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june 18-24, 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. 24 • 12 Pages
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US Supreme Court ruling halts Trump DATELINE USA Court ruling says federal administration’s bid to end DACA program anti-discrimination law from the AJPress NEWS TEAM across America
protects LGBT workers
IN the middle of Pride Month, the United States Supreme Court on Monday, June 15 ruled that a landmark federal civil rights law that protects workers from discrimination applies to gay and transgender workers. Supreme Court Justice Neil M. Gorsuch was instrumental to the 6-3 favorable ruling of Bostock v. Clayton County, Georgia, the original case that pondered whether or not firing an employee solely based on their sexuality violates the Civil Rights Act of 1964. A known literalist of the law, Gorsuch, a Trump-appointed conservative-leaning justice referenced Title VII of the Civil Rights Act in his majority opinion, writing, “Today, we must decide whether an employer can fire someone simply for being homosexual or transgender. The answer is clear. An employer who fires an individual for being homosexual or transgender fires that person for traits or actions it would not have questioned in members of a different sex. Sex plays a necessary and
by Rae
Ann Varona AJPress
A U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Thursday, June 18 stopped President Donald Trump’s administration from rescinding a program that protected more than 800,000 young authorized immigrants, or “Dreamers,” who came to the U.S. as children
from deportation. In a 5-4 vote, the court held that the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) effort to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was “arbitrary and capricious” in that it violated the Administrative Procedure Act. While the ruling does not provide permanent
A Filipino American man was stenciling “Black Lives Matter” in chalk outside his San Francisco home last week when a white couple confronted him and accused him of defacing private property. A video of the June 9 encounter, which has reached over 19.6 million views on Twitter, shows a couple asking James Juanillo, 50, if he lives in the Pacific Heights house before alleging that they know the homeowner and claiming he was engaging in an illegal activity. Juanillo’s post was accompanied with the message, “A white couple call the police on me, a person of color, for stencilling a #BLM chalk message on my own front retaining wall. ‘Karen’ lies and says she knows that I don’t live in my own house, because she knows the person who lives here.”
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US voices concern over Ressa’s guilty verdict by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
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Fil-Am man in SF confronted by white couple for stenciling ‘Black Lives Matter’ in front of own home
protections, the decision has been a sigh of relief for the hundreds of thousands who have grown up in the U.S. — many from a very young age — despite not having legal status. The Trump administration may try again by presenting stronger justifications, but it is unlikely
BUSES RESUME OPERATIONS. Public utility buses, such as the Balagtas-Monumento buses that are waiting for passengers along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (Edsa) near the Monumento Circle in Caloocan City on Wednesday, June 17, have resumed operations after three months of community quarantine. The Department of Transportation has assured commuters that more routes would be opened in Metro Manila. PNA photo by Joey O. Razon
THE United States on Tuesday, June 16, expressed concern over Rappler executive editor and chief executive officer Maria Ressa and writer Reynaldo Santos Jr. being convicted of cyber libel by a Manila court. “The United States is concerned by the trial court’s verdict against journalists Maria Ressa and Reynaldo Santos and calls for resolution of the case in a way that reinforces the U.S. and Philippines’ long shared commitment to freedom of expression, including for members of the press,” said U.S. Department of State spokesperson Morgan Ortagus in a statement. Meanwhile, U.S. Senators Edward Markey, Patrick Leahy, and Dick Durbin slammed the court’s verdict, calling it a “travesty of justice.” “It is shocking to see the Philippine government strain to extend its legal reach to target journalists while so many extrajudicial abuses cry out for investigation and prosecution,” they said. “At the very least, the defendants must be afforded every opportunity to appeal this decision,” they added. Peter Greste, UNESCO Chair in Journalism and Communication, likewise, criticized the court’s deci-
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PH tourism stakeholders tell balikbayans: Postpone trips to the homeland for now by Momar
G. Visaya
AJPress
Many Filipinos in the United States are looking at the possibility of traveling back to the Philippines even while the world is going through a pandemic. However, the tourism sector stakeholders are asking them not to travel back in the next three to four months, if possible. “I wouldn’t really recommend it for now, nakita naman natin (we have seen) how strin-
gent the policies are, the quarantine, swab testing. Definitely we see that the balikbayan market, the Fil-Am market will be one of the first ones to come back once travel restrictions are eased, once flights are easier to come by,” said Tourism Congress of the Philippines President Jose Clemente III at a virtual Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum. His colleagues, including Ricky Isla of Air Asia, agreed, “unless it is really urgent.” “Maraming (There are many) factors to
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SAFETY FIRST. To make ends meet, vendors make sure to wear face masks as they sell Sampaguita garlands to passersby in front of the Diocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Mercy of Novaliches in Quirino Highway, Quezon City on Thursday, June 18. The vendors said their livelihood has been affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler
Nanay Fedelina, human trafficking survivor kept by Filipino family for 4 generationsin Southern California, dies at 83 SWS reports ‘worst trend in by Christina
M. Oriel
AJPress
FEDELINA Lugasan, a former domestic worker who spent 65 years enslaved by a Filipino family, died on Thursday, June 11 in Long Beach, California. She was 83. Fondly known as Nanay Fedelina, Lugasan was hospitalized earlier in the week for respiratory problems associated with COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, according to the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC). PWC, the Historic Filipinotown-based workers’ rights organization, was vital in helpFedelina Lugasan, 1936-2020 ing Lugasan adjust to her life of AJPress photo by Noel Ty freedom after she was rescued
from her employer in 2018. For the past two years, she had been living at a skilled nursing facility in Long Beach. “As she transitioned into a new life of freedom, Nanay Fedelina has truly helped us understand what it means to be resilient. She did not wallow in what she had been denied, but instead took delight in the chance to experience new adventures like having her first-ever birthday party celebration! In the two years that we have known her, she has transformed from a victim of abuse to an empowered survivor leader — a symbol of hope to the oppressed and an inspiration to many,” the organization said in a statement. Originally from Leyte, Philip-
pines, Lugasan had worked since she was 16 years old as a domestic helper for four generations of Benedicta Cox’s family, first in Manila, before they brought her to the United States in 1980 where they settled in Northridge, a city north of Los Angeles. During her time with the Cox family, Lugasan did not receive any days off and was not paid for her work, which included household chores and taking care of the children and then grandchildren, as previously reported by the Asian Journal. Lugasan’s passport, birth certificate, and other important documents were taken away from her, and she was subjected to physical and verbal abuse
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survey history’ as quality of life in Philippines slips by Ratziel
San Juan Philstar.com
MANILA — A large majority of Filipinos have been found to be worse off compared to a year ago, according to the results of a Social Weather Stations survey released Thursday morning. Based on a mobile phone survey conducted between May 4 to 10, a total of 83% of working-age Filipino respondents (termed “losers” by the SWS) said that their quality of life got worse, significantly outnumber-
ing just 10% who said their lives were “unchanged” and 6% who said their lives improved (termed “gainers”). “The May 2020 Net Gainers score of –78 (Gainers minus Losers, correctly rounded), is the worst in survey history, breaking the previous record low –50 in June 2008. It plummeted from a very high +18 in December 2019,” the social research institution reported. Although the “Net Gainers” score was often negative in SWS
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June 18-24, 2020 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • June 18-24, 2020
(702) 792-6678 • http://www.asianjournal.com
From The Front Page
US Supreme Court ruling halts...
PAGE 1
that it would do so before the upcoming presidential elections in November. Chief Justice John Roberts joined the high court’s four liberal Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Elena Kagan, and Sonia Sotomayor. In his opinion, he wrote, “The appropriate recourse is therefore to remand to DHS so that it may reconsider the problem anew.” “We do not decide whether DACA or its rescission are sound policies. We address only whether the agency complied with the procedural requirement that it provide a reasoned explanation for its action,” he added. Justice Sotomayor was the only justice to take an added stance shared by many DACA advocates in arguing that the move to rescind protections may have been motivated by discrimination against immigrants. In a separate opinion, Sotomayor gave examples of remarks made by Trump that described Mexican immigrants as being people who have “lots of problems,” are the “bad ones,” and are “criminals, drug dealers, [and] rapists.” The dissent, which included Trump appointees Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, dismissed the ruling as being politically charged. “Today’s decision must be recognized for what it is: an
effort to avoid a politically controversial but legally correct decision. The court could have made clear that the solution respondents must seek came from the legislative branch,” Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in his dissent. On Twitter, President Donald Trump said, “These horrible & politically charged decisions coming out of the Supreme Court are shotgun blasts into the face of people that are proud to call themselves Republican or Conservatives. We need more Justices or we will lose our 2nd. Amendment & everything else. Vote Trump 2020!” In a following tweet, he asked, “Do you get the impression that the Supreme Court doesn’t like me?” Trump also said he’d soon released a “new list of Conservative Supreme Court Justice nominees” by September. The program was created in 2012 under then-President Barack Obama and provided renewable deportation protections of two years, though no pathway to citizenship. Aside from being able to stay in the U.S., recipients were able to work legally which allowed many to pursue higher education and pursue other career goals. However, in September 2017, Trump announced plans of rescinding the program on claims that its adoption was unlawful and that courts did not have the
power to review its decision. Lower courts blocked the rescission and the Supreme Court took the case last fall. Of the current 650,000 DACA recipients in the U.S., roughly 200,000 recipients are in California with about 85,000 in Los Angeles. The majority were born in Mexico and other Central or South American countries, but many were also brought from Asia. At least 16,000 DACA recipients are of Asian American or Pacific Islander (AAPI) descent, according to Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice), an affiliation of five independent civil rights organizations. Between 2012 and 2017, at least 4,655 Filipinos were granted DACA protection, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). “We applaud the Supreme Court for stating that the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to end DACA is ‘arbitrary and capricious’ and its decision to allow the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program to continue for the time being,” Advancing Justice wrote in a statement. It added, “DACA has positively changed the lives of more than 800,000 young people in this country, allowing them to live temporarily without fear, and pursue their academic and career goals.” n
SWS reports ‘worst trend in survey...
PAGE 1
survey history, the May results were “a break from the positive trend of the past 5 years.”. The survey graphed the yearly change in personal quality of life among respondents since April 1983, tracking losers and gainers in each administration from late dictator and former President Ferdinand Marcos up to President Rodrigo Duterte. Trends were also attributed to notable events in each period, such as economic crises, war and calamity and most recently, the COVID-19 crisis. The nationwide Net Gainers score was said to be the result of “very low (-30 and below) scores
in all areas”, the lowest of which in the Visayas at -82. This is followed by Mindanao at -80, Metro Manila at -77 and the remainder of Luzon at -75. “Scores in all areas dropped to all-time low figures when compared to previous SWS surveys of adults,” the survey read. The score was found equally bad in areas classified under enhanced community quarantine and general community quarantine. It was also found lower among hungry families, those whose pay was cut or were newly unemployed and those with less formal education. “The Net Gainers score among working-age Filipinos whose
families experienced involuntary hunger, or hunger due to lack of food to eat, is –88. This is lower than the –75 among those whose families did not experience involuntary hunger.” In a related survey, the SWS had found that 16.7% of Filipino families (estimated 4.2 million) in May 2020 had experienced involuntary hunger. A total of 4,010 working-age Filipinos participated nationwide in the institution’s research through mobile phone and computer-assisted telephone interviewing, including 294 in Metro Manila, 1,645 in the rest of Luzon, 792 in the Visayas and 1,279 in Mindanao. n
Nanay Fedelina, human trafficking survivor...
PAGE 1
through the years. She also slept on the floor at the house, according to previous reports. When Cox was hospitalized, Lugasan kept a close watch and stayed by her bedside. Lugasan barely slept or ate for several days, leading her vomiting and collapsing. A nurse at the hospital alerted law enforcement, which resulted in the FBI searching Cox’s residence and the eventual rescue of Lugasan in 2018. The FBI alerted the Philippine Consulate General in LA, the Asian Pacific Islander Human Trafficking Task Force, the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, and PWC about Lugasan’s case. PWC had estimated that through her decades of work, Lugasan’s back wages come to about $1.6 million, using California’s minimum wage at the time she began employment with the Cox family in 1980. Despite the working conditions over the decades, Lugasan forgave her employer. Cox was put on house arrest in 2019, sentenced to probation for five years and ordered to pay $101,119.98 in restitution. Cox died about six months into the arrest. As Lugasan relished in her newfound freedom, she also became an advocate for anti-human trafficking efforts and lent her voice to the plight of modern day slavery. Last fall, Lugasan met Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez and expressed her desire to return to her hometown and see if her siblings or other relatives were still alive. Because she was under a T visa for victims of human trafficking, Lugasan was unable to go back to the Philippines. However, the Philippine Consulate and Embassy helped expedite the process of securing a U.S. visa for her older sister Leonila Cinco, who is the only surviving sibling. Cinco, together with her daughter Luz Albado and granddaughter Chrystine Abcede, arrived in Los Angeles at the beginning of March. The family spent 10 days sightseeing and making up for lost time with Lugasan. “She epitomized the hardworking Filipino who sought greener pastures abroad, but was victim-
Ambassador Romualdez shakes hands with Nanay Fedelina, an 83-year-old woman who was granted freedom in 2018 after being trafficked and abused by a Filipino family for 65 years, during a meeting at the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles on Sunday, September 15, 2019. She was joined by Consul General Adelio Cruz, Pilipino Workers Center operations manager Malou Villacisneros and Executive Director Aquilina Soriano Versoza. Photo courtesy of Benjamin Garcia-Ascue/Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles
Fedelina Lugasan (2nd from right) reunited with family members (L-R), her granddaughter Chrystine Abcede, older sister Leonila Cinco and niece Luz Alabado, at the Pilipino Workers Center in early March after they secured visas to come to the United States. AJPress photo by Noel Ty
ized by cruel and heartless people. I console myself with the fact that in the end, even for a fleeting moment, she obtained justice, happiness and and freedom from her employers paving the way to reconnect with her loved ones even for two short weeks,” Philippine Consul General Adelio Cruz told the Asian Journal. Lugasan was the center of a documentary by The Filipino Channel’s newscast Balitang America, entitled “Kept: Six Decades of Servitude,” which won a Northern California Emmy in the human interest category on Sunday, June 7. Steve Angeles, the writer and producer of the documentary, told the Asian Journal that in the
process of capturing Lugasan’s story, he noticed how “she went from a frail, timid, woman, who showed the telltale signs of human trafficking, into a healthy, strong advocate speaking out against human trafficking as she shared her stories.” “In the end, Kept’s main mission is to shed light and put a face on human trafficking. We are all blessed that she was alive, and open enough to share her story for the greater good. It’s a heartbreaking, but often too common topic that we do news about. While Nanay is physically gone, her stories and advocacies will live on,” Angeles said. Memorial details for Lugasan have yet to be announced. n
June 18-24, 2020 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
Dateline USA
http://www.asianjournal.com • (702) 792-6678
Fil-Am man in SF confronted by white couple...
PAGE 1 (Karen is the online term typically used to describe white women who confront and call the police on black individuals or people of color who are doing ordinary activities.) Social media users identified the woman as Lisa Alexander, founder and CEO of LaFace Skincare, while her husband Robert Larkin stood in the background. “It’s private property,” Alexander is heard saying on video. “But if I did live here and this was my property this would be absolutely fine,” Juanillo responded. “And you don’t know if I live here or if this is my property.” “We actually do know,” Alexander retorted. “We know the person who does.” He dared the couple to “call the cops,” with Alexander saying “Yes, we will do so” as they walk away. “And that, people, is why black lives matter. That’s ‘Karen’ and she’s calling the cops,” he said at the end of the video. Juanillo has not responded to several requests for comment from the Asian Journal about the incident. Juanillo, who has lived in the home since 2002 and owns a dog walking business, told NBC Bay Area that it was important to show solidarity for the Black Lives Matter movement in the particular neighborhood, considered one of the priciest in the city. “In this environment, [Lisa] knows calling the cops on a person of color for a perceived crime could result in death,” he said in the interview. “She called the cops anyway.”
He advised other people of color and protesters not to dare “Karens to call the cops,” but he only did because he has known the officers in his area since he’s been a resident there for 18 years. A police officer reportedly arrived at the scene within two minutes after the couple walked away but did not investigate or get out of his car because he recognized Juanillo. Since the video’s circulation, Alexander has received backlash online, prompting LaFace to take its website offline and Birchbox, a makeup subscription company, to cut ties with the company. Alexander publicly apologized for the incident and said she “should have minded [her] own business.” “The last 48 hours has taught me that my actions were those of someone who is not aware of the damage caused by being ignorant and naive to racial inequali-
ties,” she continued. “When I watch the video I am shocked and sad that I behaved the way I did. It was disrespectful to Mr. Juanillo and I am deeply sorry for that. I did not realize at the time that my actions were racist and have learned a painful lesson. I am taking a hard look at the meaning behind white privilege and am committed to growing from this experience.” Her husband was fired from his job at Raymond James, a wealth management firm, which said it “has zero tolerance for racism and discrimination for any kind.” “As a first-generation Filipino American, you have to fight for it,” Juanillo told CNN’s Don Lemon in an interview. “And as a homosexual, we fight every day for recognition, for visibility, for equality. So the reason BLM resonates with me is because I’ve been fighting for equality all my life.” (Christina M. Oriel/AJPress)
James Juanillo, a Filipino American resident of San Francisco’s Pacific Heights neighborhood, poses for a selfie with ‘Black Lives Matter’ stenciled with chalk on a wall outside of his home. Juanillo was confronted by a white couple last week for the artwork after they alleged he did not live at the property. Photo courtesy of James Juanillo/Facebook
‘QUEEN OF BRIDGES’. The Jones Bridge’s old glory is back after its recent restoration to its near-original design, as shown in this photo taken on Wednesday, June 17. Filipinos have been visiting the bridge at night to take Instagram-worthy photos of Manila’s “Queen of Bridges”. PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan
Court ruling says federal anti-discrimination... PAGE 1 undisguisable role in the decision, exactly what Title VII forbids.” The original lawsuit was filed by Gerald Bostock who in 2013 was fired for joining a gay softball league and publicly calling for volunteers. Bostock, who worked for the county in a government program that provided help for neglected youth, was then fired for “conduct unbecoming of a county employee,” according to the original audit. In his majority opinion, Gorsuch said that protections for cisgender workers (people who identify with the sex they were born with) also apply to transgender workers,
writing, “Or take an employer who fires a transgender person who was identified as a male at birth but who now identifies as a female. If the employer retains an otherwise identical employee who was identified as female at birth, the employer intentionally penalizes a person identified as male at birth for traits or actions that it tolerates in an employee identified as female at birth. Again, the individual employee’s sex plays an unmistakable and impermissible role in the discharge decision.” Joining Gorsuch in the surprising decision include Chief Justice John Roberts (a conservative appointee of President George W. Bush) and Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen G. Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. Though the decision is a landmark civil rights ruling that sets an important benchmark in the history of LGBT workers rights in the United States, it comes at a time when those within the community, especially black trans individuals, find their very existence especially vulnerable. Last week two black trans women — 25-year-old Riah Milton and 27-year-old Dominique Fells — were found dead, news that comes two weeks after Tony McDade, a black trans man, was shot and killed by police in Tallahassee, Florida. Moreover, the court’s ruling comes mere days after the Trump administration issued a new rule that removed an Obama-era rule that protected transgender pa-
tients against discrimination by doctors and health care providers. The Trump administration also previously urged the Supreme Court to barr most transgender soldiers from serving in the military. But the fact that during a time when civil unrest runs rampant across the country and divisions are being planted across political, social and racial lines, the court’s decision on Monday is a major victory for the LGBT+ community. Award-winning trans writer and activist Meredith Talusan celebrated the Supreme Court’s ruling in an Instagram post, writing that the court’s decision “is deeply personal for me, because I’m one of the many trans people whose lives have been immensely disrupted by job discrimination.” Talusan, whose widely-praised book “Fairest: A Memoir” details her personal journey as a trans woman, shared in her Instagram post that after she came out as transgender in 2014 she was harrassed by a then-coworker. When she tried to report the incident she faced “intense scrutiny because I apparently was not a perfect enough victim.” “As an immigrant trans woman of color who has had to face numerous obstacles to get to where I am, my ability to tell stories in the face of gross injustice has been my main source of power, and I refuse to give it up both for my sake and on behalf of all trans people,” Talusan wrote. (Klarize Medenilla/AJPress)
US voices concern over Ressa’s... PAGE 1 sion, calling it a “blow to journalists…to press freedom in the Philippines, and to stability in the region.” Even former U.S Secretary of State Hillary Clinton voiced out her support for Ressa. “Maria Ressa was convicted in the Philippines yesterday for doing her job. As Amal Clooney wrote, the message to other journalists is ‘Keep quiet, or you’ll be next’,” she said on Twitter. “We must fiercely protest attacks on the press. They are attacks on democracy,” she added. International news outlets also took a stand both for Ressa and press freedom. “It is not merely that Ms. Ressa and her colleagues need and deserve support: her case has such frightening implications beyond her own country. When Mr. (Rodrigo) Duterte is given a free pass for his behaviour, other leaders take note,” wrote The Guardian in its editorial. “Without freedom of the media, it is impossible to protect other freedoms: citizens cannot know what is being done in their name. Journalists are targeted because they sound the alarm. They must not be silenced,” it added. The Washington Post, meanwhile, urged the U.S. government to show “much greater resistance” against Ressa’s guilty verdict. “The Philippines’ slide toward dictatorship deserves much greater resistance from Washington – if not from the White House, then from Congress,” the news outlet said. “A court verdict that could lead to a prison sentence of up to 7 years for her and a colleague showed that Mr. Duterte is succeeding in compromising the Philippines’ justice system, even as he personally flouts the rule of law,” it added. Ressa and Santos were found guilty of violating Section 4(c)(4) of the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, or cyber libel, sentencing them to the indeterminate penalty of imprisonment ranging from six months and one day as a minimum to up to six years, according to the sentence handed down by Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 46 Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa. According to Rappler, the court allowed bail under the same
Rapper CEO and Executive Editor Maria Ressa spoke on a panel on the first night of Los Angeles’ Press Freedom Week on last September 16, 2019. AJPress photo by Christina M. Oriel
bond. It also ordered Ressa and Santos to pay complainant Wilfredo Keng P200,000 in moral damages and another P200,000 (a total of $7,900) in exemplary damages. Keng in 2017 filed cyber libel charges against the two for naming him in an article as the owner of a sports utility vehicle (SUV) used by the late Chief Justice Renato Corona, who was then facing impeachment in 2012. Meanwhile, the court found Rappler Inc. to have no corporate liability in the case. “A news organization who claims to adhere to accuracy, fairness and balance in terms of reporting, would have retracted, or at the very least issued a clarificatory article if there have been some indications of falsity to its previous article... This clearly shows actual malice,” the court’s decision read. “[T]he court is mandated to decide solely on the basis of the evidence presented by the parties and to apply the law. No more, no less,” it added. “The Courts are tasked to strike a balance between the enforcement of one’s right to speak his mind and the protection of another’s right against defamation of his honor and reputation without regard to the stature of the personalities involved.” n
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Dateline USA
LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • June 18-24, 2020
Crawford: My next fight should be against Pacquiao FilAm Arts town hall illuminates patterns of racism, colorism within Filipino community by Bong Lozada Inquirer.net
by Klarize
Medenilla AJPress
“WE need to start a conversation.� For the past few weeks, this has been the party line among Filipino Americans who recognize the deeply rooted racism embedded into the community. Now, they’re having that conversation. On Saturday, June 13, FilAm Arts hosted a “FilipinX For Black Lives� livestream on Facebook, during which prominent Filipino American writers, journalists, academics and artists started the uphill climb of undoing the complicated ways that the Filipino community either intentionally or unconsciously contributes to antiblackness in flagrant and discreet ways. Just like the current COVID-19 pandemic, the current upheaval related to reexamining the priorities and purpose of law enforcement in the United States is demarcated by phases. The first phase happened roughly in the immediate aftermath of the unlawful killing of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers, an event that shocked the nation and world and catalyzed a global movement to end police brutality. In a matter of weeks, the movement blossomed from protesting police brutality to tackling the historic patterns of anti-black racism across public-facing entities and other ethnic communities. Within the last few days, notable black deaths in California that have been reported as lynchings — Malcolm Harsch, 38, who was found hanging in Victorville and Robert Fuller, 24, in Palmdale — have surfaced, signaling further urgency to address and undo the many, many ways black individuals are persecuted. Over the course of two hours, panelists discussed a wide range of topics ranging from the effects of colonialism to contemporary microaggressions.  “Making sure Filipinos educate other Filipinos and understand that this task of undoing anti-blackness doesn’t rest solely and squarely on the shoulders of African Americans,� Janet Stickman, professor and spoken word artist, said in the opening of the livestream that spanned two hours. Rather than cower defensively and sidestep the opportunity to right wrongs, it is imperative that Filipino Americans take a hard look at how we react to anti-black racism and the ensuing outcry: do we justify the myth that racism is nonexistent, or do we validate the experiences of black Americans? Or, the worst-case scenario, do we knowingly act as a buoy to antiblackness? Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and Define American founder Jose Antonio Vargas acknowledged the psychological and emotional difficulties in coming to terms with community-wide patterns of antiblackness and colorism, pontificating on the overvalue the community gives to the superficial. “We can talk about what makes us proud about our culture and our people, but declaring that black lives matter in a culture that idolizes white skin requires self-examination,� Vargas explained, calling for a community-wide devaluing of entertainers, Miss Universe contestants and materialism that, instead, uplifts Filipino academics, intellectuals and activists. The root of anti-blackness within the Filipino community isn’t centered around an exact moment in history. Rather, it manifested slowly from the colonial periods when imperialists would stir up colorist attitudes about dark skin and fair
skin, according to Dada Docot, an assistant professor of anthropology at Purdue University. Docot added that these attitudes carried over to intercultural relations within the U.S. Navy in which “Filipinos and black people were pitted against each other in a system that was racist to both groups in the first place.� Docot shared that in 1932, the head of investment training of the U.S. Navy fomented anti-black sentiments by claiming that Filipino sailors were cleaner and more well-behaved than their black counterparts. According to Docot, this instilled a subconscious desire for approval from and alignment with white Americans, a seed that sowed the model minority myth. For children who have both Filipino and black ancestry, these issues present a critical quandary. Within the Filipino community are a significant number of Filipinos who identify as black; one in five Filipino Americans identify as multiracial, according to the United States Census Bureau. “It’s important to think through the ways we can incorporate a more diversified [news] feed and how we consume our news,� said Stephanie Chrispin, a half Filipina and half Haitian organizer and communications manager. Crispin recognized the emotional toil it’s taking on non-black folks to re-examine their behaviors, acknowledging that “being anti-racist� and being newly awoken to the horrors of racism “may be exhausting, but for many of us, this is stuff we’ve been doing our whole lives.� And, again, that starts with reinforcing healthier news and media consumption and expanding the community’s knowledge and awareness of black issues and advocacy. Because Crispin said, it may be exhausting to shine a light on the community’s intercultural short-comings, but it’s a cakewalk compared to the real traumas black Americans have faced since the arrival of the first African slaves in 1619. Vanessa Carr, a civic engagement organizer of LEAD Filipino who is half black and half Filipina, mentioned that “it is incredibly encouraging� to see the Black Lives Matter movement and issues related to it are now topics being discussed across the Filipino community. Like many other half Filipino and half Black Americans, Carr recounted the microaggressions she faced because of her mixed-race heritage, especially from other Filipinos who reinforced colorist attitudes regarding her skin tone and hair. And even though she credits her parents as encouraging her to embrace both parts of her heritage, the remarks made a lasting impression. “It’s a weird thing to grow up because my parents never discouraged me from loving both sides of myself, but you know there were those in the community who’d make comments that they didn’t realize would stick to you and hurt you,� Carr shared. Solidarity beyond police brutality Although this is a moment of awakening for the microaggressions and horrors that black folks face, Stickman reminded Filipinos to recognize the accomplishments of black Americans, whose impact on American culture and politics is profound. The ultimate goal of Filipinos for Black Lives goes beyond rectifying systemic bias and discrimination. It’s about recognizing anti-blackness within the Filipino American community, how it contributes to anti-blackness in general and to
foster a community that recognizes that black lives matter outside of highly publicized extrajudicial killings. “Please, please don’t wait until black people die before you pay attention to our value,� Stickman added. “In addition to educating ourselves about the injustice experienced by African Americans over the centuries, it is also important to make sure that we learn and teach about the accomplishments, the contributions, the triumphs, the innovations of black people over centuries as well.� Black culture has been instrumental to Filipino culture, especially. Hip-hop, rap, soul, R&B, rock & roll and other musical genres that have roots in the black community continue to inspire kids of the Filipino diaspora. Moreover, the love of balladeers and the insurmountable value that Filipinos place on singing acumen largely comes from legendary black voices like Whitney Houston, Chaka Khan, Nina Simone and Aretha Franklin. Professional black athletes, especially those in the NBA, are held up as idols the world over — Kobe Bryant’s prolific influence on Filipinos across the world alone speaks volumes of black influence — while contemporary gay and drag culture owes its prosperity to the black queer community and the ballroom scene of the 1980s. Squaring the inextricable impact black culture has made on Filipino culture with the racist tendencies of our less informed community members is a predicament, a kind of collective cognitive dissonance between idolizing and gaining influence from prominent black athletes, artists and celebrities while simultaneously remaining quiet over (or trying to justify) the extrajudicial killings of unarmed black civilians. In an extended spoken-word sequence, Filipina American DJ and rapper Kuttin Kandi reminded Filipinos — who engage in these universal avenues, especially hip-hop and rap, paved by black creatives and athletes — of the historical significance of the genre that goes beyond certain aesthetics. “We are merely guests, invited to contribute to hip hop culture, which means we have a responsibility to do justice by hop-hop as was created during a time of oppression upon black and brown youth of the South Bronx,� the DJ preached, adding that affirmation of black lives and the identity intersections therein is the only way forward. “It means that for those of in hip-hop, we must be pro-black and co-conspirators to black liberation movements as well as the anti-homophobic, anti-transphobic, antiqueerphobic, anti-ableist, anti-fatphobic,� she continued. “This is about the movement for black lives, this is about how we leave love for ourselves and one another with a righteous rage alongside our black siblings, for their freedom and for our collective liberation.� Reversing racist tendencies is an uphill battle that requires the whole of the community’s effort, each panelist explained. Once we have recognized what antiblackness looks like, then we can move forward by keeping each other in check and calling out relatives and friends when they exhibit anti-black behaviors and attitudes. And, through that, we can stand confidently in solidarity with the black community. “At this historic moment, what does it look like and feel like in some way to engage those parts of our culture? What are each of us with our own privileges willing to risk? How uncomfortable are we willing to get?� Vargas posed. n
TERENCE Crawford is undoubtedly one of the best fighters of his generation but he’s still aiming for that one grand draw against a legend in Manny Pacquiao. In an interview with The Last Stand Podcast with Brian Custer, Crawford said he wants his next opponent to be the Filipino boxing champion in a welterweight match that would unify the WBO and WBA titles. Top Rank CEO Bob Arum, the current promoter of Crawford and who once had Pacquiao under his umbrella, said he has been working on bringing a fight that would pit the two 147pound champions against each other. “My next fight should be Pacquiao,� said Crawford. “We’re in talks with Team Pacquiao and I’ve been hoping that fight can get made, but anything after that I really can’t say because I’m
only looking forward to the next fight, so if we can get that fight secure and signed then hopefully that can be our next fight. Crawford (36-0), the WBO World welterweight titlist, is no.4 in The Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound list and was the undisputed super lightweight champion in 2017 before moving up weight to defeat Jeff Horn, the man who once beat Pacquiao, for his 147-lb belt. Pacquiao (62-7-2), who is nine years older than the 32-year-old Crawford, is considered as one of boxing’s greatest ever fighters and is the sport’s only eightdivision World champion, winning titles from flyweight all the way to junior middleweight. The Filipino icon is on a three-match winning streak after his loss to Horn in 2017. He first scored a knockout win over Lucas Matthysse for the WBA “regular� welterweight title then defended that championship in a lopsided decision over Adrien Broner before taking the
Filipino Mike Plania scores big upset over Greer in Las Vegas by Mark
Giongco Inquirer.net
FILIPINO bet Mike Plania scored the biggest win of his career after pulling off a major upset over American Joshua Greer Jr. on Tuesday, June 16 at MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas. Plania, the first Philippine boxer to return to the ring since the coronavirus pandemic hit, won by majority decision, 9494, 96-92, 97-91. The 23-year-old Plania (24-1, 12 KOs) got off to a strong start and dropped Greer (22-2-1, 12 KO) with a swift left hook in the first round. Two huge knockdowns set the tone, and Mike Plania pulls off the upset behind a vicious lead left hand. Greer, who was knocked down twice in the 120-pound catchweight bout, came into the fight as the heavy favorite and the No. 1 contender to another Filipino John Riel Casimero’s WBO bantamweight title. The 26-year-old Greer tasted the canvas for a second time after taking another left from Plania in the sixth round.
Filipino Mike Plania reacts after beating heavy favorite Joshua Greer Jr. in their 120-pound catchweight fight at MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas. Photo courtesy of Top Rank
Plania lost some steam in the latter stages of the bout as Greer started to apply pressure and fight with a sense of ur-
to the signing of the proposed P1.3-trillion Accelerated Recovery and Investments Stimulus for the Economy (ARISE) Act, where DOT-accredited tourism enterprises will be assisted through interest-free loans or issuance of loan guarantees with terms of up to five years for maintenance and operating expenses. Also included in the ARISE bill is the utilization of information technology for the improvement of tourism services, development of a tourist tracking system for emergency response and establishment of spatial database to improve planning capacity. “Let’s introduce things that will enhance the travel experience like cashless, interactive and integrated experiences. Safety first, then innovation to make things better,� said Talino Ventures Lab chief executive officer Winston Damarillo. “Dahan dahan (slow) and progressive recovery, starting with making sure that it is safe and mako-contact trace natin ang lahat ng mga (and we can contact all) guests. Let us take this opportunity to innovate habang nagre-recover tayo (while we are still recovering).� Damrillo and his team have developed an app called SafePass, which he said can help in contact
tracing and can be done digital and contact-free. For now, however, the tourism sector is looking at domestic tourism as a start since there are still travel restrictions all over the world. “Huwag nating maliitin ang (let us not underestimate) domestic tourism, it is very, very important. Out of the 12.7% of our GDP, 11.1% is actually from domestic tourism,� Puyat said. “I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Palawan, Baguio, we have places that are under modified GCQ. It is up to the data.� Asked about when they think situations would begin to normalize, the panelists gave their forecast. “To be realistic about it, with the vaccine, maybe in the next 12 to 18 months. Without it, maybe 18 to 24 months. It may not be something that people want to hear, but it is realistic,� Clemente said. “I am more on the conservative side of it. This is going to take a while.� Arthur Lopez, president of the Philippine Hotel Owners Association, echoed what Clemente said and added that while returning to a normalized state could happen in two years, getting back to a preCOVID-19 state is possible in three years. n
gency. But Plania did more than enough in the first part of their 10-rounder to come out victorious. n
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PH tourism stakeholders tell balikbayans... PAGE 1 be considered like flights. At this time, it is still very tumultuous, there are so many things still up in the air. Maybe towards Christmastime, okay na (then),� Clemente added. “Kung hindi naman kailangan umuwi, huwag na muna kayong umuwi (if you don’t need to come home, don’t go home for now). It’s not that we don’t want you here, but we don’t want you to go through all the inconveniences that you have to go through.� Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat chimed in and agreed with her colleagues as well and mentioned the policies that they have been crafting in order to ensure that once the country has fully reopened, travel would be safe for both tourists and the communities in the destinations that they are going to visit. Puyat shared that they have developed a Tourism Response and Recovery Program to make sure that every stakeholder is ready to get back on track and the gaps in tourism infrastructure are addressed. The TRRP was made in coordination with the respective national agencies and private sector tourism stakeholders through the Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP). She said she is looking forward
Super title from Keith Thurman via split decision in 2019. Putting a fight between Crawford and Pacquiao, however, could be tricky as the latter is under the Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) stable. “Sky the limit for me right now, I’m looking for all the big opportunities and all the champions. I’m gunning for all of them,� said Crawford. Most of the top welterweights, however, are with PBC including WBC and IBF champion Errol Spence. “Once it came to a point where it was some of their big fighters, they didn’t want to put them in the ring with me because they didn’t want to have Top Rank have the edge over their head where one of their fighters took out one of their top welterweights fighters. So in a sense they (PBC) just fight each other, let’s just take each other out, and see what he does in the meantime and we’ll go from there,� said Crawford. n
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June 18-24, 2020 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
Opinion
Stranded by the pandemic
Features
THE unprecedented community quarantines have given the government an indelible lesson: if you want to keep people off the streets or drastically curb human mobility, stop mass transportation. Unfortunately for the majority of Filipinos with no private cars, the restriction also means being stranded and unable to go home. In the early days of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon, many opted to walk from Metro Manila to neighboring provinces, even if it meant sleeping on the road for several days while dodging arrest for breaching ECQ rules. Many more, however, were stuck, mostly in Metro Manila, with no place to stay. With their meager funds soon depleted, they had to beg for food. Even those who were offered transportation to return home were advised by the local government units in their hometowns to stay away, for fear that the returning residents might be carriers of killer pathogens. Their ranks swelled so much that a phrase was coined to describe them: locally stranded individuals, or LSIs. Michelle Silvertino became the face of the LSIs. Intent on returning to her four children in Bicol, the 33-year-old left her job as a housemaid in
Antipolo, Rizal and stayed for five days in a footbridge in Pasay as she hoped to get a bus ride to Calabanga in Camarines Sur. She died of a respiratory affliction on June 5. How many other Silvertinos are still out there? While overseas Filipino workers displaced by the pandemic are getting all the help from government to return to the Philippines, LSIs have been left to fend for themselves as they wait for flights, bus or ship rides back to their hometowns. Many have been forced to live in the streets and resort to begging. The LSIs have families waiting for them back home. A number of them are hoping to find work or livelihood opportunities outside Metro Manila amid the pandemic. They deserve assistance from the government. Proper coordination among LGUs and the Department of Social Welfare and Development could prevent more tragedies like the one that befell Michelle Silvertino. (Philstar. com)
Editorial
The Fil-Am Perspective Gel Santos-Relos THE name of veteran journalist and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa evokes both pride and fury among Filipinos in the world, depending on which lens they are wearing as they look at what’s happening in the Philippines, especially during the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte. Maria Ressa is a multi-awarded Filipino American journalist and author who co-founded the online news organization Rappler and became its chief executive officer. Ressa was born to Filipino parents in Manila and relocated at the age of 10 with her parents who relocated to Toms River, New Jersey. She graduated cum laude at Princeton University and was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to study political theater at the University of the Philippines Diliman. I first knew about Maria when she co-founded independent production company Probe in 1987, along with Cheche Lazaro, my former professor and chairman of the Department of Broadcast Communication of the University of the Philippines’ College of Mass Communication, where I graduated and worked as an instructor before I became active in the broadcasting industry in Manila. Maria also served as CNN’s bureau chief in Manila until 1995,
Maria Ressa found guilty of cyber libel: A dangerous precedent not only for journalists but for everyone online? and eventually ran the network’s Jakarta bureau from 1995 to 2005, where she specialized in investigating terrorist networks. I personally worked with Maria when I was already anchoring the news for ABS-CBN’s The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast “Balitang America.” She was director of ABS-CBN News from 2004-2010 and was replaced by my colleague Ging Reyes, former News Bureau Chief of ABS-CBN’s North America Bureau when Maria decided not to renew her contract. Maria Ressa established the online news site Rappler in 2012. Rappler is a pioneering online news portal in the Philippines and has received numerous local and international awards. Maria and Rappler’s most recent and notable awards were: - November 2017, Ressa, as the CEO of news organization Rappler : 2017 Democracy Award by the National Democratic Institute to three organizations at its annual Democracy Award Dinner in Washington, D.C., entitled “Disinformation vs. Democracy: Fighting for Facts” - June 2018: Ressa was the recipient of the World Association of Newspapers’s Golden Pen of Freedom Award for her work with Rappler - December 2018: Ressa was included in Time’s Person of the Year 2018, as one of “The Guardians”, a collection of journalists
from around the world combating the “War on Truth”. Ressa is the second Filipino to receive the title after former President Corazon Aquino in 1986. - April 2019: Ressa was included in Time’s 100 Most Influential People in the World - May 2019: Ressa won the Columbia Journalism Award from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, the school’s highest honor, “for the depth and quality of her work, as well as her courage and persistence in the field.” - June 2019 : Ressa received the Canadian Journalism Foundation’s Tribute honour, which recognizes a journalist who has made an impact on the international stage - October 2019: Ressa was named in the list of BBC 100 Women ALL OF THESE achievements and awards did not earn the trust and respect of President Rodrigo Duterte’s allies and supporters. On social media, they are furious about Ressa, called her fake news queen and said she deserves to be in jail along with another Duterte critic, Senator Laila de Lima. They would always post as “proof” Ressa mistakenly stating in an interview with ABC News Australia that ABS-CBN has 11 million employees who will suffer as a result of the shutdown of the network [instead of 11 thousand]. Maria later apologized for this error.
Is the Philippines really independent? Street Talk Greg B. Macabenta ON June 12, 1998, Filipinos the world over commemorated the first centennial of Philippine independence, based on the establishment of the Philippine Republic by Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo on June 12, 1898 from the balcony of his home in Kawit, Cavite. To generate proper observance in America of the centennial, I accepted a pro bono appointment as deputy executive director for the US of the Philippine Centennial Commission. My dear friend, the late Louie Morales, was executive director and former Vice President Salvador “Doy” Laurel was chairman. Both were appointed by President Fidel V. Ramos. Some folks questioned the historical accuracy of the event. They pointed out that the Kawit declaration of independence was never recognized by the United States, which had assumed sovereignty over the Philippines by virtue of
Philstar.com photo
the Treaty of Paris, signed with Spain on December 10, 1898. According to them, Philippine independence was granted by the U.S. on July 4, 1946. Of course, the counter to that was Republic Act 4166, passed during the tenure of President Diosdado Macapagal, which officially recognized Aguinaldo’s Kawit declaration on June 12, 1898 as Araw ng Kalayaan – making this year’s observance the 122nd. However, to avoid any arguments, in the AT&T advertising campaign that I created for the event, I referred to it as the First Centennial of the Declaration of Philippine Independence. I also used the term Araw ng Kasarinlan, which is the more faithful Tagalog equivalent of Independence Day – Araw ng Kalayaan literally means Freedom Day. At any rate, to this day, “Philippine independence” continues to be a favorite topic among nationalists and intellectuals, as well as hair-splitters and corner store philosophers. It is debated on the basis of chronology and terminology, “economic independence” and “military selfsufficiency,” and such esoteric
issues as “freedom from hunger” and “freedom from fear.” Indeed, listening to all the arguments, defining “Philippine independence” can be elusive, just as is the more proper date of its observance. The joke is that who wins the argument often depends on who buys the drinks. I think it will help to set all the issues in historical context. Just as the U.S. did not recognize the Kawit declaration of independence, Aguinaldo and his fellow revolutionaries also refused to recognize the validity of the Treaty of Paris and American sovereignty. They believed they had a good reason for this. On August 23, 1896, Andres Bonifacio and the Katipunan launched the Philippine revolution against Spain. By 1897, Aguinaldo and his forces had begun to wear down the Spaniards. Spain also had its hands full with the Cuban struggle for independence, which started in February 1895. In July 1897, sensing a weakening of the enemy, Aguinaldo declared the Philippine Republic of Biak-na-Bato, framed a Constitution, and issued several
For them, the guilty verdict handed down by Manila court Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montessa on the cyber libel case against Ressa, and former Rappler reporter Rappler Reynaldo Santos Jr. is a reason to celebrate, especially after this verdict followed the shutdown of ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation just a few weeks ago. For Duterte, his allies and supporters, this decision is justice at work, and a vindication for all the critical reporting of both Rappler and ABS-CBN of President Duterte, especially when it comes to his war on drugs and his alliance with the Chinese government. The Duterte adminstration, and especially the president himself, had been very vocal against both news organizations [plus Philippine Inquirer], and had made multiple efforts to threaten their closure both judicially and extra-judicially. For those in the Duterte camp, such relentless critical reporting is fake news and politically motivated, and not an exercise of the free and independent press’ sacred obligation to hold the country’s public officials accountable, especially the President, whose position has been accorded by the Constitution power and public trust that when abused, may again subject the Filipino people to the oppression and tyranny of the Marcos dictatorship. The Duterte administration
has called the public to respect the court’s decision and maintained that Duterte “has never been behind any effort to curtail press freedom in the country.” They contended that this was a case filed by a private citizen who was aggrieved by Rappler and the president does not have a hand on it. But according to an October 2019 report by Rappler, “Duterte gives Wilfredo Keng’s daughter a government post...Patricia C. Keng is appointed member of the Philippine Commission on Women by President Rodrigo Duterte, who claimed he did not know her father, the businessman who filed a cyber libel case against Rappler.” “In an email to Rappler on Tuesday, October 8, PCW confirmed that the ‘Patricia Anne C. Keng’ named PCW member is the same Patricia Keng who ran as a nominee of the Wow Pilipinas party list in the May 2019 elections. This Patricia Keng is the daughter of Wilfredo Keng, as he said in a September 18 affidavit.” Cyber libel case vs Rappler As ABS-CBN News online reported, Rappler CEO Maria Ressa was on Monday, June 15 found guilty of cyber libel over a 2012 article that linked a businessman to alleged illegal activities. In a report before the guilty verdict, Ressa said in jest, “Essentially, if we do lose the case, it would be because someone in
Rappler fixed a typo.” The article in question was published on May 29, 2012 — less than four months BEFORE Republic Act No. 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act was signed into law on September 12, 2012 by former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino. In indicting Ressa, Santos and Rappler in February 2019, the Department of Justice (DOJ) admitted the 2012 article is not covered by the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012, which punishes cyber libel with a heavier penalty. However, the DOJ argued that when the 2012 article was “republished” in February 2014, it became subject to the new Cybercrime law with the correction of the typographical error: from “evaTion” to “evaSion.” To understand this cyber libel case, let me share with you how ABS-CBN explained and reported just before the verdict came out: Malice is an essential element of libel. The general rule under the Revised Penal Code is that “Every defamatory imputation is presumed to be malicious, even if it be true, if no good intention and justifiable motive for making it is shown.” But it provides for 2 exceptions: a private communication in the performance of a legal, moral or social duty; and a fair
demands to the Spanish government, among them, the expulsion of the friars and return of the friar lands to the Filipinos, representation for the Philippines in the Spanish Cortes, freedom of the press and of religion and equality before the law. Feeling the pressure, the Spanish authorities signed the Pact of Biak-na-Bato on December 15, 1897, by which Spain committed to allow the Filipinos self-rule in 3 years, on condition of a cessation of hostilities, exile in Hong Kong for Aguinaldo and the other leaders of the revolution, and payment to them of P800,00 Mexican pesos. But neither party trusted each other. Aguinaldo was not yet done with the revolution, while Spain only gave a partial payment to the revolutionaries and did not seem inclined to pay the balance. Meanwhile America had begun to ask itself why the Europeans appeared to have a monopoly on imperialism. Coining the phrase “Manifest Destiny” – meaning that God wanted it to impart its beneficence across the American continent – America mounted an aggressive expansion, in the process taking over large chunks of Mexico. The U.S. then cast a covetous eye on the Spanish colonies, par-
ticularly nearby Puerto Rico and Cuba. Finding a justification for initiating the Spanish-American War (with the mysterious explosion of the USS Maine, docked in Havana), the U.S. dispatched Commodore George Dewey to attack the Spanish armada in Manila on May 1, 1898. Believing that the U.S. was on their side (he had returned to the Philippines from Hong Kong on board a U.S. warship), Aguinaldo and his forces declared Philippine independence a little over a month later, on June 12, 1898. But the Americans had other plans. Obsessed with their manifest destiny, America signed the Treaty of Paris with Spain on December 10, 1898, paying the latter $20 million to assume colonial control of the Philippines, Cuba, Puerto Rico and Guam. The Philippines thus became a colony of the United States. Having fought Spain, the Filipinos found themselves fighting the United States in what the U.S. characterized as a “Philippine insurrection” and what Filipino historians refer to as the Philippine-American War. Of course, history is invariably written from the point-of-view of the victors. Even Aguinaldo had to acknowledge American dominance. On April 1, 1901, he
swore allegiance to the United States. America turned out to be a benign colonizer. It established a civil government, appointed Filipinos to high office, including Cayetano Arellano as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, sent Filipino pensionados to the U.S., and set up an American-style educational system with American teachers (known as the Thomasites, because they came over on board the USS Thomas). Then in 1935, the U.S. established the Philippine Commonwealth. Filipinos trooped to the polls to elect Manuel L. Quezon as President and Sergio Osmeña as Vice President. Members of the National Assembly, a unicameral Legislature, were also elected at the time. This was supposed to be in preparation for granting independence to the Philippines. But that plan was aborted by the Japanese occupation of the Philippines. Thus, it was not until after the Japanese had been defeated that the U.S. turned its attention to the matter of an independent Philippines. On July 4, 1946, coinciding with America’s own independence day, the U.S. granted independence to the Philippines. But
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D ateline Philippines DOE chief: We need anti-terror bill to save PH by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
PHILIPPINE Secretary Alfonso Cusi on Tuesday, June 16, insisted that President Rodrigo Duterte’s signing of the proposed anti-terrorism bill will benefit the whole country. “We need this anti-terrorism law to save our country. We need it to combat the terrorists who are hiding behind the human rights law to propagate their activities,” he said during the second quarter meeting of the Regional Peace and Order Council (ROPC) of Region IV-B MIMAROPA (Mindoro-Marinduque-Romblon-Palawan) via Zoom. “Kailangan naman natin talaga (we really need this) to make our region, and also our country, peaceful. We need to have a law that will also help us achieve peace,” he added. Cusi expressed hope that Duterte will sign the bill as it will “ensure a safer future for our
ately. I would like to say that we really have to support its passage. It is long overdue,” he said. Malacañang, meanwhile, has said Duterte will be waiting for the vetting process to be finished before deciding whether to sign or veto the anti-terrorism bill. The DOJ on Tuesday confirmed it has finished its review of the bill and was in the process of drafting its comments to be submitted to the president. “To the extent possible, we have considered the operational needs of the government in dealing with terrorism as well as our Philippine Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi PNA photo international commitments, without losing sight of the legal and next generation.” He also urged the council to constitutional parameters within help correct the misconceptions which all state actions should be circumscribed,” Justice Secabout the bill by speaking up. “So we need to speak up and retary Menardo Guevarra said really have this bill passed into Wednesday. He also said that the DOJ kept law,” Cusi stressed. RPOC chairman Alvarez, for his in mind “for whom and against whom the anti-terror bill was part, echoed Cusi’s sentiments. “We are going to request Pres- crafted” while reviewing the ident Duterte to sign it immedi- measure. n
United States bares lab training for virus tests in PH military hospital by Frances
Mangosing Philstar.com
THE United States government has recently given training on coronavirus testing in the Philippines, the U.S. Embassy in Manila said. The U.S. Department of Defense’s Philippines-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS) Virology Research Unit (PAVRU) trained four medical lab technologists at the V. Luna Medical Center, the Philippine military’s biggest medical facility, from June 1 to 12, the embassy said in a statement on Wednesday, June 17. The technologists were trained on biosafety, biosecurity, respiratory sample processing and storage and coronavirus testing techniques. PAVRU has worked with the AFP in the past since the 2009 H1N1 bird flu pandemic, the embassy said.
The U.S. Department of Defense’s Philippines-Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences (AFRIMS) Virology Research Unit (PAVRU) trained four medical lab technologists at the V. Luna Medical Center, the Philippine military’s biggest medical facility, from June 1 to 12. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Embassy in Manila
During the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, PAVRU gave support to AFP personnel at the V. Luna Medical Center in the form of supplies that included reagents and lab chemicals and also access to equipment and guidance in molecular test-
ing. PAVRU also offered technical guidance in the design and renovation of the V. Luna Medical Center’s testing laboratory. V. Luna Medical Center has completed 3,000 COVID-19 tests with the help of PAVRU. n
Is the Philippines really...
PAGE 5 this had several strings attached, such as retention of US military bases and parity rights for US citizens and corporations over the country’s natural resources, among other onerous conditions. An article by Alan Berlow in the Los Angeles Times described the event as “The Independence Day That Wasn’t.” Filipino nationalists eventually persuaded President Diosdado Macapagal to designate June 12, 1898 as Philippine Independence Day, by virtue of Republic Act 4166. July 4th has since been
nominally observed as Philippine-American Friendship Day. But it would take more decades before the other strings, such as the presence of the U.S. military bases, could be untied. Even now, the Philippines is said to be attached to America, in the economic and military context. This prompted author Leon Wolff to call the Philippines, America’s Little Brown Brother in his book of the same title. Does that make Philippine independence “not genuine”? Like the proverbial fellow who is “a legend in his own mind,” is Philippine in-
dependence only in our mind? But then, in a world dominated by the global powers, including an emerging China, how are we to characterize the smaller countries in Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia that depend on the giants? And what about Israel? Are these countries also not independent? That is obviously another topic for hair-splitters and corner store philosophers to argue over. Of course, whoever buys the drinks wins. *** (gregmacabenta@hotmail.com)
Maria Ressa found guilty of cyber libel...
PAGE 5 and true report, in good faith, without any comments or remarks. The defense said the article was a “fair and true report without any additional personal defamatory statements” and that they merely quoted an intelligence report and a report from the Philippine Star. But the prosecution said the intelligence report cited was “unconfirmed” and Mr. Keng was not asked about his supposed involvement in murder, human trafficking, sale of illegal drugs or illegal smuggling. They also took issue with the statement: “The document also said Keng was involved in a murder case for which he was ‘never jailed.’ It could be referring to the death of Manila Councilor Chika Go in 2002 where Keng had been identified as a mastermind.” The last sentence, they said, is a comment and not a fair and true report. The prosecution also said Rappler did not take down the story and did not publish a new story based on Keng’s evidence. The defense said an article was drafted but due to an editorial decision, the subsequent article was not published. They also said Keng’s side was published in the published article. The judge convicted Ressa and Santos but not Rappler. They could face between six months and six years in prison and must also pay almost $8,000 in damages, the court ruled. After handing down the guilty verdict, Judge Rainelda Estacio-Montesa said “freedom of the press could not be used as a “shield”. As Reuters reported, “the court ruling said Rappler showed “actual malice” for not publishing at least a clarification after Keng complained.
Ressa and Santos will remain on bail they previously posted and have been given 15 days to consider their next move, according to their counsel, former Supreme Court spokesman Theodore Te, in the ABS-CBN News report. “Obviously legal steps forward would include questioning the decision and the appropriate proceeding. We still have to meet, we’ll have to go over the decision carefully,” he said. Rappler issued a statement after the verdict: This decision is historic. It was handed down during a pandemic, with community quarantine restrictions still in place. It is the first verdict on one of the many court cases lodged against Rappler since President Rodrigo Duterte became president in 2016. It comes just 3 days after the country commemorated its 122nd year of independence. And it convicts a journalist, Maria Ressa – among TIME Magazine’s 2018 Person the Year awardees – and a former researcher-writer Rey Santos Jr over a case built on flimsy ground: a corrected typographical error. They used it as basis to make an incredible claim about “republication” of an article that was, in truth, published before the cybercrime law was enacted. This creative reinterpretation and twisting of the law became grounds to prosecute this case, filed 5 long years after the publication of a story about the late former chief justice Renato Corona and his ties to businessman Wilfredo Keng. Today’s verdict sets a dangerous precedent not only for journalists but for everyone online. It weakens the ability of journalists to hold power to account as the one-year prescription period
of libel is extended to 12 years. Even before the cybercrime law took effect, Filipino journalists and press freedom advocates had been pushing for the decriminalization of libel. This ruling, coupled with the cybercrime law, has made the space for a free press, free speech, and free expression even tighter and narrower. The decision today marks not the rule of law, but the rule of law twisted to suit the interests of those in power who connive to satisfy their mutually beneficial personal and political agenda. Today marks diminished freedom and more threats to democratic rights supposedly guaranteed by the Philippine Constitution, especially in the context of a looming anti-terrorism law. We call on our media colleagues, our community, and other advocates of a free and independent press to be vigilant and vocal now more than ever. This is not just about Maria or Rey or Rappler. This is about fundamental rights of every citizen who refuses to be intimidated by the powerful who do wrong and whom they dare criticize and expose. Journalists are not exempt from the law. We are law-abiding citizens too. Despite the rage in our hearts, we will follow the judicial process and elevate the case to the Court of Appeals and, if need be, to the Supreme Court. #CourageOn #DefendPressFreedom #HoldTheLine *** 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.
WEEKLY MEETING. President Rodrigo Duterte holds a meeting with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) at the Malago Clubhouse in Malacañang on Monday, June 15. Malacañang photo by Robinson Niñal
Tycoon Danding Cojuangco dies at 85 by Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
BUSINESS tycoon Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco Jr. on Tuesday, June 16, passed away at the age of 85. The chairman and chief executive officer of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) died of pneumonia and heart failure before 11 p.m. at the St. Luke’s Medical Center. “San Miguel announces the passing of its chairman and chief executive officer, Mr. Eduardo M. Cojuangco Jr. on the evening of June 16, 2020,” the conglomerate said. “His vision for San Miguel – to be a beacon of hope for the Philippines and a partner in nationbuilding – remains at the core of everything we do,” it added. Cojuangco was ranked by Forbes as the 15th richest man in the Philippines and 2,048th in the world, with a net worth of $1.1 billion (about 55 billion). Aside from SMC, he was also the chairman of Ginebra San Miguel Inc.; San Miguel Food and Beverage, Inc.; Petron Corporation; ECJ & Sons Agricultural Enterprises, Inc., and Northern Cement Corporation. Cojuangco also delved into politics. He founded the Nation-
Danding Cojuangco
Philstar.com
alist People’s Coalition (NPC) in 1992, and ran for president under his political party. He ultimately lost to Fidel Ramos. Prior to that, he served as the governor of Tarlac from 1967 to 1969. Malacañang on Wednesday, June 17, sent its condolences to the family. “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mr. Eduardo ‘Danding’ Cojuangco, Jr.,” Pres-
idential Spokesperson Harry Roque said. “Mr. Cojuangco, through his San Miguel Corporation, where he served as its chairman of the board and chief executive officer, had immense contribution to the socioeconomic development of the Philippines through the company’s operations in food, beverages, energy, power, oil refining, and infrastructure,” he added. Communications Secretary Martin Andanar, in a separate statement, said: “Mr. Cojuangco was vital to San Miguel Corp.’s success as a conglomerate and its pursuit of socioeconomic progress for the Philippines through its diversified corporate endeavors.” The Philippine Basketball Association also paid tribute to Cojuangco, who owned San Miguel Beermen, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, and Magnolia Hotshots in the league. “Chairman and CEO of San Miguel Corp., politician, diplomat, businessman, team owner, sports patron… Thank you for your countless contribution to the PBA and sports!” the association said in a tweet. “Our prayers and condolences to his family and loved ones. Requiescat in pace!” it added. n
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June 18-24, 2020 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
Journal Stella Abrera, the first Fil-Am principal Actress Hailee Steinfeld’s show dancer of the American Ballet Theatre, ’Dickinson’ wins Peabody Award retires after 24-year career By Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
By Christina
M. Oriel
AJPress
Stella Abrera, the first Filipino American principal dancer of the American Ballet Theatre, has retired after 24 years with the classical ballet company. Under coronavirus-free circumstances, 42-year-old Abrera’s farewell performance would have been the title role of “Giselle” at the Metropolitan Opera House in New York on June 13. “I always thought my heart
Stella Abrera
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would break on this day, and it’s true that it does ache, but I see now that it’s because my heart is so full—it’s bursting with love and gratitude for everyone who has made this twisty, exhilarating, colorful journey I’ve been on, one of which dreams are made,” Abrera wrote in an Instagram post on Monday, June 15. “ABT will forever be in my heart—thank you and farewell.” Her last performance with the company was “Giselle” at the Kennedy Center in Washington,
D.C. in February. Abrera was named artistic director for Kaatsbaan, a cultural park for dance in Tivoli, New York, earlier this year. “As the artistic director of Kaatsbaan, I began a summer coaching and training initiative for young professional dancers in the ranks of apprentice to year five corps de ballet. This demographic is kind of a waiting area. They’re paying their dues. I offer two weeks for a small group to work on the pas de deux and solos that they don’t really get to work on during their season. I ask them to choose one dream role, like Juliet or Odette/Odile, and then I also ask them to pick a solo that’s within the realm of their next possible step, such as the Swan Lake pas de trois,” she told Dance Magazine in a recent interview. The youngest of five children, Abrera and her family moved from the Philippines to South Pasadena, California when she was 4 years old. A year later, she took her first ballet class and has been dancing ever since. The family moved often because of her father’s work as a civil engineer, which also brought them to San Diego and Sydney, Australia. She began her studies with Philip and Charles Fuller and Cynthia Young at Le Studio in Pasadena and continued it at the West Coast Ballet Theatre in San Diego when they moved there. She also spent three years studying the Royal Academy of Dancing method with Joan and Monica Halliday at the Halliday Dance Centre in Sydney. In 1996 at the age of 17, she joined the ABT as a member of the corps de ballet after being an apprentice for a few months.
Photo from Instagram/@stellaabreradetsky
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THE Apple TV+ original series “Dickinson,” starring 23-yearold Hailee Steinfeld, recently garnered a Peabody Award for Entertainment. The series, of which Steinfeld also serves as executive producer, is a historical comedy-drama that revisits the world of famous American poet Emily Dickinson. It also explores the poet’s romantic feelings for best friend Sue Gilbert (Ella Hunt). “I am so proud to be part of a show that is about such an important woman in history who was way ahead of her time,” Steinfeld said in her acceptance speech, which was posted on her Twitter account on Wednesday, June 10. She continued, “I’m even more proud to be part of a show that is about fighting for what you believe is right, a show that is about seeing and being seen and understood, and a show that is about seeing everyone as equal.” The series debuted in November 2019 and was immediately renewed for a second season to be released later this year. “Creator Alena Smith lovingly and playfully embraces anachronism, bringing a contemporary sense, sensibility, and soundtrack to 19th-century New England and the world of poet Emily Dickinson. Hailee Steinfeld offers a standout performance in a show that excels at being fun while crackling with energy and wild originality,” praised the Peabody Awards. Steinfeld stressed the importance of shedding a light on marginalized stories and to fight for equality. “I believe we must continue to shine a light and celebrate the stories of those who are marginalized and oppressed because by doing so we’re forced
Hailee Steinfeld stars as Emily Dickinson in Apple TV+’s “Dickinson.” Photo courtesy of Apple
to think critically about how far we’ve come but how far we still have to go,” she said, adding, “Their stories matter and it’s so important that we continue to shine a light on these stories and fight for equality.” “Dickinson” is one of the 10 shows recognized by the awardgiving body, beating out almost 1,300 entries from television, radio, podcasts, and other forms of digital media. “The Peabody Awards has named 30 programs as the most compelling and empowering stories released in broadcasting and digital media during 2019… The Peabody 30 are the best of nearly 1,300 entries submitted from television, radio/podcasts, and the web across the genres of entertainment, news, documentary, children’s and public
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service programming,” said Peabody Executive Director Jeffrey P. Jones in a statement. He added, “This year’s winners are a vibrant collective of inspiring, innovative, and powerful stories. True to the spirit and legacy of Peabody, our winners are also distinguished by the presence and resilience of many emerging and diverse voices.” Steinfeld, who was nominated for an Oscar at the age of 14 for her performance in “True Grit” (2010), traces her Filipino heritage back to her maternal grandfather, Ricardo Domasin, who was half-Filipino. Aside from her acting career, Steinfeld is a multi-platinum recording artist and released an EP entitled “Half Written Story” in May.
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Health@Heart Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS COVID-19 stat update Globally (as of June 16, 2020, 16:11 GMT): 8,169,122, deaths 440,544, new cases - 60,455, new deaths, 1,948; USA: 2,189,253, deaths - 118,122, new cases 6,303 new deaths, 233 ; Philippines: 26,781, deaths - 1,103, new cases 361, new deaths, 5; China: 83,221, deaths - 4,634, new cases - 40, new deaths – 0; and counting, involving 213 countries. The “new” stats are for the previous 24 hours (as of June 16, 2020, 16:11 GMT). China’s reported figures may not be reliable. A few weeks ago, we wrote that a new wave of COVID-19 could emerge, if we, the people, did not behave wisely and properly. Recent resurgence and spikes have led to re-imposition of new lockdown in many cities/countries around the world resulting from lack of discipline and breach of the COVID-19 guidelines by people (crowd formation, not using masks, and not doing social distancing), aggravated by unruly protests and demonstrations. People’s behavior is the sole determinant of whether there would be more waves of COVID-19 forthcoming, besides the present resurgence and when this pandemic will ultimately end. If this tragedy worsens or lingers, only we, the people, the one and sole potential spreader of this virus, singularly deserve the blame. Jogging causes injuries In the 60s and 70s, jogging was considered the best form of exercise to attain physical fitness. We have enough medical information today to show that jogging has many attendant injuries to the hip joints, ankle joints, back, etc. from the constant jarring, complications which will manifest years down the line. Regular ambulation to brisk walking, depending on the ability and tolerance of the individual, is now the preferred form of physical exercise for cardiovascular fitness. Walking confers the same benefits, minus the injuries seen among joggers. Check with your physician before embarking on an exercise regimen. Harmful herbal products Most herbal products have not been scientifically investigated the same way all western drugs on the market have been studied
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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • June 18-24, 2020
Medical tips and pearls New feature in My Social Security puts you in control and tested. Not all herbal medicines are dangerous but many have been shown to cause kidney failure, liver failure, cancer, clot blockages in the kidney veins, seizures, etc. Some of them have caused deaths. Not too long ago a Chinese herb known as Aristolochia fangchi or A. fangchi was linked to kidney failure and urinary cancer. This herb is used in Chinese medicine to treat asthma. A. fangchi is also an ingredient in a Belgian weight-loss formulation, where the linkage was discovered. This was not the first time where herbal medicines have caused severe, if not fatal, complications. The problem is that these herbal products are marketed as food supplements, thereby escaping the strict scientific scrutiny and testing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration routinely subject all drugs submitted for FDA approval before they are sold to the public. Hundreds of herbal preparations flood the market with medically unfounded and ridiculous claims (with money-back guarantee) as effective agents for practically all diseases known to man – weight reduction, sexual potency, anti-aging, enlarging female breasts, or penis, etc. Unfortunately, there are enough victims out there who are willing to part with their money, falling prey to the unscrupulous entrepreneurs of this multi-billion-dollar industry. Strategy to sleep better Statistics reveal that over 100 million people in the United States do not regularly get a good night’s sleep, and that about another 33 million have occasional sleepless nights. Sleep is very important for a healthy body and mind. Adults need 8 full hours of sleep and teenagers about 9 to 10 hours. Some helpful tips from the Mayo Clinic Sleep Disorder Center: (1) Stick to a schedule; don’t sleep late on weekends; (2) Don’t eat or drink a lot before bedtime; (3) Avoid caffeine and nicotine; (4) Exercise in the afternoon; (5) Slightly cool room is ideal for sleep; (6) Sleep only at night; don’t take afternoon naps; (7) Keep the bedroom dark and quiet, since darkness and silence is more conducive to sleep; (8) Make your bed comfortable; (9) Take a hot shower or bath before going to bed; and, (10) Do NOT rely on sleeping pills, some of which are “habit-forming” and have side effects
Breast cancer risks Some of the important risk factors include: smoking; having a mother, sister or daughter with history of having breast cancer; having a first birth at age 30 or older; having had previous breast cancer; having breast diseases that predispose to breast cancer; laboratory evidence of a specific genetic mutation or change that increases the susceptibility to breast cancer. In the U.S., about 180,000 new cases of breast cancer was diagnosed in 1997. The risk increases with age. About 80% of breast cancer occur in women 50 and older. It is uncommon under 40 but the risk is especially high among women who are over the age 60. Regular medical breast examination and mammography (yearly or every two years depending on your physician’s advice) will help a lot in early detection and cure. Causes of acne There are main risk factors that lead to the development of acne: hormonal changes, especially among teenagers; build-up of bacteria (lack of proper hygiene), overproduction of oil, and irregular shedding of dead skins cells, some birth control pills, fatty diet, stress, medications like cortisones, greasy cosmetics. Selfcare includes washing and keeping your face and skin clean with a lot of cool (not warm) water and using acne lotion but not astringents and facial scrubs; avoiding skin irritants like oily acne concealers, greasy cosmetics, sunscreens, masks; keeping hair off your face; avoiding picking or squeezing blemishes. If your meticulous and careful personal regimen does not improve the situation after a couple of months, or if the problem gets worse, seek dermatologic consultation. Vegan diet Vegans (pronounced VEEguns) are vegetarians – people who do not eat meat or meat products, poultry or fish. Their diet consists mainly of plantbased foods, such as vegetables, fruits grains, legumes (peas and beans), nuts and seeds. This might be carrying it a bit too far. For a healthy meatless (no pork, no beef) diet, we suggest the addition of fish, which has Omega-3 oil that is good for the heart, and daily multivitamin-mineral complex. Those who do not eat red meat (pork and beef, etc.) and eggs, whose diet includes only fish, vegetables and fruits, have been found to have 50% lower
THE future can be uncertain. However, Social Security’s new Advance Designation program can help put you in control of your benefits if a time comes when you need a representative payee to help manage your money. Advance Designation enables you to identify up to three people, in priority order, whom you would like to serve as your potential representative payee. The following people may choose an Advance Designation: • Adults applying for benefits who do not have a representative payee.
• Adult beneficiaries or recipients who do not have a representative payee. • Emancipated minors applying for benefits who do not have a representative payee. • Emancipated minor beneficiaries or recipients who do not have a representative payee. If you fall into one of the above categories, you may provide and update Advance Designation information when you: • File a claim for benefits online. • Use the application available in your personal my Social Secu-
rity account at www.ssa.gov/myaccount. • Call us at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). You may also change your Advance Designation(s), including the priority order, at any time while you are still capable of making your own decisions. In the event that you can no longer make your own decisions, you and your family will have peace of mind knowing you already chose someone you trust to manage your benefits. (Annie Walters/Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Nevada)
City of Las Vegas welcomes back sports leagues to city fields Reopening now In effect following Phase 2 safety guidelines THE city of Las Vegas has reopened sports fields for organized adult and youth sports. Both adult and youth organizations that have permits may utilize the fields provided the state of Nevada and the CDC social distancing requirements are followed. Permitted adult sports activities include prac-
tices, games and tournaments. Youth sports are also limited to only permitted user groups. The city currently is working on plans for the reopening of community centers and other facilities and programs; additional details will be provided as those facilities become available. Visit www.lasvegas-
nevada.gov/welcomeback for the most up-to-date reopening information for the city of Las Vegas. The city is currently in the fall allocation process. If you are interested in reserving fields or need more information, please call 702-229-PLAY (7529).
death rates from cardiovascular diseases, and 25% to 50% lower death rates from cancer. 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 diagno-
sis, recommendation or treatment in our article are general medical information and not intended to be applicable or appropriate for anyone. This column is not a substitute for your physician, who knows your condition well and who is your best ally when it comes to your health.
*** Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United NetworkUSA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com; Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com.
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June 18-24, 2020 • LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL
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Lea trends on Twitter for PH politics rant By Ritchel
Mendiola AJPress
INTERNATIONALLY-acclaimed singer Lea Salonga on Tuesday, June 16, trended on Twitter after airing her frustration over the country’s current political climate. “Dear Pilipinas, p***** ina, ang hirap mong mahalin (Dear Philippines, f**k, you’re hard to love),” she wrote on Facebook on Monday, June 15. While the singer did not specify the cause of her outburst, she was seen leaving comments on a post about the country’s “rotten” system made by Constitutional Reformist ad-
Lea Salonga
vocate and Correct Movement founder Orion Perez. “I want to think fixing the system is possible still, albeit difficult. But we may now be beyond that point,” Lea said. She continued in a separate comment, saying: “Here’s my problem... I don’t possess a lot of trust in the things I see and read, even if and when the sources are supposed to be those in which we should be able to have unquestionable trust. Second, I house a conspiracy theorist in my head, one that I do try to quell in order to stay focused on the long game. Third, there is always a sense of fear that if anyone pisses off the
wrong guy, one can get shot in broad daylight.” “Criticism of one’s government shouldn”t be considered an expression of hatred, but one of love and a desire to see the country succeed. I would like to think that in a functioning democracy, this should never be anyone’s fear, that their criticism would land them in jail, or worse, a corpse lying on a curb,” Lea wrote in another comment. The current “The Voice Philippines” coach also shared an article about an exhibition of the clothes women wore when they were sexually assaulted or raped. “This needs to be reposted. There is no dress code for rape. Stop blaming victims for crimes done against them. Sole responsibility should be on the rapist. Full stop,” she said. Her statement was in response to the controversial â”advice” made by a Quezon province police station that urged women to dress appropriately to avoid being sexually assaulted. Lea’s posts and comments spurned her fans to trend “I stand with Lea Salonga” on Twitter, showing their solidarity with her. “Do you remember the time when we needed the RH bill passed? Lea was at the forefront of the artists industry who advocated for it. She has always been sensible. Others just refused to see it. I STAND WITH LEA SALONGA,” one netizen tweeted. “Celebs are bound to say things not everyone will like. SHE’S NOT PERFECT. BUT THIS, RIGHT HERE, IS REAL ACTIVISM IN SUPPORT OF OUR RIGHTS. LISTEN CLOSELY. This is not just the voice of a world-class singerit’s also the voice of a concerned citizen. I STAND WITH LEA SALONGA,” another one said. Lea, in response, tweeted: “To everyone that has my back, thank you. You have my appreciation. I ABS-CBN photo am very grateful.”
Aubrey, Troy talk homeschooling, Father’s Day during lockdown By Ratziel
San Juan Philstar.com
AHEAD of the Father’s Day celebration this coming Sunday, celebrity couple Aubrey Miles and Troy Montero gave some advice for parents now seeing more of their kids around the house due to the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. With the lockdown in place, Aubrey and Troy need to keep an eye out for their now-collegestudent and eldest son Maurie, younger son Hunter who’s in the sixth grade and one-year-old daughter Rocket. Homeschooling “With us, we have a college student now. So he’s doing his own thing. He has to be on his own, lock his room, so we have nothing to do with it. He’ll just say, ‘Mom, food, water’,” Aubrey shared in an exclusive interview with Philstar.com organized by Tuason Racing. Maurie has continued with online courses and has relatively adjusted. “You know, it’s funny because when the school year ended for him... they would continue with the online courses and things like that. And he would complain and go it’s different but you
know everyone has to adjust. He actually lives in a dorm so that’s totally changed. It’s great that he’s always home now because usually he just comes home on the weekends but he’s been able to adjust quite a bit, a bit easily,” Troy recalled. According to both parents, Hunter has had a more difficult time adjusting due to the lack of face-to-face interaction and guidance from teachers. “But for the younger one, I think it’s definitely harder because even though they use tablets instead of school books, the online thing is really quite difficult,” Troy relayed. “It’s quite an adjustment especially since they really do need the teachers there to explain things and to walk through with them at that age wherein if it’s just worksheets or it’s just let’s say looking at our tablet, you know of course when you’re that age you’re gonna have a lot of questions so that just falls back to mommy and daddy. And then we’re like, ‘Oh my God, when’s the last time we did like this kind of math?’” Aubrey added that there are a lot more distractions like toys and television in the home setting.
Tuscan Highlands becomes first multi-family residential development to open esports gaming venue Developer implements trend-setting action to meet growing esports demand
LAS VEGAS—June 11, 2020– Las Vegas’ newest multi-family residential development, Tuscan Highlands, is defining a new trend in residential experiences by providing an on-site esports and gaming lounge, a move not seen before in Las Vegas or other markets. Tuscan Highlands’ social living community is providing a 4,500-sqaure-foot space for esports tournaments and casual gaming. A haven for career or leisure gamers, players can enjoy many aspects, including: 12 computer stations, 11’ x 7’ ultra HD LED displays; a virtual reality multi-sport simulator with 15’ x 9’ display for golf, hockey and soccer; individual gaming stations equipped with Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One consoles; arcade games; a YouTube/podcast recording studio, and more. The lounge provides seating accommodations for 75-100 people. Taking on challenging battles with ease, players can level up their comfort in the “Karnox Gladiator” – the official chair of Tuscan Highlands’ esports and gaming lounge. An elite choice in gaming chairs, the multifunctional Gladiator offers players a 4D arm and height adjustability, up to 155 degrees in reclining options, and vegan-friendly leather for easy uptake and prolonged durability. It is also the only chair to feature a built-in
“So dito we have to be quiet, turn off everything, need to do this, so lahat kami we need to participate also, we have to support.” Troy said that setting aside time to help out their younger son was crucial given the circumstances. “And I’ll be honest, we’re still kind of weighing what we’re going to do. I mean obviously there is no face to face school right now for him. It would be online. So we’re kind of looking at options right now because...he has to continue with his lessons but it’s just so different. I don’t wanna be also in a rush...We’ll just take it day by day.” Father’s Day Aubrey said that the family will still stay home on Father’s Day even as quarantine measures relax. “We are not planning to go out just because it’s open now, you can go out. We’re still gonna stay home, we’re still happy here, we’re planning to celebrate our Father’s Day here.” Her message to Troy for Father’s Day? “Get whatever you want. Thank you for being patient to me and to the whole family. Thank you for making me happy, the most happy with you, never change. And I love you. Face to face ‘yun ah.” The lucky man, meanwhile, advised other dads to be proactive when it comes their families. “I’m not saying you have to be the boss, but you really need to take control of your house in whatever role you need. Whether it’s being a tutor for the kids or whether you’re helping mom or Jennylyn Mercado GMA photo staying out of her way, you just have to try to be that glue of the house that makes it all stick and makes everything still together.” He confessed that he’s been by Honey Orio-Escullar trying his best to be that “glue” Philstar.com for his own family and hopes BECAUSE of the pandemic, that the crisis could at least bring Kyline Alcantara might postpone them closer together. her “Maleficent-inspired” debut “Because you know I think... in September and her 18th-birthone day when all this goes over, I day gift to herself, a vacation in think I want my house to be better Bali, Indonesia. for it. And all of us to you know, “It can wait until all of this is if we got closer, maybe there’s a over,” she told The Star in an chance we even love each other e-mail interview. “Syempre we even more because of what has don’t want to take a risk hanghappened.” gang wala pang vaccine. It’s better to stay indoors talaga unless you have important things to do like work.” She can’t wait for the day when reach the elite ballet company’s she can resume work on the TV adaptation of Bilangin ang Bituin highest rank. “To be honest, it’s mostly the sa Langit which also stars Nora feeling of responsibility, to help Aunor and Mylene Dizon. “We were about to tape some inspire the next generation of dancers not only Filipinos but all crucial scenes when the lockof them. It warms my heart to see down was imposed. I know that these young Filipina dancers on the GMA executives and the prosocial media saying that I inspire duction people are now crafting them. That’s very heartwarming, the guidelines and protocols for and it’s a responsibility that I am the safety and security of the arthappy to take on,” she previously ists, plus the staff and crew. It is better to be safe,” Kyline said, told the Asian Journal.
headrest pillow. Developed by nationally recognized consultants and industry experts, the venue’s collaboration is sparked from the minds who brought Hyper X at The Luxor, LVL UP Expo and UNLV’s own Robert Rippee, director of the Hospitality Lab at the International Gaming Institute. “We are immensely excited about this project and developing it in a residential Las Vegas venue,” said Milo Ocampo, founder of UNLV Esports and CEO of 8-bit Esports. “This is not your average gaming lounge. The developer took his time to really understand gamers and what it means to integrate esports into a trend-setting living environment.” Tentatively scheduled to open in July, the lounge will be open to residents and also for tournaments. A place where creatives, curators, social-seekers, gamers and tech enthusiasts can succeed together, Tuscan Highlands’ unparalleled community takes a front seat on next-generation apartment living, putting the residents in control of their own social experiences. Tuscan Highlands is home to 304 units, including one- to two-bedroom, studio and loftstyle apartment homes, as well as carriage-style living quarters with an attached garage. Units range from 503 to 1,341 square
feet. The destination’s additional amenities include concierge services, a 21,000 + square-foot resort hall complete with a health club and fitness studios; a spa and salon; resort-style saltwater pool with cabanas; outdoor athletics and multi-use courts and more. Managed by Pinnacle Property Management, Tuscan Highlands is currently leasing apartment homes and scheduling virtual tours. For more information, visit www.tuscanhighlandslasvegas. com or call (833) 303-1745 to be connected with a leasing agent. About Tuscan Highlands Nestled on the southwest corner of St. Rose Parkway and Interstate 15 in Las Vegas’ Southern Highlands community, Tuscan Highlands is the new standard of resort-style living. Dubbed the poshest playground in town, the property offers residents a variety of notable amenities and services, including lifestyle, health and well-being programs, onsite concierge, esport/gaming lounges, an indoor/ outdoor restaurant, resort-style saltwater pool and spa, outdoor athletic courts and much more. The wellness-driven community boasts extraordinary experiences, pledging its residents ‘don’t have to leave.’ For more information, visit www.tuscanhighlandslasvegas.com, or stay connected on social media via Facebook and Instagram.
‘Rape exists because of rapists’: Jennylyn takes stand vs victim shaming by Jan
Milo Severo Philstar.com
ACTRESS Jennylyn Mercado is the latest celebrity to take a stand against rape and victim shaming. In her official Facebook page, the “Descendant of the Sun” actress said victim blaming should be abolished. “Victim Blaming. Nakaugalian na ng ibang tao sisihin ang isang rape victim. Kasalanan daw nila dahil sa galaw o suot nila. Pasensya na po, but this thinking is backwards,” Jennylyn said. She added: “Rape exists because of rapists.” “Paano ninyo mairarason ang mga biktima na mga bata at matanda na hindi naman na-
kasuot ng sinsabing ‘sexy na pananamit’? Walang pamantayan ng pananamit ang rape at sexual harrasment,” she stressed. She explained that the only person that needs to blamed for the rape is the rapist. “No. You don’t blame the victim for choosing to be ‘malandi’ in your eyes. For choosing to wear revealing outfits. For choosing to put herself in a dangerous position. For being at the wrong place and time (madilim na lugar at gabi),” Jennylyn said. “There is no reason whatsoever that can justify a person getting sexually assaulted and no excuse for the assailant to commit the act. Blame the person who chose and chooses to rape her.”
Kyline puts debut on hold
Aubrey Miles with Troy Montero
Photo from Instagram/@troymontero
Stella Abrera, the first Fil-Am principal... PAGE 8 Five years later, she was promoted as a soloist. “I am so lucky. I had this dream to be a ballerina when I was a little girl and I grew up and became one. Not everyone has that luck, timing wise, but I worked hard and I am grateful,” Abrera said in 2016, as reported by the Asian Journal. The Fil-Am dancer suffered a crippling back injury in 2010
that threatened to end her blossoming career and sidelined her for 18 months. She returned to the stage and got injured again before recovering and taking the stage six months later. Abrera debuted in the title role of “Giselle” in 2015 after she filled in for an injured dancer. She then made history when she ascended to a principal dancer role soon after, becoming the first person of Filipino descent to
adding that while she already misses acting, she’s thankful that she can showcase her craft in singing and dancing via the online edition of All-Out Sundays. “Somehow kumportable naman po ako mag-perform online, but iba pa rin po kasi yung may audience na nagpa-participate at nakakahalubilo ninyo kasi nakakapagpa-hype pa rin yun ng performance namin. But, we don’t want to put them at risk and we need to abide sa guidelines na ini-implement so for now, virtual hugs po at high five muna kami with the audiences.” Meantime, you can see Kyline in the rerun of Kambal, Karibal (KK) on GMA 7, the show that made her a star to be reckoned with. “(I feel) nostalgic. ‘Kambal, Karibal’ will always have a special place in my heart. Utang na loob ko sa KK kung ano man ang meron ako ngayon. Every moment I had on that show was the best for me.” While on lockdown, Kyline
Kyline Alcantara
Philstar.com photo
grabbed the chance to learn new things like cooking, baking and playing the guitar. “I realized na marami pa pala akong hindi alam sa buhay gaya ng pagluluto or learning a new talent like playing the guitar. Carpe diem! Seize the day and make the most out of it. I believe that life is wonderful and beautiful if you keep it the way God wants you to enjoy life.” She also took advantage of her free time to visit her grandparents in Bicol before the ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) was implemented.
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LAS VEGAS ASIAN JOURNAL • June 18-24, 2020
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