, not divides us. Where everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from, cares about their neighbors and is part of a community. Yet, despite these ideals, there are two different Americas. Depending on your race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status the life you live is likely leagues different from someone who is white, wealthy, or native-born. Over the last four years, these divisions have only widened. The injustices we face have become more intense, and the fear between us and our neighbors grows more too. We have lost our way by being outraged every day by a president who stokes our worst inhibitions. But, now we face a choice that can get us back on the right track, a choice that can end the constant outrage, and begin the

long path back towards progress and unity. This election is that choice. Joe Biden is a man who believes in those same ideals my mom taught me. He believes that Americans are good people, who want to work hard and better the lives of their families, our neighbors and our communities. Kamala Harris believes that too. At the core of their platform is the simple belief that no one should be left behind, and a rising tide lifts all boats. They have laid out plans to create a stronger, resilient, and inclusive economy where every American enjoys a fair return for their work and an equal chance to get ahead. They will strengthen unions and help all workers bargain successfully for what they deserve. Simply, they will reward those who, like my mother, just want honest pay for a hard day’s work. As Filipino Americans, we

know we have contributed to this country in many ways. Right now, many of us are on the frontlines of the coronavirus crisis while we go back to work. Hundreds and thousands of Filipino Americans are essential union workers who are facing rising income inequality, stagnant real wages, the loss of pensions, and pay cuts with greater workloads. Many of those are nurses of Filipino descent, in particular, have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic. Even though Filipino American nurses make up a small percentage of the workforce (4%), nearly a third of the registered nurses who have died due to COVID-19 have been nurses of Filipino descent. The effects of the pandemic have not been felt evenly. While this disease does not see color, our country’s systems hurt those of color. And minorities are paying the price.

The Trump administration has failed to take the pandemic seriously and people that look like me are bearing more than our fair share of suffering. We are risking our lives for our neighbors, and what are we getting in return? The Trump administration does not care about us, our fight, and our struggle to keep everyone safe. Vice President Biden does. He will lead us forward, keep us safe, and lead us out of the pandemic. This is the crossroads we find ourselves at. This is the choice we face. Our lives and our futures are on the ballot because we live in the “other America.” But it doesn’t always have to be that way. We take care of our families, we take care of our communities, and now it’s time to take care of our country. By electing Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, we can choose leaders that know our struggle and

can fight for us from positions of power to make our lives better. We can begin to bring about the change needed to help save lives and support our families. Joe Biden knows us, and our struggle, and it is time we are heard in the White House. *** 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.

*** Gloria T. Caoile is a multi-awarded civic leader in the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. She is a founding member of the Asian Paciﬁc American Labor Alliance (APALA), where she currently serves as the Director of Civic Engagement in Nevada. She previously was the Special Assistant to the President of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, and was a member of the President’s Advisory Commission of AAPIs during the Clinton administration.

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. ADVERTISING AND ADVERTORIAL POLICIES

US HEADQUARTERS: 1210 S. Brand Boulevard Glendale, CA 91204 Tels: (818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588 e-mail: info@asianjournalinc.com http://www.asianjournal.com With ofﬁces in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York/New Jersey Las Vegas, San Diego, Philippines

ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board

CORA MACABAGDAL-ORIEL President

CHRISTINA M. ORIEL Editor-in-Chief

MOMAR G. VISAYA Executive Editor

IVY MANALANG Vice President - Marketing Los Angeles Asian Journal

MONETTE ADEVA MAGLAYA Senior Vice President Los Angeles Asian Journal

DING CARREON Videographer

ANDY TECSON Photographer

Asian Journal Publications, Inc. (“AJPI”) reserves the right to refuse to publish, in its sole and absolute discretion, any advertising and advertorial material submitted for publication by client. (“Client’s Material”) Submission of an advertisement or advertorial to an AJPI sales representative does not constitute a commitment by AJPI to publish a Client’s Material. AJPI has the option to correctly classify any Client’s Material and to delete objectionable words or phrases. Client represents and warrants that a Client’s Material does not and will not contain any language or material which is libelous, slanderous or defamatory or invades any rights of privacy or publicity; does not and will not violate or infringe upon, or give rise to any adverse claim with respect to any common law or other right whatsoever (including, without limitation, any copyright, trademark, service mark or contract right) of any person or entity, or violate any other applicable law; and is not the subject of any litigation or claim that might give rise to any litigation. Publication of a Client’s Material does not constitute an agreement to continue publication. Client agrees and covenants to indemnify AJPI and its officers against any and all loss, liability, damage, expenses, cost, charges, claims, actions, causes of action, recoveries, judgments, penalties, including outside attorneys’ fees (individually and collectively “Claims”) which AJPI may suffer by reason of (1) Client’s breach of any of the representations, warranties and agreements herein or (2) any Claims by any third party relating in any way to Client’s Material. AJPI will not be liable for failure to publish any Client’s Material as requested or for more than one incorrect insertion of a Client’s Material. In the event of an error, or omission in printing or publication of a Client’s Material, AJPI shall be limited to an adjustment for the space occupied by the error, with maximum liability being cancellation of the cost of the first incorrect advertisement or republication of the correct advertisement. Under no circumstances shall Asian Publications, Inc. be liable for consequential damages of any kind. ASIAN JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS, INC. publishes the Los Angeles Asian Journal, published twice a week; the Orange County and Inland Empire Asian Journal, Northern California Asian Journal, Las Vegas Asian Journal and the New York / New Jersey Asian Journal which are published once a week and distributed to Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange Counties, Northern California, Las Vegas and New York and New Jersey respectively. Articles published in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Letters to the Editor are welcome. Letters must contain complete name and return address. The materials, however, are subject to editing and revisions. Contributions and advertising deadlines are every Mondays and Thursdays. For advertising rates and other informations, please call the L.A. office at (213) 250-9797 or send us an email at info@asianjournalinc.com

(818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 • http://www.asianjournal.com

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • OCtObeR 28-30, 2020

A OctOber 28-30, 2020 • Socal ASIAN JOUrNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

seafood city fpfc

The

Asian Journal

mdwk The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 28, 2020

Wednesday OCTOBER 28, 2020

mAGAZINE

Â&#x2020;Ă&#x153;ÂŻÂ&#x2020;Ă&#x2026;ÂşĂ&#x160;ĂĽĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x2026;Â&#x2020;ÂżĂ&#x2013;ĂĽÂ&#x2019;ÂżÂŻÂ&#x201C;Â&#x2020;Ă˘ÂŻĂ&#x160;Ă&#x2026;Ă&#x153;

Ç&#x2020;Â&#x2020;Ă&#x153;ÂŻÂ&#x2020;Ă&#x2026;ÂşĂ&#x160;ĂĽĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x2026;Â&#x2020;ÂżÂ&#x201C;Ă&#x160;Ă&#x201E;

Ç&#x2020;Â&#x2020;Ă&#x153;ÂŻÂ&#x2020;Ă&#x2026;ÂşĂ&#x160;ĂĽĂ&#x2122;Ă&#x2026;Â&#x2020;Âż

XXX BTJBOKPVSOBM DPN -PT "OHFMFT Ç&#x2021; -BT 7FHBT Ç&#x2021; 0SBOHF $PVOUZ *OMBOE &NQJSF Ç&#x2021; /PSUIFSO $BMJGPSOJB Ç&#x2021; /FX :PSL /FX +FSTFZ

Filipina American artists show â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;love of LAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; with new digital gallery

Christina M. Oriel / AJPress

HOUGH museums, art galleries and performance venues remain closed for now, that hasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t dampened the creative spirit in Los Angeles.

To spotlight the artist community, which has been largely affected by the pandemic, The Music Center in Downtown LA recently launched â&#x20AC;&#x153;For The Love of LA,â&#x20AC;? a virtual art series featuring over 35 artists posted every Tuesday over a 13-week period. Whether photography, painting, dance or music, each artist employs an art form to illustrate the vastness and diversity of the city at this moment. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We created The Music Centerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;For the Love of LAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; as a way to shine a light on the resiliency and creativity of artists across our region. To do that, we partnered with local arts and cultural leaders to serve as guest curators who selected the artists featured in the series,â&#x20AC;? Daniel Soto, program manager of programming and community engagement at The Music Center, told the Asian Journal. With the greater LA area home to over 600,000 Filipino Americans, it was important for the performing arts center to include artistic representatives from the community. The series includes three Filipina American artists â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Valerie J. Bower, Christine Hipolito and Anna Luisa Petrisko â&#x20AC;&#x201D; curated by Jennelyn Tumalad. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As a civic institution, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s our duty to serve the resi-

Photographer Valerie Bower

One of the screens from Christine Hipolitoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;Desire Portalsâ&#x20AC;? series Courtesy of The Music Center

Black and white photos from Valerie Bowerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s â&#x20AC;&#x153;We Are Essentialâ&#x20AC;? series shows how Filipino Americans are integral in the food and agriculture industries. Photos courtesy of Valerie Bower

dents of Los Angeles County through the arts, and part of that means amplifying the voices of those who make up our community,â&#x20AC;? Soto said, adding, â&#x20AC;&#x153;In working with our brilliant guest curator Jennelyn Tumalad, we talked about the power of seeing oneself reflected in the world through art, and what it means for The Music Center to highlight the work of three Filipina American artists. Petrisko, Bower and Hipolito use different strategies and mediums in their work and together they reveal how varied and com-

plex the Filipino American community is.â&#x20AC;? As guest curator for the series, Tumalad wanted to challenge viewers to experience and engage with the artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; pieces beyond looking at them from a distance through a computer or phone screen. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I figured what people are experiencing right now is: fear for whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s next, loneliness from this pandemic, uncertainty, and a desire to feel seen and connected. The best way I could think to get people to feel a sense of joy, inspiration, and connection was to curate

from the heart,â&#x20AC;? Tumalad, an arts program producer and educator, told the Asian Journal. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As I mention in my curatorial statement, Los Angeles really represents a time and place where I felt seen and empowered as a Filipina American.â&#x20AC;? The three artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; works were unveiled throughout October in line with the observance of Filipino American History Month. Valerie J. Bower â&#x20AC;&#x201D; â&#x20AC;&#x153;We Are Essential (Mahalaga Tayo)â&#x20AC;? When thinking of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;esContinued on Page 3 Multidisciplinary artist Christine Hipolito

entertainment

Filipina American artists show...

From Page 1 sential’ workers in the Fil-Am community, one automatically thinks of its contributions to the health care field. However, the immigration history of Filipinos to the U.S. since the early 20th century shows that Filipinos have also been an integral part in the food and agriculture industry, and the West Coast labor movement. The vital workers of today still include the farmworkers, grocery store attendants, restaurant servers, and food distributors who ensure that the community has food on their tables and is nourished. In “We Are Essential” (Mahalaga Tayo), a 92-page zine of black and white photos, photographer Valerie J. Bower pays homage to the history of Filipinos in essential food work — from the manong generaAngel Locsin has inspired support against red-tagging, with artwork from Kevin Eric Raymundob backing the cause. Photos from Instagram/@therealangellocsin, Kevin Eric Raymundo tion in Delano, California to the last remaining Filipino farming Pie Picache, Eugene Domingo, artwork was shared by Locsin community in Orosi to volunherself. and Bituin Escalante who teers delivering warm meals Both Soberano and Gray called Parlade a “fascist pig” and groceries to families in have also stood their ground for his remarks. need. She also captures the acon their right to free speech. Artist Kevin Eric Raymuntion inside markets selling food Soberano’s lawyer Juanito do, creator of digital comics staples and items that help the “Tarantadong Kalbo,” illustrat- Lim Jr. said in an interview diaspora stay connected to the with ABS-CBN News Chaned the three women in their culture and homeland. nel, “[Please] know that Ms. most iconic outfits — Locsin “When I include all of Soberano will continue to as Darna, Soberano in her these images acknowledging exercise her constitutionally“Bagani” costume and Gray in the past, in addition to the protected right to free speech her red lava gown — applying current Filipino food workers, and expression without fear or red lipstick on a man. I’m trying to say that ‘We’ve restraint from anyone.” “Stick it to the man,” read been here, even if you haven’t Gray meanwhile urged the the artwork’s caption. noticed,’” Bower told the Asian public in a statement, “Please Graphic designer Albert Journal. “No matter where don’t ever allow your voice to Raqueño’s piece featured the we are in the world, there is a be silenced. You never know three women with bright red need to keep our culture alive [whose] life may be impacted lips on a tag and was inspired through language, traditions, too by Locsin’s statement. The by your words.” and especially food. In shoot-

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 28, 2020

Actors, artists put on red lipstick as Angel Locsin calls for #notoredtagging By Niña

V. GuNo

Inquirer.net

ACTORS and artists showed solidarity with Angel Locsin and female celebrities vocal about social causes by painting their lips red. Locsin denounced the redtagging aimed at her and her family members in an Instagram post last Friday, Oct. 23, where she used the hashtags #NoToRedTagging and #YesToRedLipstick. She declared that she, her sister Ella Colmenares and relative Neri Colmenares are not part of the New People’s Army after a military official claimed that Ella is “underground” and part of the communist rebel group. The same official, Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr., warned actress Liza Soberano and beauty queen Catriona Gray not to “follow the path” of Ella. In response, showbiz personalities have come to the defense of the three women by donning red lipstick, while artists have also dedicated pieces to the female celebrities under attack. Among these were Agot Isidro, Pia Magalona, Cherry

Anna Luisa Petrisko contributes a karaoke-inspired video called “Ulit Ulit” to the “For the Love of LA” program. Photo courtesy of The Music Center

ing my project, I realized how vital these workers are in order to have our foods from the homeland. With these familiar products, recipes, and fruits and vegetables of the Philippines, we’re able to maintain a sense of identity and cultural heritage.” Christine Hipolito — “Desire Portals” Artist Christine Hipolito infuses her Filipina identity with mediums, such as painting, sculpture and graphic art. For “Desire Portals,” Hipolito presents 14 drawings with prompts that invite the viewer to download and share them. They include a dream cultivation and a joy offering — small forms of self-care and introspection in a world of chaos. “The themes for the prompts are ideas that I’ve thought about the most this year. I see a couple of the prompts as tiny spells for self-care. The Dream Cultivation prompt, for example, is a shortened spin-off of a spell that I remember reading about and I wanted to share that because it feels accessible and tender,” Hipolito said in an interview with Tumalad. For the multifaceted artist, for the love of LA means embracing how art and expression are weaved into daily life. “For the Love of L.A. is about celebrating and nurturing our creative communities, and how much art and expression is a critical part of life—and we feel it and see it, especially during times of crisis. I feel that this platform is a

vehicle that continues to help artists and creatives thrive, especially within the Angeleno community,” she said. Anna Luisa Petrisko — “Ulit Ulit” Pre-pandemic, karaoke and the outward display of musical talent are normal activities at large family gatherings. For this series, Petrisko, a multidisciplinary artist, recorded a music video for “Ulit Ulit,” a take on the disco and karaoke culture she grew up around. With a saturated tropical background, Petrisko sings as the lyrics, which she co-wrote with her mom, are displayed at the bottom of the screen. Sister Santos (Oscar Miguel Santos) provides the instrumental track and is seen playing the guitar in the video. “It’s very special because this project has been part of a larger personal mission of mine to learn Tagalog and to spend more time with my elders. Making ‘Ulit Ulit’ became this embodied way of doing both of those things, meanwhile having fun and learning some essential verbs like love, touch, listen, call and punish!” Petrisko said in an interview with Tumalad. Also on The Music Center’s website, Petrisko shares a “Mahalaga” playlist of Tagalog songs from the 70s to today. She recommends a meditation before listening. “For The Love of LA” is available on The Music Center’s website (musiccenter. orgg) or on Instagram @MusicCenterLA.

UP alumni authors to discuss Philippine history and myth in a free online event

IN celebration of Filipino American History Month this October, the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA) will be hosting a free, online via Zoom event featuring two U.P. Alumni authors who will share slivers of Philippine history and mythology in a different light on Saturday, October 31, 2020 from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Entitled, “Filipinx: ReDiscovered. Re-Imagined.,” this two-hour presentation will feature UCLA Associate Professor of Anthropology, Stephen Acabado, Ph.D., and author, screenwriter, and creative director, Fairlane Raymundo. Dr. Acabado who directs the Ifugao Archeological Project as well as the Bicol Archeological Project will discuss, among others, his collaborative work

with the Ifugao, particularly demystifying the dating of the world-famous Ifugao Rice Terraces. Raymundo who has written several acclaimed movies and highly-rated television shows in the Philippines which includes, Shake, Rattle, & Roll 8 and 9, Tabing Ilog, and Regal Shocker on the other hand, will put a spotlight on Asian literature and culture by modernizing traditional literature, tales, characters, and stories. This event will be moderated by Alliant International University Professor, Patricia Denise Lopez, Ph. D. An open forum and discussion will immediately follow the presentation. Everyone is welcome to join this community event. For sponsorship opportunities and more information, please contact Ethel Rubio at upaagla.prez@gmail.com.

entertainment

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 28, 2020

How Heart deals with personal struggles, like losing her unborn twins By AllAn

PolicArPio Inquirer.net

HEART Evangelista used to overplan her life and map out specific goals on a timeline. “I was like OK, ‘When I reach this age, I’m going to do this and that. When I’m at this age, I have to have this and that,” she said. That was precisely how she approached her marriage with Sorsogon Gov. Chiz Escudero Rabiya Mateo poses after winning the Miss Universe Philippines 2020 title during the coronation ceremony held at the Baguio Country Club on Sunday, October 25. Philstar.com photo and the prospect of starting their own family. But sometimes, life throws you a curveball and things don’t unfold the way you envisioned it. “I really planned my marriage. I remember that, in our second month, I got pregnant and I had twins. I lost the first given the chance, I want to use (BPCI) since 1964. The Miss AN Ilongga beauty was baby, then the second baby. I crowned Miss Universe Philip- the face of Miriam DefensorUniverse Organization (MUO) Santiago. For those who don’t didn’t renew the contract with was so, so depressed and so, so pines in the pageant that was sad,” the actress said in Kotex held virtually for the first time, know, she was an Ilongga. But BPCI. what I admired about her is at the Baguio Country Club There were 46 contestants Luxe’s “Love Yourself Live: How that she used her knowledge, in Baguio City on Sunday, who competed in four catego- Self-Love Can Save You” virtual her voice, to serve the counOctober 25. ries: national costume, evening discussion, where she looked back at her miscarriage in 2018. try. I want to be somebody Rabiya Mateo, 23, who gown, swimsuit and questionThough devastated, Heart like her... somebody who puts and-answer. The number was represented Iloilo, is the didn’t dare question God how her heart, her passion into ac- winnowed down to 16 and second from that province such a thing could happen to tion. After all, she is the best to win the title after Louise then to the final five. her. “I didn’t even doubt… I President that we never had.” Vail Aurelio, who won Bb. Early on Mateo was being The four runners-up Pilipinas-Universe in 1965 and noticed not only with her strik- had nothing bad to say. I had no questions whatsoever. Somewere Miss Parañaque Maria finished a semifinalist in the ing resemblance to Shamcey times, you just have to trust that Ysabella Ysmael (first, grandMiss Universe pageant that but more so with her colorful it’s for a reason,” she said. daughter of actress Marita same year. costume during the Mabuhay “Even if you feel like it’s for Zobel), Miss Quezon City During the Top 5 final opening parade and during a bad reason, or find yourself question-and-answer segment Michele Gumabao (second), the swimsuit competition asking, ‘Am I a bad person?,’ I when the girls were asked two Miss Bohol Pauline Amelinckx when she was won Best in (third) and Miss Cavite Billie questions each, the first one Swimsuit, and finally her intelli- always think that it’s for a good each of them had picked back- Hakenson (fourth). gent answers during the Q&A. reason,” added the 35-year-old Hosted by KC Montero, stage and the second a comA B.S. Physical Therapy the Miss Universe-Philippines mon one about the relevance cum laude graduate from the was the second to be held of a beauty pageant in the Iloilo Doctors’ College, Mateo time of COVID-19, Rabiya got virtually. The first was the 2020 works as a lecturer and review Miss Earth Philippines a few a round of applause with her coordinator at a review center By Jerry DonAto answer to the question: “If you months ago. The pageant was in Manila. She will represent Inquirer.net under the team of former Miss were to create a new paper the Philippines in the Miss Unicurrency with the image of any U runner-up Shamcey Supsup- verse pageant whose schedule KHALIL Ramos feels like Lee and Jonas Gaffud who got has yet to be announced. Filipino on it, dead or alive, he is “starting over” following the franchise last year, held by (Gerry Diaz, Celso de Guzman his recent contract signing as who would it be and why?” the Bb. Pilipinas Charities Inc. She answered, “If I were Caparaz/Philstar.com) GMA Artist Center talent. This is true since every company (TV network in this case) has its own culture and work system. “May ganung feeling syempre, lahat ng tao bago (I have that feeling because I’ll be meeting people for the first time),” said Khalil in a virtual presscon. “Ang pinaka-kilala ko By JAn Milo Severo lang talaga sa GMA ay ang team Philstar.com

Iloilo bet is Miss Universe Philippines 2020

many problems, and sometimes, you feel like they’re never-ending. But this, too, shall pass … Again, you just have to accept that it is what it is.” “When you dwell too much on something you’re not really supposed to dwell on, you’re going to miss your next flight to your next destination,” she added. “There are other things you could do to make you happy. You can take another route, right?” Virtual event Heart Evangelista Inquire.rnet photo Joining Heart in the virtual event were television host and GMA 7 star. radio jockey Joyce Pring, events Later on, doctors told her host Janeena Chan, fitness trainthat she had suffered a type of miscarriage called vanishing twin er Jo Villablanca, wellness expert syndrome, and that losing one of Mawi Fojas de Ocampo and digital content creator Janina the babies could actually cause complications or pose risk to the Vela. Among other topics they other if the latter were to survive. discussed were the importance of self-love, especially amid the Acceptance COVID-19 pandemic. “Perhaps the situation For Heart, the simple act saved my baby from experiencof taking a breather can do ing physical pain or really bad wonders for one’s well-being. things,” she surmised. “So after After all, one can’t pour from an that, I said, ‘OK, I’m not going to question this. I will accept it… empty cup. “We all have problems. We maybe with a sad heart, but I will all have our crosses to carry. We be hopeful.” have people to take care of— It was in acceptance she family, friends, everybody who found peace. And this is how relies on you. But if you can just Heart chose to deal with her pause and take time for yourself, personal struggles from then you will be surprised about how on. “You just have to accept the many beautiful things you could things you can’t change, things do for other people when you that are really frustrating. You love yourself,” she said. “It really just have to go with the flow,” makes a huge difference.” Heart pointed out. “There are

Why Khalil feels like he’s ‘starting over again’

Alex Gonzaga, family, boyfriend get COVID-19

ACTRESS and YouTube content creator Alex Gonzaga revealed that she and her family as well as fiancé Mikee Morada were infected by the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In her latest YouTube vlog entry, Alex said they all tested positive of the virus that’s why she has not yet reported to her new TV5 noontime show “Lunch Out Loud.” “Maraming nagtatanong sa akin kung bakit di pa ko lumalabas sa ‘Lunch Out Loud.’ Hindi po ako nagpapakita sa show kasi nagka-COVID po ako and thank God I survived. Actually the whole family,” Alex said. “I’ve been sharing all the highs of my life. I shared with you our Christmas together, our New Year, my engagement. But it is also nice if I could share with you the lows,”

Engaged couple Mikee Morada and Alex Gonzaga

Philstar.com photo by Kat Leandicho

she added. The unfortunate incident, Alex said, delayed some of her plans, including her wedding with Mikee. “Gusto ko ikasal ngayon kasama ‘yung family, konting friends, pero dahil sa walang kakwenta-kwentang bagay, nakuha namin COVID,” she said.

Fortunately, they all survived the virus as none of them needed hospitalization. Her parents Pinty and Bonoy Gonzaga were all asymptomatic while she, Morada, and her assistant Sofie experienced mild symptoms such as sore throat, loss of taste, feeling weak and clogged nose.

Al Quinn, veteran TV and stage director, dies at 86 By izA igleSiAS ManilaTimes.net

VETERAN director for stage, movie, television and commercials Al Quinn (born Alcuin Gargaritano Pastrano) died on Saturday, October 24. He was 86. Singer-songwriter and actor Ogie Alcasid was among the first to break the news over his official Facebook account. “We lost a great one today. The wonderful Al Quinn has joined our Creator,” Alcasid posted. “Rest now Tito Al and thank you for all the mentoring, the jokes, the golf games and tournaments, and all the wonderful times we had in this business which we call entertainment. “You are [a] cut above the rest. Salute Tito Al. Be with Jesus now,” he added. Entertainment columnist and talent manager Noel Ferrer also confirmed the news with a tribute on social media. He wrote, “Woke up to this sad news about Tito Al Quinn. Back in the day when I was doing writing for TV specials — awards nights, pageants, tributes, etc., I have worked with this very cool, funny and respected director we lovingly

Filipino celebrities lament the passing of director Al Quinn.

call Tito Al Quinn.” He continued, “Rest in peace Tito Al! Thank you for being a happy part of my 30 years in media!” Reports so far, however, have left out the reason for the legendary director’s demise. Quinn’s illustrious career dates back to the late ‘60s, when he started as dancer and choreographer at Manila Opera House. According to IMDb, he was discovered by actor Pancho Magalona who once saw his jazz dance group perform. Impressed, Magalona asked them to perform in his next

Photo courtesy of Dino Pastrano

film. When another Pancho Magalona-and-Tita Duran movie was being planned, Alcuin Pastrano was given a spot again but his name was changed to the more glamorous-sounding “Al Quinn.” Al Quinn’s path toward directing, meanwhile, began with stints assisting directors in composing shots for his musical sequences. Over time, Al Quinn was deservingly given a free hand by the directors to do as he wished with production numbers with his meticulously planned shots. He would look Continued on Page 4

ni Gabbi (Garcia), yung (team ng) girlfriend ko at na-meet ko sila dati sa work... It’s my biggest adjustment. (I knew with my decision) that everything would be new... There’s the (getting-toknow-them) stage and eventually, I’ll get the hang of it and get to know the people.” Khalil also feels the same for his showbiz career. For the longest time, he has “free-flowing” work and has also been invested in doing films (such as Honor Thy Father and Dead Kids), like as he put it, “left and right prior to my signing with GMA. Now, (it

seems) there are steps (to make). It reminded me of my career during its early stages na merong mga steps, like these are the plans for this year, these are (the ones) for next year… It feels new but I’m pretty sure it feels right and it feels special. And I’m very happy.” According to Khalil, his contract with GMA is an exclusive one “and it’s long term,” he added. “So far, wala pang concrete na projects (there have been no concrete projects lined up for me) because of the current situContinued on Page 5

How widows of US citizens can still get their green cards

community The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 28, 2020

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA (Continued from last week…) An angel is an invisible presence that must be acknowledged to become ever stronger. God sends angels to keep watch over human beings and help them in every human challenge. There is, however, the element of free will in humans. You can acknowledge the presence of angels or deny it. It is your choice ultimately. The more angels are acknowledged and become a conduit to heaven, they become a hovering, guiding reality in one’s life growing ever stronger in their influence to shape every thought, word and deed in one’s life. On the other hand, if the dark side prevails repeatedly in one’s soul that is made progressively weak by severe addictions of any kind, whether chemical, sexual or the human inclination towards pride, disobedience and evil, then the angel’s influence becomes weak. The human protectee is like a a cell phone that is not receiving signals and becomes dead on a skip zone. Only a direct divine intervention wrought by the most powerful force of intercessory, unceasing prayers by one or more prayer warriors can avert the cosmic disaster of a soul lost forever to darkness, death and nothingness. There is a study of angels

Angels among us (Last of 4 Parts)

“All God’s angels come to us disguised.” – James Russell Lowell called angelology. In it, it is claimed that there is a hierarchy of celestial beings grouped into three spheres. According to Wikipedia, there is a First Sphere, the highest ranking of all because they are closest to God. This includes Seraphim, Cherubim and Thrones. The Second Sphere includes Dominions, Virtues and Powers. In the Third Sphere can be found Principalities, Archangels and Angels. Our personal guardian angels fall in the last group. The memorial feast of the Holy Guardian Angles is celebrated on October 2 every year. Each human being is believed to be assigned a personal guardian angel, Christian or not. The angels that keep watch over human beings belong to the lowest order of celestial beings and they are the ones concerned with the affairs of human beings. They are holy celestial beings who are agents of God intended as a help to mere mortals. They are powerful but we ourselves need to connect to that power to take effect. If you acknowledge that you as a child of God was given a personal guardian angel from the time God conceived you in His thoughts, there should be no fear in our hearts to face even the unknown. An angelic

relationship can be nurtured daily and can grow wonderfully through time until the end of human life. Not long ago, I had a very vivid dream where my guardian angel told me his name is Radiance. He was a being filled with light. From then on, in my quiet moments and often during the day, I would simply converse with him. Who knows? In the end, we might be able to see this yet unseen godly presence, link up face to face, do a high-five, even dance a jig and thank our personal guardian angel, whether you gave him a name or not, whether he revealed his name to you or not, when we transition out to a celestial realm ourselves — finally free of ALL heavy worldly concerns and ALL constraints of time, space and gravity. Just perhaps, that light at the end of a long dark tunnel might give us a glimpse of the face of God himself. *** 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.

*** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

Al Quinn, veteran TV...

From Page 3 into the camera and expertly decide what would work for the sequences. Eventually crossing over to film, his most noted titles are “The Good Father” (1975), “Disco Fever” (1978) and “Jack and Jill and John” (1975). It was in the movie “Tipin”

EMPLOYMENT

(1957) that Quinn met his wife, actress Lani Oteyza. They were wed on March 7, 1960 at the office of then Makati Mayor Maximo Estrella in Makati. The couple was blessed with five children — Allan Ross, Elaine Rose, Elise May, Erica Louise and Aldin John. Aside from being a director, Quinn also loved to

sketch. He inherited his knack for the visual arts from his grandfather who was a painter. Quinn graduated with a fine arts degree from the University of Santo Tomas. In college, he took ballet classes in the evening. As of press time, there are no details available on Quinn’s wake and internment.

EMPLOYMENT

WIDOWS of U.S. citizens have many options of obtaining their greencard should their U.S. citizen spouse die. Under INA Section 201(b)(2)(A)(i), Widows are allowed to remain classified as immediate relatives and to continue to be eligible to immigrate if they file an I-360 selfpetition within two years of the death of the U.S. citizen or to automatically convert an already-filed I-130 to an I-360. They must also show a good faith marriage, and demonstrate that they have not remarried to immigrate as an immediate relative Since 1938, US immigration regulations have provided for the automatic revocation of the approved visa petition upon the death of the Petitioner. However, immigration regulations since 2006 provided that automatic revocation provisions does not apply to a spousal petitions of US Citizens if the deceased US Citizen petitioner and the alien widower had been married at least two years at the time petitioner died. When the FY2010 DHS Appropriations Act was enacted on October 28, 2009, the 2 year requirement was eliminated. Under section 568(c) of that act, it is no longer necessary for the husband and wife to have been married for 2 years when the citizen spouse died in order for the alien spouse to qualify as an immediate relative. The widow may remain an immediate relative as long as the widow was not legally separated from the citizen spouse at the time of death and the widow spouse files a petition within 2 years after the death of the citizen spouse or until the widow spouse remarries whichever comes earlier. INA Section 201(b)(2)(A)(i). Each child of the alien will also be

Barrister’s Corner Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes considered an immediate relative under this section. Widows with pending petitions Section 568(c) amendment is applicable to all pending petition on or after the date of the enactment. Pending includes denied I-130 that have pending motions to reopen or pending BIA appeal, and BIA denials pending federal court litigation. The amendment also applies to any form I-485 that was pending on October 28, 2009. Widows with approved petitions Any approved I-130 before the citizen petitioner death will be deemed an approved I-360. The widower may adjust along with any child. Widows without pending petitions Widows may file I-360 self petition. For citizen spouses that died prior to October 28, 2009, the deadline to file the I-360 is October 28, 2011. For citizen spouses that died on or after October 28, 2009, the deadline to file the self petition is within 2 years of the citizen’s death. Affidavit of Support is not required for widows of a citizen and accompanying children. USCIS does not require a Form I-864 Affidavit of Support for either the widow or the accompanying children in order to establish they will not become a

public charge under INA Section 212(a)(4). A Form I-864W exemption should be filed. A widow and and accompanying children will not accumulate unlawful presence if they were the beneficiary of a spousal I-130 that was pending October 28,2009 and that was later approved as a self-petition. If you are a widow who has a US Citizen spouse who passed away within the last 2 years, you should seek the representation of an experienced immigration attorney to assist you with this process. *** 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. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, P.C. is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com. Web: kenreyeslaw. com (Advertising Supplement)

Kylie: The beauty queen is now a major star By

Tessa Mauricio-arriola ManilaTimes.net

MISS International 2016 Kylie Verzosa has certainly made the right decision to cross over to show business following her reign as a global beauty queen and Philippine pride.

After successfully appearing in several movies and teleseryes in the last few years, the now hard-working actress has just bagged the titular role of Viva Films’ latest South Korean remake, 2010’s sexy-suspensethriller “The Housemaid.” The announcement was Continued on Page 5

EMPLOYMENT

The Miss International 2016 admitted she was initially uncertain to take on the role of Viva Films’ remake of the sexy-suspensethriller “The Housemaid.” Photo from Instagram/@kylieverzoza

Island Pacific celebrates Filipino American History Month with mask initiative OCtOber is a busy month for the Filipino American community as it celebrates Filipino American History Month. there are many opportunities at Island Pacific Supermarket, as well as community wide to celebrate Filipino American culture. Island Pacific ramps up its social corporate responsibility this Filipino American History month by actively supporting nonprofit organizations CultureAid and FilAm Arts through its “Hand Crafted Face Mask” initiative. Working with CultureAid, whose mission is to support indigenous weavers back in the Philippines, which gives the Fil-Am community here in America a chance to support the legacy of Philippine weaving traditions that is showcased beautifully in each hand crafted mask. With highly limited quantities available in eight various Inabel textiles, the handcrafted mask is available for $24.99 in local Island Pacific Market stores and available for same day delivery or through pickup service, when ordered online from www. islandpacificmarket.com or through the Island Pacific Market App. In celebration of Filipino American History Month, Island Pacific is also partnering with FilAm ArtS, the presenters of the long running Southern California tradition called Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC), slated for October 23, 24

and 25, 2020. Island Pacific will donate a portion of each sale from the handcrafted face masks back to the nonprofit organization to support the economic development of local Filipino American arts and culture bearers. With the Hand Crafted Face Mask available at Island Pacific, the community can wear their Filipino pride, stay safe and shop with purpose

Kylie: The beauty queen... From Page 4 made at the start of the week over Zoom by the Filipino version’s director roman Santillan Jr. with Kylie and the rest of the star-studded cast, which includes acting veterans Alma Moreno, Albert Martinez and internationally renowned thespian Jaclyn Jose among others. It is understandable that Kylie expressed she is overwhelmed by the turn of events

this Filipino American History Month and beyond. Limited quantities only. Island Pacific is supermarket chain dedicated to promoting Filipino Food and Seafood to the rest of the world. It is headquartered in Walnut, California and currently has 16 supermarket branches serving communities in California and Las Vegas.

(Advertising Supplement)

ted that she was initially uncertain to take on the role, and in fact took three whole days to make her decision. the reason in her showbiz career. For not only was “the Housemaid” a hit being, she explained, is that the au pair Daisy whom she needs in South Korea a decade ago to bring to life is — as she herbut it was also the country’s official entry to the Cannes Film self saw in the original version — one very daring character. Festival that year. Add to that “As you know the South Kothe sterling supporting actors rean ‘Housemaid’ is considered and promising young talents an erotic thriller, which isn’t cast for her first solo movie, albeit in the middle of the pan- exactly me, but this offer is my biggest one since I started actdemic, it’s as if she has won a ing, and I soon realized that it is brand-new title all over again. too big an opportunity for me However, Kylie also admit-

entertainment

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - October 28, 2020

Why Khalil feels like he’s ‘starting... From Page 3 ation. Hindi masyadong mobile yung production of series, I believe so. I would have to wait a bit, hopefully soon, kapag nagease na yung situation natin… I’ll be willing and very open to be a part of teleseryes.” For now, he is seen in AllOut Sundays (AOS). “I have a couple of performances set to be released in All-Out Sundays,” said Khalil at the time of the interview. “I’ll be going back to music. All-Out Sundays is the platform for me to showcase again my singing. An episode of Magpakailanman is in talks… I hope, by next month, I will be able to showcase my acting. I’d be (very) happy and glad to do projects with GMA in the coming months and (in the coming) years. For sure, you will watch me in different shows and hopefully, teleseryes.” Asked if love was the reason that he decided to try his luck at GMA, Khalil replied: “It’s one of the factors of my decision. (but) there are a lot of factors revolving around it.” the now-Kapuso actor said that he would love to work with Gabbi again. they starred in the film LSS last year. He recalled that they met prior to working together. “So unlike some couples, who have met on the set or who have met because of projects and (eventually became an item in the process), we met outside work and it remained like that for a long time until last year. In our first two years, we wanted (it) to be as personal and private as possible because we valued (the) relationship so much and we didn’t want to merge work with our relationto pass up,” Kylie confessed. A definite challenge for the beauty queen-turned-actress, she is both nervous and grateful that she will have the likes of Jaclyn, Alma and Albert on the locked-in set to shoot with, and learn from, beginning October 25. the show date of Viva Films’ “the Housemaid” is yet to be announced, as is its platform of release, but one thing is for sure from here on — beauty queen Kylie Verzosa is now a major star.

ship.” Khalil shared that “we’re three years going four in a couple of months, ang bilis. Of course, we have a strong foundation now and we’re comfortable working with each other. So hindi malayong mangyari in the future na makikita ninyo ako na kasama

ko si Gabbi sa mga projects with GMA.” the singer-actor also concluded that it’s a fun experience to witness Gabbi in her work mode and her work ethics. What’s also more kilig and productive is to see how Khalil and Gabbi learn from each other.

T h e As ian Jour nal M D W K M A G A Z I NE - O c t ober 2 8 , 2 0 2 0

THE FIRST FILIPINO SUPERMARKET CHAIN TO PROVIDE ONLINE SHOPPING WITH SAME DAY DELIVERY/ PICK-UP IN THE UNITED STATES.

HERE FOR YOU IN THE SPIRIT OF

BAYANIHAN

ISLAND PACIFIC SEAFOOD MARKET SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WEST COVINA, CANOGA PARK, OXNARD, CERRITOS, LONG BEACH, SANTA CLARITA, TEMECULA & NATIONAL CITY.

WWW.ISLANDPACIFICMARKET.COM

Shop Island Pacific | Download the App

SPOOKTACULAR

HT WILD CAUG

TREATS

/ MEXICO

IL STEAK YELLOWTA SAVE 25% REG. $3.99

$ 99

AN BEEF KORE BBQ RIBS SAVE 22% REG. $8.99

$ 9/L9B

DOR FARM / ECUA

ITE JUMBO WH -ON D SHRIMP HEA SAVE 14% REG. $6.99

/LB

$ 9/L9B

ISLAND PACIFIC FPFC UGHT FRESHLY CA EST IC NORTHW IN THE PACIF GTON, USA OF WASHIN

HT WILD CAUG

LHEAD FRESH STEE ON LM BABY SA E 30% V SA REG. $4.99

/ MEXICO

APPER TRUE RED SN VE 38% SA REG. $7.99

$ 9/L9B

$ 4/9 LB

$ 99 PACK

$ 69 /LB

WILD CAUGHT / NEW ZEALAND

JUMBO SQUID

$1.79

$1.39

99¢

EACH

$2.99

2pcs $ FOR

REG PRICE

99¢

4pcs $ FOR

WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO TERMINATE THE SALES PROMO WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. WE ALSO RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REPLACE ITEMS WITH PRODUCTS OF APPROXIMATE VALUE. NO RAIN CHECKS. NOT VALID WITH ANY OTHER COUPON OR PROMO. PRICES MAY CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE. GIVEAWAYS NOT VALID FOR CUSTOMERS WITH DISCOUNT.

UNT CO

F OF 30%

2lbs $ FOR

GREEN ONION

99¢

WE ACCEPT FOR IN-STORE ONLY

69¢

/LB

UNT CO

F OF 52%

69¢

3pcs FOR

DIS

S AV I N

REG PRICE

69¢

4pcs $ FOR

RED YAM

S AV I N

REG PRICE

UNT CO

F OF 64%

DIS

CUCUMBER

REG PRICE

S AV I N

REG PRICE

/LB

S AV I N

/LB 89¢

99¢

UNT CO

F OF 59% S

JUMBO CARROTS

89¢

$1.49

DIS

$1.29

DIS

F OF 44%

S AV I N

REG PRICE

UNT CO

REG PRICE

BOY BAWANG GARLIC/ COUNT BBQ/ADOBO/HOT F OF GARLIC/CHILI 24% CHEESE/LECHON S AV I N MANOK 100G

MINI WATERMELON

F OF 40%

DIS

EACH

/LB

$ 99

99¢

UNT CO

S AV I N

$6.99

$1.59

DIS

F OF 31%

S AV I N

REG PRICE

UNT CO

REG PRICE

F OF 16% S AV I N

REG PRICE

UNT CO

29%

F OF

GREEN PAPAYA

S AV I N

DIS

EACH

BABY PECHAY

UNT CO

2lbs $ FOR

UNT CO

F OF 38%

F OF 75%

S G

DIS

$ 99

RUFINA FISH SAUCE 750ML

S AV I N

REG PRICE

MAGIC FLAKED PREMIUM CRACKER IN TUB 700G

$1.99

F OF 29%

$7.99

UNT CO

25%

F OF

REG PRICE

EACH

UNT CO

DIS

99¢

IP CHICHARON GARLIC/VINEGAR/ REGULAR 2.5OZ

S AV I N

4pcs $ FOR

$1.29

F OF 30%

REG PRICE

EACH

S AV I N

UNT CO

GOLDEN DUCK ASSTD VARIANTS 110-125G

S AV I N

DIS

FOR

SUNTROPICS 100% COCONUT JUICE IN CAN (REG/WITH PULP) 17.5OZ

REG PRICE

2pcs $ DIS

$3.59

F OF

S AV I N

REG PRICE

UNT CO

23%

44%

C2 GREEN TEA (APPLE/LEMON) 500ML

F OF

GREEN BEANS

UNT CO

S AV I N

$ 99

BAG

UNT CO

$33.99

CHINESE EGGPLANT

S AV I N

2699

REG PRICE

DIS

GREAT TASTE 3-IN-1 WHITE COFFEE 10PACK

EACH

UNT CO

VE SA

S AV I N

DIS

$ 99

$7.99

KING CORN/CANOLA/ VEGETABLE OIL 88FLOZ

F OF 21% G

S AV I N

REG PRICE

UNT CO

$ 59 /LB

CHICKEN MISCUT WINGS

FRESH PRODUCE

MAHARLIKA MILAGROSA RICE 40LBS

DIS

F OF 25%

DIS

UNT CO

DIS

PANTRY FAVORITES TUKA SPICED VINEGAR (REG/ HOT) 750ML

$2.29

S AV I N

DIS

$ 99 /LB

SEABREAM ORATA

HALF SHELL MUSSEL 2LBS PACK

REG PRICE

F OF 31%

S AV I N

WILD CAUGHT / NEW ZELAND

UNT CO

S AV I N

FARM RAISED / TURKEY

$4.49

F OF % 8 1

S AV I N

REG PRICE

DIS

$12.99

UNT CO

DIS

REG PRICE

F OF % 3 2

$7.99

DIS

F OF % 8 3

UNT CO

DIS

REG PRICE

UNT CO

DIS

PROMO PERIOD | OCT. 29 - NOV. 4, 2020

S AV I N

99¢ 69¢ REG PRICE

$1.69

/LB