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NOVEMBER 12-18, 2020

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Volume 31 - No. 45 • 12 Pages

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‘THIS IS A NEW BEGINNING’

Fil-Am voters celebrate Biden-Harris victory, seek COVID-19 recovery

by CHRISTINA

M. ORIEL

AJPress

LEADING the country out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Supporting essential workers. Addressing racial inequalities.

Tackling the climate crisis. Creating a pathway to citizenship for undocumented residents.

These are some of the priorities Filipino American supporters are pushing under Presi-

DATELINE

dent-elect Joe Biden’s first 100 days in office. The former vice president’s win comes as the United States hit over 10.1 million positive COVID-19 infections and the grim toll of 238,863 deaths and counting.

For Lillie Madali of Atlanta, Georgia who helped mobilize Fil-Am voters in her region, Saturday’s (November 7) results “meant hope for the future.”

“For the many nurses in my

family, risking their lives, working on the front lines against the coronavirus pandemic, the victory meant that we would soon have competent leadership and that help is on the way,” Madali told the Asian Journal. “In the first 100 days, the Biden administration will face a stalled economy, a raging pandemic, and a climate crisis to name a few. The VICTORY. U.S. President-elect Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris delivered victory speeches on Saturday night, top issue I would like the admin- November 7 at the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware. They were joined by their spouses, Dr. Jill Biden (right) and Douglas Emhoff (far Photo courtesy of the Biden-Harris campaign u PAGE A2 left), who will be the country’s first second gentleman.

Filipino Trump supporters sound off on the president’s legal challenge of election results

USA

The Trump administration lodges several lawsuits alleging voter fraud, insufficient ballot count operations in key states

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

PH Embassy, Consulates in US take steps to meet increased demand for consular services amid COVID-19 pandemic THE Philippine Embassy and Consulates General in the United States are actively taking steps to meet the surge in demand for dual citizenship, passport, and visa services amid prevailing uncertainties arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Depending on the local conditions and state restrictions in each Post, these steps may include increasing the number of appointment slots, operating on weekends, and assigning more personnel to process applications and answer phone, e-mail, and social media queries, among other measures.

The adjustments are being made in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs

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Fil-Am Remy Martin named to AP preseason All-America team FILIPINO AMERICAN Remy Martin on Wednesday, November 11, was one of six players named to the Associated Press’ 202021 preseason All-America team.

Martin is the second player from Arizona State to receive AP preseason All-American honors after Ike Diogu in 2003-04.

He will be joined by Luka Garza of Iowa, Jared Butler of Baylor, Ayo Dosunmu of Illinois, Cade Cunningham of Oklahoma, and Corey Kispert of Gonzaga, who tied with Martin for the last spot.

Martin was born to a Filipino mother and has a dual US-Philippine citizenship. He currently plays for Pac-12 Conference school Arizona State.

“Martin started his career at Arizona State

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by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

About 350 individuals, including Fil-Am supporters for President Donald Trump, gathered in front of the Clark County Election Department in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday afternoon, November 8 to protest the state’s results in the presidential race.

Photo courtesy of Asian Industry B2B

ALTHOUGH mainstream media across the world reported President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election on Saturday, Nov. 7, the Trump campaign has lodged

several legal suits alleging voter irregularities, suggesting a premature call of the results.

It’s important to note that although media outlets have announced Biden as the winner, the results are still not official as of press time — and this is a standard for any election.

It usually takes days and sometimes weeks before any election is officially complete and the votes are certified by individual states’ secretaries of state (the position that acts as chief election officer in each state).

Even outside of the pandemic,

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‘Stay at Home 2.0’: Nevadans urged to help curb virus spread anew

by AJPRESS NEVADA Governor Steve Sisolak is pleading residents to limit nonessential activities for the next two weeks as COVID-19 cases continue to climb across the state.

Dubbed “Stay at Home 2.0,” Nevadans are encouraged to stay at home as much as possible, only leaving their homes when necessary, and to limit exposure to individuals outside of their households.

If the directive is not followed, Sisolak said the state will be forced to implement stricter measures.

“Nevadans need to change behaviors immediately…Again, if we don’t make progress over the next 14 days, I will be forced to take stronger action,” he said.

Sisolak also recommended employers to let employees work from home if they can, and for businesses to promote curbside services.

“If you don’t have to go out,

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Palace hopes Biden admin will relax US immigration policies

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

WHILE Malacañang expects no major changes in the United States’ foreign policy under President-elect Joe Biden, it hopes for a shift in the U.S. immigration policy that will treat Filipino immigrants better.

“Sa tingin ko ang Amerika din naman ay consistent sa foreign policy, so walang rin major changes yan (I think America is consistent with its foreign policy so there will be no major changes there),” Presidential Spokesper-

son Harry Roque said Monday, November 9.

“Pero...pagdating sa larangan ng immigration, inaasahan natin na sana na magkaroon ng policy shift under a Democratic administration dahil napakadami ng Pilipino na naninirahan sa Estados Unidos (But...in the area of immigration, we expect there will be a policy shift under a Democratic administration because there are many Filipinos living in the United States),” he added.

Malacañang also hopes the

Rep. Dina Titus

Rep. Steven Horsford

Rep. Susie Lee

Southern Nevada Democrats reelected to US House

by CHRISTINA

M. ORIEL

AJPress

INCUMBENT Democrats won reelection during the 2020 general election in three of Southern Nevada’s congressional districts.

Rep. Dina Titus was reelected to her fifth term to serve Nevada’s 1st Congressional District, which covers most of Las Vegas, including areas with sizable Asian American

and Pacific Islander (AAPI) residents and businesses.

Titus garnered 62.1% of the vote (129,006 votes), beating Republican challenger Joyce Bentley who received 33.1% of the vote (68,748).

“I am humbled to have once again earned the support of my constituents. Representing District 1 in Washington is the honor

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US welcomes extended suspension of VFA termination

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE Embassy of the United States in Manila on Thursday, November 12, welcomed the Philippines’ decision to suspend anew the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between Manila and u PAGE A3 Washington.

“We welcome the Government of the Philippines’ November 11 decision to suspend termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) for another six months,” it said in a statement.

“The U.S.-Philippines alliance remains vital to our robust, deep-rooted bilateral relationship. The United States will con-

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november 12-18, 2020 • LAS veGAS ASIAn JoUrnAL

From The FronT Page

Filipino Trump supporters sound off on the...

Thousands of supporters descended at Times Square in New York to celebrate the Biden-Harris win on Saturday, November 7.

AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

Fil-Am voters celebrate Biden...

PAGE A1 istration to address is correcting our response to the pandemic to prevent more unnecessary deaths.”

Melissa Ramoso, a Southern California community leader who was a co-chair of the national Fil-Ams for Biden-Harris affinity group, said these focus areas provide an opportunity for Filipino Americans to weigh in and help influence policies.

“Filipino Americans are always ready to be called upon to be part of a future that works for all communities, not just well-connected individuals,” she told the Asian Journal.

Biden, along with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris, has hit the ground running this week by launching a transition website with four priorities: COVID-19, economic recovery, racial equity and climate change.

They have assembled their own coronavirus task force — led by former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy and David Kessler, a former head of the Food and Drug Administration — which virtually met on Monday, November 9.

“It doesn’t matter who you voted for, where you stood before Election Day,” Biden said

during the meeting. “It doesn’t matter your party, your point of view. We can save tens of thousands of lives if everyone would just wear a mask for the next few months.”

Outpouring of joy Following five days of waiting and refreshing for new updates, Americans — and those watching worldwide — on Saturday morning, November 7 were greeted with the news that Biden and Harris captured the necessary 270 electoral votes to ascend to the White House.

For the Fil-Ams across the country who spent the past nine months raising money, phone and text banking targeting fellow Fil-Am voters, and getting the message out amid a pandemic, the results, especially in battleground states, made them feel that their vote truly counted and that they did their part in the fight to restore “the soul of America.”

“Our unprecedented engagement was the majority of the victory in battleground states. Hope is alive. This is a new beginning and we are part of it,” said Gloria Caoile, a community leader and senior advisor for Fil-Ams for Biden Harris in Las Vegas, told the Asian Journal.

Capturing over 74 million

PAGE A1 t the voting system, as we know it, is slow, riddled with bureaucratic holes and, in some cases, comprise active voter suppression efforts that make it almost impossible to have a smooth and streamlined election process.

Los Angeles County, for example, still has more than 600,000 ballots to count, according to the county registrar. In Arizona, where the race is still at razorthin margins, 150,000 votes that haven’t been counted yet. (Biden was leading by a slim 29,861 votes as of Friday, Nov. 6.)

As long as ballots were postmarked on or before Nov. 3, they can still be counted. Some ballots are still arriving by mail, and the ballot delivery deadline was extended to 17 days.

This election took all those presuppositions and reared the arcane American electoral process on its ugly head. Months before Election Day, officials prepared for a delayed call of the election by encouraging people to vote early and make a robust plan to get ballots in with little to no hiccups.

And after a days-long limbo period between Election Day and Saturday, Biden was announced as the winner despite the fact that it was a projection

and not an official call.

This hasn’t stopped Biden supporters — including Republicans who distanced themselves from the Trump campaign — from celebrating when news reports came out that Biden won Pennsylvania, a key battleground state.

As such, however, this sparked outrage among Trump supporters across the nation who, along with the president’s re-election campaign, are calling for legal intervention into the election results, arguing that the call on Saturday was too early and there’s still good reason to hold off on announcing a winner.

Marc Ang, an LA-based financial planner who co-organized the Filipino Americans for Trump caravan rally in October, told the Asian Journal on Monday, Nov. 9 that he was “honestly not surprised” about the media reports calling Biden’s win.

Ang referenced the voting irregularities as well as more illegitimate and nefarious practices that have been reported in at least five states against which the Trump campaign has lodged lawsuits.

As of Monday, the Trump campaign has filed lawsuits in Pennsylvania, Nevada, Michigan, Georgia and Arizona. All states

currently have Biden in the lead by slim margins, and Georgia has committed to recounting its votes, according to Republican Doug Collins who represents the state in the House and was appointed by the Trump campaign to oversee the recount.

Similarly, Lisa Noeth, a Filipina American conservative commentator and co-director of the Nevada Young Republicans, told the Asian Journal that she was not allowed to oversee the counting in Clark County, Nevada and “was told it was a waste of time by a staff member.”

“This tarnishes the U.S. Constitution’s rule of the land that the electors determine the winner after all the legal votes are counted,” Noeth said about the reported hastiness of the election call before all the votes were certified and found legal.

Noeth, who attended the Stop the Steal rally in Las Vegas on Nov. 4, said that she has “firsthand account” with voters who said that they had “issues with their ballots being invalidated.”

“We have to question the narrative [of] what there is to hide in places where the vote is being counted and observers were barred in battleground states, including Nevada, Pennsylvania PAGE A3

votes, Biden surpassed President Barack Obama’s record and received more votes than any presidential candidate in U.S. history.

As of this writing, Biden has 290 electoral votes in his favor, versus President Donald Trump’s 214. Meanwhile, 34 votes are still at play, according to the Associated Press.

“Philadelphia and Pennsylvania brought home the win as part of the Blue Wall. As a community, we championed a leader who will make sure we get out of this pandemic, bring back our economy and we are again respected in the world,” Brad Baldia, eastern region co-chair for Fil-Ams for Biden-Harris, told the Asian Journal.

With the victory, Harris became the first woman and first Black and South Asian person elected vice president of the country.

“As a woman of color and a Californian, I could not be more proud to have Kamala Harris as the first Asian and African American female vice president. Filipino Americans will see for the very first time when PresidentElect Joe Biden delivers his first State of the Union speech as the president who received the most votes ever in America history, be- Various speakers, including Marc Ang and Jing Espiritu, spoke at the Las Vegas rally on Sunday to contest the 2020 general election results Photo courtesy of Asian Industry B2B PAGE A3 and mail-in ballot process.

Dateline USa

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‘Stay at Home 2.0’: Nevadans urged to help...

PAGE A1 t don’t go out,” Sisolak said during a press conference on Tuesday, November 10.

The Silver State has over 115,000 cases and 1,880 deaths as of this week. The majority of the cases — 91,859 positive cases and 1,593 deaths — are in Clark County.

At the beginning of the pandemic, nonessential businesses were closed to curb the spread and slowly began to open in the summer.

The governor said that tourists can continue to come into the state, but must follow protocols like wearing a mask and social distancing. He encouraged airports to ramp up their enforcement of mask wearing.

“They certainly should come because those are protecting our jobs. But when they come here and they’re staying in one of our properties, they need to be wearing a mask,” Sisolak said.

“Wear a mask. That’s what I’m asking for. I’m not implementing

any new restrictions right now.

I’m encouraging them to come.

I’m encouraging them to please, please, follow the rules.”

The state’s Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) found that 691 non-Nevada residents tested positive for COVID-19 in the state between June 1 and Oct. 3, and 21 tested positive upon returning home. Of that number, the most cases were from California at 309 cases, following by 162 cases of individuals from Arizona. n

Southern Nevada Democrats reelected to...

PAGE A1 t of my life. Southern Nevadans are hurting badly right now and I will do everything in my power to provide relief,” Titus wrote in a Twitter post.

As the country continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, Titus said she was “optimistic” for Southern Nevada’s future.

“I will fight each day to deliver the necessary resources to get the virus under control, bring jobs back, make smart investments in infrastructure, expand access to quality and affordable health care, and address gun violence and the climate change crisis,” she added.

Rep. Steven Horsford of the 4th Congressional District and Rep. Susie Lee of the 3rd Con-

gressional District defeated their respective Republican opponents in what were considered two battleground races in Nevada.

Horsford, a former state senator who became the first African American to represent the Silver State in Congress, received 50.8% of the vote (160,306 votes) in his bid for another term.

His district covers most of northern Clark County, southern Lyon County and all of Esmeralda, Lincoln, Mineral, Nye and White Pine counties.

“Thank you to the residents of Nevada’s 4th district for reelecting me and I am so incredibly honored to continue serving #NV04 in Congress,” Horsford said in a Twitter post.

Lee, a former nonprofit lead-

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEmbER 12-18, 2020

PH Embassy, Consulates in US take steps...

PAGE A1 t as pandemic-related restrictions and stringent health requirements, both in the Philippines and the United States, continue to put pressure on Posts’ consular operations.

The global nature of COVID-19 compelled many countries to enforce travel restrictions to protect their local populations from the disease. In March, the Philippine government temporarily banned the entry of foreign nationals and suspended the Balikbayan program and other visa-free entry privileges in the interest of public health and safety.

Prior to the pandemic, former Filipinos traveling on U.S. passports were able to enter and stay in the Philippines for a maximum of one year without a visa under the Balikbayan program.

With the program’s suspension, thousands of former Filipinos have filed dual citizenship and passport applications with the Embassy and Consulates to be able to travel to the Philippines

er, captured 49.2% of the vote (194,470 votes), beating out Republican Dan Rodimer who received 45.4% of the vote (170,426) to win a second term in Congress. The district covers south of Las Vegas, including Henderson, Boulder City, and much of unincorporated Clark County.

“Serving Nevada in Congress has been the honor of my life, and I can’t wait to continue fighting for you as we move this country forward together. From the bottom of my heart, thank you,” Lee said in a Twitter post.

PAGE A2 Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Mark Amodei of the state’s 2nd hind him will be two Californian Congressional District easily won women: Vice President Harris reelection with 56.4% of the vote and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi,” Ramoso said.

(211,768 votes). n While President Donald Trump has not conceded — and as electoral challenges are underway and his supporters continue to protest nationwide — the collecmer Vice President Joseph ‘Joe’ tive joy and hope for an incoming Biden on his election as the new leadership change poured onto President of the United States of the streets.

America,” Roque said in a stateThe spontaneous celebrament on Sunday, November 8. tions erupted across the country, Roque also assured that the among them: in Washington, Philippines will continue its D.C., thousands marched along commitment to enhancing its re- Black Lives Matter Plaza and lations with the U.S. near the White House bearing “The Philippines and the Unit- homemade signs; masses gathed States have long-standing bi- ered in New York’s Time Square lateral relations and we are com- bursting out into song; and in mitted to further enhancing the West Hollywood, California, indirelations with the United States viduals waved Biden-Harris and under the Biden administration,” pride flags and banged pots as he said. car horns blared.

“We look forward to working That night, Biden and Harris closely with the new adminis- addressed the nation with victory tration of President-elect Biden speeches at the Chase Center in anchored on mutual respect, Wilmington, Delaware, with the mutual benefit, and shared com- former pledging to be a commitment to democracy, freedom mander-in-chief “who seeks not and the rule of law,” he added. to divide but not unify.”

“Congratulations and we wish “It’s time to put away the harsh him all the best.” rhetoric, lower the temperature, Biden on Saturday, Nov. 7 see each other again, listen to emerged victorious after secur- each other again,” Biden said, ing the necessary 270 electoral votes to win. California Sen. Harris, Biden’s running mate, meanwhile made history as the nation’s first woman and Black and South Asian to be elected as vice president. n

as Filipino citizens.

The increased demand, coupled with state and local health regulations limiting the number of people who can be physically accommodated in consulate premises, slowed down processing times and created backlogs that the Embassy and Consulates are working hard to address.

“We understand our clients’ frustration over the impact of the pandemic on our consular operations. We wish to assure them that we are aware of their concerns and we are doing everything we can to continue delivering critical services in the safest and most efficient way possible during these challenging times,” said Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez.

Lockdowns, quarantine rules, and indications of rising COVID19 infections across the United States this fall have also affected Posts’ operating hours and impeded the conduct of consular outreach missions. These factors

A

continue to make it more difficult for the Embassy and Consulates to reach the majority of their clients who are spread throughout their areas of jurisdiction.

“For us in the frontlines, this is a delicate balancing act between the need to fulfill our public service mandate and to ensure the health and safety of our clients and personnel. We appeal to the public for your understanding, and please bear with us as we try to deal with this evolving situation,” the Ambassador further said.

“If you can put your travel plans on hold for the meantime, please do so. I know this might be hard as the Christmas season is upon us, but these measures and regulations have been put in place to keep all of us safe from the pandemic. Only with everyone’s cooperation will we be able to defeat this pandemic that has already claimed more than a million lives worldwide and changed the course of our future,” Ambassador Romualdez added. n

Fil-Am voters celebrate Biden...

Palace hopes Biden admin will relax US...

PAGE A1 t

new leadership will help undocumented Filipino workers in the U.S. get a chance to become legal residents. There were approximately 313,000 undocumented Filipinos from 2012 to 2016, according to Migration Policy Institute (MPI) estimates, making up about 3% of the country’s total undocumented population.

“Bagamat mayroon iilan sa kanila ay ‘yung mga tinatawag natin TNT o mga iligal, ay napakalaking papel ang ginagampanan nila sa Estados Unidos at mabigyan sana sila ng pagkakataon na maging legal sa Estados Unidos (Although some of them are are TNT or illegal, they play a huge role in the United States and we hope they will be given a chance to become legal in the United States),” he said.

Roque said Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will reportedly keep an open mind about Biden and avoid making judgments until he finally gets to work with the new U.S. president.

“Other than congratulating him, I think the president

is keeping an open mind as he should. It will be a new start but we have no prejudgments as far as president-elect Biden is concerned, other than the position that we’re able and willing to work with all leaders of the world,” the spokesman said.

According to Roque, they have trust that the ties between the country and the U.S. will remain stable.

“Tiwala naman tayo na dahil napakalapit ng relasyon ng Pilipinas at ng Estados Unidos, patuloy na magiging mas mabuti pa ang ating samahan sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni President Duterte at ni President-elect Biden (We trust that with close ties between the Philippines and the U.S., we will continue and even see better relations under President Duterte and President-elect Biden),” he said.

Duterte was among the world leaders who congratulated Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris after their projected win in the 2020 presidential election.

“On behalf of the Filipino nation, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte wishes to extend his warm congratulations to for-

Filipino Trump supporters sound off on the...

PAGE A2 t and Michigan,” Noeth added.

Ang also helped with the rally in Beverly Hills, California over the weekend and worked with other groups across the country to encourage Trump supporters to continue fighting against the “premature” declaration of Biden’s victory.

The legal challenges posed by the Trump campaign, however, are all over the place and comprise different things, making it difficult to see how they all come together in the general claim of “voter fraud.”

In Nevada, the Trump campaign claims that at least 10,000 people voted in the state after moving to another state. The Trump campaign also alleged that in Wayne County, Michigan (home to Detroit) poll workers were seen swaying voters to vote a certain way and that GOP election observers were blocked from observing the vote count.

(The only proof of the Michigan claims come in the form of affidavits from individuals.)

Misleading videos have also percolated through social media, including a video of ballot counters in Delaware County, Pennsylvania transcribing damaged ballots that couldn’t be read by machines. (The Delaware County Bureau of Elections confirmed this, noting that “some residents have altered the video are making false accusations.”)

Nevertheless, claims against these states by the Trump campaign have fueled nationwide protests among Trump supporters echoing the alleged claims of voter fraud.

“Preliminary results get put out there and [the] news media is very quick to jump on something exciting to report. They’re seeing the same numbers I’m seeing, but I’m not as quick to jump on a call especially when it goes against fundamentals,” Ang added, referencing the reports of “software glitches and fraudulent ballots.”

Ang’s claim of software glitches comes from a popular notion that technological problems with the software that undermined the actual vote counts in states like Michigan and Georgia.

But according to the Michigan Department of State, county clerks and election security experts, the reported issues in the unofficial vote counts in Michigan’s Antrim and Oakland counties were not software glitches, but human error, adding these were “isolated cases.”

In Georgia, the software problems only related to how poll workers checked in voters from two counties and submission of results in another county.

The Trump campaign has also said that it has evidence of ballot mishandling and discarded votes in Maricopa County, Arizona, alleging that Trump voters may have had their ballots rejected due to manual override by poll workers.

Despite all the mounting suits and allegations of voter fraud being lodged by the Trump campaign, none of these claims have been verified. Like the Delaware County officials, election bureaus across the country continue fighting unverified claims proffered by the Trump campaign and viral attempts to locate fraud among Trump supporters.

Experts on constitutional law don’t see the lawsuits going much further since much of the tangible proof of the alleged “voting irregularities” came in the form of affidavits, personal anecdotes among Trump supporters and debunked altered videos on social media.

“That requires some kind of evidence,” Morgan Marietta, professor of constitutional politics at the University of Massachusetts Lowell told NBC. “There’s an incentive to do the recounts and the audits to establish there wasn’t fraud, but right now, there’s no evidence we’ve seen of widespread fraud. Certainly not enough to change the outcome.”

That being said, however, Trump supporters are mobilized and believe that legal action could provide a path to victory for the president in a way that could flip the media projections.

“This is far from impossible,” Ang asserted.

In response to Trump’s refus-

al to concede the election, both Ang and Noeth agreed that the president shouldn’t concede until the claims of alleged fraud are found to be baseless.

“This is a unique opportunity to audit and reform our elections for the better. Florida, under the scrutiny of 2000, has become a leader now in honest elections.

I hope this for the other states in question. Let the process play out and if the fraud doesn’t change the outcome, he should concede,” Ang said.

Noeth mirrored Ang’s position, saying, “I believe we should stand by President Trump in not conceding until all the legal votes are counted and our court system investigates the evidence of voter fraud. We need to protect the legitimacy of our electoral process through the legal system in place according to the U.S. Constitution.

Filipinos are the secondlargest Asian American group to support Trump, just behind Vietnamese Americans, according to the 2020 Asian American Voter Survey released two months before the general election. With this, both Ang and Noeth believe that the president and the Republican Party have the greater Filipino American community’s interests in mind.

And, even if the courts decide that the election was legitimate and Biden was legally elected as the 46th President of the United States, folks like Ang and Noeth are optimistic that this isn’t the end of the Trump legacy.

“If [Trump] loses the presidency, the movement will get even more energized and will bring us to major victories in 2022 and 2024, where Trump may run and win again,” Ang said, referencing recent reports that Trump is considering another White House run in 2024.

“Let’s let the court system decide the winner of the 2020 elections,” Noeth said, adding that regardless of the outcome, “For the next four years, Republicans, such as myself, should continue to engage the Asian American community and represent Fil-Ams as future candidates in elected office.n

Individuals took to the streets throughout Los Angeles, including in West Hollywood, bearing signs reacting to the country’s new leadership.

AJPress photo by Christina M. Oriel

referencing those who may not have voted for him.

Though the presidential race may be over, Fil-Ams are placing their energy onto the Jan. 5 runoff in Georgia that will determine which party will have control over the U.S. Senate.

“As for individuals themselves, newcomers to campaigns asked our seasoned campaign warriors the same question of “What’s next?” We answered,

we go on to the next fight and bring our kababayans with us.

We are looking to make an impact in Georgia’s US Senate races in the immediate future,” Ramoso said.

Madali added, “It is my hope that on the issues of healthcare, immigration, and education, that they will find that the candidates that best serve their interests are Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff.” n

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

NOVEMBER 12-18, 2020 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

Promotion

FEATURES

WITH the two complaints filed against him gathering cobwebs in the prosecutor’s office of Taguig, Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas has reached the pinnacle of his career. Charged with violating Republic Act 11469, the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, and a city ordinance in Taguig on COVID quarantine rules that the police commander for Metro Manila is mandated to enforce, Sinas has been promoted as chief of the Philippine National Police.

Sinas is expected to lead the PNP until he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 56 on May 8 next year, during which he can be serenaded with another birthday mañanita and then enjoy a hefty retirement pension. Such a gathering during his 55th birthday at the height of the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila led to the filing of the complaints against him.

The case gained additional notoriety after 58year-old fish vendor Joseph Jimeda was arrested by police on the eve of Sinas’ birthday for crossing over to the Navotas Fish Port from his home in Caloocan to buy fish that he could sell in a mini market or talipapa, as he had usually done – except this time he lacked a quarantine pass. Jimeda, who didn’t have money for bail, had to spend 12 days in jail, unable to inform his family of his whereabouts because he didn’t have a cell phone.

Now he has a misdemeanor record after pleading guilty to simple disobedience.

About three weeks before Jimeda’s arrest, unarmed retired Army corporal Winston Ragos, who was reportedly suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder, was shot dead by police manning a quarantine checkpoint in Quezon City.

These incidents will have no legal bearing on the cases filed against Sinas, which Malacañang said yesterday would continue to be pursued despite his promotion. But the fates of Ragos and Jimeda will inevitably be contrasted with that of Sinas, and will be brought up as the country continues to grapple with COVID restrictions that are supposed to cover everyone. It will highlight the double standard in upholding the rule of law in this country – from rules and regulations to penal laws such as corruption. It’s a credibility problem especially in this crippling pandemic that the PNP will need to overcome under its new chief.

(Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Trump, the Republican leadership block President-elect Joe Biden’s efforts for the peaceful transition of power under the rule of law The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS ON NOVEMBER 7, 2020, Democratic nominee Joe Biden became President-elect after surpassing the 270-victory mark for electoral votes, and winning the greatest number of popular votes in the history of the United States.

The historic turnout, among Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and even from those with no party affiliation, is a testament to the urgency of the moment, amid the escalating threat of the coronavirus pandemic that has been infecting more than 130,000 Americans per day, with 10.2+ million confirmed cases, and an increasing death toll of 239,000 Americans.

This pandemic has disrupted lives, livelihoods and businesses across the country, and has divided the already polarized nation even more with mixed messages coming from the White House, defying advisories from health officials, state leaders and scientists that are working hard with doctors, nurses and other frontliners to save lives.

President-elect Joe Biden has already started efforts toward the peaceful transition of power pursuant to the rule of law, an effort shared by both the outgoing president and president-elect of past election cycles.

On Monday, November 9, Biden posted on social media and I quote: “Today, I have named a COVID-19 Transition Advisory Board, comprised of distinguished public health experts, to help our transition team translate the Biden-Harris COVID-19 plan into a blueprint we can put into places soon as @KamalaHarris and I are sworn into office.”

Biden has announced on Tuesday, November 10, the teams of people who will work to prepare the incoming administration to take control of the federal government. As CNN reported, these transition teams included names of about 500 people who will work in various agencies of the government — “from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to the Department of Homeland Security and the United States Postal Service” and many more.

This election cycle, however, has been very much unlike how it was done in past administrations where the members of the transition teams work with career officials inside the government to prepare the incoming administration to take over.

The reason for this is the sad fact that President Donald Trump refuses to concede defeat, and he is enabled by the Republican leadership headed

by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and right-leaning outlets like Fox News who enable his conspiracy theory that votes were stolen from him.

The Trump administration is not accepting Biden as president-elect, even as leaders

of other countries, including Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, have already called and messaged Biden to congratulate him. U.S. allies said “Welcome back America” following the Biden-Harris victory.

The Trump White House on Monday instructed senior government leaders to block cooperation with Biden’s transition team. And so, despite the efforts of Biden in organizing his transition team, the National Public Radio (NPR) reported that “one thing Biden cannot do at this point is move into any government office space or receive government funding for the transition.”

Despite the will of the people electing Biden to be the next president, “A key, if little-known Trump administration official has yet to determine formally that Biden won the election, holding up some crucial resources traditionally available to the president-elect.”

Under the 1963 Presidential Transition Act, it’s up to the General Services Administration, or GSA, to determine or ‘ascertain’ the winner of the presidential election, at least as far as starting the process of turning over the keys to the new administration goes,” according to NPR. Robert MacKichan, who was general counsel to the GSA during the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations, told NPR the law is kind of vague about what this actually means.

“There’s no legal standard contained within this act as to what constitutes the ascertainment,” he said in the report.

Biden: 5 ways to beat populism Commentary

RICHARD HEYDARIAN Populists are powerful precisely because, in the words of novelist Hugo von Hofmannsthal, “politics is magic, he who can summon the forces from the deep, him will they follow.” Make no mistake: Populism is here to stay, thanks to its uncanny ability to tap into our most basic instincts.

But as in pandemics and pathogens, even the most viral and vicious forms of politics can be contained, though never fully defeated. From Latin America to Europe, recent decades have seen numerous populists driven back to the margins of power

when the “moderate” majority and competent “centrists” decided to team up and hold the line together.

If anything, last week’s elections in the world’s oldest democracy has exposed the vulnerability of populism and the need for “radical liberalism.”

It’s true that President-elect Joseph Biden failed to secure the early, decisive victory that some polls had suggested. And it’s also true that the “blue wave” hopes down the ballot likewise failed to materialize.

Yet, Biden is projected to win by a landslide electoral college tally on top of 4 million more votes than his rival. The logistics and regulations around mail-in ballots also largely explain why the race initially seemed “tight” and managed to drag on for days.

Even more remarkable, the Democratic candidate managed

to not only restore the “blue wall” in the rustbelts, but also flipped the “red” Republican strongholds of Georgia and Arizona into legitimate swing states, if not “blue” ones.

And lest we forget, Donald Trump is the first incumbent to lose a reelection bid since 1992, and only the third since the end of World War II. In short, Biden’s victory was far from given, even if many have rightly questioned Trump’s fitness for office from the very first day.

There are five key lessons to draw from Biden’s protracted yet decisive victory.

First of all, have faith in democracy and the people. As the incoming American president put it, “keep the faith.” But even more importantly, “spread the faith.” We can’t be conditional democrats. We can’t just accept elections when the “good” candidates win, then retreat into

Instead of supporting the Biden transition teams as other outgoing Presidents of the United States have done, Trump and his minions have asked for investigations, using taxpayers’ money, into alleged widespread election fraud. They have also filed lawsuits in court, but judges handling these lawsuits have ruled that there was no sufficient evidence to support these claims. Trump then wanted to bring this fight all the way to the Supreme Court despite the lack of proof and merit in court.

Trump has been asking his die-hard fans to again storm the streets in virus superspreader crowds to defend him and fight for his second term, going against the will of the majority of the American people who voted for Biden to be the 46th president of the United States.

“President Trump is racing to raise money for an “official election defense fund.” But the fine print on the solicitations tells a different story: Half -- or more -of any contribution will be used to retire debt from his re-election campaign,” the Wall Street Journal reported.

The president and his cohorts in Congress have been attacking the integrity of the votes of the American people, the integrity of election officials and secretaries of states, governors and lieutenant governors, who were composed of Republicans and Democrats alike.

These Republicans in Congress are supposed to be exercising their checks and balances on the president, an obligation required of them by the Con-

stitution as members of the coequal branch of government.

Unfortunately, these Republican members put their own political survival ahead of the peaceful transfer of power, compromising the United States’ national security and the greater good of the American people.

As “We, the People” want to heal and move forward together as one “United States of America,” it is imperative for Trump, the Republicans in Congress and their supporters to respect the will of the American people in this election — the most scared of all our rights as citizens in this democracy: Government of the people, By the People, For the People.

Let me quote excerpts from the late Senator John McCain’s speech when he conceded defeat to Sen. Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential election.

May these words help us in our introspection on what we can do in the name of our love for our nation and our respect to the Constitution as true patriots of the United States of America.

“Sen. Obama has achieved a great thing for himself and for his country. I applaud him for it, and offer my sincere sympathy that his beloved grandmother did not live to see this day — though our faith assures us she is at rest in the presence of her Creator and so very proud of the good man she helped raise.

Sen. Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences remain. These are difficult times

for our country, and I pledge to him tonight to do all in my power to help him lead us through the many challenges we face.

I urge all Americans who supported me to join me in not just congratulating him, but offering our next president our goodwill and earnest effort to find ways to come together, to find the necessary compromises, to bridge our differences and help restore our prosperity, defend our security in a dangerous world, and leave our children and grandchildren a stronger, better country than we inherited.

Whatever our differences, we are fellow Americans. And please believe me when I say no association has ever meant more to me than that.

It is natural tonight to feel some disappointment, but tomorrow we must move beyond it and work together to get our country moving again. We fought — we fought as hard as we could.

And though we fell short, the failure is mine, not yours.

I am so deeply grateful to all of you for the great honor of your support and for all you have done for me. I wish the outcome had been different, my friends.

The road was a difficult one from the outset. But your support and friendship never wavered. I cannot adequately express how deeply indebted I am to you….”

“This campaign was and will remain the great honor of my life. And my heart is filled with nothing but gratitude for the experience and to the American people for giving me a fair

self-destructive despondency when the “wrong” ones win.

In the words of Biden’s former boss, President Barack Obama, “We zig and zag and sometimes we move in ways that some people think is forward and others think is moving back. And that’s OK.” People vote for the Trumps of this world for a thousand reasons.

Some were visibly frustrated and felt legitimately ignored. Some were misinformed, some were driven by age-old prejudice, and others were mostly angry and opted for a “protest vote.” But that doesn’t mean people don’t see the value of good leadership, as when countless suburban women and urban residents of rustbelts and sunbelts abandoned Trump this year.

Second, build a diverse and dynamic coalition, while keeping radicals at bay. Biden won with a massive electoral college margin because he was willing to build the biggest political tent possible, astutely reaching out

to moderate Republicans, bluecollar white voters, and women along the ethnic and ideological spectrum.

Though Trump expanded his base among right-wing Latinos in Miami and rural white Americans, more than enough minorities and moderates voted against the populism he represented.

Earlier this year, a coalition of liberal-progressive Italians, for instance, managed to eject the far-right populism of Matteo Salvini from government. The same dynamic played out in France in 2017, keeping Marine Le Pen’s far-right party at bay.

Third, character matters.

Biden’s sincere compassion, moral decency, and faith inspired countless Americans to once again believe in a higher purpose and a “more perfect union” among themselves. Even in our climate of post-modern cynicism and toxic partisanship, people yearn for moral leadership.

Fourth, instinct and experi-

ence matter. Unlike the Hillary Clinton campaign, Biden primarily relied on his personal instinct and visceral familiarity with the grievances and sensibilities of average and bluecollar Americans. As one of his key advisers said, “It was his campaign. It was less consultant-driven than any presidential campaign in modern history.”

Lastly, “boring” is the new sexy. After years of disruptive politics and disastrous policies, more than 75 million American voters opted for the quintessential “establishment politician.”

After all, what’s so wrong with “boring” if it means good old competence, compassion, and patriotism?

u PAGE A5

*** rheydarian@inquirer.com.ph *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

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

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Philippine Senate approves bill Duterte: Arbitral ruling can’t be ignored by any country declaring child marriage a crime

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

by Ritchel

Mendiola

AJPress

A BILL declaring child marriage illegal in the Philippines has been passed on its third and final reading.

Senate Bill No. 1371, also known as the “Girls Not Brides Act,” was unanimously approved

by Senators on Monday, November 9.

The measure was principally authored and sponsored by Sen. Risa Hontiveros, chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality.

“The issue of child early and forced marriages is one that is largely invisible to us here in Metro Manila, but it is a tragic reality for scores of young girls who are forced by economic circumstances and cultural expectations to shelve their own dreams, begin families they are not ready for, and raise children even if their own childhoods have not yet ended,” she said after the

Senate approved the measure.

Based on data from the United Nations Population Fund, 1 in every 6 girls in the Philippines marry before the legal age of 18.

The Philippines was also listed as the 12th country with the highest number of children married under 18 years old with 726,000, according to Hontiveros.

“Today, we give our girls a chance to dream, a chance to define their futures according to their own terms. We defend their right to declare when they are ready to begin their families,” Hontiveros said.

“We tell them their health matters to us. Their education matters to us. We give them a fighting chance,” she added.

Under the bill, any person who causes, fixes, facilitates or arranges a child marriage will be fined P40,000 or suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its minimum period, which is eight years and a day to 10 years.

Should the perpetrator of the

child marriage be an ascendant, step parent or guardian of the minor, the punishment will be prision mayor in its maximum period of 10 years and a day to 12 years, a P50,000 fine, and the loss of parental authority over the minor.

Any person who performs or officiates the formal rites of child marriage will suffer the penalty of prision mayor in its medium period, a fine of at least P40,000, and disqualification from office in the case of public officials.

The Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development has been enlisted to take the lead in the measure’s implementation.

The bill was co-authored by Senate President Vicente Sotto 3rd, Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and Senators Leila de Lima, Emmanuel Joel Villanueva, Maria Josefa Imelda Marcos, Juan Edgardo Angara and Francis Pangilinan. n

Fil-Am Remy Martin named...

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Remy Martin

Photo from Instagram_@sundevilhoops

Trump, the Republican leadership block...

PAGE A4 hearing before deciding that Sen. Obama and my old friend, Sen. Joe Biden, should have the honor of leading us for the next four years.

I would not be an American worthy of the name, should I regret a fate that has allowed me the extraordinary privilege of serving this country for a half a century.

Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone and I thank the people of Arizona for it.

Tonight — tonight, more than

strengthen our health systems by ensuring the unimpeded supply of medical supplies and technologies, and by enhancing early warning systems for health emergencies,” he said.

According to Duterte, striking a balance between saving lives and not neglecting the sectors should be the priority in mitigating the impact of the pandemic.

“In mitigating the impact of the pandemic, our actions must be people-centered,” he said.

“As we recover, no sector must be left behind. Our efforts should be targeted and inclusive,” he added.

Duterte also called for equal access to vaccines against COVID-19.

“We must work together to ensure that all nations – rich or poor – will have access to safe vaccines. No one is safe until all of us are safe,” he stressed.

The ASEAN Summit, which focuses on the theme ‘Cohesive and Responsive ASEAN,’ was chaired by Vietnam.

The summit is expected to adopt more than 10 outcome documents on ASEAN cooperation on the pandemic, preparedness for public health emergencies, and more. n

US welcomes extended suspension of VFA...

PAGE A1 t

as the bouncy-haired energizer off the bench, lifting his team with pizazz and hard-nosed defense. The 6foot guard has since developed into an unquestioned leader on a team loaded with talented guards,” the AP News wrote.

Martin averaged 19.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists last season. He had initially declared for the 2020 NBA draft, but withdrew later to stay for his senior season.

He is set to play his final year with the Sun Devils this upcoming NCAA season that starts on November 25 in the U.S. (Ritchel Mendiola/AJPress)

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday, November 12, invoked the country’s arbitral victory against China over the South China Sea at the start of a virtual regional summit.

During the virtual plenary session of the 37th ASEAN Summit, Duterte stressed that no country, no matter how powerful it is, can ignore the ruling.

“The Philippine position is clear and firm. We must solve the disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law, including UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea),” he said.

“The 2016 arbitral award on the South China Sea is an authoritative interpretation of the application of UNCLOS. It is now part of international law.

And its significance cannot be diminished nor ignored by any country, however big and powerful,” he added.

Duterte also called for the completion of a Code of Conduct in the South China Sea to promote peace and stability in the busy waterway.

“The Philippines is one with

ASEAN in transforming the South China Sea into a sea of peace and prosperity for all,” he said.

“We are committed to the immediate conclusion of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the South China Sea. And if I may add, it has been a long time and it is a long wait,” he added.

Duterte previously brought up the arbitrary ruling when he attended the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the first time on September 23.

“The Award is now part of international law, beyond compromise and beyond the reach of passing governments to dilute, diminish or abandon,” he had said.

The president said he rejects any attempt to undermine it.

He also thanked countries and states who have acknowledged the award and what if stands for.

“People-centered” approach During the ASEAN Summit, Duterte also stressed that their priority is health security amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

“Our immediate priority is health security. We have to

any night, I hold in my heart nothing but love for this country and for all its citizens, whether they supported me or Sen. Obama, I wish Godspeed to the man who was my former opponent and will be my president.

And I call on all Americans, as I have often in this campaign, to not despair of our present difficulties but to believe always in the promise and greatness of America, because nothing is inevitable here.”

Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history. Thank you, and God bless you, and God

bless America.” *** 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.

tinue to partner closely with the Philippines to strengthen our mutual security ties,” the embassy added.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Wednesday, Nov. 11, announced that President Rodrigo Duterte has extended the suspension of the VFA. “My President, Rodrigo Roa Duterte, has instructed me to convey with the appropriate formality his decision to extend the suspension of the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement by yet another six months, to enable us to find a more enhanced, mutually beneficial, mutually agreeable, and more effective and lasting arrangement on how to move forward in our mutual defense,” he said in a tweet.

“The past four years have changed the South China Sea from one of uncertainty about great powers’ intentions to one of predictability and resulting stability with regard to what can and cannot be done, what will and will not be acceptable with

regard to the conduct of any protagonist in the South China Sea. Clarity and strength have never posed a risk. It is confusion and indecision that aggravate risk,” he added.

Locsin attributed the renewal of stability and security in the region to the efforts by the governments of the Philippines and the United States.

“A great deal of credit for the renewal of stability and security goes to deft diplomacy, unequivocal expressions of policy, sturdy postures of strength combined with unfailing tact, and pragmatic national security advice exhibited by both our governments in the same period,” he said.

Locsin also hailed the two countries’ friendship and alliance.

“Long Live Philippine US friendship and alliance. I hereby send the Diplomatic Note in that respect,” he said.

The abrogation of the VFA was suspended on June 2 “in light of political and other developments in the region.”

“The abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement has been suspended upon the President’s instruction,” Locsin had said in a tweet.

In the diplomatic note attached to Locsin’s tweet, it said: “In light of the political and other developments in the region, the termination of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the United States Regarding the Treatment of the United States Visiting Forces Visiting the Philippines…is hereby suspended.”

The note also said that the suspension shall start on an even date and shall continue for six months – though it can be extended for another half a year.

“After which, the tolling of the initial period in Note Verbale No. 20-0463 dated 11 February 2020 shall resume,” it added.

On February 11, the Philippines sent a notice to Washington that terminated the defense agreement. n

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november 12-18, 2020 • LAS veGAS ASIAn JoUrnAL

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Journal Parol-making with lola: Disney launches Filipina-Irish named runner-up to Miss USA 2020 Filipino-themed Christmas video

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPressa

THE Philippines is known for the longest Christmas season in the world with the holiday spirit starting to manifest in the “-ber” months.

Filipinos have their own set of traditions that are observed every year, such as setting up a nativity scene, attending simbang gabi, or celebrating noche buena. One symbol of a Pinoy Christmas, in particular, is the parol, a starshaped paper lantern that stands for hope, blessings, luck and peace.

With the holiday a little more than a month away, Disney launched its first-ever Christmas advertisement, a three-minute animated short featuring the Filipino tradition of parol-making as part of its 2020 festive campaign “From Our Family To Yours.”

The heartwarming and tearjerking animated short, released on Monday, November 9, is inspired by the themes of traditions, family togetherness, and nostalgia. It introduces two new characters: Lola (grandmother) and her granddaughter, alongside Mickey

In a three-minute Christmas advertisement, Disney depicts a lola and granddaughter bonding over Mickey Mouse and making parols.

Photos courtesy of Disney UK

Mouse, a beloved toy that was gifted to Lola as a young child by her father in 1940.

In the short, lola and her granddaughter, living in the UK, mainly bond over making parol, a starshaped Christmas lantern hung outside houses in the Philippines during the holiday season. As the granddaughter grows up, she begins to favor her busy life over spending time with her lola.

One night, the granddaughter realizes just how distant she’s become to her lola after picking up Mickey Mouse in the living

room, which ultimately inspires a festive surprise on Christmas morning.

The story is accompanied by the soundtrack ‘Love Is a Compass,’ performed by Ivor Novello Rising Star award nominee Griff.

“I was excited to get involved in Disney’s Christmas campaign, in support of Make-A-Wish,” Novello said.

“The lyrics of the track and the storytelling in the advert are powerful, and important. The theme of family and loved ones are so front PAGE B2

FILIPINA-IRISH Kim Layne of Idaho on Tuesday, November 10 won 1st runner-up in the Miss USA 2020 beauty pageant.

Layne, 26, placed second to Asya Branch of Mississippi who was crowned Miss USA and will represent the United States in the upcoming Miss Universe 2020 beauty pageant.

Layne was born and raised in the state of Idaho. Her father is Irish, while her mother is Filipino.

In her Miss USA profile, she said she graduated from Cornell University with honors in research. Currently, she is studying at Washington State University pursuing a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, and a Master of Public Health at the University of Minnesota.

Layne is passionate about health promotion and disease prevention, and has dual citizenship in the Philippines.

She was crowned Miss Idaho Teen USA in 2012.

Miss USA 2020 first runner-up Kim Layne Photo from Instagram_@kimlayne

“Three words: I did it! My father’s military dog tags are beneath this gown. He is a 100% disabled, Vietnam veteran who used to travel, hunt, camp & fish.

He couldn’t be in the audience last night because of his medical

conditions and being immunocompromised but I brought him up there with me,” Layne said in an Instagram post after the pageant.

Meanwhile, another beauty queen with Filipino blood won a pageant this year.

Filipina American Ki’ilani Arruda bested 50 other candidates for the crown of Miss Teen USA on Saturday, November 7 in Memphis, Tennessee.

Arruda, 18, advocates for autism awareness after her brother was diagnosed with autism, and hopes everyone can build a world that is accepting and inclusive for all people.

In a post-pageant interview, she revealed that Filipina beauty queen Catriona Gray is her favorite Miss Universe winner.

“I’m a little biased towards Catriona because I am half-Filipino myself. Her reign was so amazing, and I’ve always looked up to her as a role model,” Arruda said.

(Ritchel Mendiola/AJPress)

Fil-Am Ki’ilani Arruda from Hawaii wins Miss Teen USA

By Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

FILIPINA American Ki’ilani Arruda has been crowned as Miss Teen USA 2020.

Arruda, 18, bested 50 other candidates for the crown on Saturday, November 7 in Memphis, Tennessee.

During the Q&A portion of the pageant, Arruda was asked, “What has experiencing a global pandemic taught you about life?”

The Fil-Am teen, in response, said: “Well, of course this global pandemic is very unprecedented and has taught me a lot about life. For me, it has especially taught me how to appreciate my family. I got to spend so much time with my family, my little sister, my little brother. I love them dearly, and I know that soon, in spring, I will be going into college, and I won’t have those precious moments to share with them. So really, it’s just to cherish those moments.

And it’s so honorable I get to represent my home of Hawai’i, so just being at home is so wonderful.”

PAGE B4

Photo from Instagram/@missteenusa

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Charo still grieves ABS-CBN shutdown, misses John Lloyd

By Jan

Milo Severo Philstar.com

CHARO Santos-Concio admitted that she is still grieving over the shutdown of media giant ABSCBN Corp. after the Congress denied its franchise renewal.

Speaking with Noel Ferrer on YouTube’s weekly talk show, “Level Up,” Charo said she feels that she lost her child in the process.

“I couldn’t describe the pain when ABS-CBN was shut down.

I felt so much pain and extreme sadness. That was very traumatic for me, as well, even if I am retired from the company,” she said.

“Parang sakit ng isang ina na ipinag-buntis mo ‘yung anak mo ng siyam na buwan. Iniluwal mo, pinalaki mo, inaruga mo. Tapos nakita mo na pinatay at wala kang magawa. Helpless ka. Masakit.

I’m still grieving,” she added.

In the same interview, Charo said she is missing on-leave Kapamilya actor John Lloyd Cruz as she described the actor’s brilliance.

“John Lloyd is a very intense actor. I saw him when he auditioned for ABS-CBN when he was only 13 years old. I was a member of the panel. In a short interview, I already saw that may pupuntahan itong batang ito. Malalim,” she said.

Charo Santos-Concio and John Lloyd Cruz

“There’s a certain intensity in him. He’s the kind of actor who gets into the zone. Sometimes nga, nakaka-intimidate. He stays in the character. He is a professional. He’s an introvert. But if he trusts you, he will bare his soul to you. I love Lloydie. I miss him,” she added.

She also mentioned Piolo Pascual whom she considers as her number one crush..

ABS-CBN photo

“The quality of Piolo that drew me to him? Madali siyang makagaangan ng loob. Mabait. Gwapo talaga si Piolo. Aminin natin.

Adonis,” she said.

She also hoped that the reuniom movie of Piolo and Judy Ann Santos will push through someday.

“I will pray that the stars will align for their reunion movie to happen,” she said.

Parol-making with lola: Disney launches...

PAGE B1

of mind for many of us – especially this Christmas,” she added.

The advert was created by Disney EMEA’s in-house creative team, led by Angela Affinita, director of brand marketing and creative, in partnership with Flux Animation Studios.

“The ad for me is such a great reflection of the bonds between families. We all have unique traditions, especially at Christmas, so being able to draw on my own experience with my Filipina grandmother and the making of star lanterns to bring a level of authentic creativity is pretty special,” Affinita said in an interview with The Drum.

She added, “One of my favourite moments is when Lola hangs the finished lantern in the window, which recalls some wonderful memories for me.”

The advert is part of the celebrations marking a 40-year partnership with children’s char-

The Christmas advertisement is part of Disney’s partnership with Make-A-Wish.

Photo courtesy of Disney UK

ity, Make-A-Wish®, and is airing across TV and Digital plus Disney’s own channels in 26 countries in EMEA, as well as Australia, New Zealand, North America and parts of Asia.

“Our goal was to tell a universal story that inspires through the themes of family, love and special holiday traditions. We hope that Disney fans enjoy the short,” Tasia Filippatos, senior

vice-president at Disney EMEA, said.

Disney is also encouraging fans to head to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter to share their own past and present festive memories using #LoveFromDisney. For each special memory shared (text or image) up until Dec. 31, 2020, Disney will donate $1 to Make-A-Wish up to $100,000.

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

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS As of 11:48 AM EsT, November 10, 2020, there were almost 51.5 million cases and about 1.3 million deaths from COVID19 worldwide, with the United states on the top-five list with almost 10.5 million cases, about 245,000 deaths, and 15,753 new cases that day, followed by India, Brazil, Russia, and France. The Philippines had around 400,000 cases, about 7,700 deaths, and 1,350 new cases that day.

A good news amidst lockdowns and mask mandates in some countries around the world is the announcement last Monday from Pfizer-BioNTech that their new vaccine against COVID-19 is more than 90 percent effective. There were more than 44,000 who participated in the late-stage clinical trial. The annual Flu vaccines are only 40 to 60 percent effective. Creation of vaccines usually takes 2-5 years, but this amazing feat this time was expedited by the Trump administration, which partly subsidized the development in order for all people in the United states to get the vaccine for free. It will be late this year or early next year before it becomes available for the public. Priorities will include healthcare workers, vulnerable seniors, those immune-compromised, the military, police, firemen, all first responders. In the meantime, let’s continue to use eye goggles, good facemasks properly, and do social distancing, with vigilance and a bit of healthy paranoia.

Remember, someone positive for COVID-19 could be healthy-looking (but infectious) before symptoms develop. The corona virus (sAR-CoV2) virus enters through the mucosal (moist) surfaces of our eyes, nose, and mouth, and any break in our skin. *** A reader emailed me asking how I, as a cardiac surgeon, cope with the COVID-19 pandemic to avoid boredom and depression. Firstly, accepting the situation and reality is a must. As a retiree, I have delved into hobbies I could do at home. Besides writing a weekly health column for a Philippine national daily in Manila and here in the UsA, I also do a lot of gardening, caring for my fruit trees (persimmon, apple, orange), lemon, pepper, upo, ampalaya, a variety of roses, and feeding humming and other birds. I have learned how to make wine, ice-cream (ube-macapuno, lanka, and any other flavor), bake bread, donuts, kutsinta, and cook shrimp scampi, sinigang, karekare, etc. Like my Dad, I enjoy cooking also. I have also been reading a lot, watching historical, documentary films, and movies. And time flies when you are busy. This keeps me productive,

Features

Medical news capsules entertained, and denies depression a chance to conquer me. I go out only when needed, and always with a cap, goggles, 3-layered mask, and gloves, because as a senior, I am more vulnerable to COVID-19. Whatever the situation is, life could always be wonderful. It all depends on you and your attitude. Waking up each morning is a blessing. When the day is gloomy, bring your own sunshine. *** Bariatric surgery (surgery for obesity) may also confer the metabolic and health benefits to people who are only moderately or mildly obese, or even nonobese individuals, according to several clinical reports.

Heretofore, the National Institute of Health (NIH) guidelines recommended bariatric surgery “only for patients with a body mass index greater than 40 kg/ meter square or those with BMI greater than 35 with type 2 diabetes or other obesity–related comorbidities” (co-existing medical conditions). Google: How to calculate BMI. Dr. Jenny J. Choi of Columbia University Medical Center, New York, and others are challenging the NIH guidelines, noting that new studies have “consistently shown marked benefits of obesity surgery” in patients with lower BMI, even among those who are nonobese, like the potential for reversing diabetes type 2 and concomitant improvement in coexisting morbidities such as hypertension, sleep apnea, hyperlipidemia, stress incontinence, gastro-esophageal reflux, and even depression.

The minimally invasive laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is the procedure recommended for moderate to mild obesity, and the gastric bypass for the morbid obesity.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome of 38% has dropped to 3% at 2 years among those who had LAGB, compared to 24% in the medically treated patients. With the mean BMI of 33.1, the banded group showed a drop in their BMI to 25.8 in 2 years. The mean fasting blood sugar dropped from 207 mg/dL to 114 mg/dL and the HbA1c dropped from 8.5% to 5.9% at 26 months, allowing the patients to stop their anti-diabetic medications permanently. There was also a significant improvement in the quality of life.

In another study, conducted at the Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, findings showed that obese adolescents (average age 16 and average BMI of 60 kg/m square), lost 58% of their weight in 1 year and 60% at year 2. The surgery also improved comorbidities, like 82% improvement among those with insulin resistance and 45% among those with sleep apnea. some of these children were also cured of their type 2 diabetes after surgery.

*** When a chronic heavy smoker suddenly loses the urge to smoke and quits smoking effortlessly, it may mean the person already has cancer of the lungs. Why this unusual pattern happens in a certain group of long-term smokers is not clearly known.

The researchers at the World Conference on Lung Cancer in san Francisco reported that “It has been well-documented that lung cancer patients often stop smoking shortly before their diagnosis,” and even before any symptoms develop.

According to Dr. Barbara Campling, a medical oncologist with the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, this has led to the medical speculation “that in some cases, spontaneous smoking cessation may be a presenting feature of lung cancer, possibly caused by tumor secretion of a factor interfering with nicotine addiction.”

In a study of 3 groups (former smokers with lung caner, former smokers with prostate cancer and former smokers with heart attack), the Philadelphia Veterans Medical Center found out that former smokers with prostate cancer had stopped smoking an average of 23 years before their diagnosis; 10 years for those former smokers with heart attack; and quitting 2.7 years before diagnosis for those previous smokers with lung cancer.

To counter fake assertions, let me make it crystal clear that quitting is NOT the cause of cancer. smoking cigarettes (tobacco) is.

We are reporting this study to emphasize once more that smoking is a proven health hazard and a highly potential killer, and that quitting now while it is still hard to quit, while the craving is still strong, is the best time to kick the habit…before cancer develops. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/ author, a Health Public Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United NetworkUSA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and antigraft foundation in the United States.

Visit our websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com

Las Vegas Rescue Mission to host drive-thru Turkey Giveaway for families in need 2,500 turkeys and a bag of trimmings will be provided via drive-thru service to those who need it most this holiday season LAs VEGAs — The Las Vegas Rescue Mission is proud to announce they are hosting a Turkey Giveaway for families in need this holiday season.

There will be 2,500 turkeys with trimmings available on a first-come first-served basis. The Giveaway Event will take place on Thursday, November 12 and saturday, November 14 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and will be open to the public to attend via drive-thru, at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission located at 480 W Bonanza Rd. Las Vegas, NV 89106.

Individuals and families can only drive-thru one time to ensure supplies last and are available to as many as possible. Due to COVID-19, turkeys and bags of trimmings will be directly placed in the trunks of vehicles to limit contact and no exchanges will be made. If more than one family is attending in one vehicle then proof of different addresses must be provided.

Items to be included in the giveaway are: One (1) 8-10lb turkey, a turkey pan, mashed potato mix, a box of stuffing, and canned corn, gravy and peas/

green beans.

“We are so blessed to be able to provide turkeys and trimmings to individuals and families who are most in need this holiday season” says Heather Engle, CEO of the Las Vegas Rescue Mission.

“At the Las Vegas Rescue Mission, we will always do our best to provide hope and care to warm the hearts of our most vulnerable community members.”

For more information about the Giveaway drive-thru event, call (702) 382-1766 or go to https://vegasrescue.org/turkeygiveaway/.

Gabbi keeps it real in ‘IRL’ LOOKING for a new hub to get the latest updates on everything trending and lit? Beginning today, Gabbi Garcia takes viewers to an ultimate hang out space via GMA Public Affairs’ newest offering — “IRL” (In Real Life).

IRL is a youth-oriented reality program airing on GMA News TV for millennials and GenZs. The weekly show features the latest on travel adventures, music, sports, fashion, gaming, career, love and relationships — everything inside and outside of their digital world.

Garcia has proven her charisma among the Filipino audience as she’s currently one of GMA Network’s prime actresses, a sought-after model and endorser, a highly-talented performer, and a vlogger. she has over 6.7 million followers on Instagram, 8 million on Facebook, 1.7 million on TikTok, and 1.12 million subscribers on YouTube. Off-screen, the Kapuso “Millennial It Girl,” as she is labeled, also enjoys playing ukulele and guitar, swimming,

scuba diving, mountain climbing, and arranging dried followers.

Every week in IRL, the 21year-old and her featured guests try viral challenges. For example, go on gastronomic adventures, deep dive into fashion trends and explore exciting things inside and outside the digital world.

For IRL’s pilot episode tonight, Garcia is joined by her boyfriend and newest Kapuso actor Khalil Ramos.

The two Kapuso celebrities will surely spread kilig vibes to viewers as they go for a road trip to Tagaytay and visit two Instagram-worthy cafes, perfect for the young and the young at heart. Ramos shows off his barista skills as the coffee enthusiast creates coffee art at Cafe Agapita. They also film a Mukbang video while reacting to assumptions on millennials and GenZs. A photography-enthusiast, Ramos shares tips on how to level up everyone’s Instagram feed as they do an impromptu photo shoot on Instagram-worthy

Gabbi Garcia is the host of GMA News TV’s new youth oriented program, ‘IRL.’ Photo from Instagram_@gabbi

spots. Finally, a self-confessed plantita, Garcia also checks out rare plants at Greenhouse Café.

(ManilaTimes.net)

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEmbER 12-18, 2020

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Cox sponsors Free Admission Fridays at local museums IN celebration of World Kindness Day (Friday, November 13), Cox Communications is kicking off Free Admission Fridays at the Clark County Museum, Las Vegas Natural History Museum and Nevada state Railroad Museum, Boulder City. Cox Free Admission Fridays are planned for Friday, Nov. 13, 20 and 27 at the three museums.

“We’re sharing some kindness with our great cultural and educational museums that have felt the economic impact of COVID-19 from closures to guest limitations and cancellation of fundraising events,” said Cox Vice President and Las Vegas Market Leader Michael F. Bolognini. “Our Free Admission Fridays are designed to give back while giving our community the opportunity to explore these local treasures on us.”

The Clark County Museum, located in Henderson at 1830 s.

Boulder Hwy., features a modern exhibit hall with a timeline about southern Nevada from pre-historic to modern times and a collection of restored historic buildings that depict daily life from different decades in Las Vegas, Boulder City and Henderson.

Visit clarkcountynv.gov or call 702-455-7955.

The Las Vegas Natural History Museum is a private, nonprofit institution dedicated to inspiring a better understanding and appreciation of the world, the sciences, and ourselves and is located at 900 Las Vegas Blvd., North. From the desert to the ocean, from Nevada to Africa, from prehistoric times to the present, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum takes visitors of all ages on a learning adventure around the world. Visit lvnhm.org or call 702-384-3466.

Nevada state Railroad Museum, Boulder City, located at

601 Yucca street in Boulder City, tells the important history of railroads in southern Nevada and is home to the Nevada southern Railway. The Museum train schedule on Nov. 13, 20 and 27 will be noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Visit nevadasouthern.com or call 702-486-5933.

Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through broadband applications and services. The largest private telecom company in America, we proudly serve six million homes and businesses across 18 states.

We’re dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities and the characteristics that makes each one unique. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in1898 by Governor James M. Cox.

Judy Ann to daughter Yohan turning 16: ‘You’ll always be my first love’ JUDY Ann santos and Ryan Agoncillo made sure their eldest daughter Yohan got her sweet 16 celebration even in quarantine.

The family hosted a virtual birthday party and to make it festive, Yohan got a lavender backdrop with balloons and her name in script. Instead of a cake, she had a tower of tasty pastries as her birthday treat, as seen in santos’s Instagram post on saturday, Nov. 7.

Yohan was wiping her tears with her parents at her side during an online call with family and friends. The last slide was a video of Yohan looking at her mom and saying, “Thank you for everything… there’s more but my tears are showing everything.” santos, who adopted Yohan when she was 26, got sentimental in her message for her first child.

“Happy sixteenth baby love… oh how [I] wish [I] could still cuddle you from the first day [I] fell in love with you… you have grown so fast!” she said.

“You will always be my first love sweetheart… you are one of God’s greatest [blessings] and will forever be mommy and dad-

Judy Ann Santos and husband Ryan Agoncillo with their kids Yohan, Lucho and Luna Photo from Instagram_@officialjuday

dy’s baby girl!”

“We love you so much sweetie pie… [I] know, in my heart… that we were meant to be,” she said.

Agoncillo posted photos from the intimate event where Yohan looked pretty in an off-shoulder top and a flower crown.

He looked back to Yohan’s first

birthday and recalled, “Mom and Dad weren’t a couple yet, but we were already family.”

When santos and Agoncillo wed in 2009, Yohan, then 4, was of course part of their ceremony.

The celebrity couple has two younger kids, Lucho and Luna.

(Inquirer.net)

EntErtainmEnt

B november 12-18, 2020 • LAS veGAS ASIAn JoUrnAL

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Iñigo on saving and spending wisely Janine wins Best Actress at Gawad Urian 2020

by Jan

Milo severo Philstar.com

by Christina

alpad ManilaTimes.net

WHEN Iñigo Pascual was younger, he once used his grandfather’s credit card to buy in-app purchases on the game he was playing. He thought to himself, “It was only a small amount,” until a bill came in for $100.

“Actually, dun yung turning point ko — to be careful with what I buy online, even the things with smalls amounts, because when it all adds up, sobrang laki na pala,” the hit singer told The Manila Times.

Now at 23, Pascual is a lot wiser when it comes to his finances.

Indeed, Iñigo represents the very generation who are now discovering their independence.

First-time workers, freelancers and graduating college students.

So very much into adulting is Inigo, in fact, that he couldn’t even think of a recent regretful purchase when The Manila Times Entertainment asked him to do so.

“Kasi when I buy something, I make sure that I really use it, na tatagal naman iyon sa akin. And I like to take care of the things that I buy,” he explained, adding that working to earn his own money was what taught him to be wiser with his purchases.

But where did Inigo’s financial literacy come from? After all, he thought to buy his first insurance policy at 18 years old.

The recording artist was quick to reply he learned most of it from his mom with whom he grew up before coming to the Philippines.

“When we were living in the U.S., we were always living on a budget; it wasn’t like we could just spend on whatever. Siyempre nakikitira din kami sa family ni Mommy, sa Tita ko so, we also had to give our own share.”

When Iñigo started making his own money at age 17, to be financial literate became even more important for him. It was then he decided to come to the Philippines and try his hand at show business, first in acting, before breaking out as a singer and hitmaker.

“As a teenager, when you start earning your money, you automatically think I can buy this and that. But my mom, early on, made me more responsible by letting me help pay for house expenses. She told me na, ‘hindi

KAPUSO actress Janine Gutierrez won the prestigious Best Actress award at the 43rd edition of the Gawad Urian.

Janine won the category for her performance in the movie “Babae at Baril,” which also won the Best Picture award.

The Kapuso actress bested Kapamilya actresses Kathryn Bernardo, Nadine Lustre, Bela Padilla and Alessandra de Rossi, as well as Max Eigenmann, Angie Ferro, Jean Garcia, Anita Linda, Sue Prado and Ruby Ruiz.

Apart from Best Actress and Best Picture, the crime thriller won most of the awards, including Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing and Best Production Design.

Newcomer Elijah Canlas, meanwhile, won the Best Actor award beating veteran actors Raymond Bagatsing, Alden Richards, Joel Kapuso actress Janine Gutierrez wins the prestigious Best Actress award at the 43rd edition Lamangan to name a few. of the Gawad Urian. Photo from Instagram_@janinegutierrez

At 23 years old, Iñigo Pascual is proudly ‘adulting’ all on his own — earning his money, running his household and saving for his future. Photo from Instagram_@inigopascual

porke’t teenager ka lang, hindi ka na magiging responsible.’”

Being close to his dad Piolo who advises him on his finances, among other important matters, also helped.

All this is why nowadays, Iñigo is able to police himself from common spending mistakes of young people his age.

“I notice that once they get their paycheck, they spend and spend until it’s gone. They tend to splurge on the things that they want at that moment. For me, as a kid and as what people my age often think, nasanay ka na nandyan yung magulang mo, that they’ll save you no matter what.

“But the thing is, time will come when you’re going to have to take care of yourself and of your parents as well. It’s important that you save up and have that mentality that when I get to this age, I should be financially stable enough to the things that I want.”

Proof to Iñigo’s wise-beyondhis-years knowledge when it comes to finances was his determined goal when to move out of the family home. He said at 18, he already started telling his parents of his plans but he waited until he

Liza opens up about ‘very trying time’

by ratziel san Juan was 21 to start working on it. And Philstar.com he finally did at 23.

“I grew up always surrounded KAPAMILYA star Liza Soberano by family so it was definitely a has shed some light on her monthbig step for me to move out, live long social media blackout. alone and learn things on my own.

The actress on Tuesday, NoNakakatakot but it’s fun. I really enjoyed the process of moving in to my own condo,” he proudly shared.

Before anyone could think that Inigo is too stingy and too afraid to let go of his savings, he said he also enjoys spending, but again, puts emphasis on “wisely.”

“One of my mentors told me to make sure I allot some time to enjoy my earnings. I think doing that will remind you why you are working and will motivate you to work even harder.”

Wrapping up the interview that followed his Facebook Live event for Sun Life, Inigo finally left this tip to his promising generation: “To the youth starting to earn money now, make sure that you save and don’t splurge on things na gusto mo ngayon — make sure that you save for the future, your family, yourself.

“But don’t forget to also enjoy what you earn during the process of earning it. But don’t stretch yourself too thin and too much.”

Liza Soberano

vember 10 posted about why she has been missing-in-action and how she has been spending her time recently.

“Hi everyone! Sorry I’ve been MIA for a while. Just savoring the time I have with the people most

special to me. But I do constantly have all of you at the back of my mind and I just want to say thank you so much for all the love and support everyone has been showing me this past month,” Liza posted on Twitter.

The 22-year-old is currently in the United States, where she is caring for her ailing grandmother.

Last month, Liza was redtagged on social media and even received warning from military official Lt. Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. against affiliating with women’s group Gabriela.

This was after she spoke as a special guest during the Gabriela Youth webinar “Mga Tinig ni Nene: Reclaiming Our Voice on the International Day of the Girl Child.”

“It’s honestly been a very trying time for me and I wanted to express how I was feeling with all of you but it was just too soon for me. I needed to take a break and think about life, my goals and what I think my mission is in life,” Liza wrote.

Over the past few months, Liza also went through filing a criminal complaint for a rape remark as well as dealing with bashers for her stance against the release of US Photo from Instagram_@lizasoberano Marine Joseph Pemberton.

Rabiya looks back at odd jobs to earn cash Ronnie now an Army reservist after finishing civil-military ops correspondence course RABIYA Mateo may now be queen as Miss Universe Philippines 2020, but she has not forgotten the struggles she has gone through, including financial hardships.

The beauty queen recalled the jobs she would take even as a student just to bring some money home to help her mom, who is a single parent.

Speaking on the talk show “Magandang Buhay” last Tuesday, Nov. 10, Mateo looked back at the gigs she would take.

“For example po sa mga brands, namimigay po ng flyers o minsan nag-u-usher ng mga events nung college ako,” the 23-year-old beauty said. “Hindi ko po iyon kasi ikinakahiya kasi doon ako kumikita ng pera na mabibigay ko sa mama ko.”

(For example when it came to brands, I would give out flyers or usher events when I was in college.

I am not ashamed of that because that is where I would earn to give money to my mom.)

She also noted that she had classmates who had no problems with tuition but would not take their studies seriously. Meanwhile, she needed to put in more effort to get out of poverty.

“Kailangan ko talagang magdobleng hirap kasi mahirap lang din kami,” she said. (I had to put in double the work because we were poor.)

“At sabi ko, kapag ako ay nakapagtapos, hindi na talaga man-

Miss Universe Philippine 2020 Rabiya Mateo

Photo from Instagram_@rabiyamateo

gungutang si mama sa ibang tao.

Makakakain talaga kami palagi.

Mapapatira ko siya sa bahay na gusto niya. Iyon iyong naging motivation ko po, eh.”

(And I said, when I graduate, mama will not have to borrow money from people anymore. We will be able to eat all the time. I will be able to make her live in the house that she wants. That became my motivation.)

There was even a time that they had no electricity and she would study even by candlelight.

Mateo, who represented Iloilo City at the pageant last October, spoke highly of her mom, saying she feared nothing.

“Walang naniniwala sa ‘kin, iyong mama ang naniniwala,” she added. (When no one believed in me, my mama did.)

The Ilongga has stood tall amid controversies on her win. One of the contestants in the pageant, Miss Taguig City Sandra Lemonon, hinted that there was cheating involved in the competition.

“People didn’t expect me to win.

And now that I have the crown, they are questioning my capability as a person, as a candidate,” she told TV5’s MJ Marfori on Oct. 25 in a post-pageant interview. “But I know that I did everything and anything I could during that night.” (Niña V. Guno/Inquirer.net)

Fil-Am Ki’ilani Arruda from Hawaii wins...

PAGE B1 She is the second entrant from Hawaii to have been crowned Miss Teen USA, following Kelly Hu who was crowned in 1985.

In her Miss Teen USA biography, Arruda said that after obtaining a degree in molecular and cellular biology in college, she plans to go to medical school to become a dermatologist.

She also advocates for autism awareness after her brother was diagnosed with autism, and hopes everyone can build a world that is accepting and inclusive for all people.

In a post-pageant interview, Arruda revealed that Filipina beauty queen Catriona Gray is her favorite Miss Universe winner.

“I’m a little biased towards Catriona because I am half-Filipino myself. Her reign was so amazing, and I’ve always looked up to her as a role model,” she Photo from Instagram/@killani.kauai said.

SINGER Ronnie Liang has now completed the Civil-Military Operations Officer Correspondence Course, nine months after becoming a 2nd lieutenant Army reservist.

In his Facebook account, Ronnie said he is grateful to the Philippine Army for the opportunity.

“I am grateful to my Philippine Army family for the opportunity.

This is truly an honor and an exemplary privilege,” Ronnie wrote.

Ronnie was seen busy on the streets wearing his military uniform from the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

In another Facebook post, the “Ngiti” singer said he hoped for

peace between the military and the communist rebels.

“Every time I read news about a certain encounter between the Philippine Army and the NPAs, I feel sad. I hope this ends soon enough para wala nang namamatay sa kapwa natin Pilipino,” he said.

“Let us pray for peace and unity for a bright future of our nation most especially our youth,” he added.

Reports said that though Ronnie is busy in his military service, he is still active in the music scene Singer Ronnie Liang has already completed with a Christmas album releasing the Civil-Military Operations Officer soon. (Jan Milo Severo/Philstar. Correspondence Course. com) Photo from Facebook_Ronnie Liang

The many blessings of Dingdong DESPITE the current pandemic, Dingdong Dantes continues to be busy with a lot of things. He just finished a 14-day lock-in taping for GMA’s” Descendants of the Sun” and also tapes every Sunday for “Amazing Earth.” Aside from that, he sometimes sits on the director’s chair for his wife Marian Rivera’s show and other endorsement shoots.

While he is still active in the YesPinoy advocacy where he is the founding chairman, Dantes launched his passion project, DingDongPH, an online marketplace and delivery app, which aims to employ displaced workers from the movie and television industry.

“This is possible because of my supportive family and community, who appreciate my craft and my contributions to the industries that I belong to,” Dantes said.

What else could the public expect from the multi-hyphenated personality?

Dantes remarked, “I would like to think that I am still a work in progress and the best is yet to come. I have so many dreams for my family; for the entertainment industry that has nurtured me to become the best version of myself; and for the communities and sectors where I can extend inspiration and help.

“The pandemic has been testing my faith and patience. It is challenging me to find ways to better ensure the safety and health of my children, my wife, myself and the people that surround me.

But I know that in His perfect time, this too, shall pass.”

Dingdong Dantes returns to advocate one of the first brands that trusted him as a product endorser. Photo from Instagram_@dongdantes

Indeed, blessings continue to pour for Dantes who, aside from these on and off screen projects, is once again named as brand ambassador of pain reliever brand Medicol.

“I am happy and honored with my new role. The fact that Medicol considered me to be its endorser, while the whole world is in the middle of this pandemic and everything is uncertain; makes me grateful.”

Medicol’s brand manager Lisa Angeli De Leon happily welcomed him back, “We can collaborate on to inspire Filipinos to rise above the challenges that are

experienced now, especially with the difficulties brought about by the pandemic. We are happy to be working with Dingdong again.”

It was in 2008 when Dantes first signed up as an endorser of Medicol and the actor is grateful for the brand’s trust.

“It is a great privilege to be one of Unilab’s brand ambassadors.

I am one with them in working towards a healthier Philippines, one quality medicine at a time. I am also of the strong belief that quality health care must be within reach for Filipinos,” Dantes finally shared. (ManilaTimes.net)

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEmbER 12-18, 2020

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Caroline Galliher Topacio CAROLINE Galliher Topacio passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 1, 2020 at age 96, after a long, full life. Born in the

Philippines, she raised seven chil- Fernando S. Topacio, she settled dren, including her two nephews in Seattle, Washington. after the death of her sister. In Caroline was an avid read1968, together with her husband, er and loved to crochet. Her creations included beautiful afghans and slippers for her children, grandchildren, and other relatives and friends. She enjoyed frequent visits with her family and was known to have a sweet tooth.

Caroline was a wonderful storyteller and often shared her WWII experiences. She was an even better singer, and though most of her children and grandchildren do not share this talent, she was happy to let them join in. Even well into her 90s, she could remember poems and song lyrics from her younger years.

Caroline is survived and deeply loved by her four daughters, Gloria Topacio Caoile, Eleanor Topacio Long, Cayan Topacio Sims, and Kathleen Topacio Flores, as well as her sons-inlaw, daughters-in law, grandchildren, great-grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by husband Fernando (Pandit), son Jose (Bobot) Topacio, and nephews Bill and Mike Covey.

by AllAn

PolicArPio Inquirer.net

Cassy Legaspi Photo from Instagram_@cassy

so that takes a bit of pressure off.

No expectations. We will just help each other out and do our best.”

The original lead star of “First Yaya” was Marian Rivera, who had to back out because of safety concerns; Sanya Lopez stepped in as her replacement. But despite the casting change, Cassy isn’t any less excited.

“I’m still looking forward to it, no matter who the lead star is or cast members are,” she said. “I will just focus on doing my job and figuring out how I can portray my character properly.”

While she’s bent on pursuing an acting career, her studies are still a priority. How does she juggle work and online classes?

“If you find something you’re passionate about, the hard work and discipline will come naturally.

The feeling of dread, that feeling of ‘I’m so drained’ will go away,” said Cassy, who’s currently taking up marketing in college. “Even if I’m tired at the end of the day and just want to sleep, I still find joy in that. I think it’s a sign of how much you want something.”

Before embarking on this new endeavor, Cassy’s mom gave her a valuable piece of advice: You can’t please everyone.

“I admitted to her that I felt pressure growing up. I want to become an artist but people might just see me as a Carmina 2.0, or they might expect me to measure up to her,” she related.

“But as talented as she is, there are still people who don’t like her.

But she doesn’t really care.”

Ivana reveals she’s still single –here’s why

by JAn

Milo Severo Philstar.com

KAPAMILYA actress Ivana Alawi revealed the reason why she is still single.

In a report by entertainment site Push, Ivana said she thinks that men appeared to be intimidated by her.

“Yung mukha ko daw nakakaintimidate so lagi silang na-i-intimidate mukha ako. Minsan may mga taong natatakot manligaw and hanggang ngayon ganun pa rin ‘yung feeling. Takot pa rin sila manligaw,” she said laughing.

Last month, Ivana shared her thoughts about being tagged as every man’s fantasy woman in Angelica Panganiban’s “Ask Angelica.”

“Honestly hindi ko siya maintindihan kung bakit kasi hindi naman kami masyado natutuwa sa sarili ko.

I am being myself. Nagsi-swimsuit lang naman ako, normal naman kasi para sa akin mag-swimsuit or mag-swimming and mag-picture in bikini,” she said.

During the recent virtual press conference of her upcoming horror film “Sitsit,” Ivana said she experienced many harassment encounters before when she used to work as a model in events.

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Joining in on the fun are gamers that she loves her work and focuses on the love she’s getting,” Becca and Marlin Ramsey Chan, Cassy added. “Once you love who will each be hosting their your work, everything else will own McDelivery livestreams. Tune in on November 14 or November follow.”

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Cassy on breaking away from twin bro Mavy in showbiz SINCE entering the biz, Cassy Legaspi’s projects have mostly, if not all, involved her twin brother, Mavy, or the entire family. But she hopes to forge her own path, too, she said. And “First Yaya,” her debut series on GMA 7, could prove to be a crucial step.

“We want to break from the image that Mavy and I should always be together. We’re trying to make our way in the entertainment world, separately,” Cassy said in a recent virtual conference.

After all, being constantly presented as Mavy’s twin or as Carmina Villaroel and Zoren Legaspi’s daughter can be limiting.

“We can’t just keep doing shows where we play twins,” she pointed out. “Of course, we will still accept offers that involve both of us. But we haven’t really experienced doing solo projects, so we would like to do that.”

Cassy’s goal is to do well in acting. And she has been putting in the work, undergoing workshops to hone her skills, which will be put to the test when the lock-in taping session for “First Yaya” starts later this month.

“I’m excited and nervous at the same time. I’m like, ‘This is it!’” related the 19-year-old celeb, who was initially worried that the shoot would be postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I actually thought it wouldn’t push through. I didn’t know what would happen, with the restrictions and all. But when I got that confirmation that we will do it, I got back to hardcore preparations,” she added. “I feel like I’m going to a boarding school. I’m nervous because I wouldn’t be able to see my family for a month; I will be on my own.”

Another first for Cassy is having a screen partner. Playing her love interest in the said series is another show biz newbie, Joaquin Domagoso, son of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.

“I’m excited to work with him.

Since I have already worked with him in ‘Studio 7’ and ‘All-Out Sundays’ (variety shows), I feel like things will be more natural when it comes to acting. I think we will be more comfortable,” she said. “This is our first series,

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Ivana Alawi Photo from Instagram_@ivanaalawi

“I’ve experienced this before, when I worked in events, when I used to do modeling,” Ivana said.

“I’ve experienced so many harassment. Not just catcalling. I’ve experienced people touching my body without permission. This is not right. Doon ako palagi sa tama,” she added.

Ivana said that women should always be respected regardless of what they wear.

“Respect people, kahit babae ‘yan, lalaki ‘yan. We need to be respected. No matter kung ano ‘yung suot, dapat niri-respeto mo,” she said.

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B november 12-18, 2020 • LAS veGAS ASIAn JoUrnAL

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

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