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NOVEMBER 12-18, 2021 Serving San Diego Since 1987 • 12 Pages

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DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Vaccine proof mandate takes effect in LA LOS Angeles is now requiring patrons of indoor establishments such as restaurants, coffee shops, movie theaters, gyms, and salons to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19. The city’s new vaccine proof mandate took effect on Monday, November 8, but it won’t be fully enforced until Nov. 29. Called the SafePassLA ordinance, it is one of the country’s strictest measures aimed at slowing the spread of COVID-19. Under the ordinance, patrons age 12 and older entering an indoor establishment are required to show any of the following: • A physical vaccination card issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or similar documentation issued by another foreign governmental agency; • A photocopy of a vaccination card or a

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Palace: PH travel restriction on foreign tourists being studied by Ritchel

Mendiola

AJPress

THE Philippines’ reopening to international tourists is currently being studied by the national government, according to Malacañang. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Tuesday, November 9, pointed out that the country

only closed its borders to foreign tourists, never to arriving Filipinos from other countries. “Hindi po natin kahit kailan pinigilan ang pag-uwi ng mga kapwa Pilipino natin, iyan po ang standing order ng ating Presidente… Ang hindi lang po natin pinapayagan ngayon ay iyong mga dayuhang mga turista na makapasok (Never did we ban the return home of our fellow Filipinos, that is the standing

New Jersey Governor establishes Asian American Pacific Islander commission

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by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

PSG STATION HOSPITAL. President Rodrigo Duterte, accompanied by Presidential Security Group (PSG) Group Commander Col. Randolph Cabangbang, is briefed by PSG Station Hospital Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Santiago Rodriguez while touring the facilities of the hospital following the inauguration on Wednesday, November 10. Duterte encouraged his security aides to avail of medical services at the newly-built PSG Station Hospital. Malacañang photo by Ace Morandante

AN elderly Filipino man is recovering after a brutal attack outside a trolley station in El Cajon, California last week. Jose Serra, 71, was walking to a nearby manufacturing facility at the Arnele Avenue trolley stop around 5 a.m. on Wednesday, November 3, when he was attacked by a man with a 12” knife, as reported by ABC 10 San Diego. According to police, a man followed Serra after he got off at the trolley stop.

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Philippines winning COVID-19 battle – Duterte by alexis

RoMeRo Philstar.com

MANILA — As the country’s pandemic numbers improve, President Duterte on Tuesday, November 9 claimed the Philippines is winning the battle against COVID-19 but reminded the public to cooperate in efforts to prevent the spread of the virus. In remarks welcoming the arrival of 2,805,000 doses of Russia-made Sputnik V

Mayor Gloria signs onto COP26 joint zero emission vehicle declaration CONTINUING his efforts to take meaningful steps to address the changing climate, Mayor Todd Gloria signed onto a joint declaration and announced on Thursday, Nov. 11 at COP26 for governments, businesses and other organizations to collectively accelerate the transition to zero emissions vehicles (ZEVs) and achieve the goal of the Paris Agreement to transition all new vehicles by 2040. “We know that the transition to zero emission vehicles is a necessary step to address our changing climate,” said Mayor Gloria. “California has been leading the way in this transition and, by signing onto this joint ZEV declaration, San Diego looks forward to partnering on an even larger

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Filipino senior brutally attacked in San Diego

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GOVERNOR Phil Murphy signed A-5737/S-3763 into law on Monday, Nov. 8 establishing the Asian American Pacific Islander Commission within the Department of State. The commission is charged with developing policies to address the social and economic needs of the growing Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in New Jersey. Under this new law, the commission will be required to submit an annual to the Governor and the Legislature about the commission’s activities. “As the fastest growing ethnic group, our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community is a key part of the great diversity in our State,” said Governor Murphy. “With today’s bill signing, this newly created commission will represent this diverse population and ensure to advocate on behalf of AAPI throughout New Jersey,” Murphy added. “While we celebrate the important contributions they make to

order of the President… What we are not allowing is the entry of foreign tourists),” he said. However, the spokesman assured that the possibility of allowing foreign tourists in the country again is under rigorous study. “Pero alam naman po natin na napakaraming mga Pilipino nakasalalay din sa turismo para sa

scale to accelerate global progress on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.” The joint ZEV declaration commits signatories to work towards all sales of new cars and vans being zero emission globally by 2040, and by no later than 2035 in leading markets. Signatory governments also commit to transitioning their own vehicle fleets by 2035. In alignment with the City of San Diego’s updated Climate Action Plan, the City is committed to transitioning its own fleet to ZEVs and shifting 25% of vehicle miles travelled to ZEVs by 2035. Additionally, California has set a 2035 mandate for all new vehicle sales to be ZEVs.

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vaccines in Pasay City, Duterte urged Filipinos to “cooperate and do their part to help overcome this pandemic.” “The government cannot do this alone and we need your active participation by getting vaccinated and strictly following the minimum health standards,” the President said. “Let us celebrate all our meaningful vicPresident Rodrigo Duterte meets with Sen. Manny Pacquiao on Tuesday night, Nov. 9. tories against COVID-19 pandemic. We are Photo from Pacquiao’s office winning our battle against the virus. Let us

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U.S. State Dep’t, PH envoys address domestic workers’ rights WASHINGTON, D.C. – A recent virtual forum for Filipino domestic workers employed by various embassies, as well as members of the diplomatic corps, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, addressed questions and concerns about domestic workers employment contracts. The webinar, hosted by Philippine Overseas Labor Office (POLO-WDC), covered concerns of interest to domestic workers employed under special work visa programs, specifically the A3 and G5 visa programs. This developed as the Philippine Embassy, through POLO-WDC, received at least three requests for assistance and intervention from Filipino domestic workers regarding their

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Duterte, Pacquiao renew friendship after public rift by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte has met with Senator Manny Pacquiao to “renew” their friendship after months of infighting within their political party, according to Malacañang. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Wednesday, November 10, confirmed that the Chief Executive had a “short and cordial” meeting with Pacquiao on Tuesday night, November 9. “We confirm that Senator Emmanuel ‘Manny’ Pacquiao met President Rodrigo Roa Duterte last night, November 9. It was a short and cordial meeting requested by the

camp of the good Senator,” he said in a statement. According to Roque, there was no talk about politics when Duterte and Pacquiao met. “There was no talk of politics, but a renewal of friendship,” the spokesman noted. Further, he said that the meeting focused on several matters that would benefit Filipinos. “It was a meeting between two national leaders from Mindanao who discussed certain matters related to people’s concern in their area, specifically in the infrastructure and power industry,” explained Roque. Duterte once considered Pacquiao to be his ally.

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NOVEMBER 12-18, 2021 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588

From The FronT Page

Palace: PH travel restriction on foreign tourists being...

CINEMA INSPECTION. Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairman Benhur Abalos (right) and Mayor Lino Cayetano (left) inspect and attend a special movie screening at Cinema 1, 3rd Floor, Central Square, 30th Bonifacio High Street, BGC, Taguig City, on Wednesday, November 11. The inspection was to see the safety measures undertaken by the cinema operators amid the COVID-19 pandemic. PNA photo by Avito Dalan

PAGE 1 hanapbuhay. So iyan po ay maigting na pinag-aaralan na dahil marami na rin pong mga bansa ang nagbubukas ng kanilang mga teritoryo para sa turismo (But we know that a lot of Filipinos are depending on tourism for their livelihood. So it’s now being studied since many countries are also opening their territories to tourism),” said Roque. He urged everyone to exercise patience, noting that nearly 90% of Metro Manila residents are now vaccinated against COVID-19. According to Roque, the country will allow international tourists again once the Philippine population gets ample protection. “So antay na lang po tayo dahil encouraging nga po na mahigit 90 percent na ang bakunado sa Metro Manila, at

inaantay lang po natin na makahabol iyong ating mga karatig-probinsiya (So let’s just wait for it since it’s encouraging that nearly 90% of Metro Manila are now vaccinated, and we’re only waiting for the nearby provinces to catch up),” he said. “At tingin ko naman po, hindi naman po para ipagkait iyong ganda ng ating bayan sa mga turista kung mayroon nang sapat na protection ang ating mga kababayan (In my view, we wouldn’t deny tourists the opportunity of seeing our beautiful country once our people get ample protection),” he added. Last week, Roque said that the country will reopen to international tourists “in due time” as Metro Manila relaxed its COVID-19 restrictions. “We will open tourism in due time. At ngayon nga po na alert level 2 (And now

that we’re under alert level 2), that’s very encouraging,” he said Friday, Nov. 5. “Titingnan din po natin iyong mga karanasan ng ibang bansa na nagbukas na po para sa international tourism (We will also look at the experience of other countries that have reopened to international tourism),” the spokesman added. The country’s Bureau of Immigration, for its part, said that it is ready to accept foreign tourists should the government decide to lift the country’s travel restrictions. “Should the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) and the Office of the President see that the country is ready, we will be happy to welcome again foreign tourists to our shores,” Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said Monday, Nov. 8. n

PH fails to get US Filipino senior brutally attacked in San Diego... grant due to low mark in corruption fight by Ben

O. de Vera Inquirer.net

MANILA — The Philippines again failed to qualify for a grant from the American aid agency Millennium Challenge Corp. (MCC) due to its failing mark in the “control of corruption” requirement. However, two other multilateral lenders have agreed to provide $500 million to the Philippines to add to the government’s budget to buy boosters and additional COVID-19 shots for children under its expanded vaccination program for 2022. The country’s red mark in the must-pass control of corruption requirement disqualified the country from grants to be extended by MCC next year. The Philippine scorecard for fiscal year 2022 showed that, similar to its 2021 results released last year, the country passed 12 of the 20 indicators: fiscal policy, inflation, regulatory quality, trade policy, gender in the economy, and land rights and access (in the area of “economic freedom”); political rights, civil liberties and government effectiveness (in “ruling justly”); and natural resource protection, girls’ secondary education enrollment rate and child health (in “investing in people”).

However, the Philippines’ scores in access to credit and business startup (in economic freedom), control of corruption, rule of law, and freedom of information (in ruling justly), as well as health expenditures, primary education expenditures, and immunization rates (in investing in people) remained in the red. ‘Hard hurdles’ The scores in control of corruption and rule of law were based on the World Bank and Brookings Institution’s latest Worldwide Governance Indicators. “To be eligible to receive MCC funding, countries must pass at least 10 of our 20 indicators, as well as both categories that MCC considers ‘hard hurdles’ for eligibility — the political rights or civil liberties indicator, and the control of corruption indicator,” the MCC said in a Tuesday, November 9 statement. The MCC noted in its Philippines scorecard that while the country failed in the control of corruption category, it passed more than half of the indicators and got a green mark in democratic rights (political rights and civil liberties). Out of the 81 countries that the MCC shortlisted for a possible 2022 grant, only 28 eventually

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PAGE 1 Serra’s friend Todd Jones, who had hired him for some odd jobs, said that Serra was attacked about a block away from the manufacturing facility. “Was just walking down the sidewalk. This guy came up to him, pulled out a knife and just starts poking him and slashing him,” Jones told ABC 10. Serra was later found by a bystander. His attacker had run off, possibly with the Filipino’s backpack. “He was stabbed in the hand and arm, slashed in the back of his head to the front. Ear was dangling on there. He’s had to have plastic surgery,” said Jones. Jones further said that Serra

was stabbed twice in the stomach area, which damaged his intestines. “One stab went all the way through the back and cut his main artery back there,” he said. “The nurse told me that no one usually survives that. Looks like he’s going to make it through… miracle.” Prior to the attack, Serra had been suffering from health issues and now faces a long road to recovery, according to Jones. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay for Serra’s medical expenses. As of this writing, a total of $16,350 has been raised. “We’ve known our friend and coworker for over 2 decades and have personally witnessed his

greatest moments as well as his hardships. Recently however his life was changed drastically, and on the morning of November 3rd, 2021, was brutally attacked at the trolley station,” wrote Jones in the description. He also stated that Serra sustained multiple injuries due to the knife hitting multiple major organs. He also had a protrusion on one hand, and ear half cut off. Currently, Serra is on a ventilator in the intensive care unit (ICU). “What bothers me the most is that he recently lost his job and through all the struggles he has been through, how can someone not knowing this defenseless elder do this to him… It is sad to

say that we live in a world of chaos,” wrote Jones. He added, “We do our best to help him with any day-to-day necessities he may need. However, we are asking for prayers and to cover his medical cost and give him a little extra for when he gets back home. With no family in San Diego, we take it upon ourselves to see him through this tragedy.” Serra’s attacker was described as a Hispanic male with a shaved head, 5’9” to 6’, 175 to 200 pounds with tattoos on his arm and possibly his face. Anyone with information about the incident is urged to come forward and call El Cajon Police at 619-579-3311 or Crimestoppers at 888-580-8477. n

Duterte, Pacquiao renew friendship after public... PAGE 1 However, the two started engaging in a verbal war after Pacquiao criticized Duterte’s “lacking” stance on the maritime dispute with China. He also accused the Duterte administration of corruption. Duterte, in response, told Pacquiao to “study first.” He also called the boxer-turned-senator “punch-drunk.” The rift between the two caused a schism within the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), creating two factions — one led by Pacquiao and the other by Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi. As a result, the ruling party yielded two sets of presidential and vice presidential candidates for the 2022 national elections.

Pacquiao: The fight continues Pacquiao assured that he will not withdraw from the presidential race after his meeting with Duterte. “Walang atrasan. Tuloy ang laban. (We will not back out. The fight is on),” he said Thursday, Nov. 11. “Hindi nagbabago ang paninindigan ko sa pagtakbo bilang Pangulo (My stance in running for president remains unchanged),” he added. Pacquaio also said that his stance on corruption remains unchanged, vowing that he will jail the corrupt. “Ipakulong ang mga kawatan at i-angat ang buhay ng mga mahihirap nating kababayan. Hindi ako trapo mag-isip. Ang panalo ko ang magpapanalo sa buhay ng bawat Pilipino (I will imprison the thieves

and I will uplift the lives of poor people. I don’t think like a traditional politician. My victory is what will make the lives of every Filipino feel like they won as well),” he said. In October, Pacquiao filed his certificate of candidacy (COC) for president in the 2022 national elections. He will run under the Probinsya Muna Development Initiative (PROMDI), the national party founded by the late former Cebu governor Lito Osmeña. PROMDI is also part of the MP3 alliance, along with Pacquiao’s faction at Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) and the People’s Champ Movement (PCM). The 2022 national elections will be held on May 9, 2022. n

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From The FronT Page

SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 12-18, 2021

U.S. State Department Chief of Protocol Nan Kelley and Elizabeth Art joined the A3/G5 domestic workers for a webinar on their rights and responsibilities. Inquirer photo

U.S. State Dep’t, PH envoys... PAGE 1 salaries and complaints against abusive employers. US State Department Assistant Chief of Protocol for Diplomatic Affairs Nan Kelley explained the rights and responsibilities of domestic workers under these visa programs. “We want to be sure that A-3 and G-5 visa holders know they have rights in the United States, and that if they need help, there are resources available to provide assistance,” Kelley said. Her office also encouraged the attendees to either contact them directly for all concerns regarding their employment or seek the intervention of the Philippine Embassy or POLO. Consul General Iric Arribas also assured support and assistance from the Philippine Embassy and POLO-WDC, especially on matters concerning

their personal security and well-being. “We underscore the importance of continued collaboration between the Philippine Embassy and the US Department of State to educate our Filipino domestic workers of their rights in the United States and the Philippines and ultimately to protect the latter from any form of abuse,” Arribas stressed. “As this webinar is being in the same month that the Trafficking Victims Protection Act was passed in the United States, all the agencies here present in this webinar commit to provide help, assistance and support to those who are victims or are potential victims of trafficking, including labor trafficking,” POLO-WDC Labor Attaché Angela Trinidad added in her closing statement.(Inquirer. net) n

PH fails to get US grant due to low... PAGE 2 hurdled the scorecard. The Philippines’ first MCC grant of $434 million was extended in 2011 and covered three projects that built roads, reformed revenue administration, and supported the delivery of social services to the poor. But in 2016, MCC deferred a new grant for the Philippines after the country became “subject to a further review of concerns around rule of law and civil liberties” under then U.S. President Barack Obama, who had been critical of President Duterte’s war on drugs. Pandemic response Meanwhile, a document from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) released on Wednesday, November 10 showed that the Beijing-based lender would lend $250 million

and the Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) would co-finance $250 million of the $500-million loan to the Philippines. The government will shoulder the balance of $53.66 million of the $553.66-million total cost of the project called Health System Enhancement to Address and Limit COVID-19. “The project will provide critically needed vaccines to assist the government of the Philippines in mitigating (through vaccination) the adverse health, social and economic impacts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” AIIB said. AIIB’s financing is expected to be approved this fourth quarter of 2021. The forthcoming AIIB and ADB loans will add to the $300-million World Bank loan also for ad-

ditional vaccines and boosters that is expected to be approved by the Washington-based lender next month. The government plans to borrow a total of $900 million to buy booster and pediatric shots. The Department of Health (DOH) will implement the project. AIIB said the newest loan would be supported by its COVID-19 crisis recovery facility, which was also the source of the $300-million credit extended to the Philippines in March, the bank’s first-ever loan for vaccine procurement among its member-countries. AIIB and ADB lent $700 million early this year to the Philippines to buy COVID-19 vaccines. The lenders directly paid manufacturers for the shots that the government ordered. n

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NOVEMBER 12-18, 2021 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588

Vaccine proof mandate takes effect in LA... PAGE 1 photograph stored on a phone or electronic device; • A digital COVID-19 vaccination record issued by the State of California or similar documentation issued by another state, local or foreign government jurisdiction, or by a private company; or • Documentation of a COVID-19 vaccination from a healthcare provider. Individuals age 18 and over will also be required to show identification with their proof of vaccination. Further, the ordinance will also require attendees of outdoor events with 5,000 or more people to show proof of vaccination or that they’ve recently tested negative for the coronavirus. An individual can be exempted if they have medical conditions that restrict their ability to get vaccinated or a “sincerely held religious belief,”’ according to

the ordinance. However, they will be required to use outdoor facilities or show evidence of a recent negative COVID-19 test to come inside if no outdoor area is available. Meanwhile, unvaccinated patrons or those who have no proof of vaccination can still opt to use outdoor areas of any establishments. They will also be allowed to briefly go inside the location to use the restroom, place an order, or pick up an item if they’re masked. The SafePassLA ordinance will apply to: • Restaurants, bars, fast food establishments, coffee shops, tasting rooms, cafeterias, food courts, breweries, wineries, distilleries, banquet halls and hotel ballrooms. • Gyms and fitness venues, including recreation facilities, fitness studios (including for yoga, pilates, dance, and barre), box-

ing gyms, fitness boot camps and facilities that hold indoor group fitness classes. • Entertainment and recreation venues including movie theaters, shopping centers, concert venues, performance venues, adult entertainment venues, commercial event and party venues, sports arenas, convention centers, exhibition halls, museums, malls, performing arts theaters, bowling alleys, arcades, card rooms, family entertainment centers, pool and billiard halls, play areas and game centers. • Personal care establishments, including spas, nail salons, hair salons, barbershops, tanning salons, estheticians, skin care, tattoo shops, piercing shops and massage therapy locations, unless medically required. Starting Nov. 29, businesses that won’t comply will be issued a warning for the first violation, a $1,000 fine for a second violation,

$2,000 fine for a third violation, and a $5,000 fine for a fourth and subsequent violations. According to public health officials, 80% of eligible Los Angeles County residents have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose and 71% of those eligible are fully vaccinated. In October, LA City Council voted 11-2 for the ordinance that will require proof of a COVID-19 vaccination to enter indoor establishments. Mayor Eric Garcetti, who recently tested positive for COVID-19, stressed that the mandate will encourage more people to get vaccinated and make businesses safer for employees and customers. “Vaccinating more Angelenos is our only way out of this pandemic, and we must do everything in our power to keep pushing those numbers up,” he said. (AJPress) n

New Jersey Governor establishes Asian American Pacific... PAGE 1 our society and economy, we also recognize the challenges they encounter to access economic resources and opportunities.” Primary sponsors of A-5737/S-3763 include Senators Vin Gopal and Linda Greenstein, and Assemblymembers Raj Mukherji, Sterley Stanley and Gordon Johnson. “New Jersey has welcomed immigrants from around the world since its very founding,” said Senator Vin Gopal, a founding member of the Asian American Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus. The Garden State is home to the third-largest percentage of Asian American and Pacific Islander residents in the nation, following Hawaii and California. “As we move forward in the 21st Century in our multi-cultured state, we need to make sure all our people, including Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, are valued and encouraged, in whatever endeavor they undertake,” he added. “I welcome the signing of this legislation to establish the AAPI Commission, which will raise awareness among AAPI individuals of governmental affairs and community and social service resources that may be of benefit to them. Overall, this new law will help raise visibility and improve understanding, as well as to foster more positive dialogue and communication and serve to recognize the many and varied

contributions AAPI individuals have made and continue to make in New Jersey.” “In wake of the hate-fueled acts geared towards the AAPI community that we have seen over the last year, it is important now more than ever that we work to increase awareness for AAPI individuals, including their cultural contributions and the issues this community faces,” said Senator Linda Greenstein. “All cultures and ethnicities deserve to be treated fairly and equitably, and my hope with this commission is that we can better educate our residents about AAPI culture and provide this community with various resources to aid them. Our communities need to be safe for individuals of all races and ethnicities to live comfortably, not fearfully. We will not tolerate hate.” “Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and their diverse culture play a significant role in New Jersey,” said Assemblymembers Raj Mukherji, Sterley Stanley and Gordon Johnson, in a joint statement. “This Commission will ensure representation and access to resources by raising awareness to several challenges facing the AAPI community and focusing on addressing the needs of these communities. Their work will help the State develop ways to recognize the cultures and tackle the social, economic, and health needs of the AAPI community.” (AJPress) n

Mayor Gloria signs onto COP26 joint... PAGE 1 “The transportation sector accounts for nearly a third of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, so if we’re serious about combating climate change then we must accelerate the transition to zero emission vehicles,” said U.S. Congressman Mike Levin. “I’m proud to lead federal legislation to accomplish that goal and I’m also encouraged to see Mayor Gloria leading once again on a critical initiative to protect our planet for future generations.” To help further the City’s climate efforts, Mayor Gloria is currently participating in COP26 – the 2021 United Nations Climate

Change Conference – to highlight San Diego’s leadership on climate change. This announcement comes as the Mayor and global leaders participate in Transport Day at COP26. “I applaud Mayor Gloria’s decision to have the City of San Diego sign the COP26 joint ZEV declaration,” said Assemblymember Chris Ward. “Mayor Gloria’s commitment helps our city meet its Climate Action goals and brings San Diego in line with governments across the world. It further aligns with the State of California’s ongoing commitment for ZEV incentives and infrastructure, and Governor Newsom’s directive requiring all

new cars and passenger trucks sold to be zero-emission by 2035.” The City will work in partnership with the Port of San Diego and San Diego Air Pollution Control District to focus our efforts on areas and industries that have the most damaging health impacts on historically underserved communities. Currently, the City is partnering with the Environmental Health Coalition on a grant to ensure impacted residents are part of the decision-making process for planning zero emission medium and heavy-duty vehicle infrastructure to reduce air quality impacts from goods movement. n

MORE LIFE-SAVING DOSES. President Rodrigo Roa Duterte (2nd from left), Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Marat Pavlov (left), Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go (middle), National Task Force against COVID-19 chief implementer and vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (right), and Interior Secretary Eduardo Año (2nd from left) welcome the arrival of more than 2.8 million doses of Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine doses at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City on Monday, November 8. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Philippines winning.... PAGE 1 continue to be safe and in good health,” he added. Duterte assured Filipinos that his administration is committed to secure safe and effective COVID-19 jabs. “I acknowledge the strong efforts of the Department of Health, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the National Task Force against COVID-19 and other institutional partners for ensuring a steady supply of vaccines in this country,” Duterte said. “Amidst the threat of variants, you attended to the prompt, safe and effective delivery, distribution and administration of the vaccines across the country. Let us work together to put an end to this disease and its harmful effects to our people and economy for nearly two years now,” he added. The President thanked Russia for supplying the Philippines with pandemic shots, saying the arrival of more than 2.8 million doses of Sputnik V vaccines “gives us reason to be thankful for the strong support of our friends from the international community in overcoming the pandemic.” “Let me express my gratitude to the Russian government for the continued supply of life-saving COVID-19 vaccines to the Philippines. These deliveries affirm Russia’s commitment to (achieving global) vaccine equity and improving vaccine accessibility to countries, especially the Philippines,” Duterte said. “I deeply appreciate Russia’s efforts in fostering cooperation in various areas, including the fight against COVID-19. Goodwill initiatives, such as this vaccine donation and others, demonstrate the strong ties and friendship between Russia and the Philippines,” he added. Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said the more than 2.8 million doses of Sputnik V shots procured by the government – the biggest shipment of Russian-made vaccines – would benefit about 3.5 million individuals. The arrival of the Sputnik V vaccines was also witnessed by Russian Ambassador Marat Pavlov, Sen. Bong Go, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año, Chief of Presidential Protocol Robert Borje, Health Undersecretary Ma. Carolina Vidal-Taiño and Special Envoy to Russia Olivia Limpe-Aw. Sen. Bong Go, meanwhile, expressed his support for the three-day National Vaccination Day from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 and called on Filipinos to “be a hero, get vaccinated, save lives!” The second day of the three-day event falls on Bonifacio Day. “Let us be heroes in our own way and put a stop to the spread of this virus by getting vaccinated. I encourage everyone to get vaccinated, especially since the program is open to the general population,” Go, chairman of the Senate committee on health, said. “So let’s show concern for our front-liners and set a schedule for your jab at your nearest vaccination site. Don’t be afraid of the vaccine because it is the only solution that can help us gradually return to our normal life,” he added. Go said the government has administered 64.2 million doses as of Nov. 7. A total of 34.7 million individuals have received their first dose while 29.5 million Filipinos are already fully vaccinated. n

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SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 12-18, 2021

Dateline PhiliPPines

Investigate Malampaya stakes sale – groups by anna leah

e. Gonzales ManilaTimes.net

A NUMBER of business groups on Wednesday, November 10 urged the government to investigate the recent sale of shares of members of the Malampaya consortium. The collective petition was made by the Energy Lawyers Association of the Philippines, Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines, Filipinas CEO Circle, Integrity Initiative Inc., Investment Houses Association of the Philippines, Makati Business Club, Philippine Women’s Economic Network and Women’s Business Council Philippines. “We urge the Senate and the concerned agencies and groups to fully explore why the government did not exercise its right of first refusal over Chevron’s and Shell’s shares in Malampaya,” they said in a statement. “By failing to do so, the government may have given up tens of billions of pesos at a time when the government needs money more than ever and more importantly has put the country’s energy and national security at risk,” they added. The sale of Chevron’s 45 percent stake in the Malampaya gas project to the Udenna group was earlier questioned by Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy. The $4.5-billion Malampaya gas project in Palawan supplies about 20 percent of the country’s electricity requirements.

Shell Philippines Exploration BV (SPEX), the operator of the gas facility, divested its 45-percent stake in the Malampaya gas project to Udenna unit Malampaya Energy XP Pte Ltd. Chevron Philippines subsidiary Chevron Malampaya LLC sold its 45-percent interest in the Malampaya gas field to UC Malampaya. Chevron Malampaya was later renamed to UC38 LLC. “We understand that, especially at this time, the government may have reservations about purchasing and paying cash for the Chevron and Shell shares even if it knows these will be offset by future revenue. We urge the Senate and concerned agencies and groups to fully explore if the government could easily get financing for such a purchase, as was done by the private purchaser, given Malampaya’s stable and highly guaranteed revenue stream,” the groups said. They also urged lawmakers to determine why the government failed to award a license whether for extension or to a new consortium. “From an energy security standpoint, the delay may be a breach of fiduciary duty given that the existing wells are expected to be depleted by 2025, and the estimated 5 years needed to explore and develop additional wells.” “We urge them to more fully explore the government’s reasoning for allowing the sale of a critical energy asset to a group with, at the time of the bid, no experience or track record in gas exploration or production,” they added. n

Sara Duterte to run for president by Romina

CabReRa Philstar.com

DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio dropped her reelection bid to run for president, Albay Rep. Jose Ma. Clemente “Joey” Salceda said on Wednesday, November 10. Salceda said that a vice presidential run is not an option for Duterte-Carpio amid speculations that she might team up with former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. “That is the only logical conclusion to all the gyrations in politics inside the administration side. And VP is definitely not an option for her,” he told reporters. The mayor’s move stoked speculations she may run for a national post next. It also stirred talks that she may run alongside Marcos, chairman of the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas. For this to be possible, Dute-

Outgoing Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte is flanked by House Majority Leader Martin Romualdez (left) and Sen. Ramon ‘Bong’ Revilla Jr. after filing her membership with Lakas-CMD at Revilla’s farm in Silang, Cavite on Thursday, November 11. Photo from Facebook Mayor Inday Sara Duterte

rte-Carpio has to be a sworn member of a national party she wants to substitute for. Duterte-Carpio heads the regional political party Hugpong ng Pagbabago, which has not endorsed a presidential candidate. Salceda said Duterte-Carpio

may likely run under the Lakas-Christian Muslim Democrats, the political party of former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. The former was supposedly instrumental to Arroyo’s speakership in 2018.

u PAGE 7

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DISINFECTION. Playroom service assistant Jennifer Suciban uses ultraviolet light to disinfect the plastic balls and the whole playroom area at Sairam Playland in SM Fairview Parkway in Quezon City on Wednesday night (Nov. 10, 2021). Under Alert Level 2, children’s amusement parks, playgrounds, playrooms, and kiddie rides are allowed to operate. PNA photo by Ben Briones

Comelec asks Congress to review law against premature campaigning by William

Depasupil ManilaTimes.net

THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) is the most powerful government agency on matters pertaining to the conduct of elections but a void in the law has rendered the poll body a lame duck against candidates who engage in premature campaigning. Comelec spokesman James Jimenez disclosed on Thursday, November 11 that the poll body has recommended to Congress to come out with a law reverting back to the old rules that one is considered an official candidate upon filing of a certificate of candidacy (CoC), which only allowed candidates to engage in partisan political activities at the start of the campaign season. Specifically, Jimenez pointed out, the Comelec has recommended to Congress “to change the [current] definition of official candidate to the old definition.”

Jimenez said that the call is really on Congress in order to come up with a law that would spell out with clarity which actions are allowed from the filing of CoCs to the election period and which activities should not be allowed. “There is a void in the law,” Jimenez said. Under the present circumstances, Jimenez further said, premature campaigning in the guise of providing aid to voters is the call of the times which, he pointed out, is tantamount to vote buying and illegal per se. The problem with premature campaigning cropped up in 2010 after the Supreme Court reversed its decision in the Penera vs. Comelec case where it disqualified Sta. Monica, Surigao del Norte Mayor Rosalinda Penera as candidate in the 2007 local elections for violation of Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code which prohibits premature campaigning. With the reversal, the Supreme Court effectively nulli-

fied Section 80 of the Omnibus Election Code, and rendered it not applicable in the 2010 automated elections. Section 80 states that “it shall be unlawful for any person, whether or not a voter or candidate...to engage in an election campaign or partisan political activity, except during the campaign period.” The decision on the Penera case, which prohibits nothing, has prompted the Comelec since 2010 to come up with a law that would regulate political activities from the filing of CoC and the election period. Technically, the Comelec pointed out that under the high tribunal’s decision on the Penera case, candidates are only covered by prohibitive campaign activities during the campaign period but before that it’s essentially a fair game. Jimenez said that a regulatory law would level the playing field between those with a lot of resources and those who don’t have much. n

NOVEMBER 12-18, 2021 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588

OpiniOn

Resilience after Yolanda

Features

EIGHT years ago after Super Typhoon Yolanda flattened large swathes of Eastern Visayas including much of Tacloban City, leaving over 6,300 people dead and 1,800 others missing, there was a lot of talk about building back better. That objective of building for climate resilience remains relevant as survivors and those left behind by the dead and missing commemorate the disaster. Yolanda, the most powerful storm recorded in the world in 2013, made the first of six landfalls before dawn on Nov. 8 in the coastal town of Guiuan in Eastern Samar. The Category 5 storm, packing winds of up to 314 kilometers per hour, spawned powerful storm surges up to 15 feet high that ripped out about 1.1 million houses and even concrete structures and laid waste to approximately 33 million coconut trees – a major source of livelihood in the affected areas. The disaster disrupted the livelihoods of an estimated 5.9 million people. A serious humanitarian crisis was avert-

ed only because of an avalanche of support from the international community. Even with outside help, rising from the ashes took time, especially for those who lost their loved ones. This week survivors lit candles and laid wreathes to remember the dead, even as they continue the challenging task of rebuilding with climate resilience in mind. Yolanda’s fury is remembered amid the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference or COP26, which is being held until this Friday in Glasgow, Scotland. The death and destruction caused by Yolanda showed the damage that extreme weather can unleash. Commemorating that tragedy should firm up commitments to boost climate resilience. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Another reason to be thankful: Congress just passed a bipartisan infrastructure bill that will also address climate change, add more jobs!

The Fil-Am Perspective Gel SantoS-ReloS AFTER a better than expected jobs report and lower unemployment rate (4.6%) last Friday, November 5 — coupled with a very encouraging news about the continuing rise of vaccination rates in the United States (now at 77% as of mid-October) — we now have more reasons to be thankful for and look forward to. A bipartisan infrastructure bill we thought would never happen has passed! Late Friday, November 5, 13 Republicans joined 215 Democrats in support of the legislation, the National Public Radio (NPR) reported. “After months of tense negotiations, the House of Representatives has passed a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, 228-206, fulfilling a major priority for President Biden’s domestic agenda,” the report stated. Indeed this is long overdue. We have been left behind by other industrialized nations and we urgently need to be competitive in the 21st century in facing the ever-changing landscape of our

global challenges that affect not only us in America, but the whole world. Our bridges, roads and railways are antiquated; our airports and seaports are old and worn out; our public transit system pales in comparison with other nations, making us depend more on private vehicles that lead to more traffic congestion, gas dependency, and pollution; our broadband internet access has yet to benefit so many remote counties around the nation; our health and safety have been compromised by our own abuse of our ecosystem, threatening our water and food supply, and the sustainability of life in our planet as we know it. As the White House website explained: President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal passed by Congress will strengthen our nation’s resilience to extreme weather and climate change while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, expanding access to clean drinking water, building up a clean power grid, and more. When coupled with the Build Back Better Framework,

these historic investments will help reduce our emissions by well over one gigaton this decade – ensuring we meet President Biden’s commitment to reduce U.S. emissions by 5052% from 2005 levels in 2030, create a 100% carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035, and achieve a net-zero economy by 2050. Together, these once-in-a-generation investments will unlock the full potential of a clean energy economy that combats climate change, advances environmental justice, and creates good-paying, union jobs. The Build Back Better spending package originally had a price tag of $3.5 trillion, the NPR reported. But with strong opposition from Republicans and some Democrats, the bill had to be trimmed down, choosing priority and urgent projects to keep the bill alive. According to the NPR report, “the slimmed-down spending package includes universal pre-K for all 3- and 4-year-olds, investments in affordable housing, premium reductions under the Affordable Care Act, major

investments aimed at addressing climate change and an additional year of the expanded child tax credit.” Here’s a closer look at what’s in the infrastructure bill that now heads to Biden’s desk for his signature: Transportation Roads, bridges, major projects: $110 billion Passenger and freight rail: $66 billion Public transit: $39 billion Airports: $25 billion Port infrastructure: $17 billion Transportation safety programs: $11 billion Electric vehicles: $7.5 billion Zero and low-emission buses and ferries: $7.5 billion Revitalization of communities: $1 billion Other infrastructure Broadband internet: $65 billion Power infrastructure: $73 billion Clean drinking water: $55 billion Resilience and Western water storage: $50 billion Removal of pollution from water and soil: $21 billion

How do we pay for this investment in our future? There are already public funds allocated for infrastructure. The NPR report said “that includes nearly $550 billion in new spending above what Congress was already planning to allocate for infrastructure over the next eight years.” “The plan will be financed in a number of ways, including repurposing unspent emergency relief funds from the COVID-19 pandemic and strengthening tax enforcement for cryptocurrencies. The CBO has predicted the bill will add about $256 billion to projected deficits over the next 10 years,” the report added. With other spending bills to invest in our future and in ordinary hardworking Americans, the White House and Democrats are pushing to tax the billionaires their equitable share after growing in wealth exponentially even and because of the pandemic, as the basic and essential needs of ordinary families are threatened and compromised. So far, the Biden Administration have delivered on its promise to work on priorities to help

our nation build back better. Actions to control the COVID-19 pandemic, provide economic relief, and now tackle climate change - these are all work in progress. We have to see more action to the promise “to advance racial equity and civil rights, as well as immediate actions to reform our immigration system and restore America’s standing in the world”. We will get there. We are in the right path. The future is brighter. We all should work together, not just the government. We can do this. *** 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.

Philippines: Five hundred years without love

Commentary

eRnie D. Delfin MARCH 16, 1521 is one date that is known by students of Philippine history, as it’s the date when Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese national but worked as a mercenary of Spain, “discovered” the Philippines that put the country onto the map of the world powers (Spain and Portugal) then. Due to this discovery, Filipinos could claim that the country has been “Christianized” over five centuries this year. However, to this day, the country is still searching her own place in the sun! In his book “Why are we poor,” the national artist F. Sionil Jose’s attempted to give valid reasons and enumerate many factors why. His other novels like “Po-on” or “Ermita” also contained fictional characters that represented leaders in business and politics, the rich and poor, and the exploiters and exploited in Philippine society. Reading F. Sionil Jose’s epic novels can move nationalistic readers to tears. Fast forward to January 2021, while “imprisoned” at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this writer just finished reading a 368-page book, titled “Five hundred years without love,” a novel by Atty. Alex Lacson, a best-selling author of a series of small books “12 Little Things Every Fil-

ipino Can Do to Help Our Country.” The novel is a painful journey of several tragic events and human drama that a poor family in Negros suffered profoundly as a result of a dysfunctional political system and unjust social-economic system that have become debilitating cancers with origins during the Spanish colonial times. The narrations of the main character, Atty. Anton Hinirang, are so graphically alive to this day that you the sensitive reader (like this columnist) can feel the pains and lamentations of his family. Anton’s father, a poor farmer was mysteriously killed by “hired goons” to expedite the land-grabbing goals of corrupt politicians to expedite their family business expansion. Months after the old man’s death was followed by another tragic murder of Anton’s brother, Teodoro, an honest-to-goodness policeman, whose killers remained unsolved as of the book’s publication. It is assumed by many residents of the town that the murders were premeditated as both father and son killings were carried out by two unknown men riding in tandem in motorcycles. The latter’s murder was to prevent the uncovering of his father’s murder. As tragic events often go by threes, Anton’s sister Phebe, a teacher-turned OFW in Saudi who worked as a domestic helper, mysteriously died purportedly by an exploiter-employer who hid his crimes for months. The OFWs are commonly known to

be the “unsung heroes” of the Philippines as they are the #1 exports of the country that kept the nation afloat for decades. Although many of these OFWs are college graduates, like Phebe millions of them opted to leave (the country) to live as their salaries/income in the Philippines as minimum wage earners cannot support a family to live decently as human beings as they always dreamed when they were in college. A great percentage of these 11 million OFWs are compelled to leave their families to have a better life. The OFWs suffer much sacrifice work long and hard work just to earn more money to provide for the economic needs of the family that is left behind. Filipinos leaving home to work as OFWs, however, creates many predictable social problems of the family as the children are forced to be taken care by other people who are not the parents (many times husbands and wives become OFWs too). Oftentimes, only one parent becomes an OFW, and both husband and wife suffer tremendous pressures to maintain a good happy family due to sheer absence. In the case of Anton’s sister, Phebe, she opted to leave her teaching position to leave a very unhealthy working environment that was controlled by political benefactors! She left an employer that was corrupt only to suffer the ultimate sacrifice, coming home in a casket. Anton’s other brother

“Manong Jose” became a priest who tried very hard to “spiritually” rationalize or to create a defense mechanism to cope up with the family’s tragedies, until he himself, considered joining the NPA (New People’s Army) underground. He felt very sadly as a failed priest in his human mind. His expectations as an ordained priest were very high to cause tangible progress and better changes in his province. However, the reality seemed worse as the social environment is mired deeper in the mud of corruption, exploitation and extreme greed of those in power. Atty. Anton’s readings of history revealed that the exploitation and corruption remain remained alive and even became worse in so many areas of Philippine society today. The only things that changed are faces of the corrupt and greedy oppressors: from the mestizos with Spanish last names and whiter skins and now the Filipinos themselves! The root cause of the metastasized cancer of the Philippines is too much greed from top to bottom of society: from politics to business and also the “forgiving” attitude and short memory of the Filipino people. Even commonly known corrupt politicians are “idolized” and even asked to be the honored “ninong or ninang” of the people’s children. As it is the practice of many, politicians dole out money far beyond their “nominal” salary, while having the power to “budget” public expenditures, that are padded to

include kickbacks to the pockets of the politicians’ families. The money given to poor people is considered a good investment for their (lucrative government) business. This common practice creates many family political dynasties all over the Philippine archipelago. The political positions are held by family members: from one position another, father to mother to son and daughter, like a musical chair. Mr. Alex Lacson, the author, speaking in the mouth of Professor Atty Anton blames and indicts the corrupt politicians, business people who are self-serving leaders as the # 1 culprit of the malaise of the Philippine society where millions of a vast majority of people are just existing, not living their full potential as God wants His children to live their full potential. Mahatma Gandhi summed up seven major causes of the world’s social cancer, the great inequality of human resources and wealth, dividing deeply the lives of the few HAVES and the billions of HAVE NOTS, namely: Politics without principle, business without ethics Wealth without works, pleasures without conscience Science without humanity, knowledge without character Religion without honor. This columnist agrees with the great Servant Leader, Mahatma Gandhi. Furthermore, I also agree with the book author, Alex Lacson who I admire greatly for

his exceptional optimism which I find very hard to totally embrace. I feel that the current crap — oops, crop — of leaders in the Philippines today do not have the political will to provide or initiate real and pragmatic solutions to make the country progress as the author dreams and hope. Simply because many will not kill the golden goose that preserves their centuries’ old power and wealth. No one among them will destroy their “future!” Of course, no one including this columnist claims to have the right answer. However, I can posit a possible solution. If self-serving leaders were the culprit, let’s change them with true servant leaders like Mother (now Saint) Teresa and many missionaries like the Missionaries of the Poor (MOP) founded by Father Richard Ho Lung from Jamaica where many Filipinos are now joining. These kinds of servant leaders already exist but they are not in the political or economic or business arena yet! In religious orders or communities, their “economic” system (although some deride it as communistic or socialistic) is much better as the members of the community are assigned where their talents, be in the classroom, kitchen or in the hospital or in the garden or even assigned as missionaries in other parts of the world like the U.S. Peace Corps that was created during the administration of

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SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 12-18, 2021

Sara Duterte to run for president...

IN DEMAND. A store worker (in white shirt) gives instructions to a customer on how to use the medical oxygen tank at a store on Emilio Aguinaldo Highway, Brgy. Salitran 2, Dasmarinas City, Cavite on Thursday, November 11. Medical oxygen is essential to care for patients at all levels of the healthcare system, including in surgery, trauma, heart failure, asthma, pneumonia, and maternal and child care. PNA photo by Gil Calinga

More organizations support Marcos AT least 25 cause-oriented organizations have formed an alliance to support the candidacy of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. The Progressive Alliance for BBM (Bongbong Marcos) recently visited Marcos’ campaign headquarters in Mandaluyong City and submitted a manifesto to express its support. The alliance represents various sectors such as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), seafarers, barangay (village) youth, Christian churches, Marcos family loyalists and health care workers. The group submitted to Marcos’ wife, Louise Araneta-Marcos, a manifesto signifying its support to the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas standard bearer.

“Believing in a unifying leadership, we, the leaders of the parallel groups and organizations, hereby coalesce and express our deep commitment and unwavering support to a true public servant, a forward-thinking leader and a genuine man for the people, Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.,” a portion of the manifesto read. The former senator’s camp on Wednesday, November 10 said support for Marcos’ candidacy grew “following his stellar performance in online and traditional presidential preference surveys.” In a survey conducted by The Manila Times from October 26 to November 2, Marcos cornered 68 percent of the votes.

“A far cry from the 10.8 percent obtained by his nearest competitor. Other presidentiables only registered single digits,” Marcos’ camp said in a statement. Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo got 10.8 percent; Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso, 7.9 percent; Sen. Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao, 7.2 percent; Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, 2.5 percent, and Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, 1.5 percent. Some transport groups also endorsed Marcos’ presidential bid, saying they believe in his plans for their sector and trusts him to implement them once he secures the people’s mandate. (By Bernadette E. Tamayo/ManilaTimes.net) n

PAGE 5 The lawmaker claimed that the mayor wanted to run for president all along but her father, President Rodrigo Duterte, got in the way. She has kept her distance from her father’s party, the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban). “She wanted to run actually since May. So, wala namang nagbago sa kanya talaga (nothing has changed),” Salceda said during an interview with ABS-CBN News Channel. “There were just stumbling blocks. So, in order to clear it, hindi naman niya pwedeng diktahan ang tatay niya, so she had her way of clearing these roadblocks. She wanted to be president.” Salceda said Duterte-Carpio will announce her political plans before the deadline of substitution, which is on November 15. Under the rules of the Commission on Elections, substitution is accepted if a candidate dies, withdraws or is disqualified by the poll body. Another person from the same national party can be the substitute candidate. Watching A faction of PDP-Laban chaired by the President said it is closely watching Duterte-Carpio’s moves since any decision to run for a national position in 2022 “will affect the political landscape.” “PDP-Laban watches with keen interest the developments on Sara Duterte’s decision to withdraw her certificate of candidacy for Davao City mayor, especially considering the public support she enjoys,” PDP-Laban President Alfonso Cusi said in a

statement. “In any event, her actions, including any decision to run for a national elective office, will most certainly affect the political landscape,” he added. Duterte-Carpio has ranked high in presidential surveys, with Pulse Asia’s mock poll in September having her as the top contender. Even if Duterte-Carpio did not file her CoC for president, her name was still being considered by several political experts as Sen. Ronald dela Rosa expressed openness to give his slot to the mayor. Cusi said dela Rosa’s offer to Duterte-Carpio was not the party’s stand. Meanwhile, presidential aspirant and Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo said that their camp expected such a move. “Ineexpect namin na mangyayari ito (We are expecting this to happen),” Robredo told reporters in Batangas City, where she met local officials and her supporters. Robredo is confident that the possibility of facing the tandem of Duterte-Carpio and Marcos will be to the opposition’s advantage because that will clearly define their beliefs and their stands on issues. “Tingin ko, it can work to our advantage dahil mas klaro kung sino, ano iyong mga pinaglalaban, ano iyong mga paniniwala, sino iyong magkakakampi (As far as I can see, it can work as our advantage because it would be clearer of who, what would be the platform, the principles and who are the allies),” she said. (By Ma. Reina Leanne Tolentino and Catherine S. Valente/ManilaTimes.net) n

Philippines: Five hundred years... PAGE 6 President John F. Kennedy. With genuine servant leaders, we can educate, motivate and develop the youth’s moldable young minds to have the common good always as the national mantra to transform the country economically and ethically to follow Gandhi’s formula. If the young minds are not polluted and they are not trained to be greedy and self-serving like the generations before them, when their time to become leaders of the country, then we have a very good chance to have genuine servant leaders in a generation or two. That is my hope and dram for the country, to at-

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tain Gandhi’s ideal place where politics with principles, business with ethics, and knowledge with character exist. Along with this ambitious strategy, I am proposing to flood Mr. Alex Lacson’s books in as many high school or college libraries as possible, to be read by the youth, and then “create” regional essay contests after reading the book on a relevant topic like: “Youth can do little things to to help their country” and provide great prizes and awards as big enough incentives for the youth to read, think and write their ideas as young men and women as the hope of the motherland. Last, but not least, I urge every

Filipino to read “Five Hundred Years Without Love” and think and challenge himself about what he can do for his country. By reading the novel, you can also find out what happened to Atty. Anton Hinirang in the book! Happy reading. Good luck and God Bless the Philippines! God Bless all of us during these challenging COVID times! *** 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.

*** ernie.delfin@gmail.com

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LEGAL SERVICES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9024703

Yami’s Bakery located at 74 Lion Circle, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Registrant: Brenda Yamilette Avila, 74 Lion Circle, Chula Vista, CA 91910. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 09/15/2020. Signature Brenda Avial. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/03/2021. AJ 821 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, and 12/03/2021

AJSD 821

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EMERGENCY LEGAL SERVICES located at 9450 Mira Mesa Blvd., Ste C-509, San Diego, CA 92126. Registrant: Jack CruzSilvestre, 9450 Mira Mesa Blvd., Ste C-509, San Diego, CA 92126. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 06/01/2019. Signature Jack CruzSilvestre. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/28/2021. AJ 825 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, and 12/03/2021

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Sunny Day Spa located at 401 H St. #9, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Registrant: Rong Cui, 805 S 4th St., Apt 6, Alhambra, CA 91801. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 10/09/2020. Signature Rong Cui. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/12/2021. AJ 822 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, and 12/03/2021 AJSD 822

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9025199

JOYLUX COLLECTIONS located at 1662 Casa Mila Drive, Unit 3, Chula Vista, CA 91913. Registrant: Jocelyn Tence, 1662 Casa Mila Drive, Unit 3, Chula Vista, CA 91913. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 10/15/2020. Signature Jocelyn Tence. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/11/2021. AJ 826 07/16, 07/23/, 07/30, 08/06/2021

AJSD 826

NOVEMBER 12-18, 2021 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

LEGAL SERVICES CASE NUMBER: 37-2021-00043629-CU-PT-CTL

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Crystal Marie Corona-Litt filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Crystal Marie CoronaLitt AKA Crystal Marie Corona to Crystal Marie Litt. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 11/30/2021 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. C-61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. C-61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. Asian Journal: OCT. 14, 2021 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Lorna A. Alksne Judge of the Superior Court AJ 806 10/22, 10/29, 11/05, and 11/12/2021 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC FORM #NC-120) Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, which poses a substantial risk to the health and welfare of court NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120). If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner. If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions. If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions. A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date. Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court.

AJSD 806

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9023234

Little Busy Ants Family Child Care located at 1918 Via Las Palmas Unit #20, National City, CA 91950. Registrant: Leidy Viviana Penagos Torres, 1918 Via Las Palmas Unit #20, National City, CA 91950. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature Leidy Viviana Penagos Torres. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/15/2021. AJ 805 10/22, 10/29, 11/05, and 11/12/2021.

AJSD 805

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9022345

Alexa Spa Body Sculpting located at 6921 Lisbon St., San Diego, CA 92114. Registrant: Alexa Huerta Maciel, 1920 E 17th St., National City, CA 91950. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 08/01/2021. Signature Alexa Huerta Maciel. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/05/2021. AJ 808 10/29, 11/05, 11/12, and 11/19/2021.

AJSD 808

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588

LEGAL SERVICES

CASE NUMBER: 37-2021-00043844-CU-PT-NC

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner ThaiBao Vu filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: ThaiBao Vu to Bao Thai Vu. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 11/30/2021 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. N-25 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego North Court 325 South Melrose Dr. Vista, CA 92081 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. Asian Journal: OCT. 15, 2021 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Pamela M. Parker Judge of the Superior Court AJ 807 10/22, 10/29, 11/05, and 11/12/2021 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120). If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner. If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions. If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions. A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date. Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court. AJSD 807

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9024086

Tranquility Transportation LLC located at 2667 Camino del Rio South #301-12, San Diego, CA 92108. Registrant: Tranquility Transportation LLC, 2667 Camino del Rio South #30112, San Diego, CA 92108. This business is conducted by Limited Liability Company. REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 10/25/2019. Signature Tania Khouri. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/25/2021. AJ 811 11/05, 11/12, 11/19, and 11/26/2021.

AJSD 811

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9024280

South Bay Yachts located at 328 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910. Registrant: PlayPen Garage, 328 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910. This business is conducted by Corporation. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature Nicole Feldman. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/28/2021. AJ 813 11/05, 11/12, 11/19, and 11/26/2021. AJSD 813

CASE NUMBER: 37-2021-00045447-CU-PT-CTL

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Jeffrey Sipamouane filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Jeffrey Sipamouane to Phonrakit Soiphet. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 12/09/2021 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. C-61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. Asian Journal: OCT. 26, 2021 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Lorna A. Alksne Judge of the Superior Court AJ 812 11/05, 11/12, 11/19, and 11/26/2021 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120). If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner. If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions. If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions. A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date. Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court. AJSD 812

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9023805

A&M Cleaning Commercial Services Forte of San Diego located at 810 Mary Ct., National City, CA 91950. Registrant: Maria Candelaria Rodriguez, 810 Mary Ct., National City, CA 91950. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 09/20/2021. Signature Maria Candelaria Rodriguez. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/21/2021. AJ 809 10/29, 11/05, 11/12, 11/19/2021. AJSD 809

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9023806

Elite Auto Body & Paint located at 1887 Nirvana Ave., Chula Vista, CA 91911. Registrant: a. Maria Candelaria Rodriguez, 810 Mary Ct., National City, CA 91950. b. Jose Raul Rodriguez, 810 Mary Ct., National City, CA 91950. This business is conducted by Married Couple. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature: Maria Candelaria Rodriguez. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/21/2021. AJ 810 10/22, 10/29, 11/05, and 11/12/2021.

AJSD 810

LEGAL SERVICES

CASE NUMBER: 37-2021-00046889-CU-PT-CTL

CASE NUMBER: 37-2021-00046659-CU-PT-CTL

CASE NUMBER: 37-2021-00047304-CU-PT-CTL

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Alyssa Anjonette Barrera Tugung filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Alyssa Anjonette Barrera Tugung to Alyssa Anjonette Barrera Ocampo. THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 12/20/2021 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. C-61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. Asian Journal: NOV. 04, 2021 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Lorna A. Alksne Judge of the Superior Court AJ 816 11/05, 11/12, 11/19, and 11/26/2021 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120). If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner. If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions. If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions. A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date. Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court.

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Stephen Andrew Youmans and Griselda Morales de Youmans on behalf of minor children filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Gabriel Andrew Youmans Morales to Gabriel Andrew Youmans b. Anthony David Youmans Morales to Anthony David Youmans c. Adrian Nicholas Youmans Morales to Adrian Nicholas Youmans d. Ariana Guadalupe Youmans Morales to Ariana Guadalupe Youmans THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 12/20/2021 Tine: 8:30 AM Dept. 61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. Asian Journal: NOV. 03, 2021 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Lorna A. Alksne Judge of the Superior Court AJ 823 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, and 12/03/2021. ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120). If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner. If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions. If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions. A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date. Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court.

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Raul Maximiliano Toriz Beauchamps filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Raul Maximiliano Toriz Beauchamps to Max Elias Benveniste Cohen THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing. NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 12/22/2021 Tine: 8:30 AM Dept. C-61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. Asian Journal: NOV. 08, 2021 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Lorna A. Alksne Judge of the Superior Court AJ 824 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, and 12/03/2021. ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120). If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner. If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions. If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions. A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date. Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court.

AJSD 823

AJSD 824

AJSD 816

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9024557

8th & B Poke located at 806 B Ave., National City, CA 91950. Registrant: ESF Enterprise Corp, 5809 Plumas St.., San Diego, CA 92139. This business is conducted by Corporation. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature Christopher L Aure. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/02/2021. AJ 814 11/05, 11/2, 11/19, and 11/26/2021.

AJSD 814

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9024688

Minked Babe located at 1767 Saint Stefan Ter, San Marcos, CA 92069. Registrant: Alicia Mae Chavez, 1767 Saint Stefan Ter, San Marcos, CA 92069. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature Alicia Mae Chavez. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/03/2021. AJ 815 11/05, 11/12, 11/19, and 11/26/2021.

AJSD 815

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9024040

DMG Packings located at 12665 Camino Mira del Mar #212, San Diego, CA 92130. Registrant: Marcos Lencioni, 12665 Camino Mira del Mar #212, San Diego, CA 92130. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature Marcos Lencioni. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/25/2021. AJ 817 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, and 12/03/2021

AJSD 817

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9024483

VIET PHARMACY AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES located at 4616 EL CAJON BLVD., SUITE 6, SAN DIEGO. CA 92115. Registrant: DT PHARMACY CORPORATION, 4616 EL CAJON BLVD., SUITE 6, SAN DIEGO. CA 92115. This business is conducted by CORPORATION. REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 04/15/2011. Signature PHUONGDUNG T. NGUYEN. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/01/2021. AJ 818 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, AND 12/03/2021 AJSD 818

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9024484

PHILLIP PHARMACY located at 5507 EL CAJON BLVD., SUITE E, SAN DIEGO, CA 92115. Registrant: DT PHARMACY CORPORATION, 4616 EL CAJON BLVD., SUITE 6, SAN DIEGO. CA 92115. This business is conducted by CORPORATION. REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 04/15/2011. Signature PHUONGDUNG T. NGUYEN. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/01/2021. AJ 819 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, AND 12/03/2021 AJSD 819

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9024149

MYND CO. located at 2860 Lincoln Ave., #10, San Diego, CA 92104. Registrant: Jaelyn Rosales, 2860 Lincoln Ave., #10, San Diego, CA 92104. This business is conducted by Individual. REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature Jaelyn Rosales. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/26/2021. AJ 820 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, and 12/03/2021

AJSD 820

SAN DIEGO

(818) 502-0651 • (619) 474-0588 • http://www.asianjournal.com

SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 12-18, 2021

JOURNAL

N OV E M B E R 1 2 , 2 0 2 1

SFIO to invest US$100M to develop land into a resort-like condotel property in Batangas City, Philippines

‘Lumpia with a Vengeance’ to screen at San Diego’s Comic-Con Special Edition on Nov. 26

IN the midst of a remarkable film festival circuit run, “Lumpia With a Vengeance,” the popular, award-winning, Filipino American indie comedy feature, will be the centerpoint of an exclusive panel discussion and screening as part of Comic-Con Special Edition — the first inperson Comic-Con in two years. The event will take place on Friday, November 26 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at SDCC Room 26AB. Directed by LA-based filmmaker Patricio Ginelsa and filmed primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area, “Lumpia With A Vengeance” stars former UFC champion Mark Muñoz, April Absynth (STARZ “Blindspotting”), Katrina Dimaranan (Miss Philippines Universe Tourism 2021), Earl Baylon (Netflix “Tomb Raider”), Danny Trejo (“Machete”) and a talented ensemble and is a re-telling of Ginelsa’s first-ever micro-budget feature titled, “Lumpia.” Preceding Friday’s ComicCon Special Edition premiere screening will be a panel discussion on the unique path the film underwent to production and the subsequent comic book the film inspired as a result. Concept artist Patrick

Ballesteros and illustrator Gerald Pilare are among the panelists joining the filmmakers and special guests for the discussion moderated by Winston Emano. The panel and screening combination is a Comic-Con first for any Filipino film at the pop culture mega-gathering which annually draws hundreds of thousands of attendees. This year’s Special Edition marks the first in-person Comic-Con in two years. Cast and crew are expected to be in attendance for the panel, screening, post-screening Q&A Friday as well as appearances on the exhibit floor Saturday. “It’s an absolute dream to screen at Comic-Con Special Edition,” said Lawrence Iriarte, the film’s executive producer. “Both Pat (director Ginelsa) and I are genuine comic book diehards who first attended Comic-Con in San Diego as fans eons ago, participated as exhibitors in subsequent years and now to be here presenting our film is just incredible.” The filmmakers are proud to point out that the majority of people who worked on the film -- both front of the camera and behind it -- are Filipino and Filipino American, a testament

to the filmmaking talent that is within the community and a definite statement of inclusivity for Filipino-centric stories on film. A free, exclusive art print by Ballesteros will be distributed at the screening while special, variant editions of the movie’s comic book tie-in -created independently by the filmmakers themselves -- will be available for purchase on the exhibit floor. “We’re still in a bit of pleasant, geeked-out disbelief,” said Ginelsa. “Comic book culture influence oozes out of every single word, every single frame of our film and comic book. To screen at Comic Con Special Edition is a homecoming of sorts, merging our FIlipino and nerd communities together who love pop culture and Lumpia. Only at Comic-Con!” For up-to-the-minute updates on “Lumpia With A Vengeance” programme and activities at Comic-Con Special Edition, please visit: lumpiamovie.com. Comic-Con Special Edition is a production of Comic-Con International. For badge and attendee information, please visit: https://comic-con.org/ ccse/attending-show. n

Dimples on preventing a viral scandal and ending cycle of cyber abuse by Marinel

Cruz

Inquirer.net

“THROUGH the show, we may be able to come up with a system on how to handle netizens’ reactions to viral postings,” said Dimples Romana, one of the lead stars of the new teleserye “Viral Scandal,” on how she believes the show could impact its audience. It tells the story of Rica (Charlie Dizon), a teenager caught in a viral video. How Rica and her mom Kakay (Dimples) deal with the scandal is the subject of the timely series. “This happens every single day. What also happens is that when a video comes out, we judge the people we see in it, we comment, we ‘like’ it, and, sometimes, even ‘share’ it. How do we put a stop to the abuse? We hope that through the show, people will be encouraged to find a solution to end the cycle of what for me is a very unhealthy and toxic human connection,” Dimples said during a recent virtual media gathering organized by show producer, ABS-CBN. “There are so many things about social media and the online world that we still don’t understand. I also think that information is power because when you don’t have it, you’re either afraid to speak or are firing with blank bullets because you have no idea about what you’re saying,” she pointed out. “I think, generally, what we should focus on is creating a system or a process that we should follow as a way of handling situations like this.” Dimples added that it is unfortunate that victim-blaming happens as soon as a video scandal comes out. “It’s like we don’t know exactly what to do with it. Should we report it? Where do we go to report it?

Dimples Romana

How do we determine whether it’s already an old video or something recent?” She further said: “I’m hoping that through the show, we will be able to answer questions similar to these, and, in a way, help the people who are going through a similar situation to recover.” Entire family affected Relating to her character, Dimples, who is a mother of two, said: “Anything that’s being said about one member is also affecting the whole family. I think now, more than ever, we know and have felt the pros and cons of social media. I also think that it’s good to look and talk about the effect of whatever it is that we post, whether bad or good, especially those that go viral. In ‘Viral Scandal,’ we dig deep and show exactly how it is like to be in a family that’s affected by this issue.” Dimples said she and husband Boyet Ahmee have made sure that their kids, especially their teenage daughter, Callie, understands that whatever she uploads on social media also has an effect on the rest of the family. “We have to be accountable for the things we post on-

Photo from Instagram/@dimplesromana

line. We have to know that it is our responsibility, whether we’re artists or not, to be truthful because our posts will have an effect on somebody else’s life.” “With Callie, I don’t censor her posts. She’s a very responsible child,” Dimples said. “Boyet and I have unconventional parenting styles. We show no tolerance to whatever sense of entitlement people in our family think they might have. We go by the basic Filipino family values, which are respect, trust and truthfulness; and if you’ve made a mistake, you have to own it. We always tell her, it’s OK to commit a mistake while you’re still living in our house. This way, we will be able to correct and guide you. So that when you’re out there, you already know what to do.” As for Alonzo, 6, Dimples is convinced that he is still too young to be exposed to social media. “I also don’t know what my reaction would be if I read or hear something negative or erroneous being said about my children,” she declared. Forgiveness As to whether she would be

u PAGE 11

SFIO has recently been named one of the “20 Promising Companies Everyone Should Know in 2021” by Global Business Leader Magazine. The joint venture project with Omnicor Industrial Estate & Realty Center Inc. has proven that it is worthy to be listed in one of the 20 promising companies. Omnicor Industrial Estate & Realty is a subsidiary of AbaCore Capital Holdings, a public listed company in the Philippines, plans to contribute land by the bay of Batangas where SFIO will develop the land into a resort with 500 units condotel owned by AbaCore Capital and PRIDE in Batangas City’s Montemaria. Omnicor Industrial Estate & Realty Center Inc. is a corporation 100% owned Philippines Regional Investment Development Corporation (PRIDE). Meanwhile, PRIDE is 100% owned by AbaCore Capital holdings, Inc. This Joint venture project has given an aim to SFIO to establish a US$100M project and it is established in a strategic tourist spot in Montermaria, Batangas City, Philippines. The property is aimed to be structured as a resort condotel concept which predominantly targets tourists, pilgrims, expats, and the returnees of Filipino descent who want a short holiday or for permanent stay for retirement.

The purpose of the development is to position the two companies in the new tourism industry and prepare for post-pandemic restrictions. Also, the project provides domestic visitors with a utility in the uncertainty of travel rules and regulations in the future. Also, a key highlight of the property is it being equipped of state-of-the-art smart building technology. This technology will be built by the Technology and Software development team of SFIO. The technology is beneficial to its users by enhancing the health, wellness, safety, and security of the guests. The duration of the project is aimed to be accomplished in the next three years. According to Aba Core Capital, “the preselling of the units will commence once the permit is approved by the concerned government agencies.” SFIO and AbaCore agreed to be the preferred developer of the future project – the joint venture between SFIO and ABA will be the a first-ever experience. The companies are confident that the project will be a great success. This will enable them to grow and come together to build the greatest business relationship to support each party by efficiently achieving their goals.

(Advertising Supplement)

Derek emotional in wedding with Ellen in Bataan CELEBRITY couple Ellen Adarna and Derek Ramsay tied the knot in a luxurious mountain resort in Bataan on Thursday, November 11. The newlyweds exchanged their vows in Rancho Bernardo Luxury Villas in Bagac, Bataan. Their wedding was witnessed by their families and close friends such as actress Beauty Gonzalez and celebrity doctors Vicki Belo and Hayden Kho together with their daughter Scarlet. The couple tied the knot nine months after actress Ruffa Gutierrez shared on Instagram photos of them together. A month after Ruffa took their photo, Ellen and Derek confirmed their relationship. The couple got engaged last March. (By Jan Milo Severo/Philstar.com) n

From Ellen Adarna and Derek Ramsay’s prenup shoot. Photo from Instagram/@ramsayderek07

NOVEMBER 12-18, 2021 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS MY grandson Colin, 11, finally got his first COVID-19 vaccine last Thursday, November 4, after eagerly waiting for months “because someone ahead of him had opted out,” his mother, my youngest daughter, Emily, an ophthalmologist in Iowa, texted to me. I would think all parents would be very eager to have their children vaccinated soonest and protected from this deadly COVID-19 infection, which was originally thought to be “kinder” to children. Statistics, however, show that there have been about 6.4 million children infected, representing 16.6 percent of all cases of COVID-19 in the United States. The last two weeks of October revealed a 4 percent increase. Hospitalization rate was about 1.7 to 4.2 percent and mortality between zero to 0.26 percent of all COVID-19 deaths in various states. Certainly, without the vaccines, children are at an equal grave risk like adults, no more immune from getting this killer virus than older people. Hopefully, parents would not stand in the way of protecting their children and allow them to get vaccinated. Refusing this vaccine for their children (like parents who are against vaccination in general and those who refuse the life-saver Gardasil vaccine against HPV of cervical cancer for their kids) is tantamount to intentionally depriving their children of an available and no-cost life-saver and wantonly placing them at the mercy of a potential killer, all in the name of the constitutional freedom to choose. Is that love or wisdom? In my book, “Let’s Stop ‘Killing’ Our Children” (available in philipSchua.com and Amazon. com), the basic theme is healthy lifestyle and disease prevention starting from the crib, critically pointing out that some of our actions/inactions and decisions as parents could be detrimental to our children’s life, albeit all of them are (were) done in the name of love. That saying “no” to our children, whenever appropriate, could be the best lesson they could learn, and that allowing them to say or do whatever they want, regardless of reason or wisdom, could provide them with a twisted sense of order, justice, respect for their fellowmen, and what their constitutional rights, civil liberties in a democracy properly mean. The crisis today The greater dilemma we have during this pandemic is the

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The only way to win 20 percent of the population (around 60 million, according to a survey) who refuse to get the vaccine. These unprotected individuals become the primary targets of the SARS-CoV2 virus of COVID-19 which will live in their bodies and then act as a massive viral reservoir and laboratory, where the virus will replicate and mutate to deadlier strains, with greater transmissibility, and kill others with worse impunity. And the cycle will continue, exponentially, keeping this pandemic with us much longer. One person, just one individual, like the first Chinese who got infected in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, was enough to spread the disease to dozens, hundreds, and thousands within a few days. Today, 23 months later, we have nearly 251.3 million cases of COVID-19, and almost 5.1 million deaths around the world (about 47.5 million cases and close to 776,400 deaths in the U.S.; and 2,807,000 in the Philippines, with about 44,600 deaths). When those high-risk individuals (immunocompromised or those with co-morbidities like diabetes, hypertension, heart or lung disease, etc.) are exposed to even one carrier of the virus, the encounter could turn out to be a death sentence. This happened to two medical colleagues of mine, whose own unvaccinated adult children inadvertently transmitted the virus to them, killing them. The proper strategy A pandemic, like COVID-19, is like a world war. The global enemy: the killer SARS-Cov2 virus. Medically speaking – sans politics, religion, and personal beliefs – there is only one way to deal with an infectious disease like COVID-19, which is a serious killer. The epidemiologic strategy that can end the pandemic most efficiently, with minimal deaths, is prompt isolation, masking, social distancing, and most importantly, vaccination of every person urgently, without delay, when vaccines become available. This is the only proper way to manage a pandemic, and save lives and the nation’s economy. A national mandate, a unified federal approach, is the only effective strategy for a pandemic, which is no different from a world war. Leaving the strategy to win a “world war” to every individual state (polarized by politics) will lead to chaos and confusion, killing hundreds of thousands, like what has resulted in this pandemic. Medically, an endemic may be handled by a state, but not a pandemic. Imagine leaving the strategic decisions during a world war to 50 states! It is plain common sense.

A no-brainer. Painful reality Every person in a democracy has the right and liberty, guaranteed by our Constitution, to refuse the vaccine. That is an unquestionable personal civil right. An individual in our society has the right to hurt or even kill himself/herself. While I may not agree that this self-destructive act should be committed, I shall defend the right of the individual to do it, akin to the sentiment expressed by the 18th century French philosopher Francois-Marie Arouet (Voltaire) about the freedom of speech. But the sad and unfortunate inescapable reality is that the unvaccinated people are not risking only their lives but the lives of others they come in contact with. While they have the right to refuse the vaccines and get infected, they do not have the right to infect and kill others (albeit unintentionally). How would unvaccinated persons feel when people with active highly transmissible tuberculosis or those infected with killer ebola (who refuse treatments on constitutional grounds) are not isolated and mingle among them? Annual COVID-19 shot? So long as there are people who are unvaccinated and may become carriers of the virus, COVID-19 will linger around, with no end in sight. There will be outbreaks and surges every now and then. If there are no hosts (human bodies), viruses self-destruct. With so many unvaccinated people, COVID-19 infections will remain with us and it is possible that, later, a yearly COVID-19 vaccine might become necessary, like the annual flu shots. God forbid. *** 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, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.

City of San Diego releases update to landmark Climate Action Plan Draft version of updated plan includes city’s aim to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2035

SAN DIEGO – As part of his efforts to have San Diego continue to lead on climate action and in connection with his participation at the COP26 global climate conference, Mayor Todd Gloria announced on Tuesday, November 9 his proposal to update the City of San Diego’s Investment Policy to divest current reserves in fossil fuel companies by December 31, 2021, in alignment with state and local climate goals. “In order for San Diego to be a global leader on climate, our actions must match our words,” Mayor Gloria said. “Ensuring that our investments as a city are consistent with our climate goals will help our city to thrive for generations to come.” The language of the city’s Investment Policy would be updated to prohibit direct city investment in fossil fuels such as coal, petroleum and natural gas. This policy will come before the City Council next week. If passed, the update will cause the city to remove any assets currently held from fossil fuels, which includes $17 million of holdings in Chevron, and prohibit the investment of fossil fuels in the future. “In our current economic system, financial investments are incredibly influential, and often support fossil fuel production,” said Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera, representative for District 9. “Divestment from fossil fuel companies and other extractive industries is a significant step to align our policies, plans and pocketbooks with the moral imperative to take immediate climate action. By removing the power of these industries in our economy, we shift that power toward equitable climate solutions. Together, we can overcome our global climate crisis, fulfill the promises of our landmark Climate Ac-

San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria File photo www.sandiego.gov

tion Plan and create a City that preserves our environment for generations to come.” This update comes as Mayor Gloria participates in COP26 – the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference – and aligns with recently announced commitments by nations at COP26 to cut back on domestic and global fossil fuel investments, including the U.S.’s pledge to end public funding of oil and gas investments overseas. “A climate action plan designed to accelerate clean energy adoption cannot support the proliferation of the fossil fuels it seeks to eliminate,” said Councilmember Joe LaCava, representative for District 1. “The City’s divestment policy is a reminder that our transition away from oil, coal and natural gas must touch multiple sectors – transportation, energy and financial – to meaningfully

advance our climate goals. Following the model set by cities and institutions from around the world, we will demonstrate that climate action and fiscal responsibility are not mutually exclusive, rather, climate success is financial success.” These divestment efforts also align with the City’s “Our Climate, Our Future” initiative, which includes the updated Climate Action Plan, Municipal Energy Strategy and an overall commitment to reduce greenhouse gases to address the climate crisis, improve public health and quality of life, and drive innovation and opportunity in our regional economy. “As we work together to combat the climate crisis, it’s critical that our actions reflect our values, which is why I am glad Mayor Gloria is advancing the process of divesting San Diego from fossil fuels,” said U.S. Congressman Mike Levin. “This announcement is yet another example of San Diego’s extraordinary leadership on climate change, which I have been proud to highlight as part of COP26 in Scotland this week.” As the city continues to take bold action on these climate efforts, it is important to ensure that no workers are left behind in the transition to clean energy. The City recognizes that we must pair emissions reduction policies with investments in other technologies, building practices, or workforce programs to provide for a just transition and to ensure that newer fields offer good, living wage jobs that provide the security necessary to support San Diego families. Moving forward, the City’s Chief Investment Officer will do an annual check to ensure that investment holdings do not conflict with climate efforts. (City of San Diego Release) n

McDonald’s USA addresses financial hurdles facing underserved Asian Pacific Islander American Students with APIA Scholarship 55 APIA students set to receive $500,000 total in scholarships to help advance their academic journeys

CHICAGO – A student inventor, a formerly homeless nursing major, and an aspiring teacher, can put more focus on their dreams and less on how to pay tuition this school year. On Monday, November 8, McDonald’s USA in partnership with APIA Scholars – one of the nation’s leading non-profit organizations for Asian Pacific Islander American college scholarships – announced its 2021 McDonald’s/APIA Scholarship recipients. Furthering its longtime commitment to providing resources to students, the scholarship program, established in 2019, is dedicated to addressing the financial barriers that prevent students from pursuing higher education. According to Pew Research, Asian Pacific Islander Americans are the most economically divided ethnic group in the U.S., with the top 10% earning nearly 11 times more than those in the bottom 10%. Pew Research also found that income inequality is rising most rapidly within the APIA community. “There are tremendous socio-economic hurdles within the Asian Pacific Islander American community, which are often overlooked because of the model minority myth. APIAs are not a monolith and income disparities in our community are very real,” said Noël Harmon, President and Executive Director of APIA Scholars. “We’re proud to work with McDonald’s to address these issues and help underserved students reach their full potential.” Aligning with the program’s mission to aid students who face challenges paying for college, 67% of this year’s scholarship recipients are from families in significant financial need. Half a million dollars in scholarships will be awarded to 55 APIA students, which includes 15 four-year scholarships for $20,000 each and 40 one-year scholarships for $5,000 each. The scholarship recipients were selected based on their academic achievement, leadership ability, and community involvement. Many of this year’s McDonald’s/APIA Scholars have overcome personal hardships that have inspired them to uplift their communities through education. Some of their stories include: • Daisy, 19, is a Filipino-American student from Las Vegas, who is formerly homeless and a survivor of domestic violence. Inspired by the help she received during her time of need, she is pursuing a career in nursing to take care of others. • Shanay, 18, is an Indian-American student inventor from Madison, Mississippi who created an affordable 3D-printed prosthetic after witnessing the daily struggles of his double amputee aunt. He plans to develop a prototype for global production. • Harjot, 18, is an Indian-American aspiring teacher from Kent, Washington on a mission to diversify U.S. history curriculum. In addition to ensuring inclusion of different voices and perspectives, he hopes to increase minority representation among educators. “These are tough times, but we remain committed to helping students reach their dreams regardless of their financial limitations,” said Elizabeth Campbell, Senior Director of Cultural Engagement, McDonald’s USA. “Maintaining our partnership with APIA Scholars enables us to identify those in need and make a difference in their lives.” Representing 17 Asian Pacific Islander American subgroups across 28 states, this year’s class of McDonald’s/APIA Scholars are both ethnically and geographically diverse. Additionally, 94% of the recipients are first generation immigrants and 56% will be the first in their family to attend college. The ethnic breakdown of the recipients is as follows: 38% are Southeast Asian (Vietnamese, Hmong, Cambodian, Filipino, Karen, Burmese, Chamorro/Guamanian, Fijian, Tahitian, and Tongan) 29% are East Asian (Chinese, Japanese, and Korean) 20% are South Asian (Bangladeshi, Indian, and Pakistani) 9% are Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 4% are West Asian (Afghan). “As small business owners, we are committed to serving our local communities and know the importance of investing in communities of color,” said Willie Cho, a Seattle-based McDonald’s Owner/Operator and National Diversity Marketing Committee Lead. “Through initiatives like the McDonald’s/APIA Scholarship and APA Next, we are feeding and fostering communities, and remain inspired to make a difference.” The scholarship is a signature program of APA Next, a recently launched education platform by McDonald’s, created to empower and uplift Asian Pacific Islander American students through their education journey– both in and out of the classroom and beyond. Some of APA Next’s other initiatives include: • A partnership with the Shine wellness app to provide mental health resources for students • The APA Next content series featuring Asian Pacific Islander American thought leaders • Virtual education workshops led by academic professionals. Learn more about the upcoming 2022-2023 APIA Scholarship application and APA Next by

visiting APANext.com. Below are the 2021 McDonald’s/APIA Scholarship recipients: Addison Zou from Collierville, TN attending Williams College; Ahmad Zaki Amin from Des Moines, WA attending Highline Community College; Akiko Jindo from Bronx, NY attending Williams College; Alexandria Shavers from Oakland, CA attending University of California-Berkeley; Alicia L. Kanapilly from Tinley Park, IL attending University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Annie Xiong from Sacramento, CA attending California State University-Sacramento; Arrianna Anastasia Ebert from Carrboro, NC attending Johnson & Wales University-Charlotte; Brandon Kaniala William Kohatsu-Robeson from Waimanalo, HI attending Creighton University; Christina Pham from San Jose, CA attending DeAnza College; Daisy P. from Las Vegas, NV attending University of Nevada-Las Vegas; December Paw from Des Moines, IA attending Drake University; Delia Zhou from Oakland, CA attending University of California-Berkeley; Diamond Thlang from Saint Paul, MN attending Stanford University; Eric Wang from Saint Paul, MN attending Yale University; Ester Paw from Hartford, CT attending College of the Holy Cross; Hanako Rose Lynn Gurley from Anderson, IN attending Indiana University-Bloomington; Harjot Singh from Kent, WA attending University of Washington-Seattle; Jason Lin from Brooklyn, NY attending Stony Brook University; Jayson Lin from Montezuma, GA attending Harvard University; Jennifer Le from Washington, D.C. attending Yale University; Jessica Le Ta from Buckeye, AZ attending Arizona State University; Jian Ming Chen from Oakland, CA attending Massachusetts Institute of Technology; John Gabriel Espinas Flora from Las Vegas, NV attending University of Nevada-Las Vegas; Joymin Sarker from Corona, NY attending CUNY Queens College; Kazi Maisha Begum from Danbury, CT attending University of Connecticut; Keryn Ear from College Park, GA attending Kennesaw State University; Kevin Lin from Milford, DE attending University of Delaware; Khandaker Aqib from Buford, GA attending Stanford University; Krystal Nguyen from New Port Richey, FL attending St. Petersburg College; Kushal Kevin Prasad from Elk Grove, CA attending University of California-Santa Cruz; Lexis Sablan from Barrigada, GU attending Columbia University in the City of New York; Lisa T. Thai from Fort Smith, AR attending University of Arkansas-Fort Smith; Maheono Teinaohiva Guilloux-Chevalier from Las Vegas, NV attending University of Nevada-Reno; Meng Moua from Milwaukee, WI attending University of Wisconsin-Madison; Mohammad Muntakim from Detroit, MI attending Wayne State University; Muhammad Ali Raja from Las Vegas, NV attending College of Southern Nevada; Nazmin Begum from Dorchester, MA attending University of Massachusetts-Boston; Nina Gao from Philadelphia, PA attending University of Pennsylvania; Nuo Xu from East Longmeadow, MA attending University of Massachusetts Amherst; Pa Houa Xiong from Saint Paul, MN attending Metropolitan State University; Pravdeep Banwait from Houston, TX attending The University of Texas at Austin; Quy Nguyen from Miami, FL attending Florida State University; Raqeebullah Hasan from Edison, NJ attending Stevens Institute of Technology; Rayyan Siddique from Ozone Park, NY attending New York Institute of Technology; Sarah Hwang from Los Angeles, CA attending University of Southern California; Selena Nguyen from Burien, WA attending University of Washington-Seattle; Shanay Desai from Madison, MS attending Vanderbilt University; Thuy Kien from Des Moines, IA attending University of Iowa; Thuy An Hoang from Blaine, MN attending Century College; Tien Dang Le from Lawrenceville, GA attending Middlebury College; Tiffany Zhang from Wamego, KS attending Rutgers University-New Brunswick; Tou Lao Moua from Saint Paul, MN attending Minneapolis College of Art and Design; Yati Phuepwint from Austin, TX attending Colorado State University-Fort Collins; Yebin Lee from Auburn, AL attending Auburn University; Yuan Yang Liu from Philadelphia, PA attending Temple University. n

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Community

SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 12-18, 2021

Mayor Gloria proposes city’s Visit local attractions for free with San Diego divestment from fossil fuel investments Mayor seeks to update city policy to cease investments in Public Library’s new fossil fuel companies in alignment with climate goals Discover & Go program Patrons can use library card to reserve a free pass to many of San Diego’s cultural gems

SAN DIEGO – Get out and explore what San Diego has to offer with the City of San Diego Public Library’s (SDPL) new Discover & Go program. Starting Tuesday, November 9, the program offers free individual and family day passes to several of San Diego’s biggest attractions, including the San Diego Zoo, New Children’s Museum, Museum of Us and Skateworld. “Discover & Go reduces barriers that residents come up against when visiting San Diego’s arts and culture venues,” said Library Director Misty Jones. “The free access this program provides will allow even more people to take advantage of the unique cultural experiences available in and around San Diego.” The program is open to San Diego residents ages 16 and older with a valid SDPL card. Passes can be reserved on the Discover & Go webpage (https://www.sandiego.gov/ discoversd), or by visiting or calling one of the 36 SDPL locations (https://www.sandiego. gov/public-library/locations).

Patrons choose from available passes by attraction and date, then print or download the passes and take them to the venue, along with a valid I.D., on the day of the visit. Participating venues include: • Coronado Historical Association. • J.A. Cooley Museum. • La Jolla Historical Society. • Marston House. • Museum of Photographic Arts. • Museum of Us. • New Children’s Museum. • San Diego Archaeological Center. • San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum. • San Diego Model Railroad Museum. • San Diego Museum of Art. • San Diego Zoo. • Skateworld. New passes are added at the beginning of each month and are available on a first come, first served basis. For more information and answers to frequently asked questions, visit sandiego.gov/discoversd. (City of San Diego Release) n

Dimples on preventing... PAGE 9 willing to forgive those who have wronged or hurt her through social media, Dimples said: “I don’t see why not. I am a sinner, just like everybody else, and am forgiven by the Lord every single day. Whenever the topic of forgiveness comes up, I always remember the story of Ms. Cherry Pie Picache.” Dimples was referring to Cherry Pie’s documentary about the moment she finally forgave and visited in prison the man who killed her mother in 2014 inside her house in Quezon City. The victim’s househelp, Michael Flores, was

arrested and was consequently found guilty of robbery and homicide. “Sometimes, there are also people who do us wrong but are unaware that they’ve hurt us, and it’s up to us to forgive them,” Dimples added. “Yes, I would forgive. For me, there is gold in humility, and I think humility is equivalent to forgiving.” “Viral Scandal,” which also features Joshua Garcia, Jake Cuenca and Miko Raval, starts streaming on Nov. 15. The series, directed Dado Lumibao and Froy Allan Leonardo, is produced by RCD Narratives. n

our policies, plans and pocketbooks with the moral imperative to take immediate climate action. By removing the power of these industries in our economy, we shift that power toward equitable climate solutions. Together, we can overcome our global climate crisis, fulfill the promises of our landmark Climate Action Plan and create a City that preserves our environment for generations to come.” This update comes as Mayor Gloria participates in COP26 – the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference – and aligns with recently announced commitments by nations at COP26 to cut back on domestic and global fossil fuel investments, including the U.S.’s pledge to end public funding of oil and gas investments overseas. “A climate action plan designed to accelerate clean energy adoption cannot support the proliferation of the fossil fuels it seeks to eliminate,” said Councilmember Joe LaCava, representative for District 1. “The City’s divestment policy is a reminder that our transition away from oil, coal and natural gas must touch multiple sectors – transportation, energy and financial – to meaningfully advance our climate goals. Following the model set by cities and institutions from around the world, we will demonstrate that climate action and fiscal responsibility are not mutually exclusive, rather, climate success is financial success.” These divestment efforts also align

with the City’s “Our Climate, Our Future” initiative, which includes the updated Climate Action Plan, Municipal Energy Strategy and an overall commitment to reduce green-house gases to address the climate crisis, improve public health and quality of life, and drive innovation and opportunity in our regional economy. “As we work together to combat the climate crisis, it’s critical that our actions reflect our values, which is why I am glad Mayor Gloria is advancing the process of divesting San Diego from fossil fuels,” said U.S. Congressman Mike Levin. “This announcement is yet another example of San Diego’s extraordinary leadership on climate change, which I have been proud to highlight as part of COP26 in Scotland this week.” As the city continues to take bold action on these climate efforts, it is important to ensure that no workers are left behind in the transition to clean energy. The City recognizes that we must pair emissions reduction policies with investments in other technologies, building practices, or workforce programs to provide for a just transition and to ensure that newer fields offer good, living wage jobs that provide the security necessary to support San Diego families. Moving forward, the City’s Chief Investment Officer will do an annual check to ensure that investment holdings do not conflict with climate efforts. (City of San Diego Release) n

NOVEMBER 12-18, 2021 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

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