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Volume 19 - No. 45 • 14 Pages

T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I CA N C O M M U N I T Y N E WS PA P E R

Volume 18 - No. 17 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages

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‘THIS IS A NEW BEGINNING’

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

by CHRISTINA

M. ORIEL

AJPress

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

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

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

DATELINE

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

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

“For the many nurses in my

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

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

USA

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

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Eric Arias becomes first Fil-Am councilmember for Bakersfield, CA BAKERSFIELD, California now has its first Filipino American councilmember.

Eric Arias, a 24-year-old who was born and raised in the Kern County city, was elected to its council to represent Ward I during the special general election on November 3.

Arias, a Democrat, received 76.22% of the vote (4,118 votes) versus his opponent, Gilberto De La Torre who received 23.78% (1,285 votes) in the race to replace outgoing councilmember Willie Rivera in the middle of his term.

“It is with immense gratitude that I declare victory in my race for Bakersfield City Council Ward 1 as the first Filipino ever elected u PAGE A4

In historic ‘firsts,’ Todd Gloria set to be San Diego’s next mayor IN an election cycle with many historic firsts across the country, San Diego has its own barrier-breaking moment with the first openly gay and first person of color to lead the city.

Todd Gloria, who is Filipino, Latino and Native American, will serve as the mayor of California’s second-largest city and the U.S.’ eighth largest city after opponent Barbara Bry conceded in the race on Monday, November 9.

Gloria, the current assemblymember for the state’s 78th Assembly district, captured 56.13% of the vote (340,632) versus Bry’s 43.87% (266,231), according to the San Diego County Registrar of Voters’ update on Monday.

Gloria thanked Bry in a Twitter post and said it was time to “come together as San Diegans to resolve the many challenges we face.”

“Voters have embraced my vision of creating a City that works #ForAllofUs,” he wrote.

u PAGE A4

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

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

Photo courtesy of Asian Industry B2B

suits alleging voter irregularities, suggesting a premature call of the ALTHOUGH mainstream media results.

It’s important to note that alacross the world reported President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in though media outlets have anthe 2020 presidential election on nounced Biden as the winner, the Saturday, Nov. 7, the Trump cam- results are still not official as of paign has lodged several legal press time — and this is a stan-

dard for any election.

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

u PAGE A3

Indoor dining shut down in San Francisco PH extends suspension of Visiting es since early October.

“The uptick that we have seen is really a cause for concern, which has put us in a sitA STEEP increase of COVID-19 cases in uation where we’ve had to make yet another San Francisco is forcing San Francisco res- hard choice,” Breed said during a press contaurants to close their indoor dining rooms ference on Tuesday, November 10. starting Friday, November 13.

The city has 13,209 reported cases and Mayor London Breed announced that 152 fatalities, according to SF Department starting Friday at 11:59 p.m., restaurants of Public Health data as of Wednesday, Nowill have to cease indoor operations as the vember 11. city has observed an 250% increase in casu PAGE A3

by AJPRESS

Palace hopes Biden admin will relax US immigration policies

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte Malacañang photo by Richard Madelo

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

“Sa tingin ko ang Amerika din naman ay consistent sa foreign policy, so walang rin major changes yan (I think America is consistent with its foreign policy so there will be no major changes there),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Monday, November 9.

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

Malacañang also hopes the new leadership will

u PAGE A2

Forces Agreement termination

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

PHILIPPINE Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Wednesday, November 11, announced that President Rodrigo Duterte has extended the suspension of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) termination.

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

“The past four years have changed the South China Sea

from one of uncertainty about great powers’ intentions to one of predictability and resulting stability with regard to what can and cannot be done, what will and will not be acceptable with regard to the conduct of any protagonist in the South China Sea. Clarity and strength have never posed a risk. It is confusion and indecision that aggravate risk,” he added.

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

“A great deal of credit for the renewal of stability and security goes to deft diplomacy, unequivocal expressions of policy, sturdy postures of strength combined with unfailing tact, and pragmatic national secuu PAGE A3

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november 13-19, 2020 • norCAL ASIAn JoUrnAL

Palace hopes Biden admin...

PAGE A1

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

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

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

“Other than congratulating him, I think the president is keeping an

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

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

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

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

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

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From the Front Page Vice President Joseph ‘Joe’ Biden on his election as the new President of the United States of America,” Roque said in a statement on Sunday, November 8.

Roque also assured that the Philippines will continue its commitment to enhancing its relations with the U.S. “The Philippines and the United States have long-standing bilateral relations and we are committed to further enhancing the relations with the United States under the Biden administration,” he said.

“We look forward to working closely with the new administration of President-elect Biden anchored on mutual respect, mutual benefit, and shared commitment to democracy, freedom and the rule of law,” he added. “Congratulations and we wish him all the best.”

Biden on Saturday, Nov. 7 emerged victorious after securing the necessary 270 electoral votes to win. California Sen. Harris, Biden’s running mate, meanwhile made history as the nation’s first woman and Black and South Asian to be elected as vice president. n

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

AJPress photo by Momar G. Visaya

Fil-Am voters celebrate Biden...

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

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

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

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

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

“It doesn’t matter who you voted for, where you stood be-

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

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

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

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

the Asian Journal.

Capturing over 74 million votes, Biden surpassed President Barack Obama’s record and received more votes than any presidential candidate in U.S. history.

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

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

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

“As a woman of color and a Californian, I could not be more proud to have Kamala Harris as the first Asian and African American female vice president. Filipino Americans will see for the very first time when PresidentElect Joe Biden delivers his first PAGE A3

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Dateline USa

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvembeR 13-19, 2020

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Fil-Am voters celebrate Biden...

PAGE A1

State of the Union speech as the president who received the most votes ever in America history, behind him will be two Californian women: Vice President Harris and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi,” Ramoso said.

While President Donald Trump has not conceded — and as electoral challenges are underway and his supporters continue to protest nationwide — the collective joy and hope for an incoming leadership change poured onto the streets.

The spontaneous celebrations erupted across the country, among them: in Washington, D.C., thousands marched along Black Lives Matter Plaza and near the White House bearing Various speakers, including Marc Ang and Jing Espiritu, spoke at the Las Vegas rally on Sunday to contest the 2020 general election results homemade signs; masses gathand mail-in ballot process.

Photo courtesy of Asian Industry B2B ered in New York’s Time Square bursting out into song; and in West Hollywood, California, individuals waved Biden-Harris and PAGE A1 t pride flags and banged pots as Misleading videos have also car horns blared.

As of Monday, the Trump in each state).

Even outside of the pandemic, campaign has filed lawsuits in percolated through social media, That night, Biden and Harris the voting system, as we know Pennsylvania, Nevada, Michigan, including a video of ballot coun- addressed the nation with victory it, is slow, riddled with bureau- Georgia and Arizona. All states ters in Delaware County, Penn- speeches at the Chase Center in cratic holes and, in some cases, currently have Biden in the lead sylvania transcribing damaged Wilmington, Delaware, with the comprise active voter suppres- by slim margins, and Georgia has ballots that couldn’t be read by former pledging to be a comsion efforts that make it almost committed to recounting its votes, machines. (The Delaware County mander-in-chief “who seeks not impossible to have a smooth and according to Republican Doug Bureau of Elections confirmed to divide but not unify.”

Collins who represents the state this, noting that “some residents streamlined election process.

“It’s time to put away the harsh Los Angeles County, for exam- in the House and was appointed have altered the video are making rhetoric, lower the temperature, ple, still has more than 600,000 by the Trump campaign to over- false accusations.”) see each other again, listen to Nevertheless, claims against each other again,” Biden said, ballots to count, according to see the recount.

Similarly, Lisa Noeth, a Filipina these states by the Trump cam- referencing those who may not the county registrar. In Arizona, where the race is still at razor- American conservative commen- paign have fueled nationwide have voted for him. thin margins, 150,000 votes that tator and co-director of the Ne- protests among Trump supportThough the presidential race haven’t been counted yet. (Biden vada Young Republicans, told the ers echoing the alleged claims of may be over, Fil-Ams are placing was leading by a slim 29,861 Asian Journal that she was not al- voter fraud. their energy onto the Jan. 5 runlowed to oversee the counting in votes as of Friday, Nov. 6.) u PAGE A4 off in Georgia that will determine As long as ballots were post- Clark County, Nevada and “was marked on or before Nov. 3, they told it was a waste of time by a can still be counted. Some ballots staff member.”

“This tarnishes the U.S. Conare still arriving by mail, and the ballot delivery deadline was ex- stitution’s rule of the land that the electors determine the wintended to 17 days.

This election took all those pre- ner after all the legal votes are suppositions and reared the ar- counted,” Noeth said about the cane American electoral process reported hastiness of the election on its ugly head. Months before call before all the votes were certiElection Day, officials prepared fied and found legal.

Noeth, who attended the Stop for a delayed call of the election by encouraging people to vote the Steal rally in Las Vegas on early and make a robust plan to Nov. 4, said that she has “firstget ballots in with little to no hic- hand account” with voters who said that they had “issues with cups.

And after a days-long limbo their ballots being invalidated.”

“We have to question the narperiod between Election Day and Saturday, Biden was announced rative [of] what there is to hide as the winner despite the fact that in places where the vote is beit was a projection and not an of- ing counted and observers were barred in battleground states, ficial call.

This hasn’t stopped Biden sup- including Nevada, Pennsylvania porters — including Republicans and Michigan,” Noeth added.

Ang also helped with the rally who distanced themselves from the Trump campaign — from cel- in Beverly Hills, California over ebrating when news reports came the weekend and worked with out that Biden won Pennsylvania, other groups across the country to encourage Trump supporta key battleground state.

As such, however, this sparked ers to continue fighting against outrage among Trump support- the “premature” declaration of ers across the nation who, along Biden’s victory.

The legal challenges posed by with the president’s re-election campaign, are calling for legal the Trump campaign, however, intervention into the election re- are all over the place and comsults, arguing that the call on Sat- prise different things, making it urday was too early and there’s difficult to see how they all come still good reason to hold off on together in the general claim of “voter fraud.” announcing a winner.

In Nevada, the Trump camMarc Ang, an LA-based financial planner who co-organized paign claims that at least 10,000 the Filipino Americans for Trump people voted in the state after caravan rally in October, told the moving to another state. The Asian Journal on Monday, Nov. Trump campaign also alleged 9 that he was “honestly not sur- that in Wayne County, Michigan prised” about the media reports (home to Detroit) poll workers were seen swaying voters to vote calling Biden’s win.

Ang referenced the voting ir- a certain way and that GOP elecregularities as well as more illegit- tion observers were blocked from imate and nefarious practices that observing the vote count. (The have been reported in at least five only proof of the Michigan claims states against which the Trump come in the form of affidavits from individuals.) campaign has lodged lawsuits.

Filipino Trump supporters sound off on the...

Indoor dining shutdown in...

PAGE A1 t San Francisco restaurants were allowed to operate indoors at 25% capacity in September, and were slated to increase to 50% operating capacity earlier this month.

However, the city has experienced an average of 80 new cases per day, an increase from 32 cases daily, according to Health Director Grant Colfax.

Meanwhile, gyms and movie theaters will be allowed to stay open at 25% capacity or 50 people, whichever is lesser. High

schools that haven’t reopened will remain closed as well.

“If we do not turn this around, our fall surge will exceed our summer surge,” Colfax said.

As the rollback will mean lost revenue for the already struggling businesses, Breed announced that $4 million will be allocated to waive taxes and fees, such as those used for winter augmentations like heaters, and grants for restaurants to continue operating outdoors and purchasing equipment to meet social distancing requirements. n

PH extends suspension of...

PAGE A1 t rity advice exhibited by both our governments in the same period,” he said.

Locsin also hailed the two countries’ friendship and alliance.

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

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

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

In the diplomatic note attached to Locsin’s tweet, it said: “In light of the political and oth-

er developments in the region, the termination of the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the United States Regarding the Treatment of the United States Visiting Forces Visiting the Philippines…is hereby suspended.”

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

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

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

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

AJPress photo by Christina M. Oriel

which party will have control over the U.S. Senate.

“As for individuals themselves, newcomers to campaigns asked our seasoned campaign warriors the same question of “What’s next?” We answered, we go on to the next fight and bring our kababayans with us.

We are looking to make an im-

pact in Georgia’s US Senate races in the immediate future,” Ramoso said.

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

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november 13-19, 2020 • norCAL ASIAn JoUrnAL

In historic ‘firsts,’ Todd Gloria set to be...

PAGE A1 t “It’s now time to turn that vision into reality. I am honored to be the next Mayor of San Diego.”

The 42-year-old Democrat was first elected as a member of the San Diego City Council in 2008, and was interim mayor from August 2013 to March 2014 when outgoing Mayor Kevin Falconer took office. When he was elected to the state Assembly in 2016, he was the second person of Filipino heritage ever elected to the California Legislature after Assemblymember Rob Bonta of Alameda. Gloria has served as assistant majority whip and, a year later, the majority whip, a position he recently held until this election.

San Diego, with a population of 1.4 million is home to one of the largest concentrations of Filipinos in the United States, with more than 200,000 residing in America’s Finest City.

Councilmember Chris Cate, a second-generation Filipino American, represents San Diego’s Sixth Council District, where one in every three residents is of Asian American descent.

“I have known Todd a long, long time. He’s someone I can trust. I do not agree with him on a lot of things, which is okay,” Councilmember Cate previously told the Asian Journal. “I look forward to working with his new administration on bringing forth policy to help the residents of District 6 and all San Diegans.”

At a recent online town hall meeting organized by Gloria’s friends in the Filipino American community to further drum up

Dateline USa

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

US tops 10 million COVID-19 cases

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

Todd Gloria, 42, becomes San Diego’s first openly gay and first person of color mayor.

Gloria (center) was joined by his partner Adam Smith (left) and parents Phil and Linda Gloria on Tuesday, November 3 when they cast their ballots in person. Photos courtesy of Todd Gloria

support for his mayoral bid, Gloria talked about his life and the way he was brought up by his parents.

He shared how his grandparents moved to San Diego and how his parents Phil and Linda taught him traditional family values. He said that he is the first in

JUST 10 days after hitting 9 million cases of the novel coronavirus, the United States surpassed 10 million confirmed infections this week.

The milestone happened on Monday, November 9, after Johns Hopkins University recorded more than 100,000 new cases.

Its death toll, meanwhile, passed 237,000.

The U.S., with about 4% of the world’s population, accounts for about one-fifth of the 50.4 million cases of COVID-19 reported worldwide.

The same day, drugmaker Pfizer announced that interim results in human trials showed their COVID-19 vaccine was more than 90% effective.

“Today is a great day for science and humanity. The first set of results from our Phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine trial provides the initial evidence of our vaccine’s ability to prevent COVID-19,” Dr. Albert Bourla, Pfizer Chairman and CEO, said in a statement.

“We are reaching this critical milestone in our vaccine development program at a time when the world needs it most with infection rates setting new records, hospitals nearing over-capacity and economies struggling to reopen.

With today’s news, we are a significant step closer to providing

his working-class family to graduate from university.

“I will be a mayor for everyone,” he said. “I am mindful that there are little Filipino boys and girls who might see me in government as someone that looks like PAGE A1 t them, and maybe inspire them.” to the Council,” Arias wrote in a (Christina M. Oriel/AJPress) Facebook post on Thursday, No-

people around the world with a much-needed breakthrough to help bring an end to this global health crisis,” he added.

Pfizer is also planning to seek emergency use authorization from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration after they obtain two months of safety follow-up data on half of the participants in their trial, along with data on their manufacturing process.

Bourla noted that the vaccine has shown no safety problems so far, but said they need to wait until “the results are there.”

Envoy: COVID-19 vaccine might be ready early next year Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez said the country may receive an initial supply of the COVID-19 vaccine by early 2021 once talks are finalized and a contract has been signed.

“Sa tingin ko by early next year, first quarter, magkakaroon na tayo ng (supply) by tranches ‘yan (I think by early next year, 1st quarter, we’ll be able to get the supply in tranches),” he said in a pre-recorded interview with Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.

“The demand is very high at least for the first tranches of this supply but they’re very confident na masu-supply nila ang lahat ng kailangan ng mga mag-o-order na ngayon (that they’ll be able to supply the needs of those who

would order now),” he added.

According to Romualdez, Pfizer was the first company to approach the Philippines amid talks with various U.S. pharmaceutical firms developing an effective COVID-19 vaccine.

“Right now sila ang pinakanangunguna dito sa Amerika na ma-approve dahil 90% ang efficacy ng Pfizer (Right now, Pfizer is leading to get the first approval because its candidate vaccine is 90% effective)... It will be sold to many of their (U.S.) allies, specifically in the Philippines na ‘di naman gaano kamahal (and it won’t be too expensive), it would be around USD5 per shot siguro,” he said.

On the other hand, the Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said the emergency use of Pfizer’s vaccine is unlikely in the country.

“We need to verify the accuracy of (Pfizer’s) claim that the vaccine is 90 percent effective. If (Pfizer) will apply to conduct a clinical trial here, the Vaccine Expert Panel will check the data, and would verify the claim,” DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said Tuesday, Nov. 10.

He also said that the Philippine authorities could not rely on Pfizer’s announcement as it was the firm’s announcement.

“We do not know the data that supports (the claim),” De la Peña said. n

Eric Arias becomes first Fil-Am councilmember... vember 5.

“This was a community-driven campaign that was driven by local youth leaders, labor unions, Democratic organizations and residents.”

The millennial Fil-Am seeks to bring a younger perspective to the local government. His ward, or representative district, covers much of Southeast Bakersfield.

Arias aspired to follow in his father’s footsteps and serve in the U.S. Marine Corp, but was diagnosed with stage 4 Burkitt’s Lymphoma during his second year of college at University of California, Santa Barbara. He went into remission and chose a career in public service, according to his campaign website.

He currently serves as a field Eric Arias, 24, will be Bakersfield’s newest representative for state Assem- councilmember.

“I look forward to working on blymember Rudy Salas.

Bakersfield, the 11th largest behalf of residents in Ward 1 and city in California, has a popula- the City of Bakersfield to #Buildtion of 383,579 as of 2018. Resi- BackBetter in a more equitadents of Asian descent make up ble and just way for all,” Arias said. (AJPress) about 7% of the population.

Filipino Trump supporters...

PAGE A3 t “Preliminary results get put out there and [the] news media is very quick to jump on something exciting to report. They’re seeing the same numbers I’m seeing, but I’m not as quick to jump on a call especially when it goes against fundamentals,” Ang added, referencing the reports of “software glitches and fraudulent ballots.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Certainly not enough to change the outcome.”

That being said, however, Trump supporters are mobilized

and believe that legal action could provide a path to victory for the president in a way that could flip the media projections.

“This is far from impossible,” Ang asserted.

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

“This is a unique opportunity to audit and reform our elections for the better. Florida, under the scrutiny of 2000, has become a leader now in honest elections. I hope this for the other states in question. Let the process play out and if the fraud doesn’t change the outcome, he should concede,” Ang said.

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

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

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

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

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

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Philippine Senate approves bill declaring child marriage a crime by ritcheL

MendioLa AJPress

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

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

by Senators on Monday, November 9.

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

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

after the Senate approved the measure. based on data from the United Nations Population Fund, 1 in every 6 girls in the Philippines marry before the legal age of 18.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Maj. Gen. Sinas dares critics to file charges, says ‘mañanita’ does not diminish credibility as top cop

by Franco Luna Philstar.com

MANilA — Newly-minted police chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas believes his credibility as the country’s top cop is unaffected by his mañanita controversy, and any critics should “move on” from the issue and instead file complaints against him in the proper venues, he said Wednesday, Novmber 11.

Speaking at the laging Handa briefing on Wednesday afternoon, Sinas challenged his critics to file cases against him, pointing out that it has been months since the incident occurred.

Since news broke over the general’s promotion to his post, the issues of his record of unsolved killings, and his breach of quarantine protocols at a birthday party have been Scene from the change of command ceremony of the national police as Interior Secretary brought up.

Eduardo Año formally installs Police Gen. Debold Sinas as the 25th Chief of the Philippine PNP photo u PAGE A7 National Police.

The construction of this sports stadium and the P50-million cauldron at New Clark City in Tarlac province used during the 2019 Southeast Asian Games could be among the targets of investigation that opposition Sen. Risa Hontiveros is pushing her colleagues to undertake because of alleged irregularities.

Inquirer.net photo

Hontiveros seeks Senate probe of SEA Games venue contract

by MeLvin

Gascon Inquirer.net

MANilA — Philippine Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday, November 10 called for a “fullblown” investigation of the allegedly irregular deals in connection with the country’s hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, especially the P9.5 billion in taxpayer money used to construct the main sports venue inside New Clark City (NCC) in Tarlac province. in a privilege speech, Hontiveros raised doubts about the legality of the 2018 joint venture agreement between the bases Conversion Development Authority (bCDA) and a Malaysian developer, MTD Capital berhad, for the construction of the sports venue at the 9,450-hectare NCC complex in Capas and bamban towns.

She said a “fake” joint venture agreement was used to secure a “behest loan” from a government bank in order to sidestep procurement laws.

‘White elephant’?’

“Now, the country may have been left with a gigantic white elephant in Central luzon,” Hontiveros said.

The opposition senator said that following President Duterte’s recently ordered crackdown on graft and corruption, she was calling attention to the facilities that the government had built for the SEA Games.

She questioned why MTD did not seem to have made any con-

tribution to the project, except for the actual construction work.

A Commission on Audit (COA) report said the sports facilities included an aquatic center, an athletics stadium and an “athlete’s village” capable of housing 1,000 people. it said the agreed project cost to build them was P8.510 billion, “which will be contributed by the winning PSP (private sector partner) in the form of unencumbered advances to the JV (joint venture).”

Hontiveros said the P8.5-billion funding that MTD berhad had purportedly poured into the project came from a P9.5-billion loan that was granted by Development bank of the Philippines (DbP).

Aside from being contractually obligated to facilitate the loan, the bCDA was obliged to reimburse MTD for the capital it had supposedly “advanced” using the loan.

Loan proposal “MTD berhad did not have any cash-in investment, yet they still put on an additional P1 billion into their loan proposal,” she said.

Citing documents, Hontiveros said that under the loan agreement, the bCDA was obligated to pay a total of P11 billion for the loan.

“And where will the bCDA get the funds to pay off MTD berhad? is it from the income derived by the venue? Not even, as this project has not had any clear income,” she said.

According to the senator, the bCDA must have sourced the

funds amounting to P9.54 billion to pay MTD from its 2019 budget allocation.

“This project is riddled with badges of a fake joint venture.

So again i ask: What has MTD berhad contributed to this?” she said.

Hontiveros pointed out that even the Office of the Government Corporate Counsel (OGCC) and the COA had disputed claims that the deal involved a joint venture.

“And while all of these were ongoing, the chief of the OGCC was replaced, and his successor overturned the previous opinion and maintained that the transaction is aboveboard,” she said.

Joint venture scheme Hontiveros raised suspicions that the joint venture scheme was used to skirt the legal requirement of a public bidding and manipulate the grant of the project to a favored contractor.

She said she was appalled that MTD acquired the P9.5 billion in just three weeks from the time it was applied for.

“Would it have been possible that DbP quickly released the loan proceeds because it was facilitated by the bCDA? What was the loan collateral used? Was there sufficient scrutiny on the capitalization of MTD berhad and the cash flow of the project?”

Hontiveros asked.

The senator suspected that the project was financed by a behest loan, which shifts the burden of paying it to Filipino taxpayers, mainly the DbP depositors. n

A6

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FeatURes

OPiniOn

Promotion

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

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

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

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

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

These incidents will have no legal bearing on the cases filed against Sinas, which Malacañang said on Tuesday, November 10 would continue to be pursued despite his promotion. but the fates of Ragos and Jimeda will inevitably be contrasted with that of Sinas, and will be brought up as the country continues to grapple with COViD restrictions that are supposed to cover everyone. it will highlight the double standard in upholding the rule of law in this country – from rules and regulations to penal laws such as corruption. it’s a credibility problem especially in this crippling pandemic that the PNP will need to overcome under its new chief. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

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

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

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

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

On Monday, November 9, biden posted on social media and i quote: “Today, i have named a COViD-19 Transition Advisory board, comprised of distinguished public health experts, to help our transition team translate the biden-Harris COViD-19 plan into a blueprint we can put into places soon as @KamalaHarris and i are sworn into office.” biden has announced on Tuesday, November 10, the teams of people who will work to prepare the incoming administration to take control of the federal government. As CNN reported, these transition teams included names of about 500 people who will work in various agencies of the government — “from the Consumer Financial Protection bureau to the Department of Homeland Security and the United States Postal Service” and many more.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“There’s no legal standard contained within this act as to what constitutes the ascertainment,”

Biden: 5 ways to beat populism Commentary

RICHARD HEYDARIAN POPUliSTS are powerful precisely because, in the words of novelist Hugo von Hofmannsthal, “politics is magic, he who can summon the forces from the deep, him will they follow.” Make no mistake: Populism is here to stay, thanks to its uncanny ability to tap into our most basic instincts. but as in pandemics and pathogens, even the most viral and vicious forms of politics can be contained, though never fully defeated. From latin America to Europe, recent decades have seen numerous populists driven back to the margins of power

when the “moderate” majority and competent “centrists” decided to team up and hold the line together. if anything, last week’s elections in the world’s oldest democracy has exposed the vulnerability of populism and the need for “radical liberalism.” it’s true that President-elect Joseph biden failed to secure the early, decisive victory that some polls had suggested. And it’s also true that the “blue wave” hopes down the ballot likewise failed to materialize.

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

Even more remarkable, the Democratic candidate managed

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

These Republicans in Congress are supposed to be exercising their checks and balances on the president, an obligation

required of them by the Constitution as members of the coequal branch of government.

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

As “We, the People” want to heal and move forward together as one “United States of America,” it is imperative for Trump, the Republicans in Congress and their supporters to respect the will of the American people in this election — the most scared of all our rights as citizens in this democracy: Government of the people, by the People, For the People. let me quote excerpts from the late Senator John McCain’s speech when he conceded defeat to Sen. barack Obama during the 2008 presidential election.

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

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

Sen. Obama and I have had and argued our differences, and he has prevailed. No doubt many of those differences re-

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

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

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

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

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

I am so deeply grateful to all of you for the great honor of your support and for all you have done for me. I wish the outcome had been different, my friends. The road was a difficult one from the outset. But your support and friendship never wavered. I cannot adequately express how deeply indebted I am to you….”

“This campaign was and will remain the great honor of my life. And my heart is filled with nothing but gratitude for the

self-destructive despondency when the “wrong” ones win. in the words of biden’s former boss, President barack Obama, “We zig and zag and sometimes we move in ways that some people think is forward and others think is moving back. And that’s OK.” People vote for the Trumps of this world for a thousand reasons.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fourth, instinct and experi-

ence matter. Unlike the Hillary Clinton campaign, biden primarily relied on his personal instinct and visceral familiarity with the grievances and sensibilities of average and blue-collar Americans. As one of his key advisers said, “it was his campaign. it was less consultant-driven than any presidential campaign in modern history.” lastly, “boring” is the new sexy. After years of disruptive politics and disastrous policies, more than 75 million American voters opted for the quintessential “establishment politician.”

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

u PAGE A7

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A

Chief Justice orders security beef up after Manila judge’s killing

by Christian

Deiparine Philstar.com

MANILA — Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta has ordered stricter security measures in place after the shooting of a Manila trial court judge on Wednesday, November 11 who was added to the list of many in the legal profession that had been killed since 2016.

Judge Ma. Theresa Abadilla of the Manila Regional Trial Court’s Brach 45 was gunned down in a courtroom by her own chief of court clerk, who was identified as Amador Rebato.

Abadilla, 44, was rushed to the hospital but by 3:15 p.m. was declared dead. Peralta in a statement paid tribute to the slain judge whom he said he personally knew as an “upright and highly competent magistrate.”

“It is with deep sadness that I learned this afternoon about the killing of Judge Ma. Teresa Abadilla,” he said. “[Her] passing is indeed a big loss to the Judiciary... she was a law clerk in the Supreme Court for more than a decade before becoming an RTC judge.”

A report by Police Lt. Col. Arsenio Riparip of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno’s special reaction team showed that Abadilla

was in a conversation with her eventual killer about the latter’s performance “which seems unfavorable.”

Riparip, citing a witness’ account, said Rebato was recently infected with the coronavirus that had affected his work and pushed him to plan to resign.

“Although there are currently security protocols in place in all our courthouses, I have directed the Court Administrator to employ stricter measures to prevent incidents like these from happening again,” Peralta added.

Retired chief justice Lucas Bersamin also in a statement called Abadilla’s death as “senseless [that] diminishes us all.”

“I condole with the Abadilla family and we pray that their profound grief over the tragedy be tempered by the thought that we share their irreparable loss,” Bersamin said, who described the judge as hardworking and close to him and his family.

The killing of Abadilla adds to the more than 50 lawyers, prosecutors and judges that had been slain under the Duterte administration, figures from the National Union of People’s Lawyers showed.

In July of this year, a report by the human rights office of the

United Nations noted that many in the legal field in the country have been killed, with others have faced threats and most of the cases have remained unresolved.

“Lawyers’ groups worldwide have been raising the alarm about killings of legal professionals since 2004 in the Philippines, but the numbers documented have risen considerably over the past five years,” the report read.

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Richard Gordon had condemned Abadilla’s killing as well, as he renewed calls for a measure that would put up a marshal service for the security of those in the third branch of government.

“This is truly unforgiveable,” he said. “Our judges have a vital impact on people’s lives as they protect our liberties and rights, they help the victims of various violence and discriminations achieve justice.”

Riparip, who heads the Manila mayor’s team, said Abadilla’s killer Rebato was seen feeling “uneasy and shuddering” in his conversation with the judge. The events that followed after saw him taking his own life with his own firearm after shooting the judge. n

Maj. Gen. Sinas dares critics to file charges...

PAGE A5

Sinas said he was not facing any formal cases for the killings.

“If they have any complaints, they can file those in our courts and before the agencies supervising the PNP. And if this is about the human rights violations, there is no truth to those...I’m encouraging them to file cases so I can answer them in the right venues,” he said in Filipino.

On the contrary, the alleged human rights violations throughout his term as regional director in Central Visayas are well-documented, although they have never been directly linked to him.

In January, the Senate committees on public order and dangerous drugs and human rights called for a probe into a wave of killings in Negros in

2018 and in 2019 and later noted that most of the killings occurred when the police and military launched Oplan Sauron or the Simultaneous Enhanced Managing of Police Operations in Negros.

According to CHR Central Visayas in August 2018, there were 22 killings in Negros Oriental alone between June 27 and July 28.

‘Move on’ Urging detractors to file formal cases has long been a tactic employed by police leadership, though past cases hardly came to fruition.

As it stands, Sinas is facing two complaints for his mañanita controversy, both of which are still pending before the Taguig City Prosecutors Office to this day.

Months after the incident took place, he is not only still in

office but is now the country’s top cop, having been cleared by no less than President Rodrigo Duterte himself.

He issued an apology once the news broke, but denied the event ever happened despite his own office posting pictures of it. Photographs showed that celebrators were neither wearing masks nor physical distancing despite Metro Manila being under a strict enhanced community quarantine status.

In a later statement, he admitted the gathering took place but denied any wrongdoing occurred.

Asked if the birthday celebration diminished his credibility as the 25th chief of the PNP, Sinas said: “I don’t think so. It’s been six months and it happened while I was still at the NCRPO.” n

President Rodrigo Duterte administers the oath of office of Marinduque Represenative Lord Allan Jay Velasco as the new House Speaker at the Malacañang Palace on Monday, November 9.

Malacañang photo by King Rodriguez

Velasco finally takes oath as speaker before Duterte

by Divina

nova Joy Dela ManilaTimes.net

Cruz Quezon City shortly after his elec- tive agenda in Congress such as

A MONTH after taking over the top post at the House of Representatives, Marinduque Rep. Lord Allan Velasco took his oath as speaker before President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, November 9.

The oath-taking occurred on Velasco’s 43rd birthday. His wife Rowena, his father Marinduque Gov. Presbitero Velasco Jr., and mother Torrijos Mayor Lorna Velasco were present.

Velasco earlier took his oath before Barangay Captain Allan Franza of Matandang Balara,

tion as speaker.

His speakership was made official the following day when House members ratified his election.

Velasco thanked Duterte anew for helping ensure that the termsharing agreement with former speaker Alan Peter Cayetano would be followed.

“I am deeply honored to be sworn in by President Duterte who I admire a lot and have high regard for. He is also one of the persons to whom I am greatly indebted,” Velasco said in a statement on Tuesday.

He vowed to carry out the Duterte administration’s legisla-

measures against systematic corruption.

“I assure the President that he can rely on Congress to help him fulfill his promises to our people before his term ends in 2022,” Velasco said.

As the 27th House speaker, he vowed to pursue a “stronger, inclusive and united House.”

“We will work together in Congress to pass laws that are timely and responsive to the needs of our countrymen and to make the lower chamber truly the House representing the people,” he said. n

Trump, the Republican leadership block...

PAGE A6 experience and to the American people for giving me a fair hearing before deciding that Sen. Obama and my old friend, Sen. Joe Biden, should have the honor of leading us for the next four years.

I would not be an American worthy of the name, should I regret a fate that has allowed me the extraordinary privilege of serving this country for a half a century. Today, I was a candidate for the highest office in the country I love so much. And tonight, I remain her servant. That is blessing enough for anyone and I thank the people of Arizona

for it.

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

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

Americans never quit. We never surrender. We never hide from history. We make history.

Thank you, and God bless you, and God bless America.” *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

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

A

november 13-19, 2020 • norCAL ASIAn JoUrnAL

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Community Journal

B IN NORTHEN cALIfORNIA

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvembeR 13-19, 2020

Friday, November 13, 2020

OMETHING

ILIPINO

LIfESTyLE • cONSUMER GUIdE • cOMMUNITy • MARkETPLAcE Immigration Corner Atty. MichAel Gurfinkel, eSQ JOE Biden has been declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election. He promises a radical change from Trump’s strict enforcement policies to a policy emphasizing compassion, leniency, and possibly even amnesty, as spelled out in the Democrat party’s platform. As stated on their website, “Immigrants are

Biden’s compassionate Parol-making with lola: Disney launches Filipino-themed Christmas video immigration platform

essential to our society and our economy. Immigrants are part of our families. They enrich our culture. They grow our food, care for our loved ones, serve in our Armed Forces, and provide critical healthcare services. Immigrants make America stronger.”

Among the highlights of their planned changes to U.S. immigration policy are: • End funding and construction

of the southern border wall.

• End the Muslim travel ban • End Trump’s immigration ban, where he had put a freeze on green cards for new immigrants who were applying from abroad.

• Reinstate, expand, and streamline protection for Dreamers (DACA) and the parents of American citizen children (DAPA) to keep families together in the PAGE B3

MORE ANSWERS TO YOUR IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS ON A BRAND-NEW EPISODE OF CITIZEN PINOY! Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel (left) answers several immigrations questions on this Sunday’s episode of Citizen Pinoy.

Weng from Ewa, HI (center) asks if it is possible to get the sons of her recently deceased sister. Their mother petitioned her married sister with sons aged 21 and 17 years old. Unfortunately, her sister died earlier this year. Can Weng and her mother still bring her sister’s two children to the U.S.? Claro of Edmonds, WA (right) has a brother-in-law who was petitioned by his U.S. citizen father-in-law. But the father-in-law is now retired and has been staying in the Philippines for several years. Should his father-in-law come to the U.S. temporarily to fulfill domicile requirements for the brother-in-law’s petition? These are just some of the questions that Attorney Gurfinkel (left) will answer on a brand-new episode of “CITIZEN PINOY: Your Tanong, My Sagot – Social Distancing Style,” this Sunday, November 15 at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers).

(Advertising Supplement)

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

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

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

With the holiday a little more than a month away, Disney launched its first-ever Christmas advertisement, a three-minute animated short featuring the Fili-

pino tradition of parol-making as part of its 2020 festive campaign “From Our Family To Yours.”

The heartwarming and tearjerking animated short, released on Monday, November 9, is inspired by the themes of traditions, family togetherness, and nostal-

gia. It introduces two new characters: Lola (grandmother) and her granddaughter, alongside Mickey Mouse, a beloved toy that was gifted to Lola as a young child by her father in 1940.

In the short, lola and her grandPAGE B4

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

Photos courtesy of Disney UK

B

Features

November 13-19, 2020 • NorCAL ASIAN JoUrNAL

celebrity world

By Ferdie Villar

Charo Santos says ABS-CBN shutdown was traumatic for her CHARO Santos-Concio said in a recent interview that the shutdown of media giant ABS-CBN was traumatic for her, akin to losing a child.

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

I felt so much pain and extreme sadness. That was very traumatic for me, as well, even if I am retired from the company,” she was quoted as saying in the Philippine Star interview.

“Parang sakit ng isang ina na ipinag-buntis mo ‘yung anak mo ng siyam na buwan. Iniluwal mo, pinalaki mo, inaruga mo.

Tapos nakita mo na pinatay at wala kang magawa. Helpless ka.

Masakit. I’m still grieving,” she added.

In the same article, Charo revealed that she misses the brilliance of actor John Lloyd Cruz and that Piolo Pascual is her number one crush.

She was in the panel that saw a 13-year-old John Lloyd audition for ABS-CBN, and knew at that time that the actor would go

places.

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

As for Piolo, Charo was very complimentary to one of showbiz’s “The quality of Piolo that drew me to him? Madali siyang makagaangan ng loob. Mabait. Gwapo talaga si Piolo. Aminin natin.

Adonis,” she said.

Additionally, Charo is hoping that the reunion movie of Piolo with Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo will materialize.

“I will pray that the stars will align for their reunion movie to happen,” she said. *** Wendell Ramos fully supports his son, Saviour, who will be seen in an episode of the “Unlocked” anthology of director Adolf Alix.

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

Filipina-Irish named runner-up to Miss USA 2020

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

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

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

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

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

Layne is passionate about health promotion and disease prevention, and has dual citi-

zenship in the Philippines.

She was crowned Miss Idaho Teen USA in 2012.

“Three words: I did it! My father’s military dog tags are beneath this gown. He is a 100% disabled, Vietnam veteran who used to travel, hunt, camp & fish. He couldn’t be in the audience last night because of his medical conditions and being immunocompromised but I brought him up there with me,” Layne said in an Instagram post after the pageant.

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

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

Arruda, 18, advocates for autism awareness after her brother was diagnosed with Miss USA 2020 first runner-up Kim Layne autism, and hopes everyone Photo from Instagram_@kimlayne PAGE B3

Former ABS-CBN president and chief content officer Charo Santos-Concio still grieves about the closure of media giant ABS-CBN, likening the loss to losing her own child.

ABS-CBN File Photo

Although it cannot be helped to compare Saviour with his dad Wendell, the latter said in an inKyline Alcantara, one of the young beauteous actresses and singers of GMA Pinoy TV, is the lead actress in the teleserye “Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit.”

Saviour Ramos, Wendell Ramos’ son, will be seen in an episode in director Adolfo Alix’s “Unlocked” anthology which will stream online.

Facebook Photo

Kapuso TV actor Wendell Ramos has kept himself busy during the pandemic with his endorsements, his meat products line, and keeping himself in shape with a wellness and fitness regimen.

Instagram Photo (@wendellramosofficial)

terview with PEP.ph that he has advised his son to embrace his looks and be grateful for what God has given him in terms of physical looks.

Wendell related in the interview the words of advice he gave his son: “Sabi ko na lang sa kanya, kung anong meron ka, you have to accept and embrace it.

“Kailangan mong mahalin ang sarili mo. Hindi mo kinakailangang i-compare ang sarili mo kung kanino man.

“Kasi, alam kong in time, kung Rita Daniela, a brilliant television actress in gusto man niyang pumunta sa Philippine entertainment, is the lead actress showbiz, hindi talaga maiwasang in the GMA Pinoy TV teleserye “Ang Dalawang Ikaw.” Her leading man in the series is Ken ma-compare siya sa akin.

“So from there, sana mag-sink Chan.

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Heiress Marilen Bernardo is shown with her dad, Rodolfo Ongsiako Bernardo in photo above.

Manila-based Rodolfo will be visiting his daughter in December.

in sa kanya yung sinasabi ko sa kanya na it doesn’t matter kung mai-compare ka kahit kanino.

As long as you love yourself and naniniwala ka sa sarili mo. Dahil wala namang perpektong tao talaga.

“Ang masasabi ko na lang diyan, just be grateful na may trabaho siya, ang iku-compare talaga siya sa akin, hindi ko alam, e, kung ano ang isasagot.

“Basta, ang lagi ko lang sinasabi sa kanya, kapag makausap ko siya ulit… yun lang ang sasabihin ko sa kanya, be grateful

kung anong meron ka.

“You have to be proud kung anong meron ka. Hindi mo ako kailangang i-compare sa ‘yo, kasi ang bawat tao, may kanyakanyang opinion.”

According to the same article, Wendell is currently involved with his many product endorsements and developing his foodline called Wendelli Meat Products. The Kapuso actor has also been keeping himself busy during the pandemic by having a wellness and fitness regimen that has kept him in shape.

(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com

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

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

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

Features

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

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

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

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

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

children were also cured of their type 2 diabetes after surgery. *** When a chronic heavy smoker suddenly loses the urge to smoke and quits smoking effortlessly, it may mean the person already has cancer of the lungs. Why this unusual pattern happens in a certain group of long-term smokers is not clearly known.

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

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

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

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

We are reporting this study to emphasize once more that smoking is a proven health hazard and a highly potential killer, and that quitting now while it is still hard to quit, while the craving is still strong, is the best time to kick the habit…before cancer develops.

The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Public Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and antigraft foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com

By Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

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

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

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

The Fil-Am teen, in response, said: “Well, of course this global pandemic is very unprecedented and has taught me a lot about life. For me, it has especially taught me how to appreciate my family. I got to spend so much

Photo from Instagram/@missteenusa

Photo from Instagram/@killani.kauai

she plans to go to medical school to become a dermatologist. she also advocates for autism awareness after her brother was diagnosed with autism, and hopes everyone can build a world that is accepting and inclusive for all people.

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

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

B

Family-based immigration questions take center stage on an all-new episode of Citizen Pinoy this Sunday CITIZEN Pinoy seeks to provide answers to families who have questions about the latest immigration policies and how it affects them.

Claro of Edmonds, WA has a brother-in-law who was petitioned by his U.s. citizen father-in-law, who is now retired and has been staying in the Philippines for several years now. Must his father-in-law come to the U.s. temporarily to fulfill domicile requirements for

the brother-in-law’s affidavit of support?

Weng of Ewa, HI shares that her U.s. citizen mother petitioned her married sister in 2005. Unfortunately, her sister died in February 2020. she has two sons aged 17 and 21 years old. What happens to her sister’s petition? Can the family still bring her two sons to the U.s.?

A person who crossed the border 27 years ago (EWI) and

remains undocumented is asking if either her green card holder husband or her U.s. citizen daughter can petition her.

Find out the answers to these questions and more on another informative and brand-new edition of “CITIZEN PINOY: Your Tanong, My sagot – social Distancing style” this sunday, November 15 at 6:15 pm PsT/EsT (9:15 pm EsT thru select Cable/ satellite providers).

(Advertising Supplement)

Biden’s compassionate immigration...

cards, and possibly can apply for green cards in the U.s. if out of U.s. status, thereby ending their unfair • Provide a “roadmap to citi- separation. zenship for the millions of un• Eliminate family-based green documented workers, caregivers, card backlogs and reform the students and children who are an system to speed up family-based essential part of our economy and visas. (Could categories such as the fabric of our nation.” (Am- married children of U.s. citizens nesty?). and brothers and sisters of U.s.

• Halt enforcement and rescind citizens now be faster? People Trump’s “immigration wealth may want to hurry and file those test,” or Trump’s new, strict pub- petitions!) lic charge regulations.

• End the 3/10 year bar (so • Fast-track legalization for es- that perhaps a provisional waiver sential workers to the pandemic, would no longer be needed?) including healthcare workers and • End workplace and commuothers nity raids, as well as protecting • Reduce application backlogs immigrants at sensitive locations and waiting times, and make our like schools, houses of worship, immigration processes faster, hospitals, and DMV from immimore efficient, and less costly, gration raids. eliminating “unfair barriers to • Bring back “prosecutorial naturalization.” discretion” for deserving cases, • Reaffirm America’s commit- where the government will no lonment to family-based immigration ger go after people who really do by reversing Trump’s decision not pose a threat to society, and to slash family-based immigra- instead go after felons, terrorists, tion (Trump had wanted a merit- and other bad people. based system and to reduce visas Let us hope Biden will follow for family members). through with these proposals *** • Treat spouses and children and ensure laws are enacted for The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of green card holders (F-2A) the the benefit of the millions of unexpressed by the author do not necessarily same as “immediate relatives” documented immigrants. If there reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of (spouse and children of U.s. will be changes in the law, and the Asian Journal, its management, editorial citizens), meaning spouses and you believe you could benefit, I board and staff. children of immigrants would be would strongly advise that you *** immediately eligible for green consult with an immigration at-

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

time with my family, my little sister, my little brother. I love them dearly, and I know that soon, in spring, I will be going into college, and I won’t have those precious moments to share with them. so really, it’s just to cherish those moments. And it’s so honorable I get to represent my home of Hawai’i, so just being at home is so wonderful.” she is the second entrant from Hawaii to have been crowned Miss Teen UsA, following Kelly Hu who was crowned in 1985.

In her Miss Teen UsA biography, Arruda said that after obtaining a degree in molecular and cellular biology in college,

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvembeR 13-19, 2020

PAGE B1

torney and have the immigration attorney assist you in applying for those benefits. Even with a proimmigration administration, there are still many requirements to be met, and hiring an attorney could greatly increase your chances of success in achieving your American dream. *** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and reenactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader.

WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw, Twitter @GurfinkelLaw and Youtube: US Immigration TV Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)

Filipina-Irish named runner-up to Miss USA...

PAGE B2 can build a world that is accepting and inclusive for all people.

In a post-pageant interview,

she revealed that Filipina beauty queen Catriona Gray is her favorite Miss Universe winner.

“I’m a little biased towards

Catriona because I am halfFilipino myself. Her reign was so amazing, and I’ve always looked up to her as a role model,” Arruda said.

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November 13-19, 2020 • NorCAL ASIAN JoUrNAL

EntErtainmEnt

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

Cassy on breaking away from twin bro Mavy in showbiz Judy Ann to daughter Yohan turning 16:

by AllAn

PolicArPio

Inquirer.net

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I actually thought it wouldn’t push through. I didn’t know what would happen, with the restrictions and all. But when I got that confirmation that we will do it, I

Cassy Legaspi Photo from Instagram_@cassy

got back to hardcore preparations,” she added. “I feel like I’m going to a boarding school. I’m nervous because I wouldn’t be able to see my family for a month; I will be on my own.”

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

“I’m excited to work with him.

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

“This is our first series, so that takes a bit of pressure off. No expectations. We will just help each other out and do our best.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But she doesn’t really care.”

“What’s important, she said, is that she loves her work and focuses on the love she’s getting,” Cassy added. “Once you love your work, everything else will follow.”

‘You’ll always be my first love’

JUDY Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo made sure their eldest daughter Yohan got her sweet 16 celebration even in quarantine.

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

Yohan was wiping her tears with her parents at her side during an online call with family and friends. The last slide was a video of Yohan looking at her mom and saying, “Thank you for everything… there’s more but my tears are showing everything.”

Santos, who adopted Yohan when she was 26, got sentimental in her message for her first child.

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

“You will always be my first love sweetheart… you are one of God’s greatest [blessings] and will forever be mommy and daddy’s baby girl!”

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

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

He looked back to Yohan’s first birthday and recalled, “Mom and Dad weren’t a couple yet, but we were already family.”

When Santos and Agoncillo wed in 2009, Yohan, then 4, was of course part of their ceremony. The celebrity couple has two younger kids, Lucho and Luna. (Inquirer.net)

Parol-making with lola: Disney launches...

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

One night, the granddaughter realizes just how distant she’s become to her lola after picking up Mickey Mouse in the living room, which ultimately inspires a festive surprise on Christmas morning.

The story is accompanied by the soundtrack ‘Love Is a ComSINGER Ronnie Liang has now peace between the military and pass,’ performed by Ivor Novello completed the Civil-Military Op- the communist rebels.

Rising Star award nominee Griff.

“Every time I read news about erations Officer Correspondence “I was excited to get involved in Course, nine months after becom- a certain encounter between the Disney’s Christmas campaign, in ing a 2nd lieutenant Army reserv- Philippine Army and the NPAs, support of Make-A-Wish,” NovelI feel sad. I hope this ends soon lo said. ist.

In his Facebook account, Ron- enough para wala nang namama“The lyrics of the track and the nie said he is grateful to the Phil- tay sa kapwa natin Pilipino,” he storytelling in the advert are powsaid. ippine Army for the opportunity. erful, and important. The theme of “Let us pray for peace and uni- family and loved ones are so front “I am grateful to my Philippine Army family for the opportunity. ty for a bright future of our nation of mind for many of us – especialThis is truly an honor and an ex- most especially our youth,” he ly this Christmas,” she added. emplary privilege,” Ronnie wrote. added.

The advert was created by Reports said that though Ron- Disney EMEA’s in-house creaRonnie was seen busy on the streets wearing his military uni- nie is busy in his military service, tive team, led by Angela Affinita, Singer Ronnie Liang has already completed form from the start of the corona- he is still active in the music scene director of brand marketing and with a Christmas album releasing creative, in partnership with Flux the Civil-Military Operations Officer virus pandemic.

In another Facebook post, the soon. (Jan Milo Severo/Philstar. Animation Studios.

Correspondence Course.

Photo from Facebook_Ronnie Liang “Ngiti” singer said he hoped for com) “The ad for me is such a great

Ronnie now an Army reservist after finishing civil-military ops correspondence course

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

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

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

The advert is part of the celebrations marking a 40-year partnership with children’s charity, Make-A-Wish®, and is airing across TV and Digital plus Dis-

ney’s own channels in 26 countries in EMEA, as well as Australia, New Zealand, North America and parts of Asia.

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

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

(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com

NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvembeR 13-19, 2020

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November 13-19, 2020 • NorCAL ASIAN JoUrNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160

SEAFOOD CITY