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DECEMBER 3-9, 2020

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 31 - No. 48 • 12 Pages

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Balikbayans, family allowed to enter PH starting Dec. 7

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

FORMER Filipino citizens or “balikbayans” will be allowed to enter the Philippines visa-free starting December 7, Malacañang said on Friday, November 27.

Their spouses and children, regardless of age, are permitted entry into the country without a visa requirement as well.

According to Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Resolution No. 85, they are allowed to enter the country provided that they have a quarantine facility booked and a swab test scheduled at any Philippine airport.

DATELINE

“They, too, must be subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry,” the resolution read.

Filipino citizens’ foreign spouses and children are likewise permitted entrance to the country.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said that the Philippine Bureau of Immigration has been directed to formulate guidelines to ensure the policy’s smooth implementation.

The Philippine Department of Tourism, meanwhile, was directed to issue separate guidelines on providing sufficient accommodation for returning spouses and children of Filipinos.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat welcomed the decision to allow balikbayans to return to the Philippines during the Christmas season.

BI clarifies travel restrictions Foreign spouses and children of Filipino citizens are only allowed to enter the Philippines if the Filipino citizen or balikbayan is traveling with them, the Philippine Bureau of Immigration clarified on Tuesday, December 1.

“The intent of the IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) resolution was to enable foreigners to reunite with their families in the Philippines,” Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said. u PAGE A2

Report: Filipinos top social media users in the world

USA

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Fil-Am coach Mike Magpayo intent on opening doors for other AAPI coaches

BACK in July, Filipino American coach Mike Magpayo made history by becoming the first U.S. NCAA Division 1 head coach of Asian descent.

He was named head coach of University of California (UC) Riverside, which is a feat in and of itself.

“People of Asian descent make up a disproportionately small number of professional athletes in the majority of professional leagues, as well as in the NCAA,” Sports Illustrated wrote in its feature on Magpayo published Wednesday, November 25.

“More than 18.6 million Asians live in the United States. Of the more than half a million NCAA athletes who compete every year, just 1% of them are Asian. That number gets even smaller when carried over to the professional level; in 2015, Asian players made up only

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CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING. Pasay City Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano (center), Rep. Antonino Calixto (2nd from left), and Vice Mayor Noel Boyet del Rosario (3rd from right) lead the synchronized ceremonial Christmas tree lighting at the Pasay City Hall on Wednesday, December 2. The event coincides with the celebration of the city’s 157th founding anniversary.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

A new study found that Filipinos spend about 4,252 days on social media in their lifetime.

Inquirer.net photo

A NEW social media analysis revealed that the Philippines has spent the most time on social media platforms than any other country in the world.

According to marketplace OnBuy.com, Filipinos spend an average of 102,054 hours or 4,252 days on social media during their lifetime, which puts the Philippines at the top of the list for the most social media-obsessed

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ing 20,928 hours or 1,289 days on social media during their lifetime.

It also has an average life expectancy of 85 years.

OnBuy surveyed 2,153 people from 45 countries, of which 66% said they use social media to keep in touch with friends and family amid the on-going COVID-19 pandemic.

Sixty-one percent said they use social media for news, while 54% use it “just to fill spare time.”

The United Kingdom-based

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DFA: Over 277K overseas Filipinos DOT eyes subsidizing half repatriated amid COVID-19 pandemic of testing costs for tourists

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

MORE than 277,000 Filipinos have returned to the Philippines since the country’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) began COVID-related repatriation efforts in February.

A total of 277,320 Filipinos abroad have been repatriated by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) since it began its COVID-related repatriation efforts in February.

Of the figure, 86,413 (31.16%) are seabased overseas Filipinos, while 190,907 (68.84%) are land-based.

The DFA on Wednesday, December 2, an-

nounced that it has brought home 34,312 Filipinos from the Middle East, 3,310 from Asia and the Pacific, 2,316 from Europe, 10 from Africa, and nine from the Americas for the month of November.

“The DFA also organized three chartered flights which flew home 460 distressed overseas Filipinos who have been stranded in China, Saudi Arabia, and Timor Leste for several months,” the agency said.

“These chartered flights were shouldered by the DFA through its augmented ATN funds under Republic Act No. 11494 or the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act,” it added.

The month of November also saw the

Where COVID-19 is on the menu: Failed contact tracing leaves diners in the dark US commits P875-M for HIV-AIDS fight COVID-19 outbreaks have affected restaurants throughout Los Angeles County, from a Panda Express in Sun Valley to the University of California’s Bruin Cafe. If you live in Los Angeles, you can access health department reports about these outbreaks online.

But in most of the country, diners are left in the dark about which restaurants have been linked to outbreaks of the virus.

Restaurants appear to be among the most common places to get infected with the COVID-19 virus, but contact tracing in most areas has been so lackluster that few health departments have been able to link disease clusters to in-person dining.

When KHN contacted the health departments serving the 25 most populous counties in the U.S., only nine could confirm they were

country.

The country, however, was at the bottom 10 countries for average life expectancy.

“People from the Philippines may live until 72 [years] on average,” noted the data released on Tuesday, December 1.

Columbia ranked second with an average of 101,288 hours or 4,220 days on social media and an average lifespan of 74 years.

Japan, on the other hand, ranked as the country least obsessed with social media, spend-

by BERNADETTE

E. TAMAYO

ManilaTimes.net

THE United States has committed $18.2 million or P875 million to support the Philippine government’s program against human immunodeficiency virus-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIVAIDS).

The U.S. Embassy in Manila on Tuesday launched the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Pepfar) in observance of World AIDS Day. The embassy said through Pepfar, “The U.S. government has committed more than P875 million over two years for U.S.-Philippines bilateral efforts.”

The fund will be implemented by the U.S. Agency for International Development

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(USAid), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration and the U.S. Department of Defense.

The Pepfar program will address the increasing number of people with HIV in the Philippines, which has the fastest growing cases in the Asia-Pacific region.

“As a friend, partner and ally of the Filipino people, we remain committed to assisting the Philippine government in addressing this disease so that the country can meet its development objectives in health and progress along its journey to self-reliance,” USAid Acting Mission Director Patrick Wesner said.

Data from the Department of Health’s Epidemiology Bureau showed that in

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by CHRISTIA

MARIE Inquirer.net

RAMOS

MANILA — The Department of Tourism (DOT) is eyeing to subsidize half of the cost of travelers’ COVID-19 tests, which are mandated before entry to a local tourist destination.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat on Tuesday, December 1 said the DOT will be tying up with the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), which she noted offers reverse transmission – polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) COVID-19 testing at only P1,900.

“The President already in-

structed the DOH (Department of Health) and the DTI (Department of Trade and Industry) to put a price cap but having said that we also have, we are going to have a tie up with the UP-PGH. They are only charging 1,900 for the RT PCR and the results come out in 24 hours,” Puyat said in an interview over ABS-CBN News Channel.

“Then we are looking at how to probably make travel vouchers. Because mura na nga yung P1,900 but then gusto pa namin mas affordable so we’re looking at making it parang subsidizing 50 percent of the RT PCR in UP-

Philippine Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat

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Inquirer.net photo

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december 3-9, 2020 • LAS VeGAS ASIAN JOUrNAL

From The FronT Page

US commits P875-M for HIV-AIDS...

PAGE A1 2020, more than 110,000 Filipinos had HIV. “And among those previously diagnosed, at least 18,500 still need to be enrolled in life-saving antiretroviral therapy,” the embassy said.

It noted that under Pepfar, the USAid would work with the Health department and local community organizations in

Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Calabarzon, “the highest HIV burden areas in the country.”

“This new Pepfar program will support the Philippine government in reaching the UNAids 95-95-95 targets for HIV epidemic control, meaning 95% of those infected with HIV know their status, 95% of those who know their status receive treatment and 95% of those on treat-

ment achieve viral suppression,” it added.

The USAid will expand the Philippines’ prevention strategy through increased access to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, strengthen HIV testing and case-finding, and connect HIV-diagnosed clients with better HIV treatment regimens and retention programs.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque 3rd on Monday said 21 HIV cases are reported every day.

He stressed that even as the country grapples with the coronavirus disease pandemic, the government and other sectors should also focus on the prevention and reduction of transmission.

He said the government would continue to provide quality care to persons living with HIV and AIDS. The Department of Health, together with the Philippine National AIDS Council, marked World AIDS Day on Tuesday with the theme “Global Solidarity, Shared Responsibility,” which recognizes and celebrates the contribution of partners and stakeholders in the continuing response against HIV. The virtual celebration of World AIDS Day will run from December 1 to 15. n

CAPIZ HANDICRAFT. Numerous decorative Christmas lanterns made of capiz are on display outside a handicraft store under the bridge in Quiapo, Manila on Thursday, December 3. Several businesses have been allowed to reopen to slowly recover from the adverse economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.

PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.

Balikbayans, family allowed...

PAGE A1

He added, “Thus, such intention is not served if the alien comes here when his wife or children are not in the country.”

The BI commissioner issued the statement after the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) sent the bureau a clarification explaining the rationale behind the IATF’s newest resolution that lifts restrictions on traveling foreigners who are immediate family members of Filipinos.

Morente warned that arriving dependents may be denied enPAGE A1 try in the Philippines if they are not travelling with the Filipino PGH,” she added.

With the easing of restrictions, citizen or former Filipino citisome tourist destinations in the country have opened to domestic travelers.

“Today Coron, Palawan is opening and Siargao. Finally. PAGE A1 They’ve already been under modified GCQ (general commu- medical repatriation of 21 OFs nity quarantine) for quite some with serious illness from Bahtime. The LGUs were hesitant to rain, Brunei, Canada, Cuba, Italy, Kuwait, Laos, Oman, and open,” the DOT chief said.

“So, it’s really up to the LGU Pakistan.

“All throughout November, if they’re going to open or not.

So we’re quite happy that they our DFA frontliners were at the finally decided [to open],” she Ninoy Aquino International Airport and assisted in the safe readded. n turn of our distressed kababayan,” the DFA said.

Likewise, nine Filipino seafarers were brought home after their shipping vessel was abandoned by its owner at the Port

DOT eyes subsidizing half of...

zen, or if their Filipino family is not in the country.

“The intent of the relaxed restriction for balikbayans is to allow families to reunite this holiday season. Apart from those exempted by the IATF, others who will be entering under a tourist status will still not be allowed,” he said.

According to Morente, dependents, including minors, of Filipino citizens who are not traveling with the principal may still enter the Philippines if they are joining the Filipino citizen in the country.

“The Balikbayan privilege is specifically for spouses and children of a Filipino or a Former Filipino only, who is travel-

ing with him,” said Morente.

However, they must secure an entry visa from a Philippine Embassy or Consulate abroad.

“If they are not traveling with the Filipino or former Filipino spouse, and are just joining him in the Philippines, then they may be allowed to enter if they secure an entry visa, but with a limited stay in the country,” Morente added.

The country’s Balikbayan Program was launched by the national government in 1989 under Republic Act 6768, amended by Republic Act 9174. The program aims to attract and encourage overseas Filipinos to come and visit the Philippines. n

DFA: Over 277K overseas Filipinos... of Djibouti.

The department, through the Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs, coordinated with its missions abroad to lobby hard with the Djibouti representatives in the International Maritime Organization in London, the United Nations in New York, and the Djibouti Embassy in Tokyo to allow the disembarkation of the Filipino crew of MV Arybbas on humanitarian grounds.

The repatriated Filipinos arrived safely in Manila on No-

vember 24 after being stranded onboard their vessel for more than fourteen months.

“The DFA continues to deliver on its promise of bringing home our overseas Filipinos, regardless of the challenges we face,” said Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs Sarah Lou Y. Arriola.

“As 2020 draws to a close, the DFA remains unwavering in its promise to repatriate Filipinos all around the world amidst the pandemic,” the agency added. n

Where COVID-19 is on the menu...

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collecting and reporting data on potential links between restaurants and COVID cases.

As of Monday, November 30, 13 of the 25 counties hadn’t announced changes to their indoor restaurant dining policies, despite record-setting numbers of new COVID infections in the U.S. While public health researchers are convinced indoor dining is a risky activity in areas where COVID-19 is spreading, getting solid data to justify restaurant restrictions has been difficult. It takes in-depth, resource-heavy disease investigations to determine where people were exposed to the coronavirus, and those contact-tracing efforts have never gotten off the ground in most of the country.

This has made it hard to develop more specific information about risky restaurants and bars, and may have contributed to an overall feeling of powerlessness in the face of the pandemic among people and officials.

It didn’t have to be this way, said Dr. Bill Miller, a senior associate dean of research at the Ohio State University College of Public Health.

“We’ve really missed an opportunity” to use contact tracing systematically to provide “useful information to give us ideas of where we might need to be intervening,” he said.

For contact tracing of other infectious diseases, such as HIV/ AIDS, investigators usually ask patients to think through all the contacts with whom they might have shared a virus. They also dive further into the past to try to determine who might have infected the person in the first place.

But U.S. contact tracing for COVID-19 hasn’t taken this approach, in part because of a lack of resources and public trust.

Contact-tracing departments are stretched thin, gathering minimum data and facing a suspicious and often uncooperative population.

Contact tracers in Maricopa County, Arizona, prioritize learning the names of individuals over the locations where the coronavirus may be spreading. With

the exception of long-term care facilities and a few other locations, investigators don’t consider something an outbreak until they can trace 10 potential cases to a location, said Ron Coleman, a county spokesperson.

As winter looms and people increasingly gather indoors, many local governments are flying blind, lacking the data to create and adjust COVID restriction policies that could make a meaningful dent in rising case rates.

“Imagine there’s some major sporting event,” Miller said. “You might miss an entire cluster that came out of a social situation” if you didn’t check whether, for example, a COVID-positive person had gone to a crowded bar to watch it.

The COVID virus spreads mainly through respiratory droplets that an infected person can release by sneezing, coughing or talking, and a restaurant meal combines several high-risk activities in a single setting: going maskless to eat and drink, meeting up with people outside your household “bubble,” and chatting over a leisurely meal. If the meal takes place indoors, poor ventilation aggravates these risks because of the virus’s potential to linger in still air.

Published research on the role restaurants play in the pandemic is highly suggestive. Taken altogether, the studies paint a scary picture of how potent restaurants can be in spreading COVID-19.

A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study across 10 states found that those who had tested positive for COVID-19 were more than twice as likely to say they had dined at a restaurant in the two weeks before their illness began, compared with those who tested negative.

Dining at a restaurant was the only activity that differed significantly between those who tested positive and those who tested negative for the coronavirus.

For example, that study seemed to show no increased risk of infection linked to shopping, gathering with 10 or fewer people or spending time in an office, said Kiva Fisher, a CDC epidemiologist and lead author of the study.

Not surprisingly, restaurant

restrictions appear effective at slowing viral spread in a community. Out of the many social distancing restrictions states chose to implement at the beginning of the pandemic, shutting down restaurants had the strongest correlation to reducing the spread of the disease, according to researchers at the University of Vermont.

A recent Stanford Universityled study that used mobile phone data from different cities to create a simulation of viral spread suggests that restaurants operating at full capacity spread four times as many additional COVID19 infections as the next-worst location, indoor gyms.

The model predicts that only about 10% of “points of interest” — public places where people gather — account for over 80% of infections that occurred in public places, said Jure Leskovec of Stanford University, lead author of the mobile phone data study.

“There are a small number of these superspreader sites that account for a large majority of infections,” he said. One characteristic of superspreader sites is that “people are packed and stay there a long time.”

Still, none of these studies can definitively prove that restaurant dining causes infections, the researchers said. Identifying any individual restaurant case or cluster requires the kind of shoeleather investigation that few communities in the U.S. have been able to conduct.

“You’d have to follow the person and have a lot more detail and information to be able to make that claim,” said CDC epidemiologist Fisher.

Many countries have succeeded in following individual trails of virus. In China, for instance, contact tracing revealed how a restaurant’s air conditioning unit may have carried a positive patient’s viral droplets from one table to two others, infecting nine other people.

In Japan, investigators use contact tracing to identify clusters of disease where people live or congregate. Out of about 3,000 cases confirmed from January to April in that country, PAGE A3

Dateline USa

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • dEcEmbER 3-9, 2020

A

Sisolak, Department of Health & Human Services provide Wesley So spoils Magnus Carlsen’s update on Nevada’s COVID-19 vaccination planning birthday with Skilling Open title CARSON City, NV — Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak was joined by experts from the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services to provide an update on Nevada’s COVID19 vaccination planning process.

While a vaccine is not currently approved for use, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services is on standby and prepared to distribute the state’s initial allocation and has developed priorities for immunization focusing first on Nevada’s essential health care providers.

Two vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna, are showing promising results and have filed for emergency use authorization with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

“Thanks to the development of vaccines, there is hope on the horizon,” said Gov. Sisolak.

“There’s no doubt this will play a pivotal role in helping combat this disease, but we must build a bridge that gets us from today to the day we have largescale vaccination throughout America. In order to avoid a scenario where

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financial deficits that the school is experiencing due to the global health crisis.

“A number of Power 5 universities have already eliminated several sports teams—including Stanford’s rowing program and Minnesota’s indoor and outdoor track and field teams—though no one in 2020 has ended athletics entirely,” said Sports Illustrated.

“But for a non-Power 5 school like UC Riverside, which additionally lacks a lucrative football program (the Highlanders’ football team is a member of the NCAA’s Division II), a notion to cut its entire athletic program could be seen as justifiable,” it added.

Magpayo, for his part, expressed disbelief over the situation.

“I know it’s about dollars and cents and we’re in a once-in-acentury pandemic, but I just truly believe in the value of athletics and sports in general. Especially in a pandemic … I just can’t imagine it,” he said.

On the bright side, the Filipino

Nevada experiences devastating loss and an overwhelming of our health care system, our bridge must be built upon a foundation of vigilance, not complacency.”

Nevada’s COVID-19 Vaccination Program Playbook for Statewide Operations was submitted to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Oct. 16 by the Nevada State Immunization Program and since that time the playbook has been updated as more information is received from the CDC and the FDA related to the release of a vaccine. n

Fil-Am coach Mike Magpayo intent on opening...

0.2% of the NBA,” it added.

Magpayo, 41, was the defensive coordinator at UC Riverside before replacing David Patrick as head coach. He also had stints at University of San Francisco, Campbell University, and Columbia University before making his way to UC Riverside in 2018.

Outside the NCAA, Magpayo is the founder and president of the Asian Coaches Association, an organization that unifies, supports, and elevates all Asian coaches beyond just the basketball community.

“I hope I can open the door for other Asian coaches… that’s the mission,” he told Sports Illustrated.

However, Sports Illustrated noted that while Magpayo and his organization continue to open doors in the sports industry for Asians, “his own door has been wavering shut.”

UC Riverside in August began considering eliminating its entire athletic program to address the

A sociologist from the University of the Philippines (UP) came to the defense of Filipinos, insisting that the public’s relationship to social media should not immediately be characterized as an “addiction.”

“The fact that Filipinos spend a lot of time on social media result from a lot of different factors,” said UP sociologist Athena Presto.

She added, “It’s not just because we are so hooked, but also because our current context and circumstances predispose us to looking at our screens (more).”

GionGco Inquirer.net

WESLEY So played the spoiler’s role on his way to claiming the Skilling Open title in thrilling fashion on Tuesday, December 1.

The Filipino-born So, who began representing the United States in 2014, toppled reigning World chess champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway to bag the $30,000 (P1.5 million) prize.

“I have to apologize to Magnus for semi-ruining his birthday,” said So. “I’m very shocked, of course, to beat Magnus. He’s the best player in the world,” he added.

“Coming to the match, all I wanted to do is to put up a good fight and make the games interesting.”

Carlsen, the world classical, rapid and blitz chess champion, couldn’t make it a double celebration on his birthday following his loss to the underdog So, but still took the defeat graciously.

“First of all, huge congratulations to Wesley on a deserved

Wesley So

win,” Carlsen, who also rued making crucial blunders in the match, said.

“It was a very exciting match.

Photo from Chess.com

Frankly, to lose to him is not a shame, it’s not a disaster.”

The win also put So on top of the rankings with 46 points. n

Where COVID-19 is on the menu...

Mike Magpayo Photo courtesy of UC Riverside

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coach will remain steadfast in his goal to continue opening doors for future basketball generations despite the uncertainty he currently faces.

“And those inspired by his presence as a coach can clearly see how crucial it is to keep his own door open,” Sports Illustrated concluded. (Ritchel Mendiola/ AJPress)

investigators could identify 61 clusters, 16% of which were in restaurants or bars.

The failure to achieve comprehensive contact tracing means that decisions about whether to close restaurants, or how many customers to allow at a time, have relied heavily on the local political climate. Because the data from contact tracing is sketchy, it’s not always easy to correlate a community’s restaurant restrictions with case rates.

In San Diego, where indoor dining had been permitted with restrictions since the debut of the state’s tiered reopening system in August, 9.2% of COVIDinfected residents reported visiting a bar or restaurant up to two weeks before their symptoms appeared. All indoor dining ended in the county Nov. 14 because the county reached a threshold of case reports that led to staterequired closings.

In Houston, meanwhile, 8.7% of COVID-positive people interviewed for contact tracing listed a restaurant, cafe or diner as

Report: Filipinos top social media users...

PAGE A1 online marketplace also noted that the fear of missing out or “FOMO” is another reason why respondents use social media platforms.

“A scary 30 percent believe that if they don’t use social media daily, they will be missing out on the latest gossip,” OnBuy said. “[A]n alarming quarter of those surveyed (25 percent) said they have turned down a night out to spend further time on social media instead,” it added.

Not obsessed

by Mark

According to Presto, the global health crisis is one of the reasons why Filipinos spend a long amount of time online. Another is slow internet connection.

“Sociologically speaking, it’s hard to say that Filipinos are addicted to social media… because the assumption is that it’s an abnormal activity and you are the only one who experience that,” she said.

“So I don’t think it’s appropriate to describe our relationship with social media as addiction,” she added. n

a potential source of exposure since June 1. Restaurants there have been allowed to operate at 75% of indoor capacity since mid-September.

Other local governments have contact tracing completion rates so low that the data gleaned may not be meaningful.

For example, in Philadelphia, only about 2% of the COVID patients interviewed by contact tracers reported going to a restaurant, and the city allowed restaurants to reopen for indoor dining on Sept. 8. But it’s not clear how representative the city’s figures are. In one recent week, Philadelphia investigators were able to reach only 29% of the 2,110 positive cases they sought to contact. Despite this, indoor dining was stopped on Nov. 20 to combat a surge of cases.

In California, the state restricts the operation of establishments based on overall case and positivity rates in each county. But counties with more robust contact-tracing programs, like Los Angeles, have been able to glean

striking insights from interviewing positive patients.

In Los Angeles, about 6% of COVID infections have occurred among restaurant customers, according to the public health department, though only outdoor dining has been allowed there since the state debuted its current tiered system in August.

That data suggests that even outdoor dining may spread the virus, said Shira Shafir, an associate professor of community health sciences and epidemiology at UCLA. She gets takeout regularly to support the restaurants in her neighborhood but hasn’t eaten out since February, having concluded it isn’t worth the risk to herself and other patrons, or to the restaurant workers.

“I don’t want to ask someone else to take a risk that I’m unwilling to take,” she said. (Anna Almendrala/Kaiser Health News) This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation. n

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DECEMBER 3-9, 2020 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

FEATURES

OPINION

Asia’s leading destination

THE Philippines has always taken pride in its world-class beaches and diving sites. Now another destination is increasingly gaining recognition among international travelers: Intramuros, Manila’s walled city.

Manila has long been associated with urban blight, but Intramuros has always had the potential to be turned into what in other countries are the historic Old Towns. Such preserved enclaves are typically major tourism draws.

In recent years, efforts have been made to restore Intramuros to its historical splendor. Museums have been opened, vehicle movement regulated and, in the past months, more streetlights and artistic building illumination installed. Fort Santiago has been rehabilitated. The efforts have started paying off. In 2016, the walled city was chosen for the first time as Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction, at the World Travel Awards Asia.

This year, at the 27th edition of the awards, Intramuros has repeated its feat. The Philippines also bagged its fourth award as Asia’s Leading Beach Destination and its second as Asia’s Leading Dive Destination. The awards in the World category are still being awaited, but the regional recognitions are welcome news even as the coronavirus pandemic

continues to wreak havoc on the global travel and tourism industry.

With COVID vaccines now being prepared for mass application, it’s only a matter of time before people will start traveling again. There will be stiff competition for visitors especially among countries whose economies are heavily dependent on tourism. The World Travel Awards make it easier to market the Philippines as a priority destination for people who are raring to end the COVID mobility restrictions.

The pandemic has shown the economic importance of tourism and its downstream industries.

With the latest official accolades, the challenge is to maintain the environment that won the recognition. Travel destinations must not only feature unique attractions but must also be clean, safe, and supported by the necessary services and infrastructure. Winning awards this year is not enough; the country must sustain the momentum and develop a solid reputation as a top travel destination. (Philstar. com)

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS ADVENT is very special to me because year after year, my birthday (December 1) is within the Advent season. This year, Advent lasts for four Sundays leading up to Christmas — from November 29 to December 24.

The reflection of this year’s advent season has an even deeper meaning and significance to us as we are all going through the worst health crisis around the world, which has greatly exacerbated the hardships we are now facing politically, economically, and socially and therefore, in our personal lives.

The sermon of the Archbishop of New York Cardinal Timothy Dolan during the mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral has such a profound message to us Christians last Sunday, November 29, during the trials and tribulations we are now facing. But before that, let me share with you some interesting things I read about Advent.

According to christianity.com, “the word “Advent” is derived from the Latin word adventus, meaning “coming,” which is a translation of the Greek word parousia. Scholars believe that during the 4th and 5th centuries in Spain and Gaul, Advent was a season of preparation

God’s advent message for us amid the challenging 2020: Wait!

for the baptism of new Christians at the January feast of Epiphany, the celebration of God’s incarnation represented by the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:1), his baptism in the Jordan River by John the Baptist (John 1:29), and his first miracle at Cana (John 2:1).”

“During this season of preparation, Christians would spend 40 days in penance, prayer, and fasting to prepare for this celebration; originally, there was little connection between Advent and Christmas.”

However, beginning the 6th century, “Roman Christians had tied Advent to the coming of Christ. But the ‘coming’ they had in mind was not Christ’s first coming in the manger in Bethlehem, but his second coming in the clouds as the judge of the world. It was not until the Middle Ages that the Advent season was explicitly linked to Christ’s first coming at Christmas.”

Going back to the sermon of Cardinal Dolan that my family got to hear during the televised Sunday mass during this time of the pandemic.

Cardinal Dolan said the message for us Christians during Advent is to WAIT. And he confessed how human as he is, he hates waiting.

And we all do, especially during this time of a fast-paced life and the sense of entitlement to

fast results and instant gratification.

But Cardinal Dolan said life, in reality, is all about waiting.

We experience this in our everyday life. We want for the mass to end, for the food to be cooked, for our train or bus ride, for our paychecks to be released or deposited to our accounts, for the results of an exam to come out, or for the results of a COVID test to come out.

Mothers need to wait for nine months and endure the hardship and suffering of pregnancy and childbirth but when the baby comes out, the joy of motherhood makes us forget the hardship we endured as we were waiting.

The Archbishop of New York said that God’s message for us especially during Advent is to WAIT. And he explained why. Dolan said waiting during advent helps us to: 1. Flex our emotional and spiritual muscles to strengthen our faith; 2. Prepare us until we are ready to receive the grace of God and the answers to our prayers; and 3.

To make us realize God is in command, that God is in control.

Listening to Cardinal Dolan made me think about how this is so real in our life, especially this year.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “The celebration of Advent is possible only to those who are troubled in soul, who know themselves to be poor and imperfect, and who look

Will Biden’s problems soon begin?

Street Talk GREG B. MACABENTA IF the four-year term of President Donald Trump was rocky, it looks like that of President-elect Joe Biden will be just as rocky. In fact, it could even be rockier.

First of all, Biden will have to deal with a Trump out for vengeance and a Republican Party wanting to keep control of the Senate and regain control of the White House and the House of Representatives.

They have a choice between making sure Biden fails so that he won’t win a second term and they can regain power, or they could tactically cooperate with him on programs and policies for which they could claim credit. Or they could do what every politician professes to be committed to do, which is to promote the welfare of the nation and its citizens – but skeptics think that might be expecting too much of politicians.

What is ironic is that Biden will also have to deal with the members of his own party, many of whom do not share his centrist posture. There are Democrats whose agendas and ideology

White House photo

tend to be left of center. “Left” really refers to a populist – even a markedly socialist – ideology that envisions a society where all citizens equally enjoy the benefits provided by the State.

In a country built by pioneers and self-made entrepreneurs, “equality” is not necessarily appealing. They recoil at the idea of achieving equality by making those who have much, much more carry a bigger part of the social cost to compensate for those who have much, much less.

This appears to be the emerging view among the “new Democrats,” epitomized by New York’s young congresswoman, Rep. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez, as well as by the likes of Sen. Bernie Sanders. Sanders, who has twice vied for and nearly won the party’s presidential nomination, ran on a platform of universal health care and free college education for all, as well as other free social benefits.

And how will these be paid for?

By levying a heavier tax on the small percentage of the population who control a large percentage of the nation’s wealth.

Ocasio-Cortez and Sanders differ mainly on the extent to which they envision the “super rich” to carry the social cost. In her proposed Green New Deal, OcasioCortez would impose a tax of up to 70 on the very rich.

Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez both appear to be using the socialist templates of several Nordic countries, as well as of Canada and New Zealand, On the other hand, their detractors identify them with Cuba and China. The term “Socialist,” in this context, has been portrayed as synonymous to Communism.

While the freebies provided to their citizens by the socialist governments may be appealing on the surface, the fact is that there is a price that they have to pay for the benefits.

Denmark, said to be one of the most successful socialist countries, also levies the heaviest taxes on the citizens. It is said that in Canada, people are not motivated to hold down a second job because the extra earnings will be eaten up by taxes.

Even the free health care is not as ideal as it seems. People have to wait in line – long lines – to get medical treatment.

These harsh realities may have bothered a significant percentage of the Democratic voter base, such that they gravitated to the centrist candidate, Biden.

Trump had gone to great lengths in portraying socialism in the worst possible light. In fact, it is said that Florida voted for Trump over Biden because Cuban-Americans, haunted by their travails under Fidel Castro,

u PAGE A5

forward to something greater to come.”

The threat of the coronavirus to our lives and livelihood; the financial problems we are facing; the hatred and division in our families, in our nation, in our world; the feeling of emptiness and disconnect in our hearts and among us — these make us pine for a better tomorrow, for a better world, for solutions to our problems, answers to our prayers.

For us, Christians, or for people of other faith, or for those with no religion at all — we feel that deep need to plug into a higher power, a power greater than ourselves, than our might. For us Christians, that is God. However, God uses our trials and tribulations to make us introspect as we wait, and search within our hearts if our own thoughts and actions go toward the direction of our prayers.

We pray for our good health and safety during this pandemic: do we do our part to protect us, or loved ones and others? Do we wear a mask, practice social distancing, avoid crowds, and sacrifice so that lives may be saved?

We pray for abundance in harvest, but do we plant good seeds?

Do we nurture them with hard work? Do we protect them with integrity? Do we foster growth and protection in others? Do we rush things, sacrifice quality, life, safety and miss on God’s best?

We pray for enlightenment and peace, but do we search for and share the truth? Or do we lean on our own understanding, ego and personal agenda and false gods that twist our fidelity to the truth?

We pray for love and unity, but do we fill our thoughts and our hearts with the divinity of every human being and our equality in the eyes and heart of God? Or do we think we are more superior than others? Holier than others?

Do we speak words and do acts of empathy? Compassion? Do we forgive or do we harbor resentment, revenge and ill will, instead of goodwill?

Do we choose to think of what we share in common with others rather than what makes us different and apart? Do we think and speak and act toward building bridges instead of walls?

We pray to honor and serve our God, but do our thoughts and words and action follow God’s Ways and calling in our life: “Whatever you do to the least of your brethren, you do unto me”?

Do we think of the greater good and commit to something bigger than ourselves?

God is using our trials and tribulations to reach up to Him, to allow Him to mold us, to prepare us to receive His grace.

Remember the candles that the priest lights up during each of the four Sundays leading up to Christ-

mas? Christianity.com explains: “The most common Advent candle tradition, however, involves four candles. A new candle is lit on each of the four Sundays before Christmas. Each candle represents something different, although traditions vary. The four candles traditionally represent hope, faith, joy, and peace. Occasionally, a fifth white candle is placed in the middle and is lit on Christmas Day to celebrate Jesus’ birth.

In Advent, God is asking us to WAIT. When we wait, we hope.

When we hope, we have faith.

When we have faith, we experience the joy and peace as we take that step of faith, and God will help us do things we cannot do on our own, and will take us to where we cannot go on our own — in His time.

“Peace be with you.” *** 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.

Voters backed vaccines and biopharmaceutical innovation. Leaders must deliver

AS both a health care patient and former restaurant owner, I was relieved to hear positive news about three different COVID-19 vaccines in the late stages of their clinical trials. It’s wonderful to know that effectiveness may exceed 90 percent and emergency use authorizations could mean inoculations start reaching our communities by 2021.

Such rapid advances are precisely the shot in the arm Las Vegas restaurant owners need to survive. Our city has already lost too many eateries that once anchored our neighborhoods and provided unique character, jobs, and social opportunities.

Nearly all restaurants operate on razor-thin margins, so even slight economic hiccoughs can strain budgets. The lockdowns from March and April, combined with a lackluster recovery and reluctance by high-risk individuals and others to eat out, mean that bars and bistros are barely making ends meet.

Being of Asian heritage, I’m especially concerned about the impacts on Asian-American businesses. Nevadans saw early on that a misunderstanding about the novel coronavirus caused some customers to avoid Chinese, Japanese, Thai, and other Asian restaurants, as well as my

Commentary WILLIAM WONG previous franchise, the first and still only Asian-American owned McDonald’s in Nevada.

A vaccine would transform our prospects, enabling customers to return to tourist and entertainment venues of all types. Even the hope that a vaccine may be coming soon could enough to help business owners hang on a little longer.

Of course, I’m also concerned about my own health. I’m a diabetic and this underlying condition puts me at increased risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms, hospitalization, and worse. I will feel more confident once I receive a vaccine to safeguard against these outcomes.

For all of these reasons, vaccines and other biopharmaceutical innovations were at the top of my list when I entered the polling booth earlier this month. I had evaluated each candidate, especially those vying for federal office, based on how strongly they support biopharmaceutical advancement. In such a close race, I have no doubt that my vote and those of other concerned patients

made a difference.

Now it’s time for the leaders we selected to deliver. The progress we’ve seen on vaccines, as well as on COVID-19 therapeutics, was made possible by a strong, free market system in which investments in research are rewarded. Nevadans must insist that such an environment continue so that promising coronavirus vaccine development reaches a successful conclusion and that treatments, therapies, and cures for other diseases, including diabetes, follow a similar path.

Eradicating disease would be mankind’s greatest achievement, with untold benefits for quality of life and reduced health care spending. That makes the issue a priority for me, not just in a single election but in every election for the rest of my lifetime. As elected representatives consider health care policy, I hope they will take into account how strongly voters back biopharmaceutical treatments and cures, now during COVID-19 and in the future. *** 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.

*** William Wong is currently the director of the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce.

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D ateline PhiliPPines ‘I don’t care about human rights,’

A

Duterte says, urging cops to ‘shoot first’

by Franco Luna Philstar.com

MANILA — It’s been made clear countless times in the past: the president does not care about human rights, despite claiming to abide by the 1987 Constitution.

At a speech in Cavite on Thursday, December 3, at an event celebrating the destruction of P7 billion worth of narcotics, President Rodrigo Duterte made the statement as explicitly as he could, urging officers of the law to shoot first, and worry about human rights later.

“All addicts have guns. If there’s even a hint of wrongdoing, any overt act, even if you don’t see a gun, just go ahead and shoot him,” he said in Filipino. “You should go first, because you might be shot. Shoot him first, because he will really draw his gun on you, and you will die.”

“Human rights, you are preoccupied with the lives of the

criminals and drug pushers. As mayor and as president, I have to protect every man, woma, and child from the dangers of drugs. The game is killing...I say to the human rights, I don’t give a shit with you. My order is still the same. Because I am angry,” he added.

Duterte has often slammed the criticisms of rights groups, and statements encouraging police to shoot first are nothing new. Earlier in the coronavirus pandemic, he also urged law enforcement personnel to “shoot dead” any quarantine violators, especially those linked to left-leaning groups critical of his administration.

According to groups from the United Nations to local rights monitors, cops under the Duterte administration have been handed “near-impunity” by the president’s pronouncements and are only further emboldened to carry out the summary executions linked to the administration’s flagship campaign against illegal narcotics.

Even worse, the findings of an earlier UN report have suggested that the planting of evidence by police officers was a common practice.

Both local and international organizations have said that the nightly killings only increased amid the coronavirus-induced lockdowns, a claim corroborated by the government’s own data.

Overall, police figures acknowledge just 8,000 “drug personalities” slain in official operations where police claim that only suspects who fought back were killed, though rights groups say the number may be as high as 30,000 deaths since Duterte’s “war” began in 2016.

“For me, I don’t care about human rights...I will assume full legal responsibility. I will face those human rights, not you (enforcers),” Duterte said.

“As far as you can go in accordance to the law, if you suspect that you might be in danger, just kill them.” n

Senate, House finalizing 2021 budget

by Javier Joe ismaeL ManilaTimes.net

PHILIPPINE Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go is hopeful that the budget measure will be ratified by Congress next week so that President Duterte can sign the appropriations bill before the end of the month.

Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go is hopeful that the budget measure will be ratified

by Congress next week so that President Duterte can sign the appropriations bill before the end of the month.

“Maybe, may mga minor changes and hopefully maratify na po sa both houses ang budget para on-time po ma-i-sumite sa executive at mapirmahan ng mahal na Pangulo bago matapos ang taong ito para pagdating ng Enero, meron na tayong working budget (Maybe, there will be minor

changes, and hopefully it will be ratified by both houses so it could be transmitted on time for the signature of the President before the year ends so that by January, we will have a working budget),” he added.

Go gave assurances that lawmakers took into consideration the needs of Filipinos during the pandemic in the budget proposal.

“Nandun po sa loob ng budget ang mga programa at tulong para po sa mga Pilipino dito sa laban natin sa Covid-19.

Hopefully, next week ma-ratify na po ng both houses (The programs and assistance for Filipinos in the fight against Covid19 are in the budget.

Hopefully, next week it will be ratified by both Houses),” he said.

The allocation for the procurement of Covid vaccines was also included, the senator said. However, lawmakers

will determine if this will be increased.

Go earlier emphasized that the budget for 2021 must respond not only to the country’s goal to overcome the pandemic but should help the country to be better prepared and more responsive to health crises.

“Bigyan po natin ang ating mga kababayan ng bagong pag-asa at mas maayos na kinabukasan (Let us give our countrymen new hope and a better future),” the senator said.

He expressed support for shifting priorities and realigning spending policies to focus on containing the spread of the coronavirus disease, funding the procurement or production of vaccines and restarting the economy.

“As we move forward, we need to make long-lasting plans not only for our recovery but also for our sustainable future,” he said. n

FRUIT STAND. A vendor selling fresh fruits on his small truck offers a watermelon to a motorist along Ejercito Avenue in Taytay, Rizal on Thursday, December 3. Ambulant vending has become popular in the country amid the coronavirus pandemic.

PNA photo by Joey O. Razon

Will Biden’s problems soon begin?

PAGE A4 would have nothing of socialism, as depicted by Trump and the Republicans.

Biden appeared to have a better chance of winning against Trump, than the other Democratic presidential contenders with their progressive, albeit radical, platforms.

It was a choice between a second term for Trump and the centrist ideology of Biden. The latter was the more palatable option.

Even Biden’s running mate, Sen. Kamala Harris, perceived to be “progressive but not progressive enough” was considered a better option than the others (in addition to Harris’ expected appeal to African-Americans and other minority blocs).

In sum, the choice of Biden was a compromise. It was as if the ideologues in the Democratic Party reasoned that they had a better chance of infusing a Biden administration with their platforms than a Trump second term.

Now, that Biden is about to assume the presidency, the piper must be paid. The question is, will Biden be willing to dance to the tune of the “new Democratic Party”?

During the campaign, Biden denied endorsing Ocasio-Cortez’ Green New Deal and when asked

to what extent his administration would adopt the platform of Sanders, Biden replied that he – and not Sanders – was the Democratic standard bearer.

Another sticking point still has not been resolved – control of the Senate. But even if the Democrats win the run-off in Georgia, things will not necessarily be easier for Biden if the progressives have a louder voice in the party.

Of course, that could still be better than Biden having to deal with a GOP-controlled Senate.

That would seem to place Biden between a rock and a hard place. But then, this would be nothing new for a former VicePresident who served under President Barack Obama who, during his two terms, never had full control of the Legislature.

It is said that Biden’s most important role in the Obama White House was to serve as a bridge with the Republicans on Capitol Hill. In such a case, Biden not only had a lot of battlefront experience, he also survived and managed pretty well.

Indeed, Biden has not been in Capitol hill politics for almost five decades for nothing. My guess is that Biden will seek an “alliance of convenience” with the Republicans.

One other perspective is

Biden’s age. He will be 78 in 2021, the oldest person to serve as president. That makes Harris’ position a very pivotal one. She could find herself suddenly thrust into the presidency or even be as chosen Democratic Party standard bearer in 2024, with the support of a retiring President Biden.

The implications are that Harris will want to show off her best presidential qualities while waiting in the wings.

Biden, on the other hand, may want to leave a heroic legacy in the final stage of his public service career. He may want to provide a stark contrast to Trump’s chaotic tenure.

He may, in fact, decide to live up to the classic – but oft-broken – commitment of every politician to place the country’s interests above self-interest.

But then, he will have to contend with the politicians of both parties and those with centrist, leftist and extremist agenda.

And that could mean a rocky presidency. *** 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.

*** gregmacabenta@hotmail.com

A

december 3-9, 2020 • LAS VeGAS ASIAN JOUrNAL

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INSPIRED BY HER LOLA

Kimberly Camara’s Kora doughnuts ooze with Filipino flavors and fillings introduced Josh’s lola, along with yet another Filipino classic, the bibingka.

But before these grandmas IT’S the season of the Filipino lolas. Disney UK recently released even made it into everyone’s its Christmas video featuring consciousness, another Filipino a grandmother (lola) and the lola already became viral someFilipino parol, tugging hearts of how, thanks to her granddaughter Filipinos in the diaspora. Then a Kimberly Camara who named her couple of weeks ago, Blue’s Clues online bakery in her honor and

By MoMar

G. Visaya

AJPress

“It’s a lot of hours of manpower and mental planning involved in every single recipe and every single donut. New flavors will be added and rotated on a weekly basis,” Kimberly Camara tells the Asian Journal.

AJPress Photos by Momar G. Visaya

memory.

Camara is the brains behind Kora, the NYC bakery now famous for its doughnuts infused with Filipino flavors and a long wait list. They staged their first ever popup in October and to say that the event was a smashing success would be a massive understatement.

“I draw my inspiration from my culinary background and also my Filipino heritage,” Camara told the Asian Journal. “It’s a combination of a lot of different influences in my life, one of the biggest one is my grandma, Lola Cora.”

Week after week, the anticipation built up as the demand for Camara’s Filipino doughnuts rose.

We asked around while waiting in line and most were curious because they all failed in getting their orders on the day of the release as everything was sold out after just a minute or two. Others were repeat customers who wanted to have more.

Camara makes the doughnuts from her apartment in Woodside, Queens, around six blocks away from the popup venue at Fabula Cafe on 61st Street.

On their way to the cafe, she surveyed the line and was immediately overwhelmed.

“I did not expect five blocks of lines, maybe 100, 150 people at most. I was absolutely dumbfounded when I saw the line

outside wrapping round so many blocks,” the NYC-born chef said.

“For me mostly it was the feeling of anxiety knowing that more than half of those people are not going to be able to get anything.”

Not bad for something that was started in the middle of the lockdown due to the global pandemic.

Last June, Camara posted an update on her Instagram account, apologizing to friends, family and followers for being MIA (missing in action) for a while and revealed that she was working on a “little project.”

“Prior to lockdown, I was working full-time and I was in the process of developing multicoursed, private Filipino dinners to be held from my apartment,” she shared. “Of course, as the Among the five flavors included in the popup were Churron, a portmanteau of churros and world still remains upended, these turon (center), Champorado, Leche Flan ni Lola, Ube and Sans Rival. dinners may not be possible for some time, so I wanted to come up with a way to keep creating and introduce you all to some of those Filipino flavors.”

Kora was that “little project.”

Like many of us, Camara took to baking and cooking while in lockdown. She baked an ube cake for a friend one day and realized she had leftover dough so she fried some of them and the first version of her ube doughnut was born.

“It tasted great and I thought, ‘I could try and sell this and see Kora’s Sans Rival is a brioche made with roasted cashews, cashew dacquoise and Tanduay rum buttercream.

The Ube brioche doughnut includes fresh ube custard, ube glaze, purple yam crisps, and ube powder.

what happens’,” she shared. She took a photo and posted it on her Instagram account and it took off from there.

Camara then came up with ideas, among them using Filipino flavors from classic Filipino desserts that her mother’s mother Corazon used to make for them.

Now, she makes all the doughnuts and its components from scratch and in small batches right from her own kitchen.

Here are the basics: each doughnut costs $6.50 and Camara only makes a limited amount.

Customers click a link every Monday at 3:00 p.m. to pre-order the doughnuts and if they’re not quick enough, they end up on a waiting list for canceled orders, if there are any.

Every Friday, the doughnuts are made available for pick-up and delivery in Queens for the lucky ones who got through.

This is lovingly referred to as the ‘doughnut drop.’

Among the flavors she introduced are traditional Filipino favorites: Leche Flan ni Lola (brioche doughnut stuffed with her grandma’s famous leche flan); Ube (ube brioche doughnut, fresh ube custard, ube glaze, purple yam crisps, ube powder); Halohalo (brioche doughnut, classic halo-halo mix-ins, cream, ube glaze, flan, pinipig, banana chip, maraschino cherry); Buko Pandan (pandan brioche, coconut & sago cream, pandan glaze, flaked coconut, pinipig).

Kora has evolved from a “small side project to something that has developed into a full-time, passion-driven craft” and the popup was the cherry on the top for now.

I asked her about her dream for Kora.

“That’s an interesting question mainly because I never had this dream to begin with,” she quipped. “I never even thought Kora was gonna be anything when I first started.”

“It was something I did for myself, my grandma was definitely a big influence but as it grew, I hope we that can get a shop one day so we can be able to give people more doughnuts and expand our horizon,” she added. “I definitely want to get into more savory food as well, that’s something we’re looking in to.”

Just how big of an influence was her lola to the flavors she has created?

Well, let’s just say the flavors are a nod to the desserts Camara’s Lola Cora used to make, including the leche flan mentioned earlier.

Camara also makes her Sans Rival (brioche, roasted cashews, cashew dacquoise, Tanduay rum buttercream), which she explains is one of her Lola’s favorite Filipino desserts. She recalls her lola’s house in the town of Balayan, Batangas has a huge cashew tree in the backyard.

Among the five flavors included in the popup were Churron, a portmanteau of churros and turon (cruller, saba banana & jackfruit filling, caramelized spring roll wrapper, banana chips, toasted sugar, caramel drizzle) and Champorado (brown sugar & chocolate brioche, champorado filling, puffed rice tuile, whipped ganache, cocoa powder, cacao nib, DIY salted condensed milk drizzle).

“Growing up, when my grandma used to make champorado for us kids, though I loved having it at any time of day and any time of the year, it was one of the most comforting dishes in the winter time,” Camara posted on her Instagram account. “Stepping inside after playing in the snow, nippy-nosed and hungry, nothing compared to a stewed, steaming hot bowl with all the sticky sweetened condensed milk a little girl could ask for. Leftovers were just as delicious the next day—can’t say I’m not guilty of scooping spoonfuls right out of the pot inside of the fridge…”

Other flavors that have made an appearance since she started the project are Itlog na Pula (salted egg yolk lava filling with cured yolk dust), Maja Blanca (coconut and corn pudding), and Calamansi Amapola (calamansi curd, poppy cream, calamansi glaze, torched meringue, graham crunch).

“We wanted to put halo-halo today, that’s one of my favorites, but that’s also one of the most labor intensive. We wanted to make sure that we’d be able to make everything on time,” Camara said, responding to a question why the ubiquitous flavor was missing.

True to her earlier assessment, not everyone was able to get their hands on the tasty treats.

“For myself and all of us cultured in hospitality and have that as a strong foundation, we don’t like turning people away, we don’t PAGE B4

Kimberly Camara with her mom Babes and Lola Corazon (center), the inspiration behind Kora.

Photo courtesy of @kimberlymcamara

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Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS COVID-19 affects only the lungs As of today, the COVID-19 pandemic has victimized almost 64 million people and had killed nearly 1.5 million around the globe. The heart is one of the organs affected by COVID-19 infection, besides the lungs. Actually, as the disease progresses, multiple-organ damages could occur, especially among the seniors with other health issues. The healthier ones with robust immune system, including children, recover from this viral illness more readily than the vulnerable high-risk people 65 and older. There is no question that the persistence (worsening) of the pandemic is due to people’s lack of discipline and non-compliance, especially among the arrogant non-thinking people who demand civilrights and do whatever they want in the name of freedom and democracy, regardless of other people’s right to remain healthy and not be killed, and of societal good and public safety. Some of them have accidentally killed people not knowing it, without even realizing their reckless behavior was tantamount to homicidal negligence. Let us continue to do only essential travels outside our home, use facemask or two in public, not touch our face, wash our hands frequently, and do social distancing. Science has shown that the use of facemask protects BOTH the wearer and others, and that social distancing works. Again, let us not accidentally kill people, including our loved ones.

Persons younger than 40 do not get heart disease This is a myth. The youngest patient we did coronary bypass surgery on in Indiana, U.S.A., was a 28-year-old diabetic Caucasian female, who had very high cholesterol level, high blood pressure, and a cigarette smoker. At Cebu Cardiovascular Center in Cebu City, the youngest heart bypass patient we had was a 34-year-old man. Coronary artery disease does not respect any age, gender, or any person who abuses himself/herself with an unhealthy lifestyle.

Sex is bad for the heart.

On the contrary, sex is good for the heart. The morphine-like opiates and other feel-good hormones our own body secretes during sex or during any happy activities or thought processes we have, the physical exercise during sex, and the healthy outlet it provides both partners, actually benefit the heart. Only those with untreated coronary artery disease or heart failure could get into trouble during sex.

Heart disease is inherited.

Rarely, certain congenital (inborn) structural defect of the heart may be genetic, but in general, we cannot blame our ancestry for the heart diseases

Be heart wise that are very common today, like coronary artery disease (cause of heart attacks), or heart valve diseases (due to Rheumatic Fever). Although some families seem to be more prone to heart attacks, and the traits could be a part of the genes, the important causative factors in this situation are mostly not heredity but environmental --- the life style of the family members.

Children of heart attack victims will have the same fate This is not true. Even if both parents had heart attacks or coronary artery disease, their children are not necessarily condemned to same fate, provided the children live a healthier lifestyle, unlike their parents. If these children stay on low cholesterol diet, eat fish (instead of red meat), a lot of vegetables, fruits, and high fiber foods, do not smoke, exercise at least 5 times a week, maintain a normal weight, know how to relax and manage stress, they can escape significant coronary artery disease. Healthy lifestyle outweighs genetics in more than 80 percent of people around the globe.

Exercise damages the heart.

Definitely does not. The heart can take a lot more challenges than one can imagine. It is one of the strongest muscular organs in the human body. Exercise has beneficial effects on the heart.

Even heart attack patients who have recovered from the acute phase are prescribed an exercise regimen. Exercise dilates (opens wider) coronary arteries that supply the heart muscles with oxygen and nutrition. Brisk walking is the new recommendation, because of the significant resulting injuries to the spine, hips, knees, ankles of jogging in the long run.

Heart attack victims should be sedentary Nothing is farther from the truth. Heart attack patients who have recovered should resume normal activities as prescribed by their physicians. It is most essential for these people to be active again as soon as they are medically allowed to. A sedentary life for these patients would only lead to deterioration of the heart and to vegetation. Those who bounce back to as normal a life as possible following a heart attack will fare much better physically and mentally than those who resign themselves to invalidism.

Longevity is shortened by heart bypass This is another myth. Coronary bypass surgery, not only improves the quality of life by eliminating chest pains but also increases the life span of patients, whose life will otherwise be reduced by heart attack. Heart bypass is superior to angioplasty among those with more than 2 (multiple) coronary artery blockages. More and more clinical studies are showing this to be the case.

Red meats and eggs are good for children A dangerous myth! High cho-

lesterol diet is bad for children as it is unhealthy for adults. It has been shown on autopsies performed on children (victims of various accidents and illnesses) ages 4 to 6 that the inner walls of their arteries were already lined with a thin layer of cholesterol plaques (fatty deposits). Therefore, it is clear that hardening of the arteries starts even earlier than that tender age. Since red meats (like pork and beef and anything made of them) and eggs (particularly the yolk) are high in cholesterol, these foods are detrimental to children and to all of us. They cause arteriosclerosis (hardening of our arteries) which leads to heart attack or stroke, which kills one person every 60 seconds in the United States alone. Indeed, not only an epidemic, even here in the Philippines, but a pandemic, worldwide! Fish, on the other hand, contains Omega 3 fatty acids that is cardioprotective (good for our heart), the reason why it is highly recommended for all of us (together with the other healthy life style regimen we discussed above), and most especially for our toddlers and children, where prevention of cardiovascular diseases could be, and should be, maximized.

Unwittingly and without malice, we, the parents, are “killing” our children with love by allowing them to live the same undisciplined, unhealthy and deadly lifestyle we have, which, in essence, cheats them of good health and well-being, and shortens their lives. Being good examples ourselves and teaching healthy habits to our kids (starting from) while they are still in the crib and learning to say “no” to our children, when and where appropriate, will lead to a healthier, wiser and happier family. It is time for us, parents, to stop “killing” our children with love. Go to philipSchua.com for more details. *** The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff. *** The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. *** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/ author, a Health Public Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United NetworkUSA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and antigraft foundation in the United States.

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

Troy Laureta: A true pride of OPM

by Tessa

Mauricio-arriola ManilaTimes.net

IF you’ve ever met or spoken to LA-based Filipino-American music director Troy Laureta, you’re bound to think he was born in the Philippines or at the very least spent some years living here. And it has nothing to do with his accent because it is pure American. Instead, it has all to do with his love for this country, which is just as pure and truly overwhelming.

Before Troy “jumped head first into a career as a producer and musical director for some of the biggest names in the music business” in 2008 — the proud words his alma mater LA’s MI College of Contemporary Music writes on his profile on their website — he was born and raised in Hawaii.

If he or his family wanted to, Troy could’ve grown up just knowing he is Filipino then, but he is proud to say the Lauretas lived like Filipinos in the US state. They had a close-knit community where the children sang in church choir, understood a good amount of Tagalog even if they didn’t speak it and, of course, where no occasion was ever needed to bring out the karaoke.

“I grew up on Original Pilipino Music and I promise you, everywhere I go, no matter who I work with, you’ll always hear me playing ‘Maalaala Mo Kaya’ on the piano when we warm up before a show,” Troy adorably shared.

That’s why you can be sure that the likes of pop superstar Ariana Grande (Troy was musical director many of her sold-out tours), Stevie Wonder (for whom he was keyboardist in a landmark concert), Deborah Cox, Melanie Fiona, Cheesa, Tommy Page and Iggy Azalea (for whom he produced music) are familiar with OPM. And just before December rolled along, Troy had made his dream come true with the release

LA-based Filipino American music director Troy Laureta

of “Kaibigan: A Troy Laureta OPM Collective” featuring the voices of world-class artists Ailee, Cheesa, Matt Bloyd, Nicole Scherzinger, Pia Toscano, Sheléa and our very own Jake Zyrus and Regine Velasquez.

Co-produced with ABS-CBN Music International, Troy’s labor of love seeks to put legendary Filipino love songs in the global spotlight in its grandest scale thus far.

The heart-tugging collection kicks off with a short intro of “Harana” followed by eight Filipino tracks rendered by musicians from the US and Asia — all friends Troy made through his Troy’s friends he met in his musical journey.

South Korean artist Ailee interpreted Martin Nievera’s “Kahit Isang Saglit;” YouTube star Matt Bloyd, Jay-R’s “Bakit Pa Ba;”America’s “The Voice” season 2 quarter- finalist Cheesa, Jessa Zaragoza’s “Bakit Pa.” Pussycat Dolls member Nicole Scherzinger, Regine Velasquez’s“Pangako.”

American Idol” season 10 finalist Pia Toscano “Kailangan Kita” written by Ogie Alcasid; Jake Zyrus

Photo from Instagram/@troylaureta

(formerly Charice), Pilita Corrales’ “Usahay;” American singer, songwriter and pianist Sheléa, Angeline Quinto’s “Patuloy Ang Pangarap;” and Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez’s special rendition of “Hanggang Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan.”

“I owe a lot to Filipino music and this album expresses my undying love for my culture, our music, and my roots,” Troy shared while choked up with emotions during a virtual media conference with Kaibigan’s artists.

And as he said that, the singers one by one revealed a deep respect and love for Troy as the reason why they took on the project —his professionalism, tremendous passion for music and his loyalty as a kaibigan to them.

Now out across digital platforms worldwide, Troy Laureta’s Kaibigan Troy Laureta’s Kaibigan OPM Collective, be sure to listen to it and feel pride for the Philippines and this very talented and grounded man.

Lyric videos are also available on Star Music’s YouTube channel.

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • dEcEmbER 3-9, 2020

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Cox Innovation Lab opens at Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada LAS VEGAS -- November 30, 2020 – Girl Scouts in Southern Nevada have a new resource for digital learning and reaching out to their cookie customers thanks to the new Cox Innovation Lab at Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada, 241 E. Harris Ave., in Las Vegas.

Created through a donation from Cox Communications, the lab is valued at more than $5,000 and includes a podcast studio and four computer workstations, each equipped with software and 3D printer plus Wi-Fi and internet services provided by Cox. “Cox Communications is an invaluable partner to Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada,” said Kimberly

Trueba, Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada CEO. “Through their generous donation, the Cox Innovation Lab will provide hands-on learning that will allow Girl Scouts to become the STEAM leaders of tomorrow.”

“Cox is a company that values diversity and that includes women,” said Cox Director of Public Affairs Stephanie Stallworth.

“This lab provides the young leaders involved in Girl Scouts with tools to expand their digital skills and open doors to new opportunities.”

The company has also donated and installed Cox Innovation Labs at seven Boys & Girls Clubs

in Southern Nevada, as well as Cox Technology Centers at The Shade Tree and The Salvation Army.

“Cox Innovation Labs provide new and innovative technology and support to help bridge the digital divide that exists for many young people in Southern Nevada,” said Cox Las Vegas VP and Market Leader Michael F. Bolognini. “They are a resource to expand one’s interest in science, technology, engineering and math while providing those without a computer or internet access a way to get connected and manage through today’s distance learning.”

Registration now open for Winter Break Kids Camp on Dec. 21-31

Health screenings, face coverings and social distancing will be required THE city of Las Vegas registration for Winter Break Camp at three city community centers is now open. Registration is open to children in kindergarten through eighth grade for camps Monday-Thursday, Dec. 21-31, starting at 7 a.m. daily. Camp ends at 6 p.m. Monday-Wednesday and 3 p.m. Thursdays, Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. Health screenings, face coverings and social distancing will be required.

Camp activities will include arts and crafts, sports, games, music, life skills, physical fitness and fun, all with trained adult supervision. Available locations

and related fees include: •East Las Vegas Community Center, 250 N. Eastern Ave., $60 / 4 days; • Mirabelli Community Center, 6200 Hargrove Ave., $100 / 4 days; and • Veterans Memorial Community Center, 101 N. Pavilion Center Drive, $100 / 4 days.

Children can be registered for one or both weeks until camps are full. Space is limited and advance registration is required. For more information, call 702.229.PLAY (7529)

Find COVID-19 scam resources (and more) in multiple languages at ftc.gov/languages SEARCHING for in-language information on how to avoid COVID-19 scams and other types of fraud? Check out ftc.gov/languages, the FTC’s one-stop resource for consumer education in Traditional and Simplified Chinese, Korean, Tagalog, Vietnamese, and other languages.

At ftc.gov/languages you can explore blogs, articles, and publications that highlight some key frauds and scams : from learning how to spot government imposters to avoiding tech support scams, from recognizing phishing scams to the 10 things you can do to avoid fraud, and more!

Ftc.gov/languages also links to the latest COVID-19 related scam information so you can keep up to date.

Download, link, or share all the information at ftc.gov/languages with your friends, family and community. You can also order a selec-

Information on COVID-19 scams and other helpful resources in Tagalog can be found at https:// www.consumer.ftc.gov/resources-tagalog.

Image capture FTC website

tion of In-language publications for free at ftc.gov/bulkorder.

For Tagalog, visit the following webpage: https://www.consumer. ftc.gov/resources-tagalog.

And remember, if you spot

fraud or a scam, the FTC wants to know. Report it to Reportfraud. ftc.gov.

(Cristina Miranda/Division of Consumer and Business Education, FTC)

B december 3-9, 2020 • LAS VeGAS ASIAN JOUrNAL

EntErtainmEnt

Ate Charo has never left

Darren wants to spark hope and joy with new song Believe in Christmas

by NathaLie

tomada Philstar.com

THIS Christmas season, add Darren Espanto’s new single Believe in Christmas to the list of holiday tunes you need to hear.

With the times we’re in, we could all use that aural spark of joy.

“Why shouldn’t you believe in Christmas even though there’s a pandemic going on?” the 19-yearold singer told The STAR in a virtual one-on-one, sharing one of the core messages of the song released under MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines). Why shouldn’t we, indeed?

Interestingly, Darren releases this song at a time when he’s increasingly taking charge of the music he intends to put out.

According to MCA, the song isn’t your standard Christmas anthem wrapped in “high spirits and effervescent glow.” It’s sensitive to the current situation yet unabashedly sincere with its intention — that it wants to be part of that playlist of hope.

The former The Voice Kids runner-up said, “We’re gonna try a couple of new things like, with the direction of music I’m going to be taking. It’s not the Darren of The Voice Kids anymore. There’s still going to be songs that are like that in the music that I will be releasing in the future but you know, we’re growing and we’re also maturing as an artist and as a person. So, I feel that my new music should also do the same.”

Here’s the rest of The STAR’s exclusive virtual interview with Darren who has been staying in his hometown in Calgary, Alberta in Canada since the lockdown.

How’s life been for you during this time?

“Surprisingly po, I’ve been busy with virtual concerts and events and shows. I’d say blessed pa rin

po ako, kasi kahit may pandemya na nangyayari, I guess you just have to see the silver lining in everything.”

Good thing you were able to return to Canada and be with your family just before the lockdown?

“We were watching the news and when the President said that there was going to be a community quarantine for two weeks, my mom said, ‘Feeling ko lang hindi yan magiging two weeks lang.’ So she said, let’s fly out to Canada and we were fortunate enough to get seats for March 15.

“I’ve been here for eight months and the life here, it’s kind of back to normal but it’s the new normal.

In indoor public spaces, we have to wear face masks, practice social distancing and all that. We’ve been practicing sanitizing our groceries the moment we arrive at the door.

And since my parents are frontliners (registered nurses), pagdating palang po sa garage, it’s either me or my sister who’d get their towels ready. Diretso na sila sa shower and yung uniforms nila, iba yung laundry nila sa laundry namin, I’d say we’ve adjusted quite well to this pandemic.”

Let’s talk about your new Christmas single — what’s the story behind it?

“This song was written by the new A&R of MCA, si Kuya Tiny Corpuz. We’ve already worked together in past Station IDs. The first time I heard the song, I just fell in love with it and the message of the song. I’d say, apart from it being timely, it has a beautiful message and a sincere intention to really uplift people apart from just celebrating the holidays.

“I only mentioned to him, kind of what I wanted the background of the song to be, and also the feel of the song, from the instruments to the type of song that it will be, genre-wise. We did a few tweaks along the way, but very minor.

“And the title itself, Believe in Christmas — why shouldn’t you believe in Christmas even though there’s a pandemic going on around the world? And the elements that Kuya Tiny placed in this song will give you the Christmas feels right away that’s why I really chose this song to release this year.”

Besides your single, what’s your favorite Christmas song?

“I’d say, My Grown Up Christmas List and the Christmas Song.

And also, All I Want for Christmas Is You. When people think of Christmas here in North America, yung All I Want for Christmas talaga yung nasa radio po agad and stuff like that. But in OPM, Sana Ngayong Pasko, you know, the classic Jose Mari Chan Christmas songs.

Christmas songs just really hit you different. That’s also a reason why it’s one of my favourite holidays.”

How about your favorite Christmas memory?

“There’s so many but I’d say my first Christmas with my little sister like when she wasn’t a year old yet. You know, having a new family member, a new addition to the family was just so special to me.

And I wasn’t an only child anymore.

I was opening gifts with this small human. She was just ripping everything apart. I mean, there’s joy in like opening gifts on Christmas day as well as just ripping it open. That’s why my favorite Christmas memory will be the Christmas of 2010 when my sister was born.”

Any Christmas wishes?

“Sana mawala na po yung virus na ‘to, for things to go back to normal and I know that will take a lot of time for that to happen, a lot of healing in different ways. But, you know, there may be a pandemic, and like in the Philippines, there may be typhoons, there may be flooding and all that, but if we still have our faith, if we still hold on to that, I believe that we can overcome all of these trials.”

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

by Ricky Lo Philstar.com

UNLIKE her character in Lav Diaz’s critically-acclaimed Ang Babaeng Humayo (The Woman Who Left), Charo Santos-Concio has never faded out of the scene and became even more visible after she retired as ABS-CBN president/COO five years ago, starring in critically-acclaimed films (the other is the suspensethriller Eerie, written and directed

by Raymund Red), endorsing some products, releasing her autobiography and continuing as a Kapamilya consultant.

Oh yes, her long-running, multi-awarded drama anthology MMK (Maalaala Mo Kaya?) did disappear for a few months due to unforeseen circumstances but it’s back with a vengeance on the new Kapamilya channel A2Z Channel 11, now airing its all-star-cast 29th-anniversary month-long specials Saturdays at 9 p.m. Before that, your favorite Ate Charo hosted a five-episode series called Dear Charo that showcased her lighter side (that is, compared to her serious MMK persona). Ate Charo very kindly obliged a free-wheeling interview with Funfare.

What are your thoughts as MMK celebrates its 29th anniversary?

“It is a blessing for MMK to be back on air and I am grateful for the opportunity to continue sharing inspiring stories of Filipinos and serve our audiences during this pandemic. People have been hit hard by the pandemic and need hope and inspiration, which MMK stories can provide. And the best sources are real stories of people that show the triumph of the human spirit. It is also a blessing for the production team, especially after all the challenges that we faced as a company this year.”

Did you ever think that MMK would last this long and harvest a truckload of awards?

“No. When we started MMK, we all just wanted to tell stories of hope and inspiration. We just wanted to create the best quality drama program. The response from the audiences and the recognitions from award-giving bodies through the years are an affirmation that we continue to deliver stories that are relatable and inspiring as we intended when we started doing MMK. Of course, I wanted it to last but I never thought we will last this long. We are extremely thankful and grateful for all the support all

The unsinkable Charo Santos- Concio became even busier after she retired as president_ COO of ABSCBN five years ago. Her long-running, multi-awarded drama anthology MMK bounces back after a long absence.

ABS-CBN photo

these years.”

Of the approximately 1,800 episodes, what are the three that you consider memorable?

“I have many favorite episodes but the Top 3 are: Rehas showed the sacrificial and unconditional love of a mother. It was a powerful story of a mother, portrayed by Gina Pareño, and the lengths she can do for the love of her three mentally challenged children.

Sinturon told the story of Fanny Serrano. It was MMK’s first LGBTQIA story shown in 1991.

But more than that, the story translated that loving is not about gender but it is about being human. It was really a brave gay character portrayal, especially during that time.

Kotse-Kotsehan showed two versions of truth from the lens of two mothers — one who lost her son and the other who found and raised the lost son but was charged with kidnapping.

Your 29th anniversary specials are all-star cast; do you personally choose the stars of each episode?

“No, I do not. In MMK, the director and the production team decide on the cast based on who they think will best fit and portray the characters. We are glad that the stars are always very willing to do an MMK episode.”

How many episodes have been made into a movie and what were the criteria in choosing them?

“We have not adapted any of the TV episodes to a movie. What was chosen for MMK the Movie before was really intended for the film version.”

Aside from Ate Charo, what do you think makes MMK enduring/durable?

“I always say that MMK mirrors our real life, which makes MMK very relatable to our audiences.

While watching MMK, viewers identify with the characters and the stories since they happen in real life. Each story offers hope and inspiration, which can help people transcend whatever it is that they are going through. Filipinos are generally passionate about helping others and fascinated with stories of other people.”

How do you re-invent it so that it continues to be relevant with the times?

“I think MMK will always remain relevant because we tell real-life stories. But the production team always makes that conscious effort to add some modern touches in the style of storytelling.

We experiment. While we used to just narrate the story from start to finish, we now also do bookends start or flashbacks. We also did two points-of-view versions of a story. And because of the pandemic restrictions now, we will be adding some graphics and animations. The stories will always be relevant, but we also adapt to the present times through our style of storytelling.”

Kimberly Camara’s Kora doughnuts...

PAGE B2 like to say no. We also are only human and we can only do what we can do,” she said.

Darren is back home in Canada with his sister Lynelle and frontliner parents Lyndon and Marinel Espanto. Photo from Instagram/@darrenespanto Camara shared that they were expecting more people would be open to sitting inside since partial indoor dining has been allowed in the city.

“This is a very big learning experience for us because this is the first time we’re doing this, we have a physical space where sincerely helped a lot of people

by JaN miLo SeveRo we can welcome people in,” especially during this pandemic Philstar.com she added. “I hope this doesn’t and typhoon disasters, I agreed to TELEVISION host-actress join this pageant mainly to raise turn people away from us as a Giselle Sanchez will represent funds to be able to help my fellow whole.” the Philippines at the upcoming Filipinos,” Giselle said.

Herstory Noble Queen of the Universe Camara studied at the Culinary The virtual coronation of the pageant this December.

Institute of America. After gradua2nd edition of the Noble Queen of Reigning Noble Queen of the the Universe is scheduled on Detion, she said she bounced around Universe Patricia Javier report- cember 20. Fifteen women from different New York restaurants edly convinced the comedienne around the globe will compete in including Eleven Madison Park to join the pageant. at the same time dabbling in the beauty contest.

Giselle said on Instagram that catering as well. She was workApart from the coronation she decided to join the pageant night, the organization will also ing at Union Square Hospitality upon discovering its advocacies. honor the Prominent Women Group when the lockdown hap“I was hesitant to accept this Empowerment award to Sharon pened last March. position at first, but when I saw Cuneta, Dyan Castillejo, Regine Intricate Filipino doughnuts the advocacies of Noble Queen Tolentino and Bacoor City Mayor Giselle Sanchez was not something Camara inof the Universe and how they Lani Mercado-Revilla.

Photo from Instagram/@gisellesanchez tended, but because of the look of

Beauty queen at 45: Giselle to represent Philippines in international pageant

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

the finished products, that is how her followers have been describing them.

She said she prepares the ingredients herself and makes every single component. She has a team that comes together on the day of the drop to build the doughnuts.

For the popup, they prepared hundreds (she declined to reveal the actual number) to accommodate the demand.

Family Camara’s family also came in droves to support her.

We met her father Tino Camara, who was excitedly taking photos of the long lines.

“They are the entire thing, every single person that’s on our team is either a family member or a very, very close friend of mine. We all each have our different skill sets that we apply to this business,” she said. “We’re selling doughnuts but it’s really about the experience that ties in with the doughnuts, we want to make sure that people are learning more about Filipino culture

EMPLOYMENT

and they feel heard through our customer service.”

This means that they make sure everyone experiences the human connection for people who talk to them on their different platforms.

They read and listen to the comments left on their social media accounts so they could improve further.

Camara has created an opportunity in the middle of a pandemic and helping friends and family is a big bonus, which is why she is thankful for the opportunity.

She believes that she is lucky to have this platform “to not only share my culinary spirit with all of you, but also all the stories these pastries carry with them.”

In the end, it’s all about passion and being true to one’s self.

“Don’t be afraid to be genuine, that’s what people respond to the most. When you’re being yourself and you can relate to other people in that way because you are being sincere, that’s what takes you places and that’s what people admire and love,” she said.

EntErtainmEnt

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

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • dEcEmbER 3-9, 2020

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Katrina on the receiving end of contravidas’ wrath for a change

by AllAn

PolicArPio Inquirer.net

FOR most of her career, Katrina Halili has portrayed contravida characters.

But in GMA 7’s afternoon drama series, “Prima Donnas,” she finds herself in an unfamiliar position. This time, she plays the role of an underdog, the one on the receiving end of all the antics and havoc her past characters wreak.

But as it turned out, Katrina can still be effective on the other end of the soap opera spectrum, viewers observed. And she still can’t believe it, she admitted in a recent virtual conference.

“To this day, whenever I read my script and see that my character is almost kind to a fault, it gets me thinking: ‘Is this role really for me?’” related the Kapuso actress, who plays Lilian Madreal, mother to Donna Marie (Jillian Ward), and stepmother to Donna Belle (Althea Ablan) and Donna Lyn (Sophia Pablo).

There was pressure when she first accepted the job, she recalled, because she had been so used to doing the tormenting.

“Nanibago ako. I felt like play-

Katrina Halili

GMA photo

ing villains is easier somehow, because you’re always stressed when you play a protagonist. One time, I was crying from morning to morning. I thought I was going to get wrinkles!” she said.

She knew that there were people who were doubtful about her playing a downtrodden character, mostly because of her strong look.

But she didn’t mind, Katrina said, because she herself was unsure about it at first.

But “Prima Donnas” director, Gina Alajar, was pleasantly surprised and, to a certain extent, felt vindicated, because it was her idea to have Katrina in the said role.

“I’m happy with the response Katrina has been receiving. It wasn’t easy to defend casting her as someone api because she has been long perceived as mataray or palaban. Because that’s how almost all her characters were.

But I said, ‘No, trust me. The way people view Katrina will change,’” Gina related. “And thankfully, that was what happened.”

“I’m happy because I’m able to get by with Direk’s help. I don’t think I could have done it without her,” added Katrina, who also drew inspiration from her costars, like Aiko Melendez, whose character, Kendra, make Lilian’s life a living hell.

Will this show signal a future shift in her direction as an actress? “I’m still OK with contravida roles. But of course, if I were given the chance, I would also like to explore other roles,” she said.

Why Sarah feels like she’s been married for 10 years already by rito

P. Asilo Inquirer.net

Sarah Geronimo

Photo from Instagram/@justsarahgph

IN a recent virtual interview that we attended, Sarah Geronimo was asked if having babies or raising kids was already on top of her priorities, now that she’s married to Matteo Guidicelli.

“Not just yet,” she said. “Unang una sa lahat, we want to save first. Before the kids come, we want to enjoy this stage in our lives as husband and wife. We hoped we’d have enough time to enjoy each other’s company. Pero biglang naglockdown, so we didn’t get to travel and enjoy married life as much as we would have if not for this pandemic.

“I even joked that it felt like Matt and I have already been married for 10 years because we were together 24/7. Gusto sana naming makapagipon for our travel funds. Ang galing nga ng asawa ko—he’s very organized. He’ll say, ‘Let’s set these funds for groceries, for our needs at home, etc.”

“Then, we also want to build our own home.

We’ve set our priorities … medyo nakakalula po.

But if you plan ahead and organize your priorities well enough, everything will follow.”

A scene from “Lumpia: With a Vengeance,” the sequel to the cult favorite “Lumpia.”

‘Lumpia: With a Vengeance’ wins at Hawai‘i International Film Festival

By AJPress

FILIPINO American film “Lumpia: With A Vengeance” secured the Audience Award at the Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF).

The film won against a strong field of international and domestic features, of which several have high profiles, bigger budgets and, importantly, distribution deals in place.

“Our Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature went to ‘Lumpia With A Vengeance’ which is definitely a fan favorite this year in Hawaii,” announced Beckie Stocchetti, HIFF Executive Director.

‘Lumpia: With A Vengeance’ is the sequel to Patricio Ginelsa’s 2003 homemade action-comedy movie called “Lumpia.” It tells the story of a lumpia-armed hero who

returns to Fogtown and teams up with high school student Rachel to prevent a mysterious crime boss from destroying the town.

Ginelsa expressed his elation for the film’s achievement.

“I screamed my head off,” he said in a statement. “And I think that’s when it hit me: that all the hard work we had put in was validated in that announcement knowing that it came from all types of people who truly enjoyed our movie.”

Meanwhile, the film’s editor and co-producer AJ Calomay said: “I’m so incredibly proud of our incredible cast and crew and of Patricio for his determination to push his vision forward.”

“Getting (the audience award) means that people connected with the film emotionally and we’re really proud that within the wild

action scenes and flying lumpia, there truly is a human story that not only spoke to people but, they had fun watching it as well,” he added.

The filmmakers also took pride in having the majority of the cast and crew being Filipinos and Filipino Americans.

“We are most assuredly thankful to the Hawai’i International Film Festival for welcoming our movie and providing the various venues that allowed audiences to watch it the way we had intended: in a community setting,” said Ginelsa.

“And as always for their Aloha throughout,” he added.

“Lumpia: With A Vengeance,” filmed primarily in the San Francisco Bay Area, stars former UFC contender Mark Muñoz, April Absynth, Darion Basco, and Danny Trejo (“Machete”).

Maris willing to be John Lloyd’s next girlfriend

by JAn

Milo severo Philstar.com

KAPAMILYA actress Ruffa Gutierrez drew laughter after answering if she would rather date or befriend on-leave Kapamilya actor John Lloyd Cruz.

In a viral video that recently circulated online, Maris Racal, Pooh and others were playing “Totrapahin o Jojowain” when a photo of John Lloyd came next in the list.

Maris said she was will willing date John Lloyd while Pooh said he will befriend him.

“Jinowa ko na yan eh!” Ruffa answered, drawing laughter and cheers from the group.

It can be recalled that Ruffa and John Lloyd worked together in the 2008 Kapamilya teleserye “I Love Betty La Fea,” and admitted back then that they dated for a while.

“Alam na ng mga tao kung ano ang totoo with regard doon sa inamin din niya na we had a special relationship. Sobrang shocked ako. I wasn’t expecting him to say that kasi ang usapan namin from the very beginning na not to talk about it… Pinag-usapan namin na sikreto ito,” Maris Racal she said back then when John Lloyd admitted their relationship.

Photo from Instagram/@mariesteller

B december 3-9, 2020 • LAS VeGAS ASIAN JOUrNAL

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