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FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Attorney General Bonta co-leads multistate coalition in support of DACA

CALIFORNIA Attorney General Rob Bonta is co-leading a coalition of 24 attorneys general in a comment letter in support of the federal government’s efforts to preserve and fortify the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

In the comment letter sent Friday, November 19, the coalition highlights the critical contributions of hundreds of thousands of Dreamers to broader public health efforts, the economy, and communities across the country — and urges the federal government to finalize regulations strengthening DACA and ensuring that states can continue to benefit from the program.

Since 2012, DACA has protected from deportation and extended work authorization to approximately 825,000 individuals who grew up in this country, most of whom have known no home other than the United States.

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Go: Pres. Duterte will not prevent Quiboloy extradition

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo will not get in the way if the United States requests for the extradition of his friend and spiritual adviser Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, according to Senator Bong Go.

The senator on Monday, November 22, noted Duterte’s close ties with Quiboloy, saying that the Chief Executive will offer moral support to his adviser.

“The President is there to give moral support kay (to) Pastor Quiboloy. Kaibigan sila (They are friends),” Go said in a chance interview with

THROUGHOUT the pandemic, I have been treating pregnant patients at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA. Before the vaccines, there were a lot of unknowns and people were worried. But today, I recommend the COVID-19 vaccines to my pregnant patients. I tell them it is part of taking good care of themselves and their babies.

When I meet a patient who is hesitant to get vaccinated while pregnant, I start by telling them how the vaccines were studied and tested, and how the technology used in the vaccines has been around for more than 20 years. The biggest myth is that people think these vaccines are new and unstudied. So, we talk about how the vaccines are safe, and how getting COVID-19 during pregnancy could be so much worse.

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Lawyer defending Apollo Quiboloy confident amid US sex trafficking case

by RobeRtzon

RaMiRez

Philstar.com

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Pregnant? Planning to become pregnant?

Get vaccinated against COVID-19

reporters in General Santos City.

“Si Presidente pag kaibigan ka, kaibigan talaga (When the President says you’re friends, he really treats you as a friend),” he added.

However, Go maintained that Duterte will not prevent the U.S. from extraditing Quiboloy should

FIST BUMP. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (2nd from right) and Australian Ambassador Steven Robinson AO (middle) do the fist bump during the arrival of 700,000 doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine at NAIA Terminal 3 in Pasay City donated by Australia on Wednesday, November 24. Also in photo is National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer, Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (2nd from left).

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

MANILA — The legal counsel of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name (KJC) expressed confidence in the defense its founding leader, Pastor Apollo Quiboloy, who has been indicted for sex trafficking charges by prosecutors in the United States.

“We are confident and ready to face whatever is hurled against Pastor Quiboloy and the Kingdom leaders. We trust the process of justice and we certainly expect the truth to prevail, and the Kingdom ministry will continue to prosper,” the “KJC Legal Counsel,” who was not named, said in a statement.

Days earlier, U.S. prosecutors announced the filing of sex trafficking charges against Quiboloy, “international administrator” Teresita Dandan who is the top overseer of KJC’s operations in the U.S., and sect leader Felina Salinas.

The KJC said they will remain steadfast and committed to respond to its mission despite “another

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CDC approves COVID-19 boosters for all adults

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

ALL fully-vaccinated adults in the United States are now eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccine boosters, giving them more protection amid the pandemic.

Last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)) authorized its advisory committee’s recommendation to expand vaccine booster eligibility to all

adults ages 18 years and older who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine at least six months after their second dose.

“After critical scientific evaluation, today’s unanimous decision carefully considered the current state of the pandemic, the latest vaccine effectiveness data over time, and review of safety data from people who have already received a COVID-19 primary vaccine series and booster,” CDC Director Sen. Panfilo Lacson

ManilaTimes.net photo

US eyes reinforced Biden nominates Nani Coloretti Report: 1 in 5 defense ties with PH AAPIs experienced as deputy budget director

by MoMaR

a hate incident in the past year

G. Visaya

AJPress

PRESIDENT Joe Biden has nominated two women of color to lead the Office of Management and Budget, which has been called as “the nerve center of the government”.

According to the White House, Nani Coloretti, former Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, will take over as deputy director while Shalanda Young, who has been serving as acting director of OMB, will serve as its director.

If confirmed by the Senate, the Filipino American Coloretti would become one of the highest-ranking Asian Americans in

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Nani Coloretti, a former Obama admin official

File photo

AFTER the most disturbing rise in crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) of the 21st century, a national hate crime tracker reported this week that anti-AAPI hate continues to proliferate across the nation.

Stop AAPI Hate, the national coalition of AAPI organizations dedicated to addressing anti-AAPI discrimination, released new findings on Thursday, Nov. 18 bring the total number of reported AAPI hate incidents and crimes to 10,370 between March 19, 2020 and Sept. 30, 2021.

In addition to the tally, Stop AAPI Hate

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by beRnadette

e. taMayo and deMpsey Reyes ManilaTimes.net

SENATOR Panfilo “Ping” Lacson said the United States is exploring the possibility of strengthening its Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) with the Philippines to prevent further incursions into its territory.

The EDCA supplements the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty and the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement between the U.S. and the Philippines. It was signed in Manila on April 28, 2014.

Flying in on a private plane on Saturday, November 20, Lacson visited Pag-asa Island, the second largest island in the

disputed Spratlys chain in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

Pag-asa is about 500 kilometers from Palawan and within the jurisdiction of the municipality of Kalayaan. “Gusto nilang [U.S.] i-enhance pa ‘yung EDCA (they want to further enhance EDCA), including funding requirements,” Lacson, a presidential candidate, said.

“I think the United States is becoming a little more aggressive when it comes to the West Philippine Sea issue, which is a good indication,” he added.

U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said

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From The FronT Page

Marcos says he tested negative in cocaine test, COVID-19 vaccine-or-test insists he wasn’t being alluded to by Duterte requirements increase work and costs for gov’ts by dAPhne

GAlvez Inquirer.net

MANILA — To put to rest speculations brought by President Duterte’s claims of a cocaine-hitting presidential aspirant, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday, November 23 claimed he has undergone a cocaine test, and had tested negative.

Marcos said he had the drug test done on Monday and his results were submitted on Tuesday to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the National Bureau of Investigation.

“I really don’t feel that I am the one being alluded to. In spite of that, I believe it is my inherent duty as an aspiring public official to assure my fellow Filipinos that I am against illegal drugs,” he said in a statement.

“This is why I took a cocaine test yesterday and the result was submitted this morning to the PDEA, the office of the Chief of the PNP, and the NBI,” he added.

Marcos said he is a “vigilant antiillegal drugs campaigner” and called on political aspirants to take the drug test to “ensure our people, particularly the young

he described as a “weak leader” but said he came from a rich and well-known family with a famous patriarch.

In a later speech, Duterte said the presidential aspirant was able to elude the police because he does cocaine in exclusive places such as yachts and private planes.

Duterte also went on a separate speech describing Marcos, the scion of the late dictator former President Ferdinand Marcos, as a “weak leader,” as he rejected the idea of forming an alliance with LakasCMD, the political party of her daughter, incumbent Davao City Mayor Sara DuterteCarpio, who will run for vice president in tandem with Marcos Jr. in next year’s polls.

The camp of Marcos Jr. has brushed aside Duterte’s remarks, saying they feel that their candidate is not the one being alluded to by the President.

Meanwhile, in an effort to prove they were Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Inquirer file photo not the ones being alluded to by Duterte, generation, that no elected leader is into presidential aspirant Senator Panfilo Lacson, along with his running mate Senate illegal substances.”

Duterte earlier questioned the leadership President Vicente Sotto III, went to the skills and the contributions of a presidential PDEA on Monday to undergo voluntary aspirant, pointing out that the individual is drug testing.

They were found negative for cocaine and even using illegal drugs such as cocaine.

He did not name the candidate, whom other illegal drugs. n

Go: Pres. Duterte will not prevent Quiboloy extradition...

PAGE 1 it happen.

“Abugado si PRRD at ako po’y naniniwala na sumusunod sa batas ang ating presidente.

Bilang presidente, naniniwala ako siya nagpapatupad sa anumang treaty (President Rodrigo Duterte is a lawyer and I believe our President follows the law. As president, I believe that he implements any treaty),” he said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Department of Justice (DOJ) pointed out that there will be no need for extradition if Quiboloy turns himself in to the jurisdiction of the U.S. authorities.

“All talks about possible extradition will be mooted if the person sought to be extradited opted to voluntarily surrender to the jurisdiction of the requesting state and defend himself/herself with the assistance of counsel in the appropriate legal proceedings in the requesting state,” said Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra in a separate statement.

On Friday, Nov. 19, U.S. prosecutors

reckon with in terms of its military might and economic influence. “A direct confrontation, therefore, would only put our country at the losing end so we need to build a strong alliance with other nations that could rival China’s strength,” Lacson said.

By aligning with other nations that support freedom of navigation in the disputed waters, he believes the country could deter China from bullying its weaker neighbors, which are trying to maintain maritime rights in their own exclusive economic zones (EEZs).

Lacson indicated plans to increase the defensive capabilities of Philippine troops guarding outlying islands and territorial waters, as well as providing livelihood, housing and education to Pag-asa residents.

With Lacson were Partido Reporma president and former House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, secretary general and Davao del Norte Gov. Edwin Jubahib, senatorial candidate and former Philippine National Police chief Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, spokesperson Ashley Acedillo, and former Interior Secretary and National Unity Party chairman Ronaldo Puno.

In an online message to reporters on Sunday, November 21, Defense Secretary Delfin

michelle Gomez And Phil GAlewitz Kaiser Health News

AMANDA Kostroski, a 911 dispatcher in Madison, Wisconsin, leaves her busy job once a week to go to a county health clinic to be tested for COVID-19.

She’s been making the 15-minute drive from work since late September, when Dane County mandated all employees get vaccinated or tested weekly. The testing is free, and she is typically back to work within an hour.

Kostroski is among 10% of county employees who are unvaccinated and get weekly tests. She chose not to get immunized because she thinks the vaccines are too new and she fears side effects.

Kostroski said she doesn’t understand the need for the shots or why vaccinated people are not tested, since they can sometimes also transmit the virus. “I think it’s pointless,” said Kostroski, 34, who has always tested negative. She’s been told by vaccinated colleagues that they feel burdened filling in for people getting tested.

Dane is one of several dozen counties, cities and states that require workers to get a COVID vaccine or get tested regularly. While some employees complained about the policy, county officials say, it helps keep the workplace safe with modest interruptions. They also say vaccinated workers don’t need testing because they are less likely to get infected and, if they do, are less likely to contract a severe case of COVID. But it has been costly, often requiring governments to use federal COVID relief dollars they would rather have spent elsewhere.

Some private employers have adopted similar policies. And starting Jan. 4, the Biden administration will require private employers with 100 or more workers to insist on shots or weekly testing.

But opposition to those mandates runs deep among some workers, unions and conservative leaders. More than two dozen Republican state attorneys general sued the administration, arguing the federal government lacks the authority. A federal appeals court agreed with them and temporarily blocked the order, and the case might end up before the Supreme Court.

Still, these early efforts by state and local governments offer insights into what Biden’s rule might mean for the wider private sector as companies deal with setting up and paying for testing and then monitoring the results. The regimen adds more work for government managers even in localities like Dane County, where nearly 90% of adults are at least partly vaccinated.

Nationally, about 81% of adults are at least partly vaccinated against COVID, although rates vary widely among states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Jurisdictions run by conservative officials tend to have lower vaccination rates and are unlikely to require vaccinations or testing for workers — meaning experiences to date don’t reflect areas that have had strong opposition to vaccines and other COVID requirements.

organized just recently in the United States, but (Kingdom of Jesus Christ, The Name Above Every Name) and all its followers remain steadfast and committed to faithfully respond to its mission, its ministry and its divine calling despite all the detraction efforts made against them,” the KJC Legal Counsel said in a statement.

It also said that accusations will not “detract” the KJC from its mission and ministry.

“People may have tried to silence Pastor Quiboloy, but they cannot put down the Kingdom nation. They will never detract from the mission and the ministry of The Kingdom. It will never stop. It will go on forever,” said the KJC Legal Counsel. u PAGE 7 “We are confident and ready to face whatever is hurled against Pastor Quiboloy and the Kingdom leaders. We trust the process of justice and we certainly expect the truth to prevail, and the Kingdom ministry will continue to prosper,” it added. n PAGE 1 also conducted a survey between Sept. 21 and Oct. 8 of this year that yielded a concerning statistic: 1 in 5 AAPIs have experienced a hate incident in the past year. In terms of average number, that translates to 4.8 million Asian Americans and 320,000 Pacific Islanders.

Lorenzana said China has no with Chinese Ambassador to According to Stop AAPI Hate, verbal harassment and shunning right to harass Filipino ships the Philippines Huang Xilian continue to make up the largest share of types of incidents, since the night of November comprising about 79% of total incidents. Like previous findings, within the country’s EEZ. Lorenzana and Armed Forc- 16, when the incident trans- a majority of incidents take place in public, and women — who es chief Lt. Gen. Andres Centi- pired until November 20. comprise 62% of the reports — are more likely to be the targets.

He said Huang had assured no ordered the resumption of Stop AAPI Hate’s finding coincides with other survey findings. resupply missions to Ayungin him the Chinese “will not inter- Last month, a survey from NPR and Harvard found that 1 in 4 Asian fere” with supply missions to Americans feared their families would be attacked because of their Shoal.

China’s Ministry of Foreign Ayungin Shoal. race. In the spring, Morning Consult relased a report that found “We will see if they are true that 3 in 5 Asian adults feel that the rise in anti-Asian harassment Affairs defended the action of the Chinese coast guard ves- to their word as our navy will and violence greatly affected their mental health. sels, saying the Philippine proceed with the resupply this Notably, Asian American respondents with a high school boats “trespassed” Chinese week,” Lorenzana said. education (41.2%) are experiencing hate twice as much as those Vice Admiral Ramil Roberto with college degrees (19.8%). One in three Asian American parents waters.

Zhao Lijian, the ministry’s Enriquez, commander of the also reported their child was targeted in a hate incident at school. spokesman, said the coast military’s Western Command “It’s tragic but not surprising that Asian Americans with lower guard ships “performed official which covers the West Philip- education levels are experiencing more hate,” said Cynthia Choi, duties in accordance with the pine Sea, said the supply boats co-founder of Stop AAPI Hate and co-executive director of Chinese law and upheld China’s territo- involved in the incident were for Affirmative Action, in a statement. “Anti-Asian hate is tied to rial sovereignty and maritime still under repair after incur- systemic racism against our community. Stopping hate is not about order.” Lorenzana stressed it ring damage. quick fixes like law enforcement but about deeper investment in Even after the repairs are our communities.” was China who has been violating the Philippines’ sovereign completed, the boats still have The hate crime tracker — which gathers self-reported hate to undergo sea trials before be- incidents via website submissions — has been tracking antirights.

He said the 200-nautical-mile ing deployed again, Enriquez Asian hate since the beginning of the pandemic when anti-Asian EEZ was established by the said. xenophobic harassment began rising. Stop AAPI Hate has been He said bigger ships from among the leading organizations pushing for more community1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Un- the Philippine Navy, Philip- based solutions and investment from lawmakers to prioritize pine Coast Guard and Bureau solutions that address anti-AAPI harassment, discrimination, and clos).

China was among the nations of Fisheries and Aquatic Re- violence. that ratified the Unclos, Lo- sources cannot be used for “The levels of Asian American children experiencing hate supply missions because of the in school is devastatingly high,” Russell Jeung, co-founder of renzana said.

“Therefore, they have no shallow approaches to Ayungin Stop AAPI Hate and professor of Asian American Studies at San right to impede, prevent or Shoal.

Francisco State University, said in a statement. “There needs to be “One wrong move can lead an urgent push toward incorporating solutions that promote racial harass our ships within our EEZ whether we are fishing to the ship running aground,” understanding in schools, including through investment in Ethnic or bringing supplies to our he said.

Studies.”

“What I want to assure our detachment in [BRP] Sierra Victims can anonymously report the details of an incident on Madre in Ayungin Shoal,” he fellow Filipinos is that we will the website after which they will prompted questions about how not stop securing our seas,” they feel about what happened and if they’ve sought any legal or said.

He said he has been in talks Enriquez said. n emotional counsel. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress) n

charged Quiboloy and two other top church officials for participating in a conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion.

In a 74-page indictment, the three church leaders were alleged to have recruited females ranging from approximately 12 to 25 years of age to work as personal assistants or “pastorals” for Quiboloy.

“The victims prepared Quiboloy’s meals, cleaned his residences, gave him massages, and were required to have sex with Quiboloy in what the pastorals called ‘night duty,’” it added.

Five females allegedly fell victim to this, three of whom were minors when the supposed sex trafficking began.

For its part, Quiboloy’s camp dismissed the sex-trafficking charges filed against him in the U.S. “Once again, another vicious attempt to bring down Pastor Apollo C. Quiboloy and some of the Kingdom leaders has been

US eyes reinforced defense ties with PH...

PAGE 1 on Friday his country is standing with its longtime ally, the Philippines, following mounting tension in the WPS over the Ayungin Shoal incident.

Last November 16, three Chinese coast guard ships fired water cannon to turn back two civilian boats resupplying Filipino troops stationed at the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded Philippine Navy ship in the Ayungin Shoal that has been converted into a Philippine Marines outpost.

Price agreed that the actions of the Chinese vessels directly threatened peace and stability in the region and infringed on the freedom of navigation guaranteed under international law.

Lacson, chairman of the Senate Committee on National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation said diplomacy must still reign in dealing with issues concerning the WPS. Citing his own observations following his visit to Pag-asa Island over the weekend, he said one of the best ways for the Philippines to defend its territorial integrity is to create a “balance of power” in the region.

The Partido Reporma chairman and standard-bearer recognizes that China is a force to

by AmAndA

Report: 1 in 5 AAPIs...

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From The FronT Page

PAL reroutes more flights to alternative gateways

by Richmond

meRcuRio Philstar.com

MANILA — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is rerouting flights to alternative gateways outside Manila to accommodate the high demand this holiday season and prevent greater inconvenience.

“We are utilizing new ports of entry to accommodate more returning Filipinos and prevent cancellations of flights due to arrival limit at NAIA,” PAL said.

“Our top priority is to help more of you fly home for the holidays,” the airline said.

International arrivals to Manila are currently limited to 4,000 passengers daily, which are shared by all international airlines.

Given this existing cap at NAIA, PAL has recently rerouted flights from Bangkok to Panglao, Los Angeles and San Francisco to Cebu, Kuala Lumpur to Laoag, Doha to Subic, and Dubai to Subic, Davao or Cebu, among others.

“We realize that any change of routing affects your travel plans and regret the inconvenience.

However, we believe this is better than scaling back on flights that would make it harder for

SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021

When you GET VACCINATED you have greater protection against hospitalization and death.

Philstar.com photo

Filipinos to proceed with their homecoming plans,” PAL said.

“With December just around the corner, we recognize that more and more of you need to find a way to fly home and reunite with your families. With the help of enlightened government intervention to open up alternative airports and liberalize health and quarantine protocols, we will do our best to adjust our network so that we can fly more people home and support the revival of our local economy,” it said.

PAL said passengers whose

flights are rerouted to a new gateway may complete their quarantine at their port of entry in any accredited hotel.

They can also fly onward to their final booked destination with PAL at no extra cost.

“Philippine Airlines welcomes the latest government decision to increase the strict limits on flying overseas passengers into Manila. We continue to appeal for further increases that will help us add more flights on more routes from Asia, the Middle East, Australia and North America,” the airline said. n

Biden nominates Nani Coloretti as...

PAGE 1 the administration. Young, on the other hand, would be the first Black woman to serve in the top role in the agency.

“Today it’s my honor to nominate two extraordinary, history-making women to lead the Office of Management and Budget,” Biden said in a video announcement released Wednesday, Nov. 24.

“A proud Filipino-American, Nani will be one of the most senior Asian American leaders in government, Biden said. “I urge the Senate to swiftly confirm them again so they can lead OMB at this important time.”

The president also cited the historic nominations as he continues to build what he called “the most diverse presidential cabinet in history” and noted both had previously won Senate confirmation for other posts.

The OMB oversees the $4 trillion federal budget and helps coordinate operations and regulations across the government, giving it significant influence over the President’s agenda.

Coloretti currently serves as senior vice president for financial and business strategy at the Urban Institute, a Washington, DC-based

think tank that conducts economic and social policy research.

“This will be a homecoming for Nani, who started her career as a presidential management fellow at OMB,” Biden said.

Before joining HUD under the Obama administration, Coloretti spent five years at the US Department of Treasury and helped establish the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau where she served as its chief operating officer.

“I think the broader challenge for me as a Filipino American who is half Filipina is to make sure that my voice can be heard in an effective way. I think it helps that I come from a diverse state of people with different ways of communicating and interacting,” Coloretti said in a 2016 interview with the Asian Journal. “I also think that any challenge can also be an opportunity. So, being someone who is different from others in a table can be helpful, particularly if I am operating with both ears open and with curiosity.” Coloretti told the Asian Journal in a 2016 interview.

Prior to joining the Obama administration, Coloretti spent several years as a policy adviser and budget director for then San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. n

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Attorney General Bonta... Lawyer defending Apollo Quiboloy confident amid...

PAGE 1 California is home to more DACA recipients than any other state in the country.

“From defending DACA in court to supporting new federal efforts to fortify it, California will continue to lead the way in standing up for our nation’s Dreamers,” said Bonta. “DACA is critical, it is needed, and it’s important we get these updated regulations done. DACA recipients — many of whom are on the front lines of this pandemic — deserve to have peace of mind about their status. Bottom line: For hundreds of thousands of Dreamers across the country, home is here.

They continue to show up for our communities and we’re going to keep showing up for them.”

The DACA program has allowed recipients to live, study, and work across the United States free from the fear of being forcibly separated from their families and communities. DACA has enabled hundreds of thousands of grantees to enroll in colleges and universities, complete their education, start businesses that help improve our economy, and give back to our communities as teachers, medical professionals, engineers, and entrepreneurs — all on the books. These contributions became especially evident as the deadly coronavirus pandemic began to sweep through the nation and thousands of DACA recipients stood, and continue to stand, on the frontlines as essential workers. As of April 2020, an estimated 27,000 healthcare workers and support staff depend on DACA for their authorization to work in the United States, including nurses, dentists, pharmacists, physician assistants, home health aides, technicians, and others. DACA has also advanced public health and societal interests in another way: by giving its recipients the opportunity to procure employer-provided health insurance, which has been particularly critical as the states fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the comment letter, the coalition asserts, among other things: • DACA has public safety and public health benefits for the states; • The states benefit economically from DACA and DACA recipients; • DACA and DACA recipients are important to the states’ higher education institutions; • The states have adopted laws, regulations, and programs in reliance on DACA; and • Opponents of DACA are unable to substantiate any alleged harms.

In filing the comment letter, Attorney General Bonta is joined by the attorneys general of New Jersey, New York, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. n

Attorney General Rob Bonta

File photo

PAGE 1 vicious attempt to bring down” Quiboloy and two of its top officials. “With the growing ministry and followers of the Kingdom comes also the growing opposition who are trying their best to destroy it and all the Kingdom leaders. While jealousy and evil will never stop, we strongly believe that good always triumphs over evil,” the KJC said. The religious group, now with churches around the world, started in 1985 with only 15 members.

The KJC believes that the people who hurled accusations against Quiboloy in California are the same people trying to drag Quiboloy into the case in Hawaii, where its leader Salinas was charged with currency smuggling.

The U.S. District Court of Hawaii dismissed the case against Salinas and reduced her sentence to about a month’s deten-

tion and a small fine for allegedly lying about a suitcase with hidden cash found in Quiboloy’s plane flying back to the Philippines in 2018.

In a related development, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra told reporters in a Viber message that the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) will perform its mandate under the law, regardless of the persons involved in the case.

“We have an existing extradition treaty with the U.S. We also have an existing agreement on mutual legal assistance in criminal matters with that country,” Guevarra said when asked if they received an extradition request from their U.S. counterpart.

He said that in the event their U.S. counterpart requests for Quiboloy’s extradition, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Apollo Quiboloy would step in. n

Philstar.com photo

Pregnant? Planning to become pregnant? Get vaccinated...

PAGE 1 I do have one patient who got seriously ill while pregnant and now regrets not getting vaccinated. Instead of getting what we know is a safe vaccination, she ultimately had to have seven or eight different medications to treat her serious COVID illness while pregnant. At my hospital, we also have had unvaccinated pregnant women die from COVID-19.

It is heartbreaking. I don’t want anyone to go through that.

To help pregnant people or people seeking to become pregnant from across California understand the importance of getting vaccinated against COVID-19, I’m sharing my answers to these frequently asked questions about pregnancy and the vaccines I have heard from members of our community. I hope this FAQ helps make your vaccination decision easier.

Q. If I am pregnant, is it safe for me to receive a COVID-19 vaccine?

A. Pregnant and lactating people may receive any of the three COVID-19 vaccines currently authorized for use in the U.S. These vaccines use a small piece of the virus that can’t cause infection but trigger an immune response in the body – causing the body to produce protective antibodies. All three vaccines are safe and effective for people who are pregnant, seeking to become pregnant or breastfeeding.

Q. Were the vaccines studied in pregnant people?

A. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has followed pregnant women who received the COVID vaccine and as of Oct. 18, 2021, more than 168,000 women have been tracked. Based on this information and what is known about how these vaccines work and their ingredients, researchers

found no safety concerns for pregnant people receiving the COVID-19 vaccines.

Q. Why should I get vaccinated while I’m pregnant?

A. Pregnant people are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 than people who are not pregnant. I have seen this in my own patients. Severe illness means that a person with COVID-19 may need hospitalization, intensive care, a ventilator or other special equipment to help them breathe. According to the CDC, symptomatic pregnant people have more than a two-fold increased risk of requiring ICU admission and ventilation, and a 70% increased risk of death. Additionally, premature infants born to people with COVID-19 are also at increased risk for admission to the Neonatal ICU (NICU).

Getting vaccinated is the best way to remain safe. The vaccines do a great job of preventing and lessening the severity of COVID-19 symptoms.

Q. What if I don’t get vaccinated and contract COVID-19 during my pregnancy?

A. Pregnant people with COVID-19 are at higher risk for pregnancy complications, such as high blood pressure, bleeding disorders, death and stillbirth. Don’t take the chance. The vaccine is safe and effective.

Talk to your doctor and schedule an appointment to get vaccinated for the safety of you and your baby.

Q. Will getting the COVID-19 vaccine help my baby?

A. The COVID-19 vaccine may provide your baby some protection from COVID-19.

Recent studies show that vaccinated pregnant people pass antibodies to their developing baby in the womb, so the baby is born with some protection from day one. I tell my vaccinated pregnant patients they are pro-

tecting their babies in the placenta now, and via their breastmilk later.

Q. What about my partner? Should they also get vaccinated?

A. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for everyone who is eligible, including pregnant people, those who are planning to become pregnant and their partners. Expectant parents should also encourage family members or friends who plan to visit their newborn baby to get vaccinated now.

Q. I am not yet pregnant, but I am planning to become pregnant. Will the vaccine affect my fertility or my partner’s?

A. There is no evidence that COVID-19 vaccines cause any loss of fertility. Many people have become pregnant after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine, including some who got vaccinated during the COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials.

Q. I am breastfeeding my baby. Should I wait to get vaccinated?

A. The COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all people 12 years and older, including people who are breastfeeding. Recent reports have shown that breastfeeding people who have received mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have antibodies in their breastmilk, which could help protect their babies.

Q. Are there any other concerns for pregnant people regarding the COVID-19 vaccines?

A. As with anyone who receives the COVID-19 vaccines, pregnant people may experience mild side effects, such as body aches, chills and tiredness. These side effects are normal and a sign that your body is building immunity. (By Angela Nishio, MD, OB-GYN/Medical Director, Women’s Health Services Providence Saint John’s Health Center) n

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SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021

Dateline PhiliPPines

5

ICC: PH gov’t must provide info on drug war probe

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

THE Philippines must provide “substantiating” information on its probe into the reported deaths during the country’s anti-narcotic operations to support its deferral request, according to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan on Tuesday, November 23, said that he will request proof from the Philippine government in accordance with Rule 53 of the ICC Rules of Procedure and Evidence.

“The Office of the Prosecutor takes the view that a State requesting deferral under Article 18(2) of the Rome Statute must provide information concerning its investigations to support its request,” he said in a statement.

According to Khan, the information provided must consist of “tangible evidence, of probative value and a sufficient degree of specificity, demonstrating that concrete and progressive investigative steps that have been or are currently being undertaken to ascertain the responsibility of persons for alleged conduct falling within the scope of the

authorized ICC investigation.”

“The Prosecutor will, in the coming days request, the Philippines to provide substantiating information regarding the investigations and proceedings referenced in its Deferral Request,” he said.

“The Office of the Prosecutor will request that such information be provided promptly, as envisaged by article 18 of the Rome Statute and as necessary to ensure that there is no impunity for Rome Statute crimes,” Khan added.

In a court notification dated Nov. 18, the ICC decided to suspend its investigation following a deferral request sent by Philippine Ambassador to the Netherlands Eduardo Malaya.

Malaya, in his letter, said that the administration was already looking into the alleged crimes against humanity committed during the drug war. He also stated that the Philippine government “has undertaken, and continues to undertake, thorough investigations of all reported deaths during anti-narcotic operations in the country.”

For his part, Khan assured that the Office of the ICC Prosecutor would continue its analy-

sis of information it has or may continue to receive despite the deferral.

“As this process unfolds, the Office will continue to be particularly attentive to the security, safety and wellbeing of victims and witnesses, and the protections and measures foreseen under the Rome Statute in this regard, including potential recourse to article 70 of the Statute where warranted,” he said.

In September, the ICC’s pre-trial chamber found a “reasonable basis” to proceed with a full investigation into Duterte’s bloody war against illegal drugs.

The decision was signed by Presiding Judge Péter Kovács, Judge Reine Adélaïde Sophie Alapini-Gansou, and Judge María del Socorro Flores Liera.

“On the basis of the above, the Chamber concludes that there is a reasonable basis for the Prosecutor to proceed with an investigation, in the sense that the crime against humanity of murder appears to have been committed, and that potential case(s) arising from such investigation appear to fall within the Court’s jurisdiction,” the judges said. n

CDC approves COVID-19...

PAGE 1 Rochelle Walensky said Friday, November 19.

“Booster shots have demonstrated the ability to safely increase people’s protection against infection and severe outcomes and are an important public health tool to strengthen our defenses against the virus as we enter the winter holidays.

Based on the compelling evidence, all adults over 18 should now have equitable access to a COVID-19 booster dose,” she added.

Earlier that day, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) unanimously voted to recommend booster shots

to all adults. It also recommended that every adult ages 50 and over should receive a booster.

Likewise, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the requests of American drug makers Pfizer and Moderna to clear the booster doses for all fully vaccinated adults 18 and older.

“Authorizing the use of a single booster dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 18 years of age and older helps to provide continued protection against COVID-19, including the serious consequences that can occur, such as hospitalization and death,” said Acting FDA

Commissioner Janet Woodcock.

According to the FDA, streamlining the eligibility criteria and making booster doses available to all adults “will also help to eliminate confusion about who may receive a booster dose and ensure booster doses are available to all who may need one.”

In October, the CDC and FDA approved the mixing and matching of booster shots, allowing vaccinated adults to get a different brand as a booster than was used for an initial vaccination.

Based on the latest numbers from the CDC, more than 35 million people in the U.S. have received a booster shot. n

SUPPORT. National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) deputy director, Eleanor Rachel Angeles (2nd from right), receives a check worth P8.82 million from Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) general manager Royina Garma (2nd from left) in a ceremony at the PCSO main office in Mandaluyong City on Monday, November 22. The amount represents the bureau’s share from PCSO’s STL earnings for the second quarter of 2021.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

‘There are things I have to do before retiring’ - Duterte

MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he ditched his plan to retire from politics after his term ends in June next year because there are still goals he wants to achieve.

“There are just things that I have to do before retiring. But not really staying for something na (that) it’s no longer our time,” Duterte said in a speech in General Santos City.

He did not elaborate what these goals are but reiterated that “there’s always a time for everything.”

“A time to be great, a time to be small, a time to be a shining star, but a time to fade and just maghanap ka na lang ng kanto kung saan magkakasya. Ganoon ang tingin namin sa buhay namin (look for a place to fit in. That’s what we think about life),” he added.

Duterte said it does not really matter if his administration was remembered for their accomplishments because it is their job to serve the country and people.

“We do not really care if we are remembered or not. That’s something na (that’s) irrelevant

President Rodrigo Duterte Malacañang photo by Ace Morandante

kasi (because) as I have said trabaho namin ‘yan (it’s our job) and we are just doing what we are supposed to do,” he said.

On October 2, Duterte announced that he will retire from politics.

He, however, surprised many when he filed his candidacy for senator via a representative in the 2022 elections.

His certificate of candidacy was filed by representative Melchor Aranas during the last day of the filing of statements of withdrawal and substitution

at the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in Intramuros, Manila on November 15.

He substituted a certain Mona Liza Visorde, who withdrew her certificate of candidacy for senator.

Duterte, who chairs the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDPLaban), is running for senator under Pederalismo ng Dugong Dakilang Samahan (PDDS), an allied party of the PDP-Laban.

The PDP-Laban earlier planned to field Duterte as vice president with his longtime aide, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go as president.

He later withdrew his vice presidential bid in consideration of public sentiment that his intent to seek the second top post violates the Constitution.

He was referring to the June 23 to 26 polls conducted by the Social Weather Stations (SWS), which showed that 60 percent of 1,200 adult Filipinos believed that his vice-presidential run could violate the intention of the Constitution, “which should be amended first before he may run for office again.” (Azer Parrocha/PNA) n

6

NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

OpiniOn

Preventing a resurgence

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

Features

AFTER jumping to 2,227 new cases on Sunday, November 21, COVID infections again fell below 1,000 yesterday for the first time in a week. The daily tally of 984 did not include data from five laboratories, according to the Department of Health.

DOH officials have repeatedly warned the public against complacency as pandemic restrictions are eased to revive the economy in the final quarter of the year and allow people to have some cheer during the Christmas season.

In Europe, restrictions are being reimposed in several countries amid a fresh surge in COVID cases attributed to the highly contagious Delta strain and its sub-variant that is said to be even more infectious. Beginning Nov. 22, Austria became the first European country to reimpose a full COVID lockdown, with Germany saying it might do the same, sending jitters through financial markets.

The Netherlands has been under partial lockdown since Nov. 13. Beginning Feb. 1 next year, vaccination will also be required for all Austrians.

Even with new infections slowing in the Philippines, health experts have also pointed out that COVID deaths remain high. Last Sunday, 175 deaths were recorded; 99 were added on Monday, November 22, bringing the total to 45,808.

The numbers do not include the people who die

after recovering from the illness but suffer from post-COVID complications such as cardiac and respiratory problems.

As restrictions on minors are lifted, there is also growing concern about pediatric infections, since most children are not yet vaccinated against COVID. Tracking infection trends, the OCTA Research Group says daily cases could go down to as low as 500 by December, allowing Metro Manila to be eased to the lowest Alert Level 1 – but only if people continue strictly observing COVID safety protocols.

Tossing out those protocols is one of the reasons being cited for the resurgence of COVID in Europe. Masking and physical distancing have been junked even as vaccine hesitancy persists in many areas, while efficacy of the jabs has also started waning among the first groups to be inoculated.

The world is now seeing the consequences of all these factors. If Filipinos want to avoid a return to lockdowns, there must be no room for complacency. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

Philstar.com photo

Thanksgiving reflections: Offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to God even before He answers our prayers The Fil-Am Perspective Gel SantoS-ReloS THANKSGIVING is a very special holiday, very much like Christmas minus the tree and decorations, gift giving, carols, and festive parties.

But like Christmas, such love and beauty of the season makes our hearts sing praises of joy and thanksgiving, especially when our family gather together, hold hands in prayer before our Thanksgiving feast, acknowledging the pure solemnity of the moment that we have everything within our reach all that are essential and important — our life, our family, our faith.

However, when there are dark clouds hovering over us, when times are so difficult and the pain becomes excruciatingly hard to bear, when the toxicity of lies and deception cause us to be blind

to what is real and what is important, when the hurdles of sickness, loneliness, lack cause us to lose hope, it becomes so hard to pray to offer praise and thanksgiving.

It is easy to offer praise and thanksgiving when times are great, when people get along in harmony, when our plans go well, when we get what we want, but what if these are not real in our life?

It does not require much faith to praise and thank God when the good times are rolling. But what about in the bad times? This is when the test of our faith comes in.

The Bible says “bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the Lord. For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the Lord.” (Jeremiah 33:11).

It is thought provoking why the word “sacrifice” was used in this verse. But this is what God asks of us — to offer praise and thanksgiving even in the midst of our pains, suffering, hopelessness as our sacrifice, because a sacrifice is something that is hard to do , especially under these

circumstances.

But we do them anyway — to offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving because of our strong faith in God that He will answer our prayers, that He will make everything work together for our good.

This Thanksgiving Day, let me share with you some messages of hope that we can hold on to. Whatever it is we are going through as a person, as a family, as a nation, remember to keep the faith that this, too, shall pass. Weeping may endure for the night but joys comes in the morning. God promises beauty for ashes. But let us do our part — pray, believe, offer praise and thanksgiving, and God will reward us.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Phil 4:6 “Being thankful is not always experienced as a natural state of existence, we must work at it, akin to a type of strength training for the heart.” - Larissa Gomez

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. -1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 “I don’t have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness - it’s right in front of me if I’m paying attention and practicing gratitude.” Brene Brown “…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair” Isaiah 61:3 “Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” - Melody Beattie “Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”

Col. 2:7 “When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around.” - Willie

Nelson “The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.” Ps. 28:7 “I looked around and thought about my life. I felt grateful. I noticed every detail.

That is the key to time travel.

You can only move if you are actually in the moment. You have to be where you are to get to where you need to go.”

- Amy Poehler “I will praise the name of God with song, and shall magnify Him with thanksgiving.” Ps. 69:30 “I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.” - Gilbert K. Chesterton Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. -James 1:2-4

“If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.”

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” Epictetus Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. -Psalm 107:1 Happy blessed meaningful Thanksgiving! *** 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.

BSD: A vision for US-PH relations in the coming decade

Babe’s Eye View BaBe Romualdez OUR two-day meeting with officials of the Pentagon and the Department of State for the 9th Bilateral Strategic Dialogue (BSD) between the Philippines and the United States went extremely well with our signing of a “Joint Vision Statement for a 21st Century United States-Philippines Partnership” that outlines the areas of cooperation that would definitely boost and strengthen our military and economic ties. I have attended three of these dialogues but I must say this is probably the most significant one that will clearly define our relationship with the United States.

The U.S. delegation was headed by Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs Ely Ratner, along with Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Lindsey Ford, Acting Principal Deputy Assis-

tant Secretary of the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Valda Vikmanis-Keller, Assistant Legal Adviser for the East Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau Robert Harris and USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Craig Hart.

I headed the Philippine delegation with Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Asst. Secretary for American Affairs Kira Azucena, along with Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo, Justice Undersecretary Adrian Ferdinand Sugay, Defense Assistant Secretary Teodoro Cirilo Torralba and experts from the Departments of Agriculture, Finance, Foreign Affairs, Justice, National Defense and Trade and Industry, as well as the Office of the President, Anti-Money Laundering Council, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute.

Our discussions were pretty much straightforward on a wide range of issues that include mutual security and defense, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region, maritime issues, emerging common

threats such as cybercrimes, transnational crimes and terrorist networks, trafficking in persons, the pandemic, clean energy, climate change and other mutual concerns.

With so many challenges we faced compounded by the pandemic, we at the embassy in Washington, DC had to double up in extensively making the relationship stronger and more stable and, most especially, more meaningful because we are marking 75 years of diplomatic relations and 70 years of the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. These are the key pillars in our bilateral defense and security relations. Shortly following President Biden’s victory in the Nov. 3 U.S. presidential elections last year, we immediately reached out to Biden’s key advisers so as not to lose time in building our relationship.

The BSD is an annual consultative mechanism to discuss the full range of political, security and economic cooperation between the Philippines and the United States and, as I said, this is probably the best of the lot with the joint vision statement clearly cut in terms of the direction where the partnership is headed, and the commit-

ments made by our two countries given the changing geopolitical landscape and emerging challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Obviously, one of the key challenges that both nations face today involves the situation in the South China Sea. In the joint vision statement, both nations recognized the importance of diplomatic efforts in “building an international coalition that supports the international law-based maritime order” and share the view that “China’s expansive maritime claims in the South China Sea are inconsistent with the international law of the sea” as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the unanimous July 12, 2016 arbitral award that the Philippines asserted once again during the virtual 11th ASEAN Maritime Forum last Tuesday, Nov. 16.

The recent incident in Ayungin Shoal where Chinese Coast Guard vessels blocked and water sprayed Philippine Coast Guard boats on a resupply mission is a clear example of why the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty is critical, particularly the Article IV obligations to respond to an armed attack

on either the U.S. or the Philippines in the Pacific area. Certainly, we welcome the position of the U.S. as articulated in a July 13, 2020 statement that the Pacific area includes the South China Sea. Not surprisingly, the latest act of aggression displayed by the Chinese has sparked outrage and condemnation not only from legislators and Cabinet officials that include Secretary Locsin, who told the Chinese to “back off,” and acting presidential spokesman Karlo Nograles who said, “We will continue to assert our sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction over our territory,” but also local leaders in the municipality of Kalayaan who denounced the bullying as “a gross infringement of our sovereignty and a grave intrusion of our waters.”

Many Fil-Ams are outraged, even going so far as to say that the filing of diplomatic protests is “not enough,” considering the continued aggression displayed by China, claiming almost all of the South China Sea – which is simply preposterous.

We proposed that the BSD working groups continue working together regularly to

address current realities and challenges, and that frank exchanges and regular interactions between both sides must be sustained to keep our momentum.

Obviously, we must also continue efforts to enhance the defense capabilities of our Armed Forces given the current geopolitical tensions. To this end, avenues will be pursued, including funding arrangements, to strengthen the alliance. After all, it is in the best interest of both nations to have a strong and capable Philippine military that can significantly contribute to the partnership in the area of defense and security.

Together with Secretary Locsin and Secretary Lorenzana, we are confident the work we have done in reinforcing the special relationship between the United States and the Philippines will meet common challenges we will face in the next decade and beyond. *** 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.

*** Email: babeseyeview@gmail.com

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

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SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021

MORE TIME OUTDOORS. A girl poses at a Christmas display inside a mall in Quezon City on Sunday, November 21. As quarantine restrictions have been relaxed in Metro Manila, children get to enjoy more time outside their homes so long as they continue to adhere to the health protocols.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

COVID-19 vaccine-or-test requirements...

PAGE 2 Local and state governments that have embraced the testing option have done so because it straddles the line between creating a safe work environment and giving reluctant employees a way to opt out of the vaccine without losing their job.

Blaire Bryant, associate legislative director for health at the National Association of Counties, said, “It’s too early to give a definitive answer on how well it’s going, but so far [we have] not heard any major issues.”

Counties are relying on free COVID testing in their communities, paying for it through federal COVID relief dollars, or having their health insurance companies foot the bill.

Local governments have a smorgasbord of policies on who is subject to the vaccine-or-test requirement and how it’s enforced. For example, all unvaccinated employees of San Diego County, California, who do not work in a health care setting need to provide proof of weekly testing to their supervisor, said spokesperson Michael Workman.

Miami-Dade County’s policy applies only to nonunion workers, or about 9% of its 29,000 employees. About 380 undergo weekly testing. The Florida county is still negotiating with unions about adding the requirement.

Virginia’s Department of Corrections requires unvaccinated employees who work in crowded settings to get tested every three days, and the rest, every seven days. And the expense? It cost the department nearly $7,000 to test 442 staff members over two days in October. The state is tapping federal COVID relief funds to pay for the testing.

Securing scarce testing supplies can be difficult.

The Virginia State Police had to wait more than a month to start a testing program in part because of delays in delivery.

While the Biden administration hoped its rule would motivate more people to get vaccinated, counties have had mixed results.

Officials in Fairfax County, Virginia, outside Washington, D.C., said they have not seen a significant increase in employees submitting vaccination verification since its mandatory shot policy took effect in October. More than 80% of county employees are vaccinated.

The county distributes and pays for self-administered tests for its 2,300 employees who need them, said spokesperson Dawn Nieters. The cost ranges from $35 for a rapid test to $53 for a PCR test, considered the gold standard for detecting COVID.

EMPLOYMENT

Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, which includes Charlotte, did see the needle move. Employees there are responsible for getting their own tests. The vaccination rate jumped from 62% to 85% one month after the requirement was implemented in early September.

George Dunlap, chairman of Mecklenburg’s Board of County Commissioners, said he prefers the vaccine-or-test requirement to a vaccine-only mandate because “you have to allow for human behavior that might be different than yours.” But he isn’t sure the policy will encourage any more workers to get vaccinated.

“The people that I know personally who decided to do the testing are still getting testing. They didn’t change their mind about the vaccination,” he said.

Some health experts question the value of testing as a backup and instead favor mandating the shots.

“A vaccine-and/or-testing policy is second best,” said Jeffrey Levi, a professor of health management and policy at George Washington University. “A testing policy catches a problem early. It doesn’t prevent a problem, whereas the vaccination requirement helps to prevent it.”

Marc Elrich, the executive in Montgomery County, Maryland, in suburban Washington, supports a vaccine-only mandate in theory but worries imposing it would result in workers leaving for jobs in neighboring jurisdictions without similar requirements.

“I wish the federal government would impose a [vaccine-only] mandate, because if the feds were to do it, there wouldn’t be any job portability,” said Elrich. “I wouldn’t have to deal with an employee’s ability to go from, particularly in this region, Montgomery County Police Department to pretty much every other police department around here.”

Robb Pitts, who chairs the Fulton County Board of Commissioners in Atlanta, would also like to do away with the testing option. “But I don’t think my colleagues would necessarily go along with that,” he said. About a third of county employees have opted for testing instead of vaccination.

“Why did I compromise? Because I felt, well, we had to do something,” Pitts said. “A lot of times, politics is the art of compromise.”

According to Pitts’ office, Fulton County saw its largest increase in vaccinations since May in September, when the vaccine-or-test policy was implemented. The vaccination rate now hovers around 72%. n

EMPLOYMENT

FOR RENT

SERVICES

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NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

LEGAL SERVICES FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9024086

Tranquility Transportation LLC located at 2667 Camino del Rio South #301-12, San Diego, CA 92108.

Registrant: Tranquility Transportation LLC, 2667 Camino del Rio South #30112, San Diego, CA 92108.

This business is conducted

by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 10/25/2019.

Signature Tania Khouri.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/25/2021.

AJ 811 11/05, 11/12, 11/19, and 11/26/2021.

AJSD 811

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9024280

South Bay Yachts located at 328 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Registrant: PlayPen Garage, 328 East J Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

This business is conducted by Corporation.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature Nicole Feldman.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/28/2021.

AJ 813 11/05, 11/12, 11/19, and 11/26/2021.

AJSD 813

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9024557

8th & B Poke located at 806 B Ave., National City, CA 91950.

Registrant: ESF Enterprise Corp, 5809 Plumas St.., San Diego, CA 92139.

This business is conducted

by Corporation.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature Christopher L Aure.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/02/2021.

AJ 814 11/05, 11/2, 11/19, and 11/26/2021.

AJSD 814

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9024688

Minked Babe located at 1767 Saint Stefan Ter, San Marcos, CA 92069.

Registrant: Alicia Mae Chavez, 1767 Saint Stefan Ter, San Marcos, CA 92069.

This business is conducted

by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature Alicia Mae Chavez.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/03/2021.

AJ 815 11/05, 11/12, 11/19, and 11/26/2021.

AJSD 815

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9024040

DMG Packings located at 12665 Camino Mira del Mar #212, San Diego, CA 92130.

Registrant: Marcos Lencioni, 12665 Camino Mira del Mar #212, San Diego, CA 92130.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature Marcos Lencioni.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/25/2021.

AJ 817 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, and 12/03/2021

AJSD 817

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

LEGAL SERVICES

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9024483

VIET PHARMACY AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES located at 4616 EL CAJON BLVD., SUITE 6, SAN DIEGO. CA 92115.

Registrant: DT PHARMACY CORPORATION, 4616 EL CAJON BLVD., SUITE 6, SAN DIEGO. CA 92115.

This business is conducted

by CORPORATION. REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 04/15/2011.

Signature PHUONGDUNG T. NGUYEN. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/01/2021.

AJ 818 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, AND 12/03/2021 AJSD 818

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9024484

PHILLIP PHARMACY located at 5507 EL CAJON BLVD., SUITE E, SAN DIEGO, CA 92115.

Registrant: DT PHARMACY CORPORATION, 4616 EL CAJON BLVD., SUITE 6, SAN DIEGO. CA 92115.

This business is conducted

by CORPORATION. REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 04/15/2011.

Signature PHUONGDUNG T. NGUYEN. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/01/2021.

AJ 819 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, AND 12/03/2021 AJSD 819

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9024149

MYND CO. located at 2860 Lincoln Ave., #10, San Diego, CA 92104.

Registrant: Jaelyn Rosales, 2860 Lincoln Ave., #10, San Diego, CA 92104.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature Jaelyn Rosales.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/26/2021.

AJ 820 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, and 12/03/2021

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

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Jeffrey Sipamouane filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Jeffrey Sipamouane to Phonrakit Soiphet.

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 12/09/2021 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. C-61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county.

Asian Journal: OCT. 26, 2021 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Lorna A. Alksne Judge of the Superior Court AJ 812 11/05, 11/12, 11/19, and 11/26/2021 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date.

Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court.

AJSD 812

LEGAL SERVICES

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

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

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

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Alyssa Anjonette Barrera Tugung filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: Alyssa Anjonette Barrera Tugung to Alyssa Anjonette Barrera Ocampo.

THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 12/20/2021 Time: 8:30 AM Dept. C-61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county.

Asian Journal: NOV. 04, 2021 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Lorna A. Alksne Judge of the Superior Court AJ 816 11/05, 11/12, 11/19, and 11/26/2021 ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date.

Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court.

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Stephen Andrew Youmans and Griselda Morales de Youmans on behalf of minor children filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a. Gabriel Andrew Youmans Morales to Gabriel Andrew Youmans b. Anthony David Youmans Morales to Anthony David Youmans c. Adrian Nicholas Youmans Morales to Adrian Nicholas Youmans d. Ariana Guadalupe Youmans Morales to Ariana Guadalupe Youmans THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 12/20/2021 Tine: 8:30 AM Dept. 61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. Asian Journal: NOV. 03, 2021 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Lorna A. Alksne Judge of the Superior Court AJ 823 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, and 12/03/2021.

ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date.

Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court.

TO ALL INTERESTED PERSONS: Petitioner Raul Maximiliano Toriz Beauchamps filed a petition with this court for a decree changing names as follows: a.

Raul Maximiliano Toriz Beauchamps to Max Elias Benveniste Cohen THE COURT ORDERS that all persons interested in this matter appear before this court at the hearing indicated below to show cause, if any, why the petition for change of name should not be granted. Any person objecting to the name changes described above must file a written objection that includes the reasons for the objection at least two court days before the matter is scheduled to be heard and must appear at the hearing to show cause why the petition should not be granted. If no written objection is timely filed, the court may grant the petition without a hearing.

NOTICE OF HEARING Date: 12/22/2021 Tine: 8:30 AM Dept. C-61 Superior Court of California, County of San Diego 330 WEST BROADWAY DEPT. 61 San Diego, CA 92101 A copy of this Order to Show Cause shall be published at least once each week for four successive weeks prior to the date set for hearing on the petition in the following newspaper of general circulation printed in this county. Asian Journal: NOV. 08, 2021 NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON ABOVE DATE: SEE ATTACHMENT Lorna A. Alksne Judge of the Superior Court AJ 824 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, and 12/03/2021.

ATTACHMENT TO ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE FOR CHANGE OF NAME (JC Form #NC-120) NO HEARING WILL OCCUR ON THE DATE SPECIFIED IN THE ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE. The Court will review the documents filed as of the date specified on the Order to Show Cause for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-120).

If all requirements for a name change have been met as of the date specified, and no timely written objection has been received (required at least two court days before the date specified), the Petition for Change of Name (JC Form #NC-100) will be granted without a hearing. One certified copy of the Order Granting Petition will be mailed to the petitioner.

If all the requirements have not been met as of the date specified, the Court will mail the petitioner a written order with further directions.

If timely objection is filed, the Court will set a hearing date and contact the parties by mail with further directions.

A RESPONDENT OBJECTING TO THE NAME CHANGE, MUST FILE A WRITTEN OBJECTION AT LEAST TWO COURT DAYS (excluding weekends and holidays) BEFORE THE DATE SPECIFIED. Do not come to court on the specified date. The court will notify the parties by mail of a future hearing date.

Any Petition for the name change of a minor, that is signed by only one parent, must have this Attachment served along with the Petition and Order to Show Cause, on the other, non-signing parent, and proof of service must be filed with the Court.

AJSD 823

AJSD 824

AJSD 816

AJSD 820

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9024703

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9024286

Yami’s Bakery located at 74 Lion Circle, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Registrant: Brenda Yamilette Avila, 74 Lion Circle, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

This business is conducted

by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 09/15/2020.

Signature Brenda Avial.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/03/2021.

AJ 821 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, and 12/03/2021

EMERGENCY LEGAL SERVICES located at 9450 Mira Mesa Blvd., Ste C-509, San Diego, CA 92126.

Registrant: Jack CruzSilvestre, 9450 Mira Mesa Blvd., Ste C-509, San Diego, CA 92126.

This business is conducted

by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 06/01/2019.

Signature Jack CruzSilvestre.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/28/2021.

AJ 825 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, and 12/03/2021

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9022941

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9025199

AJSD 821

Sunny Day Spa located at 401 H St. #9, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Registrant: Rong Cui, 805 S 4th St., Apt 6, Alhambra, CA 91801.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 10/09/2020.

Signature Rong Cui. Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/12/2021.

AJ 822 11/12, 11/19, 11/26, and 12/03/2021 AJSD 822

AJSD 825

JOYLUX COLLECTIONS located at 1662 Casa Mila Drive, Unit 3, Chula Vista, CA 91913.

Registrant: Jocelyn Tence, 1662 Casa Mila Drive, Unit 3, Chula Vista, CA 91913.

This business is conducted

by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 10/15/2020.

Signature Jocelyn Tence.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/11/2021.

AJ 826 11/26, 12/03, 12/10, 12/17/2021.

AJSD 826

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9024795

Kingdom Apparel located at 2140 Hoover Ave., Suite 212, National City, CA 91950.

Registrant: Miguel Angel Covarrubias, 2140 Hoover Ave., Suite 212, National City, CA 91950.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature Miguel Angel Covarrubias.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/05/2021.

AJ 827 11/19, 11/26, 12/03, and 12/10/2021.

AJSD 827

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9023854

a. Segue Body Wraps located at 3594 Fifth Ave., San Diego, CA 92103. b. RCL & Co. located at 3594 Fifth Ave., San Diego, CA 92103.

Registrant: Rachel Lam Wong, 5378 Bothe Ave., San Diego, CA 92122.

This business is conducted

by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 10/22/2012.

Signature Rachel Lam Wong.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 10/22/2021.

AJ 828 11/19, 11/26, 12/03, and 12/10/2021.

AJSD 828

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9025545

Polar Salts located at 7933 Silverton Ave., Suite 716, San Diego, CA 92126.

Registrant: Dean Meltz, 7933 Silverton Ave., Suite 716, San Diego, CA 92126.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature Dean Meltz.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/16/2021.

AJ 829 11/26, 12/03, 12/10, and 12/17/2021.

AJSD 829

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9025610

North County Home Loans located at 3690 Highland Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008.

Registrant: Gary Kawano, 3690 Highland Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008.

This business is conducted by Individual.

REGISTRANT HAS NOT BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME. Signature Gary Kawano.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/17/2021.

AJ 830 11/26, 12/03, 12/10, and 12/17/2021.

AJSD 830

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT NO. 2021-9025950

Happy Love Desserts, ATBP. located at 1544 Cricket Drive, Chula Vista, CA 91915.

Registrant: Trevilla, LLC, 1065 Surrey Drive, 1544 Cricket Drive, Chula Vista, CA 91915.

This business is conducted

by Limited Liability Company.

REGISTRANT HAS BEGUN TO TRANSACT BUSINESS UNDER THE ABOVED NAME AS OF 11/15/2021.

Signature Grace Trevilla.

Statement filed with Recorder/County Clerk of San Diego County on 11/20/2021.

AJ 831 11/26, 12/03, 12/10, and 12/17/2021.

AJSD 831

SAN DIEGO

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

SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021

JOURNAL

9

9

N OV E M B E R 26 , 2 0 2 1

Fil-Ams Olivia Rodrigo, H.E.R., Saweetie, Bruno Mars earn several Grammy nominations

by AJPress

HE 64th annual Grammy Awards are shaping up to be a prideful event for the Filipino American community as artists T Olivia Rodrigo, H.E.R, Saweetie and Bruno Mars bagged several nominations.

The nominees were announced on Tuesday, November 23, with Grammy Award-winning H.E.R. leading the Fil-Am pack with eight nods, followed by Rodrigo with seven.

H.E.R., who was born to a Filipina mother and an African American father, landed nominations in many of the top categories including Album of the Year and Song of the Year.

She was also nominated for Best R&B album, Best R&B Song, Best R&B Performance, Best Traditional R&B Performance, Best Song Written for Visual Media, and Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song.

“8 NOMS??????????? ONLY GOD. Thank

After a record-breaking year, Olivia Rodrigo has become the first Filipina and second-youngest artist to receive nominations in all four top categories at the 2022 Grammys.

Photo from Instagram_@oliviarodrigo

you to all the people that helped create these records!!!!! WOOOOOO 23 nominations at 24,” she wrote in an Instagram post after the announcement.

This year’s breakout star, 18-year-old Rodrigo, became the first Filipina and second-youngest artist to receive nominations in all four top categories: Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. She also picked up nominations for Best Pop Vocals Album, Best Pop Solo Performance, and Best Music Video.

The Disney star took to Instagram to express her excitement over the announcement.

“Woke up this morning to 7 Grammy nominations. When I was younger, my family lived a few blocks from the staples center, where the Grammys took place every year. I would always walk outside the arena and look at the plaques on the ground with all the winners names in wide eyed wonder,” wrote Rodrigo.

“Many dreams have come true for me this year but this one is probably the most meaningful. thank you to everyone who has believed in me and supported the songs I write,” she added. “I’m beyond humbled. Truly a day I will never forget.

So grateful.”

Meanwhile, Saweetie earned two nods: Best New Artist and Best Rap Song for “Best Friend,” which features fellow Grammy nominee Doja Cat. “2X GRAMMY NOMINATED IKDR !!!!!” the Icy rapper said on Instagram.

She added, “I’m speechless. I wish I had the words to express how I feel but I’m just so grateful!!!!!!! Being acknowledged for all the hard work me and my team have been doing feels AMAZINNNNNG.” Saweetie was born to an African American father and Filipina-Chinese mother. She recently

Rabiya starts showbiz career with ‘determination and an open mind’

by Jerry

Donato Philstar.com

STRUTTING her way to show business is Rabiya Mateo, who was recently welcomed by GMA Artist Center (GMAAC) to its stable of stars. The Miss Universe Philippines 2020 and Miss Universe Top 20 finalist has trodden the road usually traveled by beauty queens after their reign.

Rabiya’s enthusiasm for a new beginning in her professional life was noticeable when she graced the virtual press conference that announced that milestone. The lecturer-turned-beauty queen is now a Kapuso talent.

“What happened was, before I left for the U.S. for the (Miss Universe) competition, I had a dinner and saw Ms. Annette Gozon(-Valdes) of GMA and other managers,” said Rabiya of her entry into the entertainment industry. She made her acting debut in the Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho’s (KMJS) Halloween special, Gabi ng Lagim IX. Annette Gozon-Valdes is GMA Network Films, Inc. president and programming consultant to the chairman and CEO. “Parang it was a joke and she asked me if I wanted to (give) acting a try. And I said, ‘Yes.’ Dati po, nag-de-declaim ako. I don’t know if that counts (as acting). I consider that as my acting experience.”

The newcomer didn’t give much thought about it since Rabiya was focused on the Miss U pageant. After her stint at the annual beauty contest, she received a message from Jonas Gaffud, Miss Universe Philippines creative director, saying that GMA Network expressed interest in getting her as a talent. “Sabi ko, ‘Go.’ It’s an opportunity, hindi lahat din ng beauty queens, after they competed, would be given such an opportunity,” said she. “That’s why I’m thankful that I met Ms. Annette.”

Aside from her enthusiasm, Rabiya is entering this new field with determination and an open mind.

“It’s better to fail at something because you tried, than having (regrets) at the back of your head what if ginawa ko ito,” said she, “I’m the type of person who takes a risk. Now, na-realize ko ang daming nangyaring magan-

Rabiya Mateo

dang bagay sa buhay ko (na) because I took a risk.”

Her potential in acting will be fully showcased in the Sen. Bong Revilla TV starrer, Agimat ng Agila Book Two, in which she will play an interpol agent.

“I’m about to have several workshops,” said Rabiya of her work preparations. “They will give me an acting coach on set to guide me in every scene. We want to give our 100-percent best in this project. I consider this as my break, hindi ko po siya pakakawalan basta-basta.”

To look the part, Rabiya added that she attends a boxing class. “(My character) is gonna work for justice. I love the fact that she’s not the damsel in distress.

She (can) save herself and (people) around her. She is smart and very intelligent and palaban siya sa buhay. We share the same values in life.” When the leading woman role was offered to her, Rabiya remembered that she was on Cloud 9 for several days.

“It’s another dream that is about to come true,” said she.

“Masaya lang kasi ang laki ng paniniwala nila sa akin na kahit wala pa akong much of experience when it comes to acting, binibigyan na nila ako ng opportunity to show my talent.”

In the future, Rabiya would also like to work with Kapuso stars like Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes (her showbiz crush), Bea Alonzo and John Lloyd Cruz.

Asked about other areas of entertainment she would like to foray into, Rabiya said, “Wala

GMA photo

pa namang opportunities for hosting and I wanna try it also.

It’s one of the things that in the coming years, hopefully, I’ll (get to do, and I have) a talk show, in which I ask questions.” She was also open to the idea of starring in a series that delves into the pageant world, like Iza Calzado’s Beauty Queen.

“It was (aired) years ago and I watched it,” said Rabiya, “at isa din yun sa naka-inspire sa akin to join beauty pageants.”

Since the finals for 2021 Miss Earth, Miss Universe and Miss World are just around the corner, Rabiya was also asked to give her pieces of advice to our country’s representatives and aspiring beauty contestants.

“Go for it. You have to be 101 percent (ready) sa pinasukan mo,” said she. “Sometimes it’s not gonna be easy. There’s gonna be a lot of detractors. What I’ve learned from my experience is sometimes you need to protect your inner peace and you will make it. You just have to be your biggest support group. Eyes on the prize. When the competition is near, don’t open your social media. Just stay focused.”

Yes, Rabiya feels blessed that showbiz is her next stop after her reign. She seems to welcome the entertainment industry with this mindset.

“In everything that I do, I need to find a purpose in it,” said she.

“Hindi ko lang siya ginagawa because I benefit from it, but ginagawa ko siya because I put my heart (into it) and I believe in this project.” n

Silk Sonic, a duo consisting of Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, has been nominated for the hit single “Leave the Door Open.”

Photo from Instagram_@brunomars

Four-time Grammy Award-winning R&B artist H.E.R. will be up for eight categories, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year Photo from Instagram_@hermusicofficial

Rapper Saweetie has bagged two nods: Best New Artist and Best Rap Song for “Best Friend,” alongside Doja Cat. Photo from Instagram_@saweetie

made her musical debut on “Saturday Night Live” by performing her brand new single “Icy Chain.”

Silk Sonic, which comprises Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak, garnered nominations for “Leave the Door Open” — Record of the Year, Song of The Year, Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song.

Meanwhile, Elle King — who is of Filipino

descent through her father Rob Schneider — is nominated for Best Country Duo/Group Performance alongside Miranda Lambert for “Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home).”

The 2022 Grammys Awards show will take place on January 31, 2022 in Los Angeles. It will be aired on the CBS Television Network and streamed live and on demand on Paramount+. n

10

NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

Community

City of San Diego General Fund revenues expected to reach pre-pandemic levels by FY2023

Emergency reserves are projected to remain intact and transient occupancy tax to fully recover by FY2024 SAN DIEGO – The City of San Diego released its annual FiveYear Financial Outlook for fiscal years (FY) 2023 to 2027. The long-range fiscal planning report forecasts that the city’s General Fund revenues will reach pre-pandemic levels by FY2023 and exceed them the following year. The report also projects Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue to surpass FY2019 levels

by FY2024, and the city’s General Fund reserves stand intact at $205 million.

“We are making great strides toward rebounding from an unprecedented period in our history, but we still have a lot of work to do in addressing the city’s structural deficit,” said Mayor Todd Gloria. “The COVID-19 pandemic has caused challenges we could never have imagined, but thanks to my administration’s hard work and commitment to fiscal discipline — as well as federal funding — this Five-Year Financial Outlook shows not just a better future but a bright future ahead. We are focused on building a San Diego that works for all of us and will continue seeking out opportunities to help us ac-

complish our goals.”

The Five-Year Outlook forecasts the revenues and expenses needed to maintain the city’s current service levels this year, anticipating a $66.8 million revenue shortfall to the city’s General Fund in FY2023, with a significant and steady recovery through FY2027, when a $65.2 million surplus is projected. The outlook also identifies costs above baseline for FY2023–FY2027 within four main categories: • New facilities such as libraries and fire stations.

• Homelessness strategies and solutions.

• Compliance requirements, including the state-mandated implementation of the Organic Waste Recycling Program (Senate Bill 1383), which will divert food and yard waste from the landfill, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and create compost and mulch.

• Service level improvements, including service needs identified by residents through the City’s Get It Done application that currently are the most requested or have the greatest backlog.

This will allow the city to prior-

itize spending in future budget cycles for identified services such as pothole road repairs, streetlight and traffic signal repairs, tree maintenance and planting, and increased garbage collection at City parks and beaches.

The Five-Year Outlook attributes much of the projected recovery to the positive impacts of high vaccination rates countywide, with 81.2% of the population 12 years and older vaccinated, as reported by the County of San Diego; the continued low transmission rate of COVID-19; the resumption of business and international travel; and the scheduling of large-group events increasing gradually since August this year. Also, President Biden’s American Rescue Plan Act economic stimulus bill helped the city from having to tap into its emergency reserves.

“While the city was not able to contribute to its emergency and stability reserves in 2021 and 2022, it also didn’t need to draw from them, despite the catastrophic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Director of Finance/Comptroller Rolando Charvel. “Federal funds are helping us fill the gap for the next few years.”

Other highlights from the report include a 3.05% assumption for salary increases. Prior outlooks reflected no employee salary increases unless they had been previously negotiated. In addition, the report reflects additional reserve contributions made during the outlook period until reaching the 16.7% reserve target in FY2025 based on the city’s Reserve Policy.

The Five-Year Financial Outlook is not a budget. Still, it does provide the City Council and the public information to facilitate an informed discussion during the development of the FY2023 budget regarding the allocation of limited resources to meet the service needs of San Diego residents. Mayor Gloria will use the Five-Year Financial Outlook to help develop a balanced budget to present to the City Council by April 15, 2022.

(City of San Diego Release) n

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Great medical news

Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS A CARDIOLOGIST friend of mine in Indiana, who had referred countless patients for open-heart surgery to me in the 80s and 90s, had a freak accident at home that broke his neck (like actor Christopher “Superman” Reeves, who fell from a horse), which left him quadriplegic, unable to breathe on his own, with total paralysis of his arms and legs. Connected to a ventilator, he lived for about 10 years. He retained a mind that was brilliant and clear as ever to the end. Unfortunately, the injury to his spinal cord remained “without a cure,” even to this day.

A potential hope for patients with broken spinal cord, with paralysis from the hip down (paraplegia) or from the neck down (quadriplegia) might be in the offing, albeit this could be years down the line. Human neural (nerve) stem cell can restore mobility in cases of chronic spinal injury,” suggests a study from the University of California Irvine, following successful results of transplanted human stem cells in mice, which recovered from their 30day laboratory-induced spinal cord injury.

This encouraging preliminary findings in stem cell therapy for spinal cord injury is indeed promising. The therapeutic strategy will need more laboratory confirmations and, later, application to human clinical trials, before the final verdict is made. At least, it is a spark of hope. *** Vitamin C has been found to rapidly improve a person’s mood state, especially among acutely hospitalized patients, in a double-blind clinical study at Montreal’s Jewish General Hospital and the affiliated Lady Davis Institute for Medical Research. While Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid or L-ascorbate) supplements are available in pills, this antioxidant and essential nutrient is abundant in these plant sources, in the order of level of vitamin C content: kakadu plum, camu camu, rose hip, acerola, jujube, red pepper, red hot chili, guava, parsley, broccoli, kiwifruit, brussels sprouts, papaya, strawberry, orange, kale, lemon, melon, cantaloupe, lime, mango, blackberry, potato and other fruits and vegetables. The phyto-phenols and Vitamin C in these foods also boost immunity. *** The gene that increases an individual’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, tagged MTHFD1L, a gene on chromosome 6, has been identified in a genome-wide study at the John P. Hussman Institute of Genomics at the University of Miami

Miller School of Medicine. This discovery will help the scientific community understand Alzheimer’s better and potentially develop a marker for higher risk persons, and hopefully, discover a preventive regimen, if not an effective treatment for this tragic disease.

Today, there are drugs called cholinesterase inhibitors that can help with the cognitive and behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease “by blocking the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which breaks down the neurotransmitter (brain chemical) acetylcholine, which plays an important role in cognitive functions like thinking and remembering.” Low acetylcholine levels cause memory loss. Some of these medications include Aricept (donepezil), for all stages of Alzheimer’s; and Exelon (rivastigmine) and Razadyne (galantamine), for early and the middle stage of Alzheimer’s.

As the dementia progresses, the level of acetylcholine goes down and even these medications may not be beneficial anymore. *** Medical Xpress reports that “researchers at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering are using generative adversarial networks (GANs) – technology best known for creating deepfake videos and photorealistic human faces – to improve brain-computer interfaces for people with disabilities.”

The team was able to “teach an AI to generate synthetic brain activity data which were fed into a machine-learning algorithms to improve the useability of brain computer interface (BCI), which analyzes a person’s brain signals and translating that neural activity into commands, allowing the user to control digital devices using only their thoughts.”

These devices can obviously help improve the “quality of life for people with motor dysfunction or paralysis, and those fully conscious but unable to move or communicate.” *** Those who hold their breath during sleep, snorers or not, and wake up several times during the night gasping for breath, most likely have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). They are usually sleepy and feeling tired by noon. Undiagnosed and untreated, OSA increases the risk for heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer, due to chronic lack of oxygen during those breath-holding (apneic) moments, which could be dozens, [or even] a hundred. A sleep test is needed to confirm the diagnosis. The good thing about OSA is that today, there is a proven, fully beneficial, treatment for it: the CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine. Users love it and feel more secure using it for a restful sleep every night. *** Anger and any form of stress, especially emotional, can make one ill. Psychosomatic disorders

Before and after photos of Thomas Ave.

are real. Anger, for instance, causes the release of stress hormones, like adrenalin, cortisol and noradrenalin, which increase heart rate, breathing, body temperature, muscle tone, sweating, alertness, and elevated blood pressure. All these also lead to the constriction of arteries in most organs, lessening their blood supply, and channeling a large share of blood supply to the muscles as a part of the body’s defense mechanism.

This is normal physiology when anger sets in, as it prepares the body for fight or flight. Anger also depresses the immune system, slows down digestion, and the alertness it causes impairs sleep. Chronic emotional stress and anger do cause a lot more illnesses, and aggravate existing diseases (depression, heart condition, impending stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, fibromyalgia, insomnia, even allergies and skin diseases, etc.).

On the other hand, positive thoughts, laughing, listening to soothing music, relaxing, loving and the knowledge of being loved, spending quality time with family and friends, feeling happy and having serenity and peace, all these allow the body’s built-in “pharmacy” to produce the good hormones, called endorphins (from the word endogenous, meaning produced by the body, and the word morphine, which is like opium, heroin, and the medical pain killer, morphine). This gives us a high when produced by our body in abundance, circulating in our blood stream. Endorphins switch OFF the nerves in the frontal lobe of the brain, inhibiting pain, and this part of the brain is then flooded with endogenous dopamine, resulting in the sense of euphoria, the reason why many are addicted to drugs.

Let’s us encourage our mind and body to produce these endorphins more often and be addicted to them, for a cheaper, healthier, safer, and legal way of getting high. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: FUN8888.com and philipSchua.com; Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com.

File photo www.sandiego.gov

City launches sidewalk reset pilot program, adds to ongoing effort

New deep-cleaning sanitization method removes grime from sidewalks for long-term cleanliness SAN DIEGO – With a goal of keeping San Diego clean, the City of San Diego on Tuesday, November 23 announced the launch of a new pilot program for sidewalk sanitization that aims to help sidewalks remain cleaner, longer.

“Through evaluating the effectiveness of current efforts and creative thinking by our city and Clean Harbors crews, we’re taking cleanliness to the next level,” Mayor Todd Gloria said. “These sidewalk resets will prevent the spread of bacteria, beautify our neighborhoods and improve the quality of life for our residents and visitors.”

Dubbed a “Sidewalk Reset,” the city is now employing a deep-cleaning method to remove grime and build-up from sidewalks in Downtown, beach areas, and South Bay, among other areas being evaluated. Crews developed the new approach after noticing the regular sanitizing solution beading off the sidewalks due to buildup of grease and dirt.

Regular sidewalk sanitization efforts consist of a quick spray application of a mist containing a mixture of water and bleach to kill bacteria. Al-

ternatively, the Sidewalk Reset involves a deep power washing of the sidewalk and gutter, street sweeping and removal of the water and can take up to two hours per block. The new program, coupled with the regular sanitization cleanings, will be more effective in the long-term for overall sidewalk cleanliness and sanitization.

The City of San Diego’s Environmental Services Department contracts with Clean Harbors to provide sidewalk sanitization services, as well as remove incidental hazardous waste, primarily consisting of human waste and hypodermic needles. The city’s Stormwater Department assists with the street sweeping and removal of water runoff.

Since 2017, San Diego has sanitized sidewalks in areas across the city on a regular basis to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Recently, the City increased those ongoing sanitization efforts to seven days per week due to an outbreak of Shigellosis among persons experiencing homelessness.

(City of San Diego Release) n

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SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL • NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021

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SFIO acquires PH-based tech and software development hub LNS+ to establish global, cross-industry innovation ecosystem RECENTLY, OTC:SFIO Starfleet Innotech, Inc. (Smokefree Innotec, Inc.) announced its acquisition of Philippine-based software development company LEENTech Network Solutions (LNS+), marking the asset management company’s new direction towards technology development. With LNS+ and its subsidiaries now on board, SFIO is formalizing the team into their new Technology and Software Development Division.

According to SFIO CEO and Chairman Jeths Lacson, this new expansion kicks off a fiveyear innovation roadmap of transformative collaborations across each of the company’s five divisions: Franchising, Food Manufacturing and Distribution, Coffee, Property Development, and the recentlyformed Technology and Software Development.

With 11 years of operation, LNS+ has established itself as a leading hub for technological excellence in the Philippines.

Today, the company and its subsidiaries command a growing roster of over forty engineers, designers, systems architects, UX specialists, blockchain developers, and project managers. In addition, they’ve partnered with over 17 universities to build a sustainable and thriving talent pool. Altogether, LNS+ represents a fully fleshed-out ecosystem of tech builders.

With this latest acquisition, SFIO now fully owns and operates six ecosystem players: • LEENTech Network Solutions – Software & Platform Development • Webworx Design Studio – Web Development, UI and UX Design, and Graphic Design • Qalidad Solutions – Software Testing and Quality Assurance (Department Unit) • Voltz Security – Vulnerability Assessment and Security (Department Unit) • Livewire365 – Server Architecture and Maintenance • DHQ Digital Marketing – Digital Marketing Services.

“With the LNS+ teams formalized into our new tech division, all our existing businesses and future businesses immediately benefit from having a full suite of digital transformation partners,” Lacson said. Now, Lacson plans to scale their digital transformation efforts globally with the establishment of tech innovation hubs across key strategic regions.

LNS+ Founder Richard F. Prodigalidad, who now serves as the CEO of SFIO’s Technology and Software Development Division, sees this as both a fulfillment of his ambitions for LNS+, as well as an evolution of its mission.

“When I founded LNS+ back in 2010, my original mission was to develop technologies that would be used throughout the world,” said Prodigalidad.

“With SFIO’s expansion plans to establish tech hubs in New Zealand, Australia, Dubai, and the United States, that original mission is really becoming a reality in a very concrete way.”

“I built LEENTech to be a startup enabler, launching dozens of tech projects and spinning them off into their own businesses,” Prodigalidad said. “It’s easy to build an app or a website, but to launch a company – that takes more than code. Our mission at LNS+ was to invest in talent, nurture engineers and designers into entrepreneurs and leaders. As an asset management company, SFIO has the same mission – to build leaders. By investing in talent, what we’re really doing is giving them the best possible shot at long-term success.”

With the establishment of their global hubs, that goal has now expanded. SFIO’s international reach presents a lucrative opportunity to not only build solutions across borders, but to also showcase the massive potential of tech talents in emerging markets like the Philippines. Pulling from Richard’s mission as a startup enabler, SFIO intends to be a catalyst for change in both the industries they operate in and

the communities they serve.

Now serving on SFIO’s top-level management team, Prodigalidad’s current mandate is to survey the asset management company’s portfolio for opportunities to both streamline existing operations with technology, and build entirely new systems to disrupt the industries they operate across. As SFIO begins to establish its global presence through strategic acquisitions, joint ventures, and the establishment of its tech hubs, a number of promising projects have already cropped up at their new tech division.

For SFIO’s recently announced joint venture with real estate company Omnicor, Prodigalidad’s tech division will be developing community wellness monitoring tools and health data systems to be incorporated into a stateof-the-art “tech village” in Montemaria, Batangas in the Philippines.

Looking across the group’s franchising, coffee, and food manufacturing and distribution divisions, Prodigalidad’s team will also be working on a unified, streamlined logistics platform.

This platform will leverage machine learning and similar AI

applications to achieve real time data analytics for a truly scalable solution. With this project, SFIO aims to not only standardize the operations of their different businesses across the supply chain, but to also bring value to their franchisees and ultimately, their customers, who will now benefit from a truly seamless, tech-powered system.

Utilizing their in-house expertise in blockchain technology, the group also intends to revolutionize how asset management companies manage their portfolios.

Investors can expect instant insights and the ability to participate in SFIO’s growth in real time, using digital tokens powered by the blockchain.

It’s a novel application of decentralized technologies that the group hopes will set a new golden standard for trust and transparency.

“The reason we’re able to take on all these projects is we’re being strategic about not reinventing the wheel,” said Prodigalidad. “Over the years, we’ve built a series of modular technologies that we can easily deploy in order to rapidly build e-commerce platforms, e-learning tools, food delivery services, decentralized apps

– whatever our clients need.

Now we’re taking all those tech engines, as I call them, and running them full throttle across SFIO’s different ventures.”

The end goal of these ventures, says SFIO CEO and Chairman Lacson, is to leverage technology in order to collaborate towards greater efficiency and shared profitability.

Similarly, the breadth of proprietary platforms the tech division will be developing, as well as the related trademarks and intellectual property, promises to bring new value to the asset management company in the mid- to long-term.

“I come from the startup world so my job now is to bring that disruptive mindset and marry it with the broad resources of SFIO,” Prodigalidad said.

“It’s been a really thrilling experience for me and my team so far, and we’re all very excited to be joining the SFIO community.”

SFIO, which has just filed its Q3 financial reports in line with their broader plans to uplist onto the Nasdaq, will be publishing more news about their upcoming projects in the weeks to come.

(Advertising Supplement)

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NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 2, 2021 • SAN DIEGO ASIAN JOURNAL

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

“A Taste of History”

In celebration of the 500th Year Anniversary of Christianity in the Philippines in 2021, experience MonteMaria Cellars, an exclusive wine collection cellared and bottled in Napa Valley, California by the Buhman Estate Vineyards specially made in honor of the Holy Site of MonteMaria located in Batangas Province of the Philippines.

Browse our collection and order today on MonteMariaCellars.com.

Please enjoy our wines responsibily.