We’ve got you covered from Hollywood to Broadway...and Online!
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Volume 19 - No. 47 • 14 Pages
T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I CA N C O M M U N I T Y N E WS PA P E R
Volume 18 - No. 17 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
1799 Old Bayshore Hwy, Suite 136, Burlingame, CA 94010 • Tel: (650) 689-5160 • Fax: (650) 239-9253 • www.asianjournal.com
N O V E MBE R 2 7 - DE C E MBE R 3 , 2 0 2 0
Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, SAN DIEGO, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
US renews support for PH in maritime row vs China by KLARIZE
MEDENILLA AJPress
THE United States on Monday, November 23, reiterated that it will continue to support the Philippines’ claim on the West Philippine Sea. “Our message is we’re going to be here, we’ve got your back, and we’re not leaving,” U.S. national security adviser Robert O’Brien said. He recently visited the Philippines to lead the ceremonial turnover of $18 million worth of precision guided munitions and other weapons system for use by the military to counter terrorism. He was welcomed by Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Executive Secretary Salvador MeU.S. National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien with Philippines’ Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. DFA photo
DATELINE
USA
FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
Trump to nominate retired Fil-Am Army major general as US rep to ASEAN PRESIDENT Donald Trump intends to nominate a Filipino American retired Army major general to serve as the United States’ representative to the Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the White House announced on Tuesday, November 24. Major General Eldon P. Regua, who is Filipino and Mexican American, will be nominated to represent the country to the ASEAN with the rank and status of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary. The U.S. Mission to ASEAN, based in Jakarta, Indonesia, works with ASEAN-member countries like the Philippines to advance “U.S. interests in a peaceful, prosperous, and integrated Southeast Asia that respects the rule of law, upholds the dignity of its people u PAGE A2
u PAGE A2
ECO-FRIENDLY X-MAS LIGHT. Three kids look at battery-powered Christmas light bulbs inside a wine bottle on Tuesday, November 24 at Cogeo, Barangay Bagong Nayon 1 in Antipolo City, Rizal. It is an eco-friendly Christmas decor idea for homes during the holiday season. PNA photo by Rico H. Borja
PH House approves bill against women discrimination by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
THE Philippines’ House of Representatives on Monday, November 23, approved on its third and final reading a bill that expands the prohibited acts of discrimination against women in the workplace. With a unanimous 226 affirmative votes, the lower chamber passed House Bill 7722, which amends Presidential Decree No. 442 or the Labor Code of the Philippines. HB 7722, authored by Reps. Eric Go-Yap, Rowena Nina Taduran, and Jocelyn Tulfo of ACT CIS Partylist, and Edgar Aglipay of DIWA Partylist, seeks
to strengthen safeguards against discrimination of women in the workplace on account of their sex and characteristics of their sex. The bill classifies as discriminatory the acts of: • Favoring a male employee over a female employee with respect to assignment, promotion, training opportunities, study, and scholarship grants, solely on account of their sex or characteristics, whether actual or presumed; • Favoring a male employee over a female employee with respect to the dismissal of personnel or the application of any retrenchment policy of the employer solely on account of their sex or characteristics, whether actual or presumed; and
A FILIPINA American mother of three young daughters is seeking a bone marrow donor after being recently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Melissa Futagaki, 37, was diagnosed at the beginning of October after a history of grappling with allergy issues and anemia. After getting lab work done in September, her platelets were out of the normal range, and she began to notice symptoms like her heart racing or a sudden headache when going up the stairs. She was sent to the emergency room to rule out bleeding in the brain, but then the
u PAGE A4
u PAGE A2
California breaks single-day COVID-19 record with over 20,600 new cases by AJPRESS AS most of California went under a limited stay-at-home order over the weekend, the Golden State hit a daily record for new coronavirus cases at the beginning of this week, topping over 20,600 infections. The state recorded 20,654 new positive cases on Monday, November 23, surpassing the previous record of 13,400.
To date, the state has 1,125,699 confirmed cases of COVID-19, resulting in 18,769 deaths. On Saturday night, November 21, 41 of the state’s 58 counties began its limited curfew to curb the spread of the virus. From 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., nonessential activities and gatherings are ordered to stop in counties in the purple tier, the most restrictive level in the state’s reopening plan. These
u PAGE A4
Fil-Am mom of 3 US tops 12 million virus seeks bone marrow cases ahead of holiday donor following leukemia diagnosis
• Denying any woman the benefits of employment or other statutory benefits under our laws by reason of sex It also prohibits the discharge of a woman on account of her pregnancy, or while on leave, or while in confinement due to pregnancy. A fine of not less than P50,000 but not more than P200,000 and/or imprisonment between one to two years will be meted to any employer proven to commit or attempt in any manner to commit the prohibited acts. The measure likewise notes that the conviction or acquittal obtained by the employer shall not pre-
by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
THE United States over the weekend surpassed 12 million cases of COVID-19, as public health experts urged Americans not to travel for Thanksgiving. By Monday, November 23, the country hit 12.5 million infections and 256,830 deaths. This comes after the U.S. logged more than 195,500 new infections on Friday, November 20, bringing the official tally to 12,085,389, according to Johns Hopkins University data. Meanwhile, the death toll has risen to 255,823. The number of hospitalizations saw an increase, as well — on Friday, the U.S. recorded over 82,100 COVID-19 patients under treatment. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) asked Americans to stay at
home for Thanksgiving on Nov. 26. “This holiday season, consider how your holiday plans can be modified to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to keep your friends, families, and communities healthy and safe,” it said. “Celebrating virtually or with members of your own household (who are consistently taking measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19) poses the lowest risk for spread,” it added. Meanwhile, several U.S. governors wrote an opinion piece for the Washington Post, saying Americans need to work together to fight COVID-19. “Right now, cases and hospitalizations are skyrocketing in the Midwest and across the country. As the weather gets colder and more people head inside, it will get worse,” they
u PAGE A4
The National Kidney and Transplant Institute sets up a tent which was coverted into a receiving area for medical workers to screen possible COVID-19 patients in Quezon City on April 2, 2020. Philstar.com poto by Miguel De Guzman
Palace: Cap on deployment of health workers may be lifted by RITCHEL
MENDIOLA AJPress
MALACAÑANG on Tuesday, November 24, said that the cap on health care workers allowed to leave the country may be lifted once a vaccine against the novel
coronavirus becomes available. “The 5,000 (cap) is just an initial (figure). If that is completed in the second quarter and if there is a vaccine, it may be scrapped altogether,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said u PAGE A4
A
november 27-december 3, 2020 • norcAL ASIAn JoUrnAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
From the Front Page
PH House approves bill against women...
PAGE A1 vent a female employee from filing a civil suit for the payment of
salaries or benefits due to her. of the prohibited acts will also Any employee who willfully be punished in the same way as aids or abets in the commission the employer. n
Trump to nominate retired Fil-Am Army major...
PAGE A1
and actively addresses regional and global concerns.” Issues covered include the South China Sea, peace and stability in the region, and trade facilitation. Regua’s father Phillip immigrated to the United States from the Philippines in 1929 and became an agricultural laborer. Regua, a San Jose native, served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve for 36 years before his retirement in 2013. He last served as Deputy Commanding General/ Chief of Staff (Wartime) for the United States Eighth Army headquartered in Seoul, Korea. Prior to that he was the Commanding General of the 75th Training Division of the United States Army Reserve in Houston, Texas. He also served as the Chief of Staff, Assistant Division Commander and then
Major General Eldon P. Regua of the U.S. Army (retired)
Commanding General of the 104th Training Division in Vancouver, Washington, according to his biography sent by the White House. As of 2010, Regua was the senior most active, or reserve, non-retired
flag or general officer of Filipino American ethnicity, as previously reported by the Asian Journal. He is the recipient of numerous awards for his military service, including the Army Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster. Currently, the retired Army general is the vice president of NextStep Technology, Inc. in Springfield, Virginia. “Train your soldiers and love your families,” Regua said during his retirement ceremony in March 2013, as reported by the Eighth Army Public Affairs. “Take your job seriously but don’t take yourself seriously. Training is everything, and everything is training — continue to train hard, Eighth Army, and I know you will.” (AJPress)
MONDAY RUSH. Commuters and sidewalk vendors occupy one lane of Quirino Highway in Novaliches, Fairview in Quezon City on Monday, November 23. Public transport vehicles have been allowed to operate subject to health protocols as Metro Manila remains under general community quarantine. PNA photo by Oliver Marquez
US renews support for PH...
PAGE A1
dialdea, and Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III. O’Brien maintained that the U.S. stands with the Philippines in rejecting China’s maritime claims in the West Philippine Sea. “We stand with the Philippines in protecting your sovereign rights, your offshore resources and all those rights [that] are consistent with international law,” he said. “Those resources belong to the children and grandchildren of the people here. They belong to the Philippine people,” he added. “They don’t belong to some other country that just because – they may be big and they may be bigger than the Philippines – they can come take away and convert the resources of the Philippine people. That’s just wrong.” Suspension of VFA abrogation O’Brien also welcomed the Philippines’ decision to suspend anew the termination of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between Manila and Washington. “We’re grateful for the initial 6 months. We think it would be better if it was a year a longer but we’ll have to wait and see. That’s ultimately a decision for the government of the Philippines,” he said. He also said that he is batting for a longer suspension of the VFA abrogation in order for the U.S. and the Philippines to discuss the treaty more.
“We’d obviously like to see that longer and that’s something I spoke with Secretary Locsin about is if we extend it a further period of time so we can have some negotiations to address the important concerns on both sides of that treaty and that agreement and not be up against an artificial deadline,” O’Brien said. Locsin on Nov. 11 announced that President Rodrigo Duterte has extended the suspension of the VFA to “to enable us to find a more enhanced, mutually beneficial, mutually agreeable, and more effective and lasting arrangement on how to move forward in our mutual defense.” China hits back China, for its part, slammed O’Brien for his remarks, accusing the U.S. top security adviser of “sowing discord” between China and the Philippines. “He blatantly accused China on no ground, grossly interfered in China’s internal affairs, deliberately exaggerated regional tensions and attempted to sow discord between China and the Philippines,” the Chinese Embassy in Manila said Monday. “We firmly oppose these remarks which are full of Cold War mentality and wantonly incite confrontation. It shows that his visit to this region is not to promote regional peace and stability, but to create chaos in the region in order to seek selfish interests of the U.S.,” it added. The consulate also claimed that the U.S. is “the biggest driver of the militarization of the
South China Sea” as well as “the most dangerous external factor endangering the peace and stability” in the contested waters. “With the concerted efforts of China and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries, the situation in the SCS remains stable and is improving. We, the regional countries, have the will, wisdom and capability to properly handle the SCS issue and achieve long-term stability, development and prosperity in this region,” it added. The embassy asked the U.S. to “respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the SCS.” “[R]espect the joint efforts of China and ASEAN countries for maintaining a peaceful and stable South China Sea and stop interfering and inciting confrontation in the SCS,” it stressed. Malacañang, on the other hand, refused to comment on the accusations made by O’Brien and China. “I cannot speak either for the national security adviser of the U.S. or the spokesperson of China. I can only speak for the president. And the president has said that there will be increased tensions among superpowers in the region. We do not want to take part in that drive for hegemony,” said presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. “We will assert our national interest and we would want a peaceful resolution to the West Philippine Sea dispute,” he added. n
(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvembeR 27-deCembeR 3, 2020
A
A
november 27-december 3, 2020 • norcAL ASIAn JoUrnAL
Dateline USa
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
US donates $18-M worth of weapons system to PH to fight terrorism MANILA — The United States on Monday, November 23 gave the Philippines $18 million worth of weapon systems, which Manila’s top diplomat said would be used against Islamist militants in Mindanao. Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. received the precision guided munitions or smart bombs from U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien at a ceremonial turnover at the Department of Foreign Affairs headquarters in Manila. “I am pleased to receive, on behalf of the Philippine government, the donation by the U.S. government of precision guided munitions or PGMs, valued at approximately $18 million (USD),” Locsin said in his remarks. “We look forward to training for the use of these weapons with the best and undisputed military power in the world,” he added. Locsin said the donation was a “fulfillment of a promise” made by U.S. President Donald Trump to President Rodrigo Duterte during a phone call in April. The donation package included: 24 MK-82 bombs; 1 MK-82 crate/
packaging; 100 tube launched optically guided wireless tow missiles 2A Bunker Busters; 12 Improved target acquisition system and support equipment. A separate U.S. military plane delivered the weapons, said O’Brien. “This transfer underscores our strong and enduring commitment to a critical alliance. We hope our precision guided missiles and munitions will help the AFP protect Philippine lives in Mindanao and in the needless suffering imposed by ISIS-East Asia,” he said. O’Brien is in Manila as part of a Southeast Asia tour that also included Vietnam. He is expected to discuss issues that concern both the Philippines and the U.S., including the South China Sea. “Our nations share a deep interest in upholding the rule of law and the rules-based international order,” he said. “We welcome the recent statements by President Duterte and the Secretary (Locsin) at the ASEAN Summit and East Asia Summit to which I participated, calling for all nations, including a certain large nation in the neigh-
PAGE A1 “We are just making sure that we won’t run out of nurses, nursing assistants, and nursing aides with clinical experience. If we run out of people with clinical experience, who would take care of us if we get sick?” he added. President Rodrigo Duterte recently ended the deployment ban on the country’s health care workers, following the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Disease. According to Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III, only 5,000 health care workers will be allowed to leave every year to ensure that the Philippines will have enough medical professionals left fighting against COVID-19.
The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), for its part, noted that several countries are ready to accept Filipino healthcare workers after the lifting of the travel ban. “The top destinations for our health care workers especially nurses, number one is the Middle East, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), followed by Qatar, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates (UAE),” POEA chief Bernard Olalia said. He also said that Europe and North America are ready to provide job opportunities for Filipino nurses. “In many nations around the world, our nurses are number one, preferred choice,” said Olalia. In April, the Philippines temporarily suspended the deployment
borhood to respect international law in the South China Sea,” the U.S. official said. O’Brien, echoing U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s earlier statements, reaffirmed that the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty applies to any armed attack on Philippine forces, aircraft or public vessels in the South China Sea. He also conveyed the message that the U.S. welcomed Duterte’s decision to extend the Visiting Forces Agreement. “We look forward to the VFA continuing to facilitate closer cooperation in combating terrorism,” O’Brien said, thanking Locsin for his “strong involvement” in Melissa Futagaki (right) shares a family photo with her husband, and their three young daughters. Futagaki, 37, is in search of a bone marrow the process. donor of Filipino descent. Contributed photo Duterte scrapped the VFA in early 2020 after the U.S. canceled the visa of Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, his former police chief. The VFA would have ended last August PAGE A1 really lacks Asian representation, tween 18-44 years old and meetfollowing Duterte’s decision but doctor found consistencies with And me being Filipino, it’s only ing general health standards. the President last June decided to leukemia, Futagaki recounted. They will have to swab the in0.5% of Filipinos on the list. Go“That was when I found out ing through this and the lack of side of their cheek and mail the suspend enforcement of his deciand was officially diagnosed representation makes it difficult kit back, and will be contacted if sion until end of 2020. This meant the VFA would re- a couple of days later while I for us to find a match,” Futaga- they are a match for Futagaki or main in effect until early 2021. was in the hospital,” she told ki, who has completed her first other Filipino/Asian Americans (Frances Mangosing/Inquirer. the Asian Journal in a recent in- round of chemotherapy, said. in need of a donor. terview. “My diagnosis came as net) Matching is based on one’s huThe Bay Area stay-at-home a surprise — this was not some- man leukocyte antigen (HLA) tis- mother hopes that more Filipino thing I expected to experience at sue type and matches are closely Americans join the registry and this age so this can happen any based on a patient’s ethnicity. that a match is found so she can at any time and can affect anyone Organizations like the Asian see her daughters — ages 8, 6, of health care professionals abroad or any of your family members.” American Donor Program and 4 — grow up. to guarantee that the country itself Acute myeloid leukemia is a “Finding a match will allow has a sufficient number of medical cancer of the blood and bone (AADP) and Asians for Miracle Marrow Matches (A3M) encour- my daughters to have a mother. front-liners. marrow, preventing the marrow The deployment ban was later from making normal red blood age the broader Asian American They are all I think about while revised to cover only the health cells, white blood cells and plate- community to join the Be the going through this process and Match registry through recruit- I just want the opportunity to be care workers with new con- lets. ment events and raising aware- a part of their future,” Futagaki tracts, allowing nurses and other A bone marrow transplant is ness. said. “There’s nothing I want health care workers with existing a top way to treat the disease, Filipinos have a 46% chance more than to have many more contracts to return to their jobs especially for older patients. of finding a donor, the AADP pre- years and memories with my abroad. Two of Futagaki’s half-siblings family. That one person out there In October, the Philippine Over- have been tested and were not viously told the Asian Journal. Though the pandemic has could give me that chance, which seas Employment Administration matches for a transplant, so now (POEA) announced newly-hired doctors are turning to a national hampered in-person recruitment, is why I’m asking for everyone individuals can join the registry to register and potentially save Filipino health care workers with donor list. and receive a home swab kit. a life.” (Christina M. Oriel / AJsigned contracts as of August 31, “We learned how the donor list Requirements include being be- Press) 2020 can leave the country to work
Fil-Am mom of 3 seeks bone marrow donor...
Palace: Cap on deployment of health workers...
overseas. According to the agency, the cut-off date was extended from March 8 to August 31 upon the recommendation of the IATF. n
US tops 12 million virus cases ahead of...
PAGE A1 wrote. “It is more important than ever that we double down on maskwearing and physical distancing to help more people get through the winter and protect those on the front lines of this crisis,” they
added. The governors of Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky likewise urged Americans to stay at home for Thanksgiving. “If you are planning to spend Thanksgiving with people outside
your household, we urge you to reconsider,” they said. New COVID-19 measures have been put in place to combat the surging infections. These include home quarantine, wearing of face masks, and statewide curfews. n
California breaks single-day COVID-19...
PAGE A1
counties include Napa, Sonoma, Sacramento, Contra Costa, Alameda, Santa Clara, Fresno and Monterey. (As of this writing, the counties of San Francisco, Marin and San Mateo are in the secondmost restrictive red tier.) Meanwhile, all of Southern California’s counties from Santa Barbara to San Diego are in the purple as well. “The virus is spreading at a
pace we haven’t seen since the start of this pandemic and the next several days and weeks will be critical to stop the surge. We are sounding the alarm,” Newsom said in a statement. “It is crucial that we act to decrease transmission and slow hospitalizations before the death count surges. We’ve done it before and we must do it again.” The state’s order will remain in effect until 5 a.m. December 21.
Earlier this month, the state issued a travel advisory, along with Oregon and Washington, urging people entering the state or returning home from travel outside the state to self-quarantine to slow the spread of the virus. The travel advisory urges against nonessential out-of-state travel, asks people to self-quarantine for 14 days after arriving from another state or country, and encourages residents to stay local. n
(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvembeR 27-deCembeR 3, 2020
Dateline PhiliPPines
A
Palace denies Duterte to run for VP in 2022 by Keith
Calayag ManilaTimes.net
President rodrigo duterte wants to return to his hometown davao City after his term ends two years from now, Palace spokesman Harry roque Jr. said on Monday, november 23. downplaying rumors that the President is planning to run for vice president and his daughter davao City Mayor sara duterteCarpio for president in 2022,
roque told reporters that duterte was already looking forward to the end of his term. “Ang pagkakaalam ko po eh atat na atat na si Presidenteng matapos ang kanyang termino at gusto na niyang umuwi dito sa davao (As far as I know, the President is really looking forward to the end of his term and he wants to go home in Davao),” he said. Presidential legal counsel salvador Panelo sparked speculation about the President’s post-term
plan after he claimed in his radio program “Counterpoint” last week that the opposition does not stand a chance if a duterte fatherand-daughter tandem emerges. roque said the all-duterte team-up is Panelo’s personal opinion. Asked if Panelo broached the idea to the President, roque said: “Pakitanong na lang po si (Better ask) secretary Panelo because i have no authority to speak for him.” n
PH House okays ‘Eddie Garcia Act’ by Reina
C. tolentino ManilaTimes.net
tHe House of representatives on tuesday, november 24, approved the proposed “eddie Garcia Act” on third and final reading. the proposed measure, House Bill 7762, applies to “all workers or independent contractors engaged in the film, television, and radio entertainment industry.” section 5 of the bill states, “the worker or independent contractor and the employer or principal shall execute an agreement or an employment contract in a language or dialect understood by both parties before the commencement of service.” it also states that the duly signed contract, a copy of which “[t]he employer or principal shall provide the worker or independent contractor”, shall include these: job position and status; job description; period of employment; “details of compensation and other workers’ or independent contractors’ benefits including rate, method and schedule of payment;” authorized deductions, if any; “Hours of work and proportionate additional payment or overtime pay;” board, lodging, and medical attention; code of conduct; “Worker’s or independent contractor’s grievance mechanism;” employer’s or principal’s policies; and “Any other lawful condition agreed upon by both parties.” the bill bars agreements or employment contracts from discriminating against workers or independent contractors who have contracts or projects with
other outfits, “unless exclusivity is specified in the contract.” the normal work hours, section 6 of the bill states, shall be eight hours a day. this can be extended to a maximum of 12 hours, “served intermittently or continuously, exclusive of meal periods”. House Bill 7762 also states that “permissible working hours in excess of the normal work hours shall be determined by the tripartite Council, except for” these: workers or independent contractors aged 60 and above “who shall be allowed, under exceptional circumstances as defined by the tripartite Council, to work beyond” 12 hours in any 24-hour period (provided, that these workers or independent contractors “voluntarily execute a waiver in the proper form prescribed by the department of Labor and employment” or doLe); and minors whose working hours shall be in line with the pertinent provisions of the special Protection of Children Against Child Abuse, exploitation and discrimination Act. the bill states that in no case shall the total work hours exceed 60 hours in week, with exceptions to be determined by the tripartite Council. it also states that work hours “include ‘waiting time’ where the worker or independent contractor is required to stay within the premises of the workplace and shall be duly compensated.” the bill states in part that work rendered beyond eight hours “shall be compensable with overtime pay and other benefits provided under existing laws, unless
a more favorable rate or fee is stipulated in the contract.” it also states in part, “travel time to and from out-of-town projects shall be compensable.” As to wages, the bill states that the worker’s or independent contractor’s minimum wage “shall not be less than the applicable minimum wage in the region.” Wages, it states, “shall be paid on time, as agreed upon in the contract, directly to the worker or independent contractor.” it also states that the employee shall be covered by the social security system, the Pag-iBiG Fund, and the Philippine Health insurance Corporation upon employment. “the employer or principal shall strictly comply with the occupational safety and health standards provided in” republic Act (r.A.) 11058 (An Act strengthening Compliance with Occupational safety and Health standards and Providing Penalties for Violations thereof), and section 25 of r.A. 11036 (An Act establishing a national Mental Health Policy for the Purpose of enhancing the delivery of integrated Mental Health services, Promoting and Protecting the rights of Persons Utilizing Psychiatric, neurologic and Psychosocial Health services, Appropriating Funds therefor, and for Other Purposes), the bill states. “in addition, the occupational safety and health (OsH) officer of the employer or principal shall conduct a risk assessment of the workplace or location of production to identify and eliminate or control any potential hazard to u PAGE A7
RELIEF DRIVE. Staff members of the ‘Youth for Truth’ program of the Presidential Communications Operations Office repack relief goods at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) lobby in Visayas Avenue, Quezon City on Monday, November 23. The relief items would be distributed to typhoon-affected families in Marikina City and the provinces of Rizal and Cagayan. PNA photo by Rico H. Borja
For kin of 58th Ampatuan massacre victim, quest for justice still continues by gaea
KatReena Philstar.com
CabiCo
MAniLA — the family of a photojournalist is still searching for justice 11 years after he was reportedly killed along with 57 others on nov. 23, 2009, in the deadliest instance of political violence in the Philippines. in december 2019, Quezon City regional trial Court Branch 221 handed out the historic verdict that convicted 43 people over only 57 counts of murder, excluding the death of reynaldo Momay. While dentures believed to be his were found at the site of the mass grave, his body could not be located. in her decision, Judge Jocelyn solis reyes said that the prosecution failed to establish that Momay reached the site where the massacre took place and experienced the same danger that other victims faced. the court also said that the prosecution failed to show that the dentures belonged to the Midland review lensman. Ma. reynafe Castillo, Momay’s daughter, stressed on Monday, november 23, that the
fight to recognizing his father as the 58th victim of the gruesome massacre continues. “it is 58… Let us remember: the 58th victim was my father and that victim is reynaldo ‘Bebot’ Momay,” Castillo, who is based in the United states, said in a forum organized by the Freedom for Media, Freedom for All network Monday. “He was there among those victims. the only reason why he lost his life was because of his profession—the profession that he did not only love, but the profession that guards and defends every citizen’s right to press freedom,” she added. in January 2020, relatives of Momay filed a notice of appeal, expressing their intention to bring the case to the Court of Appeals. “i pray and believe that the Constitution will bring justice for me and my father. i can only wish one day that 57 will be up by one,” Castillo said. Trial of the century Last year, the Quezon City court convicted datu Andal Ampatuan Jr., his brother Zaldy Ampatuan and 26 others guilty
beyond reasonable doubt of committing 57 counts of murder. they were sentenced to reclusion perpetua without parole. Fifteen others were found to have acted as accessories to the crime and were sentenced to up to 10 years and eight months of imprisonment. “through Almighty Allah’s provision and guidance, we have received justice of what is dubbed as the trial of the century when Quezon City regional trial Court Judge Jocelyn solisreyes handed down the guilty verdict to those who malevolently planned, executed and participated in the massacre,” rep. esmael “toto” Mangudadatu (Maguindanao) said in a statement. eleven years ago, relatives and supporters of Mangudadatu, who was then a gubernatorial candidate, as well as media workers who had accompanied them were kidnapped and later killed. some people who did not belong to the convoy were also executed. “the failure to bring all 80 suspects to trial, including police u PAGE A7
A6
NOVEMBER 27-DECEMBER 3, 2020 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
FeatURes
OPiniOn
Vaccine for all
FROM the start of this pandemic, the global call has been to heal as one. The virulence shown by COVID-19 has meant that as long as there is one hotspot left on the planet, there is the risk that the coronavirus can spread again, bringing death and debilitation and wrecking livelihoods. Healing as one is being emphasized as top pharmaceutical and bioresearch companies begin rolling out COVID vaccines that are touted to be up to 95 percent effective. Pharmaceutical manufacturing is a business; developing a single drug could cost up to $1 billion, from inception to clinical trials to the securing of regulatory approval and international patents. Pharmaceutical firms need a healthy return on investment to keep churning out their products. So it’s understandable that the companies now preparing to release their vaccines for mass application under emergency authorization would accept advance orders for their products. And it makes good business sense to give priority to those who have made advance payments. But the pharmaceutical industry is also infused with public interest, and it can be more than a business. This is true especially when there is a global public health emergency. And this is true particularly
in an emergency that happens only once in a century. Thanks to rapid advances in science and technology, several pharmaceutical and research companies appear to have succeeded in producing vaccines for coronavirus disease 2019 in record time. Some viral diseases have defied science; there are still no vaccines for Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. Now the world is anticipating the mass rollout of COVID vaccines within months. COVID vaccination, however, will have the best impact only if there is equitable global access, with priority given not based on country but based on the level of vulnerability to infection. Obviously, frontliners will get priority. The hierarchy of priorities in vaccination may have to be standardized worldwide. table access to COVID vaccines. A similar call was Last week President Duterte urged the Asia-Pa- made by the Group of 20 – composed of governcific Economic Cooperation forum to ensure equi- ments and central bank governors of 19 countries
Editorial
Philstar.com photo
and the European Union. As COVID vaccines begin to be administered, the calls deserve to be heeded. (Philstar.com)
May Thanksgiving Day give us the light and the courage to fight for those we are grateful for: Our lives, faith, democracy and unity
The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS THANKSGIVING Day is a very important day for us Americans as we come together with our families by sharing a special meal, and offering our prayers and gratitude for all the blessings bestowed upon us and our beloved nation. This national holiday dates back to 1621, the year after the Pilgrims from England arrived in Massachusetts, in search of freedom, safety from persecution and the dream to give their family a better life in this newfound land of promise and opportunities that was to become the United States of America. They had a rough and bitter first winter, and the History Channel reported that most of the colonists remained on board the ship, where they suffered from exposure, scurvy and outbreaks of contagious disease, which killed about half of them. These colonists (pilgrims) were saved by the goodness of the hearts of the Native Americans who welcomed them, fed them, taught them how to plant crops. The next autumn’s bountiful harvest inspired the Pilgrims
to give thanks by holding a feast with the Native Americans. This tradition has been passed from generation to generation as the Pilgrims got settled and started their new life in America. The History Channel wrote that during the American Revolution, the Continental Congress designated one or more days of thanksgiving a year, and in 1789 George Washington issued the first Thanksgiving proclamation by the national government of the United States; in it, he called upon Americans to express their gratitude for the happy conclusion to the country’s war of independence and the successful ratification of the U.S. Constitution. His successors John Adams and James Madison also designated days of thanks during their presidencies. But how did it become a national holiday of celebration? According to the History Channel, a woman named Sarah Josepha Hale — the noted magazine editor, prolific writer and author, among countless other things, of the nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb” — launched a campaign in 1827 to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday. For 36 years,
she published numerous editorials and sent scores of letters to governors, senators, presidents and other politicians, earning her the nickname the “Mother of Thanksgiving.” “Abraham Lincoln finally heeded her request in 1863, at the height of the Civil War, in a proclamation entreating all Americans to ask God to “commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife” and to “heal the wounds of the nation.” He scheduled Thanksgiving for the final Thursday in November, and it was celebrated on that day every year until 1939, when Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday up a week in an attempt to spur retail sales during the Great Depression. Roosevelt’s plan, known derisively as Franksgiving, was met with passionate opposition, and in 1941 the president reluctantly signed a bill making Thanksgiving the fourth Thursday in November.” The significance of this day and the reason why this has been celebrated since the time of the Pilgrims/colonists from Europe is something we, Filipinos in
The truth, told consistently enough Street Talk GREG B. MACABENTA ADOLF Hitler and his propaganda chief, Joseph Goebbels, are said to have developed the axiom that a lie, repeated often enough, will be taken for the truth. In the recent U.S. presidential election, we have seen how effective this axiom has been, even among ostensibly intelligent people. The most vicious practitioner of this Nazi principle has been outgoing President Donald Trump. Even before Trump entered politics, he already publicly espoused “distorting the truth” as an effective means of achieving his ends. In his book, “The Art of the Deal,” Trump stated: “I play to people’s fantasies. People may not always think big themselves, but they can still get very excited by those who do. That’s why a little hyperbole never hurts. People want to believe that something is the biggest and the greatest and the most spectacular. I call it truthful hyperbole. It’s an innocent form of exaggeration—and a very effective form of promotion.” Trump has, in fact, used more
than “truthful hyperbole” in his personal, business and political life. As president, he has liberally told outright lies and has also made falsehood SOP among White House staff and members of his cabinet. As a habitual liar, Trump is arguably unmatched by even Hitler and Goebbels themselves. He is said to have told over 20,000 lies and exaggerations during his presidency (literally tracked and recorded by media). Most tragic of all, he lied about the seriousness of the COVID-19 virus, causing the country and health authorities to let down their guard and not adequately prepare for its deadly consequences. Throughout the 2020 election campaign, Trump spread lies and black propaganda in a scorchedearth effort to win a second term. He branded Biden a socialist, an enemy of the police, a coddler of illegal immigrants and of terrorists, and a senile old man, unfit for the highest office in the land. He also accused the Democrats and the Biden-Harris tandem of plotting to steal the election. None of these allegations was supported with credible evidence. Ever the consummate trickster, Trump apparently prepared for all eventualities in connection with his reelection campaign — even the possibility of defeat. Early on, Trump made the preposterous assertion that the only way he
could lose was if the Democrats cheated. He was obviously conditioning the country to believe allegations of electoral fraud. Trump singled out the use of mail-in ballots as the means for perpetrating the fraud. Voting by mail had been used in past elections without any problem. Even Trump himself and First Lady Melania Trump had reportedly decided to vote by mail. The recourse to widespread deployment of mail-in ballots was due to the coronavirus pandemic. Trump claimed that voting by mail was open to votes cast by non-citizens, “multiple voting” by those who would receive more than one ballot, and even voting by the dead. “Voting from the grave” is a scam that voters in the Philippines are familiar with. In 1949 President Elpidio Quirino (who had assumed the presidency upon the death of President Manuel Roxas) was accused of winning against Jose P. Laurel with votes “cast” in Lanao by dead people, as well as trees and flowers. Trump then set out to implement the Hitler-Goebbels technique of deluding America, particularly his voter base, by spreading the lie in media interviews and speeches and repeating it often enough until it was taken for the truth. The lie gained more traction, with the active support of pro-Trump media like
America, can identify with. In fact, this is a shared sentiment of all of us American citizens because we have all been pilgrims from our own respective countries who uprooted ourselves from our own Motherland to give our family a better life. We are all immigrants who took the leap of faith in the promise of America. While the continued threat of the coronavirus may change the way we celebrate this day, the somber feel of this year’s holiday season invites us to be introspective about those values that matter most in our — our health and safety, our family, our peace and unity, our democracy, and the promise of America helping us realize our American dream. We have had it easier compared to the Pilgrims and those in many generations after who fought in wars and paid the ultimate sacrifice just to defend us, protect our lives, our democracy, the light of the promise of America so each of us may fulfill our American dream. But it is important for us to realize that each generation of Americans has its own challenges, and therefore, its own
unique opportunity to fulfill our responsibility to help keep the promise of America and make it a more perfect Union. Our generation is now being called to rise up to the challenges of our time and do everything we can within our power to soldier on in our war against the coronavirus: wear a mask, practice social distancing, avoid crowds, and abide by all public safety measures to protect our people and save our lives. Our generation is now being called to rise up and soldier on and fight for our democracy, our democratic institutions and processes, armed with our faith in God and in each other’s goodness, with our commitment to the truth and our solemn creed to abide by the Constitution. We are in a defining moment of our lives as Americans. We have all been blessed in our adoptive country that is the United States of America. To whom much is given, much is required. In gratitude, let us strive to go far and beyond the tradition of giving thanks and feasting with our family. Let us heed the call for our generation to save our lives in the war against COVID-19, and
to call out and have the enemies from without and within be made accountable to protect and save our cherished democracy. This is our way to help make the United States of America a more perfect Union that we can proudly and faithfully pass on to the next generations. Together, we pray like Lincoln and ask God to “commend to his tender care all those who have become widows, orphans, mourners or sufferers in the lamentable civil strife” and to “heal the wounds of the nation.” Have a happy and purposeful Thanksgiving Day! ***
Fox News. Ironically, Trump’s campaign of disinformation served to motivate Biden’s supporters to register to vote in record numbers, resulting in the biggest turn-out of voters in U.S. election history. Trump’s efforts may also have spurred his voter base to troop to the polls in record numbers, instead of voting by mail. Unluckily for Trump, Biden garnered over 5 million more votes, and, more importantly, Biden won in battleground states, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Michigan and even traditionally Republican bailiwicks, Arizona and Georgia. Not surprisingly, Trump has claimed that he was cheated. What is also not surprising is that most of Trump’s voters believe him. Up to 70% of Republicans are convinced that Trump actually won. Even among Democrats and Independents, 5% and 31%, respectively, agree. A week after the election, Trump supporters massed by the thousands in Washington DC to protest the “cheating.” These supporters have vowed to continue their protests. During the waning weeks of his incumbency, Trump and his aides have filed several lawsuits in a desperate effort to block the assumption of the presidency by Joe Biden. However, they have failed to present credible evidence and all but two of their court filings have been dismissed by the courts.
Several of Trump’s lawyers have withdrawn their complaints, and have also given up representing Trump. Apparently, for this reason, Trump has had to ask his personal attorney, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, to lead the team pursuing the complaints. Giuliani has resorted to weaving fantastic conspiracy theories about cheating by Democrats, among them a plot allegedly hatched in Venezuela. Giuliani has kept promising to produce tons of evidence but in all of his court appearances, he has failed to produce anything. In fact, in a recent appearance before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Giuliani stated that he was “not alleging fraud” but was protesting the fact that Trump’s poll watchers were kept at a distance. The complaint was found without merit. In one instance, Giuliani reportedly revealed that losing in the state courts is not as important as setting the stage for elevating the complaints to the U.S. Supreme Court. Apparently, Trump is hoping that his appointees in the High Court will rule in his favor. Legal experts do not believe this will happen. However, Trump is desperate enough to try anything. Meanwhile, state election officials, including Republicans, have attested that the election was fair, While there were fears of possible electoral tampering by Russian operatives, Christopher Krebs,
the Trump-appointed Director for Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security (CISA) reported that the election was the most secure in recent history. For telling the truth, Krebs was fired by Trump. The U.S. now faces the grim reality of being a divided country, mainly because of a master liar. It is feared that millions of Trump supporters will continue to believe that their candidate should have won a second term and will continue to make things difficult for the Biden-Harris administration. Actually, the shoe may be on the other foot. Trump has not forgotten that in the four years of his presidency, the Democrats never let up on questioning his legitimacy. Now he plans to have his revenge. The question is: how can President Biden and Vice-President Harries counter the lies that will be told about them - over and over and over again until these are taken for the truth? By delivering on their campaign promises. Most of all, by constantly and consistently telling the truth. Over and over again. Until they are believed. ***
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.
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. *** E-mail: gregmacabenta@hotmal.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. ADVERTISING AND ADVERTORIAL POLICIES ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board
CORA MACABAGDAL-ORIEL President
Main Office: 1210 S. Brand Blvd Glendale, CA 91204 Tels: (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797 Fax: (818) 502-0858 e-mail: info@asianjournalinc.com http://www.asianjournal.com
Northern California: 1799 Old Bayshore Hwy, Suite 136 Burlingame, CA 94010 Tel.: (650) 689-5160 • Fax: (650) 239-9253
With offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York/New Jersey, Las Vegas, San Diego. Philippines
JOSEPH PERALTA Vice President & General Manager Northern California Asian Journal MOMAR G. VISAYA Executive Editor
CHRISTINA M. ORIEL Editor-in-Chief Northern California Asian Journal
Asian Journal Publications, Inc. (“AJPI”) reserves the right to refuse to publish, in its sole and absolute discretion, any advertising and advertorial material submitted for publication by client. (“Client’s Material”) Submission of an advertisement or advertorial to an AJPI sales representative does not constitute a commitment by AJPI to publish a Client’s Material. AJPI has the option to correctly classify any Client’s Material and to delete objectionable words or phrases. Client represents and warrants that a Client’s Material does not and will not contain any language or material which is libelous, slanderous or defamatory or invades any rights of privacy or publicity; does not and will not violate or infringe upon, or give rise to any adverse claim with respect to any common law or other right whatsoever (including, without limitation, any copyright, trademark, service mark or contract right) of any person or entity, or violate any other applicable law; and is not the subject of any litigation or claim that might give rise to any litigation. Publication of a Client’s Material does not constitute an agreement to continue publication. Client agrees and covenants to indemnify AJPI and its officers against any and all loss, liability, damage, expenses, cost, charges, claims, actions, causes of action, recoveries, judgments, penalties, including outside attorneys’ fees (individually and collectively “Claims”) which AJPI may suffer by reason of (1) Client’s breach of any of the representations, warranties and agreements herein or (2) any Claims by any third party relating in any way to Client’s Material. AJPI will not be liable for failure to publish any Client’s Material as requested or for more than one incorrect insertion of a Client’s Material. In the event of an error, or omission in printing or publication of a Client’s Material, AJPI shall be limited to an adjustment for the space occupied by the error, with maximum liability being cancellation of the cost of the first incorrect advertisement or republication of the correct advertisement. Under no circumstances shall Asian Publications, Inc. be liable for consequential damages of any kind. ASIAN JOURNAL PUBLITIONS, INC. publishes the Los Angeles Asian Journal, published twice a week; the Orange County and Inland Empire Asian Journal, Northern lifornia Asian Journal, Las Vegas Asian Journal and the New York / New Jersey Asian Journal which are published once a week and distributed to Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange Counties, Northern lifornia, Las Vegas and New York and New Jersey respectively. Articles published in this paper do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher. Letters to the Editor are welcome. Letters must contain complete name and return address. The materials, however, are subject to editing and revisions. Contributions and advertising deadlines are every Mondays and Thursdays. For advertising rates and other informations, please ll the L.A. office at (213) 250-9797 or the Las Vegas Sales Office at (702) 792-6678 or send us an email at info@asianjournalinc.com
Dateline PhiliPPines
(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvembeR 27-deCembeR 3, 2020
Megawide proves financial muscle to put NAIA rehab back on track MANILA — Plans to upgrade the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is back on track after requirements to show the project proponent’s financial muscle to undertake the massive project had been submitted. Currently, application by Megawide Construction Corp. to rehabilitate the ageing NAIA for P109 billion is back with the transport department after initially getting turned down by the finance department and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). Megawide said there should be no problem this time around. “The financial documents we submitted are sufficient to exclusively support the requirements of the NAIA project,” Louie Ferrer, managing director, said in a disclosure to the stock exchange. “With this, we are hopeful our proposal to rehabilitate and transform NAIA into a first-world airport complex can now be elevated to the Cabinet committee for approval and proceed to Swiss challenge,” Ferrer added. Transport Assistant Secretary Goddes Hope Libiran said the agency would “endorse” the project back to the Manila Inter-
national Airport Authority, which handles the NAIA Project, for assessment. Afterwards, MIAA should submit the proposal again to the NEDA Investment Coordination Committee chaired by NEDA and DOF. News of Megawide’s rejection for NAIA rehab was reported first by Bilyonaryo news website early in the day, before copy of a letter by Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III and acting NEDA chief Karl Kendrick Chua to Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade was released by Bayaning Atleta party-list Jericho Nograles to reporters. Chua and Dominguez co-chairs the NEDA-ICC, which evaluates big-ticket infrastructure projects before getting approved by a bigger interagency body, the NEDA Board, chaired by President Rodrigo Duterte. In their letter dated November 19, Dominguez and Chua expressed concerns that Megawide’s fundraising activities for the ambitious project “are speculative and not guaranteed to materialize.” Both economic officials likewise flagged the naming of Megawide as original proponent of the NAIA
A
Project despite failure to meet the pre-qualification requirements set by law. With that title, Megawide can match offers given by other groups once a Swiss challenge is opened. “Hence, the financial capacity of (Megawide) is mostly hinged on uncertain sources,” they said. Delays in the NAIA Project are nothing new. Before Megawide was considered, a consortium of six conglomerates haggled with government from the design to costs involve in turning NAIA into a regional aviation hub. The last one was a financial overhaul to make the massive undertaking viable for companies refurbishing the airport while the pandemic is deterring travel. The government did not accept the changes, prompting Megawide to step in. Under Megawide’s plan, NAIA’s current passenger capacity would increase in phases to 65 million per year from the current 30 million. An additional taxiway would also be constructed to accommodate more flights. On Monday, November 23, shares in Megawide fell 2.45% to close at P10.34 each. (Philstar. com)
PH House okays ‘Eddie Garcia... PAGE A5 the film, television, and radio entertainment workers or independent contractors and shall use the appropriate safety manual for the industry”, the bill states. The DoLE “shall initiate and oversee, in coordination with film, television, and radio entertainment workers’ or indepen-
dent contractors’ organizations and groups, employers or principals, agencies, and field experts, the formulation, production, and distribution of the” manual, the bill states. “The employer or principal shall regularly submit the required occupational safety and health reports, including timely
notification of production location and schedule to the DOLE regional office with jurisdiction over the area where the workplace is located”, the bill states. Under Section 17 of the bill, the DoLE “shall initiate the creation of the Film, Television, and Radio Entertainment Industry Tripartite Council” n
For kin of 58th Ampatuan massacre...
PAGE A5
officers and soldiers also poses a great risk for the victims’ family members. Our witnesses too are still plagued by threats and has had several brushes with deaths even after the verdict was affixed – and this will continue on as long as these suspects remain free,” Mangudadatu said. Far from resolved But lawyer Nena Santos, private prosecutor in the case, pointed out the fight is not yet over. Most of those who were
convicted appealed the verdict before the Court of Appeals. Dozens of suspects also remain at large. “We can only say that the case is finally resolved when the decision for appeal is already issued and is already certified with finality,” Santos said. In September, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization heeded the appeals of relatives of slain journalists, media groups and civil society organizations to reclassi-
fy the carnage as an unresolved case. This, after the organization previously considered the case as “resolved.” “How can others say the case has been resolved?” Grace Morales said. Her husband Rosell— a reporter for News Focus—and her sister Marites—a radio reporter for DxBx—were among the victims of the massacre. “We are still here fighting… We are still calling for justice because what we attained was not full justice,” Morales added. n
MA DRA .com | tv TY
s IE ing VARw.cross | N w
O it: w ATI s RM dule, vi O F IN che
s S| ing NEWogramm O N st pr e LIPI
FI the lat For
ncisc
y
Cent
alle ral V
Fra San
YS KDA WEE 0am 11:0 ma pm 0 7:00 10:0 mp 0 Y 0 A S 5: URD SAT 0pm - 7:0 m p S 5:00 DAY m SUN :30p 2 1 m 0a 0pm 10:0 - 7:0 pm 0 0 : 6
rea
yA o Ba
Y YDA EVER E. 00am r FRE - 10: tch fo m n wa m a a p 0 c ove 9:0 6:00 or ab l Tier pm igita D t 4:00 s ca *Su
bers bscri
nity
of Xfi
Com
A
november 27-december 3, 2020 • norcAL ASIAn JoUrnAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
fiLipino
(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com
Community Journal
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvembeR 27-deCembeR 3, 2020
the asian journaL
maGazine
i n
n o r t h e r n
C a L i f o r n i a
Friday, November 27, 2020
inside >>> L i f e s t y L e • C o n s u m e r G u i d e • C o m m u n i t y • m a r k e t p L a C e
B
B
November 27-december 3, 2020 • NorcAL ASIAN JoUrNAL
Nicole Scherzinger joins Fil-Am musical director Troy Laureta in cover of ‘Pangako’
Cover Story
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
Bibingka (Coconut-Rice Cake) with Philly Cream Cheese Excerpted from “AMBOY: Recipes from the Filipino-American Dream” © 2020 by Alvin Cailan. Photography © 2020 by Wyatt Conlon. Reproduced by Permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Serves 6
THE first time I met Auntie Cita, she brought this dish as a gift for my parents. It looked different by Ritchel Mendiola / AJPress from any other bibingka I had ever seen. It was unassuming: a FOR the first time in her round pie tin wrapped in banana musical career, singer Nicole leaves. I took a bite and it blew Scherzinger, who is of Filipina, my mind. Every single mouthful Hawaiian and Ukrainian anceshad cream cheese. The texture try, sang and recorded a Tagawas almost like cornbread with log song. a really sugary topping. I tried it The former Pussycat Dolls with a salted duck egg, and it was lead singer sang the cover of even better. The combination of Filipino ballad “Pangako” for salt, egg, and cream cheese was Fil-Am musical director Troy incredible. Laureta’s new album. Obviously and gratefully, my The album, entitled “KAIparents hired Auntie Cita. Over BIGAN: A Troy Laureta OPM the years, she became the main Collective,” is a realization of caterer in our area. That bibingka Laureta’s dream to produce an with Philly cream cheese was her EP with friends he met in his specialty. She made her own dry musical journey, featuring Filimix for the bibingka batter. She pino songs that have made an would line all these round cake impact in his life. molds with banana leaves, pour “I called on some of my fathe batter in, and bake them off. vorite singers from internaThen, she would dip the bibingka tional artists to YouTube stars in niyog, or freshly shaved young to homegrown talents and mucoconut meat, for that perfect sicians from around the world textural touch. to come and play Filipino music On Saturday mornings, I was together — no English transla- Nicole Scherzinger in charge of making niyog all tion — using our musical sensPhoto from Instagram/@nicolescherzinger day. Niyog as a word is kind of es and experiences to interpret an onomatopoeia. It’s the sound these songs in its native form,” you hear when you scrape the cohe said. conut against the grater. I would “Pangako,” was popularized by Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid. Scherzinger took to Instagram to express her excitement over her song collaboration. FOR this stir-fried noodle dish, “I really hope that this collabmy Lola would sit at the kitchen oration makes my Filipino fans table cutting vegetables in her proud!” she wrote. hand, mounds of snap peas, car“I’ve always wanted to honor rots, cabbage, and onions overmy heritage and when my muflowing the bowl. It was a bounty, sic director and dear friend @ and it was about to feed 20 peotroylaureta came to me with ple all day long. These noodles this project it felt like the perare super thin, similar in texture fect opportunity!” she added. to rice sticks. Scherzinger also admitted Ingredients it was her first time singing in •1 pound dried thin rice nooTagalog. dles (the package will say “rice “This was my first time singsticks” or “bihon”) ing in Tagalog...and I hope you • 1 tablespoon canola oil all enjoy it as much as I loved • 2/3 cup thinly sliced onion singing it from all my heart to (½ small onion) yours,” the singer said. • ¼ cup minced garlic (about “Pangako means promise and Troy Laureta it’s available now on all streamPhoto from Instagram/@troylaureta 10 large cloves) • 1/3 cup thinly sliced celery ing platforms,” she added. (½ stalk) Other international talents and Regine Velasquez. • 1/3 cup thinly sliced carrot (1 who participated in the OPM alLaureta dedicated his album small carrot) bum are American singers Matt to his parents. • 4 cups Homemade Chicken Bloyd, Pia Toscano, and Shela; “November 22 is my mom South Korean artist Ailee; Fili- and dad’s wedding anniversary. Stock • 1 cup Datu Puti or Silver pino-American talent Cheesa; I wanted this to be a gift for Swan soy sauce and Filipino singers Jake Zyrus them,” Laureta said. • ½ medium green cabbage,
sit on this little wooden stool with a cowboy spur at the end. I’d scrape half a coconut on that spur, and the coconut meat would fly off into this little plastic basin. And I would do fuck tons of coconut. Sometimes, you look at these kids and you think, “How do they have so much energy?” I had that energy as a kid, so I would mow through cases of coconuts. That niyog was the secret to this whole dish. You would dip the bibingka, scarpetta-style, into fresh, soft coconut meat. The bibingka was spongy, creamy from the cream cheese, and crispy from the crème brûlée–style topping. It was an explosion of flavor and texture. Auntie Cita made this dish every Saturday for six years. It made the house smell amazing. Ingredients • 1 large banana leaf (thawed, if frozen), cut into 2 (10-inch) rounds • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for greasing • 1 cup glutinous rice flour, plus more for dusting • 1 tablespoon baking powder • ½ teaspoon kosher salt • 1 cup muscovado sugar, plus more for sprinkling • 3 large eggs
• 1 cup canned coconut milk • ¼ cup heavy whipping cream • 1 (8-ounce) block Philadelphia cream cheese, cut crosswise into 16 slices • 1 cup Niyog or any frozen shredded coconut Instructions 1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a 10-inch springform pan with one of the banana leaf rounds. Butter the banana leaf and the sides of the pan, then dust with rice flour. Set the pan aside. 2. Sift together the rice flour, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl. Don’t just dump in the dry ingredients. Sifting is a magical pro-cess than makes pastries fluffier and helps prevent unwanted lumps. 3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and muscovado sugar at medium-high speed for about 5 minutes, until the butter is creamy white. You’re looking for butter-cream icing texture. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. 4. Using the whisk attachment, add the eggs, one at a time, whisking at medium speed after each addition, until fully incorporated, about 1 minute. Scrape down the sides of the bowl after
Photos courtesy of Wyatt Conlon
each addition. No gooey streaks; you want it to be one consistent mixture. 5. Returning to the paddle attachment, slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the butter-egg mixture in three batches, mixing at medium speed. Make sure each is mixed well and incorporated before adding the next— about 15 seconds of mixing for each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl after each addition. With the machine running at medium speed, add the coconut milk and heavy cream in a slow stream. Beat until the consistency is like a pancake batter, about 2 minutes. 6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan; lightly tap the pan five times on the counter to distribPAGE B3
Lola’s Pancit Bihon (Noodles with Vegetables) Serves 4
cored and thinly sliced • 1 pound shredded meat from Poached Chicken (page 39/below) • ¼ to ½ cup fresh lemon juice, plus lemon wedges for serving • ¼ cup thinly sliced scallions (2 to 3 scallions) • Hard-Cooked Eggs, sliced, for garnish (optional) Directions 1. Soak the noodles in a large bowl of cold water for 5 minutes, or until the noodles are softened. Drain thoroughly and set aside. 2. Heat a large wok over high heat until blistering hot. Add your oil, then cut the heat to medium and heat until you see the oil ripple, about 30 seconds. Add the onion and garlic and stir-fry until the onion is translucent, about 2 minutes. Add the celery and carrot and stir-fry until softened, 2 to 4 minutes. 3. Add the chicken stock and soy sauce and stir to combine. This will essentially deglaze the wok; make sure to scrape the
fond (browned bits) from the bottom of the wok so nothing’s stuck there. Cook until the liquid is simmering, then gently fold in the drained noodles. Add your cabbage and toss with tongs to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, until the noodles have absorbed the liquid, about 7 minutes. Add the chicken and cook, stirring, until the chicken is heated through, about 2 minutes. Reduce the heat if the noodles start to stick to the wok. 4. Plate the noodles, sprinkle the lemon juice and scallions over the top, garnish with hardcooked eggs, and serve immediately with lemon wedges. Poached Chicken Makes 1 chicken Ingredients • 1 (5-pound) whole chicken • 1 cup kosher salt, plus more for seasoning Directions 1. Remove any giblets from the chicken and reserve for Goto (page 41). Rinse the chicken under very cold water, salt the en-
tire chicken liberally inside and out, and let it rest at room temperature for 1 hour. 2. Fill a large stockpot with water and add the 1 cup salt. Bring the water to a boil, then cut the heat until the water is slowly simmering. Add the room-temperature chicken and let the chicken bathe in the slow-simmering water until the internal temperature PAGE B4
celebrity world By Ferdie Villar
Alden Richards ready to tackle the business of love
ACTOR, television host, recording artist, product endorser and businessman Alden Richards (Richard Reyes Faulkerson, Jr. in real life) seems ready to face the issue of his lovelife now that he has become financially secure. In a Zoom interview with The Philippine Star’s Ricky Lo, the actor revealed the need to put attention to finding his Miss Right and the difficulty he finds doing so. “It’s about time na rin,” he said in the interview. “That’s already in my plan even before pa. That’s why all the years, I’ve been working so hard for my family.” He continued, “As of now, it’s a bit hard because of the circumstances, the pandemic. It’s hard to go out to meet people. But sooner or later, darating tayo diyan.” Although the 29-year-old heartthrob describes himself as contented nowadays, he admits that finding his better half is what is lacking in his life right now. If he finds the right woman, Alden wants to have an intimate and private wedding. When asked to describe the qualities of his future wife, Alden said he likes a woman with the Pinay look, with long hair (typical Filipina beauty), and someone who is kind and understanding.
Of course, netizens were quick to point to newly-crowned Miss Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo who recently appeared as a judge in the “Bawal Judgmental” segment in variety show “Eat, Bulaga!” as a potential girlfriend, but this was quickly shot down by the beauty queen who revealed that she has a boyfriend, but that she found Alden nice and they could be good friends. The actor, for his part, said that although he would like someone in Rabiya’s mold, he is not referring to anyone in particular. These days, Alden is preparing for his first virtual concert called “Alden’s Reality (AR)” which will take place on December 8. The concert will feature the song “Going Crazy,” his new single composed by Pow Chavez which will be released by GMA Music and FlipMusic Productions during the concert. Another song in the concert’s repertoire, which also features songs close to the actor’s heart, would be “God Gave Me You,” which became the accidental theme song of Alden and Maine Mendoza’s hit team-up, AlDub. Asked to describe the virtual concert, Alden refers to it as “an affair to remember.” “It’s parang a dating experience. Bibigyan natin ang au-
Alden Richards, a matinee idol in the Philippine entertainment world, presents his first reality concert, “Alden’s Reality (AR)” on Tuesday, December 8 on GMA Pinoy TV.
dience ng one-on-one experience kasi during the concert everything will be between me and whoever I am talking to. I mean, pag kausap ko ‘yung camera, I’m talking to only one person, to only you, not to a whole audience. It’s just you and me, tayong dalawa lang. You will experience a part of my reality at that moment,” he said, while adding praises to concert director Paolo Valenciano who gave Alden blanket authority to conceptualize the concert. His biggest prayer for 2021 is for a vaccine to be available so that people can go back to some sense of normalcy. And despite the challenges faced by people in 2020, especially by his kababayans, Alden is thankful for his many blessings. “In terms of what’s happening in general, it’s not so good,” he summed up 2020. “Pero so far, when it comes to work, I’m still blessed that I’m very active pa rin despite the situation. I’m thankful to the brands that continue to trust me with new endorsements. Also, GMA has never failed me sa pagbibigay sa akin ng new projects,” he said. “But I feel sad for the people na naa-apektuhan ng pandemic at ng mga calamity like the recent typhoons. The least I could do is share my blessings with them para maramdaman nila na may kasama sila during Joe Biden (4th from left), newly-elected President of the United States of America, celebrated this difficult time.” his 78th birthday last Friday, November 20. He is shown in photo above with his family.
0 (650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com
Immigration Corner
Community Journal
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvembeR 27-deCembeR 3, 2020
B
Thanksgiving message A special Thanksgiving episode offers solutions and gratitude on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday
much to be thankful for. Thank you to all the front-line workers – the medical professionals, couriers, and serviceAtty. MichAel oriented workers, including Gurfinkel, eSQ nurses and caregivers – most THANKSGIVING is being of whom are from immigrant celebrated differently this year. households, for helping the rest Because we are in the midst of of the community be safe and a pandemic, the usual gather- meet their essential needs. ing of loved ones is close to imIn this coming year, with possible. Some may have lost a Joe Biden being declared the loved one or have a family mem- winner of the 2020 presidenber who is seriously ill. To those tial race, and his promise of a who experienced loss, I convey radical departure from Trump’s my deepest sympathy. To those strict enforcement policies, to who have a family member suf- a policy focusing on compasfering from this disease, I pray sion, leniency, and possible that they recover. amnesty for the approximate This pandemic has shown to 11 million undocumented immiall of us what my clients experi- grants in the U.S., I look forward ence – being away from family to assisting eligible applicants and unable to be with them be- in achieving legalization and cause of their immigration sta- their American dream, enabling tus and sometimes, not being them to be reunited to celebrate given the chance to say good- with their families in America. bye. It is a humbling period for Happy Thanksgiving to All! all of us, but amidst it all, to*** gether, there’s still hope and so Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney
for over 35 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different, and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein (including testimonials, “Success Stories,” endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: www.gurfinkel.com Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw, Twitter @GurfinkelLaw and YouTube: US Immigration TV Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES ∙ SAN FRANCISCO ∙ NEW YORK ∙ PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
THIS week’s episode of Citizen Pinoy celebrates Thanksgiving and all that we can still be grateful for, despite the many challenges that 2020 has brought upon us. In this episode, Atty. Michael Gurfinkel provides relevant answers to the immigration concerns raised by Kapamilya from the U.S. Mercy from Honolulu, HI is a licensed childcare provider, and has her own childcare business. Mercy would like to know if she can petition her niece,
gram (SNAP). Teemmie wants to know if her husband’s sister can provide the affidavit of support for her husband. Atty. Gurfinkel provides answers to these questions and reflects on all the things he is grateful for on this Thanksgiving special episode of “Citizen Pinoy: Your Tanong, My Sagot – Social Distancing Style” this Sunday, November 27 at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement)
ABS-CBN fuses iWANT and TFC.tv, launches new streaming service ‘iWantTFC’ for Filipinos worldwide
DALY CITY – ABS-CBN has merged its two streaming platforms to provide entertainment, news, and information to Filipinos wherever they are in the world as it launches the bigger and better iWantTFC, the first Filipino subscription-based streaming service available globally. iWantTFC, which is available through the web on iwanttfc. com and on iOS and Android apps, allows users to choose from different subscription options with different levels of access to content and new platform features to suit their needs. SPECIAL THANKSGIVING EPISODE OF CITIZEN PINOY THIS SUNDAY PROVIDES ANSWERS TO YOUR IMMIGRATION QUESTIONS! In the Thanksgiving Aside from offering ad-free episode of Citizen Pinoy, Atty. Michael Gurfinkel answers questions from Kapamilya in Hawaii and in Texas. Mercy (center) has a childcare access to the biggest library of business in Honolulu, HI and would like to know if she can petition her niece, who is a Psychology graduate and who passed the board exam, to Filipino video content, the new work in her facility. She also asks why her mother was subjected to the 10-year ban after her mother went home to the Philippines to get her iWantTFC provides first winvisa. Teemmie from Houston, TX (right) would like to petition her husband, but is currently receiving SSA and SNAP from the government. Can dow streaming of fresh telesher sister-in-law provide the affidavit of support as a co-sponsor? Atty. Gurfinkel offers answers as well as thoughts on gratitude on a special erye episodes, 48 hours before Thanksgiving episode of “Citizen Pinoy: Your Tanong, My Sagot – Social Distancing Style” this Sunday, November 29 at 6:15 pm PST/EST (9:15 their premiere on any ABS-CBN pm EST thru select Cable/Satellite providers). (Advertising Supplement) platform or channel. iWantTFC users are also able to enjoy new features such as offline viewing of select movies and series and an enhanced PAGE B2 tinue baking until the bibingka cream cheese slices decoratively viewing experience on bigute the batter and release any air is set and just slightly jiggly in over the top. Bake until a cake tes- ger screens through select TV bubbles. the middle, about 15 minutes. ter inserted into the center comes brands, as well as Roku and 7. Place the pan on a rimmed Adding the extra banana leaf out clean, about 20 minutes. Let Telstra TV. baking sheet and bake the bib- will help flavor the bibingka and cool on a rack for 30 minutes. Registered iWantTFC users ingka until the top layer has set, prevent the top from getting too Release from the pan and peel off can choose from three sub10 to 15 minutes. It should be brown. the leaf on the bottom; sprinkle scription plans – free, standard, pale and somewhat firm. Remove 8. Remove the pan from the more muscovado sugar over the and premium. from the oven, top the pan with oven; peel off and discard the top. Garnish with the niyog, slice Premium subscribers can acthe second leaf round, and con- banana leaf on top. Arrange the into wedges, and serve. cess to its entire catalogue and
Bibingka (Coconut-Rice Cake) with Philly Cream Cheese
who is a Psychology graduate and who passed the board exam, to work in her childcare business dealing with children with ADD. Mercy is also asking why her mother has been subjected to the 10-year ban after her mother went home to the Philippines to get her visa. Teemmie, a U.S. citizen from Houston, TX would like to petition her husband, but she is receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Pro-
all platform features ad-free, while Standard subscribers can watch ad-supported content. For more information about the subscriptions, you may visit iwanttfc.com. Both premium and standard subscribers get full access to iWantTFC’s full library of over 1,000 movies, live channels namely Kapamilya Channel, TeleRadyo, ANC, CineMo, and Knowledge Channel, ABSCBN’s full inventory of shows, all acquired content, all episodes of 86 iWantTFC originals, and other digital content. Users can also opt for the free plan, which will grant limited access to an ad-supported catalog of movies, live channels, select episodes of shows, and teleseryes. iWantTFC’s extensive library of regularly updated content contains currently airing ABSCBN shows, Kapamilya classics, movies, newscasts, lifestyle programs, award-winning documentaries, originals, and religious programs. Users also get to enjoy watching “La Vida Lena,” ABS-CBN’s newest teleserye starring Erich Gonzales that premiered its first episode on iWantTFC last Saturday (November 14). Adding to iWantTFC’s catalog are new and upcoming originals “Bawal Lumabas” with Kim Chiu, Kyle Echarri, and Franchine Diaz,
“Hoy Love You” featuring the love team reunion of Roxanne Guinoo and Joross Gamboa, “I Can Wait Forever” with Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte, “He’s Into Her” with Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano, and “Ampalaya Chronicles: Me & Mrs. Cruz,” the latest episode in the heartbreak-themed anthology series starring Beauty Gonzalez and Kiko Estrada. Users will also be able to watch new movies released by CineXpress straight on the platform such as the Star Cinema movies “My Lockdown Romance,” “Boyette,” and “Four Sisters Before the Wedding.” Fans can also continue to follow the ongoing season of “The House Arrest of Us” on iWantTFC. To experience the latest version of the new iWantTFC, users need to download the app from Google Play and Apple App Store or visit iwanttfc.com and register for an account. First-time users can also avail of a 30-day free trial. Download the new iWantTFC app now from Google Play or App Store or log in to iwanttfc.com. For updates, like http://www.facebook.com/ iWantTFC, and follow @iwanttfc on Twitter and @iwanttfc on Instagram and subscribe to www. youtube.com/iWantTFC. (ABS-CBN Release)
B
Features
November 27-december 3, 2020 • NorcAL ASIAN JoUrNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
Through #HereForRMHC social challenge, McDonald’s Island Pacific launches IPTV & QR code will giv $100 in your name to Ronald McDonald House system this November in time for holidays Charities® as part of $100 million commitment Join McDonald’s in rallying support for families with sick or injured children when they need it most CHICAGO – Mcdonald’s is launching a new social challenge that will have everyone feeling the love this holiday season – especially the families who rely on Ronald Mcdonald House Charities (RMHC®) when their child becomes critically ill or injured. For more than four decades, RMHC has supported families with sick and injured children by providing vital resources and helping them stay together during treatment. In an average year, RMHC raises millions thanks to generous donors including Mcdonald’s customers, employees and franchisees. But 2020 was no average year, and donations to the organization are down due to the pandemic. To rally much-needed support and awareness for RMHC, now through dec. 31, Mcdonald’s will give $100 in your name as part of its $100 million commitment over the next five years. To participate, just post a photo or video making the RMHC heart symbol (or another supportive message) to Instagram, Twitter, TikTok or Facebook using #HereForRMHC. Your hands will turn the RMHC mission into a movement, spreading awareness of the critical work this organization does in communities all over the world. To make the RMHC heart symbol: • Build the house by forming a diamond with your hands • show us the chimney by pointing your pinky up • Put your heart into it by pushing your index fingers down This year, we’ve all learned the importance of being there for each other, and we’ve learned this lesson the hard way: by not being there. We missed moments of celebration and heartache with our loved ones. And we’ve gotten the smallest taste of what families with sick children experience when they need to seek out faraway care and are forced to stay apart. These families need us now more than ever. Helping Mcdonald’s spread the word are Chrissy Teigen and John Legend. “Anyone who knows us, knows that the most important thing to us is family.
EMPLOYMENT
Chrissy Tiegen and John Legend
When you’re able to lean on loved ones, the hard times always get a little easier. We can’t imagine how agonizing it must be when you’re not able to be there with your sick child. We were inspired by Mcdonald’s longtime commitment to RMHC, and now we want the world to know how we can all take action to support this amazing charity through the #HereForRMHC challenge,” said Teigen and Legend. The #HereForRMHC challenge began on Tuesday, November 24 and ends on dec. 31, 2020. To participate, post a photo or video with #HereForRMHC from your public account on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or TikTok, where Mcdonald’s is hosting an official challenge starting Tuesday. This is just one way Mcdonald’s is living its purpose of feeding and fostering communities – a purpose that took on extra resonance in a year when people are leaning on communities more than ever. “Here at Mcdonald’s, we believe there’s a difference between being in a community and being part of one. As a company made up of more than 39,000 restaurants around the world, supporting our communities is in our dNA,” said Mcdonald’s Presi-
dent and CEO Chris Kempczinski. “I’ve been so inspired by the way RMHC is there for families, day and in and day out, during the most difficult times in their lives – that’s what being part of a community is all about. That’s why we’re so proud to support this wonderful organization now and into the future.” Mcdonald’s isn’t stopping at the #HereForRMHC challenge – and you don’t have to either! Franchisees around the world are doing wonderful work every day to support RMHC – from McHappy day® to Fries for Good to giving customers the opportunity to donate to RMHC all year long via donation boxes, selfordering kiosks and at the point of sale. Check with participating Mcdonald’s to see how you can continue to make an impact for RMHC families when you order at Mcdonald’s restaurants. For full terms, please visit Mcd.to/HereForRMHC. Mcdonald’s is the world’s leading global foodservice retailer with over 39,000 locations in over 100 countries. Approximately 93% of Mcdonald’s restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local business owners. Ronald Mcdonald House Charities (RMHC), is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) corporation that creates, finds, and supports programs that directly improve the health and well-being of children and their families. Through a global network of over 260 Chapters in 65 countries and regions, RMHC enables, facilitates and supports family-centered care through three core programs: The Ronald Mcdonald House, the Ronald Mcdonald Family Room and the Ronald Mcdonald Care Mobile. RMHC programs help families with ill or injured children stay together and near leading hospitals and health care services worldwide, ensuring they have access to the medical care their child needs while fully supported and actively involved in their child’s care. For more information, visit rmhc.org. Follow RMHC on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
IsLANd Pacific supermarket, the Filipino grocery chain with 16 locations in California and Nevada, has committed to innovation and digital technology for Quarter 4 of 2020 to keep customers informed and connected by launching its in store/online digital platform called IPTV. With increasing foot traffic of over 1 million community members despite the pandemic, the grocery chain has invested in installing digital screens in all locations to be able to share public service announcements for the Filipino community. Utilizing digital technology, customers can now find scannable QR codes all over the vicinity of the store to inform customers of weekly deals and classic Filipino recipes. “In being more responsible [with] the environment, the effort to focus on less printing and more digital infrastructure is the way to go!” said Island Pacific communications director, Giselle Tongi-Walters. “Keeping up with the times and producing digital content relevant to our market for Filipino Americans is a testament to the organization’s culture of being committed to being socially responsible by creating a community online where they can see themselves represented.” IPTV, which stands for Island Pacific Television, will feature short vignettes of recipes and interviews with leading Filipino Americans in the culinary field. Community businesses also have the opportunity to place media buys for the instore digital platform as a way to help spread the word on their services or products. With each Island Pacific location, you can
expect to see original content produced specifically for the Filipino Americans, as a way to outreach to the fast-growing demographic. Island Pacific Founder Nino “Jeff” Lim shares why the push to provide digital platforms and technology to better serve cus-
tomers is integral to their brand, “Innovation is crucial to the success of any organization and we are being conscious of how we can use digital technology to help service our community more effectively is top of mind for Island Pacific.”
(Advertising Supplement)
Lola’s Pancit Bihon (Noodles with Vegetables)
PAGE B2 of the breast reaches 155°F, 25 to 35 minutes. 3. Fill a large bowl with ice and water. slide your spider under the bot-tom of the chicken, hook your tongs into the cavity, and airlift it out of the pot and into your ice bath. submerge the chicken fully to stop the cooking, and leave it in the ice bath until cool enough to handle, 15 to 20 minutes. 4. drain the chicken. Carefully peel off the skin with a sharp knife or your hands, and save it
HOUSING
to make Chicharon (recipe follows), the perfect garnish for arroz caldo. shred the meat into even pieces. discard the bones. Hard-Cooked Eggs Makes 12 eggs Ingredients • 12 large eggs Directions 1. Fill a large stockpot with water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. When the water is at a rolling boil, add the eggs and let them boil for 7 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat, cover, and let stand for 10 min-
EMPLOYMENT
^ĞĐƟ ŽŶ ϴ tĂŝƟ ŶŐ >ŝƐƚ KƉĞŶŝŶŐ ^ŚŽƌĞǀŝĞǁ ƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚƐ ǁŝůů ďĞ ĂĐĐĞƉƟ ŶŐ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ ĨŽƌ ŽƵƌ ŽŶĞ͕ ƚǁŽ͕ ƚŚƌĞĞ ĂŶĚ ĨŽƵƌ ďĞĚƌŽŽŵ ^ĞĐƟ ŽŶ ϴ ƌĞŶƚĂů ƵŶŝƚƐ͘ ^ŽŵĞ ƵŶŝƚƐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ ĨŽƌ ŝŵŵĞĚŝĂƚĞ ŽĐĐƵƉĂŶĐLJ͘ ƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ ǁŝůů ďĞ ĂĐĐĞƉƚĞĚ ƚŚƌŽƵŐŚ ŽƵƌ online portal ^ŚŽƌĞǀŝĞǁ^&͘ĐŽŵ ĨƌŽŵ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ ϭϲ͕ ϮϬϮϬ Ăƚ ϯ͗ϬϬ Ɖŵ ƚŽ ĞĐĞŵďĞƌ ϭϱ͕ ϮϬϮϬ Ăƚ ϱ͗ϬϬ Ɖŵ ;ƉƐƚͿ͘ ƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ ǁŝůů ďĞ ƉƌŽĐĞƐƐĞĚ ŽŶ Ă Į ƌƐƚ ĐŽŵĞ͕ Į ƌƐƚ ƐĞƌǀĞĚ ďĂƐŝƐ͘ /ŶĐŽŵƉůĞƚĞ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ Žƌ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ ƐƵďŵŝƩ ĞĚ ĂŌ Ğƌ ƚŚĞ ĚĞĂĚůŝŶĞ ǁŝůů not ďĞ ĂĐĐĞƉƚĞĚ͘ WůĞĂƐĞ ďĞ ĂǁĂƌĞ ƚŚĂƚ ĞĂĐŚ ŚŽƵƐĞŚŽůĚ ŵĞŵďĞƌ ĐĂŶ ŽŶůLJ ĂƉƉĞĂƌ ŽŶ ŽŶĞ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶ͘ /Ĩ LJŽƵƌ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶ ĐŽŶƚĂŝŶƐ ŚŽƵƐĞŚŽůĚ ŵĞŵďĞƌƐ ƚŚĂƚ ĂƌĞ ŽŶ ŽƚŚĞƌ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ ĨŽƌ ƚŚŝƐ ůŝƐƟ ŶŐ͕ Ăůů ŽĨ ƚŚĞŵ ǁŝůů ďĞ ĚŝƐƋƵĂůŝĮ ĞĚ͘ ŶLJ ĨƌĂƵĚƵůĞŶƚ ƐƚĂƚĞŵĞŶƚƐ ǁŝůů ĐĂƵƐĞ LJŽƵƌ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶ ƚŽ ďĞ ƌĞŵŽǀĞĚ ĨƌŽŵ ƚŚĞ ǁĂŝƟ ŶŐ ůŝƐƚ͘ ZĞŶƚƐ ĨŽƌ ƚŚŝƐ Ăī ŽƌĚĂďůĞ ŚŽƵƐŝŶŐ ƉƌŽŐƌĂŵ ĂƌĞ ďĂƐĞĚ ŽŶ ƚŽƚĂů ŚŽƵƐĞŚŽůĚ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ͘ ůů ĂƉƉůŝĐĂŶƚƐ ŵƵƐƚ ďĞ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ĞůŝŐŝďůĞ ĂŶĚ ŵĞĞƚ ŽĐĐƵƉĂŶĐLJ ŐƵŝĚĞůŝŶĞƐ͘ ,ŽƵƐĞŚŽůĚƐ ŵƵƐƚ ĞĂƌŶ ŶŽ ŵŽƌĞ ƚŚĂŶ ƚŚĞ ŵĂdžŝŵƵŵ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ ůĞǀĞůƐ ŶŽƚĞĚ ďĞůŽǁ͗ ϱϬй ,h DĞĚŝĂŶ /ŶĐŽŵĞ >ŝŵŝƚƐ ,ŽƵƐĞŚŽůĚ Size
ϭ WĞƌƐŽŶ
Ϯ WĞƌƐŽŶƐ
ϯ WĞƌƐŽŶƐ
ϰ WĞƌƐŽŶƐ
DĂdž ŶŶƵĂů Income
ΨϲϬ͕ϵϬϬ
Ψϲϵ͕ϲϬϬ
Ψϳϴ͕ϯϬϬ
Ψϴϳ͕ϬϬϬ
,ŽƵƐĞŚŽůĚ Size
ϱ WĞƌƐŽŶƐ
ϲ WĞƌƐŽŶƐ
ϳ WĞƌƐŽŶƐ
ϴ WĞƌƐŽŶƐ
DĂdž ŶŶƵĂů Income
Ψϵϰ͕ϬϬϬ
ΨϭϬϬ͕ϵϱϬ
ΨϭϬϳ͕ϵϬϬ
Ψϭϭϰ͕ϴϱϬ
EŽƚĞ͗ ƵĞ ƚŽ Ks/ Ͳϭϵ ƌĞƐƚƌŝĐƟ ŽŶƐ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ ǁŝůů not ďĞ ĚŝƐƚƌŝďƵƚĞĚ Žƌ ĂĐĐĞƉƚĞĚ ŽŶͲƐŝƚĞ͘ >> WW>/ d/KE^ Dh^d ^h D/dd KEͲ>/E ͘ ƉƉůŝĐĂŶƚƐ ŵĂLJ ĂůƐŽ ĚŽǁŶůŽĂĚ ĂŶ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶ ŽŶ ŽƵƌ ŽŶůŝŶĞ ƉŽƌƚĂů ĂŶĚ ŵĂŝů ŝƚ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ĂĚĚƌĞƐƐ͗ ^ŚŽƌĞǀŝĞǁ ƉĂƌƚŵĞŶƚƐ͕ ϯϱ >ŝůůŝĂŶ ƚ͕ ^ĂŶ &ƌĂŶĐŝƐĐŽ͕ Ă ϵϰϭϮϰ ƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟ ŽŶ ĂŶĚ ŽƵƌ ƌĞƐŝĚĞŶƚ ƐĞůĞĐƟ ŽŶ ĐƌŝƚĞƌŝĂ ŝƐ ĂǀĂŝůĂďůĞ on the online portal at ^ŚŽƌĞǀŝĞǁ^&͘ĐŽŵ͘ zŽƵ ŵĂLJ ďĞŐŝŶ ƐƵďŵŝƫ ŶŐ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶƐ ƐƚĂƌƟ ŶŐ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ ϭϲ͕ ϮϬϮϬ Ăƚ ϯ͗ϬϬ Ɖŵ͘ dŚĞ ŽƉĞŶ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶ ƉĞƌŝŽĚ ǁŝůů ĞŶĚ ŽŶ ĞĐĞŵďĞƌ ϭϱ͕ ϮϬϮϬ Ăƚ ϱ͗ϬϬ Ɖŵ͘ WůĞĂƐĞ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ ZĞůĂƚĞĚ DĂŶĂŐĞŵĞŶƚ ĨŽƌ ďƵŝůĚŝŶŐ ŝŶĨŽ Ăƚ ϰϭϱͲϲϰϳͲϲϵϮϮ Žƌ ĞŵĂŝů ƵƐ Ăƚ ^ŚŽƌĞǀŝĞǁ ƉƚƐΛƌĞůĂƚĞĚ͘ĐŽŵ /Ĩ LJŽƵ ŶĞĞĚ ŚĞůƉ Į ůůŝŶŐ ŽƵƚ ĂŶ ŽŶůŝŶĞ ĂƉƉůŝĐĂƟ ŽŶ͕ LJŽƵ ĐĂŶ ĐŽŶƚĂĐƚ Ă ƌĞŶƚĂů ŚŽƵƐŝŶŐ ĐŽƵŶƐĞůŽƌ Ăƚ͗ ŚŽƵƐŝŶŐ͘ƐĨŐŽǀ͘ŽƌŐͬŚŽƵƐŝŶŐͲĐŽƵŶƐĞůŽƌƐ Žƌ ďLJ ĐĂůůŝŶŐ ϰϭϱͲϴϮϮͲϭϬϮϮ͘ /ŶĐŽŵĞ ůŝŵŝƚƐ ĂƌĞ ƐƵďũĞĐƚ ƚŽ ĐŚĂŶŐĞ ďĂƐĞĚ ŽŶ ĐŚĂŶŐĞƐ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ƌĞĂ DĞĚŝĂŶ /ŶĐŽŵĞ ĂƐ ƉƵďůŝƐŚĞĚ ďLJ ,h ͕ ĂŶĚ ƚŚĞ ĂůŝĨŽƌŶŝĂ dĂdž ƌĞĚŝƚ ůůŽĐĂƟ ŽŶ ŽŵŵŝƩ ĞĞ͘
SF#2940
utes. 2. Meanwhile, fill a large bowl with ice and water. Pull the eggs out of the pot and dunk them in the ice bath for 15 minutes to stop the cook-ing. Run the eggs under cold water, peel, and I promise, you will have perfect hard-cooked eggs every time. Excerpted from AMBOY: Recipes from the Filipino-American Dream © 2020 by Alvin Cailan. Photography © 2020 by Wyatt Conlon. Reproduced by permission of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
(650) 689-5160 • http://www.asianjournal.com
NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • NOvembeR 27-deCembeR 3, 2020
B
B
November 27-december 3, 2020 • NorcAL ASIAN JoUrNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
SEAFOOD CITY