Weekend Balita (Los Angeles edition) April 3, 2021

LOS ANGELES EDITION

Gov’t cautioned vs using antigen testing for COVID-19 screening PAGE 19 VOL. XXX NO. 14

Saturday-Friday | April 3 - 9, 2021

THE LEADING SOURCE OF NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR FELLOW FILIPINO-AMERICANS

aSIaN amERICaNS HoLD RaLLY aND VIgIL IN CaRSoN To ComBaT HaTE aND VIoLENCE

By CHRISTIAN ESTEBAN

ASIAN Americans gathered in front of the Carson City Hall on Sunday (march 28) where they held a demonstration and denounced violence against their communities.

The rally was organized by the Alliance Against Asian Hate (AAAH) and was participated by local elected officials.

Political and community leaders from South Bay area condemned the alarming rise of incidents of violence against Asian Americans who have wrongly accused of the starting and/or spreading the coronavirus pandemic.

More than 3,800 hate incidents have been reported around the country that targeted Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders since the start of the pandemic.

A study from the California State University San Bernardino’s Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism, anti-Asian crimes rose to 149 percent in 16 of the America’s largest cities since March 2020.

ASIAN AMERICANS

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COmmUNITY leaders form a line in front of the Carson City Hall during an anti-Asian hate crimes demonstration last Sunday.

Photo by REN ARRIETA

Archbishop Gomez officiates vigil New rent relief with Asian Americans in Glendale program tries to help

ARCHBISHOP José H. Gomez celebrated an outdoor Prayer Vigil for Racial Acceptance on Holy Wednesday, March 31 at 7 p.m. at Incarnation Parish in Glendale (1001 N. Brand Blvd., Archbishop José H. Gomez TOP STORIES

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Sections BUSINESS. Food delivery allowed 24/7 — Palace 13  ENTERTAINmENT. Game over!

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Glendale 91202) in solidarity with the Asian and Pacific Islander A mericans, in light of the rising violence against that community.

During the vigil, the faithful lit up candles

as an expression of love and hope in God. Auxiliary Bishop Alejandro “Alex” Aclan for the San Fernando Pastoral Region was the homilist. Also present were Auxiliary Bishop Marc ARCHBISHOP

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Holy Week is a chance to revive hope, love for others — VP Robredo MANILA (Mabuhay) — our hearts and minds Vice President Leni to the message of salRobredo on Maundy vation brought by Jesus Thursday urged FiliChrist. We are called pino Catholics to conupon to use this time to sider Holy Week as a reflect, revive our faith chance to revive hope and renew our hopes). and love for others Robredo said hope amid the COVID-19 is key to surviving the pandemic. pandemic, and that “Nakasara man ang hope can be sustained mga bahay at kalsada, by love for others as tinatawag naman tayo previously said by Pope na laging buksan ang Francis. ating mga puso at isip Vice President Leni Robredo “Pope Francis said sa mensahe ng kaligtasan ng dala ni we were made by God for love, and love Kristo. Hinihimok tayong gamitin is the greatest expression of hope. We ‘yung pagkakataon para huminto su- find hope and we give hope by loving mandali at magnilay to revive our faith and following the footsteps of Christ,” and to renew our hopes,” Robredo said she said. in her Holy Week message.

For his part, Presidential Commu(While we are cooped up in our nications Secretary Martin Andanar houses, we are called upon to open said the Holy Week should inspire the HOLY WEEK

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small landlords

By ISABELLA BLOOM Ethnic Media Services JIE WANG owns three rental properties in Oakland.

Her whole family relies on income from tenants paying their rent.

Many have lost their jobs during the pandemic. Eviction moratoriums protect tenants who can’t pay part or all of their rent. But small housing providers like Wang still have mortgages, utilities and other expenses. A lack of government support puts pressure on them to sell their properties.

“Nobody can escape from this coronavirus,” Wang said. “I have a very good relationship with all my tenants. I try to help them.”

Wang spoke on a recent panel hosted by Ethnic Media Services along with other housing rights advocates and researchers. The panel discussed the risk of treating all landlords the same.

The word “landlord” stirs up connotations of large real estate corporations, wealthy enough to maintain their properties through the pandemic.

However, small landlords, often referred to as momand-pop landlords, have been hit hard by losses in income due to tenants who have been at least partially unable to pay their rent during the pandemic.

According to the Urban Institute, individual investors like Wang rather than large conglomerates own more than 75% of one-to-four-unit rental properties. In addition, mom-and-pop landlords of color are more likely to own duplexes, triplexes and fourplexes.

Their rent rates tend to be cheaper, so they’re also more likely to draw minority tenants.

Maeve Brown is the executive director and founder of Housing and Economic Rights Advocates, a statewide nonprofit law office that provides free legal services to lowand moderate-income Californians. She works with many people of color who have never had any training on how to manage their properties and consistently charge below-market rent rates.

“Another key part of the story here is our failure to NEW RELIEF

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Common Cause focuses on 2021 redistricting Voting districts set this year will last a decade

By MARK HEDIN Ethnic Media Services

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rmed with nearly-completed 2020 Census data, states soon will begin adjusting how their communities are represented in U.S. politics.

Population losses or gains trigger “reapportionment” — a change for the next 10 years in how many seats each state gets in the 435-member House of Representatives. Those representatives must be elected from distinct districts in a state, so reapportioning kicks off “redistricting.” The state gets to redraw political districts, also affecting state and local elections.

The nonprofit organization Common Cause for years has worked to improve the redrawing process that, in theory, gives everyone an equal voice in politics and voting as their communities change. But the process is different in every state and traditionally fraught with partisanship, as whatever party is in power tries to maintain it by drawing new political

district maps.

Common Cause hosted a press briefing March 24 to discuss some of 2021’s unique challenges and opportunities for future improvements.

Joining Common Cause National Redistricting Director Kathay Feng in the discussion were Jeanine Erikat, community organizer in San Diego for the Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans; Oscar Hernandez, of the Texas nonprofit Houston in Action; and May Yang, public policy manager of the Minnesota Council of Foundations’ Our Maps Minnesota project.

“These communities,” Feng said, “each face unique challenges in being counted and represented.”

California is one of six states using independent redistricting commissions. Texas and Minnesota are among the 33 states whose redistricting is managed by the state legislature.

Texas and 22 other states have a Republican governor and Republican majorities in both houses; Minnesota is the only state where control of the

two houses is split between the parties.

Redistricting has always been politically volatile, and this year promises no change: Politicians are poised to draw new district boundaries to improve their own re-election chances, not to improve representation in changing communities. This effort to put a finger on the scales is commonly known as “gerrymandering.”

“Both parties are culpable when it comes to redistricting and gerrymandering,” Hernandez said.

Common Cause has long championed the creation of nonpartisan, independent commissions such as California’s, instituted in 2010, that gather community input and make decisions transparently.

Lacking commissions, politicians who believe they might be voted out of office can split a community into several districts to dilute its voting power, or redraw the district boundaries to ensure it includes enough likely supporters who will re-elect them.

“Instead of having rep-

resentation, people in power select who is going to vote for them,” Erikat explained.

The For the People Act, a House-approved bill now before the U.S. Senate, addresses a range of voting-rights issues, including several related to redistricting and one that requires all states to have politically independent redistricting commissions.

Delays in receiving 2020 Census data, caused in part by the COVID-19 pandemic, have complicated this year’s work on political boundaries.

So, too, have census-gathering flaws such as defining people’s ethnicity that Common Cause and others have long sought to change.

For example, no category exists to accurately describe people from Northern Africa and the Mideast, Erikat noted.

The Census Bureau concluded in 2015 that it would help to add a “MENA” (Middle Eastern/North African) option as an ethnicity identifier for the 2020 Census but in 2018 decided against it.

“Our only option is to check

the ‘white’ box,” Erikat said.

“The census effectively whitewashes these communities.”

Because Middle Eastern communit y members are unrecognized in the census, showing up to testify in the redistricting process is the only way for them to be heard.

Hernandez views the challenge of gaining equitable representation as being in part educational. Even if results are slow to arrive, he said, it’s important, as it was in the run-up to the 2020 Census, for communities to understand what’s at stake and how the process is intended to work.

“The Latinx community is growing fast, accounting for Texas population growth and its potential three new seats in Congress,” Feng said, “but is often purposefully excluded.”

Texas had refused to fund efforts to get out the word about the importance of being counted in the census, even though it knew an undercount would cost it Congressional seats with no hope of remedy until after the next census, in 2030.

CONTNUED ON PAGE 16

PROP. 19 DEADLINE: Eligible homeowners get new benefits

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component of voter-approved Proposition 19 will go into effect Thursday, April 1, 2021, that expands benefits for seniors, people with disabilities, and victims of disasters to transfer their property’s assessed value and tax base to another home of any value in California.

“This is good news,” Assessor Prang said. “Eligible homeowners can now take advantage of the benefits that come from Prop. 19, which will give them more flexibility if they choose to move to a home that better suits their needs, even if it’s more expensive than their current home.”

As of April 1, which is Thursday, California homeowners who are over the age of 55, disabled, or the victims of a natural disaster will be able to transfer their property tax base with them when they sell their home and purchase a new one anywhere within California. Previously, this transfer was limited to only 10 counties statewide.

Additionally, eligible homeowners will be able to transfer their base-year assessed value to a more expensive home, whereas the previous law limited the transfer to a home of equal or lesser value. Eligible homeowners will also be able to transfer their assessed value up to three times, while under previous law they could only move with their assessed value one time.

“California has long struggled with a housing shortage, which has contributed to the high cost of housing statewide.

Prop. 19 works to partially address this shortage by removing the disincentive many seniors confront when they consider moving into a more manageable home.

By allowing eligible homeowners to take their assessed value with them, we may

start to see more movement in the housing market,” Assessor Prang said.

Proposition 19 was passed by California voters in 2020, and has two primary components. The first component, which went into effect on February 16, 2021, reduces tax benefits that were previously available for families by restricting the inheritance of a property’s assessed value to the primary residence. It also requires the child inheriting the property to move into the home within one year in order to avoid reassessment. Assessor Prang has voiced concerns about the potentially regressive impact of this component of Prop. 19, arguing that it may disproportionately harm middle-income families who are seeking to build intergenerational wealth.

“There has been a lot of confusion surrounding Prop. 19, and frustration over its vague language and aggressive implementation dates. I have been working with the California State Board of Equalization, the California Assessors’ Association, and state legislators to put forth legislation that will address some of the major issues with Prop. 19,” Assessor Prang said.

“However, we can all agree that seniors shouldn’t feel locked in to homes that are simply not a good fit for them anymore.

This component of Prop. 19 is a welcome change.”

The Assessor’s office has developed several resources to help taxpayers understand how Prop. 19 may impact them, including an FAQ, Factsheets, and a webinar. Additionally, the Assessor’s office has developed two online calculators to help taxpayers determine how Prop. 19 may impact their specific properties.

Resources can be found at assessor.lacounty.gov/prop19.

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Those who switched to telework have higher income, education and better health

By JOEY MARSHALL, CHARLYNN BURD AND MICHAEL BURROWS

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ore than a third of U.S. households reported working from home more frequently than before the pandemic, but the percentage who made the switch varied widely across sociodemographic groups.

Households with members who teleworked more frequently reported higher levels of income and education and better health than those in which no one changed their typical in-person work in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Among those in poor health, 4 in 5 (79.9%) reported that no one in their household switched to telework or changed their telework habits, compared to just over half (52.4%) of those in excellent health.

Since August 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau has asked participants in the Household Pulse Survey: “Working from home is sometimes referred to as telework. Did any adults in this household substitute some or all of their typical in-person work for telework because of the coronavirus pandemic, including yourself?”

Among those surveyed between Aug. 19 and Dec. 21, 36.9% answered “yes.”

This covers a period when the Household Pulse Survey asked questions on both teleworking and respondents’ health status.

Teleworking and Education Educational attainment — closely linked to household income — is another key differentiating factor in the share of households with workers who switched to telework during the pandemic.

Those with a bachelor’s degree or higher were more than three times as likely as those with a high school education or GED only to have an adult in their household substitute in-person work for telework: 61.7% compared to 19.1%.

Teleworking and Health How respondents described their health status also related to teleworking patterns.

When asked to rate their health (as excellent, very good, good, fair or poor), those who reported excellent health were more than twice as likely as those who reported poor health to have had an adult in their household substitute in-person work for telework (47.6% versus 20.1%,

respectively).

Among those in poor health, 4 in 5 (79.9%) reported that no one in their household switched to telework or changed their telework habits, compared to just over half (52.4%) of those in excellent health.

Who Switched to Telework?

Changing telework patterns have been a major feature of the COVID-19 pandemic, as many workers transitioned from commuting to a workplace to working from home.

However, even outside of the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, income, education, and health are closely correlated and their relationship to telework is one of a wide array of social and economic outcomes of interest to researchers and policymakers.

The Household Pulse Survey Data Tables provide more information on the relationship between working from home

and other economic, demographic and geographic characteristics.

The new experimental survey is designed to quickly and efficiently deploy data collected on how people’s lives have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

Information about teleworking has been included in the survey since Phase 2, which began last August and released new data every two weeks.

Estimates in this analysis were generated by combining the data from weeks 13- 21, ending Dec. 21, 2020. Methods for combining data and calculating summary statistics using replicate weights are described in the source and accuracy statements for each data release.

Joey Marshall, Charlynn Burd and Michael Burrows are survey statisticians in the Census Bureau’s Journey to Work and Migration Statistics Branch.

Teleworking and Income Those who substituted some or all of their typical in-person work for telework tended to have higher household incomes than those who did not switch to telework.

In the highest-earning households — those with annual incomes of $200,000 or more — 73.1% switched to telework (Figure 1). This is more than double the percentage (32.1%) of households with incomes between $50,000 and $74,999, a range that includes the 2019 median U.S. household income ($65,712).

Lowest-earning households were less likely to switch to telework. Only 12.7% of households earning under $25,000 reported teleworking in lieu of in-person work.

NEW RELIEF... from Page 1 appreciate what small landlords are actually providing — our failure systemically to recognize that they really are affordable housing providers,” Brown said. “If localities and our state government actually recognized the truth of that, that should have an impact on the policy choices that they make.”

Mom-and-pop landlords often are also more connected to their communities and tenants.

John Wong, the founding chairman of the Asian Real Estate Association of America, has lived in San Francisco for nearly 67 years and been a realtor for over 40. In the briefing, he described the relationships he’s experienced and witnessed between momand-pop landlords and their tenants.

“I talk about this spectrum of housing providers because I think it speaks to our response to COVID,” Wong said.

He added that mom-and-

pop landlords tend to know their tenants personally.

“The relationships have typically been very, very amicable,” he said.

Rent relief programs like the $2 trillion CARES Act have primarily benefited larger, wealthier real estate corporations, leaving behind momand-pop landlords.

“The policy choices that the state has made have just made no distinction between large landlords and small landlords,” Brown said. “State policy choices have squarely placed the burden of nonpayment of rent on the shoulders of small landlords — of small, affordable housing providers.”

The danger with placing that burden on mom-andpop housing providers is that it pressures them into selling their properties to investors and real estate conglomerates.

The result is that California will lose more and more of its affordable housing.

“If they lose their proper-

ty, they’re probably going to lose it to an investor who will charge as much money as the market can possibly bear,” Brown said.

Landlords of color are also more likely to have a mortgage and lower income, so the pressure to sell during the pandemic is higher, according to Urban Institute.

There may be new hope for mom-and-pop landlords and their tenants in the form of a new rental assistance program, but it comes with a caveat.

The new California rental relief program intended to help the state’s most vulnerable renters and landlords opened March 15. The program, which comes from Senate Bill 91, extends the eviction moratorium to June 30 and draws from $2.6 billion in federal funds for rent relief.

“The SB 91 moratorium and the state rental assistance program, in my opinion, is the most important thing to

have for smaller mom-andpop housing providers,” Wong said.

Tenants and landlords both have to fill out certain parts of the online application, available on the California state website Housing is Key. The first group of eligible renters are those with greatest need — households making 50% or less of the area’s median income, or anyone who has been unemployed for at least 90 days.

The next group includes households making 80% or below the area’s median income. Undocumented tenants are also eligible.

Data from Urban Institute shows that, throughout the U.S., less than a third of tenants and less than half of landlords are aware of federal rental assistance programs.

This is why John Wong aims to spread information about rental assistance programs to mom-and-pop landlords, especially those who may be

linguistically isolated.

“I personally have a heavy focus on making sure that individuals who have English as not their primary language have access to information that these funds are available,” Wong said.

The way the rent relief works is 80% of a tenant’s rent owed between April 1, 2020, and March 31, 2021, will be paid directly to the landlord, so long as the landlord agrees to forgive the remaining 20% of the back rent.

But this new rental assistance program doesn’t distinguish between small and corporate landlords. For mom-and-pop landlords like Jie Wang, absorbing the remaining 20% of unpaid rent can be a crippling blow after a year of unpaid rent.

“I’m open to the low-income renter,” Jie Wang said. “As long as I can survive, I will receive all the tools to help me and to survive this very difficult situation.”

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his author first met the legendary poet, writer, actress, director, producer and civil rights activist, Maya Angelou at Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois at a Creative Writing class she taught while I was on a Masters in Mass Communications program sometime back. At the time our class was introduced to her, she had just published her first book entitled "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings," which dealt with her sad childhood and early adult experiences, the death of her friend and her struggles with racism. This admirable literary academe had a husky and deep sounding voice who had such a strong stance when reciting her poems or reading meaningful lines in her book. Though her various books have long been published, her stories still resonate with our daily lives today.

As a brief background, she was born as Marguerite Annie Johnson, on May 4, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri, the second child of Bailey Johnson, a doorman and Navy dietitian and Vivian (Baxter) Johnson, a nurse and card dealer. Angelou's older brother, Bailey, Jr. nicknamed Marguerite as "Maya," derived from "My" or "Mya sister." Apparently when Maya was just three years old and her brother, four years old, their parents' "calamitous marriage' ended and their father sent them the Stamps, Arkansas alone by train, to live with their paternal grandmother, Annie Henderson. In an "astonishing exception." to the harsh economics of African Americans at the time, Angelou's grandmother prospered financially during the Depression and World War II, because the general store she owned sold basic commodities and because "she made wise and honest investments." However, four years later, when Angelou was seven years old and her brother was eight years old, the children's father came back to Stamps without warning and returned them to their mother's care in St. Louis.

Unfortunately, at the age of eight years old, while living with her mother, Angelou was

Community Easter reflections on living a life well lived imparted to us by our mentor, the legendary Maya Angelou

sexually abused and raped by her mother's boyfriend, a man named Freeman. She told her unfortunate story to her brother, who in turn told the rest of the family. Freeman was found guilty, but was jailed for only one day. Four days after his release, he was murdered, probably by Angelou's uncles. But due to her traumatic experience, Angelou became mute for five years, believing as she stated "I thought my voice killed him; I killed that man because I told his name and then I thought I would never speak again, because my voice would kill anyone."

According to Angelou's biographer, Marcia Ann Gillespie and her colleagues, it was during this period of silence that made Angelou "develop her extraordinary memory and her love for books and literature, and her ability to listen and observe the world around her."

Subsequently, after Freeman's murder, Maya and her brother were sent back by their mother to their grandmother, where she recalled attending the Lafayette County Training School in Stamps, Arkansas. In one of her books, she was quoted saying " I went downtown sometimes, and I saw the white school, which was four times larger and bricks and all, but I don't remember envying that, because I thought my school was grand!" Maya credits a teacher and friend of her family, Mrs. Bertha Flowers, who helped her speak again and introduced her to read the books of great authors such as: Charles Dickens, William Shakespeare, Edgar Allan Poe and many other authors whom she learned from, affected her life and career.

By the time she was fourteen and her brother fifteen, they moved once again and joined their mother in Oakland, California during World War II, where she attended the California Labor School and by the age of 16, she worked as the first Black female cable car conductor in San Francisco. She wanted the job badly, admiring the uniform of the operators, so much so that her mother referred to it as her "dream job," so her mother encouraged her to pursue it but warned her that she would need to arrive early and work

Saturday-Friday | April 3 - 9, 2021

harder than others.

Three weeks after completing school, at the age of seventeen, Maya gave birth to her son Clyde, whom she later on named Guy Johnson.

In 1951, Maya married Tosh Angelos, a Greek electrician, former sailor and aspiring musician, despite the condemnation of interracial relationships at the time and the disapproval of her mother. She became interested in learning modern dance so she took modern dance classes

inspired the 1957 film "Calypso Heat Wave," where she sang and performed her own compositions.

In 1959, Angelou met novelist John Oliver Killens who urged her to move to New York to concentrate on her writing career.

She then moved and joined the Harlem Writers Guild where she met several major African American authors, such as John Henrik Clarke, Rosa Guy, Paule Marshall and Julian Mayfield and for the first time,

Maya Agelou and met dancers and choreographers such as Alvin Ailey and Ruth Beckford. Ailey and Maya formed a dance team called "Al and Rita," and performed modern dance at fraternal Black organizations throughout San Francisco but they never became successful and when her marriage to Angelos ended in 1954, she continued dancing professionally changing her name to "Maya Angelou."

Throughout 1954 and 1955, she toured Europe with the opera production of "Porgy and Bess." And in 1957, due to the popularity of a dance called "calypso," she recorded her first album called "Miss Calypso." which was released as a CD in 1966. Angelou also appeared in an off-Broadway review that

her writings were published.

After a year, in 1960, she met civil rights leader, Martin Luther King, Jr., who asked her to organize "the legendary Cabaret For Freedom," to benefit the Southern Christian Leadership Conferences (SCLC) and she was named SCLC's Northern Coordinator. According to scholar, Lyman B. Hagen, her "contributions to civil rights as a fundraiser and SCLC organizer were successful and eminently effective."

The following year, in 1961, she met South African freedom fighter, Vusumzi Make, and though they never officially married, she and her son Guy moved in with Make in Cairo, where Angelou worked as an associate editor of the weekly

English language newspaper, "The Arab Observer." Sadly, the following year, her relationship with Make ended, so she and Guy moved to Accra, Ghana to enable Guy to attend college. and they stayed there until 1965, where she became correspondent for Ghana and Egypt during the decolonization of Africa and administrator at the University of Ghana and she also became active in the African American expatriate community. While in Accra, she became close friends with Malcolm X, whom she first met in the early 60's and in 1965, she returned to the US to help him build a new civil rights organization called "The Organization of Afro American Unity," but Malcolm X was assassinated shortly after. Devastated and adrift, she joined her brother in Hawaii for a short while and moved back to LA to resume her singing career.

In 1968, Martin Luther King, Jr. asked Angelou to organize a march, which she agreed to but it was postponed again in what was called a "macabre twist of fate," because Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated on her 40th birthday, April 4, 1968.

Devastated again, she was encouraged out of her depression by her friend, James Baldwin to write, produce and narrate, "Black, Blues, Black," a ten-part series of documentaries aired on US television at the National Educational Television, the precursor of PBS. The series was about the connection between blues music and Black Americans' African heritage. After its airing, Angelou was challenged

by Random House editor Robert Loomis for her to write her first autobiography, "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings," which was then published in 1969.

This brought her international recognition and acclaim and she became prominent as a writer, publishing seven autobiographical books, three of which were essays, some poetry books and some entertainment-oriented books meant for theatre or film presentations, in a span of 50 years.

Released in 1972, Angelou's "Georgia, Georgia," produced by a Swedish film company and filmed in Sweden, was the CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

ARCHBISHOP... from Page 1

HOLY WEEK... from Page 1 public to act with kindness especially during the pandemic.

“May the Lenten period be a time of reflection and may its essence guide us to act with love, hope, and compassion towards others as we collectively endure the present challenges,” he said.

Andanar also called on the public to continue compliance with health and safety protocols, especially those in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) where religious gathering is not allowed.

Areas under ECQ include Metro Manila and adjacent provinces Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal. Under ECQ, non-essential trips are prohibited and non-essential businesses are closed.

But despite the ECQ, Filipino Catholics should to keep their religious devotion and

hope alive, according to Senator Imee Marcos.

“Not even this pandemic can take away our Filipino traditions of faith - Pasyong Mahal, procession and the Senakulo, Bisita Iglesia, Via Crucis, The Seven Last Words, and Easter Mass," Marcos said in a statement.

"We will simply worship at home, or online, or wherever we can be alone and quiet with the Lord,” she added, noting that the pandemic has impacted the traditional observance of the Holy Week for the second consecutive year.

“In this time of great uncertainty, religious fervor cannot be suppressed. The pandemic has shown the helplessness of even the world’s most powerful governments, and we can only lift up our fears and our hopes to a higher power.” (MNS)

Trudeau for the San Pedro Pastoral Region and Fr. Rodel Balagtas, Incarnation’s pastor. “‘That they may all be one...’ (John 17:20) With this passage in mind, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles supports the efforts of its local parishes and communities to address racism and inequality directed at Asian and Pacific Islander communities and individuals,” said Bishop Aclan.

“We stand in solidarity with the victims of racial violence across the United States as we uphold our commitment to the core values of Catholicism. As we mobilize the faithful to take action against racism, we take Christian love, and not political interests, as our guide.”

Nicholas Lau, a member of the Archdiocese’s Ethnic Ministry, whose parents are originally from Hong Kong, and religious Sister Teresa Liu, originally from Taiwan, shared their testimony of ministering in parishes with diverse cultures and traditions, and finding similarities and beauty in diversity.

Dressed in Chinese attire, Maggie Lau, who presides the Ethnic Ministry, led the congregation in prayer by the end of the vigil, while each person holds a lit candle in a demonstration of love and acceptance of our brothers and sisters from all races and backgrounds in the U.S. and abroad.

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aSIaN amERICaNS... FRom PagE 1 During the anti-Asian American Pacific Islander hate rally, Carson City Mayor Pro Tempore Jim Dear said that among the factors that apparently trigger hateful attacks were the lack of understanding of the criminal justice system, cultural barriers and immigration statuses.

“There are not enough Asian police officers and sheriffs in the country that need to have more (in these trying times) so that the AAPI community would feel comfortable and safe to call and report these kinds of attacks,” Dear said.

The Carson City official also said that the opportunity of every Asian American and Pacific Islander in the country must be “an equal chance of any other child to be as successful as they want to be.”

On March 26, 1790, the Naturalization Act was signed into law where non-white people were prohibited to become U.S. citizens, including the Asian descents.

Frederick Alain Docdocil, Mabuhay Branch & Business Development coordinator, explained that the widespread anti-Asian hate crimes can be attributed to the ill effects of the implementation of Naturalization Act of 1790, to the disparaging statements from the officials of the previous administration and the propagation of lies on the origin of the coronavirus disease.

“After 230 plus years later, we (Asians) are still basically labeled as being the perpetual foreigner in our own land. More recently, there is more racist rhetoric that leads AAPI facing twin pandemics: coronavirus and anti-Asian American hate crimes. Plus, the last administration made things worse by saying ‘Kung Flu’ or ‘China Virus’ for being to be blamed to a certain group in this current pandemic,” Docdocil said.

Docdocil urged the public to visit the “Stop AAPI Hate” website (www.StopAAPIHate.org) and report any kinds of violence.

“If you see something, say something. We will make an immediate statement about the hate crimes so that actions can be taken,” he added.

The rise of anti-AAPI hate crimes impacts

Atty. Sandy Roxas (extreme left), a staunch anti-hate crime lawyer, leads her family and friends in participating in Sunday’s demonstration. Photo by REN ARRIETA mental health illness that leads into poor self-esteem, low job satisfaction, sleep difficulty, affect relationships to parents, among others.

Meanwhile, Romeo Hebron Jr., Filipino Migrant Center executive director, suggested ways to prevent being a victim of hate crimes.

“Create community organizations where people can join together through systemic and policy changes to fight around for these different issues that we are concern with. We must acknowledge that people are going through rough times and must be able to become more active in our communities using our voices to

be heard so we can work towards policy changes,” Hebron said.

Hebron said that the U.S. government has been negligent in acknowledging the Asian American history which leads is partly to blame for discrimination and racism.

“We see that in our history books where Asians and

Pilipino po tayo!

Moving Options: U-Haul Trucks Land at One Stop Automotive

GLENDALE, Calif. (April 1, 2021) — U-Haul Company of California is pleased to announce that One Stop Automotive signed on as a U-Haul® neighborhood dealer to serve the Glendale community.

One Stop Automotive at 3333 N. Verdugo Road will offer essential services like U-Haul trucks, towing equipment, moving supplies and instore pickup for boxes.

Normal business hours are 8 a.m.5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Reserve U-Haul products at this dealer location by calling (818) 638-9739 or visiting https://www.uhaul.com/Locations/Truck-Rentals-near-Glendale-CA-91208/018528/ today.

One Stop Automotive partners John and Berge Deyrmandjian are proud to team with the industry leader in do-it-yourself moving and self-storage to better meet the demands of Los Angeles County.

U-Haul has teamed with independent dealers to offer moving equipment since 1945. With the COVID-19 outbreak creating challenging times for small businesses, more than 20,000 dealers across the U.S. and Canada are creating supplemental income

About U-HAUL

through their U-Haul partnership.

When a customer rents from a U-Haul dealer, they are directly supporting an independent small business in their community.

As an essential service provider, U-Haul stores and dealers continue to serve the public. Our products are utilized by First Responders; delivery companies bringing needed supplies to people’s homes; small businesses trying to remain afloat; college students; and countless other dependent groups – in addition to the household mover.

Please visit uhaul.com/announcement for more information on how U-Haul is keeping its Team Members and customers safe.

U-Haul is pleased to offer programs that inherently promote social distancing with minimal or no contact with others. U-Haul Truck Share 24/7® allows customers to create an online account and pick up their truck at any hour using only their smartphone with photo feature and GPS. Trained Live Verify agents interact with customers online, enabling them to skip the lines and go straight to their truck.

Since 1945, U-Haul has been the No. 1 choice of do-it-yourself movers, with a network of 22,000 locations across all 50 states and 10 Canadian provinces. U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 offers secure access to U-Haul trucks every hour of every day through the customer dispatch option on their smartphones and our proprietary Live Verify technology. Our customers' patronage has enabled the U-Haul fleet to grow to approximately 176,000 trucks, 127,000 trailers and 41,000 towing devices. U-Haul offers nearly 774,000 rentable storage units and 66.7 million square feet of self-storage space at owned and managed facilities throughout North America. U-Haul is the largest installer of permanent trailer hitches in the automotive aftermarket industry, and is the largest retailer of propane in the U.S.

other groups are not being recognized on the important roles that they played in the U.S. history,” he said.

To lighten up the occasion, Filipina singer Shekinah sang Michael Jackson’s “Heal The World” and Regine Velasquez’s “Isang Lahi” (One Race) --- both songs impart messages on unity in diversity.

LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH U. REYES, P.C. ATTORNEY-AT-LAW

*Certified Family Law Specialist The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization - Certified Family Law Specialist - Certified Public Accountant (Inactive) -J.D Southwestern University Law School Los Angeles, CA - B.S Accounting California State University, San Bernardino, CA

CALL OR E-MAIL FOR AN APPOINTMENT 213-204-6366 or

kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com

FAMILY LAW - Divorce - Community Property Division - Child Custody and Spousal Support - Domestic Violence Restraining Order - Legal Separation and Nullity - Parentage - Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements

IMMIGRATION - Marriage Petitions - Relative Petitions - Removal of Condtional Green Card - Humanitarian Reinstatements - Child Status Protection Act Issues - Deportation Defense - Employment Based Petitions and PERM - H-1B Visas

ESTATES AND TRUST - Living Trust - Wills - Probate - Conservatorship CIVIL LITIGATION - Contract Disputes - Business Disputes - Corporate and Partnership Disputes

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End of refi boom could put squeeze on banks this year

BANKS and Credit unions should prepare for the mortgage refinancing boom to slow next year.

Consumers rushed to refinance mortgages and purchase homes this year as interest rates fell below 3%.

That has driven a significant portion of bank and credit union loan growth this year.

However, the pace of refinance activity is expected to decline next year so banks and credit unions need to prepare for ways to make up for that lost income. The purchase market should remain healthy, and pent- up demand for other types of credit could help soften the blow, experts said.

Declining refinancing "will eat into the profitability of banks especially credit unions but I’m hoping what may not be available in terms of refinancing, we will see a return to purchase applications. But that’s dependent on how successful the distribution of the coronavirus vaccine is and how quickly members will respond with their purchasing behavior.

Most importantly inventory, there has to be a fair balance between buyers and sellers in order for the market to maintain an equilibrium.

Credit union will be more affected that banks due to the variety of trades a bank has compared to a credit union, such as investments and commercial loans to name a few. Credit union lending has increased this year, though some categories of loans have fared better than others. Total loans outstanding increased by more than

6%, to $1.2 trillion, in the third quarter from a year earlier, according to data from the National Credit Union Administration.

Mortgages were a considerable portion of that increase. These loans increased by 9%, to $508.8 billion, year over year, according to the NCUA data. That accounts for about 61% of the overall growth in total loans outstanding.

In addition to that, mortgage lending has skewed toward refinancing this year, thanks to historically low rates. Overall, the number of originations in 2020 was expected to be up about 44% compared with last year, with refinancing of one -to four-family loans making up 56% of this activity, according to Mortgage Bankers Association data. In 2019, refinances were 44% of originations.

The demand from consumers to refinance existing mortgages has, at times it has stressed most lenders, including credit unions, in terms of staffing and resources. It has been an outstanding year largely fueled by refinance loans. But there was also a healthy purchase market in many parts of the country.

But refinance activity is also almost entirely dependent on interest rates.

Because of that, any uptick in rates could cause demand for these loans to cool. If COVID-19 vaccines are successful and the economy improves, rates could begin to rise and it has about .50% since February 2021. The MBA predicts interest rates for a 30-

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year fixed mortgage will rise to 3.3% in 2021.

Additionally, eventually the pool of homeowners who can benefit from low rates and are willing to take the time to refinance will dwindle. That will also slow refinance activity. Refinancing has driven volume, and that can’t continue to go on forever. Those who can take advantage of the low rates will have done it and then the refi boom runs out.

However, demand for loans to purchase a home is expected to be better in 2021. The trade group is predicting the number of purchase originations will reach almost 5.4 million in 2021, up about 9% from this year. Lets hope so.

That would equal roughly $1.6 trillion for purchase originations, which would be the highest total since the MBA started tracking the data.

Even before the pandemic, a jump in originations was expected thanks to a variety of factors, including demographics. More millennials are

looking to purchase a home and that will help drive demand.

Banks and Credit unions could also hope to offset any decline in mortgage refinance activity with an increase in demand for other types of loans. Consumers may have put off other types of purchases this year, such as a new car, given the uncertain economic environment.

Because of the coronavirus, banks and credit union has needed to consider new risks. For instance, it’s been more difficult to document borrowers’ income given the higher unemployment rate and business shutdowns.

A Cycle expected nonetheless, what ever goes up has to come down. Let us all learn from this and prepare for an income independent future.

Thanks for your inquiries and support. Please call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance at 562-508-7048 or write to kennethgo@verizon.net CABRE 01021223 NMLS 238636

Can I obtain a divorce if my spouse refuse to sign?

THERE seems to be a misconception in the general public that you can only obtain a divorce in California if your spouse will sign the divorce papers. I get this question a lot from our family law clients. The fact is that California is a no fault state and you do not need your spouse’s signature in order to get a divorce. What is more important is being able to properly serve your spouse with the divorce petition and satisfy the jurisdictional requirement of the Court by showing that either you or your spouse resided in the State for at least 6 months prior to filing the petition and in the County for 3 months prior to filing the petition.

When you file a divorce petition, you have to serve your spouse with the summons and petition. Your spouse then has 30 days to file a response after being served with a divorce petition. If your spouse fails to file and serve you with a response, you can file a request for default against your spouse after 30 days. You can also file a proposed judgment for the court to approve. The default procedure can be done even if there are issues of property division, custody, visitation, and support. However, the Court will still review your proposed judgment and property division to make sure it conforms to the policy towards equal division of community property. Meaning, you have to propose a division of community property that is pretty much equal between the spouses.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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Stop Foreclosure, Reduce Your Debt By Filing Chapter 13 HAS your income been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic? If you are currently unemployed and have no resources to pay creditors, filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy to wipe out your debts and start fresh may be the clear and only option.

To file Chapter 7, you generally need to be able to show zero disposable income every month. But what if you had some disposable income but not enough to pay all your creditors? Is there a way to pay only based on how much you can afford?

If you are struggling to pay your bills due to insufficient income and/or excessive expenses, yes, there is a way to make your debts more manageable so you can sleep better at night. For individuals, it’s called Chapter 13.

While every case is different, of course, let me explain in general terms how Chapter 13 works and how it might benefit you if you are in the situation I described above.

Chapter 13 is the section of the US Bankruptcy Code that allows individuals in the United States to reorganize their finances. If you are having difficulty paying your debts (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, taxes, late mortgage payments and property taxesall kinds of debts), don’t despair.

Chapter 13 can give you the relief

that you need so that you can get back on track as quickly as possible. Let me explain.

We all know how difficult it is to catch up once you start falling behind on debt payments. If you’ve experienced a reduction in income (example: reduced income from employment - or business, if you’re self-employed), Chapter 13 allows you to pay back your creditors (with the exception of a few types of debts, you will also pay 0% interest) over a 3-5 year period based only on the amount of your surplus income every month, not based on how much you owe.

In Chapter 13, you also don’t need to worry about losing any assets you may have because you will keep everything and lose nothing.

And if you are in business, you will be allowed to continue running your business as usual. This is another reason Chapter 13 makes more sense than Chapter 7- when you have assets that cannot be exempted in a Chapter 7 case (Most assets can actually be protected in Chapter 7 but this is not true for all cases where people have significant assets).

Chapter 13 immediately stops all collection actions against you.

That means no more annoying creditor calls, collection letters and no marshals at your door.

BARRISTER’S CORNER… FROM PAGE 6

If your proposed property division is one sided such as distributing all community property to you and giving all the community debts to your spouse, the Court would probably not grant your judgment.

The Court would probably set a hearing for you to explain why this is an equal division of community property.

The only time you may need your spouse’s signature is if your spouse files a response to your divorce petition. This is called "contesting" the divorce. If your divorce is contested by your spouse, you can resolve the case either by "settlement" or by "trial." However, you do not have to settle all the issues in the case at once. Under the concept of divisible divorce, you can settle some of the issues and set the other issues which you and your spouse cannot agree on for trial. Our office try to resolve cases through settlement because it is more cost effective and the parties are usually happier with the outcome. In that situation, the parties may avoid the cost and uncertainty of going to trial by executing what is called a stipulated judgment which is in essence an agreement as to all the issues in the divorce case.

For issues which you and your spouse cannot agree on, you will have to go through the litigation process which involves obtaining discovery, exchanging declarations of disclosures, and preparing the case for trial. Ultimately, you will obtain your divorce at trial in addition to adjudication of the distribution of community assets and debts amongst other issues. It is in the best interest of the party to retain the representation of competent counsel who will assert his or her rights under the family code.

Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation.

Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist.

He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration.

He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com

Once the court approves your proposed Chapter 13 plan, creditors are legally bound by the terms of the approved plan and cannot ask for more money. Your bankruptcy attorney can review your monthly living expenses with you, analyze your income and help you propose a realistic payment plan that you can afford.

In most cases, Chapter 13 is a far better alternative than trying to pay debts on your own or hiring a debt management company. This is because in Chapter 13, you cannot be sued by your creditors as long as you remain under court protection. And if you are being represented by an attorney, all creditor communications go to your attorney so that you do not have to deal with your creditors directly.

how to resolve the delinquency.

While their account continues to be late, they are now at risk of foreclosure. If this describes your situation, Chapter 13 may be the best solution to protect your home. Chapter 13 stops all foreclosure proceedings and allows you to pay the lender slowly over the next 3-5 years as opposed to paying what the lender is demanding to bring your account current.

ATTENTION HOMEOWNERS! Lastly, as a result of the pandemic, a lot of homeowners requested a mortgage forbearance from their lender and a lot of those are now coming due. Unfortunately, it has been frustrating for certain homeowners who are not getting straight answers from their lenders as to

(None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 5,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772).

For a free evaluation of your case, please call our office at TollFree 1-866-477-7772 to schedule a free consultation. ***NOTE: Due to the virus lockdown, I am currently offering consultations via phone or video. Please call the office to schedule your appointment with me. Questions? Email me at gethelp@rjb-lawoffices.com.

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Philippine consulate welcomes arrest of suspect in violent assault of Filipina in NYC MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine Consulate General in New York welcomed the arrest of the suspect in the violent assault of a 65-year-old Filipina in Midtown Manhattan and called on the Filipino community to remain vigilant amid the surge in hate crimes against Asians in the United States.

A New York Times report identified the victim as Vilma Kari, who was walking down a sidewalk near Times Square when the suspect, Brandon Elliot, 38, kicked her in the stomach and head several times.

Brandon was heard shouting “You don’t belong here” while attacking Kari, who immigrated to the US years ago.

Reports said Elliot was an ex-convict on lifetime parole after being released from prison in 2019. He was convicted of fatally stabbing his mother in 2002, police said.

“We thank the New York Police Department, and all those who in one way or another, contributed to the efforts that led to the arrest of Brandon Elliot,” the consulate said in a statement.

A video released by the police showed no one came to the victim's aid. Some men inside a building who witnessed the attack closed the door on Kari.

The building's owner, The Brodsky Organization, said that it was "extremely distraught" by the attack and that the two employees in the video who just watched the assault and did nothing have been suspended pending an investigation.

In view of the alarming surge in hate crimes

Suspect Brandon Elliot was arrested in violent assault of a 65-year-old Filipina amid the surge in hate crimes against Asians in the United States.

against members of the Asian community in the United States, the consulate reminded Filipino in New York and surrounding areas to remain vigilant and to immediately report any incident by calling 911 or the Asian Hate Crimes Task Force of the NYPD at 1-800-440-HATE. (MNS)

Locsin, 3 other Asean foreign ministers to visit China MANILA (Mabuhay) -- Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and three other Southeast Asian top diplomats will visit China this week, the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced Wednesday.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said the visits from March 31 to April 2 are at the invitation of State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. "China attaches high importance to relations with Southeast Asian nations and makes them a priority in neighborhood diplomacy. Since Covid-19 broke out last year, China and Southeast Asian countries have maintained close high-level communication in a flexible way, witnessing positive progress in anti-epidemic and development cooperation," Hua said in a press briefing Tuesday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has yet to provide specific details about Locsin's trip, which comes in the wake of a protest lodged by the Philippine government against the incursion of Chinese vessels in the Julian Felipe Reef.

Apart from Locsin, the foreign ministers of Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia were also invited.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS SECRETARY TEODORO LOCSIN JR.

Hua said the visit of the four top diplomats "again demonstrates the profound friendship and growing affinity through closer interactions" between China and its neighbors in Southeast Asia.

She said China hopes to step up communication with Asean countries on the regional and international situation, strengthen strategic mutual trust, deepen anti-epidemic and development cooperation, and boost the quality of their cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative. (MNS)

Saturday-Friday | April 3 - 9, 2021

Illegal structures spotted in PH feature in WPS — AFP

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)'s maritime patrol off Pagkakaisa Banks last March 30 have resulted in the discovery of illegal man-made structures constructed in some of its features.

"During this patrol, we were able to document man-made structures that were built on some of the features. These structures are illegal," said AFP chief-of-staff Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana, in a statement Thursday.

Pagkakaisa Banks is under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Kalayaan, Palawan while Julian Felipe Reef is a large boomerang-shaped shallow coral reef at the northeast of Pagkakaisa Banks and Reefs (Union Reefs), located approximately 175 nautical miles west of Bataraza, Palawan.

Earlier, the National Task Force West Philippine Sea (NTF WPS) expressed concern about a Philippine Coast Guard sighting report where around 220 Chinese fishing vessels, believed to be manned by Chinese maritime militia personnel, were sighted in line formation at the Julian Felipe Reef last March 7.

"The Laws of the Sea gives the Philippines indisputable and exclusive rights over the area. These constructions and other activities, economic or otherwise, are prejudicial to peace, good order, and security of our territorial waters," Sobejana said.

He added that the AFP, through the Western Command, regularly conducts maritime patrols in the West Philippine Sea as part of its constitutional mandate to protect the country's sovereignty and sovereign rights.

"We have already updated our higher civilian authorities such as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Department of National Defense about these offenses to our sovereignty," Sobejana said.

He also assured every Filipino that AFP efforts continue to dutifully perform its mandate to protect and advance our national interests in the area.

(MNS)

Same lockdowns won't yield different results, says Drilon MANILA (Mabuhay) — Implementing similar COVID-19 prevention measures "over and over again" will not yield different results one year later, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said Tuesday.

Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna were placed under enhanced community quarantine--the strictest classification--since Monday until Sunday due to the surge of coronavirus cases.

"We are doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result...We keep on doing prolonged lockdowns over and over again and hope that it will have a different result," he said.

"It will not have a different result unless we couple it with critical reforms or observance of certain basic rules that have been shown to be effective in other countries for the past year," he said.

Drilon sa id t he Philippines is fa i ling i n t he a reas of

testing, tracking, treatment, teaching.

He lamented that only 17 individuals are traced to a positive case, when other countries are doing it in thousands.

He added tracking is important to know who would be qualified to receive the COVID-19 jabs, but another problem is that "vaccines are insufficient" at the moment.

He also noted that government officials should set the example for the people in terms of "teaching" the public about health protocols.

"When you have mañanitas or birthdays, when you go to gatherings to inaugurate an infrastructure in a crowd without observing social distancing, when people see this, you lose your credibility when you say social distancing," he said.

The Philippines on Monday posted a new record-high of new COVID-19 cases with 10,016 additional infections.

The countr y's tota l currently stands at 731,894 COVID-19 cases, with 115,495 still active.

(MNS) SENATOR FRANKLIN DRILON

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Ex-DFA chief Del Rosario urges gov’t to reconsider joint patrols with US in South China Sea

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Former the bullying tactics of China in several months in ever inForeign Affairs chief Albert the West Philippine Sea.” creasing number, regardless del Rosario has called on the Manila has filed a diplo- of weather.”

Duterte administration to re- matic protest against ChiChina and five other govconsider holding joint patrols nese swarming in its waters ernments - Brunei, Malaysia, with the United States as Chi- and called on China to imme- the Philippines, Vietnam and na’s militia vessels continue diately withdraw its militia Taiwan - have been locked in its presence in the West Phil- vessels at Julian Felipe Reef, long-simmering territorial ippine Sea. a boomerang-shaped feature rifts in the South China Sea “Our challenge in terms of located 175 nautical miles of that analysts feared as Asia’s dealing with China’s contin- Bataraza, Palawan and clearly next potential flashpoint for uing unilateral aggression at within the Philippines’ exclu- a major armed conflict.

Julian Felipe Reef in the West sive economic zone.

Beijing insists on historic Philippine Sea remains in Despite repeated calls and rights over nearly the entire need of a solution,” Del Rosa- protests from the Philippines, waters, which is dotted by rio said Thursday.

Chinese ships continue to lin- clusters of islands, cays, shoals Before stepping down as ger in the area and are now in and reefs with rich fishing Secretary of Foreign Affairs other areas of the Kalayaan areas and natural oil and gas during t he time of Presi- Island Group in the munici- despite an international trident Benigno Aquino III in pality of Kalayaan, Palawan bunal ruling in The Hague, 2016, Del Rosario said he met off the country’s northwestern Netherlands that invalidated twice in Washington DC with waters. its claim in 2016. then-Deputy Secretary of State “We must show the world The Permanent Court of ArAnthony Blinken to specifi- and especially China that we bitration delivered a sweeping cally seek joint patrols in the are a country that will fight for victory to the Philippines on West Philippine Sea to be un- our rights and able to enforce the case it filed against China dertaken by the Philippines our laws in our own EEZ,” in 2013 and declared China's and the US. said Del Rosario, who led the claim over nearly the entire “An agreement on joint pa- Philippines' arbitral tribunal South China Sea illegal. It trols with the US was approved victory against China in 2016. also ruled that Beijing violatbut this was shelved by the Foreign Affairs Secretary Te- ed the rights of Filipinos, who administration of President odoro Locsin Jr. is currently in were blocked by Chinese Coast Duterte, fearing that China China for a meeting with Chi- Guard from fishing in the diswould be displeased,” he said. nese officials amid renewed puted Scarborough Shoal off “However, China's tensions ISO 12647-7dupliciDigital Control Strip 2009between Manila and northwestern Philippines.

100 60 invasion 100 70 30 100 60 40 100 40 100 100 70 100 60 100 70 China 30 100 40refused 40 70 40 ty and of our30waters Beijing. has recognize remain unabated despite the Initially, around 220 vessels the ruling. efforts of President Duterte to were spotted in the reef in earOver the years, Chinese appease China.” ly March. Although the num- has built artificial islands in With Blinken now as US Sec- bers have gone down in recent the South China Sea – a move 100 100 60 100 100 70 70 30 30 100 100 60 100 100 70 70 30 30 100 100 60 100 100 30 30 100 40 100 40 40 100 40 40 retary of State under the Biden days, dozens have remained.70 70 protested

by Manila and10has China said the vessels were alarmed countries, such as administration, Del Rosario said “it may now be imperative merely seeking shelter from the US, Japan and Australia, for us to revisit joint patrols in bad weather – a claim dis- saying it will impede freedom the West Philippine Sea with missed by the US, saying they of navigation T:9.75" and overflights. our sole treaty ally, to confront have been moored there “for (MNS) 3%

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SWS: 73% of Pinoys say religion is very important MANILA (Mabuhay) — Majority of Filipinos believed that religion is very essential in their lives, a non-commissioned Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed Wednesday.

According to the poll conducted from November 21 to 25, 2020, 73% Filipinos said religion is very important, 9% said it is somewhat important, 3% said it is not very important while 15% said it is not at all important.

SWS said this figure of 73% is 10 points lower than the record-high 83% recorded in the December 2019 survey result.

Meanwhile, the poll also bared that 46% attended religious services weekly, 25% monthly, and 27% occasionally. Only 1% Filipinos said they never went to religious events.

The November 2020 poll also showed that in the past three months, 56% of Filipinos were physically present at place of worship to attend religious events. Meanwhile, 24% Filipinos watch religious activities online or on television while 5% said both attend in person and watch virtual religious events.

The remaining 14% said they did not attend any religious service in the past three months, SWS said.

Meanwhile, the survey also showed that the percentage of Filipinos who said religion is very important is highest in Mindanao areas (88%), followed by Metro Manila and Balance Luzon (both 70%) and Visayas (64%).

Attending religious events in person is more practiced among the less educated, SWS said.

Specifically, 65% non-elementary graduates attend religious events in person, followed by elementary graduates with 60%, junior high school graduates with 54% and college graduates with 48%.

College graduates3 topped the percentage of Filipinos 70 40 40 40 70 40 40 70 40 70 40 40 10 25 50 75 90 100 attending religious events through online platforms, with 35%. This is followed by junior high school graduates with 27%, elementary graduates with 20% and non-elementary graduates with 14%. interviews 1,500 Filipino aged 25 19 19 50 40 40 75 66 66 adults 100 100 100 80 70 70 100 20 70 70 70The 70 40 survey 70 40 40 0used 000 3.1 2.2 2.2 10.2 7.4 7.4 of 18 years and above, with 600 in Balance Luzon and 300 each interviewed in Metro Manila, Visayas and Mindanao.

The sampling error margins used in the survey are ±2.5% for national percentages, ±4% for Balance Luzon, and ±6% for Metro Manila, Visayas, and Mindanao. (MNS)

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When we use energy matters. We have the power to harness California’s abundance of wind and solar resources. But during peak hours, electricity is generated mostly by fossil fuels to meet demand. Use less energy from 4-9PM, for a cleaner California.

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Facility Caregivers: Are you paid at least $494 a day when working a 24-hour shift?

C A R EGI V ERS wo r k i n g i n Residential Care Facilities provide an important service to elderly and disabled individuals, as well as their families. These caregivers often work up to 24 hours per day, providing necessary care and supervision to ensure the health and safety of each facility resident. However, many facility caregivers are grossly underpaid for the services they provide.

For tunately, California law protects caregivers who work in licensed Residential Care Facilities from wage theft. Specifically, all facility caregivers are entitled to receive at least minimum wage for every hour they work, including all hours they are required to be present at the facility. Starting in 2021, the minimum wage rate in California is $13.00 per hour for employers with 25 employees or less, and $14.00 per hour for employers with 26 or more employees. Additionally, with some exceptions, facility caregivers are also entitled to overtime compensation for all hours worked in excess of 8 per day or 40 per week, and double time compensation for all hours worked in excess of 12 per day.

In light of these requirements, facility caregivers who work 24-hour shifts must be paid at least $494 per day to comply with California’s minimum wage laws. That includes 8 hours of pay at the minimum wage rate of $13.00/hour ($104), four hours of pay at the overtime rate of $19.50/hour ($78), and 12 hours of pay at the double time rate of $26/hour ($312).

In lieu of paying overtime and double time

wages, many employers pay facility caregivers a fixed salary, regardless of the actual number of hours they work each day. However, paying an employee a daily, weekly or monthly salary does not disqualify that employee from the minimum wage or overtime compensation requirements.

In actuality, under California law, payment of a fixed salary to a non-exempt employee only compensates that employee for their regular, non-overtime hours worked. This means that a non-exempt facility caregiver who receives a fixed salary has probably not been compensated for any hours he or she worked in excess of 8 per day or 40 per week. Furthermore, those uncompensated hours are considered overtime and double time hours, compensable at a rate one-and-one half times or two times the facility caregiver’s regular rate of pay.

If you are a facility caregiver receiving a fixed salary for working 24-hour shifts, you may have a substantial unpaid overtime claim. For purposes of illustration, below is an example of how wage and hour claims are calculated for facility caregivers under California law:

Tony is a facility caregiver. He works 24 hours per day and is not allowed to leave the care facility at any time during his scheduled shifts. Tony’s employer also requires him to sleep in the facility at night and the residents frequently wake him asking for assistance. Tony receives a daily salary of $120 each day he works. This makes Tony’s regular rate of pay $15.00 per hour ($120/8 hours per day).

Subject to that calculation, Tony’s overtime rate is $22.50 per hour and his double-time rate is $30 per hour, respectively. Because Tony’s daily salary of $120 does not compensate him for any overtime hours worked, Tony’s employer owes him $450.00 per day in unpaid wages: 4 overtime hours x $22.50 (Tony’s overtime rate), plus 12 double time hours x $30.00 (Tony’s double time rate). If Tony works 5 days per week, he is owed $2,250 per week, which equals $117,000 each year he works. If Tony brings a claim against his employer for these unpaid wages, he can seek unpaid wages going back three to four years, along with interest, attorney’s fees and costs, liquidated damages and penalties.

Caregivers work hard to provide support and assistance to our loved ones, and they should be paid in accordance with California law for their invaluable services. If you are a caregiver working in licensed Residential Care Facility and you are not being paid according to California law, we would like to help. Please contact our firm at (818)807-4168 for a free and confidential consultation. We love helping caregivers get the overtime compensation that they deserve.

This article is an attorney advertisement written by Lauren Peterson, employment law attorney at Chaleff Rehwald Peterson. Our office is located at 5855 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Suite 400, Woodland Hills, California. We accept cases throughout all of Northern and Southern California. Our examples are of a general nature and are not a guarantee regarding the outcome of your individual matter. The law firm focuses on caregiver rights. Please call us at (818) 807-4168 for a free and confidential consultation. Please visit us at www.caregiverovertime.com/ to learn more about caregiver overtime law. We offer a 24-hour chat line on our website.

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BAGONG FORMS NG VIRUS, PAREHO ANG LABAN! Isang napakahabang taon ng pagbabago ang lumipas lamang. At ngayon, pati na ang COVID ay nagbabago—sa mga bagong uri ng virus na tinatawag na variants na mas madaling kumalat. Ngunit isang bagay ang hindi nagbago: ang ating determinasyon na tumulong para pabagalin ang pagkalat ng COVID. Kung mananatili tayong maingat at ipagpapatuloy ang dati nating ginagawa—pagsuot ng masks, pagpapanatili ng 6 feet na distansya sa isa’t isa, pagpabakuna kapag panahon na natin—sama-sama nating kakayaning talunin ang virus na ito.

Alamin ang higit pa sa cdc.gov/coronavirus

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global NEWS GLOBAL NEWS P23-B EMERGENCY SUBSIDY FOR AREAS UNDER ECQ SIGNED 12

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MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday approved the release of PHP23-billion emergency subsidy to about 22.9 million individuals in Metro Manila and four nearby provinces placed under a week-long enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Duterte signed a document allowing the release of "in-kind" aid to beneficiaries during a meeting with Cabinet members aired over staterun PTV-4.

In the same meeting, Budget Secretary Wendel Avisado said 11.2 million from Metro Manila, 3 million from Bulacan, 3.4 million from Cavite, 2.7 million from Laguna, and 2.6 million recipients from Rizal will receive the emergency subsidy.

Avisado said the funds will be sourced from the remaining unutilized funds under Bayanihan 2, the government’s second pandemic stimulus package.

He said the distribution of in-kind aid may start during the first week of April.

Avisado said the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) will directly release the emergency subsidy to local government units (LGUs) for distribution to affected individuals.

“So wala po tayong cash po (So we won’t be distributing cash). We will leave it to the local government units,”

Avisado said.

To avoid corruption, Avisado said LGUs will be required to provide a list of beneficiaries and submit reports of disbursements and utilization of funds.

“Let us just be careful. Siguraduhin lang natin na walang katiwalian (Let’s

make sure there’s no corruption). I place my full faith and confidence in the mayors,” Duterte told Avisado.

During the ECQ last year, beneficiaries received PHP5,000 and PHP8,000 for the months of April and May. The second tranche of cash aid was also distributed for Filipinos who did not receive the first tranche.

Duterte has placed Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal under ECQ, the most restrictive quarantine status, until April 4 to curb the spike in Covid-19 cases.

Under ECQ, all households will be required to observe strict home quarantine. Movements will be limited to Authorized Persons Outside Residence, those accessing essential goods and services, and workers in establishments allowed to operate.

As of Monday, the country has recorded 731,894 confirmed Covid-19 cases, 13,186 are deaths, and 603,213 are recoveries.

The country saw at most 10,016 daily infections since new Covid-19 variants have been detected. (MNS)

DepEd to schools: Use online platforms, drop boxes in early registration MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of Education (DepEd) is reminding its field offices to utilize available online platforms and drop boxes in the registration for the next school year to protect the health of students and teachers amid the threat of COVID-19 pandemic.

The ea rly reg ist rat ion started on March 26 and will last until April 30, 2021, according to DepEd. "Similar to the previous year, early registration forms will be available in barangay halls and other public spaces," DepEd Undersecretary for Planning and Human Resource and Organizational Development Jesus Mateo said in a statement.

According to Mateo, an early registration drop-box will be made available for parents or guardians to collect and submit the forms in these identified places.

In areas under modified general community quarantine, Mateo said, in-person early registration is allowed provided that health and safety measures are being observed.

The DepEd, however, said School Division Superinten-

dents (SDS) are authorized to implement full remote early registration even in MGCQ areas depending on the area’s current risk assessment level on COVID-19.

"Only parents or guardians are permitted to transact within the school premises for early registration purposes,” Mateo said.

The DepEd official also reminded that regional and division offices should create hotlines for the provision of technical assistance to schools on policy and process-related concerns.

On the other hand, schools are encouraged to set-up hotlines and provide their respective official school details to the general public to cater to the queries and concerns regarding the early registration.

The DepEd, meanwhile, reminded schools of the strict implementation of the cut-off age in Kindergarten, especially for schools commencing their school year in August.

"Kindergarten learners should be five-years-old by August 31, and the extension period shall be until October 31," the DepEd said.

The month-long activity is initiated to ensure that incoming K inderga rten, Grades 1, 7, and 11 in public elementary and secondary schools are registered for the school year and help DepEd to prepare for possible issues and concerns that may arise, as stipulated in DepEd Order No. 3, s. 2018, or the Basic Education Enrollment policy.

In the absence of face-toface classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the government decided to implement distance learning among schools nationwide.

The DepEd earlier recommended to President Rodrigo Duterte to conduct face-toface classes in areas with low COVID-19 risk in January 2021.

The President initially approved the proposal, but he had recalled this amid the discovery of a new coronavirus variant.

Ea rly t his mont h, t he Senate adopted a resolution recommending the resumption of face-to-face classes in the country by immediately launching the pilot testing of localized limited physical classes.

(MNS)

DOJ: Special investigation team eyed to probe killing of labor leader MANILA (Mabuhay) — Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Wednesday a special investigation team might look into the killing of labor leader Dandy Miguel last Sunday.

Guevarra said the technical working group of the AO 35 task force on extrajudicial killings issued the recommendation following a preliminary assessment aimed at determining whether Miguel’s death

Slain labor leader Dandy Miguel Kilusang Mayo Uno FB photo

was connected to his leadership of labor group Pamantik-Kilusang Mayo Uno. He also said the motive for the killing remained unclear.

Under the AO 35 mechanism, prosecutors will supervise law enforcement officers investigating a crime.

Miguel, vice chairperson of Pamantik Kilusang Mayo Uno, was shot dead on Sunday evening in Laguna.

He was among those who filed complaints before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) over the killing of nine activists during police operations on March 7.

Following Miguel’s death, the CHR asked for “urgent action and tangible measures” to counter the “escalating situation of violence and harassment against union leaders and activists.”

The independent body also called for an end to the alleged crackdown on human rights defenders. (MNS)

NTF adviser backs extension of ECQ in NCR, neighboring areas MANILA (Mabuhay) — A medical adviser for the National Task Force Against COVID-19 on Wednesday said the stringent lockdown re-imposed in the National Capital Region and neighboring provinces should be extended beyond April 4.

Dr. Ted Herbosa said an extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna would help ensure a reduction in COVID-19 transmission.

“Kung ako ang tatanungin siyempre,... maganda kung tuloy-tuloy [ang ECQ]" (If you ask me, of course, it would be better if the ECQ is extended), he said in a Laging Handa briefing.

Herbosa even added that a more-than-a-week extension would be better "hanggang sa bumaba ‘yung reproduction number” (until the reproduction number goes down).

Reproduction number refers to the number of people that each COVID-19 case can infect. Herbosa said this figure currently stands at around 1.4.

Likewise, Herbosa said that hospitals and quarantine facilities might not be able to cope with an increased number of COVID-19 cases if restrictions are loosened soon.

“We can see ‘yung actual situation na naghihintay ‘yung mga positive cases sa emergency room, hindi makahanap at hindi matanggap dahil puno na ‘yung hospitals natin sa NCR Plus” (The situation is: positive cases are waiting in emergency rooms, unable to get [beds] because our hospitals in NCR Plus are full), he said.

But, Herbosa is not ready to concede to the idea that the country has lost its fight against COVID-19, as the Philippine Hospital Association sees it has.

He called on the government’s inter-agency task force to continue being “creative” in finding ways to extend the ECQ. “As long as may mga pasyenteng positive na naghihingalo, hindi maipasok sa ospital, may problema pa tayo" (as long as we have patients who are dying and are not in hospitals, we have a problem), he said.

Malacañang earlier said an ECQ extension would only be considered as a “last resort.” (MNS)

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Food delivery allowed 24/7 — Palace MANILA (Mabuhay) — Food delivery is allowed 24/7 in areas under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), Malacañang clarified on Wednesday.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made this reminder after a video of a GrabFood rider being barred from delivering lugaw (hot rice porridge) went viral.

“A video, which has been circulating online, has come to our attention. Lugaw, or any food item for that matter, is considered an essential good,” Roque said in a statement.

Roque on March 27 said delivery and courier services transporting essential goods will be allowed during the ECQ. “Delivery of food items must remain unhampered 24/7. Huwag natin harangin sa checkpoints (Let’s not stop them at checkpoints),” he added.

In a Facebook live video early Wednesday morning, rider Marvin Igancio was apparently scolded by a female personnel from San Jose del Monte City government in Bulacan at a quarantine checkpoint, saying the lugaw is a non-essential item.

"Essential po ba si Lugaw? Hindi. Kasi mabubuhay ang tao ng walang lugaw," she was videoed as saying.

'LUGAW' IS ESSENTIAL. A server pours "lugaw" (rice porridge) at an eatery along Scout Ybardolaza Street, Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City on Thursday (April 1, 2021). The government clarified that the delivery of rice porridge and other food items is essential, following a viral video of a female village employee who intercepted a delivery rider at a quarantine checkpoint saying that rice porridge is a non-essential item. (MNS photo)

She cited the curfew in areas under ECQ from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. by showing the rider a copy of guidelines issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

However, she seemed to have forgotten that Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APORs), workers, cargo vehicles, and public transportation exempted by the said curfew.

She said the rider should explain the IATF guidelines to the company he works for.

“Sabihin niyo dun sa Grab niyo. Paano po ‘yan pinapa-implement naming? (Tell that to Grab. What about the rules we need to implement?”) she said.

Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal are currently under ECQ until April 4 to curb the spike in Covid-19 cases nationwide. (MNS)

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New TRB chief wants toll road projects fast-tracked MANILA (Mabuhay) — The newly appointed head of the Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) is eyeing to fast-track the ongoing and planned toll road projects and review pending applications for toll rate increases.

Executive director Alvin Carullo, appointed by President Rodrigo Duterte last March 15, replaced former TRB chief Abraham Sales who resigned in January, and DOTr Assistant Secretary Giovanni Lopez who became the TRB’s officer-in-charge while waiting for Sales’ replacement.

Carullo said Tuesday the TRB needed an “effective and proactive regulation” of existing toll road facilities through “responsive policies” and emphasized the need to expedite the completion of toll road projects.

“I intend to inculcate the culture of competence, integrity, and good public service in the TRB,” Carullo said.

Among his plans include increasing the number of TRB personnel to ensure the efficient performance of the agency's toll regulatory functions and to promote the “professional welfare” of its workforce.

He said he would also review pending applications of toll operators for toll rate increases, noting there will be “just and reasonable” toll rates through a transparent consultation.

“Toll rates should not be too low as to be confiscatory nor so high as to be oppressive,” Carullo said.

In December last year, Sales was questioned by senators during a Senate public services committee hearing over issues in the implementation of the cashless toll collection in Luzon expressways.

Duterte also previously told TRB officials to resign for allowing toll operators to implement “flawed” radio-frequency identification installation systems that resulted in massive traffic jams. (MNS)

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Kris Bernal marks Game over! Ellen Adarna, Derek Ramsay now engaged 14th year in showbiz

A

fter admitting their relationship just last month, actress Ellen Adarna is now engaged with actor Derek Ramsay.

On her Instagram page, Adarna posted a series of photos revealing that Ramsay has asked her to marry him.

In the photos, Adarna is seen wearing an engagement ring that features a huge diamond gemstone.

Present in the proposal were Adarna’s child with actor John Lloyd Cruz and Ramsay's son.

In February, after weeks of speculation, the couple acknowledged that they are in a relationship. In an interview, the two said they have been dating for a month.

Ramsay previously said he is convinced that the actress is “the one” he will finally marry, after several relationships that unfolded and ended in the public eye.

Ramsay, 44, spoke in detail for the first time about his new ENGAGED COUPLE DEREK RAMSAY AND ELLEN ADARNA relationship with Adarna, 32.

He revealed that prior to the viral dinner party in January, which first spurred rumors romantically linking them, he had already gone out on a “blind date” with Adarna. (MNS)

Jhong Hilario welcomes first child

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Jhong Hilario has finally welcomed his daughter with his partner of seven years, Maia Azores.

On Instagram, Hilario shared a photo of his newborn who they named Sarina.

“Hello my LOVE!!!” he wrote in the caption.

Among those who quickly sent him congratulatory messages were his “It’s Showtime” co-hosts Vice Ganda, Amy Perez, Teddy Corpuz, and Jugs Jugueta.

“Yeheeeeeeeeeeyyyy!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Super kyooot ni bagets!

Nakasmile sya,” said Vice Ganda.

“Congratulations! @jhonghilario and @maialevisteazores” added Castillo.

Jugueta commented with blue heart emojis while Corpuz also congratulated Hilario and Azores.

It was last February when Hilario announced that he and Azores were expecting a baby girl.

“Sobrang excited [ako] kasi first baby,” he shared at that time. “Sabi ko nga, itong pandemic, hindi ganoon kasama, kasi merong blessing na du-

JHONG HILARIO

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Kris Bernal continues to shine as she marks her 14th anniversary in the entertainment industry.

The actress shared on Instagram several photos to commemorate the occasion—herself in a glimmering gold dress, a letter, and her first showbiz portrait.

“A series of failed auditions until … Dream! Believe! Survive!

Starstruck! Today marks my 14th year anniversary in the showbiz KRIS BERNAL industry!” she said.

“To become an actress was my ultimate dream and I had written it in my [slambook] when I was only 10!”

Kris said she got this far through “hard work, perseverance, prayers” and the support of her loved ones.

According to the actress, dreamers should do their best to reach what they aspire for and that is by never giving up.

“Everyone has dreams and the wonderful thing is, nothing is impossible. Some people never try. Make sure you’re one of those people who never really stops,” she said.

“Reach for the star and keep your feet on the ground.”

Kris was the Ultimate Female Survivor on the fourth season of the reality talent show “StarStruck,” which premiered in 2006.

(MNS)

Nadine Lustre to hold digital concert on Kumu in May MANILA (Mabuhay) — Actress and singer Nadine Lustre is set to return to the concert stage as Careless Music announced her upcoming digital concert on live streaming app Kumu in May. The record label revealed the upcoming “Wildest Dreams” concert in its first-ever online trade launch recently, months after Lustre released her first full-length album.

The announcement came alongside the introduction of the company's newest artists and their project initiatives for 2021.

Lustre’s album was released last November 2020 which featured a dozen of songs, highlighted by the title track

“Wildest Dreams,” “Ivory,” and “Dance With Danger.”

The 27-year-old actress will also launch a fi lm concert in August this year.

James Reid, Careless Music founder and Lustre’s former boyfriend, is also expected to release a couple of new songs in May and June, after his recent single “Soda.”

Meanwhile, the record label welcomed new artists such as Jolianne, anb R&B singer-songwriter from Cebu, and award-winning Pinoy dance group A-Team.

Jolianne joined "The Voice Kids" and opened for international acts such as Air Supply and Michael Learns To Rock.

(MNS)

BABY SARINA

mating.”

In the same interview, Hilario admitted having apprehensions about being a father amid a global health crisis, saying, “Lahat naman, kahit sino, kahit saan ka magpunta, talagang delikado.”

Currently, Hilario continues to work during the pandemic as a contestant in “Your Face Sounds Familiar.” The network decided to temporarily suspend the live staging of “It’s Showtime” following the surge in COVID-19 cases in the country.

Hilario is nonetheless grateful for career opportunities, thanking his home network specifically, as these will help him provide for his growing family. (MNS)

NADINE LUSTRE

Janella Salvador reveals going into labor for 2 days MANILA (Mabuhay) — Janella Salvador has revealed that she went into labor for two days before giving birth to her son Jude.

“I was in labor for two days. It was a really, really hard labor for me because he was facing front.

He didn’t want to face back so all of the pressure was against my spine,” Janella said as she recounted her experience when she gave birth in the United Kingdom.

“I wasn’t progressing well. I

went to the hospital three times.

They’ll always send me home but on my third time they were like, ‘we feel bad for you, maybe we’ll induce you.’”

The doctors always sent her back because as much as possible, they wanted to wait for her to be ready. On her third time visiting the hospital, the health staff finally broke her water and fortunately her labor progressed.

“Two days of no sleep, intense pain. As soon as they injected

JANELLA SALVADOR the epidural, grabe,” Janella said.

The actress explained that she wanted to give birth in the Unit-

ed Kingdom so her baby could have both UK and Filipino citizenship.

Markus Paterson, her partner, is a UK citizen She was supposed to leave the Philippines in May, but because of delays, she was able to fly out only in September, when she was already eight months pregnant.

“So I was big when I left. I was so nervous. What if someone sees me in the airport? I had to

dress up in big clothes because I didn’t want to be seen yet,” Janella said.

“And two, what if I got the virus and it goes to my baby?

Thank God nothing happened.”

Janella and Markus welcomed baby Jude into the world last October. They announced his birth in January.

In February, the actress revealed that she had returned to the Philippines with her baby.

(MNS)

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Ivana Alawi opens up about worst date experience Sharon wants

I

vana Alawi turned candid when she shared the things that get her attention when it comes to guys.

“Ngiti,” she quickly said, adding that she also gets attracted to intelligent and goal-driven guys.

The celebrity vlogger, however, stressed that she wants her future partner to be a Filipino.

“Noong dati, sabi nila ‘Mag-AFAM ka.’ Ayaw ko ng AFAM. Gusto ko ng Pinoy. They are very loving and very caring. Most Pinoys are very family-oriented, 'yun ang gusto ko,” she said.

On the other hand, Alawi shared that arrogance is an instant turn-off for her.

Sharing her worst date experience, she said: “May

time kasi na we were eating in a restaurant. Tapos pinagsisigawan niya 'yung waiter, pinagmumumura niya. Parang siguro he was trying to impress me pero hindi niya alam na sobrang na-turn off ako the way he treated that waiter.”

“Kung ganyan siya magtrato sa waiter, he could treat anyone else like that.

He could treat me or my family [like that]. Ang lala niya. 'Yung waiter umiiyak. Nag-walk out ako, kinausap ko 'yung waiter nag-sorry ako. Ayaw ko na nakakakita ng ganun,” she added.

Nonet heless, A law i

IVANA ALAWI doesn’t have a preference between showbiz and non-showbiz guys as long as they get to keep their relationship private.

“I like having a private relationship kasi feeling ko kapag in-out agad namin, mabilis agad masisira, lalo na kung 'yung lalaki

affected sa mga bashers or sa mga comments. Sinasabi ko lang na whether showbiz or non-showbiz, I want it to be private and intimate,” she said.

At this point, the actress confessed that she is currently very much single.

“Marami actually ang nagtatanong if nasa private relationship ako. No talaga, not yet. Dating?

Ang tagal na ng last date ko eh.

Siguro three months [ago]. Gusto ko kung sino 'yung next relationship ko, siya na 'yung magiging asawa ko, siya na 'yung magiging tatay ng mga anak ko,” she said.

Alawi thinks this will all happen in five years when she’s 29.

“I think may asawa na ako [in five years]. Pero five years from now, I think I’ll still be vlogging kung gusto pa ako panoorin ng mga tao. And also siguro I would put up my own business,” she said.

(MNS)

Kathryn Bernardo shares her favorite, ‘most used’ designer shoes MANILA (Mabuhay) — Months after showing part of her luxury bag collection, Kathryn Bernardo released another vlog featuring her favorite designer footwear.

At the top of her list is her Christian Louboutin nude peep-toe pumps, saying it is her "most used" pair in her entire collection.

"I got this when I was 18. I'm turning 25 now and I'm still using this," she said. "I like this so much because it makes my legs long... Six inches ata siya or even higher. And it's very classic."

Bernardo said she loves her Louboutin peep-toe pumps so much, she even got it in black and white colors.

Her other favorite pair from the French fashion brand is the Follies Strass, which has crystal embellishments.

"I feel like ako si Cinderella every time I wear this because it's so pretty," she said, comparing the pumps to glass slippers.

Bernardo's other favorite designer shoes include gold slinky heels

from Stuart Weitzman, Gucci Brixton loafers, Dsquared2 Riri sandals, Amina Muaddi Lupita sandals, and Gianvito Rossi Red Bow satin pumps.

She also showed two Chanel footwear: the black and white laceup Oxfords and the red ballerina flats. The latter is a gift from her boyfriend and on-screen partner, Daniel Padilla.

"I like this because DJ (Padilla) gave this to me, so this pair is very important. Very sentimental ako na tao so hindi ko siya masyadong sinusuot kasi ayoko siyang magasgas," she said.

Bernardo ended her vlog by assuring her viewers that it is "okay to reward yourself once in a while" with items such as designer shoes and bags as a form of self-love.

"We have different ways on how to reward ourselves, like 'yung iba it's traveling, 'yung iba naman... shoes, or a bag. And there's nothing wrong with that," she said.

"For me lang, as long as you set a limit and as long as you're in mod-

JC AND BIANCA WITH THEIR CHILDREN

Bianca Gonzalez vows to always be his ‘cheerleader’ as husband JC Intal retires MANILA (Mabuhay) — Television host Bianca Gonzalez took to social media to share her message to her husband JC Intal, who announced his retirement from professional basketball last March 21.

Posting snaps of Intal on Instagram, Gonzalez said she is proud of her husband's basketball journey.

"I may not have been there at the start of your 20-year basketball

KATHRYN BERNARDO eration, then go for it. Lalo ako, I work hard every day and I feel like 'pag meron akong pinagtrabahuhan na bagay like if it's shoes or bags, mas nate-treasure ko... Kasi alam ko na pinaghirapan ko 'yun," she stressed. (MNS)

journey, but I am so proud and honored to be by your side and the end of it. I think one of the things we had in common that made us click from the start is that we knew we were role players in our chosen careers. It drove us both to constantly work to improve, to keep our feet on the ground, and to be good soldiers," Gonzalez said.

The television host also shared her admiration for her husband's professionalism and kindness.

"I so deeply admire your work ethic, integrity, and how mentally strong you were on days that you had a bad game, that your team had a big loss, or when you'd read nasty feedback. You may not know it, but you being you helped me deal with many

of my toughest days.

It makes me incredibly proud hearing so many stories of aspiring athletes who look up to you and also colleagues whose lives you've touched. You were always so genuine and kind with how you connected with them, which inspired me to do the same," Gonzalez said.

"Every time I would sit in the coliseum with patron tickets as a perk for being your girlfriend, then wife; on the outside it may seem like 'normal lang' but I assure you, deep inside, I would always be sooo kilig and proud to sit there, watching you, with my heart racing every time you'd hold the ball. I can honestly go on and on and on pero hindi naman ako 'yung nag-retire from the game so ang OA

naman kung mas mahaba pa ang sinulat ko sayo hahaha. BUT!! I would just like to honor you," Gonzalez said.

In the end, Gonzalez vowed to always be the number cheerleader of Intal "for life."

In an emotional Instagram post on Sunday night, Intal said he is stepping away from basketball "after two decades of playing the sport I love."

"It is a bittersweet feeling for me to say goodbye to the game that has been a huge part of my life, but I am moving forward feeling happy and proud knowing I made the most of the privilege to play basketball professionally," the 37-yearold Intal wrote.

"It has been the honor of my life to play basketball. From the bottom of my heart, again, THANK YOU." (MNS)

a grandchild from KC

SHARON CUNETA MANILA (Mabuhay) — Sharon Cuneta can't wait to have a grandchild from her firstborn KC Concepcion, her daughter with former husband actor Gabby Concepcion.

"This girl is the very best ‘thing’ we ever did together. Right, Papi?" Cuneta wrote in an Instagram post as she tagged both her daughter and ex-husband. She also used the hashtag #oncewewereafamily.

In the comment section of her post, Cuneta replied to a netizen's wish for her to have a grandchild from KC. "Inip na inip na nga ako!

Kahit magpa-surrogate na lang si Kayce masaya na ako basta eggs n'ya!" Cuneta wrote.

This is not the first time Cuneta told KC, who is turning 36 this year. that she already wants to have a grandchild.

Meanwhile, Cuneta also reacted to a netizen's comment about her much-delayed reunion movie with Gabby.

"Siya lang hinihintay naming lahat," Cuneta responded.

Cuneta also wrote: "Isnabero 'yan 'di ko nga alam bakit eh alam ko okay naman kami! 'Di ko na alam!"

Just two weeks ago, Cuneta publicly teased Concepcion about their screen reunion, which was first reported back in 2016 but was postponed.

Despite this, the former couple insisted that they are still open to do a movie together.

"I never said no to the project. There are many factors to consider. I hope we can make the movie happen. We have been waiting for that," Concepcion said in a previous interview.

In 2018, the two surprised their fans when they did a TV commercial together for a fast food chain they both endorse.

That was their first time working together since 1992's "Tayong Dalawa."

The two were first paired in the 1981 movie "Dear Heart."

Cuneta married Concepcion in 1985 at the height of the popularity of their love team. Cuneta remarried in 1996 to Sen. Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, with whom she has three children.

Currently, Cuneta is one of the judges of the newest season of "Your Face Sounds Familiar." (MNS)

16

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Filipinas break stereotypes through heritage conservation MANILA – Masons, carvers, painters, and restorers are traditionally considered male-dominated occupations in the Philippines, but a vocational school located in Intramuros and Bohol is showing how women are slowly breaking these gender stereotypes.

Since its establishment in 2009, Escuela Taller de Filipinas Foundation, Inc. (ETFFI) has been recruiting and training more women in heritage conservation and the construction industry.

Out of their 700 graduates, 20 percent of their graduates are women with masonry as the trade with the most number of women graduates.

“In our observation, attention to detail is one of the strengths of in women stone mason carvers,” ETFFI Executive Director and Architect Tina Bulaong said in an Intramuros Learning Sessions seminar on March 27.

Despite its gains in closing the gender gap, Bulaong admitted that women are significantly underrepresented in heritage conservation and construction where only 15 percent of their trainees are women.

Citing a study conducted by the Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID) on why women are underrepresented, she said it can be explained by “supply and demand issues.”

“I guess we can relate this to culture. There still is some gender stereotyping.

For example, conservative families would still have the thinking construction is only for men. Even connected to that the role of women in society is always thought as having

to do with domestic demands or women’s role in the household. The idea is women when they work, they still have to worry about what’s happening in the household, they manage all sorts of things that have to do with domestic life more than men,” Bulaong said.

“There are still some biases in demand for workers. Like for example there are employers even in construction companies that would prefer to hire men over women and sometimes they would even explain it that it has to do with economics. Like for example a contractor prefers to hire all men because if he hires women he would provide separate facilities for women workers like maybe even separate barracks, separate comfort facilities so some contractors would say it’s more costly for them,” she added.

She said there is a need to review policies and provisions in laws, codes to promote women’s availability in the workplace.

“One of the constraints why women tend to stay home especially after they give birth is we have a law that says if you are going to avail of daycare facilities, in our barangays there are daycare facilities where mothers can leave their child, but there’s only a maximum of four hours. So how can you work in that context?” she said.

Provisions, she said, can be made to include necessary infrastructure and facilities for motherly and domestic care.

She added that efforts could also be done to incentivize employers, clients, and companies to include more women in their work-

force.

Currently, many efforts are being done by ETFFI to include more women in the job market, especially when it comes to heritage conservation and construction.

“We put a lot of effort in getting more women to participate in our training programs. We tend to use propaganda where you see in most our communication materials there are always women in our visual materials,” she said.

ETFFI, she added, has also included women trainees in their skills training programs such as masonry; carpentry and woodworks; painting and finishing; electrical; plumbing; and metal works.

For example, Bernalyn Lucindo, a former saleslady, now works in a conservation team that the Intramuros Administration has formed to conserve, repair, and rehabilitate their antique collections. She is just one of the many women graduates who have been involved in heritage conservation and construction.

As a trainee, Lucindo was involved in the restoration of the silleria or the wooden stalls of the San Agustin Church Choir Loft and in the reconstruction of the traditional roofing of Ivatan stone houses in Batanes.

“The involvement of women in heritage is really key and I’m proud to say that somehow we’ve made a big difference and an impact to giving jobs and opportunities to women in particular,” she added.

ETFFI started as a collaborative project of the government of Spain represented by AECID and the government of the Philip-

Female masons shaping stones in Angeles Church in Pampanga. (Photo courtesy of Escuela Taller de Filipinas Foundation, Inc.)

PROTECTING HERITAGE. Bernalyn Lucindo now works at the Cultural Properties Division of the Intramuros Administration which handles the care and restoration of artifacts in the vast collection of IA. She was part of the team that restored the choir seats (silleria) of the San Agustin Church choir loft in Intramuros. (Photo courtesy of Escuela Taller de Filipinas Foundation, Inc.) pines represented by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

In December 2013, ETFFI evolved into a non-profit organization and school aimed to promote the protection, conservation and rehabilitation of the Philippines’ tangible heritage through skills development and training. (PNA)

LIGHTHOUSE... from Page 4 first produced screenplay written by a Black woman. She also wrote the film's soundtrack, despite having little additional input in the filming of the movie. The following year, in 1973, Angelou married Paul du Feu, a Welsh carpenter and for the next ten years, Angelou was described by Gillespie as "having accomplished more than many artists had hoped to achieve in a lifetime." She also worked as a composer for singer, Roberta Flack and composing movie scores. She became a visiting professor at several colleges and universities, one of which was where I was attending at the time, the Northwestern University in Chicago, Illinois.

Angelou also appeared in a supporting role in the television mini-series, "ROOTS," in 1977 and it was also around this time when she was given a multitude of awards, including more than thirty honorary degrees, from colleges and universities

COMMMON... from Page 2 all over the world, despite having no Bachelor's degree. It was also during this time that she met and became friends with Oprah Winfrey when Winfrey was a TV anchor in Maryland and Angelou became her close friend and mentor.

After eight (8) years of marriage with Paul du Feu, Angelou and Du Feu divorced in 1981 and the following year, in 1982, she was named the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

By the early 1990's, she made approximately 80 appearances for a year on the lecture circuit, which was something she enjoyed doing into her eighties.

And in 1993, as this author recalls, excited to see her again, Maya Angelou, recited her poem "On The Pulse Of The Morning," at the first inauguration of President Clinton, making her the first African American poet to make an inaugural recitation

since Robert Frost at the inauguration of John F. Kennedy in 1961. The inaugural recitation of her poem, gained her more fame and recognition as well as it broadened her appeal across "racial, economic and educational boundaries," earning her a Grammy Award.

Thirty years after Angelou began writing her life story, she completed her sixth autobiography book entitled "Song Flung Up To Heaven" in 2002 and in 2008, she campaigned for Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Party presidential primaries, but when the Clinton campaign ended, Angelou put her support behind Barack Obama, who won the presidential elections.

At the age of 85 in 2013, Angelou published her seventh (7th) book entitled "Mom & Me & Mom," which was about her relationship with her mother and the following year, on the morning of May 28, 2014, she

died at the age of 86, discovered by her nurse. During her memorial service at Wake Forest University, her son, Guy Johnson, stated that " she left this mortal plane with no loss of acuity and no loss in comprehension."

In celebrating this week's EASTER SUNDAY, this writer wants to honor the great legacy our literary mentor has left all of us, writers and readers all over the world whom she had inspired with her outstanding creative knowledge. Her books will forever be available for us to read and make us smile grateful for allowing us to be inspired.

In a 1989 poem, which resonates to this writer, Maya Angelou wrote, "nothing so frightens me as writing, but nothing so satisfies me. It's like a swimmer in an English Channel, you face the stingrays and waves and cold and grease, and finally you reach the other shore, and you put your foot on the ground.....

Ahhhh."

Hernandez described the motto for his “unity mapping” campaign in Texas: “Nothing about us without us.”

In the Midwest, Hmong and other Asian American communities “face challenges in language and navigating technology,” Feng said. “They need extra help to make sure they are counted by the census and can give meaningful community testimony to ensure their communities are recognized in redistricting.”

And in Minnesota, Yang described a “very intentional and culturally competent” effort to create a “community-focused, accessible redistricting process” that could inspire communities to get involved in redistricting in the long term.

“We know that our communities know themselves best, and we want to empower them,” Yang said.

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MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of Health (DOH) is fast-tracking the process on the possible administration of Sinovac vaccine against COVID-19 to the elderly after AstraZeneca vaccine doses have run out, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said Thursday.

“We are working with Sinovac to submit efficacy data on seniors today so we can expand use to 60 years old and above. Will refer it to FDA (Food and Drug Administration), NITAG (National Immunization Technical Advisory Group), HTAC (Health Technology Assessment Council),” Duque said.

The FDA, which gave an emergency use authorization (EUA) for Sinovac's vaccine to be used on individuals aged 18 to 59, earlier said that it needs data from clinical trials before it can recommend it to senior citizens.

Only the Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca, and Sputnik V vaccines can be used on senior citizens.

All three have been approved for emergency use but so far only AstraZeneca's vaccine has reached the country.

However, the supply of AstraZenaca vaccines are running out with the city of Manila stopping its inoculation of senior citizens against COVID-19.

Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. said there would be a “slight delay” in the delivery of AstraZeneca vaccines from the COVAX Facility due to logistical problems.

The Philippines has so far received 525,600 AstraZeneca vaccine doses from COVAX Facility, a World Health Organ-

ization-backed initiative that seeks to ensure equitable access to vaccines, especially poorer nations.

Asked how long will be the process before Sinovac vaccines can be administered to senior citizens, Duque said, “Asap iyan [as soon as possible)!”

“Pero depende sa Sinovac when they can send it. Minamadali ni Secretary Galvez sila,” he added. (MNS)

Hontiveros calls for official mass testing system to hit target COVID-19 tests

SENATOR RISA HONTIVEROS

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Senator Risa Hontiveros is calling on the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19 to establish an official mass testing system as part of its COVID-19 response.

Hontiveros made the call after testing czar Vince Dizon said they would increase the country's testing capacity to 90,000 per day, which, according to the senator, came a little too late.

In a statement, Hontiveros questioned why the NTF was "only now paying attention to the suggestion" to the Department of Health's recommendation to use antigen tests to test more people for COVID-19.

“I urge the NTF to be more vigilant. We have all the tools and information, but we keep on acting too late. This is what happened when we didn’t close our borders the first time, and again, when we failed to close them as the new variants started to spread," she said.

"We need an official

and national mass testing system to hit our targets and to hit them smartly.

We need to increase the magnitude of testing and sustain the quality so that we do not post artificial improvement," she added.

Dizon on Tuesday said the government is planning to ramp up COVID-19 tests to 80,000 to 90,000 per day in Metro Manila and nearby provinces -- areas that are experiencing a surge in infections.

To achieve this, he said the government will be using antigen test kits certified by the World Health Organization and the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine along with the RT-PCR test.

Hontiveros said that while the targeted 90,000 tests per day is a good start, it should "be the floor, not the target ceiling."

Citing the DOH COVID-19 tracker, she said the country tested as few as 28,000 cases in March despite the rising number of cases.

She also lamented the average of 13 tests for every COVID-19 case in the Philippines, which she said is an "extremely far cry from the 111 tests per

Saturday-Friday | April 3 - 9, 2021

21K indigents get P145-M medical aid — PCSO MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) has released over PHP145 million in medical assistance to 21,599 eligible indigent beneficiaries nationwide.

In a statement Thursday, PCSO general manager Royina Garma said the total amount of assistance was given to beneficiaries from March. 1 to 31, 2021.

The Medical Access Program (MAP), formerly known as the Individual Medical Assistance Program (IMAP), is designed to augment the medical needs of indigent Filipinos, particularly hospital confinement, chemotherapy, dialysis, and post-transplant medicines.

The program is funded by revenues from PCSO games nationwide.

Among the beneficiaries were 3,502 individuals from the National Capital Region (NCR) who received a total of PHP31.4 million, and 5,271 individuals from Northern and Central Luzon who were given PHP35.36 million.

In the Southern Tagalog and Bicol Region, about PHP30.96 million were released to 5,584 indigents.

In the Visayas, the PCSO under the MAP also assisted 3,853 individuals who were provided with PHP25.12 million in medical aid, while 3,389 individuals in Mindanao benefited PHP22.21 million.

Earlier, Garma said the agency is continuing to provide medical assistance to the increasing number of indigents seeking help from PCSO amid the coronavirus disease crisis.

"Rest assured that the agency will find ways to meet the medical and health-related needs of all Filipinos, especially the marginalized," he said. (MNS) case of Thailand, and the 1000 tests per case of Vietnam."

“The truth is we have no choice but to set high targets, and hit them. No ifs or buts," Hontiveros said.

"We can no longer fall short because the consequence is the disturbing outbreak we are facing and will continue to face.” (MNS)

GENE SEQUENCING MACHINE CONTAMINATED; COVID-19 VARIANT CASES UPDATE DELAYED BY A WEEK — DOH MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine Genome Center's gene sequence machines got contaminated, precluding the Department of Health from releasing an update on new COVID-19 variant cases in the country, a health official said Wednesday.

“Nagkaroon ng contamination yung kanilang mga makinang ginagamit. So kailangan magkaroon ng preventive maintenance.

And they are trying to address the issue,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during a virtual briefing.

Vergeire said the the PGC wrote to them to explain what happened.

“Natapos na po ang ginawang maintenance procedures. At ngayon po, nagra-run tayo ng panibagong run dahil yun ngang previous ay nagkaroon ng problema,” the health official said.

The DOH usually releases updates on the number of COVID-19 cases with variants of concern by the end of every week. There was no update released last week.

Vergeire said the PGC might release its latest sequencing results by Friday or Saturday.

The latest variant cases data are as of March 19: -B.1.1.7 or UK variant - 223 cases -B.1.351 or South African variant - 152 cases -P.1 or Brazilian variant - 1 case -P.3 variant (which was first detected in the Philippines) - 104 cases While the DOH has mainly attributed the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases this month to non-compliance with health protocols, it has also recognized how the more transmissible variants may have added to the quick spread of the virus.

All of the detected variants contain a mutation that makes the virus more transmissible or contagious,

although the World Health Organization has yet to release its analysis on the P.3 variant. (MNS)

Saturday-Friday | April 3 - 9, 2021

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Gov’t cautioned vs using antigen testing for COVID-19 screening MANILA (Mabuhay) — Former Health Secretary and now Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin cautioned the government from using rapid antigen testing to boost its coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) screening, saying the test is mainly used for symptomatic patients.

Garin made the remark after the Department of Health (DOH) announced that those who tested positive through rapid antigen testing in areas with a high number of COVID-19 cases—such as Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces—will now be included in the official tally of infections.

“Ang rapid antigen testing ay ginagamit para malaman ng mga doctor kung ang pasyente nilang may sintomas ng COVID ay positive o negative sa SARS-CoV2. Essentially for symptomatics ito,” Garin said in a statement.

Garin explained that if asymptomatic patients tested negative, they should still undergo confirmatory RT-PCR test because rapid antigen testing has a false negative rate of about 40 percent.

“Nauuso ngayon ang antigen testing dahil mabilis, pero huwag tayo makampante. RT-PCR test pa rin ang gold standard sa COVID-19 testing,” Garin said.

Garin likewise stressed the importance of prepositioning essential medicines during the pandemic such as COVID-19 investigational drugs Remdesivir and Tocilizumab.

“I have been receiving messages and calls asking for Remdesivir and Tocilizumab. In a pandemic, dapat prepositioned na ang mga gamot,” Garin said.

“Hanggang ngayon hirap pa rin maghanap ng gamot ang mga tao. Kailangan pa nila gumawa ng sariling paraan to source medicines na kung prepositioned na eh hindi sana naging problema,” Garin added.

Despite this, Garin cautioned the public against using Ivermectin for COVID-19, saying the anti-parasitic drug did not go through intensive study and clinical trial for use on humans.

“Hindi porke may narinig tayo o nabasa ay paniniwalaan na natin. Huwag naman natin sayangin ang efforts ng ating mga scientists,” she said. (MNS)

Robredo to DOH, IATF: Look ‘seriously’ into hospital bed shortage MANILA (Mabuhay) — Vice-President Leni Robredo on Wednesday reiterated her call to health and inter-agency task force (IATF) officials to "seriously look" into the reported shortage of hospital beds and rooms for COVID-19 patients.

Robredo said in a statement that her office has been receiving messages from families of COVID-19 patients who can't be confined at hospitals due to lack of beds and rooms.

"I have recommended many times over that we need to already expand hospital capacity -by setting up field hospitals, hiring more health care workers and paying them well, making sure hospitals are equipped with everything necessary to treat patients," Robredo said.

"I am saying this again today because I caught on TV the coverage of the hearings of the Committee on Health yesterday at the House of Representatives where DOH (Department of Health) was standing by their data that hospitals are not full yet and was insisting that 93% of COVID patients have mild symptoms and do not need hospitalization.

"But again, iba 'yung personal account ng mga families sa sinasabi sa DOH data. If people who don’t need hospitalization are still getting in line in hospitals, there must be underlying reasons.

"Have we built a system where people who are self-isolating at home would still have access to medical help when necessary?"

The Vice President said people asking for her office's help said they can't get through the hotline num-

bers given by authorities in case of COVID-19 symptoms.

"It must be because the system is already overloaded. Inayos man lang ba yung infrastructure nito?

Marami na ngayon nag-o-offer ng Home Care Medical Package. Pero papaano yung mga walang pambayad? At kahit pa meron, may mga pamantayan ba ang DOH na kailangan sundin nung mga Home Care Specialists para din ma ensure kaligtasan ng mga nagkakasakit?" she said.

"Pasensya na po na makulit tayo about this. People are getting sick and are dying. Bilis bilisan sana natin yung pagtugon kasi sobrang urgent pag buhay ng tao nakataya."

A group of independent researchers earlier projected hospitals in Metro Manila will reach full capacity by Holy Week if government failed to slow down COVID-19 transmission.

If the current reproduction number of about 1.9 continues, total bed and intensive care units for virus patients will reach full capacity by the "first week of April," the OCTA Research Group said.

Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 in the capital region, Calabarzon, and Central Visayas have risen over the "past few days," said Dr. Jose Rene De Grano, president of the Private Hospitals Association of the Philippines.

The Philippines' COVID-19 treatment "czar" also had said the decreasing healthcare capacity of Metro Manila was "alarming."

Health Undersecretary Leopold Vega, head of the One Hospital Command, said more than half of isolation beds and 64 percent of ICU beds in the region are currently occupied.

"This is already 60 percent, so alarming," he said of Metro Manila's ICU bed utilization. "We need to do something. We need to do the appropriate response in terms of capacitating iyong mga hospitals, both public and private," he said. (MNS)

Palace: Duterte eyes creation of Vaccine Institute as legacy M A NIL A (Mabu hay) — President Rodrigo Duterte wants to fund a Vaccine Institute before he steps down from office on June 30, 2022, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on Tuesday.

“W hat he wants is for the (Department of Budget and Management) to set aside funding for Vaccine Institute so we can manufacture our own vaccine,” Roque said at a Palace briefing.

“He wants to leave it as a legacy: having a Vaccine Institute, para hindi na tayo umaasa sa inaangkat na bakuna [so

that we will not depend on imported vaccines]," he added.

The Philippines is currently facing a surge in COVID-19 cases with 115,495 active ones so far — a figure reached after a record-setting 10,016 new infections reported on March 29.

The Philippine government has also imposed va r y ing lockdow ns to prevent COVID-19 transmission for the past year, and such lockdow n preventing non-essential trips and non-essential services from operating is still in effect in Metro Manila and adjacent

provinces one year after.

The Philippines started its COVID-19 vaccination progra m last March 1, but the Philippines has only 2,525,600 doses of COVID-19 vaccine supply thus far from Sinovac and AstraZeneca.

Of the 2,525,600 doses, 1,525,600 were donated by China (Sinovac) and COVAX facility (AstraZeneca) while one million doses of Sinovac were paid for by the national government.

The rest of the vaccine supply is expected to arrive in the second and third quarter of the year.

(MNS)

20

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