We’ve got you covered from Hollywood to Broadway...and Online!
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Volume 19 - No. 43 • 14 Pages
T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I CA N C O M M U N I T Y N E WS PA P E R
Volume 18 - No. 17 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
1799 Old Bayshore Hwy, Suite 136, Burlingame, CA 94010 • Tel: (650) 689-5160 • Fax: (650) 239-9253 • www.asianjournal.com
USA
DATELINE AARP survey: Health care motivating Asian American voters in 50-plus segment, 41% identify as Democrats FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
WHAT issues are top of mind for Asian American registered voters over the age of 50 going into Election Day? Health care (93%), jobs and the economy (89%), education (87%) and national security (87%) are among the concerns Asian American voters rated as “extremely” or “very” important, according to findings released by AARP, the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization for Americans 50 and older, on Wednesday, October 21. The findings come some eight months in the pandemic, as the Asian American community has experienced the effects of COVID19, whether through hate crimes, business downturn, or being disproportionately high rates of infection.
O C T O BE R 3 0 - N O V E MBE R 5 , 2 0 2 0
Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, SAN DIEGO, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
Fil-Am candidates in Northern California make pitch to voters by AJPRESS THOUGH a lot of attention is being placed on the top of the ticket race in the 2020 general election, over a dozen Filipino Americans are on the ballot this November 3rd for local races from the Bay Area to Sacramento. Rob Bonta — CA State Assembly, 18th District
In 2012, Assemblymember Rob Bonta became the first Filipino American elected to the California Legislature. Bonta, a Democrat, represents the state’s 18th District, which covers Alameda, Oakland and San Leandro. He is running for re-election this November after advancing from the primary this past March. “I have the honor and privilege for running ev-
u PAGE A2
Several Fil-Am candidates seek public office across the country by KLARIZE
MEDENILLA AJPress
u PAGE A3
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 photo-op 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 u PAGE A4
ery two years for office and having my job review be conducted by the half million constituents that I have the honor to represent,” Bonta said during a recent candidates forum hosted by the Philippine American Press Club (PAPC). “It’s never easy to be on the ballot but it’s important that we step up and enter the public sphere, put ourselves out there, and
OFFERING. A woman lights up candles for her departed loved ones at the North Cemetery in Manila City on Wednesday, October 28. People have heeded the call of the government to visit the tombs of their loved ones ahead of the temporary closure of public and private cemeteries from October 29 to November 4. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
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 Filipino 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 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 u PAGE A4
Report: Duterte among world leaders Metro Manila retains with a big stake in American election GCQ status for November by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA
AJPress
AS the world will be closely watching the United States election, some countries will be watching more closely than others, according to the Associated Press. “A number of world leaders have a personal stake in the outcome, with their fortunes depending heavily on the success
— or failure — of President Donald Trump,” read an article by AP reporter Josef Federman released on Thursday, October 22. Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was among the world leaders seen to benefit from a Trump victory. “Regarded by some as Asia’s Trump for his unorthodox political style and brash language, Duterte has nurtured friendly ties
u PAGE A2
First-time Fil-Am voters share why they’re motivated to vote by AJPRESS ELECTION Day is a few days away and some new voters exercised their voting power by casting their mail-in ballots or heading to the polls in person. Whether they’re Gen Z voters, new citizens or those who want to finally express their civic duty, the Asian Journal spoke to several Filipino American voters about what issues motivated them to participate for the first time. Charisse Arboleda, 41 Employee | New York Voting method: Mail-in ballot and dropped off at Brooklyn (L-R) GET OUT THE VOTE. Fil-Ams Charisse Arboleda, Jon Jon “JJ” Augustavo, Julienne Board of Elections Buenaventura, and Orly Medrano share their experience voting for the first time.
On speaking out: “Trump’s incompetence, racism and treatment of women and people of color are the main reasons for my determination to speak out through my vote. This government’s COVID-19 response (or lack thereof) and Trump’s attacks on scientists and Dr. Fauci are some of the most disturbing issues that came up when the pandemic started. I believe Biden/Harris align most with my values.” On motivating others: “I convinced a friend to register to vote a few months ago and sent her a link that was easy to follow so she can do so. I also donated to a few campaigns
u PAGE A3
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 the microbe,” Duterte said in a taped public address. “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 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 u PAGE A3