120920 - Southern California Midweek Edition

December 9-11, 2020 Volume 30 - No. 97 • 2 Sections - 14 Pages

USA

DATELINE Maria Ressa lands on 2020 Bloomberg 50 list FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

RAPPLER co-founder and veteran journalist Maria Ressa is among 2020’s Bloomberg 50, an annual list of influential leaders, icons, and innovators who helped define the year.

She is only the second Filipino to land on the list, following Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corp., who was honored in last year’s lineup.

Ressa, a vocal critic of the administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, was convicted of cyber libel this past June for a 2012 Rappler article about a businessman, sentencing her to a penalty of imprisonment ranging from six months to six years.

“In June a judge ruled on the charge, which can be initiated when a party who believes he’s been defamed requests a prosecution.

The ask had come from businessman Wilfredo Keng, who said Rappler defamed him when the online news site cited a report about his alleged links to drug smuggling in a story,” read Ressa’s profile on the Bloomberg website.

Ressa, for her part, said the verdict was “not

Southern California now under regional stay-at-home order

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

AS coronavirus cases continue to climb and ICU capacities reach critical lows, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Monday, Dec. 7 that Southern California — along with the San Joaquin Valley — is on modified lockdown per the regional stay-at-home order announced last week.

The plan originally stated that any of the five regions in the state that reach 15% or lower ICU capacity are automatically issued the stay-at-home order.

Southern California’s ICU capacity is currently at 10.9%, meaning that the counties of Imperial, Inyo, Los Angeles, Mono, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara

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Online registration for overseas voting in 2022 PH elections begins

by AJPRESS

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California lawmakers to Newsom: Give all immigrants health coverage SACRAMENTO — California Democratic lawmakers so far have failed to convince Gov. Gavin Newsom that the state can afford to spend an estimated $2.6 billion a year to expand its Medicaid program to all unauthorized immigrants.

Now, they’re trying a new strategy.

Rather than working independently, a fiercely liberal state senator from Los Angeles and a moderate Assembly member from the Central Valley are joining forces to pressure Newsom to make California the first state in the nation to cover every incomeeligible resident regardless of immigration status. Unauthorized immigrants up to age 26 can already qualify for Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program for low-income residents.

Emboldened by the win of Democratic President-elect Joe Biden and spurred by the urgency of the coronavirus pandemic, state Sen. María Elena Durazo (D-Los Angeles) and Assembly member Joaquin Ar-

and Ventura are currently under the modified stayat-home order.

San Joaquin Valley — which includes Calaveras, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Mariposa, Merced, San Benito, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Tulare and Tuolumne — currently has an ICU capacity at 6.3%.

CROWDED CHURCH. Hundreds of devotees flock to Quiapo Church to attend the first Sunday Mass of the month on Sunday, December 6.

Authorities earlier announced the cancellation of the grand procession of the image of the Black Nazarene in January 2021 in light of the pandemic.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

OVERSEAS Filipinos may now register to vote online for the 2022 Philippine elections.

The Philippine Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) iRehistro, which has been operational since December 1, is accepting applications for new registrants, transfer and reactivation of voter records, the change of name or correction of entries on record, and inclusion of records in the book of voters/reinstatement of name in the list of voters.

The online facility also requires the applicants to provide their personal information, citizenship details, and residency data.

However, the poll body stressed that accomplishing the online form does not automatically make the applicant a registered voter.

“Take note that using this online facility only attempts to facilitate the process of accomplishment of the Application Form. It does not automatically mean approval of

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Pinoy nurse gives first COVID-19 shot in UK MANILA — A Filipino nurse made history after she became the first healthcare worker to administer the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID19 vaccine outside of clinical trials in the United Kingdom.

May Parsons, who has been working for the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) for 24 years, gave the shot to 90-year-old Margaret Keenan, the first patient to receive the vaccine which has been reported to have a 90% efficacy rate.

Parsons was quoted by the Irish Times as saying that it was a “huge honor” to be the first in the UK to deliver the vaccine to a patient.

“I’m just glad that I’m able to play a part in this historic day,” she was quoted in the report. “The last few months have been tough

for all of us working in the NHS, but now it feels like there is light at the end of the tunnel.”

In a tweet, UK Ambassador to the Philippines Daniel Pruce recognized Parsons as “one of the many thousands of Filipino healthcare workers making such an enormous contribution to the NHS.” Keenan, the first ever patient to receive the Pfizer/BioNTech shot outside of clinical trials, was quoted by the BBC as thanking Parsons and the NHS staff for looking after her and advising everyone to get themselves vaccinated against COVID-19.

“If I can have it at 90 then you can have it too,” she said.

UK regulators approved the Pfizer/BioN- Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte

Malacañang photo by Karl Norman Alonzo

Duterte ready to receive Philippines’ economic scarring among worst in the world coronavirus vaccine u PAGE A4

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

THE damage done by the coronavirus pandemic on the Philippine economy will take a long time to repair, according to Oxford Economics.

In its recent report entitled “Calibrating long-COVID vulnerabilities in 162 economies,” the UK-based research firm estimated overall long-term economic scarring will be slightly higher in emerging markets (EMs) than in advanced economies (AEs).

“Although AEs are underperforming EMs in the most important predictor of scarring (the crisis-year hit to GDP growth);

scarring amplifiers are bigger in EMs: labour market rigidities, economic structure, financial imbalances, and limits to fiscal support,” Oxford Economics said.

Among the EMs, the Philippines was listed as one of the countries most vulnerable to economic scarring in the longterm, scoring seven out of 10 in the think tank’s vulnerability score based on 31 metrics.

“Within emerging markets, the five economies with a particularly weak medium-term growth outlook are the Philippines, India, Peru, Colombia and Panama,” Oxford Economics noted.

The research firm attributed the countries’ lackluster performance to losing consumer and investor confidence, diminished or postponed investment in physical and human capital, a higher number of total deaths, and a weaker health system.

On the other hand, Australia, Japan, Norway, Germany and Switzerland were listed as countries that would limit long-term scarring.

Promising outlook Global investment banking giant Goldman Sachs, on the other hand, laid out a promising economic outlook for the Philippines next year.

In their November report en-

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titled “ASEAN 2021 Outlook: Vaccine Critical to Regional Recovery,” Goldman Sachs economists said it expects growth to “rebound the most in the Philippines (9.4%) and Malaysia (6.6%), which were among the hardest hit by virus containment this year.”

The banking giant said it relied on the Philippines’ response to the pandemic and vaccine rollout for its 2021 forecast.

“Given the extended demand contraction and limited fiscal offset to private sector balance sheets, we also build in larger permanent output losses going forward,” said Goldman Sachs.

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by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte is prepared to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to assure the public it is safe and effective to use.

“Ang Presidente po ay hindi na makapaghintay (The president can’t wait),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque told reporters on Monday, December 7.

“Gusto niyang turukan na siya nang mapakita sa buong bayan na ligtas at epektibo, ito po’y dumaan sa experts panel group ng pinakadalubhasang Pilipino at yan po ay it comes with their

highest endorsement (He wants to be vaccinated to show the nation that it’s safe and effective and it underwent the experts panel group and came with their highest endorsement),” he added.

According to Roque, Duterte is the “best communication tool” to persuade people to take vaccines against COVID-19.

“Definitely, as spokesperson, I think the President is the best communication tool. So kung papayagan na po ng FDA (Food and Drug Administration), I think po mangunguna ang Presidente at ang-volunteer naman po siya.

Gustong gusto na niya (If FDA

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A december 9-11, 2020 • Socal ASIAN JOUrNAL

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

From the Front Page

‘CHRISTMASK’ TRAIN. Light Rail Manila Corporation president and chief executive officer (CEO) Juan Alfonso unveils a wagon of the Light Rail Transit 1 (LRT-1) painted with a “face mask” at the Baclaran station on Monda, December 7. The “Christmask”-themed train aims to spread holiday cheer and remind passengers of the importance of observance of health protocols such as wearing of face coverings amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Southern California now under...

PAGE A1 The state’s overall remaining ICU capacity, however, has dropped to 14%.

Newsom described the new order as an “emergency brake” to curb the exponential spread of the virus in California where ICU capacity is dire. The order is to remain in effect for the next three weeks, and regions will be able to lift the order on Dec. 28 if the ICU capacity projections for January are above or equal 15%.

“This is the most challenging moment since the beginning of the pandemic,” Newsom said. “If there was ever any time to put aside your doubt, to put aside your skepticism, to put aside your cynicism, to put aside your ideology [and] to put aside any consideration accept this: Lives are in the balance. Lives will be lost unless we do more than we’ve ever done.”

What does this stay-at-home order mean?

With the issuance of the order to Southern California this week, all bars, wineries, nail salons, hair salons and barbershops and other personal care services are to close. Restaurants can remain open only for takeout and delivery; indoor and outdoor dining options, which is believed to be

a major source for superspreading, are shut down.

Another source of the super spread, large gatherings and parties with people from different households, is also being more closely monitored with this new order.

Unlike the first stay-at-home order issued in March, this new order states that retail stores are allowed to be open at 20% capacity. In his remarks last week announcing the new order, Newsom recognized that the first stay-at-home order unfairly favored big box retailers, which were allowed to stay open with little restrictions compared to small businesses.

Non-essential travel is “temporarily restricted statewide” and hotels and motels are now only allowed for guests traveling for an “essential reason,” including for work, school or a family emergency.

Regarding the enforcement of these rules, Sacramento is largely leaving those decisions to local authorities, but Newsom emphasized that uncooperative counties would see consequences.

“If you’re unwilling to adopt the protocols to support the mitigation and the reduction of the spread of this disease, we’re happy to redirect those dollars

to counties that feel differently,” Newsom added.

LA County Sheriff Alex Villanueva confirmed last week that the LA County Sheriff Department will target “super spreader events, where people are congregating and there’s no social distancing [and] no mask-wearing.”

Villanueva’s remark comes a week after Los Angeles instituted its own local stay-at-home order that prohibits large gatherings.

On Saturday, Dec. 5 the LASD arrested 158 people at a party in Palmdale, a “super spreader for COVID” that officers said had more than 100 maskless people packed inside the house.

Looking back and moving forward This year has been marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and the various stay-at-home (or, shelter-in-place) orders that governments have triggered to try to mitigate viral transmission. In turn, this has resulted in extreme economic downturn as businesses suffered, tens of thousands of workers laid off and millions of residents frustrated at stringent rules limiting access to public life.

California previously operated on a color-coded tiered

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Dateline USa

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • deCembeR 9-11, 2020

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Covered California, top state health care leaders urge Californians to ‘do the right thing, right now’ by staying home and staying safe to fight COVID-19

FACE SHIELDS FOR SALE. A vendor sells face shields to churchgoers queuing up to attend the Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception at the Redemptorist Church in Baclaran, Parañaque City on Tuesday, December 8. The government has allowed religious gatherings at 30 percent seating capacity in places of worship under the general community quarantine.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Online registration for overseas voting...

PAGE A1 your application,” Comelec said in an announcement on its website.

“You still have to personally appear before the concerned Philippine embassy or consulate together with the printed online

application forms (3 copies) for QR scanning and biometrics capture to complete the filing process,” it added.

Biometrics capture may be done only at Philippine embassies and consulates during office hours.

Comelec also said that the Election Registration Board (ERB) will approve the application on the scheduled date for the next ERB hearing.

The voter registration period resumed last September 1 and will run until September 30, 2021. n

Pinoy nurse gives first COVID-19 shot...

PAGE A1 Tech shot for widespread use last week. The UK’s NHS is beginning to roll it out to the public in the largest vaccination drive in its history.

Meanwhile, a vaccine still remains out of reach in Parsons’

home country. The Philippines has only so far secured 2.6 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine through the help of some 30 private firms, but regulators have not yet approved its use.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. has said that the country is in

“advanced talks” with China’s SInovac and Russia’s Gamaleya Institute to procure their shots against the coronavirus, which has infected more than 441,000 people and killed more than 8,000 in the Philippines. (Xave Gregorio/Philstar.com)

Duterte ready to receive COVID-19...

PAGE A1 gives its approval, I think the president will be first and he already previously volunteered. He really wants it),” he said.

Duterte on Dec. 1 signed Executive Order No. 121 allowing FDA Director General Eric Domingo to issue an emergency use authorization (EUA) for vaccines or treatments deemed safe and effective against COVID-19.

The order shortens the process of approving vaccines from the regular six months to 21 days.

“It is a priority of the State to ensure that the lives of the Filipino people, especially the underprivileged, poor, and marginalized, our frontliners, healthcare providers, police officers and soldiers, and those in the essential services shall be protected from COVID-19 by ensuing accessi-

bility and adequacy of supply of related drugs and vaccines,” said Duterte in the order.

Priority Around 24.7 million Filipinos would be prioritized in the country’s first vaccine rollout, said Roque.

The first priority are the 1.76 million health workers fighting on the front lines against the virus. These include those working in public and private facilities (612,975); other public health workers in rural, city and provincial health offices and contact tracers (609,982); barangay health workers (414,640) and other frontliners in national government agencies.

The second priority are the 3.79 million indigent senior workers, while the remaining 5.68 million senior citizens are

the third priority.

“All senior citizens are prioritized because we know that grandfathers and grandmothers are included in the vulnerable group,” explained Roque.

The fourth priority are the 12.9 million remaining members of the indigent population, and the fifth are the 525,000 uniformed personnel from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Bureau of Fire Protection and Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit.

“We will order (vaccine doses) good for 30 million individuals or 60 million dosages,” Roque said.

As of this writing, there are a total of 441,399 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country, with 8,572 fatalities and 408,702 recoveries. n

SACRAMENTO — With the surge of COVID-19 throughout California leading to stay-athome orders covering almost 90 percent of Californians, top health care leaders and Covered California have joined forces to urge Californians to stay home, wear a mask and get insured.

Covered California announced on Monday, December 7 its partnership with top medical groups and physicians’ associations and their members to reach Californians with important messages promoting COVID-19 safety. It also asked for all Californians to do the right thing to protect themselves and their communities. As part of this effort, physicians from across the state are reaching out to their patients with emails to drive this message home, including nearly 38,000 active physicians and residency students from the California Medical Association’s nearly 50,000 members, another 10,700 physicians, residents and students from the California Academy of Family Physicians and another almost 9,000 clinicians in the California Primary Care Association membership of community health centers.

“Normally in this time of year during open enrollment, we’d be talking about health care coverage, but this year, that means wearing a mask and staying safe first,” said Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee. “Wearing a mask isn’t a political statement, it’s a procommunity statement. Covering up with a mask will help protect Californians and their families and friends, and getting covered with a health plan will help protect people if they get sick or injured in 2021.”

Covered California began mailing its members masks two weeks ago, and over 1.5 million will have been delivered by the end of this week. Covered California is also sending masks to more than 50,000 doctors on the front lines, and asking them to wear their Covered California masks, so the message of being covered reaches their patients.

“These are not ordinary masks,

but masks with a message,” Lee said. “We’re all wearing masks, it’s hard and we’re tired of it, but these masks are a reminder that we’re wearing them for our community and those we care about. We’re joined in this effort by those on the front lines, who want to implore Californians to continue doing the right thing.”

Carmela Coyle, president and CEO of the California Hospital Association, has seen the situation worsen in hospitals over the past month, and she’s asking more from Californians for the sake of frontline workers.

“This has been a grueling year for every Californian, but our health care workers need more from all of us,” Coyle said. “With vaccine approvals in sight, there may be a light at the end of the tunnel, but we must get through the next few months. That will take cooperation, sacrifice and a real understanding that whatever this virus may have delivered in the past, it is likely to pack an even stronger punch now.

“We will only survive if all of us stand together to ‘clear the decks’ for health care providers; health care partners, to be supportive and flexible as they undertake their vital work; and all of us, who have an imperative duty to do our part by wearing a mask and staying home this holiday season. We implore every Californian to do just a bit more, for just a bit longer, to help health care workers and their families stay safe.”

With more than 1.3 million Californians infected by the virus, and a death toll that is closing in on 20,000, the survey, taken by more than 3,000 Californians in both English and

Spanish between Oct. 28 and Nov. 11, sheds new light on who is being hit hardest during the pandemic.

It found that COVID-19 has disproportionally affected the Latino community, with 33 percent saying they know someone who has died from COVID-19, higher than the statewide average of 28 percent. According to most recent data from the California Department of Public Health, Latinos in California make up 58 percent of California’s 1.3 million COVID-19 cases and 48 percent of the nearly 20,000 deaths.

Dr. Melissa Campos, a family medicine specialist at Scripps Valley Memorial, has seen some of the devastation and complications caused by COVID-19 firsthand in the San Diego area, including in the maternity ward.

“Just last week, I was treating a pregnant woman with COVID19 who was very ill and needing oxygen in her third trimester. She was terrified she would not be strong enough to deliver her baby, and that experience will stick with me forever,” said Dr. Campos. “It’s hard, and it’s honestly frightening to see the number of cases increasing so quickly. That’s why I’m pleading with all Californians to stay home and stay covered with a mask.”

Even with the ongoing pandemic, an estimated 1.2 million uninsured people in the state are either eligible for financial help through Covered California, or they qualify for low-cost or no-cost coverage through Medi-Cal. Of those eligible for subsidies through Covered CaliPAGE A4

A december 9-11, 2020 • Socal ASIAN JOUrNAL

Dateline USa

http://www.asianjournal.com • (818) 502-0651 • (213) 250-9797

Southern California now under...

PAGE A2 plan. Counties that successfully reduced viral transmission (through a series of measures, like 7-day averages, hospital bed availability, and daily case and death rates) were allowed to advance to less restrictive tiers on the plan.

However, as soon as businesses began offering in-store services and restaurants began expanding its inside dining op-

tions, positive COVID-19 cases and deaths mounted. LA County, one of the worst counties in terms of COVID-19 minimization, continues to break daily records as the holiday season threatens to double the current counts.

Most notably, LA County set new records for coronavirus hospitalizations every day of December so far.

The new regional stay-at-home

order, in fact, was a response to the lack of compliance among Southern Californians who have been ignoring social distancing and public health protocol regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Places like Pasadena and Orange County continue to defy the public health guidelines limiting restaurant and personal services, risking potential viral increases among its communities as the annual flu season looms. n

eyeing to normalize capital expenditure (capex) spending under President Rodrigo Duterte’s centerpiece “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) Program” next year.

“Program expenditures are expected to contract 6% this year as the government prioritized social and health-care spending. However, we expect capex spending to rise to 5.6% of GDP in 2021 with the government

budgeting a 40% increase in capex spending in 2021,” it said.

“Compared to previous years, when the government relied entirely on its budget to finance infrastructure spending, there will also be higher private participation — with around 30% of ‘Build, Build, Build’ projects now expected to be financed by the private sector,” Goldman Sachs added. n

Philippines’ economic scarring among worst...

PAGE A1 “However, with virus spread now slowing domestically, some relaxation in containment policies is likely — and this combined with the deployment of an effective vaccine next year could see a meaningful normalization in service sector activity in the second half of 2021,” it added.

Goldman Sachs also noted that the Philippine government is

Maria Ressa lands on 2020 Bloomberg...

PAGE A1 unexpected,” and vowed to continue fighting.

“Freedom of the press is the foundation of every single right you have as a Filipino citizen. If we can’t hold power to account, we can’t do anything,” she said in a press conference following the verdict.

Bloomberg lauded the Rappler CEO for her unflinching journalism, which included investigations of alleged police abuses in

the president’s anti-drug efforts.

“She’s carried on despite what journalism advocates say is a campaign of official intimidation, including a tax evasion case and a claim by regulators that financial support Rappler received violated a ban on foreign ownership of media,” it said.

“Free on bail, she’s fighting all those allegations — and still publishing,” it added.

Ressa, who was among TIME’s 2018 “Persons of the Year,” was

recently honored with the international 2020 John Aubuchon Press Freedom Award by the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Aside from her, Bloomberg also honored Billie Eilish, singer-songwriter; Bong Joon-ho, director of Oscar-winning film “Parasite;” Reed Hastings, co-founder of Netflix; Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; and Tsai Ing-Wen, president of Taiwan. (AJPress)

BLACK NAZARENE. ‘Wengweng’, a 40-year-old vendor, sells necklaces with an engraved image of the Black Nazarene in front of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao in Quezon City on Tuesday, December 8 a special non-working holiday in the country in commemoration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. For the first time, the January 9 grand procession of the Feast of Black Nazarene that usually draws millions was canceled due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Covered California, top state health care...

PAGE A3

fornia, more than half are believed to be Latino.

The importance of health care coverage has been illuminated in 2020 with the COVID-19 outbreak. Coverage for 2021 is available through Covered California’s open enrollment until Jan. 31. Lee encouraged Californians to stay covered with a mask until the vaccine arrives and get covered for next year.

“Up until now this was a race without a finish line, but we now have an end in sight,” Lee said.

“With a vaccine becoming more widely available by the spring, we have to be vigilant and make sure we do not spread the virus for the next few months and overwhelm the hospitals and the estimated 2.4 million Californians who are part of the state’s medical workforce. Let’s get to this finish line — safely and together.”

Covered California also announced its participation in a national effort called Get Covered 2021 to promote the message of “Stay Healthy,” by practicing COVID prevention, and “Get Insured,” reminding them to get insurance coverage if they are among the 1.2 million Californians and 16 million Ameri-

cans uninsured, but eligible for financial help or potentially free Medicaid.

This national effort will be promoted on Thursday, December 10 on Get Covered America Day, when Californians will be hearing from celebrities, athletes and their friends and neighbors.

“We’re calling on all Californians to share a message of health this Thursday — reminding all those they know to keep at it and wear a mask,” said Lee. “Californians can join athletes, celebrities, doctors and neighbors to get the word out this week by sharing www.getcovered2021.org and #getcovered2021.”

Consumers can visit www.

CoveredCA.com and find out if they are eligible for either lower-cost private plans through Covered California or free coverage through Medi-Cal (which is open year-round). Californians who sign up for health insurance through Covered California by Dec. 15 will have coverage that begins on Jan. 1, 2021.

Those interested in learning more about their coverage options can also: • Visit www.CoveredCA.com.

• Get free and confidential

assistance over the phone, in a variety of languages, from a certified enroller.

• Have a certified enroller call them and help them for free.

• Call Covered California at (800) 300-1506.

Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace, where Californians can find affordable, high-quality insurance from top insurance companies. Covered California is the only place where individuals who qualify can get financial assistance on a sliding scale to reduce premium costs. Consumers can then compare health insurance plans and choose the plan that works best for their health needs and budget. Depending on their income, some consumers may qualify for the low-cost or no-cost Medi-Cal program.

Covered California is an independent part of the state government whose job is to make the health insurance marketplace work for California’s consumers. It is overseen by a fivemember board appointed by the governor and the legislature.

For more information about Covered California, please visit www.CoveredCA.com. (Covered California Release) n

California lawmakers to Newsom: Give all...

Maria Ressa

Photo from Twitter/@mariaressa

PAGE A1 ambula (D-Fresno) plan to introduce a two-bill package on Monday that would cover unauthorized senior immigrants first, and eventually the remainder of California’s undocumented immigrant population.

“It’s a national issue. Look at how all the national Democratic candidates raised their hands in front of the world to support covering undocumented immigrants in health insurance,” Durazo told California Healthline.

“We want a clear commitment to finally do this, not just lip service.”

Newsom has long touted his goal of achieving universal health coverage in California and made campaign promises to work toward a single-payer health care system. But after nearly two years in office, Newsom’s ambitious health care agenda has been sidetracked by deadly wildfires and a widening homelessness crisis — as well as the COVID-19 pandemic — and he has not managed to dramatically expand coverage.

California currently covers about 200,000 unauthorized immigrant children and young adults, according to the state Department of Health Care Services. The state budgeted about $375 million to cover young adults ages 19 through 25 this fiscal year, but does not track spending for undocumented immigrant children, according to the state Department of Finance.

Opening the low-income health program to all eligible undocumented immigrants would expand coverage to at least 915,000 low-income residents and cost an additional $2.6 billion annually, according to a projection this year by the nonpartisan state Legislative Analyst’s Office. There are an estimated 1.5 million undocumented immigrant Californians who are uninsured, estimates show, but not all of them would qualify.

Public support for expanding coverage to unauthorized immigrants has risen over the past few years, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.

But expending scarce taxpayer resources on such an effort is politically risky, said Doug Herman, a Los Angeles-based national Democratic strategist.

“Gavin’s got bigger priorities right now and he has been wounded, so he has to be very cautious about what he does,” Herman said. “Look at the French Laundry and [Employment Development Department]

scandals. The homelessness crisis is raging and the prison outbreak happened on his watch.

This doesn’t rise to that level.”

Newsom communications director Jesse Melgar said no one from his office was available for comment.

Since Newsom took office, Durazo and Arambula have authored separate bills to expand Medi-Cal to more undocumented immigrants. Durazo has gotten close after negotiating with Newsom — only for the firstterm Democratic governor to back out, citing costs.

Such proposals have received widespread legislative support among Democratic lawmakers, who hold supermajority power in both houses of the state legislature.

A worsening economic outlook and long-term budget pressures could once again derail their efforts. Because the federal government prohibits states from using federal Medicaid dollars to cover undocumented immigrants — except for emergency services — California would have to pick up most of the price tag, which could top $3 billion annually to cover everyone, including children and adults, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office.

Newsom will be forced to weigh an onslaught of budget demands while managing, and paying for, the ongoing COVID19 emergency.

“That gives Newsom the ability to delay or oppose anything that doesn’t fit his agenda,” Herman said.

But some lawmakers, immigration rights activists and health care advocates argue the COVID pandemic has made their campaign more urgent as Latino and Black residents get sick and die at disproportionate rates.

Politicians cannot ignore that the pandemic has exposed a broken health care system that has left millions of taxpaying Californians without health coverage because their immigration status renders them ineligible, said Sarah Dar, director of health and public benefits for the California Immigrant Policy Center, which is already lobbying the governor to support the Medi-Cal expansion.

“Now we have a full picture of what this crisis is, and the blatant disparities faced by our essential workers, so there’s no excuse,” she said. “Immigrant communities and farmworkers in the food and agricultural sector, like meatpacking plants, have literally been hotbeds for the spread of disease.”

Dar acknowledged financial pressures ahead for the state, and said advocates will be pushing for ways to generate money to pay for the expansion, possibly including tax increases.

There could be some hope for a one-time cash infusion. Fiscal estimates show California could reap a $26 billion surplus next year, largely from personal income tax receipts from highincome earners who have not suffered devastating economic losses during the pandemic, according to state fiscal analysts.

Durazo and Arambula are eyeing that revenue for the MediCal expansion.

“He has routinely stated his vision, but we’d like Gov. Newsom to deliver on health care for all during his governorship,” Arambula said. “I’m not going to sit and wait.”

Durazo said she would introduce a bill Monday to expand Medi-Cal to unauthorized immigrant Californians age 65 and older. She put a similar bill on hold in 2019, in exchange for a commitment from Newsom to include the proposal in this year’s state budget.

Newsom included the proposal in the first version of his state budget in January, but then withdrew it, citing soaring unemployment, business closures and an economy decimated by the pandemic.

Durazo and other backers decided to craft a new approach: Alongside Durazo’s bill to cover older adults, Arambula plans to introduce companion legislation to cover all undocumented immigrant adults.

The lawmakers are using the two bills as a negotiating tactic.

Arambula and advocates said they hope to win coverage for undocumented immigrants 65 and older next year, while developing a plan with Newsom to expand coverage to the entire population at some point during his governorship.

Durazo said both bills are equally important and are intentionally being used to pressure the governor into action next year.

“This is our way to finally have a real conversation about what it’ll take to get everyone covered, given we’ll have federal partners with the Biden-Harris administration,” said Orville Thomas, director of government affairs for the California Immigrant Policy Center. (Angela Hart/Kaiser Health News) This story was produced by Kaiser Health News, an editorially independent program of the Kaiser Family Foundation.

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A

Dateline PhiliPPines

18 more Filipinos abroad contract COVID-19 Democratic freedoms in Philippines now by aJPress EIGHTEEN additional cases of the coronavirus among overseas Filipinos were recorded by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday, December 7, bringing the total number of infections to 11,692.

The agency also logged 12 new recoveries, raising the official number of recovered and discharged patients to 7,577.

The death toll likewise increased with one new fatality reported by the DFA. It now stands at 847.

“Today, the DFA reports one new fatality from COVID19 among our nationals in the Americas. Meanwhile, 18 new

confirmed cases and 12 new recoveries were recorded in Asia and the Pacific,” the agency said.

Last week, the DFA clarified that 72 of the confirmed COVID19 cases were not Filipinos and removed them from its count. A previously confirmed death in Europe was likewise corrected.

Overall by region, Europe – which comprises 19 countries – has recorded 1,414 Filipino cases, including 308 undergoing treatment, 1,010 recoveries and 96 deaths.

The Middle East and Africa, covering 32 countries, has reported 7,544 cases; of which, 2,334 are undergoing treatment, 553 deaths and 4,657 recoveries.

The Asia Pacific region, which spans across 21 countries, has 1,965 cases, with 567 undergoing treatment, 1,389 recoveries, and nine deaths.

The Americas – covering 10 countries like the United States – have 769 reported cases, with 59 undergoing treatment, 521 recoveries, and 189 deaths.

“The DFA, together with its Foreign Service Posts, continues to partner with host governments to ensure the safety and well-being of Filipino nationals abroad amidst the pandemic,” said the DFA. Meanwhile, in the Philippines, there are a total of 441,399 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 8,572 fatalities and 408,702 recoveries. n

workers declined 1.4% from January to September, hitting households dependent on these earnings hard, with their consumption down 8.7% in the same 9-month period.

Dismal deployment is also the reason why analysts have remained pessimistic about remittances’ future trajectory despite reclaiming some ground since June. The central bank believes the altruistic nature of inflows to families they support here would deliver the needed boost onwards, but Opiniano thinks OFWs are simply exhausting their savings.

“They had to send more now because the Philippine peso to the dollar appreciated from 50 to 48 during this pandemic! That alone, for me, indicates some measure of financial pressure and stress,” he said in an online exchange.

Alvin Ang, director of the Ateneo Center for Economic Research and Development, agreed and said “consumption (would be) slower” as remittances taper off in coming months.

Consumption accounts for 70% of economic output, so further weakness on this front would only derail a rebound from 10% contraction in gross domestic product to date.

Re-migration or reintegration?

But in the long term, job losses among migrant workers are the bigger concern. As it is, OFW deployment is not going down because there are more jobs generated locally. In fact joblessness are still treading at record levels of 8.7% as of October, even as it already went down from a historic high of 17.7% in April.

Deployment is also not picking up despite economies reopening and government allowing health workers to fly out after prohibiting them to leave for months. Among those deployed as of October, land-based workers, which accounted for 63.8% of total, dropped a bigger 69% year-on-year to 442,071.

On flip side, the number of seafarers cut their losses to just 28.02% to 251,616 after reversing back to growth from July.

Opiniano is surprised seabased workers have recovered quickly despite cruise ships where most of them are employed halting sails when cities closed down. That said, rehiring of existing OFWs also got stunted, cementing a bleak outlook for remittances.

“New hires may not be able to remit right away since they may have borrowed money to finance pre-migration expenses,” he explained. u PAGE A7

PH sends fewest workers abroad in 24 years even sans jobs at home

by Xave

GreGorio Philstar.com

MANILA — Even with no jobs at home, hiring of Filipino migrant workers is on track to its lowest level in nearly 3 decades due to sprawling lockdowns that stopped deployment, putting the Philippines’ main dollar source at risk of future decline.

From January to October, 693,237 overseas Filipino workers had been deployed, plummeting 60.8% from same period a year ago, preliminary data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration showed.

The latest tally is running at its lowest since 1996, a year before the Asian financial crisis, when yearend deployment registered 660,122. With only 2 months left to record, OFW placement is on track for its third slump in 4 years.

“The decreased deployments do not surprise authorities. Hurt also by this development is the recruitment industry, with reports that some of them have closed operations,” Jeremaiah Opiniano, executive director of the Institute for Migration and Development Issues, said in an online exchange.

The impact of lower OFW deployment is slowly revealing.

Cash remittances from migrant

‘severely restricted’ — global rights monitor

by Gaea

Katreena Philstar.com

CabiCo

MANILA — Fundamental freedoms such as freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association in the Philippines are now “severely restricted” due to ongoing attacks against activists and journalists, an international watchdog said.

In its report released ahead of the Human Rights Day, CIVICUS Monitor, the research tool of international alliance CIVICUS, downgraded the state of democratic freedoms in the Philippines from “obstructed” to “repressed.”

CIVICUS Monitor said the rating change was due in particular to the vilification of activists and targeting of human rights defenders and journalists in the country.

“The Duterte government has incrementally chipped away at civic freedoms since it came to power in 2016 but this has further eroded over the last year,” Josef Benedict, CIVICUS Monitor Asia-Pacific civic space researcher, said.

“In 2020, we have seen systematic intimidation, attacks and vilification of civil society and activists, an increased crackdown on press freedoms and a pervasive culture of impunity take root,” he added.

Documented incidents in the report include killing of peasant activist Randall Echanis and human rights activist Zara Alvarez in August. Both had been redtagged—labelled as communist rebels and enemies of state—before they were murdered.

It noted the ongoing attacks on press freedom: the shutdown of broadcast giant ABS-CBN and the cyber libel conviction of Rappler CEO Maria Ressa and former researcher-writer Reynaldo Santos Jr. Benedict said the threats and assaults against journalists have contributed to self-censorship and have had chilling effect within the media industry.

The arrest of human rights defender Teresita Naul and women’s rights activist Beatrice Belen as well as the continuing detention of Sen. Leila de Lima were also cited in the report.

Activist groups marched from University of the Philippines Diliman to the Commision on Human Rights on June 4, 2020 to protest the passage of the “Anti-Terrorism Act.”v Philstar.com photo by EC Toledo

In a report last June, the United Nations Human Rights said the vilification of dissent and attacks against perceived critics of the Philippine government are being “increasingly institutionalized and normalized in ways that will be very difficult to reverse.”

‘Draconian’ anti-terror law CIVICUS Monitor also said that the passage of the “draconian” the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 contributed to the further shrinking of civic spaces in the Philippines.

“There are serious concerns that the new anti-terrorism law, which has few safeguards, will institutionalize and facilitate and abuse of power,” Benedict said.

Human rights defenders, lawyers, environmentalists and other critics of the legislation stressed the broadness and vagueness of definition of terrorism could be used to silence dissent and members of the opposition.

It has become one of the most challenged laws before the Supreme Court with at least 37 petitions filed against it.

Assessment of civil society conditions CIVICUS Monitor provides civic space ratings for 196 countries

by combining several sources of data on the freedoms of association, peaceful assembly and expression.

Each nation’s civic space is rated in one of five categories: “open,” “narrowed,” “obstructed,” “repressed” or “closed.”

“Open” is the highest rating possible.

“Civic space conditions are declining year on year. In 2020, 43.4% of people now live in countries rated as having repressed civic space while the percentage of people living in countries with obstructed civic space jumped from 15.8% to 18.3%,” CIVICUS Monitor said.

The Philippines joined 43 countries including Cambodia, Venezuela and Russia in the “repressed” category.

Among the countries categorized as “closed” include Asian neighbors China, Vietnam and Laos.

Top 10 violations to civic freedoms include detention of protesters, harassment, censorship, intimidation, attacks on journalists, protest disruption, restrictive law, detention of journalists, excessive force and detention of rights defenders. n

A6 DECEMBER 9-11, 2020 • SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL

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OPiniOn

Body cameras vs abuse

FeatUres

IN 2017, surveillance camera footage belied the police version of the killing of 17-year-old student Kian de los Santos in Caloocan City. The video footage together with eyewitness accounts led to the conviction of the policemen who summarily executed De los Santos as he knelt on the ground and pleaded for his life.

That was one of the rare cases in the brutal drug war wherein the three executioners were not only caught but also convicted and sent to prison for life. Justice came swiftly mostly because of the evidence on video, corroborated by the eyewitnesses.

De los Santos’ execution did not put an end to the killings in the war on drugs, but it led to proposals to use body cameras so anti-drug operations would be properly documented and abuse of police power prevented.

In September this year, about 2,600 body cameras arrived for use by the Philippine National Police. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, tasked by law to lead the campaign against illegal drugs, has also procured its own body cameras.

The cameras can be used not only for the drug war but also for other police operations against criminality. Law enforcers themselves will find body cameras useful in belying accusations of sus-

pects about planting of evidence and unlawful arrest. Body cameras are useful particularly in areas where there are no closed-circuit television cameras – and there are still many places all over the country without CCTV. Video footage used as evidence will also speed up adjudication of cases, so law enforcers will see the fruits of their work paying off.

A bill is pending at the Senate, requiring the use of body cameras in police operations and their activation particularly when lives are at risk. Recordings must be retained for six months before deletion, unless these are needed as documentary evidence. The proposed Body Camera Act includes provisions to protect the privacy of crime victims, people in their homes, and informants.

Law enforcement agencies need not wait for the passage of the law to start using body cameras.

Enactment of the law, however, can enhance the utilization of the devices. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS

Readers weigh in: Should Biden pardon Trump to unify the country? Could Trump pardon himself and his children? ed his definitive stand on this issue. In a town hall meeting during the presidential campaign, Biden already gave a firm answer to this very question. He pledged that he would not use his new executive powers to pardon President Donald Trump of any potential crimes.

“We never saw anything like the prostitution of [the presidency] like we see it today,” Biden said. “What’s going on is an absolute travesty. A travesty of justice.”

Filipinos in America who read the article posted their comments on social media. Here are some of them: “Absolutely NO PARDON. Trump should be made an example of how a president should NEVER be and how his destructive actions should NEVER be repeated by any future president. Pardoning him is sending the wrong messages. Lock him up and throw away the key.

Any president in the future shall shudder at the thought of abusing power.” - Lee Leon “Ask this question on January 20th.” - Karen Kay Kelly “I will regret that I voted for Biden if he does that!” -Manolo Patoot “What would VP Biden pardon Trump for if the former

JOE BIDEN has officially secured enough electors to become president. He accrued more than 270 electors when California certified its presidential election on Friday, December 4, and appointed 55 electors pledged to vote for Biden, officially handing him the Electoral College majority needed to win the White House. Biden now has 279 electors, which is over the 270 threshold for victory.

As the Associated Press reported, “The electors named Friday will meet Dec. 14, along with counterparts in each state, to formally vote for the next president. Most states have laws binding their electors to the winner of the popular vote in their state, measures that were upheld by a Supreme Court decision this year. There have been no suggestions that any of Biden’s pledged electors would contemplate not voting for him.”

As all election processes and results lead the way to Biden’s inauguration as the 46th President of the United States on January 20, 2021, the issue of PARDON has been talked about in the news and on social media.

This is especially relevant in light of all the charges Trump

could be facing after his term due to his reported abuse of the power, resources, and public trust accorded to him by the Office of the President.

This is not even including other charges against him that are already in court, but he could not be indicted because of the Department of Justice memo that prohibits deposing a sitting president.

This is in part fueled by Trump’s tweets in 2018 claiming he can pardon himself, contrary to the law.

Trump was also reportedly in talks with his advisers about granting preemptive pardons to his children Don Jr., Eric, Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, a White House senior adviser.

Last week, I wrote an article about what the law says about presidential pardons and clemency, as well as other legal perspectives pertaining to Trump pardoning himself and his children.

Some Trump supporters have been opining that Biden as president should consider pardoning Trump like what President Gerard Ford did to his predecessor Richard Nixon. They contend it could help heal and unify our divided nation.

Of course, Biden already stat-

Street Talk

Wanted: A perfect president

GREG B. MACABENTA TWO years before the end of the six-year term of President Rodrigo Duterte, social media networks have been ablaze with criticisms of Philippine presidential wannabes that people don’t like.

And, in the U.S., a few weeks before President-elect Joe Biden assumes office, Trump fanatics are grieving over the loss of their “greatest president since Lincoln,” while spouting dire warnings about the oncoming Biden tenure. Of course, the Biden-ites are eager to experience a period of civility after four years of President Donald Trump’s chaotic and divisive tenure. They expect relief in Biden’s centrist policies while the progressives in his party are said to be planning to see their liberal agenda eventually implemented.

Exactly what does “progressive” and “liberal” mean? Socialism? Free health care, education and other benefits paid for by the tycoons but not by “average” or “middle income” Americans? Of course, businessmen — not just tycoons

Philstar.com photo

— don’t relish the idea of carrying the weight of a welfare society. They are asking: where do these pseudo-socialists draw the line?

The other day, someone told me that in the U.S., those earning $400,000 a year are now merely middle income. So what does make of retirees making less than $2,000 a month from Social Security? And how about those unable to feed their families and pay the rent on their hovels?

In the Philippines, the self-appointed soothsayers and social media kibitzers dislike outgoing President Duterte for being “what he is and what he is not.”

Fill in the blanks.

They have also expressed dismay over the reported presidential ambitions of Manny Pacquiao. Why? Because, fill in the blanks.

They also think Sen. Bong Go should go to (fill in the blanks) instead of aspiring for Malacanang. Why? Because he is allegedly a Duterte Mini-Me. As many kibitzers don’t relish the idea of a President Sara Duterte (anooo?? Duterte na naman???).

They think she will be as prone to violence as her father.

In such a case, they would pre-

fer Sen. Ping Lacson?

Or maybe, they would like Ronnie Poe resurrected in Sen. President Tito Sotto? Or would they rather have former President Fidel Ramos? Or Erap Estrada? Or Imelda Marcos? Or Bongbong?

Everyone I have asked has only been able to describe the things they dislike in a presidential wannabe. But no one has been able to adequately describe the “ideal” president.

Following is a Facebook exchange between me and a friend who was one of the finest account management persons to come out of Philippine advertising. He was also a former president of a telecommunications company and a former senior executive of a multinational firm. In sum, a pretty intelligent and knowledgeable individual.

My post read (loosely translated from the original Tagalog): “With due respect to my friends, what are the qualities of an ideal president? Brilliant like Marcos? A great speaker like Ninoy Aquino? Wealthy like Mar Roxas? A widow like Cory?

A bachelor like Noynoy? Honest like RM? Disciplined like Ramos? An economist like Gloria?

A sports icon and wealthy from personal efforts like Pacquiao?

takes office as president? All accusations on Trump were unfounded. The question is: would he be able to pardon his son since he could not pardon himself. Biden’s only recourse would be to resign snd the VP becomes President who, in return, pardons him as Ford did to Nixon. Remains to be seen!!!”

- Evelyn Andamo “How will a Biden pardon for Trump unify the country?

His supporters will only accept Trump’s return to power, nothing less. A united United States of America, redundant and funny as it sounds is not going to happen soon (if at all) as long as Trump is around.” - Alex Aison “I think we will still be divided even if he pardons him. It will encourage others to become as reckless as Trump because they will count on a pardon after all the destruction they create. Trump should be subjected to the consequences of his actions according to law. He is what he is now, because growing up, he was always shielded from the consequences of his actions. Pardoning him will create many more Trumps in future generations.” -Angela Vergel de Dios “Thank you for this article.

Saved me from doing my own

research. I don’t think anyone in this group wants Biden to pardon Trump. But, like you said, if trump wants a pardon, he has to admit he did something wrong.

He will never admit that he did something wrong.” -Grace Bustamante “Trump should not pardon Biden for stealing the election!

You are disgusting for being biased. Not all Asians support your hypocrisy.” -Josie Robb “With all the anger, confusion and division he started in America...He deserves to be punished and feel the pain we suffered.”

-Vilma Camaya “Why should Biden pardon Trump? In fact, the DOJ should prosecute Trump for his crimes.” - Malou de Asis “Justice, law and order cannot be sacrificed for the sake of unity. If Trump, his family and cult members broke the laws, they should all be persecuted and punished. No one is above the law. - Rogelio G. Sion “If Biden pardons the POS traitor then Biden becomes complicit in the crimes.” - Peter Cabal “A pardon will be a stupid move and a betrayal of the voters who voted to oust Trump.”

-Jet Guerrero “Anybody in their right sense

knows inside them that TRUMP is as delusional as it gets! This is an awful period of our generation and things should be done RIGHT....what is going on!?!?!?

Nobody seems to be doing anything about this President!?!?!?

I am quite shock[ed] that the people...the Republicans just let him still do what he please[s]... nobody to stand up against his lunatic behavior... Where is the hero against all [these] misfit character[s]... I thought at one time... there was one guy!?!?!?”

- Mary Rose Amistad “Truth Prevails...Justice Prevails...No one can defy the Constitution. No one can be above the Law. God Bless America” - Joy Carpio ***

Excellent in English like Manglapus? A successful businessman like Danding? Business tycoons like Pangilinan or the Zobels? Tough like Duterte? A martyr like Rizal? Courageous like Bonifacio? A rebel like Aguinaldo? A good actor like Erap? Or all of the above? Next question: Has there ever been a politician who did not make money in office? Who among those currently in office can lead the Philippines? Has that person been born? Or is that person dead?”

My friend’s response was a non-answer: “You keep changing presidents until you find the perfect one. Like water will get you drunk as long as you keep drinking until it does. Hehe.

Actually no president is perfect that’s why we limit their tenure.

In our case, 6 years no reelection. However, some of them want to stay longer. While not perfect, they don’t want to leave and also want to pass on the position to their children.”

Another friend offered an analogy: “Choosing an ideal president is like choosing a wife or husband. You take a chance that WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get). Some are lucky.

Others wake up feeling miserable on the morning after the night before. Like a hangover after a New Year’s party.”

INDEED, there has to be a better way to choose a presi-

dent or a partner-for-life. The English poet Rudyard Kipling wrote, “If,” a piece that could provide some guidance: “If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you; If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; If you can wait and not be tired by waiting, Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies, Or, being hated, don’t give way to hating, And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise; If you can dream—and not make dreams your master; If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim; If you can meet with triumph and disaster And treat those two impostors just the same; If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools, Or watch the things you gave your life to broken, And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools; If you can make one heap of all your winnings And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss, And lose, and start again at your beginnings

And never breathe a word about your loss; If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew To serve your turn long after they are gone, And so hold on when there is nothing in you Except the Will which says to them: “Hold on”; If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue, Or walk with kings—nor lose the common touch; If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you; If all men count with you, but none too much; If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run— Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

Of course, Rudyard Kipling was hardly an ideal human being himself. He was a jingoist and an imperialist. He also wrote the miscegenistic lines, “East is east and west is west and neither the twain shall meet.” ***

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

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

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

*** gregmacabenta@hotmail.com

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

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Dateline PhiliPPines

SoCal ASIAN JOURNAL • deCembeR 9-11, 2020

A

East Asia, SEA fastest-growing shabu markets – world report

by Pia Lee-Brago Philstar.com

MANILA — Methamphetamine or shabu dominates the illegal drug market in East and Southeast Asia, where the shabu trade is the fastest growing in the world, according to a new report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

“The Global Synthetic Drugs Assessment 2020” found methamphetamine as the primary illicit drug in East and Southeast Asia where prices have plummeted in the last decade.

The key findings include the manufacture of methamphetamine around the Golden Triangle that includes Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam and shows signs of expansion, while other countries in East and Southeast Asia experience a corresponding decline in the number of clandestine laboratories seized.

“This phenomenon strongly indicates a consolidation of methamphetamine production in the Greater Mekong Subregion,” the report said.

Despite record-setting seizures, the purity of methamphetamine is increasing while retail prices are decreasing in East and Southeast Asia.

Significant quantities of crystalline methamphetamine and chemicals continue to be trafficked from East and Southeast Asia to Oceania.

Intensified effort in the trafficking of shabu and associated precursor chemicals by organized crime groups operating in East and Southeast Asia is a major driving force behind the increase in the region’s methamphetamine production and supply in recent years.

The region’s drug market, the report said, is now undergoing a significant transformation with large quantities of methamphetamine, both in tablet and crystalline forms, being manufactured in and trafficked from the Golden Triangle and surrounding countries.

Over the last decade, countries in East and Southeast Asia have collectively witnessed sustained increases in seizures of methamphetamine, a unique trend which has not been observed in any other region in the world.

Between 2011 and 2014, seizures of methamphetamine almost doubled, increasing from 23 to 44 tons. In the following

years, however, seizures of methamphetamine almost tripled and increased by more than 80 tons between 2015 and 2018, reaching almost 140 tons in 2019.

Organized crime groups have been increasingly targeting Laos and Vietnam as major transit points for subsequent trafficking of shabu to countries and territories in the region, including China, the Philippines and Taiwan. Outside the Golden Triangle, seizures of crystalline methamphetamine made in Japan and the Philippines indicate continued involvement of transnational organized crime groups from other regions, in particular North America, in the region’s drug trade. These groups target countries with high prices of methamphetamine, such as Australia and Japan.

The report also found that the “ecstasy” market is expanding and diversifying in East and Southeast Asia, but at a slower rate compared to methamphetamine.

Medical marijuana House members welcomed the decision of the United Nations to remove medical marijuana from the list of what it considers as dangerous drugs.

“This is a major breakthrough since many critics have been using this provision as their reasoning to stop the passage of my medical compassion cannabis House Bill 279,” said Isabela Rep. Tonypet Albano, the brother of incumbent Isabela Gov. Rodito Albano who, as representative in the previous Congress, had filed the original bill seeking the legalization of medical marijuana in the Philippines.

“The bill has been filed since 2014. I have with me the Philippine Cannabis Compassion Society, parents and patients of those who need medical cannabis because they have been very sick,” said Dr. Socorro Reyes, a policy adviser of Rep. Albano.

“They have always looked forward to getting medical marijuana for a cure to their illnesses,” Reyes said with optimism. “We are very hopeful that this will be approved. We hope that this bill will be passed this time around because patients badly need it.”

Another medical marijuana advocate, Rep. LRay Villafuerte of Camarines Sur, said the UN Commission on Narcotics Drugs (CND)’s decision to delete cannabidiol (CBD) should prompt the House committee on health to

“The Global Synthetic Drugs Assessment 2020” found methamphetamine as the primary illicit drug in East and Southeast Asia where prices have plummeted in the last decade. Philstar.com photo

“take urgent action” on his House Bill 3961.

CBD is legal in 31 of the 50 states of the US and in 59 other countries, while THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is illegal in almost every part of the world.

The use of medical cannabis is legal among 60 countries across the globe.

Villafuerte clarified that the use of CBD, the non-addictive, non-psychoactive component and non-intoxicating strain of the cannabis plant, is entirely different from THC that gives a “euphoric high.”

“I am calling on the House committee on health chaired by Quezon Rep. Angelina Tan to finally consider the pending HB 3961 and submit it to a vote by the panel, in the wake of game-changing initiatives,” Villafuerte said.

He said the latest UN report in effect bolstered the international recognition and commercial marketing of the medicinal and therapeutic benefits of CBD. Villafuerte, a supporter of President Duterte’s war on drugs, said the speedy approval of HB 3961 will not run counter to the government’s policy against the illicit drug trade because “CBD is the medicinal strain of the cannabis plant.”

Villafuerte first appealed to the House committee on health to take immediate action on the bill when the Dangerous Drugs Board approved last February the use of CBD for people with epilepsy.

(Delon Porcalla/Philstar.com)

IMMACULATE CONCEPTION FEAST. Churchgoers come out of the Redemptorist Church in Baclaran, Parañaque after hearing Mass on Tuesday, December 8. December 8 is a special non-working holiday in the country in commemoration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, pursuant to Republic Act 10966 signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

PH sends fewest workers abroad in 24 years...

PAGE A5

For the 320,000 OFWs displaced by pandemic, it’s hard to say for now how swift can they go back offshore, although better local jobs can prompt them to stay home permanently. “The infrastructure plan can create new jobs and in case those OFWs decide to stay, they will have more options,” Rong Qian, senior economist at World Bank local office, said in a briefing.

Labor export policy disrupted?

Policy-wise, Joanna Concep-

cion, chair at Migrante International, a labor group advocating OFW welfare, said the pandemic had only revealed the government’s problematic “longstanding policy” of exporting Filipinos. “(It) cannot guarantee long-term economic security for our migrant workers and cannot genuinely solve the economic and development problems facing our country,” she said.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration denied there is such a policy, even

as it has persistently held job fairs showcasing overseas work opportunities. On top of that, President Rodrigo Duterte has pushed for the establishment of a sole agency to address OFW concerns, a move that would only institutionalize labor exportation only explored as band aid solution during the Marcos era.

“The Philippines cannot continue to be a remittance dependent country,” Concepion said in an email. n

A december 9-11, 2020 • Socal ASIAN JOUrNAL

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The nal TheAsian AsianJour Jour nalMDWK MDWKMAGAZINE MAGAZINE- - December December 9, 9, 2020 2020

Food and beverage gifts from Fil-Am businesses that deliver tasting experiences at home T

by Christina

M. Oriel / AJPress

hough the past year has been challenging, the holiday season is an opportunity to show support for small Filipino American businesses and restaurants in the community, as well as to deliver some joy to family, friends, coworkers and others on your shopping list. Purchasing a gift card to your favorite Fil-Am restaurant, which likely has had to minimize operations to takeout and delivery due to stay at home orders, will go a long way in helping keep it afloat, while giving someone on your list a dining experience to enjoy from their homes.

Aside from a prepared meal, several Fil-Am chefs, restaurants and shops are offering edible holiday treats and sets that go beyond the traditional gift basket, and are available regionally or can be shipped nationwide. Here are 12 options to choose from as gathered by the Asian Journal editorial team.

Food-themed gift boxes celebrating Filipino/a artisans Filipina American sisters Michele and Anna-Marie Josue introduced Para Sa’Yo (“For You” in Tagalog), an online shop selling curated gift sets featuring Filipino/a artists and businesses for anyone on your list. For the nostalgic, the So Filipino ($50) box features staples Fil-Am kids grew up with like Sky Flakes and Jufran banana ketchup. The box also comes with a Vicks Vaporub!

For those who start their day with a cup of joe, the But First Kape ($110) set features a pair of porcelain mugs, handwoven abaca coasters, and smallbatch, single-origin Philippine light roast Arabica Coffee from Asukar. Sets come with an added greeting card of your choice and can be viewed at shopparasayo.com.

Open up a taste of the Philippines The Filipino Food Movement has rolled out a collection of some of the best Filipino food products that

Twelve food and beverage gift options from Fil-Am businesses promise to pack in rich Filipino sweet and savory flavors.

you can share with your loved ones this holiday season.

The “Patikim” boxes come in three types: The Pearl Edition ($160), Gold Edition ($85), and Silver Edition ($60) with an array of items from signature sauces from San Francisco-based restaurant The Sarap Shop to chocolate bars from Oodaalolly, which uses Philippine cacao. Proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit Gawad

Kalinga’s Kusina ng Kalinga project, an initiative to end the hunger of Filipino children, and the FFM’s projects for the year. The boxes can be purchased at filipinofoodmovement.org/.

Satisfy wanderlust with travel-inspired ice cream flavors In time for the holidays, SoCal-based Wanderlust Creamery is now shipping

pints of their travel-inspired ice cream nationwide. For the ice cream aficionado and jetsetter grounded at home, the over a dozen pint flavor options — from Australian Pavola to Sakura — will transport them on an international palette journey starting at $12 a pop. To get into the holiday spirit, the shop has also introduced seasonal flavors like Christmas Cookies & Sea Salt Cream, Food For the Gods, and Christmas in Tokyo (bittersweet uji matcha ice cream with housemade strawberry “kit kats”). Can’t decide on the individual flavors? The Pilipino Pint Pack comes with five pints inspired by favorite Filipino desserts like brazo de mercedes and sapin sapin. Or there’s the Asian Jet Set pack with six pints that transport you through the continent from the Sticky Rice and Mango to Ube Malted Crunch.

Orders, which require a minimum purchase of four pints and arrive at the recipient in an insulated shipping box with dry ice, can be placed at shop. wanderlust.com.

Self-care in beverage form 2020 has been tough on everyone and more than ever, folks are seeking ways to practice self-care safely and conveniently at home. Enter Droplet, a Pinay-founded line of sparkling beverages with real fruit and adaptogens, non-toxic substances derived from plants that help one’s body adapt and regulate the natural ability to respond to stressors. The “drop” in the brand’s name pays homage to Dalikamata, a clairvoyant and health goddess in Visayan pantheon, who was depicted with thousands of eyes on her body and whose tears would form morning dew drops.

According to the legend, drinking the drops had healing effects, such as relieving eye problems. The new beverage company offers the “next Level You Wellness Kit” ($20, shipping included), a starter set of Droplet’s three flavors: Pretty Balanced (passion fruit, cacao, vanilla bean and rhodiola) for anti-anxiety, energy boasting and skin-hydrating effects; Pretty Balanced (white peach, lemon verbena, moringa and ashwagandha), the go-to for a stress balancer and digestive aid; and Pretty Bright (yuzu, ginger and reishi mushroom) for a reset and mood enhancer.

“The entire idea behind Droplet was our own roots as Filipina Americans and our experiences with herbal medicine,” Celeste Perez, founder and CEO of Droplet, said in an interview with the Asian Journal. The set can be purchased through drinkdroplet.com.

Enjoy a round of sparkling craft cocktails safely at home Meeting up with friends and partaking in a round (or

Some small gift options from Fil-Am businesses Santos Candles, Lu France Interiors, Kaya Essentials, FWD Floss and MAAARI.

Gifts that showcase Filipino/ Fil-Am artisanship by

aJPress

COnTInuInG on the theme to support local and small ventures, here are several one-of-a-kind gift ideas that highlight Filipino/a talent — from scented candles to unique jewelry pieces.

Statement jewelry handmade by Filipina artisans If you’re looking to gift a jewelry piece for someone on your list, check out MAAARI, a “uniquely Filipina” modern accessories and home goods brand that pays homage to traditional design and cultural practices. The line’s Onyx Lunar Drops are earrings that serve as protection against negative energy and help guide intuition, and use ethically-mined metal and sustainably-sourced earth stones. Or the Sebu Ring, “a contiguous spiral ring that represents refuge and security,” made by T’boli artisans using upcycled brass and metal scraps. Most items are made to order and can be purchased at maaari. co.

Sustainable, handmade candles and home decor Launched during the pandemic, Lu France Interiors (lufranceinteriors.com) is a Pinay-founded e-commerce site that curates sustainable and handmade home decor pieces that pay homage to the skills, traditions and artistry of artisans from the Philippines and beyond. Starting at $25, the site offers soy candles in various scents from bamboo coconut to sampaguita that would be elegant stocking stuffers. Other gift ideas on the site include a set of kahoy (wood) round dishes and silk charmeuses — which can be used as a scarf, tapestry or wall art — naturally dyed by the site’s founder, France, in San Diego.

An array of scents to destress Lighting a candle is an effortless pleasure to unwind multiple) of drinks at a bar is an experience that will have to wait until after it’s safe to go out again. But that doesn’t mean you can’t distantly imbibe a flavorful cocktail and reminisce on nightlife from the comfort of your home.

Los Angeles-based Vervet has four canned cocktails in a can full of ingredients local to the region and concocted with the city’s diversity in mind, including of course, the Filipino community. not to miss is the Tiki Tea — a nod to the city’s Filipino bartenders and Tiki culture — with prickly pear vodka, oolong tea, lime, allspice, ginger, clove and vanilla.

“People are home, but they still want to drink well...

It’s nice to crack open a bottle of wine or beer, but it’s really such a limited experience and we want to bring something complex and that tastes like it was made in front of you,” Alex Rosenblum, who is half Filipino and one of the Vervet co-founders, told the Asian Journal. The cocktails, which start at $5.99 a can, be purchased at select stores in the Los Angeles area or can be delivered/shipped to your gift recipient online at drinkvervet. com.

Artisanal chocolates that taste as beautiful as they look Giving chocolate as a gift is never a bad idea, but instead of the usual big-name brands, turn to a small batch purveyor that molds and designs each piece by hand. Romeo Chocolates, based in Long Beach, California, offers nationwide shipping on perfectly boxed and wrapped gift sets featuring its truffles with a flavor range from Tanduay rum to Calamansi Mojito. Have someone on your list who considers chocolate a main food group?

after a long day. With scents ranging from jasmine and orange blossom to grapefruit and mangosteen, Los Angeles-based Santos Candles’ products (starting at $21.99) will help create a relaxing ambiance and fill your space with alluring aromas. For holiday-specific gifts, the online shop has introduced scents like Frosted Juniper (“reminiscent of a fresh morning after snowfall”) and under the Mistletoe (“a simple reminder of classic holiday traditions and festivities”). Candles can be shipped nationwide.

Self-care stocking stuffers Looking for stocking stuffers for anyone on your list? Kaya Essentials, a Pinayfounded organic coconut skincare line, has small, yet impactful products from calamansi lip balms to charcoal salt milk baths. The site (kayaessentials.com) has also partnered with various Filipino artisans that produce goods like Rags2Riches’ face masks (using fabrics sourced from indigenous communities) and parol ornaments featuring upcycled fabric. Every purchase made through Kaya Essentials provides a school meal for a child in the u.S. through no Kid Hungry and in the Philippines through Gawad Kalinga.

Eco-friendly dental hygiene Floss may seem like a mundane gift, but it can be a tiny reminder to the recipient to take time out of their day for some dental care beyond brushing. FWD Floss is a new Fil-Am business that uses activated charcoal for enhanced cleansing, and is packaged with earth friendly recyclable materials to reduce single plastic waste. Starting at $5.99 per pack, the floss can be purchased at fwdfloss.com. Five percent of each purchase is donated to non-profit organizations that provide dental care for those in need.

The shop offers a subscription gift box starting at $48 with a mix of fine chocolates and local fine goods each month.

Orders can be placed at Romeochocolates.com.

Spread kindness with an assorted box of cookies In the midst of the pandemic, we saw dozens of examples of Fil-Ams starting businesses from home, whether it’s mask-making or desserts with Filipino flavors.

Young Filipina Americans Malia and Kailani started Conscious Kid Cookies from their own kitchen to “change the world through sharing kindness through cookies.” now their venture operates out of a commercial kitchen, and cookies can be shipped nationwide by ordering at consciouskidscookies.com. Cookie flavors range from the classic chocolate chip to Filipino-inspired like pandan, and can be purchased individually or in boxes by the dozen, starting at $36.

Ten percent of the proceeds benefit no Kids Hungry.

Cook a full Filipino dish with sauces from a jar For the individual who wants to make classic Filipino dishes while in a time crunch, a new Fil-Am business is making it easier with a line of bottled simmer sauces. Fila Manila’s Variety Pack ($29) features three sauces — Adobo, Kare Kare, and Caldereta — which are gluten-free and have no added sugar or artificial colors. All the home chef has to do is add water, protein and veggies of choice and the jar of sauce and simmer until cooked. Orders ship free nationwide at filamanila.com.

A surprise to satisfy Pinoy snack cravings while giving back Recreate the pasalubong experience by sending a box Continued on Page 3

Hailee Steinfeld to star in ‘Hawkeye’ TV series

entertainment

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 9, 2020

By RItchel

MendIola AJPress

NEW set images confirmed that Filipina American actress Hailee Steinfeld has joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Kate Bishop in the upcoming “Hawkeye” TV series.

The new show, which will focus on the titular Marvel Comic character, will be arriving on streaming platform Disney+.

Before becoming Hawkeye’s archery protégé, Bishop is the daughter of a wealthy businessman who gets trained to protect herself after an attack in Central Park. She joins the Young Avengers and takes over the mantle of Hawkeye when Clint Barton, played by Jeremy Renner in the movies, was presumed dead.

Eventually, the two archer superheroes team up when Barton returns — a plot point 23-year-old Steinfeld is set to star in a new Disney+ series. Photo from Instagram/@haileesteinfeld backed up by the recent photos where Marvel fans can a Peabody Award for EnterSteinfeld, 23, is no see Steinfeld with Renner in a stranger to playing the action tainment.

Brooklyn subway set.

Steinfeld traces her heroine. She led the sixth While Marvel Studios Filipino heritage back to her installment of the live-action remained mum on the casting, “Transformers” franchise, enmaternal grandfather, Ricardo the photos speak for themDomasin, who was half-Filititled “Bumblebee” in 2018. selves as Steinfeld was donShe was also the voice behind pino. ning Bishop’s signature purple Gwen Stacy in the animated Aside from her acting and holding the character’s career, Steinfeld is a multisuperhero film “Spider-Man: bow and arrow. platinum recording artist and Into the Spider-Verse.”

Renner earlier confirmed released an EP entitled “Half She started her acting the filming was underway for Written Story” in May. career at the age of 14 with the new series when he up“Hawkeye” is one of the “True Git,” which garnered loaded a photo on social meMCU shows currently being her an Oscar nomination for dia of his chair on set labelled her performance. She went made for Disney+, alongside Clint Barton.

“The Falcon and the Winter on to join the “Pitch Perfect” “Ms Bishop ... we need Soldier,” “WandaVision,” franchise and currently stars you!” read his caption on in the Apple TV+ series “Dick- “Loki,” “Ms Marvel,” and Instagram.

“She-Hulk.” inson,” for which she won

7 Filipino stars join Forbes Asia’s Top 100 Digital List By cRIstIna

eloIsa Inquirer.net

SEVEN of the most popular names in the country’s entertainment industry were included in this year’s Forbes 100 list of Asia-Pacific’s most influential celebrities on social media.

Forbes Asia on Tuesday, December 8 released its 100 Digital Stars list which features singers, bands, film, and TV stars with huge social media influence. Forbes Asia also noted that the list included celebrities who “have also used their influence to support worthy causes, Kathryn Bernardo especially those with a Covid-19 Anne Curtis Photo from Instagram/@bernardokathryn Photo from Instagram/@annecurtissmith focus.”

Among the notable stars mentioned in the list were Angel Locsin, Marian RiveraDantes, Kim Chiu, Anne Curtis, Vice Ganda, Kathryn Bernardo, and Sarah Geronimo.

One of the most familiar faces in the list was Locsin, who also landed in Forbes Asia‘s “Heroes of Philanthropy” list last year. In a statement, Forbes cited Locsin’s COVID-19 initiative which raised a total of P11.3 million and aided 135 hospitals.

Meanwhile, 36-year-old actress and mother Marian Sarah Geronimo Marian Rivera Rivera-Dantes was acknowlPhoto from Instagram/@justsarahg Photo from Instagram/@marianrivera edged by Forbes for her large social media following. She was described as the Philippines’ most popular celebrity on Facebook, with a total of 23 million followers.

Actress Kim Chiu grabbed a spot on the list after she turned her viral “Bawal Lumabas” gaffe into a new single. The Classroom Song became an instant hit and has over nine million Youtube views. Chiu also used the opportunity to raise money for pandemic relief.

Popstar royalty Sarah Geronimo, like Locsin and Chiu, Continued on Page 5 Kim Chiu Photo from Instagram/@chinitaprincess

Food and beverage gifts from Fil-Am...

Eve is considered the staple feast in Filipino tradition, featuring a feast from ham to rice-based desserts. But what about for Christmas morning after opening gifts? Though Ninong’s Cafe in Northridge, CA closed its doors recently, their photogenic ube pancakes can be made at home with the Breakfast Regalo ($48.50) in partnership with Bakersfield’s Umaga Coffee.

The set comes with a 12 oz bag of Single Sourced Bokod Arabica Medium Dark Roast (either beans or grounds); the pancake mix, which only requires water to cook; two jars of Ninong’s Ube Cookie Butter which would pair perfectly with the pancake stack or on anything else; and a Maligayang Pasko greeting card from Manila Oriental.

The special can be purchased at umagacoffee.com.

Butters for pan de sal and more

For those who want to get creative with what to put inside of a pan de sal, Chef Barb Batiste of Big Boi offers a Filipino Butter Jar Sampler ($40), which comes in a set of three butters — Ube, Ensaymada, and Buko Pandan.

Slather them on pancakes, waffles, and anything else you can think of. Orders for nationwide shipping can be placed at www.shopbigboi. com/.

Lumpia delivered to your door Those in the greater Los Angeles/Orange County area can fry Petite Peso’s lumpia and enjoy them from the comfort of their homes. The Downtown LA-based restaurant is offering frozen lumpia, either pork or impossible meat straight to the gift recipient’s door in the Southern California region starting at 25 pieces for $20. Orders can be placed at pesogoods.com.

Photo from Facebook/@SB19Official

SB19 ranks 6th among Billboard’s Top Social 50 Artists of 2020

By Ian

BIong Inquirer.net

FILIPINO group SB19 has claimed the No. 6 spot on Billboard’s Top Social 50 Artists of 2020 chart, making them the only Filipino act in the top 10.

“Thank you for the recognition, @billboardcharts And of course, to our beloved A’TIN, thank you for all of the unimaginable plot twists in our life.

Too grateful to have you. Stay amazing, guys!” the group stated on Instagram on Friday, December 4.

K-pop superstar groups, meanwhile, dominated the top 5, with BTS once again

claiming the top spot, followed by Exo and NCT 127 at Nos. 2 and 3, while Seventeen claimed No. 5. American singer Ariana Grande landed in No. 4.

The Social 50 chart ranks musical artists based on their online popularity by tracking their activity on social media platforms.

SB19’s achievement came just after the group claimed the top spot on Billboard’s LyricFind Global chart for their hit song “Alab” late last month. The group also ranked 6th on the LyricFind chart in the United States, as seen on Billboard’s website.

Prior to landing in the Top Social 50 Artists of 2020 chart, the group already previously entered the Social 50 list at number 3 back in July, just behind BTS and EXO. SB19 is the first and only Filipino group to make it to the Social 50 chart so far. They debuted at the 28th spot back in December 2019.

In November also last year, SB19 also made it to Billboard’s Next Big Sound chart.

The P-pop group, composed of Sejun, Josh, Stell, Ken and Justin, was trained by a Korean entertainment company before debuting in the Philippines in 2018.

Nico on fatherhood: It’s been amazing!

By RIcky lo Philstar.com

BaclIg

From Page 2 of beloved snacks and ingredients to someone who needs to satisfy their appetite for Pinoy flavors. E-commerce site Filiflavors.com offers the “sopresa” (surprise) box filled with sweet and savory items. For a limited offer, use the code PR10OFF until 12/18/2020 to receive 10% off your Filiflavors order. Additionally, for the holiday season, a free pack of Filipino Spaghetti Sauce will be included in your order.

“Filiflavors aims to provide you with the most convenient and delightful experience to get a taste of what the Philippines has to offer,” said Bianca Trinidad, Filiflavors founder and owner. A percentage of each sale is donated to San Francisco-based nonprofit Support for Families of Children with Disabilities.

Insta-worthy pancakes for Christmas morning Noche Buena on Christmas

Filipino boyband SB19

LIKE any first-time father, Nico Bolzico asked himself many questions before Thylane Katana, his and wife Solenn Heussaff’s first child, was born on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, 2020.

“My biggest fear before Thylane was born was if I would be a good father to her,” confessed Nico, the

AIA Philam Life brand ambassador. “Will I be able to let her be what she’ll like to be — giving her freedom. Will I be able to make her understand what right or wrong is?

How to be humble, and how to be modest? And up until now, I don’t know if I’m capable of doing these things.”

Luckily, Nico, 36, said that he has his own father to look up to as an example. Nico grew up on a farm in Argen-

tina, with hours and hours spent in nature, strolling with his dad. “He taught me how to ride a horse, how to farm, a lot about business, and how your work and honor is something that you cannot buy,” he related.

“Up to now, I call him all the time when I’m not sure about what I’m doing. I always picture myself doing something and what my dad Continued on Page 5

community Coming back from the brink

Barrister’s Corner

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 9, 2020

THE purpose of spousal support is not defined by the legislature in that its purpose varies according to the facts and circumstances of each case.

The facts and circumstances of a particular case may be such which call for no spousal support, or for support for a very limited period of time, with the purpose to assist the supported spouse to “get back on his or her feet” as a single person, or until community property is distributed. On the other hand, the facts and circumstances of life and Lachesis is the measurer another case may call for supwho chooses a man’s lot in life and how long it is to be. Atropos port for an extended period of time, perhaps until death of the is the most dreaded one. It is supported spouse, the purpose she who decided how and when for which to provide assistance a man is to die, using her large, sharp, unrelenting scissors to cut to one who cannot support off the thread of life. No one, not himself.

The two situations meneven the Gods at Olympus trifled tioned hereinabove are with her.

Should we fear death? Stories extreme cases, on opposite ends of the spectrum. Quite abound that tell of those who obviously, the facts and circumhave gone through NDE that stances in a particular case may strongly indicate that there is be such which call for some grace in dying. There is strong amount of support for some evidence of life beyond death and that the act of dying is transi- period of time, though not until death of the supported spouse. tioning into that life.

For example, the court may In almost all cases of NDE, order support for that period of people relate of feeling weightless, floating and hovering above time required for the supported looking down at their own bodies spouse to obtain or complete an education, to allow the supand even seeing how doctors, ported spouse to take care of nurses and technicians struggle the children until they reach an to bring them back from the age where a return to employbrink. They are literally hanging ment would be more feasible, on by a thread. It is an out of or to become self-supporting body experience and that there exists a thin silver iridescent cord within a reasonable time.

Although the use of that still connects them to their own bodies. If that cord is cut, it means that they are now truly physically dead and that they will continue on to the afterlife with no more chance of coming back From Page 3 to their previous physical life. also raised roughly $5 million Many of those who have during a COVID-19 benefit gone though NDE report that concert. there is that feeling of being Dubbed by Forbes as “Phildrawn into a tunnel. There is the ippines’ most popular Instagram presence of a strong, white, com- celebrity,” Anne Curtis joined forting light at the end of it. The her fellow celebrities in the list. light appears small and as they Curtis currently has almost 16 progress through the tunnel, it million followers online and enbecomes a strong being of light dorsement deals with popular filled with love and compassion. brands such as Jollibee, Louis Many report of meeting Vuitton, and Pantene. deceased relatives. Many go Actress Kathryn Bernardo through a flashback of powerand comedian and TV show ful memories like a review of host Vice Ganda were also their life, both good and bad. listed for their notable achieveAbove all, there seems to be an ments in the industry. overwhelming feeling of release “The inaugural Forbes Asia’s from all the constraints of their 100 Digital Stars list couldn’t physical lives. have come at a more relevant For some, the decision to re- time. Artists rely on social turn is theirs to make. For others, media platforms to connect the decision has already been and communicate with fans, made that their time to die hasn’t especially in the absence of live come yet and that they must go entertainment due to Covidback. An unfinished business or a strong emotional attachment can make some go back and resume and all the chillingly cold, negaliving. tive, consuming energies of such The impact of NDE is life emotions as seething anger, changing. Documentation for loathing and arrogance swirling those who have been declared about in a thick, dark, putrid clinically dead and have come cloud, the complete antithesis back to resume living shows that of the typical NDE experience those who have seen a glimpse of light. This story is more like of life beyond death undergo horror. Just as there are good profound changes. Many have people and bad people, the changed their view of life for nature of the near death experithe better. Some have a better ence seems to be a direct and appreciation of life becoming proportionate result of the colmore kind, compassionate and lective, aggregate choices each considerate of others. one makes through life.

For others, there is a renewed Remember the movie sense of purpose and a reorderGhost? The merciless murderer ing of life’s priorities. Some have Willie, was on his way to commit even gone on to develop a sense another contract murder, when of spirituality convinced that their he is confronted by the invisible new lease on life tells them that energy of the spooky, rampagthey were made for something ing spirit of Sam whom he more. murdered earlier for money. He But not all stories of NDE are suddenly flees and in his haste, the same. It seems that for some is run over by a car and dies on on the dark side, the experience the spot. The murderer’s spirit is totally different. Some report rises from his body as he realizes of the presence of a dark void he is dead. His soul, however, is

standard guidelines based on income is encouraged in the award of temporary support, such guidelines cannot be used in awarding permanent spousal support. As indicated hereinabove, the award of support is in large part based on the facts and circumstances of the particular case. In determining spousal support, the court considers numerous factors, set forth in Family Code Sec. 4320.

They include: 1) The extent to which the earning capacity of each party is sufficient to maintain the standard of living established during the marriage, 2) The extent to which the supported party contributed to the attainment of an education, training, a career position, or a license by the supporting party, 3) The ability of the supporting party to pay spousal support, taking into account the supporting party’s earning capacity, earned and unearned income, assets, and standard of living, 4) The needs of each party based on the standard of living established during the marriage, 5)The obligations and assets, including the separate property, of each party, 6) The duration of the marriage, 7) The ability of the supported party to engage in gainful employment without unduly interfering with the interests of dependent children in the custody of the party, and 8) The age and health of the parties.

The factors set forth here-

EMPLOYMENT

SERVICES

NDE: Near Death Experience

Immigrant Living: 101 and Beyond Monette AdevA MAglAyA EMMA looked down at the busy huddle in the operating room. She was floating, hovering above the doctors and nurses in their blood spattered scrub suits while working on someone. They were desperately trying to bring a patient back to life. Emma took a closer look. “Why that’s me,” she thought.

The doctors were trying to bring her back from the brink.

Her vital signs were weakening.

If the monitor flat lined, Emma knew she would be gone for good. There seems to be a thin silver thread that still anchors her to her body but the physical life force is ebbing away fast. She remembered being in a car accident. Emma was only 42.

“Go back,” she seemed to hear someone tell her but there was no sound. Emma felt so light, so free. She hadn’t felt this wonderful in a long time. A feeling of wellbeing was engulfing her.

She was in a tunnel and a white speck of light glowed at the end.

There was a being of light in the distance. She began moving towards it.

Suddenly, she felt the grief of her husband and her two young

EMPLOYMENT

“ Unless a grain of wheat shall fall upon the ground and die, It remains but a single grain with no life.”

— From a hymn composed

by Bernadette Farrell children weighing down on her.

She caught a glimpse of them in the hospital waiting room. Matt, the younger one, has his face pressed against the windowpane staring out through the glass at the pouring rain. Her heart was filled with love for them. They still need her. “Go back. It’s not yet time,” she seemed to hear the gentle voice once more although there was no one and there was no sound. And Emma did. She heard one of the doctors say to her, “Welcome back.”

Emma knew her life, what remained of it, was never going to be the same again. Emma is only one of several millions the world over who have come back from the edge of death, having gone through what is called NDE or Near Death Experience.

Are you afraid of death? I am.

I suppose so do most of humankind through most of history.

In Greek mythology, the Fates represented by 3 women named, Clotho, Lachesis and Atropos determined a person’s destiny upon birth. Clotho is the spinner who spins the thread of

Atty. Kenneth UrsUA reyes

Will I have to pay spousal support if I file for divorce? inabove are only several of the many factors the court will consider in deciding the issue of spousal support. In that the amount and duration of an award is largely based on the facts and circumstances of the case, it is advised that one who is requesting support, or is opposing a request for support, obtain experienced counsel, who will be able to present the facts and circumstances in the best light possible. *** Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice.

The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation. *** Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association.

He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice.

LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com Visit our website at kenreyeslaw.com (Advertising Supplement)

7 Filipino stars join Forbes...

Vice Ganda Photo from Instagram/@praybeytbenjamin

Angel Locsin Photo from Instagram/@therealangellocsin

19 restrictions around the region,” Forbes Asia’s editor Rana Wehbe Watson said in a statement.

“The 100 celebrities

highlighted on the list range in age from 20 to 78, proving that social media influence is a cross-generational phenomenon,” Watson added.

instantly shackled and suctioned off screaming into the void by howling, hooded, dark, macabre, misshapen creatures rising like toxic fumes and disappearing just as suddenly from the sewers of New York City. That is, perhaps, a glimpse of what it must be like to truly die and go to hell.

When the other kind of NDE happens, some report that there is no concept of space or time at all. There is neither beginning nor end. Communication with beings of light or deceased relatives who may accompany the dying is telepathic. There is no sound and no need for words.

Many of those who have nearly died and allowed to come back to live out the rest of their lives express a reluctance to return to their previous physical lives. But there was a strong pull, a tug from their earthly life that made them do a U-turn, at least for the time being.

What is stunning is this.

Nearly all those who have had an encounter with death and did come back to resume their lives claim they no longer fear death.

The fear of death is no more.

Death for them has become a door one must pass to enter a more beautiful, enticing reality full of love and mercy.

What most have learned from their brush with death is startlingly simple. LOVE, they profess, is the most important thing in this earthly life — giving it, accepting it and learning from it. *** 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.

*** Nota Bene: Monette Adeva Maglaya is SVP of Asian Journal Publications, Inc. To send comments, e-mail monette.maglaya@ asianjournalinc.com

entertainment

The Asian Jour nal MDWK MAGAZINE - December 9, 2020

Nico on fatherhood...

From Page 3 would think about it. That always helps me make sure that I made the right choice.”

This close contact, regardless of physical distance, has strengthened the bond between father and son. It manifests now in how Nico starts his days with his girl.

“I made a promise to myself that the first two hours of my morning are dedicated to Thylane,” he said.

Becoming a parent a few weeks before the pandemic, Nico already had his eyes set on a safe and secure future.

“I’m always looking at savings. I think financially we need to find a way to be sort of financially independent in the sense that Thylane will be protected even if we’re not here,” he shares. “Unfortunately, we cannot control everything. If emergencies and unexpected things happen, we need to have insurance.”

Thankfully, AIA Philam Life has recently introduced AIA Med-Assist for children, a variable life insurance plan with medical benefit rider designed to address medical expenses due to hospitalization of 0 to 17-year-olds, covering 90 percent of in-patient hospitalization and other incidentals.

Funfare asked Nico more questions.

Please tell us the significance of your daughter’s name.

“Thylane is basically a Vietnamese name that Solenn chose because there is a French girl that she loves that has the same name and it means wild orchid. If you know how wild Thylane is, you will see that the name is perfect for her.”

How has your “fathering” been so far?

“My El Padre so far has been amazing, the best experience of my life. Every day is better than the day before.

Every day, I want to spend more and more time with her and it’s been the best experience of my life.”

Was there ever a time when you and Solenn “disa-

Nico Bolzico with wife Solenn Heussaff and daughter Thylane

greed” on how to raise your daughter?

“We never disagree, me and Solenn in raising Thylane because we have very, very simple highlights, very simple expectations. Basically we want her to be a humble, good person, and that’s how we’ll educate her; the rest she will choose. We don’t want to impose anything in her life as long as she has good principles, she’s a good person and she respects everyone and she is humble.”

Having been both raised abroad, is there any similarity (or any difference) in your parenting styles?

“Solenn was raised not abroad, she was raised in the Philippines, she has a very Filipino way of living, she only studied abroad. Me, I was raised in Argentina, on a farm, but I think, at the end of the day, you know we’re based on the Pinoy culture.

We are raised in the Pinoy culture for sure, and again

Photo from Instagram/@tatlerphilippines

you have to be a good person and just humble. We don’t want to impose anything on (Thylane), she can choose what she wants/loves in life.”

Between you and Solenn, who do you think will be the disciplinarian and who will be less so, especially since your firstborn is a girl?

“Between me and Solenn, definitely Solenn will be the disciplinary one. I cannot say no to her, it’s so hard. With girls, it’s so hard to say no. I see Solenn more disciplinary than me. The moment she says I love you daddy, I melt.”

Years from now, would you let your daughter be in showbiz?

“It will be her choice; we won’t stop her. Whatever endorsements she’s doing now are basically not showbiz. We let her have fun as a baby. She has her own bank account that we are investing for her college fund and at the end of the day, it will be her money.”

T h e As ian Jour nal M D W K M A G A Z I NE - D ec embe r 9 , 2 0 2 0

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