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NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Volume 20 - No. 51 • 14 Pages
T H E F I L I P I N O A M E R I CA N C O M MU N I T Y N E WS PA P E R
Volume 18 - No. 17 • 2 Sections – 16 Pages
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DATELINE Philippine Airlines wins US court approval of recovery plan FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA
PHILIPPINE Airlines, Inc. (PAL) announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court of the Southern District of New York has approved its Plan of Reorganization (the “Plan”). PAL filed a voluntary petition on September 3, 2021 for a prearranged restructuring under the U.S. Chapter 11 process, and has received overwhelming creditor support throughout the process. “Today’s court approval represents a critical moment in our journey to emerge as a stronger airline. We are thankful for our loyal customers, dedicated employees, and the support of our shareholders and partners and government, which has enabled us to move efficiently through the process and reach this milestone,” said Gilbert F. Santa Maria, PAL President & Chief Operating Officer in a statement on Friday, December 17. “We have a few more procedural steps to take before we can complete the Chapter 11 process, after which we will focus intensely on serving the public, navigating
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Fil-Am named deputy chief of Los Angeles Police Department THE Los Angeles Police Department will have its first Filipino American deputy chief in its 152-year history. Commander Donald Graham becomes the first person of Filipino descent to hold such a position, following an announcement from Chief Michel Moore made public on December 17. The announcement did not specify when the promotion takes effect. A member of the LAPD for over two decades, Graham made history in 2019 when he was named a commander of the department, focused on leading the Transit Services Division and as the Homeless Coordinator under the Office of Operations. In 1984, Graham was a teenager when his mother Amalia moved him and his two siblings from Bayonne, New Jersey to Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley. She raised the children as a single mother, while working as a nurse, as previously reported by the Asian Journal.
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DE C E MBE R 2 4 - 3 0 , 2 0 2 1
Also published in LOS ANGELES, ORANGE COUNTY/INLAND EMPIRE, SAN DIEGO, LAS VEGAS, NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY
Duterte declares state of calamity in areas affected by Typhoon ‘Odette’ by DANIZA
FERNANDEZ Inquirer.net
MANILA — President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday, December 20 declared a state of calamity in areas affected by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai).
The regions under state of calamity are Regions 4B (Mimaropa – Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan), 6 (Western Visayas), 7 (Central Visayas), 8 (Eastern Visayas), 10 (Northern Mindanao), and 13 (Caraga). “The declaration of the state of calamity will hasten
the rescue and relief and rehabilitation efforts of the government and the private sector,” Duterte said during his Talk to the People. “This will also be an effective mechanism to control the prices of goods and commodities in the areas,” he
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‘MAY SANTO NIÑO BRING CONSOLATION AND HOPE’
Pope Francis prays for victims of Typhoon Odette by NEIL
ARWIN MERCADO Inquirer.net
MANILA — Pope Francis has expressed his concern to victims of Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai), offering prayers that families distressed by the severe tropical storm that barreled the Philippines recently find solace and hope. “I express my closeness to the population of the Philippines, struck by a strong typhoon that has caused many deaths and destroyed so many homes,” the top leader of the Catholic church wrote on Twitter Sunday night, December 19. “May the ‘Santo Niño’ bring consolation and hope to the families of those most affected. #PrayTogether,” he added. Typhoon Odette, reportedly the strongest typhoon to hit the country this year, first made landfall in Siargao Island on Thursday, December 16, before ravaging other provinces including Cebu, Bohol, and Palawan. DIFFERENT THIS YEAR. Residents light up Christmas decor outside their home ahead of Christmas Eve in Candon, Ilocos Sur. People have The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management been urged to have the traditional noche buena at home with family only and keep festivities simple to prevent the spread of COVID. Council (NDRRMC) reported that over 1.8 million people Philstar.com photo by Andy Zapata were affected by Typhoon Odette. ■
Staying safe for the holidays: California’s top health officer on celebrating the holidays responsibly amid COVID surge by KLARIZE
MEDENILLA AJPress
IT’S no doubt that the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebration is the most highly anticipated holiday season in recent history. The coronavirus pandemic upended the last holiday season, which largely consisted of Zoom parties, limited in-person gatherings, and generally truncated celebrations governed by the safety protocols at the time. But amid the beginnings of a winter spike, those same individuals and families find themselves in similar positions. COVID-19 cases are up globally and the delta and omicron variants continue to increase worry over the festive season. The
U.S. is experiencing a nationwide increase in cases, and states like California are acting quickly to avoid a replay of the last winter surge. As the Asian Journal previously reported, California once again issued a travel advisory and a mask mandate to help mitigate the spread as families and friends flock to one another for holiday gatherings. But Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Health and Human Services agency, stressed the importance of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine as well as a booster shot, which has proven to stifle the severe effects of the virus. “Getting a vaccine that’s safe and effective
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PAL: Returning Filipinos might cancel trips going home due to PH arrival cap by MIGUEL
R. CAMUS
Inquirer.net
PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) started to cancel international flights after plans to lift the government’s daily cap of 4,000 overseas arrivals had stalled. The flag carrier warned in a statement that arrival restrictions would “end up preventing thousands of overseas Filipinos from returning home.” Thus far, PAL announced the cancellation from ManilaSingapore flight PR507/508 on Dec. 21. On Dec. 19, it rescheduled a Manila-Damman Inquirer.net file photo flight to the following day to
meet the daily cap at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. “We seek the public’s understanding over this unfortunate situation. We are a vital air bridge to bring families together, and we try to do all we can to fly our countrymen home, hence the flights we had arranged to serve their urgent travel needs,” Dexter C. Lee, PAL senior vice president and chief strategy and planning officer, said in a statement. “However, we have to abide by the latest limits and we regret that this will prevent us from serving many travelers,” he
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RESBAKUNA. Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. (left), National Task Force Against COVID-19 chief implementer, and U.S. Embassy ad interim Chargé d’Affaires Heather Variava (right) do the Resbakuna sign during the arrival of 1,776,060 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine donated by the United States government through the COVAX Facility at NAIA Terminal 3 on Monday, December 20. Another 1,623,960 doses were delivered on Tuesday, December 21. The Philippines has received more than 64.7 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines through the COVAX Facility and bilateral donations from other countries. PNA photo by Avito Dalan
3.4 million Pfizer shots donated by US arrive in PH MANILA — The U.S., in partnership with the COVAX Facility, this week donated an additional 3.4 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to the Philippines. The vaccines are part of the 500 million Pfizer doses donated by the U.S. to the world through COVAX, a global initiative to support equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. The first shipment of 1.78 million doses arrived at the
Ninoy Aquino International Airport and was received by vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr., U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava, and other representatives. Another 1.62 million doses were delivered Tuesday, on December 21. The 3.4 million doses are the largest single donation of the Pfizer vaccine to the Philippines from the 500 million
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December 24-30, 2021 • NOrcAL ASIAN JOUrNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160
From the Front Page
Duterte declares state of calamity...
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added. According to the president, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council
came out with a resolution recommending the declaration of state of calamity in affected areas, which he signed during his address to the nation.
During the same meeting, Office of the Civil Defense administrator Ricardo Jalad reported that 156 individuals were killed by Odette while 37 others are missing. n
PAL: Returning Filipinos might cancel trips...
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added. Carriers, including PAL, were banking on the doubling of the daily cap to 10,000 passengers to allow them to serve strong demand during the busy Christmas holidays. After the Omicron coronavirus variant was detected overseas, the plan was put on hold. In its statement, PAL continued to urge the government to raise the limit on international arrivals. PAL’s share amounted to a fourth of the daily cap—or 1,200 passengers per day— to cover flights from at least 22 cities in
the Middle East, North America, Asia and Australia. “We maintain our appeal to allow more arrivals to address the crying need to bring our compatriots home at this special time of the year,” Lee said.” We will do all we can to work with the government authorities, including assistance with quarantine hotel bookings, to achieve this.” “Indeed, we are very grateful for the support that our government has extended in recent weeks, and we have made full use of alternate gateways in Subic, Davao, Cebu and Bohol to cater to the peak season
arrivals,” Lee added. The flag carrier earlier appealed for a higher cap to accommodate the thousands of returning Filipinos. It also provided assurances that all OFWs would have pre-arranged hotel bookings above those set by the Overseas Welfare Workers’ Administration. “The flag carrier is left with no choice but to cancel certain flights to comply with the stricter limits on certain days. An unplanned shortage in quarantine hotel rooms allotted for OFWs has limited the ability of OWWA to absorb arrivals from OFW-heavy countries,” PAL said. n
ALERT LEVEL. Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. (right), National Task Force against CoViD-19 Chief implementer, reminds the public not to put their guard down though CoViD-19 cases are going down during the press conference of the Bayanihan Bakunahan 2 at the SM City in Tatay, Rizal on Monday, December 20. Galvez said Metro Manila will remain under Alert Level 2 for the rest of the year despite the detection of a third omicron variant case in the country. PNA photo by Jess M. Escaros Jr.
Fil-Am named deputy chief of Los Angeles... PAGE 1 As a student at Los Angeles Valley College, Graham worked part-time at the campus police department and met retired LAPD officers who encouraged him to explore a law enforcement career. He applied and was accepted into the LAPD Academy, where he graduated from in the fall of 1995. He completed his probation in the Pacific Division, before being assigned to the Devonshire station, which covers Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Granada Hills, Northridge, North Hills, Porter Ranch, West Hills and Winnetka. “I thought I was going to do this for about 10 years…take my pension and then walk away,” Graham told the Asian Journal in a 2019 interview. “But like any corny story, you fall in love and I fell in love with doing this job.” Graham spent nine years as an officer in the Devonshire territory before being promoted to sergeant in the Southeast Division in 2006, sergeant II as a commander’s aide in the office of operations two years later, and then lieutenant in 2012 in the West Valley Patrol Division. The Fil-Am officer rose the ranks from captain to area commanding officer in North
Commander Donald Graham has been promoted to deputy chief of the Los Angeles Police Department. AJPress file photo by Noel Ty
Hollywood before rising to commander in 2019. “As a Filipino American, as a New Jersey American, I can’t imagine having done anything else with…my life. This is the most incredible job, not just because it’s different every day, not just because there’s this
visceral idea that people who prey on other people are the people who are afraid of us. Trust me, it’s a visceral feeling. But really what is the key to this job is how many people who have come back and have said ‘thank you,’” Graham said in a previous interview. n
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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • DeCembeR 24-30, 2021
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The vaccine rollout was a success. But events within and beyond Biden’s control stymied progress. by Victoria
Knight Kaiser Health News
ELEVEN months ago, President Joe Biden assumed office during one of the most critical moments of the COVD-19 pandemic. Case counts and death rates were shockingly high. The vaccine rollout, which had started under former President Donald Trump, was disjointed. People were generally sequestered in their homes, and kids were relegated to remote learning. Biden promised to change all that. He said he would differ from Trump in that he would listen to the scientists, encourage the use of masks and give the federal government a stronger role in addressing the pandemic. He also pledged to deliver the “most efficient mass vaccination plan in U.S. history” and to get 100 million covid shots administered in his first 100 days. How well did Biden do? We asked four public health experts who said the president’s vaccine rollout, overall, was excellent, but his messaging was off at certain points, and other setbacks — both within and beyond his control — stymied progress against COVID-19. After all, cases in the U.S. are again surging, largely due to the delta and omicron variants. In some places, these numbers, as well as hospitalization tallies, are approaching the highest levels in months. This month, the U.S. surpassed 800,000 covid-related deaths since the pandemic started, and the 1 million mark is in view. The reopening of Broadway shows — something viewed by many as a sign that normalcy was returning — is facing interruptions as breakthrough cases among cast members cause intermittent performance cancellations. The sports world is facing its own covid-related disturbances. Colleges have announced they will hold final exams remotely and are canceling winter graduations. All of this calls into question how much progress has been made against covid. Let’s take a look at what happened in 2021 and whether Biden’s efforts have made a difference. Even before taking office, Biden set an initial target of getting 100 million doses of vaccine administered in his first 100 days. While there was initial uncertainty about this target, it turned out to be an easily achievable goal that took only 58 days. Still, vaccine distribution unfolded by fits and starts. At first, only certain populations were eligible for shots. And when Biden announced he was ordering states to open up eligibility to all adults May 1, demand outstripped vaccine supply in many locations. By summer, though, most who wanted a vaccine could get one — free of charge. That push “was extraordinary,” said Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. “The Biden administration increased the number of people to get shots, they increased the number of places to get shots, they reduced the number of disparities for those getting shots,” he said. Indeed, getting almost half of the U.S. population fully vaccinated in the first six months of 2021 resulted in a huge drop in covid cases, hospitalizations and deaths by early summer. Recent data from the Commonwealth Fund indicates that the covid vaccination program in the U.S. prevented 1 million deaths and 10 million hospitalizations. Yet, those two optimistic signs — high vaccine availability and low covid cases — led the Biden administration to prematurely assert triumph over the virus, said Dr. Leana Wen, a professor of health policy and management at George Washington University. This was just one of several messaging missteps made by Biden
and his administration in 2021, said the experts. “They had declared victory right when delta was starting to surge,” Wen said. Wen pointed to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “confused” messaging, starting with an announcement in May that those who were fully vaccinated no longer needed to wear masks indoors or outdoors, or practice physical distancing, even though those strategies had proved useful in combating the virus. The change in mask guidance came at a pivotal time. The dangerous delta variant was beginning to take hold throughout the U.S., and public health officials were only starting to understand that those who had been vaccinated could still spread the virus. As delta boosted case counts in midsummer, the CDC had to walk back its guidance to recommend that vaccinated people resume wearing masks indoors if they lived in an area with substantial or high transmission. This remains the recommendation. Yet, that initial announcement opened a door for many states and localities to repeal their mask requirements and never reinstate them, despite continued high levels of transmission nationwide. “The unmasking order back in May was too hastily done,” Benjamin said. “That was a misstep.” Also, Biden’s announcement in mid-August that booster shots would be available by Sept. 20 to all Americans preceded both the Food and Drug Administration’s recommendation and the CDC’s guidance on boosters for everyone — another stumble. The FDA didn’t authorize boosters for all adults until November. “I think people saw that as him making a political statement,” Benjamin said. “He knew that was where we were going, where the science was taking us. He got ahead of it.” Overall, though, Biden followed the science, said the experts. Plus, implementing regular covid media briefings with scientists and public health leaders, and allowing Dr. Anthony Fauci, his chief medical adviser, to be front and center and not contradicting his advice, represented a meaningful change from the previous administration, when daily briefings were held but speakers often dismissed scientific evidence in favor of untested treatments and the president, himself, would dismiss the pandemic’s severity. Biden also used the power of his office to advance certain public health measures. He issued vaccine mandates for federal employees and contractors, health care workers and certain companies. This has increased the number of people vaccinated, though the mandates, except for the one aimed at government workers, are on hold while objections work their way through the court system. And, despite state rollbacks of mask mandates, the president has continued to require masking in areas under his control, including within the interstate transportation and air travel industries and in federal buildings. He also signed a $1.9 trillion covid relief law in March that provided financial assistance to people in the form of stimulus checks, child tax credits and additional unemployment benefits, as well as aid to states and local governments. However, one area in which government efforts have been severely lacking is covid testing, said every public health expert we consulted. “We need more availability of at-home rapid tests. There shouldn’t be shortages,” said Dr. Marcus Plescia, chief medical officer of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials, which represents state and local public health agencies. The Biden administration has
3.4 million Pfizer shots... PAGE 1
made available by the U.S., a longtime ally and former colonizer of Manila. In a statement on the donation released by the U.S. consulate, Variava also extended “heartfelt sympathies to those affected by Typhoon Odette,” the strongest storm to ravage the Philippines this year. “We are supporting ongoing Philippine response efforts and exploring ways to further assist communities in need,” she added. “We also remain committed to partnering with the Philippines to protect Filipinos from COVID-19.” The U.S. said it has facilitated the delivery of more than 53
million COVID-19 vaccine doses to the Philippines as the largest donor to the COVAX facility. Of these doses, the embassy said, 22 million were donated by the American people. The embassy added that the vaccines donated by the U.S. are enough to fully vaccinate 10% of all Filipinos. In addition to vaccine donations, the U.S. said it provided the Philippines with more than P1.9 billion in COVID-19 assistance to support testing, critical care, communication campaigns, health worker protection and training, vaccine deployment, and necessary equipment and supplies. (Philstar.com)
invoked the Defense Production Act to ramp up production of rapid tests, and is providing tests free of charge to community health clinics and requiring private insurance companies to reimburse consumers for tests they buy. It could do more, said Jen Kates, director of global health and HIV policy at KFF. “They still haven’t gone to the next step and bought tests and sent them to every household, to really blanket the country with tests,” Kates said. That would PAGE 1 prove especially vital if the U.S. does indeed experience a winter the continuing challenges of surge due to delta and omicron the pandemic and economic recovery, and sustaining the links as anticipated. Variants, especially delta, have that connect our archipelago.” The consensual Plan was caused more serious disease symptoms than other forms of accepted by 100% of the the covid virus, exacerbating the votes cast, which were from primary aircraft challenge of battling the pan- PAL’s demic this year. Still, data shows lessors and lenders, original manufacturers that covid-related death rates equipment were far higher among the un- and maintenance, repair, and vaccinated than the vaccinated. overhaul service providers, and The volume of people unwilling certain funded debt lenders. to get the shot because of vac- The Plan provides for over cine hesitancy or misinformation US$2.0 billion in permanent may have contributed to the high balance sheet reductions from number of covid deaths in 2021, existing creditors, allows PAL which have surpassed 2020, said to consensually contract fleet capacity by 25%, improves PAL’s Kates. In addition, covid vaccines critical operational agreements weren’t widely available to every- and includes US$505 million one in the U.S. until May. Plus, investment in long-term equity u PAGE 7 and debt financing from PAL’s
Inquirer.net file photo
Philippine Airlines wins US court approval... majority shareholder. The effective date of the Plan is expected to occur before the end of 2021. PAL continues to operate flights to 32 international and 29 domestic destinations from its hubs in Manila, Cebu and Davao. The Philippine flag carrier expects to restore more routes and increase flight frequencies as travel restrictions ease and borders reopen. Following implementation of the Plan, PAL will be better positioned to capture travel demand and serve the needs of global citizens, actively contributing to the Philippine economy. Filing entities Philippine Airlines Inc. is the only party included in the Chapter 11 filing; while PAL Holdings Inc., which is listed on
the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE: PHI), and Air Philippines Corporation, known as PAL Express, are not included in the Chapter 11 filing. Court filings and other documents related to the Chapter 11 process in the U.S. are available on a separate website administered by PAL’s claims agent, KCC, at www. kccllc.net/PAL. Information is also available by calling (866) 967-0671 (U.S./Canada) or (310) 751-2671 (International). Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP and Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRA) are acting as legal advisors and Seabury Securities LLC as financial advisor and investment banker to the Company. (AJPress)
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December 24-30, 2021 • NOrcAL ASIAN JOUrNAL
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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • DeCembeR 24-30, 2021
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SFIO announces strategic plan to uplist to NASDAQ by 2024
Unsplash.com photo by Gabriella Clare Marino
Staying safe for the holidays...
PAGE 1 and free is pretty simple in the relative scheme of things to avoid the potential of getting significantly sick and potentially losing your livelihood: the livelihood that your family depends on,” Ghaly told ethnic media reporters on Tuesday, Dec. 14. As of this week, 61 million doses of the COVID vaccine have been administered and 85% of Californians are fully vaccinated. Additionally, the state has administered 6 million booster shots, which translates to a little under a quarter of those who are fully vaccinated (26.3 million Californians, as of Friday, Dec. 17). “[Booster shots] boost up your immunity,” Ghaly explained. “The first two doses give quite a bit protection, but then that third dose is like a super dose. It really jumps up your level of immunity so when you get exposed to delta or omicron, that booster will protect a little bit more around that variant.” Vaccine hesitancy continues to be a hindrance for Californians, and Ghaly recognizes that. But he said that those who are slow to act may see the pitfalls of those decisions, saying, “I will tell you that I’ve met many people who regret not being vaccinated in a timely way, but I have yet to meet anyone who regrets getting vaccinated. The sense of safety and security is real.” Ghaly noted that the state is currently ramping up efforts to close the equity gap in vaccinations, placing more focus on encouraging communities of color and communities with limited English proficiency to get vaccinated and/or get their boosters. He said, “COVID has always been a global challenge. Getting more citizens around the world
vaccinated is going to help us reduce the likelihood of a variant popping up again in the future.” Individualswhoareunvaccinated are 12 times more likely to be hospitalized and 13 times more likely to die from COVID, Ghaly said, noting that getting vaccinated is “an enormous insurance policy as we move around our communities and with our families during the holidays.” Ghaly also weighed in on the recently reissued mask mandate, which will largely affect counties that didn’t already have a mask requirement for indoor public places. But it will also help further protect those in counties like Los Angeles, which reported 27 new deaths, 772 total hospitalizations, and 3,360 overall new coronavirus cases (including 8 omicron cases) on Friday, December 17. “We know that there’s going to be a lot of resistance and even some non-compliance with masking requirements and other guidelines, and I understand that people are tired and fed up and feel like it’s a personal choice,” Ghaly said. He added, “But I will tell you that this is not just about one individual. This is about communities. This is about preserving the capacity of hospitals to support people. We know this is not going to be perfect, but we encourage those who heed the messages to pay attention to what we’re saying, and what we’re saying is this is a critical time.” The state advises travelers to follow federal travel guidelines laid out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). People who test positive or develop symptoms associated with the coronavirus are advised to isolate and practice the safety protocols: stay home except when receiving medical care, wear a mask at all times, and wash hands often. n
SMOKEFREE Innotec, Inc. (OTC: SFIO), a leading asset management company and innovation group, is pleased to share details around its fouryear strategic plan, as well as news of its plan to uplist to a major stock exchange by 2024. SFIO began 2021 with the goal of restructuring the company to better serve the longterm strategy of being a truly transformative global asset management company. SFIO would like to share with you the details around that strategy, as well as the goal of uplisting to the NASDAQ, or a similar major stock exchange, by 2024. SFIO focuses as an asset management company that continues to be on top of innovation through disruptive collaborations. SFIO invests in high-growth businesses and supports them through partnerships and opportunities before leveraging the global presence to help them scale exponentially. It’s a methodical approach to hyper-growth, representing a clear strategy of acquisition, collaboration, transformation, and expansion. To illustrate, SFIO took on the flagship franchise business, Epiphany Cafe. Supported by their ongoing acquisitions and partnerships, transformation enablers, and global network, Epiphany Cafe will be leading the group’s charge to capture markets across Australia, Malaysia, UAE, the Philippines, and the United States in 2022. Soon after, they will be utilizing those same pathways to scale their other businesses. In growing Epiphany Cafe, back in 2017, SFIO embarked on a series of partnerships and acquisitions both to improve operational efficiencies and unlock new revenue streams. It’s an ongoing journey that’s formed the bedrock of its hyper-growth strategy: • Acquisition: Identifying the gaps in Epiphany Cafe’s operations, the team brought two new firms into the group, Gorgeous Coffee and Ardent Bakers. More companies would later join the lineup as new gaps emerged across Epiphany’s evolving business model. • Collaboration: Gorgeous Coffee, led by an award-winning master roaster, developed Epiphany Cafe’s signature coffee blend, quickly becoming a customer favorite. Meanwhile, Ardent Bakers supplied the growing cafe franchise’s donuts and pastries. As demand for these pillow-soft donuts skyrocketed, another acquisition, Big Lou’s Donuts, took on wholesale production, supporting Epiphany’s future entry into the Australian market. • Transformation: To support inventory management operations across Epiphany’s franchises, Ardent Bakers developed SMART FREEZE technology, a proprietary method of preparing donuts while maintaining quality over six months of being frozen. Gorgeous Coffee later developed their own innovation, a line of instant coffees boasting barley, Manuka honey, and other healthful extracts. • Expansion: Now present across New Zealand, Australia, and soon Southeast Asia, Epiphany Cafe’s growth is supported by its global network of companies and partners. AG Architects, another fully-owned subsidiary, handles the design and development of new sites, while SFIO international hubs serve as launchpads for the franchise business to enter new markets worldwide. They intend to establish the Epiphany Cafe franchise system, support centers, and centralized commissaries in new global markets as early as next year. SFIO began the journey with Epiphany Cafe, its own growth driving the growth of the network. Now SFIO’s network will be driving Epiphany’s growth in turn – as it pioneers entry into new markets.
It’s a wonderful, full-circle moment for SFIO. To support all this growth, both from a capacity perspective, as well as a financial perspective, SFIO leans on their cross-divisional synergies. With SFIO’s newly-minted Technology division, SFIO will be using tech to streamline the existing operations of the businesses, while also building entirely new systems to disrupt the industries they operate across. For SFIO’s franchise businesses, development is already underway for a unified, streamlined logistics platform. This will not only standardize the operations of SFIO different businesses across the supply chain, but will also bring value to franchisees and ultimately, their customers, who will now benefit from a truly seamless, tech-powered system. Similarly, SFIO laid the foundation for their eventual entry into real estate when they acquired AG Architects and A+ Electrical. Now their slate of joint ventures will see SFIO developing approximately 200-hectares of prime real estate in Montemaria, Batangas alone. The recently-signed joint venture with Philippine-based AbaCore Capital Holdings plays a crucial role in the company’s growth trajectory. One project under this joint venture is the development of a two-hectare, bay-side property in Batangas into a $100 million eco-friendly, tech village. Not only do these joint ventures increase the asset values, but profits from these high-yield projects will also be reinvested into future growth – a necessary step towards SFIO’s ambitions to uplist in 2024. SFIO has spent the past year acquiring companies not only to grow the conglomerate’s revenues and assets, but also to serve as transformation partners as SFIO scales the businesses globally. SFIO accomplished the necessary filings to reflect the vast array of negotiations and business activities they have entered into these last few months. These include the successful removal of shell status and Caveat Emptor designation, as well as the designation of the status on the OTC Pink market (Current). In the coming months, SFIO will be undergoing further developments, such as filing the audited financials, updating the company name to Starfleet Innotech, Inc. and working towards placing SFIO on the OTCQB Venture Market as a stepping stone towards its larger goal. From an organizational structure perspective, it will be streamlining the core divisions to highlight the cross-divisional synergies, and reflect their focus on three emerging industries: Food and Beverage (F&B), Real Estate, and Technology. SFIO’s F&B division is a merging of the previous franchise, coffee, and food manufacturing and distribution groups. With the establishment of innovation hubs in U.S., UAE, New Zealand, and Australian offices, it will be entering new global markets, forging strategic partnerships in construction & exports, developing innovative new technologies, and driving market value alongside the shareholders – all with the goal of uplisting from the OTC Markets to the NASDAQ, or similar major stock exchange, by 2024. This has been a long time coming – the realization of an ambitious goal SFIO set for itself almost a decade ago now. SFIO is glad to have strong backers and a deep talent bench to make all the things happen. “Thanks to your continued support, things have been moving very quickly these past two years. I’m excited to say they’re only going to accelerate from here,” says Jeths Lacson, CEO and Chairman of SFIO. (Advertising Supplement)
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December 24-30, 2021 • NOrcAL ASIAN JOUrNAL
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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • DeCembeR 24-30, 2021
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Comelec summons Marcos anew over 3 DQ cases by William
Depasupil ManilaTimes.net
THE Commission on Elections (Comelec) has summoned presidential frontrunner Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. in connection with the three cases seeking to disqualify him from the 2022 race. These cases were raffled off to the Comelec First Division, chaired by Presiding Commissioner Rowena Guanzon. The preliminary conferences were set on Jan. 7, 2022. According to Guanzon, the summons directed Marcos to file a verified answer to each petition within five days from
receipt, in accordance with rules. Thereafter the cases are deemed submitted for resolution. The petitions were SPA 21212 (DC) filed by Bonifacio Ilagan et.al; SPA 21-232 (DC) filed by Akbayan Citizen’s Action Party, Doris Nuval, Joanna Bernize Coronacion, Jo Enrica Enriquez Rosales, Rauymond John Naguit and Loretta Ann Rosales; and SPA 21-233 (DC) filed by Abubakar Mangelen. There are at least seven disqualification cases filed against Marcos before the Comelec. The Comelec First Division last week dismissed the first of these cases against Marcos
for being “grossly insufficient” in evidence and for failing to prove that the respondent was a nuisance candidate. All other disqualification cases were similarly anchored on the guilty verdict handed down by a Quezon City Regional Trial Court against the former senator for his failure to file his income tax returns for the years 1982 to 1985. Marcos appealed his case before the Court of Appeals. The appellate court upheld his conviction but removed the penalty of imprisonment and instead ordered him to pay the fine and the deficiency income taxes plus interest. n
Coronary heart diseases still top cause of death in PH; COVID-19 climbs up to 4th spot Philippines logs 3rd case of Omicron variant VEGGIES, ANYONE? An elderly woman arranges her freshly-harvested vegetables at her stall in Rizal, Laguna on Sunday, December. 19. The country’s inflation or the rate of increase in consumer prices dropped for three consecutive months in November at 4.2 percent, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
by Gabriel
pabico Inquirer.net
lalu
MANILA — Despite two surges of the COVID-19 pandemic battering the Philippines, coronary heart disease remains the top leading cause of death among Filipinos from January 2021 to September 2021, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). However, the same PSA data dated Saturday, December 18, also showed that deaths ascertained to be caused by COVID-19 went up from just 16th in 2020 to fourth, while unidentified but COVID-19 related deaths are at the eighth spot. Deaths confirmed to be due to COVID-19 accounted for 34,361 or 7.0 percent — a 468.7 percent jump compared to 2020’s 6,042 deaths or 1.3 percent. Meanwhile, COVID-19 related deaths with the virus unconfirmed were the seventh-highest causes of deaths at 16,397 or 3.3 percent — also a slight 1.1 percent jump from 2020 numbers which was at 16,219 or 3.6 percent. According to PSA, after coronary heart diseases which accounted for 91,152 or 18.5 percent of the deaths recorded, cerebrovascular diseases (49,063 or 9.9 percent) came next, followed by neoplasms or cancers (42,633 or 8.6 percent).
Deaths due to coronary heart diseases also increased by 18.7 percent compared to figures in 2020, during the same time frame. Also, cerebrovascular diseases are now at second, increasing from the previous third ranking. “The top three causes of death in the country from January to September of 2021 were ischaemic heart diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, and neoplasms. Incidentally, these were also the leading causes of death in the same period in 2020 with some deviations in the ranking,” PSA said in the report. “During the first nine months of 2021, ischaemic heart diseases were the leading cause of death with 91,152 cases or 18.5 percent of the total deaths in the country. This indicated an increase of about 18.7 percent from the 76,783 deaths or 16.9 percent of the total deaths in the same period of 2020,” it added. The following ailments round up the top 10 leading causes of death in the country: • diabetes (5th, 32,057 or 6.5 percent) • hypertensive diseases (6th, 26,600 or 5.4 percent) • pneumonia (7th, 22,158 or 4.5 percent) • COVID-19 but virus not identified (8th, 16,397 or 3.3 percent)
• other heart diseases (9th, 16,186 or 3.3 percent) • chronic lower respiratory diseases (10th, 15,018 or 3.0 percent) PSA clarified though that the data gathered may differ from the final count, and with the Department of Health’s records, especially as Filipinos abroad who died, were not yet included. “The information presented includes deaths that occurred from January to September 2021 based on data files received by the PSA – Civil Registration Service (CRS) from the PSOs (Philippine Statistics Offices) as of 29 October 2021. Thus, the figures presented herein are still preliminary and may differ at the final count,” PSA said. “Figures in this release, specifically for deaths due to COVID-19, may differ from the one released by the [DOH] because the figures in this release were obtained from the certificates of death particularly the descriptions written on the medical certificate portion therein as reviewed by the health officer of the local government unit concerned,” it added. Currently, the country is seeing a downward trend in COVID-19 infections. As of Sunday, DOH only recorded 203 new cases, while 395 new recoveries pushed the active infection count to 9,729. n
by Gaea
Katreena Philstar.com
cabico
MANILA — The Philippines has recorded its third case of the Omicron variant—a Filipino who returned from Qatar last month. The 36-year-old male overseas Filipino worker arrived at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport via Qatar Airways 924 on November 28, Department of Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Monday, December 20. The patient had travel history to Egypt.
According to Vergeire, the patient underwent isolation in Cebu until December 16 after testing positive for COVID-19 on December 5. The patient, who is asymptomatic, is now undergoing home quarantine in Cavite. The results of the latest batch of genome sequencing were released on Saturday, December 18. The patient was tested again on Sunday, December 19 and his test yielded a negative result. “The case is currently finishing his home quarantine in Cavite and has remained to be asymptomatic
since arrival,” Vergeire said. Authorities identified three close contacts of the individual. Vergeire said all underwent home quarantine and tested negative for COVID-19. Last week, health authorities detected the country’s first two cases of the heavily-mutated Omicron variant, which has been classified as being “of concern” by the World Health Organization. Early studies suggest that Omicron is more transmissible than the Delta variant. n
The vaccine rollout was a success. But events...
PAGE 3
during 2020, much of the U.S. was locked down at home, while many activities have resumed in 2021, with increased opportunities for viral spread. Still, under Biden, according to the latest metrics, more than 61% of the U.S. population — and 72% of adults — have been fully vaccinated against covid. “I think we should really be celebrating the 70% more,” Plescia said. “For adult vaccinations, we never get anywhere close to that number with other vaccines, like influenza.” Yet, as the nation stares down
omicron, the country braces for increasing cases amid continued uncertainty over when the pandemic will finally end. Experts agreed the U.S. has made positive gains in its efforts against covid this year, but there is more work to do. Testing, continuing to encourage vaccinations and boosters in the U.S., and providing shots to the world — to help prevent future variants — are the only ways to reach a point where covid becomes endemic, they said. “We are in a different place. Last year we needed vaccines. Now we need to get to the point
where testing is the norm,” Wen said. “This is how we’re going to live with covid in our lives in the future and is how we as America will be able to move on.” This story was produced by KHN (Kaiser Health News), a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues. Together with Policy Analysis and Polling, KHN is one of the three major operating programs at KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation). KFF is an endowed nonprofit organization providing information on health issues to the nation. n
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DECEMBER 24-30, 2021 • NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL
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An industry in the ICU
BUSINESSES are coming back to life as pandemic restrictions are eased. One industry, however, has been in the intensive care unit even before COVID struck: the fireworks manufacturers and dealers, based mostly in Bulacan. The government must decide whether it wants to get the industry out of the ICU or just have it incinerated for good. As part of efforts to make the New Year revelry safe, the government has discouraged the use of firecrackers, imposing a ban on potentially deadly products and tightening regulation of the manufacture, distribution and sale. From Dec. 21, 2020 to Jan. 1, 2021, the fireworksrelated injuries were down 85 percent from the previous year, from 340 cases to just 49, with no cases of fireworks ingestion or death. The industry, however, blames injuries and deaths on substandard or unsafe products churned out by unlicensed operators. At stake, according to industry players, are the livelihoods of an estimated 200,000 people not only in Bulacan but also in other areas where fireworks are made or distributed. Industry players have lamented that law enforcers and consumers alike have been confused by the passage of Republic Act 7183 in 1992 and the release of Executive Order 28 in 2017 by President Duterte. RA 7183 and the
Editorial
EO regulate the manufacture, sale and use of firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices, but some people erroneously think the law and EO have banned the products
altogether. Industry players also lament the proliferation of mom-and-pop backyard enterprises that produce firecrackers in dangerous environments, with some employing even minors. The result is the proliferation of substandard or unsafe products. RA 7183 seeks to impose quality controls on the industry, but unlicensed operators continue to undermine the law. Even before the sale and use of fireworks were tightened, poor quality control had made the industry suffer from imported competition. The flood of imports prompted calls for the industry to develop export-quality products. Around the world, firecrackers and other pyrotechnics continue to be widely used during celebrations. As another New Year in the time of COVID
Philstar.com photo
approaches, the beleaguered fireworks industry will be meeting with authorities to discuss the proper implementation of the law and EO. At the same time, the government must decide whether
it should provide assistance to an industry in the development of products that are not only safe to use in the country but also of such quality that they can compete with the world’s best. (Philstar.com)
Christmas – a new journey of optimism and hope
As A Matter of Fact SARA SOLIVEN DE GUZMAN JUST as we were about to begin our nine-day Advent novena prayer (or Simbang Gabi) last week, Super Typhoon Odette hit the Visayas and Mindanao islands with strong winds, heavy rainfall and storm surges that destroyed homes, uprooted trees and toppled power lines. Super Typhoon Odette, equivalent to a Category 5 hurricane, is the strongest typhoon to hit the Philippines this year. It made landfall nine times, causing massive floods in: (1) Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte; (2) Cagdianao, Dinagat Islands; (3) Liloan, Southern Leyte; (4) Padre Burgos, Southern Leyte; (5) President Carlos P. Garcia, Bohol; (6) Bien Unido, Bohol; (7) Carcar, Cebu; (8) La Libertad, Negros Occidental; (9) Roxas, Palawan. The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) initially reported that millions of households were affected, over 330,000 people were evacuated. The typhoon left over 63 cities and municipalities without electricity, affected 73 seaports and had over 160 domestic and international flights cancelled. Typhoon Odette exited the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) at 12:40 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 18. According to initial reports from the local government units, the typhoon left over a dozen people dead and caused huge destruction
Commentary
GOVERNOR GAVIN NEWSOM SINCE the early days of the pandemic, California has led the nation’s fight against COVID-19 through robust vaccination efforts rooted in science and data. This has helped slow the spread of the virus and save countless lives, especially in our most vulnerable communities – someone’s parent and friend, and each of them a Californian. We’ve been meeting people where they are, from partnering with local grocery stores, schools, and barbershops, to developing media content in more than 19 languages to reach California’s richly diverse communities. California’s public
in parts of Mindanao and the Visayas. “Our landscape in the aftermath is reminiscent of, if not worse than, when Yolanda hit our province,” Dinagat Governor Arlene Bag-ao said. According to DPWH Undersecretary Emerson Benitez, damage to infrastructure, particularly roads and bridges alone, has been estimated at P178.4 million. This does not include buildings and private structures. The provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Bohol, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Biliran, Leyte and Eastern Samar experienced power interruption. By the way, in the midst of this typhoon, I was changing channels both on the radio and on my television set, hoping to find up to date news about how the typhoon has hit the different areas but to my dismay no station covered this disaster as extensively as how ABS-CBN did in the past. In hindsight, President Duterte and his allies in the House of Representatives shouldn’t have closed ABSCBN. They should have just sanctioned the station to pay up to their mistakes, if any. They should actually acknowledge how this station has helped our country bring the news from North to South and from East to West and how it has grown significant in helping the country. Our poorly equipped PTV channel doesn’t have the ability to do the job of such public service. This is one endeavor our future leader must actually prioritize. Well, this double-whammy situation with the threat of COVID-19 virus (and numbers ris-
ing again) still lingering around is quite devastating. Those in evacuation centers must continue to protect themselves with face masks and get vitamins to boost their immune systems. But how can they even think of any safety precautions when survival is the priority. This is where government must exert more effort in creating good and effective systems in providing temporary shelter, food, clothing, medicine and other basic needs to the people. * * * Isn’t this very timely? Is God trying to send us a message? While everyone is politicking amidst the pandemic, He sends us a typhoon. Not just a storm but a super typhoon, the strongest ever. Truly, we can always see the worst and best in our leaders during a disaster. By their deeds you will know them (Matthew 7:16). You know who are sincere in reaching out. Those who care versus those who are callous and cold. Those who are pretending to care. In Filipino, the term “pakitang tao” describes how our public servants are like today. They only come out to show off. They want people to believe that they are sincere and truthful in their words, actions and deeds but in reality there is a very dark side to them. In fact, they can easily sway and influence the masa, making the poor and illiterate adore them, hail them as their savior, their answered prayer. Little do they know how much they abuse power and steal from the country’s coffers. These dirty politicians have made an industry out of governance. They are
the very reason we continue to suffer and why we never progress. The sad fact is that Filipinos allow bad leaders to easily influence them. Even with lessons from history already written and told, many choose to ignore the stories, allowing corruption, greed and abusive power to prevail without making them accountable. Many of the poor and illiterate are easily swayed by money. They are not principled enough to fight for what is right, to help protect our country from the force of evil and to sustain their future. On the day of the elections, they are easily lured by what they will receive from the corrupt politician, forgetting the suffering and sacrifices of the life they live. So, this vicious cycle will continue to repeat itself unless our people start to think right. By this tragic event, a week before Christmas, isn’t God giving us a chance to cleanse our hearts and our spirits? One more chance to clearly see right from wrong, good from bad? I am pretty sure that this nation is tired of the politicians from the Old Order. Aren’t we weary of the contending political parties of the Old Republic or the apparently “new” parties, party-lists and groups that have sprung up, cloaking old ambitions in the trappings of a new crusade? My late father would always get annoyed by the word “new” in every political slogan. He would quip – the word “new” is a bit frayed and has gotten discredited over the years, with such flashy titles as “New Society,” “New Filipino” and “New Republic” being tarnished and
AJPress photo by Kendrick Tan
misused. But what is called for is a New Opposition and a fresh array of leaders who have not been scarred or tarred by the old politics. Just as Christmas was born in Bethlehem to signal the conclusion and fulfillment of the Old Testament, a New Political Testament must be laid out to give the Filipino people an opportunity to begin anew, to start out
on a journey of optimism and hope. Here’s wishing everyone God’s love and protection in the coming days, in the coming year. Merry Christmas! *** 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.
On the record with Governor Gavin Newsom: California continues to lead the fight against COVID-19 health measures are working, and much of our success can be attributed to our greatest tool to ending the pandemic: vaccines. December 14 marks the oneyear anniversary of the first COVID-19 vaccine administered in California. We began by prioritizing vaccinations for our frontline health care workers and vulnerable older adults. Today, after a year of working in partnership with the federal government, local public health and community partners, millions of Californians aged 5 and older are now protected and helping to protect others from this deadly virus. We’ve administered 62 million doses – more than any
other state. Eighty six percent of all eligible Californians have received at least one dose of the vaccine, and more than 6 million adults have received a booster. I am so proud that Californians are quite literally rolling up their sleeves to help end the pandemic and keep each other safer. The state has also made tremendous strides in closing vaccination equity gaps among our most vulnerable communities. Thanks to our dynamic partnerships with more than 130 faith-based and 700 community-based organizations, 77 percent of Californians living in our least healthy neighborhoods ages 12 and up have received at
least one dose. Our work is far from over. We must continue to practice basic safety tips to protect ourselves, our families, and our communities against COVID-19. This starts with getting fully vaccinated if you haven’t already, and getting your booster. Simply put, vaccination can help you avoid serious illness, hospitalization and death. It is also important that we wear a mask indoors – especially when we are uncertain of everyone’s vaccination status – keep gatherings short, small and outside if possible, get tested if you’re exposed to the virus, experiencing symptoms, or planning to travel, and stay home if you’re
feeling sick. It is especially important for those who are fully vaccinated to get their booster. This includes those 16 and up who received the Pfizer vaccine at least six months prior, those 18 and up who received the Moderna vaccine at least six months before, and those 18 and over who got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine at least two months ago. It’s critical that we keep our immunity strong, not just for ourselves, but for our communities. Even with the emergence of the Omicron variant, Californians have many reasons to remain hopeful because our state continues to move forward in the right
direction. I want to end this column with a personal note to each and every Californian. Californians have met every challenge with vigor and courage, and together, we will continue to lead the nation in the fight against COVID-19. I wish you all a very happy holiday season with heartfelt wishes for a happy, safer, and brighter new year to come. For the latest information on the Omicron variant go to CDPH.ca.gov and to find a COVID-19 vaccine or booster dose, visit MyTurn.ca.gov. To find a COVID-19 testing site, call (833) 422-4255 or visit your local county public health website. (Ethnic Media Services)
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THE ASIAN JOURNAL
MAGAZINE
I N
N O R T H E R N
C A L I F O R N I A
Friday, December 24, 2021
INSIDE >>> L I F E S T Y L E • C O N S U M E R G U I D E • C O M M U N I T Y • M A R K E T P L A C E
The January 2022 Priority Dates EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment-based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons
Immigration Corner ATTY. MICHAEL GURFINKEL, ESQ
whose priority date is earlier than the cut-off date listed below. If your priority date was “current,” but later retrogressed (or “moved backwards” and became unavailable) before your immigrant visa was issued (or before you adjusted status in the U.S.), you would have to wait until it becomes current again.
The Priority dates for the Philippines are as follows: FAMILY CATEGORY:
Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
First Preference
Unmarried sons and daughters of US citizens (over 21 years of age)
April 22, 2015
March 01, 2012
Second Preference
(2A) Spouse and minor children (below 21 years old) of green card holders
October 01, 2021
Current
(2B) Unmarried sons and daughters (21 years old or older) of green card holders
October 01, 2013
October 22, 2011
Third Preference
Married sons and daughters of US Citizens
October 01, 2003
June 08, 2002
Fourth Preference
Brothers and sisters of US Citizens
February 01, 2004
August 22, 2002
Application Filing Date
Visa Issuance Date
Second Preference
Advanced Degree (Masters)
Current
Current
Third Preference
Professional/ Skilled Workers
Current
Current
Other Workers
Non-Skilled Workers
Current
Current
LABOR CERTIFICATION:
*** Michael J. Gurfinkel has been an attorney for over 40 years and is licensed, and an active member of the State Bars of California and New York. All immigration services are provided by, or under the supervision of, an active member of the State Bar of California. Each case is different and results may depend on the facts of the particular case. The information and opinions contained herein
(including testimonials, “Success Stories”, endorsements and re-enactments) are of a general nature, and are not intended to apply to any particular case, and do not constitute a prediction, warranty, guarantee or legal advice regarding the outcome of your legal matter. No attorney-client relationship is, or shall be, established with any reader. WEBSITE: w w w. g u r f i n k e l . com
Follow us on Facebook.com/GurfinkelLaw, YouTube: US Immigration TV and Instagram. com/gurfinkellaw Call Toll free to schedule a consultation for anywhere in the US: 1-866-487-3465 (866) – GURFINKEL Four offices to serve you: LOS ANGELES · SAN FRANCISCO · NEW YORK · PHILIPPINES (Advertising Supplement)
CATCH THE FIRST INSTALLMENT OF CITIZEN PINOY’S VERY FIRST VIRTUAL Q&A ON U.S. IMMIGRATION – AXG: ABUNDA AND GURFINKEL. Asia’s King of Talk, Boy Abunda, and leading U.S. immigration attorney, Michael J. Gurfinkel, lead the discussion in the first virtual forum where Atty. Gurfinkel provides answers and relevant information to viewers’ immigration questions. Elaine, from Fairfield, California, wants to know if her sister’s family can be interviewed on an expedited basis. She is worried that her nephew might not be able to immigrate with the family, as he turns 28 in October 2021. Ifur, from San Jose, California, asks if her brother can come to the U.S. faster if he is petitioned by their mother as an employee in her care home rather than through a family petition. These questions and more will be answered in an encore episode of part one of “Citizen Pinoy Presents AXG: Abunda and Gurfinkel,” this Sunday, December 26 at 6:30 PM PT (9:30 PM ET) through select Cable/Satellite providers, right after TV Patrol Linggo. (Advertising Supplement)
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Dissecting the classic Noche Buena spread bY
IF the long list of Christmas trends and traditions was any indication, Filipinos love celebrating the yuletide season. Be it decorating the house with lanterns and ornaments as early as the Ber months begin, going Christmas caroling, or completing Simbang Gabi, Filipinos are known to never run out of ways to signify the festivities. However, nothing marks the season more than preparing the Noche Buena spread. Noche Buena, which is Spanish for “night of goodness,” is an important Filipino custom that brings together two of Filipinos’ most beloved things: food and family. After attending the last Mass of Simbang Gabi on Christmas Eve, Filipinos go back home to a large feast adorning the dining table. The spread of various dishes is then shared with their extended families and invited friends as
ritcHel menDiola/aJpress
they welcome Christmas Day. And while every Noche Buena spread is different, there are still a couple of staple dishes that you’re likely to find in every Filipino household. Here are some of them: • Christmas ham or hamon – this mainstay dish is not only found on dinner tables, but in Christmas care packages gifted to friends and/or employees, as well. The hamon is usually marinated in pineapple juice, sugar, salt and spices, for that sweet and savory flavor all Filipinos crave. • Keso de bola – this ball of Edam cheese, which usually has a red paraffin wax covering, is the perfect companion for the beloved hamon. • Lechon – no Filipino festivity is ever complete without lechong baboy (roasted pig). This popular delicacy is usually stuffed with spices such as lemongrass, garlic, onions, laurel, ground
black peppercorn, and salt, and then roasted on a large bamboo spit over an open fire. Filipino lechons are also popular for their perfectly crispy skin, and flavorful tender meat. • Kakanin – sweet, sticky, and rice-based cakes like bibingka and puto bumbong are the crowd favorites especially after attending Simbang Gabi, but these also never leave the dining table during Noche Buena. • Lumpiang shanghai – this finger food is the Filipino version of spring rolls. Deep-fried and stuffed with ground pork, green onions, carrots, and water chestnuts, this crunchy bite-sized dish is everyone’s favorite appetizer to eat before the main dish. • Fruit salad – this one is the Filipinos’ choice dessert for the holiday season. It’s very easy to make: just mix a drained canned fruit cocktail with cream and sweetened condensed milk in a AJPress Illustration by Jillian Peñalosa
large container, refrigerate it for a few hours, and you’re good to go. The Noche Buena is the mostanticipated dinner gathering of the year, and with all these dish-
es served on the table, it’s easy to see why. But more than that, the highlight of Noche Buena is being able to share the feast with your family, bonding over good food, stories, and love.
Fil-Canadian is the latest winner of ‘Survivor’ By KristoFer
purnell Philstar.com
FILIPINA Canadian Erika Casupanan was crowned the winner of the 41st season of the American reality competition show “Survivor,” becoming the first Filipino and Canadian to become the “sole survivor.” Collecting seven votes from eight jury members at the Final Tribal Council, Casupanan becomes the show’s third winner of Asian descent, following “Cook Islands’” Yul Kwon and “San Juan del Sur’s” Natalie Anderson. She is also the first female “Survivor” winner since Season 34 “Game Changers’” Sarah Lacina in 2017. “If you want any proof that we’re in a new era of ‘Survivor’ is that I am the winner, a Filipino immigrant woman who lives in Canada, and I won the game,” Casupanan said in an Instagram post after her victory aired on television. “I don’t care what you look like, sound like, where you’re from, your background, what you believe in... you can win the game. I’m proof.” Casupanan also said she would love to see more beautiful diverse winners of the show following her win. Game progress Casupanan was born in Hermosa, Bataan and migrated with her family to Toronto, Canada where she currently resides. She was cast for “Survivor 41,” which features a diverse cast after a new commitment by the show to feature 50% of contestants who are people of color. In 2020 however, the COVID-19 pandemic pushed the show to be filmed in April-May in Fiji this year—the traditional 39-day game was also cut to 26 days, incorporating more twists to make up for the lost days. Casupanan was part of the successful Luvu tribe that won every challenge up to the traditional merge, meaning she and her tribemates never had to go to tribal council and vote someone out. Though initially having a quiet start, Casupanan’s gameplay blossomed when she was sent into exile and overturned the results of a challenge to allot immunity to other players, including herself. Post-merge she reunited with her old teammates to take out former members of the rival Yase tribe as well as the players holding immunity idols, namely Naseer Muttalif and Shan Smith. Casupanan formed a strong relationship with Luvu tribemate Heather Aldret; together they ensured to be on the right side of the votes, and were a formidable threat at challenges, winning immunity twice. Despite being his closest competitor for the title of sole survivor, fellow finalist Xander Hastings selected Casupanan to join him in the Final 3—his explanation was to avoid Casupanan boosting her
Erika Casupunan was crowned the winner of the 41st season of the American reality competition show “Survivor”. Photo from Instagram/@survivorcbs
resume should she become victorious in a fire-making challenge. Casupanan made her case at the Final Tribal Council, explaining her subtle moves to navigate her way through the second half of the game and her social skills as reasons that she deserved to win. She received all but one vote from the jury, which went to cofinalist Deshawn Radden. ‘Looking like a lamb, playing like a lion’ During her two days in exile, which became pivotal to her future performance, Casupunan admitted she broke down in tears because she came from a strong tribe but was not selected for the merge feast. In her private interview with the production crew, Casupanan shared the challenges of being a young Filipino in Canada and her parents’ struggle to give her family a good life. “Everything [my parents] did set me up with the skills to achieve what I want to do,” the eventual victor said through broken tears. “Me being on Survivor is like a love letter to my parents to let them know that everything they did gave me what I need to survive out here.” “The way that I look really affects the way people treat me,” Casupanan later said after her victory, sharing that she is always mistaken for a minor or an intern when in truth she is “the one pulling the strings.” She added that she had no ego about how she was going to play, “The path to the end didn’t have to be pretty, I just had to get there.” Her mantra for the game, which inspired the title for the this season’s sixth episode, became a resurgence where she would be “still looking like a lamb, but ready to play like a lion.” “Survivor” is an American reality competition series where contestants must live in the wilderness, win challenges, navigate social politics through alliances and voting people out in order to become the “sole survivor.” The show has taken place in the Philippines four times, from Season 25 to 28, shot in Caramoan, Camarines Sur and Palaui Island, Cagayan.
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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • DeCembeR 24-30, 2021
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Jessy Mendiola-Manzano prioritizes health and pregnancy
By Ferdie Villar ACTRESS/TV host Jessy Mendiola-Manzano may not be seen much on television these days but that is okay with her. Currently a freelancer, Jessy revealed in an article in PEP.ph that she is prioritizing her health and plans to have a baby with husband Luis. “I’m still enjoying my time doing vlogs…I value my health more than anything,” she said in the article. “And we have to admit that in our industry, there’s always exhaustion which you can’t avoid because work is a
blessing. For me, I would prefer to get some rest. I get affected emotionally when I get tired, which is not healthy for me.” “Maybe, one project at a time,” she added. As for having a baby, Jessy admitted that she is not pregnant at the moment. “It’s funny ‘cause a lot of people are pregnant. But I’m not pregnant yet,” she revealed. “I will definitely tell everyone. It’s good news, right? Why would I hide it.” “But I’m not pregnant yet, but
Kapuso actor Alden Richards is prioritizing investing in real estate property so that he can make what he terms as indestructible cash flow. Photo from Instagram/@aldenrichards02
Actress/TV host/Vlogger Jessy Mendiola-Manzano is prioritizing her health and getting pregnant with husband Luis these days. Photo from Instagram/@senorita_jessy
Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno, an antique and miraculous statue adapted from the original statue in Quiapo Church in Manila, and brought to San Francisco by beauty impresario Ferdie Syquia de Villar when he immigrated to the United States in 1987, will be honored with a small gathering at the Villar Residence along Escanyo Drive in South San Francisco on Saturday, January 1, 2022.
we are planning soon. I just have to finish some commitment. We are really hoping that to have a baby. I think it might be next year,” she continued. Does she have a number of kids in mind? What about Luis’ desire to have five kids? “No, I think only three at the most,” she answered. “In my family, it’s the same. Me and my sisters, there are only three of us.” What about having twins? “I would like that. I hope to have twins. I think Daddy Yo (Luis’ dad, Edu Manzano) has a twin, his brother. So, there are twins among his siblings,” Jessy said. “I told Luis, ‘I hope we acquire that hereditary trait too. But they said that it is the girls in the family where most likely there will be twins.” When it comes to having a baby, Jessy prefers to have a girl initially. But she would welcome any gender, as long as the baby is healthy. “I really hope to have a daughter because I would like to pass down the things that I have worked hard for,” she said, while adding with a laugh that she
wants to have someone who can do stuff with her as she is maarte (very picky or particular). “But it’s okay. If it’s a boy, as long as the baby is healthy, it’s very fine.” Luis, she revealed, also wants to have a baby girl, even requesting that they include the “Emma” in the name of their future daughter. (Rose has also been included in their future naming considerations, as it is part of Vilma Santos’ name, who is Luis’ mom.) *** Unlike many showbiz stars, Alden Richards is currently focused on establishing his cash flow machine. The Kapuso actor revealed this in a recent article featured on PEP.ph. That is why he is postponing plans on buying a new house or new car. What he is considering is investing his money in real estate rentals. “It’s like that is the common goal of millennials like me – to have a car, to have a house as priorities. But really, what we need to prioritize is to create continuous cash flow. And what I mean by it, indestructible cash flow, is real estate (apartments for rent),”
Rema Zafrani, a jetsetter from Cupertino, CA, will be the hermana mayor of the celebration honoring the Nuestro Padre Jesus Nazareno on Januarty 2, 2022.
Estela Bejar McCovey will celebrate the Holiday season with her family at her beautiful house along Fallcreek Drive in Felton, California.
Richards explained in the article. “So I’m really more on getting real estate for me to be able to earn from it. As opposed to me, living in it,” he added. Besides, he already has his own condo unit in Quezon City, aside from the five-bedroom house in Santa Rosa, Laguna, which is why the actor is in no hurry to buy a new home, which he considers a liability. “My thought process is at that point where instead of buying a house that will only be a liability because you will buy, you will have to build, you will have to pay monthly bills, etc., maintenance… why not get a real estate property that can generate indestructible cash flow and earn from it,” Richards said. “A personal house can follow after that when you have that investment because the investment
will go on and on and on. You can earn continuously from it. If you have tenants who pay rent continuously, then you’re good,” he added. “Then you can take care of the other things that you should buy. Buy a house, buy a sports car, buy whatever you want. But first, learn to invest properly. That’s my priority now,” he further stated. When it comes to his family home in Laguna which they moved into in 2015, Richards revealed that he is doing some minor redecoration projects which includes buying new furnishings for their lanai area. “I had to change our sofa… just the sofa. My dog (a shiba inu) liked to chew on the sofa because it’s made of wood. Since we need a sofa in the lanai, I had it made into metal,” he said.
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December 24-30, 2021 • NOrcAL ASIAN JOUrNAL
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Take advantage of DMV services without visiting a DMV office
Apolo Ohno, Kristi Yamaguchi, and Alex and Maia Shibutani are ‘leading with a champion mind’ AARP hosted panel of Winter Olympians to share how resilience helped shape their lives and careers AFTER a challenging year of navigating the “double pandemic” of COVID-19 and the rise of anti-Asian hate, AARP brought together generations of Asian American Olympians who embody resilience and excellence on December 16 for “Leading with a Champion Mind.” The live virtual panel celebrated the strength of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and shared how to be more resilient. Olympic gold medalist speed skater Apolo Ohno moderated the uplifting conversation with panelists Olympic gold medalist figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi and two-time Olympic bronze medalist figure skaters, Alex and Maia Shibutani. According to AARP, mindfulness can help one be more resilient because it keeps people in touch with what’s happening in the moment. Whenever someone practices mindfulness, it bolsters and protects them against feeling powerless and lacking control, especially during challenging events. “Something that has worked for me, that I probably wouldn’t have been able to articulate back when I was training, is the ability to pause and reflect,” said Apolo Ohno, the most decorated U.S. male Winter Olympian of all time. “We are living in a time where we’re always reacting to things. We can have more mindfulness over our thoughts and actions.
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Sometimes we react in a way that doesn’t truly suit the outcome that we desire. We can [learn to] zoom out to gain a better perspective.” Resilient people often seek social support to help them overcome a difficult situation. They lean on family and friends or request assistance from experts. “Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help. A lot of times we try to take things on ourselves. I’ve learned along the way that there are many people willing to be mentors,” said Kristi Yamaguchi, founder of Always Dream, a nonprofit whose mission is to advance early childhood literacy. “We are afraid to bother someone or ask for something, but I am certainly not where I am [today] because I did it on my own. All along the way, there’s always been someone there as a support system. Surround yourself with some quality people and you’ll learn quality.” Although resilience is a quality that you possess, you can work on becoming more resilient by adopting certain habits or practices. “Knowing the direction that you want to head in is important, then break it down into small goals so that you have a sense of time and direction,” said Maia Shibutani, who, with her brother Alex, was the second sibling duo in the history of the sport to win an Ice Dance medal. “We both find it very helpful to communicate with each other. If you don’t
have someone that you feel that you can talk to, journaling can also be incredibly helpful and important so that you make sure that you’re reflecting and checking in with yourself.” When many things are beyond someone’s control, they can still make decisions that impact their lives that may help boost their resilience and help them learn to cope better with adversity. When they tap into their reserves of mental toughness and inner strength, they can feel more positive and in control. “For everything that we do, we set a feasible plan. When you have a long term goal that you’re trying to reach, whether it’s happiness or fulfillment, or the next chapter of your life, there are certain checkpoints along the way,” said Alex Shibutani, who along with his sister Maia, became the first ice dancers of Asian descent to medal at the Olympics. “And Maia will hold me accountable. Having someone who you feel you can share your fears with, and also celebrate your successes with along the way, makes it feel less isolating, especially during this time when we are so physically isolated from each other.” To be a part of their journey and hear about other upcoming events, or to access this recorded event, follow the AARP AAPI community on Facebook (@AARPAAPI) and Twitter (@AARPAAPI). (Advertising Supplement)
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THE kids are back in school, businesses have reopened, and while COVID continues to be a threat, life is busier than ever. The days are getting shorter and the holidays are quickly approaching, giving us less time to complete many small but important tasks, such as registering your car or renewing your license. Fortunately, the DMV’s expanded online services can help Californians avoid a trip to the DMV. Customers can now complete several transactions online. Fast and convenient, there is no need to wait in line or even leave home. In fact, services can even be completed from your phone! Whether it’s requesting a duplicate driver’s license, title or disabled parking placard or renewing a complex vehicle registration, motor carrier permit or commercial driver’s license, or more, Californians can go online at dmv.ca.gov/online to get started with their transactions. There is no reason to be nervous about using the DMV’s expanded online services. Safe and secure, the DMV’s newly redesigned website is userfriendly, easier-to-navigate, and offers 100+ translation options, making services easy to find and complete. For customers who are on-
the-go, another good alternative to visiting a DMV office is taking advantage of one of the 365 selfservice kiosks, available in supermarkets and other convenient locations throughout the state. With a few simple taps on the touchscreen, customers can instantly renew their vehicle registration, replace a registration card or sticker, request a driver or vehicle record, or pay a reinstatement fee for a suspended vehicle registration, among other transactions.
For registration renewals, customers need their renewal notice, most recent registration card or vehicle insurance program letter. Kiosks offer services in multiple languages and customers can pay by debit/credit card and, in some locations, cash. Find a list of kiosks on the DMV website. Stay safe, save time and take advantage of DMV services by going online. Get started today by visiting dmv.ca.gov/online. (Advertising Supplement)
Ricardo Lim Roco, 75 October 6, 1946 – December 19, 2021 RICARDO Lim Roco passed away gracefully in his sleep on December 19, 2021 after a very rare, fast-paced progressive neuro-degenerative disorder. He was a beloved Home Depot Sales Associate with a legendary smile and quick wit, expert at re-keying and problem solving. He was an inventor and patented a hydro conversion system for cars in the Philippines. Ricardo was an excellent husband and father who lived a Christian life. He will be greatly missed by his faithful wife Susana and loving children Jennifer and Katherine; friends, relatives, in-laws, nephews and nieces, family; and siblings Manoling (New York), Fely (Manila, Philippines), Lena (Georgia), Vicky (Canada) & Dr. Mel (San Francisco, CA). A memorial service will be held at the St. Albert the Great Parish (1022 Holly Street) in Alameda, CA on Tuesday, December 28. Viewing will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and a rosary will be held starting at 10:25 a.m. The funeral mass takes place from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. No flowers please. The entire family gratefully thanks God for his life with them.
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NORCAL ASIAN JOURNAL • DeCembeR 24-30, 2021
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December 24-30, 2021 • NOrcAL ASIAN JOUrNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (650) 689-5160