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JULY 16-22, 2020

T H E F I L I P I N O –A M E R I C A N C O M M U N I T Y N E W S PA P E R

Volume 31 - No. 28 • 12 Pages

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DATELINE

USA

FROM THE AJPRESS NEWS TEAM ACROSS AMERICA

Meet the Filipina American ensuring Californians fill out the 2020 Census AS the United States’ decennial population count is underway in the midst of the pandemic, one Filipina American is tasked with making sure California residents, particularly those that are the hardest-to-count, respond to the 2020 Census.

Going into July, the state’s self-response rate now stands at 63.2%, but Ditas Katague, director of the California Complete Count Committee, is continuing to urge communities across the state to submit their questionnaires to increase the percentage and achieve a complete count.

To date, California has allocated over $90 million for its census outreach efforts.

“With our percentage, we’re still outpacing the nation by a little bit. I like to stay in front of the national average, which is at 61.8%.

It’s a huge achievement considering what we’re facing,” Katague told media during a recent virtual briefing. “But we still have a lot further to go.”

Filipino US passport holders, foreigners temporarily barred from entering PH

by JOSEPH

L. PERALTA

AJPress

FILIPINOS who have become naturalized citizens of other countries and are not dual citizens, as well as foreign nationals, are temporarily barred from entering the Philippines as the coronavirus pandemic surges on.

This was confirmed to the Asian Journal by the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco (PCGSF) as advisories on the internet began popping up, warning Filipino Americans with impending travel plans to the Philippines to double-check with the airlines and authorities lest they get turned away at the airport when trying to board their flights.

by RAE

Tech CEO who harassed Fil-Am family on Fourth of July resigns from company

THE San Francisco-based CEO of a technology company who was caught on video hurling racist and xenophobic insults toward Filipino American family in Carmel Valley, California has resigned from the company, according to multiple reports on Monday, July 13.

After the video went viral, the white man was later identified by social media sleuths as Michael Lofthouse, the CEO of the cloud and IT start-up Solid8, as previously reported in the Asian Journal.

In an email sent to CNN and ABC News, Lofthouse said, “I can confirm that I have stepped down from Solid8, terminating all business relationships with immediate effect.

I will make it my duty to ensure my personal

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Trump admin drops visa restrictions on int’l university students after mounting pressure

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The video that went viral shows the white CEO making “unprovoked” racist remarks toward the family

According to Consul Raquel Bago-Llona, pursuant to the Immigration Memorandum Circular No. JHM-2020-004 issued by the Bureau of Immigration on July 7, 2020, all foreign nationals (subject to exemptions) are restricted from traveling to the Philippines.

SECURITY. A Philippine National Police-Special Action Force (PNP-SAF) trooper sits on top of an armored personnel carrier (APC) which was deployed in Navotas City on Thursday, July 16, to assist in the strict enforcement of a two-week lockdown in the city due to the growing number of cases of COVID-19.

Inquirer.net photo by Grig Montegrande

ANN VARONA AJPress

AFTER receiving backlash and pressure from universities, students, and technology companies, the Trump administration on Tuesday, July 14, reversed a policy that prohibited international university students from continuing their studies in the United States if their colleges went fully online.

The directive — announced last week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — made it so non-immigrant international students who were taking a fully-online course load would have to leave the U.S. or take “other measures” like transferring to a university with in-person instruction. International students outside the U.S. would not have been able to return to the U.S. for classes.

The students were allowed to stay in the U.S. if their universities decided to take a hybrid approach of both online and in-person instruction.

The rule announcement was immediately met with

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US lawmakers raise concerns, Clark County reports record number of new COVID-19 cases urge Duterte administration to repeal anti-terror legislation

by AJPRESS

CLARK County on Thursday, July 16 reached a new record for additional coronavirus cases within a 24-hour period as 1,315 cases were announced.

Thursday marked the highest one day uptick in reported COVID-19 cases since March, theSouthern Nevada Health District said.

The county has 26,926 total cases, and 507 deaths as five new fatalities were reported.

Meanwhile, 2,383 individuals are now

hospitalized.

The county has seen 6,077 cases in the last seven days.

Statewide, 1,447 cases have been added as of Thursday, raising the total to 31,915 and the death toll to 626.

The rise in cases comes despite a statewide mandate requiring face coverings and a stall in reopenings. Last week, Gov. Steve Sisolak instructed certain bars that do not serve food to shut their doors in Clark and Washoe counties. ■

ABS-CBN to begin layoffs in August

by RITCHEL

MENDIOLA AJPress

ABS CBN employees and supporters stage a caravan protest at the Philippine House of Representatives on Thursday, July 9, to appeal to lawmakers to approve the broadcast network’s application for renewal of its franchise. Inquirer.net photo by Grig Montegrande

ABS-CBN on Wednesday, July 15, announced that it will start laying off its workers on August 31, after the Philippine House of Representatives rejected the bills seeking to grant the network giant a fresh 25-year franchise.

“With the non-renewal of its congressional franchise, ABSCBN is now forced to cease the operations of some of its businesses and implement a retrenchment program covering ABS-CBN and its subsidiaries effective end of business day on 31 August 2020,” the network said in a statement.

With 70 affirmative votes, the House Legislative Franchises Committee adopted a resolution recommending the denial of

ABS-CBN’s franchise application on Friday, July 10.

According to ABS-CBN, retrenching workers is the only way to ensure the continued employment of the rest of its workforce.

“We are doing all we can to mitigate the pain that will be felt by those affected, including paying out separation and retirement benefits and providing job placement programs. The loss of their jobs comes at a time when the uncertain and perilous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic further makes our decision truly difficult, but inevitable,” ABSCBN said.

“As much as it hurts us to implement this retrenchment program, this is the only way to en-

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Members of Congress fear its ambiguity will be used against lawful protesters

by KLARIZE

MEDENILLA AJPress

AS the controversial anti-terror law in the Philippines continues to get international attention, 50 members of the United States Congress have called upon the Duterte administration to repeal the measure.

U.S. Reps. Judy Chu (D-CA) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) announced in a virtual press conference on Wednesday, July 15 that they and at least 48 other lawmakers have written and sent a letter to the Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Romualdez calling for the repeal of the AntiTerrorism Act 2020.

“We stand with Filipinos, Filipino Americans and grassroots organizations in the Philippines in demanding a genuine democracy where dissent is accepted and encouraged, instead of criminalized,” Schakowsky during the press conference.

The Anti-Terrorism Act 2020 — signed into law by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on July 3 — amends the 2007 Human Security Act by expanding

the definition of terrorism. Human rights advocates fear that broadening the definition of terrorism expands the scope of criminalization, which could be used to suppress free speech and dissonance.

Additionally, the new law makes additions to the ways in which the government can curtail terrorism, include wiretapping without notice, arrest without warrants and detention for up to 24 days. The law has been widely criticized by human rights groups around the world including the United Nations.

“We fear it will also be used against anyone who protests against the government, whether it be against abuse in the government, delay in the distribution of COVID-19 aid, or any other grievance because the president has shown he is intolerant of any and all dissent,” Schakowsky said, referencing Duterte’s history of shutting down journalists and news organizations that have critiqued and questioned the president in their reporting.

Schakowsky said that she and

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july 16-22, 2020 • lAS VEGAS ASIAN jOuRNAl

From The FronT Page

Filipino US passport holders...

PAGE A1 However, Filipino Americans who are dual citizens would be allowed to board even if they are carrying U.S. passports provided they have the necessary original documents for Dual Citizenship (Identification Certificate, Oath of Allegiance and Order of Approval). The spouse and children accompanying the dual citizen will also be allowed entry into the Philippines.

Per Consul Bago-Llona, only accredited foreign government and international organization officials and their dependents, foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals and foreign airline crew are the categories of foreign nationals allowed in the country.

Consul Bago-Llona added that Philippine Airlines (PAL) is aware of these travel restrictions, and that airlines are advised to exercise extra prudence in marketing services and keep in mind the existing restrictions imposed by the government so that pas-

sengers can be spared needless inconvenience.

In a text message sent to a community advocate Lorna Dietz, Consul General Henry Bensurto, Jr. said this is only temporary, and is part of the efforts by the government to limit the entry of people into the country to reduce COVID-19 infection.

Dell Merano, area manager of PAL in the Bay Area, told the Asian Journal that there have been limited instances when passengers were not allowed to board their flights in San Francisco International Airport (SFO) because they are U.S. passport holders, but that the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco expedited these passengers’ dual citizenship applications upon being advised by PAL. The passengers were able to board the next available flight to the Philippines when they presented their documents.

“Majority of our passengers have been able to board their flights to the Philippines,” Merano said. “Based on our experi-

ence, passengers who have had problems come from the interior of the U.S. who use domestic flights coming from their cities to connect with their international flights. These are very minimal in number.”

Merano revealed that they do advise their passengers on the current travel restrictions/regulations to the Philippines and have posted a reminder for passengers to check the Philippine government and provincial websites.

She encourages Filipinos who became naturalized citizens of other countries to apply for dual citizenship in order to prevent unnecessary complications when traveling to the Philippines, as this pandemic has shown.

Filipino Americans, who are not dual citizens and foreigners but are traveling to the Philippines, are advised to call the Philippine consulate in their area and check with airline representatives for any requirements needed to gain entry to the Philippines if they fall in exempted categories. n

US lawmakers raise concerns, urge Duterte...

PAGE A1

the lawmakers who signed the letter to Romualdez are considering putting together legislation to address the overall human rights situation in the Philippines.

Previously, American lawmakers have raised concerns over the Duterte’s administration’s handling of the violent anti-drug campaign that resulted in thousands of extrajudicial killings.

“Simply put, President Duterte’s new powers under the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 are a threat to democracy and human rights in the Philippines because despite the title, this legislation is not about terrorism,” Chu remarked. “It’s about silencing dissent. The true targets of this law

are advocates for human rights, the environment, workers and indigenous communities.”

Among the lawmakers who signed Chu and Schakowsky’s letter include Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Eliot Engel (D-NY) as well as representatives whose constituencies comprise large Filipino American populations, like Reps. Jackie Speier (DCA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Tony Cardenas (D-CA) and Alan Lowenthal (DCA).

The Duterte administration argues that the legislation’s language is tight enough that it doesn’t include in its definition of terrorism “advocacy, protest, dissent, stoppage of work, in-

ABS-CBN to begin layoffs in...

PAGE A1 sure the continued employment of the rest of our Kapamilya,” it added.

ABS-CBN also thanked its workers for all they have done for the network.

“For those who are affected, we pray for you and your families, that you may have the strength and guidance to deal with the challenges ahead. For all that you have done for ABS-CBN, maraming salamat po (thank you very much),” it said.

Veteran broadcast journalist Ces Oreña-Drilon, for her part, confirmed she is among the ABS-CBN workers that are to be laid off.

“This was one of the toughest days I had to face. Telling fellow Kapamilyas that they would lose

their jobs by the end of August,” she said in a tweet.

“I lost mine too,” she added.

Meanwhile, Czarina Balba, famously known as DJ Chacha, announced that ABS-CBN radio station MOR 101.9 is also stopping operations.

“We have been told to expect the worst. Retrenchment, or other ABS-CBN departments may stop operations,” she said in Filipino during an interview over DZMM. “We are under ABS-CBN, we are their FM station here in Manila, but there are MOR stations all over the Philippines. Employees working outside Manila will lose their jobs too. Last night, our bosses told us that MOR will only operate until August 31,” she added.

the data and to not just lump us in with [Asian and Pacific Islanders].”

In Los Angeles County, which is the hardest-to-count city and county in California and where a majority of Fil-Ams in the state call home, the response rate from the demographic has been above average (64.7% of Tagalog speakers versus 57.4% for the entire county), as of mid-June.

However, an area that continues to fall below the average response rates includes Historic Filipinotown, due to factors like residents being foreign-born and not understanding the importance of the census or multiple families living in one household.

(The 2020 Census is available in 12 languages, including Tagalog.)

“The key thing for our community is many households have multi-generations — living with lola or lolo and saying with them, or tita is staying over and then they’ll often see an undercount because they won’t report everyone. Maybe tita’s not supposed to be living there at that time or maybe they think they’ll get their own forms,” Katague said.

Among the reasons why many in the community are still not filling out their census forms is fear about what the data is going to be used for, despite the Census Bureau assuring that it is “safe and confidential.”

“I get the fear. Many of our hardest-to-count populations… our TNTs within the Filipino community are definitely like, ‘I’m not going to answer that.’ But I would tell them, it’s safe…and we need the data to understand the impact that Filipino Americans are having on a lot of different things,” Katague said.

Another excuse is being busy at work, as many Filipinos continue to be on the front lines as essential workers during the pandemic.

“It’s about knowing how many

Social justice advocate, community ally Robert Gnaizda passes away

by Joseph

L. peraLta

AJPress

dustrial or mass action and other similar exercises of civil and political rights,” according to the legislation.

Renowned Filipino human rights lawyer and former lawmaker Neri Colmenares has voiced his opposition to the bill and welcomed the support from the U.S. representatives, noting the impact American lawmakers have on the Philippine government.

“It will really have a major pressure [on] the Philippine government to tone down its human rights attacks,” Colmenares said, according to ABS-CBN. “It may not be a very big deal to our colleagues [in] the U.S. Congress, but in the Philippines it will save lives.” n

COMMUNITY advocate and pioneering civil rights lawyer Robert Gnaizda passed away on July 11, 2020 surrounded by his loving family. He was 83.

Gnaizda, known as Bob to his colleagues, friends and even to his adversaries across the aisle, was a fiery, articulate and thoughtful community advocate who fought for equality, minority rights and social justice throughout his career which spanned over six decades.

He was born on August 6, 1936 and spent his youth in the Brownsville area of Brooklyn, which was a tough Jewish neighborhood.

A graduate of Columbia University and Yale Law School, Gnaizda co-founded many groups involved in the fight for his advocacies, including California Rural Legal Assistance ABS-CBN stopped its opera- (1976), Public Advocates in San tions on May 5 in compliance Francisco (1970), the Greenlinwith the National Telecommuni- ing Institute (1993), and most cations Commission’s cease and recently was involved with the desist order due to the expiration National Asian American Coalition (NAAC)/National Diversity of its congressional franchise.

The order directed ABS-CBN Coalition (NDC) as its General to shut down its various TV and Counsel.

He was a key advisor to the radio broadcasting stations nationwide “absent a valid Con- administration of California Govgressional Franchise as required ernor Jerry Brown in the 1970s where he served as deputy secby law.”

Republic Act No. 7966, which retary of health and welfare for granted the network a 25-year the state.

Even prior to his involvement franchise to operate TV and radio broadcasting stations expired on in the many groups he co-founded, Gnaizda showed his mettle May 4, 2020.

On June 30, NTC issued two by collecting testimony in 1965 separate orders shutting down on how white police and officials ABS-CBN’s digital broadcast were preventing Blacks from on TVPlus in Metro Manila and voting, which helped influence SKY’s satellite broadcast nation- the Voting Rights of 1965.

Perhaps, people will most recwide. n ognize Bob Gnaizda as he was featured in the Oscar-winning documentary Inside Job, which focused on the financial crisis in the late 2000s directed by Charles Ferguson and narrated

by Matt Damon. Prior to the crisis, the Stuyvesant High School alumnus had repeatedly warned the Federal Reserve about the coming subprime mortgage crisis and predatory lending.

It was with NAAC and NDC that Bob devoted his time in his later years, joining the organization when he was in his late 60s, and continuing to fight for access to equal opportunity, affordable housing and loans for small and minority-owned businesses.

The NAAC and NDC work with government institutions and corporations, aiming to seek policy changes so that underDitas Katague, the director of the California served communities may benefit Complete Count through different programs ofFilipinos are out there to really fered or developed by these ensay that we’re a force and we tities, including supplier diverneed to represent…both posi- sity programs. Areas tackled by tively and then if there are some NAAC/NDC-supported programs negative impacts in terms of, you have focused on issues like hoknow, getting sick or not getting meownership, financial literacy that funding to those communi- education for youths and adults, ties,” she said, adding that other digital and broadband literacy, ways to get essential workers’ affordable housing and healthattention are by going to their care. places of work and bringing the It was at this time that Bob importance of the census directly continued to build alliances and to them. coalitions to open a gateway for Under a pre-coronavirus sched- underserved communities, and ule, those who had not filled out he was known to reach across their forms by May would subse- lines to collaborate and negotiquently be visited at home by a ate a solution to problems. He census taker. However, the field also mentored many young peooperations have been postponed ple from different ethnicities and until August 11 for nonresponse backgrounds who today continue follow-up and must conclude no to fight for the same advocacies later than October 31, according that he cared about. to the Census Bureau.

Faith Bautista, president and “We’ve seen systemic rac- CEO of both NAAC and NDC, ism, we’ve seen these barriers told the Asian Journal via email that are out there because we that “Bob is the hero of Filipino haven’t been able to be seen community, he won the suit for and heard. We’ve had to work, Filipino CPAs to have reciprocunfortunately, through a system ity. He worked with Larry Itliong that has these barriers built in it. to help Filipino and Hispanic So agents of change, the census farmworkers, he fought against and voting, are definitely that Marcos regime, he built NaFFAA foundation of getting folks to rise with Alex Esclamado, and most up, be heard and to participate,” of all he made me who I am to Katague said. (Christina M. Oriel follow his footsteps and continue / AJPress) the advocacy work [he started]

Meet the Filipina American ensuring Californians...

PAGE A1 The census, which can be done by phone, online or mail, counts where individuals live as of April 1. Currently, the counties that are leading in responses are San Mateo, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, Marin, Orange and Ventura.

Katague — who served in the governor’s office of planning and research as director of the 2010 census and was chair of the Census Bureau’s national advisory committee on race, ethnic and other populations since 2015— credited the higher response rates this year to the longer time to plan outreach and the analysis of previous data to see what the structural barriers were that “prevent us from getting an accurate count and prevent our communities from being counted and seen.”

“I got to see the operations of the U.S. Census Bureau and how it’s designed and how it will continue to miss a lot of people of color,” she said, adding that children under five years old are another demographic at risk for being undercounted.

With California having the largest Filipino population in the country at over 1.6 million Filipinos, Katague reminded that the latest census will continue to divide more than $675 billion in federal funding and resources, from medical services to infrastructure projects, to communities. States lose approximately $2,000 per person each year for the 10 next years for those who are missed in the count.

It also is used to determine the number of seats each state gets in the House of Representatives and to draw legislative districts.

“It’s so important because it brings the fair share of our representation back to our communities. That’s why the census is so important, it brings money,” she said. “But most importantly as a Filipino American, it shows how we’re growing and to have

DRIVE THRU TESTING CENTER. Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso (right), and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna (left) lead the launch of “Drive-thru Testing Center” in front of the Andres Bonifacio Monument on Wednesday, July 15. Manila Health Department (MHD) personnel will take blood samples of motorists, which will be processed using the recently-purchased COVID-19 serology testing machines.

PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan

Gnaizda was a community advocate and pioneering civil rights lawyer.

since 1960.”

She further said: “I worked with Bob since 2002, spent thousands of hours fighting for small business and homeowners, changing policies. If there’s a message that Bob will continue to preach is to have more Filipinos in power! Now it’s all up to us to make that happen. I lost my partner, colleague, mentor and most of all, I lost the other half of me.”

“Bob was an inspiration for all of us. He fought till his last breath. I thank him for his hard work and dedication for helping the underserved people in America. Bob, all your work will not go in vain. If you are a member of International Giraffe Appreciation Society, Inc., you will continue Bob’s work. For those who doesn’t know International Giraffe Appreciation Society, Inc., that is how Bob recruits you to stick your neck out to join an organization that has no benefits to you, no membership fees and all one has to do is selflessly go good deeds in this world. Bob preached this throughout his life and lets all continue his legacy.

His work will not be forgotten, and we will continue to further his noble deeds. We will miss you,” Bautista added in a NAAC/ NDC release.

NDC Board chair Jin Sung also sent a message to Asian Journal on Gnaizda’s passing, saying, “Our general counsel Mr. Robert Gnaizda was a true hero who fought the financial structures that deepened the wealth inequality and racial discrimination in our times. National Diversity Coalition is tremendously honored to have worked alongside with him, as he actively taught the next generation how to be the change through indirect public policymaking. His brilliance and tactics supersede all strategists that I have come across, and I am found grieving for the loss of this magnificent man of justice. Thank you, Bob, for your dedication and love for the minority communities and shedding light on the power of people in this nation.”

Steven Sugarman, former General Counsel of NDC and founder of The Capital Corps, LLC, said, “Bob Gnaizda was an inspiration to me and so many others. He stood for doing right, putting the community first, speaking on behalf of society’s voiceless, and challenging others to live up to their ideals. I was proud to meet Bob’s challenge to help finance his vision for the National Diversity Coalition; I was humbled by the opportunity to assume the General Counsel role at NDC upon Bob’s retirement; and I am proud of The Capital Corps’ progress meeting his challenge to build a revolutionary CDFI focused on expanding access to capital for those ignored and left out of the banking system.”

“Bob, we thank you, remember you and honor you and your legacy. Your inspiration, patience, and wisdom built a legacy that demanded our community, business and political leaders do more and do better.

You demanded more than words, you acted with integrity and decency, and you were not afraid to give credit where credit was due. May you Rest in Peace. We all miss you,” added Sugarman.

The Greenlining Institute issued a statement after Gnaizda’s passing, extending its “deepest sympathies to Bob’s family during this difficult time.”

“Since the mid-1970’s Bob was a tireless leader who created community around a simple, shared and powerful vision,” said Greenlining Institute President and CEO Debra Gore-Mann. “To bring together grassroots community leaders from the African American, Asian American, Latino and disabled communities to both fight institutionalized discrimination and redlining and to proactively bring investments and opportunity into these communities. Bob was fearless. He and John Gamboa forced big banks and other institutions to listen, and brought billions of dollars in investment into communities that had been redlined.”

“Before racial and economic justice was a popular hashtag, Bob was bold enough to say what others wouldn’t and brave enough to do what most wouldn’t,” said Greenlining Board Co-Chair Tunua ThrashNtuk. “He wielded a pen and paper that was guided by his vast and unrivaled knowledge of our national economic and banking system. Coupled by his love of people, Bob never shrank in the face of the racial justice fight against outsized circumstance -be it a financially endowed CEO, a Federal Reserve Chairman or a powerful member of Congress or the Cabinet. His uncanny knack for stra tegy yielded Greenlining and the communities it serves countless wins that bent the arc of justice toward righteousness.”

Greenlining Institute co-founder John Gamboa, who along with Gnaizda initially served as the organization’s staff as both formulated a strategy that used the Community Reinvestment Act to push banks to lend and invest in long-redlined communities of color, said, “Bob is one of the most underappreciated civil rights leaders of our time because he never cared about being honored or celebrated, he cared about the work,” John Gamboa said.

“Bob Gnaizda was a social justice creative genius,” said Orson Aguilar, who led Greenlining after Gnaizda and Gamboa retired. “He mixed his vast legal skills with a creative organizing PAGE A5

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 16-22, 2020

‘Filipinos Feed The Frontlines’ campaign in San Francisco reaches $100,000 goal, seeks to bring initiative nationwide as pandemic continues

by Christina

A

M. Oriel

AJPress

Since the start of the coronavirus outbreak in the United States, Filipino Americans across the country have shown their bayanihan spirit by supporting workers on the front lines of the pandemic and families in need. in the Bay Area, non-profit economic development and arts organization Kultivate Labs launched the #FilipinosFeedtheFrontLines campaign in April to raise $100,000.

The funds would help stabilize 10 Fil-Am-owned restaurants and provide 10,000 meals for health care workers and scientists and Filipino seniors and low-income families in the South of Market (SOMA) and excelsior neighborhoods of San Francisco.

Four months later, the campaign has surpassed its goal, raising $101,512 from 1,075 donors nationwide. “With the help of over 1,000 donors from around the nation, we were able to hit our lofty goal of $100,000 to stabilize Filipino food businesses and send food to hard-hit communities and front line health care workers. The only problem is that the crisis is not over. cOViD-19 continues to decimate communities and the restaurant industry,� Kultivate Labs executive Director Desi Danganan said in a statement.

The tiers for pitching in include: $10 for a meal; $50 for a family of five; $100 to feed a staff of 10. The campaign has also expanded into limited-edition merchandise, such as $33 for a tote bag that will send groceries to a senior; a $35 face covering

#FilipinosFeedTheFrontLines has partnered with community organizations like South of Market Community Action Network (SOMCAN) to deliver meals and groceries to seniors and families during San Francisco’s “shelter-in-place� mandate.

that will send two meals to frontliners, and $23 commemorative shirts that will send one meal to the front lines. (Donations can be made at www.filipinosfeedthefrontlines.org.)

As of this writing, 9,791 meals have been delivered to front-line health care workers at hospitals and facilities, such as Seton Medical center in Daly city and chan Zuckerberg BioHub, as well as to seniors and families through partnerships with community organizations like United Playaz, SOMcAn, WestBay, and the Filipino community center.

Though the initial goal was to hit 10,000 meals, the initiative has upped it to 100,000 meals. in a survey conducted by Kultivate Labs earlier this spring, 40% of Filipino businesses reported having to lay off their staff and 67% of these businesses only had two months until they are insolvent.

The participating restaurants

Fil-Am owned business SF Chicken Box prepares meals as part of Kultivate Labs’ #FilipinosF eedTheFrontLines campaign in the Bay Area.

selected for the initiative have been involved with the UnDScVRD night Market network of businesses or are part of the Kusinerio Alliance of Filipino Food, Danganan previously told the Asian Journal.

They include: The Sarap Shop, Senor Sisig, Mestiza, Little Skillet, Manila Bowl, iVSF catering and SF chicken Box, FK Frozen custard, Lumpia company, nick’s on Mission and Grand, Ox and Tiger, and Pinoy Heritage.

The campaign has generated an average of 22% income to participating restaurants, Kultivate Labs said.

Aside from individual donations, #FilipinosFeedTheFrontlines has also gained funding from the Mayor’s Office of Housing and community Development / SOMA Stabilization Fund, SF Foundation, and corporations, such as Wells Fargo Foundation, Brookfield, Alexandria, Boston Properties, URW / Westfield, and Filipino Googler’s network.

To celebrate reaching the $100,000 goal, the Lumpia company will host a pop-up, at Merkado’s outdoor patio (130 Townsend Street, San Francisco) on Friday, July 17th, from 58 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased in advance on the campaign’s website. each ticket includes six (6) pieces of lumpia, a dessert, a drink, and sends one meal to a front line worker.

Given the success of the Bay Area campaign, Kultivate Labs is now seeking to take the campaign nationwide to other cities with sizable Fil-Am populations and restaurants in need. “Our model of community stabilization works, so we’re going to scale it nationwide, to support Filipino American restaurants across the country, and their respective communities,� Danganan said. n

Tech CEO who harassed Fil-Am family on Fourth...

PAGE A1 actions do not continue to have a detrimental impact on those people closest to me.�

The Filipino American family who was targeted in this incident was taking a trip up to carmel Valley over the Fourth of July weekend to celebrate a birthday.

On July 4, the family went to the Bernardus Lodge and Spa’s Lucia restaurant when out of nowhere, during dinner, Lofthouse began berating the family. “We were having fun, playing games and when we were having dessert, suddenly we hear somebody behind us yelling, ‘You f--ing Asians,� Raymond Orosa, one of the family members, previously told the Asian Journal following the incident.

The unprovoked harassment prompted Jordan chan, Orosa’s niece, to begin filming Lofthouse, who is seen sticking up a middle finger to the family and saying, “[President Donald] Trump’s gonna f--- you.� The video also shows him yelling, “F--- you, Asians,� Go back to whatever f--ing Asian country you’re from,� and “You don’t belong here.� “This is the face of the man who relentlessly harassed my family and i completely UnPROVOKeD, UnWARRAnTeD, and UncOnSciOnABLe,� chan wrote in her instagram post. (Lofthouse was eventually forced to leave the restaurant by restaurant staff.)

After the video went viral, Lofthouse issued an apology to the family, saying “This was clearly a moment where i lost control and made incredibly hurtful and divisive comments.� “i think he shouldn’t just apologize to us. He should apologize to the whole Asian community that’s seen his video and from that point on, take all the responsibility that comes with it,� Orosa told the Asian Journal in reaction to Lofthouse’s apology. “He did it and everybody witnessed it. He’s gotta be responsible for what he’s done and said.� in his statement on Monday, Lofthouse also noted that he has “once again begun my journey back to sobriety� and enrolled

himself into an anti-racism program. “The reactions to what was said have been deserved and i wholeheartedly acknowledge

that i am complicit in a system that enables this behavior and these broken beliefs to exist but i am dedicated to changing,� he said. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)

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ALLOWANCE FOR STUDENTS. Representatives of the Department of Education (DepEd) distribute P3,000 cash to parents as their children’s allowance from the Pasay City government, at the Padre Zamora Elementary School in Libertad, Pasay City on Thursday, July 16. The amount is the quarterly financial assistance to all public school students.

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Trump admin drops visa restrictions on int’l...

PAGE A1 lawsuits from universities and tech companies as many universities had already decided to offer online-only classes due to the current cOViD-19 pandemic.

Harvard University and Massachusetts institute of Technology (MiT) sued ice just two days after the announcement to stop the policy from taking effect.

Quick to show support were other universities like northeastern University and Princeton University, and some of the nation’s biggest tech companies like Adobe, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Spotify, and Twitter.

Also separately challenging the policy were 20 state attorneys including california Attorney General Xavier Becerra.

As the universities prepared for their arguments in the U.S. District court for the District of Massachusetts on Tuesday, Judge Allison Burroughs announced that the U.S. government would be rescinding the rule. “The court was informed by the parties that they have come to a resolution to the combined temporary restraining order/ preliminary injunction motions,� read the court docket. “The Government has agreed to rescind the July 6, 2020 Policy Directive and the July 7, 2020 FAQ, and has also agreed to rescind their implementation.�

With the rule withdrawn, the guidelines that applied to the previous Spring 2020 semester will be reinstated, thus allowing international students on F-1 visas to keep their visa status while still taking classes fully online.

Harvard University President Lawrence S. Bacow called the policy rescission a “significant victory.� “The directive had disrupted all of American higher education,� wrote Bacow in an email to its affiliates on Tuesday. “i have heard from countless international students who said that the July 6 directive had put them at serious risk. These students — our students — can now rest easier and focus on their education, which is all they ever wanted to do.� in light of reports of U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) senior officials saying that the federal government still had plans to present regulation of the same nature, universities have pledged to stand by their international students should they again face challenges. “While the government may attempt to issue a new directive, our legal arguments remain strong and the court has retained jurisdiction, which would allow us to seek judicial relief immediately to protect our international students should the government

again act unlawfully,� wrote Bacow.

The University of california (Uc) Board of Regents chair John A. PĂŠrez and President Janet napolitano said in a joint statement, “Uc will continue putting our students’ health and safety first — and we will be keeping a watchful eye on what the administration might propose next should we need to step in again.â€?

Last week’s policy change left international students suddenly unsure of what would happen to their academic and career plans.

Many students faced added uncertainty due to travel restrictions made by their home countries.

More than 1 million university students in the U.S. come from overseas, according to the institute of international education (iie).

Data released by Open Doors last December revealed that 3,320 international students enrolled in the U.S. in 2019 were Filipino. “i’m thankful that there are universities out there fighting to keep their international students — it shows us that the work we put in to come here was valued and worth it, and it also encourages us,� a Filipina international student studying in Tennessee told the Asian Journal last week. n

SOUTHERN NEVADA REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY Procurement Dept.

340 N. 11TH Street, Las Vegas, NV 89101

Notice of Public Comment Period and Public Hearing As required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Notice is hereby given that the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority will hold a Public Hearing to solicit comments on the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority’s Annual Agency Plan for FY2021.

The Public Hearing will be held at: Howard Cannon Center Commission Chambers 340 North 11th Street Las Vegas, Nevada 89101 Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 6:00pm

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Ang mga komento ay kailanga’ng isumite nang hindi lalampas sa 5:00 n.h. sa Agosto 11, 2020 tulad ng sumusunod: Ang isang kopya ng iminumungkahi’ng panuntunan ay makukuha din para suriin sa: KWWS ZZZ FODUNFRXQW\QY JRY EXLOGLQJ 3DJHV 3URSRVHG2UGLQDQFHV DVS[ DW &ODUN &RXQW\ 'HSDUWPHQW RI %XLOGLQJ DQG )LUH 3UHYHQWLRQ VD : 5XVVHOO 5RDG /DV 9HJDV 19

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If you wish to comment on this Plan, require additional information, and/or need special accommodations, please call 702-477-3113.

Written comments will be accepted from Tuesday, July 21, 2020 through Thursday, September 3, 2020 at 6:00pm at the above address.

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JULY 16-22, 2020 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL

OPINION

Phishing season

FEATURES

ANYONE with a cellular phone or computer has received messages offering a prize, soft loan facility, product or service while seeking sensitive personal information from the user.

Most people know enough to reject the messages. But there are still many who are victimized by the cyber crime called phishing, especially when the message comes from someone posing as a major organization or legitimate institution. The crooks can pose as the user’s bank, internet service provider or telecommunications provider, and succeed in getting the user to give passwords, banking and credit card details.

Information gathered by the Department of Justice’s Office of Cybercime from March to June, while the country was under various degrees of community quarantine to contain the COVID pandemic, showed that phishing has overtaken online sexual exploitation of children as the top criminal activity in cyberspace. The OCC said online selling scams and dissemination of fake news or disinfor-

mation followed closely.

Because of the COVID lockdowns, online communication and transactions have surged, and fraudsters have pounced. The problem has become so bad that an official of the National Bureau of Investigation called the COVID pandemic “phishing season.”

While many people have become tech-savvy enough to foil phishing attacks, others need help.

Internet service providers, telcos and social media companies need to beef up capabilities to protect users from phishing and other forms of fraud.

Banks and companies engaged in ecommerce should do the same. With people increasingly relying on online transactions amid the pandemic, government agencies must also ramp up capabilities to detect and prevent cyber crimes as well as apprehend their purveyors. (Philstar.com)

Editorial

The Fil-Am Perspective GEL SANTOS-RELOS CONGRESS has ruled to deny a new franchise to ABS-CBN, the nation’s biggest broadcasting company that has been serving the Filipino people for more than 65 years.

The company has spearheaded the growth of the industry from analog to digital in providing news, information, entertainment and public services to Filipinos wherever they may be — from Manila to the far-flung islands of the Philippines to the different parts of the world kababayans call home.

On Friday, July 10, Filipinos all over the world, international news organizations and press freedom advocates were shocked to hear the verdict of the House committee on legislative franchises, which overwhelmingly voted, 7011, against granting a franchise to ABS-CBN. Perhaps the word “shocked” was not the most accurate word to use, because President Rodrigo Duterte had threatened to shutdown ABS-CBN several times for its reporting news and investigative stories that were critical of him and his war on drugs.

Duterte had likewise an axe to grind when the network was

Street Talk GREG B. MACABENTA SAN Francisco, California is said to be a bastion of liberal and progressive folks. The city has a black mayor, London Breed, who replaced a Chinese-American mayor, the late Ed Lee. Governor Gavin Newson, who was first to recognize same sex marriage, was mayor before Ed Lee and after Willie Brown, who is black.

And yet, the following disturbing incident was reported on social media by a couple of friends, Lloyd LaCuesta and his wife, Mona Lisa Yuchengco. Lloyd was South Bay Bureau Chief for the San Francisco Bay Area of KTVU TV’s news division. A Hawaiian-born GI (Genuine Ilocano), Lloyd was a familiar oncamera personality up to his retirement a few years ago.

Lisa Yuchengco was founder and original publisher of Filipinas Magazine and is one of the highly-respected leaders of the Filipino-American community.

She also currently publishes the online magazine, Positively Filipino.

I hope Lloyd and Lisa will not mind my reposting and circulating their narrative. I do not want to unduly create any tensions or resentments among those who consider the US home – whatever their race, creed, nationality or

Philstar.com photo

Duterte’s minions in Congress kill ABS-CBN franchise: The chilling effect on the Philippine free press gets more real than ever not able to air some of Duterte’s campaign ads during the 2016 Presidential Election and had not refunded the campaign for the unaired advertisements.

Contrary to the claims of his administration that the president is “neutral” on the franchise renewal issue and had no hand on the outcome of the hearing, Duterte, in no uncertain terms, had vowed to block the renewal of the franchise of ABS-CBN. And he had his army of supporters and allies in government to make sure that happens.

ABS-CBN was ordered to shut down the by the National Telecommunications Commission(NTC) after its old franchise expired on May 4, without any hearing pursuant to the rule of law. House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano failed to do his job to hear numerous petitions filed before House, with others dating back to 2014, during the time of President benign Aquino III. Even before the coronavirus pandemic, Cayetano already determined that the issue was not a priority, and waited for the franchise to expire.

This tactic went against the industry practice, whereby a company could expect an automatic renewal of license/franchise, especially when the company has

been employing 11,000 employees as in the case of ABS-CBN, especially during a coronavirus pandemic.

Moreover, the renewal of the franchise would be warranted when such a franchise had been used by the company for the greater good of the people, which ABS-CBN has proven through its decades of service to the Filipino people.

Unless there were violations to the terms and conditions of the original franchise. Should this be the case, then the hearings would be conducted in a timely manner, according due process to the company.

During such period that the issuance of franchise renewal was pending, companies were also allowed to continue operating until a final decision following a fair hearing had been made on franchise renewal. This was not the way it went with Congress in handling the franchise renewal of ABS-CBN. After backlash following the shutdown of the network, Congress finally conducted “hearings”. But the hearings were used by lawmakers to grandstand for political purposes and to make sure the “vow” of the president is fulfilled.

And so even after all issues tac-

The anti-immigrant virus political persuasion and whether native born or naturalized citizens, immigrants or are in the process of making their stay permanent. However, I believe we should all be aware of what is happening in our midst that can – or will – affect us, the better for us to be prepared for it.

The Facebook narrative of Lloyd LaCuesta and Mona Lisa Yuchengco (Posted Juy 9, 2020): My wife and I live in the “liberal” San Francisco Bay Area and yet this is what happened to her that morning: Dear All, We have seen so many videos of white racist people attacking Asian Americans lately, and you do not think it would happen to you. Well, this morning, I had a very close call.

I went to the office to pick up the mail. Since the concert is already tomorrow, I wanted to see if there would be additional donors that needed to be included in the credits. So this was not a regular trip as I only go in on Fridays. I thought it would be an opportunity also to buy my favorite kronuts (croissant and doughnut fried together). I parked in the handicap zone. Beside me was another car with two white male occupants who were just getting out of their car. I think they were father and son. The older man was already grumbling. My car door was open as I was about to get out of the car. Then I heard the older man

yell at an Asian lady who just exited from the doughnut shop, “It took you fucking 20 minutes just to get coffee?” At that point, the younger man, started cursing too: “Fucking people. Why don’t you go back to your fucking country? I served in the war, but not for fucking people like you (something like that).” And he kept going on cursing for another 30 seconds maybe, saying the same things, and at the same time walking near my car (he went around his car to go to my side) since he saw I was Asian.

I was tempted to take out my phone to record the incident, but feared that it would just further anger them and didn’t want to be spat on! So I just quickly got out of the car, ran to my office to pick up the mail and got out of there. The irony is, the doughnut shop they went into is owned and run by Asians!!!

The hate is very real, friends.

If you need to go out, have somebody else accompany you.

Please be careful and cautious.

Lisa The reactions to the incident ranged from shock to outrage to pugnacity, to one that could only have come from a military man, retired US Army Major General Antonio Taguba: “I would turn on my cell and calmly confront him and his son.

This hate will not go away but I would want to know why he hates so much. And offer to buy

tically and maliciously raised in the court of public opinion even before the hearings had been addressed by ABS-CBN in testimonies under oath, substantiated and affirmed by government agencies like the Department of Justice, Bureau of Internal Revenue, National Telecommunications Commission, Department of Labor that the network has not violated any terms of the franchise, the House committee on legislative franchises still ruled to kill the franchise of ABS-CBN. “It is what is – a denial of a privilege granted by the State because the applicant was seen as undeserving of the grant of a legislative franchise. By no means can this franchise application be related to press freedom,” the lawmakers said in the House committee on legislative franchises resolution.

House Speaker Alan Cayetano even claimed the House legislative franchises panel did Filipinos a favor by moving against one of the country’s “oligarchs,” the Lopezes who own ABS-CBN. But what is an “oligarch”?

Merriam-Webster defined it as “member or supporter of an oligarchy.” Oligarchy is defined as “a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish pur-

poses.”

Are the Lopzes oligarchs? In this case, the government has singled out the Lopezes from among the many oligarchs in the Philippines, especially those of Chinese descent and connections, many of them with strong ties to this government.

Moreover, whatever happened to the “oligarchy” in political terms - political power held by families to protect their own political and economic interests.

Ever heard of nepotism? The practice among those in power or influence of favoring relatives or friends. Or family members - parents, spouses, siblings, children of the same family and same last name all in government at the same time, generations after generations. You know who they are.

Rappler reported on the response of Vice President Leni Robredo on the shutdown of ABSCBN: “Robredo then released a statement saying it will no longer be far-fetched for newsrooms to think twice when making editorial decisions after what lawmakers did to the country’s largest media network., Senator Grace Poe was also quoted from her statement saying: “The non-renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise indeed sets

a dangerous precedent for all other franchises. The high and unforgiving bar to which the media entity was judged affects the legitimacy of all other franchise holders which use Philippine Depositary Receipts, tax schemes, and digital platforms – all of which were treated legal before the instant case.”

Speaker Cayetano responded: ”Both Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Grace Poe have also warned of the ‘chilling’ effect this will have on journalists and the freedom of expression.

This is completely false,” insisting that the denial of ABS-CBN’s franchise will have a chilling effect only on those who have breached the law.

So what law was breached to rationalize the shutdown of ABSCBN? Or is this a blatant use and abuse of power to silence critics and warn against the toxic venom of vendetta? ***

his coffee and his happy pill his donuts!”

Of course, not everyone can face enemy bullets as calmly as a military officer, either. A pair of racists would hardly rattle the general.

The reaction of Jon Melegrito, founding executive director of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) and “forever” information officer of the federation, as well as the entire Fil-Am community, was typical of someone who wouldn’t budge an inch during the repressive years of President Ferdinand Marcos: “This is no longer an isolated incident. It’s happening everywhere, almost daily. But we’re not going to let these haters drive us out. This is as much our country as theirs. Their forbears were immigrants too. We are staying and we’re not moving an inch.”

My own reaction was more prudent and, I think, practical: “Hi Lisa and Lloyd, it was prudent to avoid a confrontation, but I suggest that the next time this happens, we should take a photo of the car license plate so that the bullies can be traced and exposed.”

The harsh fact is that there is a virus that has infected America.

The people whom Lisa and Lloyd described are just two among a group of Americans who may be characterized as “anti-Asian” or “anti-Chinese” or “anti-immigrant” or “anti-colored,” depending on where they stand in the American racial spectrum.

“Anti-colored” obviously re-

fers only to white folks. Among them, there are those who believe that only they have a right to live in the U.S. because “they were here first.” The bigoted father and son apparently belong to this group.

That attitude, of course, is an exercise in self-denial because it glosses over the fact that native Americans were in this land ahead of these father and son’s ancestors, as well as Christopher Columbus, the Vikings, the Spaniards, the Portuguese, the Pilgrims and the Puritans.

That means that these bigots who verbally assaulted the Asian woman could also be told to go back to their country. But that kind of trash talk sets back America several hundred years.

This anti-immigrant virus has been around for a long time, but folks were more discreet about displaying their affliction. Unfortunately, President Donald Trump made it fashionable to openly bare the virus when he recently told a group of nonwhite members of Congress to “go back to your country.”

Trump may not have realized that he was spitting in the wind, because he also can be told to go back to Germany, where his relatives reportedly had their roots.

And his wife Melania could be told to go back to Slovenia.

Aside from the anti-immigrant virus that Trump unleashed he also made it fashionable to attach an anti-Chinese label to the other virus that the world has had to struggle with: COVID-19, also called Kung Flu by Trump.

It is, in fact, possible that in Trump’s bigoted mind, Kung Flu applies to everyone who isn’t white. We could all come from South of the border, for all he cares. It’s the attitude of white supremacists and neo-Nazis – including the father and son in Lisa’ post.

Fortunately, not everyone who is white is a bigot like Trump.

There are many enlightened Americans who don’t care about race, color, creed or even sexual orientation. Being a human being is good enough for them.

But what is sad is that there are some Filipino-Americans who have mindlessly jumped on Trump’s anti-Chinese bandwagon, conflating the coronavirus with other perceived Chinese “sins,” from fake products to the trade war.

What these anti-Chinese Pinoys may not realize is that they are also showering in their own saliva like Trump, mainly because, to many non-Asians, everyone who comes from “that part of the world” (i.e., Asia), is “Chinese.”

And that includes Pinoys.

That brings to mind that classic Mad Comics strip where the Lone Ranger and his faithful sidekick, Tonto, were surrounded by Indians.

“Hey Tonto,” the Lone Ranger warned, “looks like we’re surrounded.”

At this, Tonto replied: “What you mean we?”

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.

* * *

(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.

ROGER LAGMAY ORIEL Publisher & Chairman of the Board

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D ateline PhiliPPines Metro Manila to remain under GCQ until July 31 Remittances plunge to 4-year low

by Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

MalacaĂąang on Wednesday, July 15, announced that Metro Manila will remain under general community quarantine (gcQ) until July 31. according to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, President Rodrigo Duterte initially agreed with the recommendation of the University of the Philippines (UP) to place Metro Manila back under modified enhanced community quarantine (MEcQ).

However, the president changed his mind after the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mayors promised to implement stricter enforcement of health protocols and quarantine restrictions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There was a recommendation from UP to revert Metro Manila to MEcQ to slow down the spread of the disease. at first, the President agreed but our chief implementer (carlito galvez Jr.) and our Secretary of Interior (Eduardo aĂąo) appealed to reconsider because our Metro Manila mayors

vowed to strictly enforce localized lockdowns, enhance testing, tracing, and treatment, and implement expanded restrictions under gcQ,â&#x20AC;? Roque said in Filipino during a televised meeting with members of the Inter-agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But it was clear from the discussion that the spread of cOVID-19 in Metro Manila has not slowed down. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s possible that it would return to MEcQ after two weeks,â&#x20AC;? he added.

Duterte also downgraded cebu city, which was the only area under enhanced community quarantine, to MEcQ starting July 16. laguna, cavite, and Rizal for Region 4-a (calabarzon), lapu lapu city, Mandaue city for Region 7 (central Visayas), Ormoc city, Southern leyte, Zamboanga city, Butuan city, agusan del norte and Basilan will be under gcQ. The rest of the country, meanwhile, will be under modified gcQ until July 31.

Roque called for the publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

help to prove that cOVID-19 cases in the country would not rise to 80,000 by July 31 as predicted by UP researchers. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s correct to encourage each other to take all steps to make sure the 80,000 cOVID-19 cases projection doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t come true by July 31,â&#x20AC;? he said.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday, July 15, said the Philippines has â&#x20AC;&#x153;bentâ&#x20AC;? the curve of cOVID-19 cases. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our case doubling time in april passed the 3 day doubling time mark; nOW, July 15 - it is at 8 days cDT (past the 7-day doubling time mark),â&#x20AC;? he said in a tweet. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This means we bent the curve in april after the March EcQ but we are seeing an increase in cases due to the expanded testing capacity and community transmission as we allow movement of people,â&#x20AC;? he added. as of Thursday, July 16, the Philippines has 61,266 confirmed cOVID-19 cases, with 1,643 fatalities and 20,976 recoveries. n

Half of DOH budget for COVID-19 response unaccounted for â&#x20AC;&#x201D; think tank

by Bella

PeRez-RuBio Philstar.com

ManIla â&#x20AC;&#x201D; as the country on Thursday, July 16, logs another daily tally of over 2,000 new cOVID-19 infections, the health department is facing more scrutiny for an alleged lack of support for hospitals and medical frontliners. non-profit policy think tank Institute for leadership, Empowerment and Democracy (ilEaD) on July 8 called on the Department of Health to account for the budget alloted for the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s cOVID-19 response. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We call on DOH to share progress on their budget spending, especially the [P45 billion] additional budget given to them for PPEs and test kits. How much of that budget has been utilized?â&#x20AC;? ilEaD Executive Director Zy-za Suzara asked.

The think tank estimated that there should be around â&#x20AC;&#x153;10.5 million [personal protective equipment] sets, or at least 200 PPE sets for each of the 42,046 barangays in the country, purchased by the government for frontlinersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; use.â&#x20AC;?

However, latest government data shows that only 6.1 million PPE sets have been purchased, while around 1.7 million sets have been delivered. The nonprofit highlighted that the DOH has not provided any details on PPE distribution. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Slow spending of DOH in this time of crisis is unforgivable. DOH spent [P 27 billion]

from January to May. That is only 50% of their total budget.

They have around [P100 billion] in their 2020 budget and [P48 billion] additional funds for cOVID-19,â&#x20AC;? Suzara added.

The office of the Ombudsman is currently investigating the liability of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and other health offficials in the the governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s handling of the cOVID-19 pandemic. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Pitiful situationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; of medical frontliners Meanwhile, Sen. leila de lima on Thursday slammed the health department for its â&#x20AC;&#x153;out of touchâ&#x20AC;? handling of the cOVID-19 crisis and the subsequently â&#x20AC;&#x153;pitiful situationâ&#x20AC;? of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s medical frontliners.

The senator highlighted the recent pleas issued by San lazaro nurses for better working conditions, saying frontliners, â&#x20AC;&#x153;who we laud as heroes, are now crying foul.â&#x20AC;?

De lima added that her office has been informed that frontliners of Jose Reyes Memorial Medical center â&#x20AC;&#x153;are likewise made to endure sorry conditions.â&#x20AC;?

She also hit the Health department for allegedly delaying its admission that critical care capacity in Metro Manila were starting to become overwhelmed. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It took big private hospitals such as Makati Med and St lukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s - which both issued statements that they have reached their operating capac-

ity - for DOH Usec. leopoldo Vega to finally admit that our countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s critical care capacity has hit â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;danger zone.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t just look at the data.

Wake up to the truth. In calculating where we stand in this war against an invisible and lethal virus, you have to consider other factors that are not in black and white coming into play. For instance, what is the sense of a 30% bed capacity for cOVID-19 patients when hospital staff are either quitting, being quarantined, are themselves weakened by exhaustion, and worse, dying?â&#x20AC;?

De lima questioned.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has warned that Metro Manila could shift back to a stricter enhanced community quarantine if the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s critical care capacity does not improve in the coming weeks.

The Philippines on Thursday logged 2,498 new coronavirus infections, bringing the national tally to 61,266. a researcher from the University of the Philippines earlier this month amended his research groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s projection of 60,000 cases in the country by the end of July, bumping up the figure to 65,000 following spikes in daily tallies.

However, considering the current rate of daily infections, the country may see the tally surpass even the amended predictions of the UP OcTa Research group, with a little over two weeks left before the month is out. n

by Mayvelin

caRaBallo ManilaTimes.net

MOnEY sent home by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in april shrank to its smallest level in four years, according to central bank data.

Data released by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) on Wednesday night showed that personal remittances â&#x20AC;&#x201D; personal transfers, whether in cash or kind, and capital transfers be-

tween households â&#x20AC;&#x201D; settled at $2.27 billion in the fourth month of 2020, contracting by 14.17 percent from $2.65 billion in March, also down by 16.1 percent from $2.71 billion a year earlier.

The amount was the lowest since January 2016, when remittances reached $2.20 billion.

The latest figure brought the tally for the first four months of the year to $10.49 billion, a 2.9percent decline from $10.81 billion in January to april 2019.

Personal remittances from land-based workers with work contracts of one year or more dropped to $1.677 billion in april, 17.9 percent lower than $2.043 billion posted in the previous year, the BSP said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Similarly, remittances from sea-based workers and landbased workers with work contracts of less than one year fell by 10.2 percent to $0.547 billion in april 2020 from $0.609 billion a year ago,â&#x20AC;? it added.

Social justice advocate, community ally...

PAGE A2 approach that often mixed baseball statistics with current and historic events. He always sought to uplift leaders of color and never backed away from talking about race. nobody has worked harder than Bob to build a longlasting, multi-ethnic coalition.

Bob had an enormous spirit that will leave a long-lasting impact on all of us who were fortunate to have worked alongside him in our march towards social and racial justice.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bob was a brilliant lawyer, advocate and comrade for social and economic equity for, with and in our communities,â&#x20AC;? said Ortensia lopez, another co-founder and longtime greenlining Institute board member. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bob was always ahead of his times and always had great insights and strategies to address our issues.

I am honored, privileged and thankful to have worked with him on so many issues.â&#x20AC;?

Many also have given tributes to gnaizda, who touched many lives in his legendary career, in a statement distributed by the naac. gilbert R. Vasquez, Managing Partner of Vasquez & company llP, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I met Bob gnaizda in 1979 on a Filipino matter be-

fore the california Board of accountancy. It was a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;small racial matterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; to some but it was a big deal and blatant discrimination to Bob. Bob won this battle and justice was served. What a man and he was no ordinary man. a man to be admired and who was a dear friend.â&#x20AC;?

Joseph Otting, 31st comptroller of the U.S. currency, remembered, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bob was a giant amongst mankind in caring and supporting low to moderate communities and individuals in america.â&#x20AC;?

Eugene ludwig, cEO of Promontory Financial group and 27th comptroller of the U.S. currency, expressed, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Bob gnaizda, was someone I cherished as a friend. I had deep respect for Bob. To me he combined the highest standards of a concern for his fellow man, particularly those in the greatest need, with considerable talent and energy.

Bob made things happen for the common good. I often remember when I was comptroller of the currency how he would come to visit me and inspire me to do more for low- and middleincome americans of all races, genders, ethnicities and religion.

He led the charge. an activist with a sense of humor, he leaves

behind a legacy of achievement in which friends and family can take pride.â&#x20AC;?

Dr. Mark Whitlock, Pastor, cOR church, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;He was the wise beginning to a living end.

Thank you for living to end red lining for others to have a greener living.â&#x20AC;? george McDaniel, president and co-founder of african americans for Economic Empowerment in Oakland, ca, said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was very saddened to learn of the passing of Bob gnaizda, one of the most notable and stalwart champions for Social Justice in the nation over the 20th century. He was one of my idols and heroes in large part because of his intellectual prowess and his courage in speaking truth to power unashamedly and with great positive effect on the economic and quality of life outcomes for many powerless people of color around the nation. He blazed a trail for so many others to follow.

Rest in Peace my Friend!â&#x20AC;? gnaizda is survived by his wife, claudia Viek, sons Josh and Matt and granddaughter august. a private funeral is planned in Petaluma, ca on Saturday, July 18. Plans for a public online memorial are being developed and will be announced later. n

Bob Gnaizda (in wheelchair), gives a thumbs up, along with Faith Bautista (behind) and NAAC/NDC members at a press conference in Sacramento in August of 2019.

Photo by Joseph Peralta/AJPress

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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 16-22, 202

VEGAS&STYLE

Journal Fil-Am makeup guru Patrick Starrr on defying beauty standards and debunking misconceptions about being an ‘influencer’ IntervIew by ChrIstIna M. OrIel / AJPress SEVEN years ago, Patrick Starrr wasn’t given a shift at a MAC Cosmetics store he was working at in Orlando, Florida, so he turned to YouTube and uploaded his first tutorial walking viewers through his daily makeup routine.

To date, Starrr has become a leading beauty guru in the online space, amassing over 4.4 million followers on the video hosting platform and 4.6 million on Instagram.

Born Patrick Simondac, Starrr grew up in Orlando as the eldest of three boys. Like the pressures in many Filipino families, he was encouraged to study nursing, but his heart was in all things beauty after experimenting with photography and Photoshop to eliminate blemishes and add makeup.

His digital following has garnered him opportunities to have famous faces from Naomi Campbell to the Kardashians in his videos and brand collaborations, including a five-collection line with MAC Cosmetics.

Most recently, he worked with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire for its “Drag Queen Mukbang” series for Pride Month in June, during which he filmed a video talking about his foray into makeup and first drag experience — while eating a spread of food and mixing cocktails using the whiskey.

On top of his collaborations, Starrr recently announced that he will be launching his own beauty brand called ONE/SIZE, debuting on Sephora online on July 17 and in stores on July 30 through a joint venture with Luxury Brand Partners. The brand’s moniker comes from Starrr’s mission of inclusivity and body positivity.

“ONE/SIZE is diversity, variety, for everyone,” Starrr told WWD. “This is an overweight, bald, Asian American man. But I’ve somehow been able to break

Patrick Starrr, a leading beauty expert online, has amassed over 4 million followers on various platforms from YouTube to Instagram.

Photo courtesy of Patrick Starrr

through the glass ceiling to be celebrated. It is all-encompassing diversity and I think that is gonna be something special.”

In a recent interview with the Asian Journal, Starrr talks about developing relationships with major brands and how he’s defying Filipino beauty standards through his platform.

Asian Journal (AJ): During June as Pride month, you took part in a campaign with Jack

Daniel’s. How did you get involved and what was the process of filming yourself for that?

Patrick Starrr (PS): With my manager, who I’ve had for five years now, it’s always been a thing to get a Jack and Coke with a little lime at events. It was organic when this partnership happened because she was like, ‘You love Jack Daniel’s.’ Never in PAGE B3

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Darren Criss, Jake Zyrus honor ‘Glee’ co-star Naya Rivera

By Ritchel

Mendiola AJPress

FILIPINO American actor Darren Criss on Monday, July 13, paid tribute to his “Glee” co-star, the late actress Naya Rivera, who was found dead after drowning in a river in Southern California.

He took to social media to remember Naya as someone who was “bold, outrageous and a lot of fun.”

“Naya made me laugh like no one else on that set. I always said it while we were working together and I’ve maintained it ever since. Her playful, wicked sense of humor never ceased to bring a smile to my face,” wrote Criss.

“She played by her own rules and was in a class of her own.

She had a brashness about her

that I couldn’t help but be enchanted by. I also always loved her voice, and savored every chance I got to hear her sing. I think she had more talent than we would have ever been able to see,” he continued.

Criss also talked about how Naya took care of her family and friends, and how grateful he is for her friendship.

“I was constantly moved by the degree to which she took care of her family, and how she looked out for her friends. She showed up for me on numerous occasions where she didn’t have to, and I was always so grateful for her friendship then, as I certainly am now,” he said.

“And even as I sit here, struggling to comprehend, gutted

On his Instagram, Fil-Am actor Darren Criss wrote a moving tribute to his former “Glee” co-star Naya Rivera (right). Also in photo is their fellow “Glee” star Amber Riley (left).

Photo from Instagram/@darrencriss

beyond description- the very thought of her cracks me up and still brings a smile to my face.

That was Naya’s gift. And it’s a gift that will never go away.

Rest in peace you wild, hilarious, beautiful angel,” he concluded.

Meanwhile, Filipino singer Jake Zyrus, who appeared on the second season of “Glee” as a transferee named Sunshine Corazon, posted Naya’s name on his Instagram story as tribute to the actress.

Naya disappeared last week, on July 8 while boating with her four-year-old son on Lake Piru in Ventura County, California.

Her body was found on Monday, which coincidentally was the seventh anniversary of the death of her “Glee” co-star Cory Monteith.

Authorities believed that the actress died after saving her son, Josie.

“We know from speaking with her son, that he and Naya swam in the lake together at some point during their journey,” said Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub at a news conference.

“It was during that time that her son described being helped into the boat by Naya, who boosted him onto the deck from behind. He told investigators that he looked back and saw her disappear under the surface of the water,” he added. “The idea perhaps being that the boat started drifting, it was unanchored, and that she mustered enough energy to get her son back onto the boat, but not enough to save herself.”

Rivera was 33 years old.

Aina Mulleda and Sunshine Enriquez started A&S Sweet, a new Filipino bakery business in Panorama City, California.

Photos courtesy of A&S Sweet

FRom quaRaNtiNe bakiNG to a PaStRy buSiNeSS:

Deaf Pinay bakers serve up traditional Filipino goodies in Southern California

By KlaRize

Medenilla AJPress

AT a time when the supply for motivation and optimism in humanity is not meeting the demand, it is important to remember that goodness is still the rule and not the exception.

Throughout the past four and a half months of the COVID-19

pandemic, local Filipino-owned businesses have done more than their share, staying open to provide food staples like rice and bread for a community in a time of cloudy uncertainty.

Case in point, meet Aina Mulleda and Sunshine Enriquez, the owners of A&S Sweet, a new Filipino bakery in Panorama City, California that has been serving the greater Los Angeles community with traditional Filipino baked goods via their Instagram and Facebook pages.

Both born and raised in the Philippines, millennial partners Mulleda and Enriquez were inspired to start their business the way that many people have started new hobbies in the age of quarantine: out of boredom and the need to do something fulfilling.

“It was one of those days when we’re not doing anything at home and decided to bake pan de sal and Spanish bread for our family,” Mulleda told the Asian Journal in an email. “My aunt decided to have her co-workers try our home-made Filipino breads and we got good feedback from them and that’s when people started ordering.”

Although the business is young, A&S Sweet’s affordable menu ranges from simple staples like pan de sal ($5 for a dozen) and ensaymada ($7 for eight pieces) to delectable desserts like ube custard cake ($16) and mango cake ($23). Every baked good is homemade and made to order and can be customized to address a variety of dietary limitations.

“As long as our customers are satisfied and happy with our breads, we will do our best to serve them,” Mulleda said.

Both Mulleda and Enriquez are deaf, which, to some business owners, can be seen as a major obstacle that could negatively affect business. Strength in customer-to-business communication is the backbone to any successful enterprise, but in a world that is becoming more accepting and inclusive of all people regardless of ability, Mulleda doesn’t perceive their deafness as a deterrent.

In many ways, it is an asset that reminds other folks in

the disabled community that no weapon formed against them will prosper.

“Communication is the most common issue in our deaf community but we always find a way to solve it,” Mulleda said, noting that social media has made it easier for business owners of all abilities to operate. “Nothing will stop us from achieving our dream despite [the] communication barrier.”

Aside from this new business venture, Mulleda is a graphic design student at the California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and part-time sales associate at Urban Outfitters, Enriquez has an extensive background in baking.

After graduating from the Center for Culinary Arts, Manila in the Philippines, Enriquez worked at Malacañang Palace for 8 years, cooking and baking. The couple has also traveled around Asia, strengthening their palettes and further invigorating their love for cuisine and cooking.

“She learned a lot from working with other chefs. Her passion for cooking and baking turned into [a] business,” Mulleda remarked. When we bake, we want our breads to serve as a sweet reminder of the days when we were living back home.”

Though neither Filipina has ever owned a food service business, they hope that their business continues on after the pandemic. Though they started A&S Sweet during the height of the COVID-19 crisis, the young, tenacious bakers don’t fear the precarity plaguing businesses across all industries.

As a small, currently homebased bakery, A&S Sweet operates with the knowledge that there will always be a demand for the flavors of the motherland and the inherent desire to serve the community.

“Apart from rice, we Filipinos can’t live without bread,” Mulleda shared, adding that the bakers plan to expand their menu and, hopefully, open up a brick and mortar shop in the future.

“And since most Filipino stores are closed, we still want our Filipino customers to be able to eat their favorite Filipino breads for breakfast or even merienda.”

A&S Sweet’s offerings also include ensaymada and pistachio sans rival.

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Health@Heart PhiliP S. Chua, MD, FaCS, FPCS THE best way to answer that question convincingly for yourself is to not to sleep for one night, or more. If you are still alert and feeling well after this trial of sleep deprivation, ask yourself the same question and you will have the answer.

Alpine swifts, fly continuously (non-stop from Switzerland to West Africa) for 6 months, with no sleep; bullfrogs can survive without sleeping for months; giraffe and elephants, sleep about 30 minutes a day; walruses can stay awake for 84 hours; calves of killer whales and baby dolphins remain fully awake the first few months of their lives. We, on the other hand, need a restful sleep every day to maintain health and normal function.

Sleep experts recommend a minimum of 7 to 9 hours of sleep in 24 hours. Lack of sleep translates to lesser mental acuity and concentration, poorer health, greater driving hazards, reduced productivity and diminished sex drive. Inadequate sleep increases our risk for major illnesses, like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s and even cancer.

Richard Gelula, the chief executive officer of the Sleep Foundation, said there’s a link between sleep and quality of life. “People who sleep well, in general, are happier and healthier,” said Gelula. “But when sleep is poor or inadequate, people feel tired or fatigued, their social and intimate relationship suffer, work productivity is negatively affected, and they make our roads more dangerous by driving while sleepy and less alert.”

Quality besides quantity Obviously, the quality of sleep, besides the number of hours, is very important. Chris Drake, senior scientist at the Henry Ford Sleep Center in Detroit and co-chair of the 2005 poll task force, stated that some of the nation’s sleep habits can be attributed to an “always-onthe-go society.”

The commercial world of today stretches business to 24 hours a day, with 24-hour pharmacy, restaurants, casinos, supermarkets, etc., so people tend to stay up late, watch late night shows on television, surf the web or internet, etc. All these reduce people’s time to sleep. And some people even need more than 9 hours of sleep to feel refreshed and rested.

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Do we need sleep? Nevada’s largest non-profit hospice Nathan

This study also showed: (1) Sixty percent of adults stated they have driven a vehicle while drowsy from lack of sleep the past year, and 4 in 10 reported they have had an accident or near accident because of tiredness or falling asleep at the wheel; (2) Seventy five percent claim their partner has a sleep problem, with snoring as the most common complaint; (3) Four out of ten of those surveyed reported lack of sleep adversely affected their sexual relationship, having lost interest in sex, having poorer performance or having sex less often; and (4) Seventy percent claimed that their physician never asked them about their sleep.

Lack of sleep reduces the normal “recharging time of our body battery, our energy source” causing a chain of reactions in our physiology and body chemistry. This “lo-bat” condition leads to physical and mental stresses to our system. All these alter the normal homeostasis (internal balance) within us, weakening our immune system, and increasing our risk of developing metabolic diseases, hypertension (high blood pressure), stroke and heart attack, among others, or aggravating existing illnesses.

The recommendations of the National Sleep Foundation and experts in the field are abstinence from any stimulant, coffee, alcohol, television, arguments before bedtime, and to seek medical help if they think they are having sleep problem and/or snoring, or not getting enough rest at night.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) About one billion people in the world have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (frequent prolonged breath holding leading to oxygen deficit), majority undiagnosed and dismissed as “normal snoring.”

The prevalence of OSA in the United States is about 25 million, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Untreated OSA reduces the integrity of the white matter fiber of many areas in the brain. More than 90 percent of people with OSA have heart irregularity, due to diminished oxygen in the body because of frequent (more than 100 times during sleep in some people) prolonged breath holding (apnea). Many obese persons and snorers (not all) have OSA. Untreated, OSA increases the risk for major illnesses from sleep deficit listed above, including cancer.

For people who usually feel tired and sleepy in the middle of the day, a sleep study is needed to confirm the diagnosis. Sleep

and rest deficit are unhealthy and shorten longevity. The only effective treatment for OSA is the use of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine, to keep the collapsing (obstructed) airway by the throat open and humidified air pushed into the lungs with measured gentle pressure. This prevents dangerous breath holding (also stops snoring permanently) and enables the person to have good level of oxygen while asleep.

CPAP prevents potentially fatal heart irregularity and heart attack due to hypoxia (lack of oxygen) with frequent breath holding (apnea). All the items on the market claiming to prevent or cure OSA are ineffective and are actually very harmful as their use delays proper diagnosis and early treatment. CPAP mask or nasal pillow, which is surprisingly comfortable to use and even psychologically “addicting” for the protection and sense of security it offers, is one of the wonders in medicine.

In our own hands We are not born with a set destiny. Our future depends on our discipline and behavior. What we do or not do to our body mostly determines our health. The prescription for a healthy lifestyle, for maintenance of good health, disease prevention, and maximal longevity, besides regular medical check-up, includes the following ingredients: Adequate, refreshing sleep; rest and relaxation; total abstinence from tobacco; strict moderation in alcohol intake; daily exercises (like brisk walking); low-fat, low-cholesterol, low-carb, high-fiber diet (vegetables, fruits, grains, nuts, etc); and, equally important, having a happy and positive attitude in life.

The main objective of this column is to educate and inspire people to live a healthier lifestyle to prevent illnesses and disabilities, and achieve a happier and more productive life. Any diagnosis, recommendation or treatment in our articles are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health. * * * Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United NetworkUSA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Visit our websites: philipSchua. com and FUN8888.com; Email: scalpelpen@ gmail.com.

Fil-Am makeup guru Patrick Starrr on defying beauty...

PAGE B1 my life would I have known Jack Daniel’s to be an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. For me, I had to jump on this because the magic of my social media and my [YouTube] channel was to partner with people larger than my own to create a presence and make a difference in the room and in the space that I live in on social media. For example, partnering with celebrities, I was able to create a conversation and utilize the viewership and spark conversation. The same goes for the brands that I chose to work with. It was so exciting to see Jack Daniel’s want to partner with drag queens and myself.

AJ: It’s now July but what do you want viewers to learn from your episode and how can they continue to support the LGBTQ+ community?

PS: Social media is not enough.

I think people assume that a retweet or a post is enough. It does spark change, but what are we doing that’s action-based and that we can actually grow intention within our community? In working with Jack Daniel’s, I was able to highlight my favorite centers in Florida, which is where I’m from, and what we can do to spark conversations. During COVID-19, there’s so much more to consider like living situations for the LGBTQ+ community and it’s hard even finding a job. It was hard for me to find a

LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • JULy 16-22, 202

In the Jack Daniel’s video, Starrr talks about his journey from living in Orlando to being a makeup YouTuber and LGBTQ+ causes he supports.

Starrr has collaborated with major brands, including most recently, with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire for its Pride Month “Drag Queen Mukbang” series.

Photos courtesy of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Fire

job growing up in Orlando and I was reprimanded for wearing makeup. I can’t even imagine my trans brothers and sisters having a hard time keeping up a substantial livelihood.

These centers provide refuge for those who don’t have the means to carry on and to find people who are like them to talk

Starrr posted a 10-year challenge showing an old photo of him before his YouTube days in contrast to him now.

Photo courtesy of Patrick Starrr

to. The places I highlight are like the LGBTIQ Center in Orlando, which has programming, activities and testing. Also, GaYBOR District Coalition in Tampa and here in Los Angeles, the Trans Wellness Center. I think it’s amazing to just spark conversation to encourage them to participate in any way that they can, whether it’s through donation or participating in programming.

Social media is what we’re depending on, especially now because of quarantine. So I want to challenge people what we can do within our means and reach to do something to make a difference in people’s lives?

AJ: In the episode, you talk about growing up in Orlando and being encouraged to do your first drag pageant. What was that conversation like with your Filipino family about this form of self-expression and your identity?

PS: It’s funny because being Filipino and Asian American, I had to come at it with a business angle — this is makeup, this is what I love to do, and to reassure my family that this is a potential livelihood. I’m first-generation, PAGE B5

Adelson Hospice selected for Modern Healthcare’s ‘Best Places to Work’ for 2020

LAS VEGAS — Nathan Adelson Hospice, southern Nevada’s largest, oldest and only non-profit hospice, has once again been recognized nationally as one of the “Best Places to Work in Healthcare” for 2020.

Chosen by Modern Healthcare, a top national healthcare business news publication, Nathan Adelson Hospice will be recognized at a virtual awards gala on Thursday, Oct. 8. This is the ninth time in the last decade the hospice has received this notable honor.

The award is based upon results from an organization-wide Employee Engagement and Satisfaction Survey filled out by Nathan Adelson Hospice employees, as well as employee comments from open-ended questions. Results of the survey were compared to national benchmarking data to

identify award winners.

“To be recognized this way for an unprecedented ninth time makes me incredibly proud of our entire organization,” said Nathan Adelson Hospice President and CEO, Karen Rubel. “To know how much our entire staff values excellence in the workplace, even during these uncertain times, is such an honor. It helps renew us each day in our critical work to ensure no one ends the journey of life alone, afraid or in pain.”

Nathan Adelson Hospice, the trusted partner in hospice care and palliative medicine for over 40 years, is the oldest, largest and only non-profit hospice in Southern Nevada, caring for an average of 400 hospice and palliative care patients daily. In 1978, Nathan Adelson Hospice began

providing home care hospice service in Southern Nevada with the mission to offer patients and their loved ones comprehensive end-of-life care and influence better care for all in the community.

In 1983, Nathan Adelson Hospice opened an inpatient hospice in Las Vegas, and today the hospice is recognized as a national model for superior hospice care. Its vision is simple: no one should end the journey of life alone, afraid or in pain.

The hospice also is home to The Center for Compassionate Care, a non-profit counseling agency providing individual, group, and family counseling services to address grief, loss and issues related to surviving life-threatening illnesses. For more information, visit www.nah.org

WGU joins national workforce readiness campaign to help Americans upskill and reskill WGU joins Apple, IBM, the White House in national initiative to help Americans ‘Find Something New’ LAS VEGAS – The nation’s largest nonprofit, competencybased university, Western Governors University (WGU), today announced the university is part of the coalition leading the Ad Council’s Find Something New campaign. The new national campaign will encourage Americans to “find something new” and offers resources to help them enhance their résumés through skills-based education and training, including online and virtual learning opportunities.

According to the latest jobs report, nearly 18 million Americans now find themselves out of work amid the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic. This campaign will help Americans of all ages, experiences, and backgrounds develop their skills for the rapidly changing job market by offering resources to help them explore a wide range of education and training options.

“At WGU, we believe in the transformative power of education,” said WGU President Scott Pulsipher. “We also believe that all

learning is valuable, be it a fouryear degree, a certificate, an apprenticeship, or other work-based programs. This new campaign is critical to helping connect Americans with high-quality education and training pathways they may not otherwise know are available; pathways that can help change the trajectory of their lives.”

The campaign will appear nationwide and will direct audiences to FindSomethingNew.org, a new website with resources to help students and adults across the U.S. identify and pursue the right path for their next career opportunity. The website offers an interactive tool that recommends education pathways for each user, information about rising careers to consider, and a directory of resources for life services like childcare, food assistance, and internet access.

Education and training pathways featured include online learning, professional certification programs, associate’s degrees, and vocational, technical, and trades education.

WGU is among 20 organizations supporting the campaign.

Each are committed to promoting workforce readiness for the American public: • Apple • AT&T Inc. • Boys & Girls Clubs of America • Business Roundtable • Cisco Systems, Inc. • Duke Energy Corporation • General Motors Company • The Home Depot • IBM • Johnson & Johnson • JP Morgan Chase & Co. • Lockheed Martin • National Association of Manufacturers • SAP America • SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) • United Technologies Corporation • U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation • Visa • Walmart • Western Governors University

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EntErtainmEnt

Dimples serves as juror for International Emmy Awards

by Ryan

aRcadio Inquirer.net

ALONG with her prestigious career as an actress, Dimples Romana revealed that she has now become a juror for this year’s International Emmy Awards (iEmmys).

Romana was invited by the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences to help with judging for the event, as per her Instagram post on Tuesday, July 14.

The said organization holds the awards program annually to recognize excellence in TV programming produced outside of the United States. The iEmmys is also a separate event from the Primetime Emmy Awards, which celebrates shows produced in the U.S. Joining Romana in the jury were fellow TV industry members in Asia such as producer Sahana Kamath and Michael McKay, the president of ActiveTV Asia, which hosted the judging event.

Recognizing her fellow jurors, Romana expressed that it was “quite humbling” to have worked

Dimples Romana

with them.

The awards program later shared Romana’s post on its Instagram Stories, stating that she was part of a semi-final round of judging.

According to the iEmmys site, the semi-final rounds determine the nominees for this year’s awards. Along with the session

Photo from Facebook/Dimples Romana

including Romana, other TV industry members across the globe will also be holding judging events until September.

Romana last starred in the TV drama series “Kadenang Ginto” as one of the main characters, Daniela Mondragon. The show also featured Beauty Gonzalez, Albert Martinez and Richard Yap.

Kim explains ‘Eat Bulaga’ guesting during ABS-CBN franchise denial in Congress COMEDIANS Kim Molina explained why she took part on GMA’s “Eat Bulaga” show while ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal was being decided in Congress last Friday.

The “Jowable” star was bashed

by Kapamilya supporters after Kim guested at the “Eat Bulaga” segment “Bawal Judgemental,” which coincided with the final hearing on the Kapamilya network’s franchise renewal.

In her Twitter account, Kim explained that she didn’t transfer to GMA. “FYI po walang lipatang nangyari dahil una sa lahat wala po akong kontrata sa NETWORKS. Wag padalos dalos sa salita. Alam ko po kung saan ako nanggaling at AKO PA RIN AY NANININDIGAN PARA SA AKING MGA KAPAMILYA.Wag ako. #yestoABSCBNFranchiseRenewal,” Kim wrote.

Kim’s boyfriend, actor Jerald Napoles, also answered the netizen with “Thank you sir. Tayo

FOR SALE

tayo na lang rin ang magtutulungan. I hope you and your family are safe right now.”

In his own account, Jerald also explained that he has no contract with any network, so he’s free to appear in any show in both networks.

“Project per project basis ako.

Wala akong contract sa kahit anong network. Pwede akong kumuha ng project sa kahit anong network. Walang personalan sa magkabilang panig. So mamimili po ba ako ng trabaho? Kabawasan po ba sa talent ko ang kumuha ng project kahit t sa PTV 4,” he wrote.

He also defended himself from bashers who criticized him for tweeting about “Eat Bulaga” and its hosts last Friday, during Kim’s guesting and ABS-CBN’s last franchise renewal hearing.

Jerald was mostly associated with Kapuso shows until he appeared on ABS-CBN’s “Ang Probinsyano.”

Kim, meanwhile, was part of

Kim Molina Photo from Instagram/@kimsmolina

Kapamilya network’s different teleseryes such as “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” “The General’s Daughter,” “Kadenang Ginto,” “Bagani,” “Sana Dalawa ang Puso,” “La Luna Sangre,” “A Love to Last,” and “Till I Met You.” (Philstar.com)

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Dianne & Rodjun: We want to build a family right away

By Ricky Lo Philstar.com

WHEN Rodjun Cruz and Dianne Medina got married in December last year, their fervent prayer was for God to give them a baby at once. Wish granted. Dianne is expecting their firstborn sometime in September or October.

“After the wedding,” Dianne told Funfare, “we really wanted to have a baby already. We wanted to build a family right away. I found out that I was pregnant end of January. We both cried upon seeing the positive sign of six different brands of the pregnancy test.

We thanked God for this blessing.

It’s a dream come true. Sabi nga namin, blessing ito ni Lord agad sa amin, regalo Niya since I have no more mommy and Rodjun’s mom passed away last year. It was sad that she wasn’t around during our wedding.”

Dianne experiences the classic signs of pregnancy. “During my first trimester, nakaramdam ako ng nausea at morning sickness. Sometimes, I would vomit pero wala naman lumalabas. It was also very crucial since I had Subchorionic Hemorrhage so my OB advised me to take a leave from work and take a bed rest to ensure the safety of the baby.

In my second trimester, I got my appetite and energy back. I was more matakaw and I could eat anything.”

Expectant dads are said to also infanticipate (naglilihi). Ganoon ba si Rodjun?

“Naglilihi sa food, ako lang ‘yon. I eat anything but with me, for example if I eat adobo today and sarap na sarap ako sa kanya, the next day I don’t like adobo na, nasusuka na ako sa kanya. Kailangan iba-iba food ko, as much as possible no ulit of food. So hard kasi we are on ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine). The food that I crave is hard to find because restaurants are closed, and we cannot go out. And we also limit deliveries to avoid exposure sana.”

It’s sad that both your moms were unable not only to be at your wedding and they are also unable to hug their grandchild.

“Yes, but I believe that God has a better plan for all of us.

Everything happens for a reason.

And I know Mama Beth, Rodjun’s mom, is happy and smiling down from heaven. We always talk to her and to my mom who passed away in 2011 due to breast cancer.

We ask them to pray for the little

Rodjun Cruz with wife Dianne Medina

one. And I’m sure they are both happy for us.”

Incidentally, you really prepared before you decided to settle down, like having your own house.

This time, how are you preparing for the arrival of the baby?

“As early as June, we renovated the room for the baby already. We are completing the list for mommy bag, hospital bag and baby bag.

We started buying baby items via online. Jenna Sy of Aprica is helping me with all the items, where to get them, what items I really need.”

Are you reading books, asking tips from your friends who have kids, etc.?

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Photos from Instagram/@dianne_medina

“Since my mom is no longer here and even Rodjun’s mom, I read pregnancy books, search online and watch pregnancy vlogs.

My sister-in-law Andrea Cruz-Medina and Chi Medina also help me.

Some baby companies have approached me and offered to help.

I have taken online classes about newborn care and breastfeeding.

I have zero knowledge so we also got a midwife to train me for the first three months only. I’m glad I have friends like Max Collins and Luane Dy. Dami rin nilang tips for me.” (Note: Max delivered via water birthing her and husband Pancho Magno’s first baby last week.)

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Fil-Am makeup guru Patrick Starrr on defying beauty...

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born here in the U.S., with my parents who immigrated and eventually became citizens of the U.S. So for me to prove to them economically that I could make it…that conversation was long and hard and just proving it to them. I’m sure a lot of POC members of the LGBTQ+ community have had a hard time relating to their traditional families and their ideologies of what it is to be new and to evolve and to be LGBTQ+.

Through the spectacle of drag, my fellowship and followers, they were able to see that I was making a positive difference. Simply eating at a restaurant, people would come up and say, ‘Oh my god, are you Patrick Starrr? I love what you do. I love what you stand for.’ I think that brought the change in their minds that this was with positive intent and with good faith to bring a voice for myself and millions of other people.

AJ: What does this mean for you to inspire a new generation of Filipino Americans and show that they’re represented on social media and in big partnerships with brands like Jack Daniel’s?

PS: It means everything.

When I tell you I was at the grocery store last night, with my mask on and a fitted hat, and this girl looked at me and was like, ‘Do you know Patrick Starrr’ and I’m like, ‘Yes.’ And she goes, ‘Are you Patrick Starrr?’ It’s funny because I didn’t have makeup, a turban or [acrylic] nails on.

She was Filipino and to see just through my eyes that have been viewed over 300 million times on the internet, my connection, and that they see a little bit of themselves and their heritage in me, means so much. I’m very proud to have sparked a change in the Filipino community and represent them in the beauty community as well.

AJ: How has quarantine been for you? I know you’re so used to doing things at home and through a screen, but has anything changed in terms of what kind of content you’re putting out there or connecting more with your audience?

PS: I would say, if there was a FaceTime bill, I would be way past my bill and my limit. FaceTime has been such a saving grace to me in connecting to my peers in the influencer community and with all my friends back home. I encourage people to continue to connect with people

Patrick Starrr, born Patrick Simondac, grew up in Orlando, Florida. His parents were originally from the Philippines.

with the power of technology and to make a difference. We have a purpose and that is to make the world a better place for humanity through Pride, Black Lives Matter.

AJ: With the Black Lives Matter, I’m sure you’ve found in a lot of Asian American, especially Filipino American, conversations is how people are talking to their families about the movement. It’s also opening up questions about anti-blackness and colorism in our culture given how Filipinos have put lighter skin on a pedestal. How have you used your platform to defy those beauty standards and show that Filipinos are diverse in skin tones and no one type of skin is superior?

PS: In 2017, I met the one and only Kris Aquino. I was fortunate enough to have a collaboration internationally with MAC Cosmetics. She was a such a fan. She looks at me over some lumpia, pancit, adobo, the whole nines — she had showered the table with all the food at her favorite restaurant — and goes, ‘You’re so tan.’ The video was viewed millions of times on Facebook and her YouTube channel. My image was plastered everywhere in the Philip-

pines and I proudly have my tan skin. For the Asian community to see someone that is unconventionally beautiful at the top of their game, whether it’s me, Bretman [Rock] or anyone else, it really speaks volumes. I told her, ‘Yes, I’m tan and I’m plussized and I’m different. Yet I’m here eating with you with my MAC collaboration.’ She was very surprised after our interview. It was so thrilling to have that experience and to praise diversity and adversity all at the same time.

AJ: There are times when you share yourself without a full face of makeup and open up about what’s going on in your life. How do you balance being vulnerable and sharing your life for everyone to watch while having a sense of privacy?

PS: This younger influencer asked me the same question in regards to how we go about standing for what we believe in and balancing our privacy. I said, ‘Who you are on social media, no boundaries, tell them who you are — your race, your ethnicity, everything.’ For what you stand for, I think there’s a balance between you know, asking your friends and educating yourself.

That way you can protect and

Starrr (center) with his two younger brothers and parents during their 2019 holiday photo.

Patrick Starrr shows off a Filipina inspired look, while donning a yellow terno.

Photos courtesy of Patrick Starrr

really make the right move because sometimes people share too much and then it’s almost like an IOU to the audience when that’s not what you originally came to do to serve your community. I’ve been able to develop authentic friends in my close circle, being my makeup artists and family. You’ll start to find a sense of balance and where you fit and where you’re called. For me, if I’m going to talk about something that may or may not get me in trouble, I’m able to talk to my family and best friends to vent to them. If it’s something that I’ve evaluated and considered to post online, then I’ll take that next step. It’s still unfiltered but I want to make sure it’s said in the right way. That to me is balance in having a sense of community both in personal and public life.

AJ: What are some of the misconceptions about being an online influencer that you want to debunk?

PS: The misconception is that being an influencer is easy and that we are not entrepreneurs.

But people need to understand that we have our own wheelhouse, a business. I have an amazing team close to 10 people that no one may see or know. I’m here to support the business and the messaging, whether it’s amplifying through PR, beauty, production value or storytelling and how we authentically tell that.

Influencers in general, beauty or not, we may not have inventory or a distribution center to fulfill our supply and demand. We’re here as advertisers in the space and how we go about advertising and voicing who we are and what we stand for is a misconception.

People think we just TikTok. But

that’s the point of difference between me as Patrick Starrr and a younger influencer. In a matter of seven years that I’ve done this, that’s what I’ve learned. Also being Asian, Filipino, that’s the other part of it too, and having to build a business as a minority. I encourage people to really find their voice and their business to become a successful entrepreneur and influencer.

AJ: Any beauty and makeup trends you foresee in the coming months. People aren’t really going anywhere right now but they’re taking the time to focus on their skincare versus makeup.

PS: The biggest trend I foresee happening is skincare and how we go about removing the makeup. I’ve been talking to a few of my friends about how do you take off your makeup here and how do you do that there?

That way we can have a proper skincare [routine] because those of us who love makeup aren’t properly taking it off. That’s something I found really interesting on how to remove makeup in a very performative way, but also beneficial. I’ve been looking at brands like Tatcha, Glam Glow, Ole Henriksen and Drunk Elephant — they have so much in their positioning when it comes to what they put into their brand.

But for us in makeup, we have to make sure that they perform to the highest levels. So I think makeup removal will become the trend.

AJ: Anything else you want to add or what we can expect from you later this year?

PS: More content! For me, my mantra is that makeup is a one size fits all.

B july 16-22, 2020 • lAS VEGAS ASIAN jOuRNAl

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

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