Weekend Balita- April 4, 2020 by Balita Media, Inc

LOS ANGELES EDITION

2 more studies on VCO to fight Covid-19 underway: DOST PAGE 17

VOL. XXIX NO. 14

April 4 - 10, 2020

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

HOSPITAL SHIP “MERCY” DOCKS AT PORT OF LA

TOP STORIES

Global News Lorenzana eyes use of RapidPass for PNP after enhanced quarantine 8  Duterte fires PACC commissioner who wanted Leni probe over COVID-19 aid 9  PH Covid-19 cases surge to 3,018, death toll climbs to 136 8  Chief Implementer Galvez claims DOH had started mass testing 9  Duterte: ‘I never said shoot-tokill’ quarantine violators 10  Philippine Arena set to open as ‘mega-quarantine’ facility for COVID-19 10  12 Chinese doctors to arrive in PH April 5 10 

Sections BUSINESS. ADB: Philippine GDP to slide at 2% in 2020 due to COVID-19; rebound to 6.5% in 2021 22  COMMUNITY. New drive-up COVID-19 testing sites in LA County 5  DELISH. Perfect pasta recipes 5  ENTERTAINMENT. JM de Guzman muses on the pains of unrequited love 15  HEALTH & FAMILY. Can bananas cure COVID-19? DOSTFNRI says no 16  FEATURE. Sewing hope beyond borders 18 

LOS ANGELES residents mill around the gate of the Port of Los Angeles to take a look at the US Navy hospital ship “Mercy.” Photo by ABNER GALINO

LA officials prod residents to wear face coverings By ABNER GALINO

GROCERY workers, without doubt, are among the countries workers who are in the frontline to keep our community safe and functioning. This photo was taken on April 2 at the Seafood City Supermarket in Vermont Avenue, Los Angeles. Photo by ABNER GALINO

LOS ANGELES Mayor Eric Garcetti and Los Angeles County Department of Public He a lt h d i r e c t or B a r b a r a Fe r r e r jointly encouraged residents to wear face coverings when they go out of their homes as an additional protection against the COVID-19 virus. “I know this looks surreal,” Garcetti said, adding that “we’re going to have to get used to seeing each other like this … This will be the look.”

By ABNER GALINO

US Navy Capt. John Rotruck, the commander of “Mercy,” has said 15 patients have already been treated in the hospital ship since its arrival on Friday (March 27) at the Port of Los Angeles. The navy oﬃcer said 10 patients were still aboard while five of them were already discharged. Their cases ranged from accident injuries and heart and lung problems. No surgeries had been performed. The US Navy hospital ship “Mercy” was warmly welcomed at the Port of Los Angeles by California Governor Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and other local oﬃcials on Friday (March 27). HOSPITAL

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Korean BBQ resto burns, displaces Pinoy resto

G a r c e t t i m ade that statement on Wednesday (April 1) as he donned a black cloth mask to make his point during his nightly update on the city’s response to COVID-19. At the same forum on Thursday night (April2), Garcetti iterated his call for people to wear face coverings when in public places. The L A mayor explained that medical-grade masks such as N95 are in short supply LA OFFICIALS

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Global economy could PH to join WHO, other countries’ shrink by about 1% in bid to find cure for COVID-19 ‘20 due to Covid-19 M A N I L A ( M a b u h a y ) Marissa Alejandria of UNITED NATIONS — The global economy could shrink by up to 1 percent in 2020 due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, a reversal from the previous forecast of 2.5 percent growth, the UN has said, warning it may contract even further if restrictions on the economic activities are extended without adequate ﬁscal responses. The analysis by the U N GLOBAL

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— The Philippines w ill par ticipate in the solidarit y trial being conducted by t he World He a lt h Orga ni zat ion w it h other countries to ﬁnd a cure for COVID-19, He a lt h S ecret a r y Francisco Duque said on Thursday. The Philippines will be represented by Dr.

the Philippine Society for Microbiolog y and Infectious Diseases while Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire will be the DOH’s official liaison to the WHO. “ I t o (s o l i d a r i t y t r ia l) po ay isa ng malawakang pag-aaral kasama ang iba’t ibang bansa para makahanap PH

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By ABNER GALINO “May awa ang Diyos.” May Mallari, owner of the Pampanga Master Grill near the corner of 3rd St. and Vermont Avenue in Los Angeles, wishfully told Weekend Balita/US Asian Post when asked whether she still considering to re-open her restaurant after it was severely damaged last night (March 28)

during a ﬁre that razed down its neighborrestaurant Bak Kung Korean BBQ. Firemen forced open the door of the Filipino restaurant and bore a huge hole on its wall to get inside the burning Korean restaurant on Saturday night. Mallari said she learned about the ﬁre and the damage to her restaurant when KOREAN

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ABNER GALINO, Fil-Am News Editor

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Saturday-Friday | April 4 - 10, 2020

LA OFFICIALS... FROM PAGE 1 and are needed by health care workers and first responders. But Garcetti clariﬁed that people should only use the face coverings when they are going out to shop for food or perform other essential tasks. “This isn’t an excuse to suddenly all go out,” Garcetti said. During the same press conference, LA County Department of Health director Barbara clariﬁed that a face mask or face cover is primarily meant to protect others than the person who is wearing it. “It doesn’t protect you but it does protect other people as you keep your respiratory droplets to yourself,” Ferrer explained. According to her, the department has decided to recommend the use of face mask or face covering because early data suggests that many who are infected with COVID-19 are not symptomatic.

But both Garcetti and face coverings, Filipino Fer rer w a r ne d that wearing face mask or covering should not give people a reason to drop all other safe practices that are visibly been working to contain the spread of the virus, particularly staying at home, washing hands f requent ly and social distancing. The mayor recommended “cloth face coverings, such as A sample of Andrada’s face mask as shown one made with a in his Facebook page. bandana or scarf, or make American fashion designers your own using fabric. You have a l re ady st a r te d can follow instructions making their own versions available online from of face masks or face trusted sources. Any face coverings using fabrics. coverings should be washed They had posted their after each use.” creations on social media. A bout more t ha n a Weekend Balita/US week before Garcetti and Asian Post reached out to LA official made the call the said fashion designers for the public to make through FB Messenger and their own face masks or one of them, Carl Andrada

OBIT

Remedios Nazareno Catibayan September 6, 1922 - March 30, 2020

emedios N. Catibayan, 97, passed peacefully at home on March 30, 2020 at 10:34 pm. Remedios was born on September 6, 1922 in Naic, Cavite Philippines and married Conrado Catibayan, Sr. on March 12, 1952. Remedios was seen as the “Iron Lady” to most because of the strength she exempliﬁed every day of her life. She raised 5 children after the passing of her husband and built a life with her family in America. Remedios loved to tend to her garden and cook her grandchildren’s favorite meals. “Have you eaten?” and “When will you graduate?” are

questions she never forgets to ask her family; a testament to how she puts the well-being and future of her loved ones before her own. She is survived by her 5 children and their spouses, Nina and Jesse, Bob and Grace, Mabelle, Jhoy and Loida, and Philip and Mila; 8 grandchildren and their spouses, Lei and Mir, Pau and Paul, Andre, Jermaline and Jon, Avi, Justin, Matt, and Jeﬀ rey; and 5 great-grandchildren, Jasmynn, Nate, Kalei, Iris, and Abel.

UPCOMING Filipino fashion designer Carl Andrada. Photo by Judy Policarpio Ermitano

answered our queries. Andrada he already knew that “wearing mask could help prevent the spread of the virus.” “But the masks I made have filters. As per the CDC and department of health speciﬁcations,” Andrada said. “That’s why it’s a little bit labor intensive. Because ina-attach ko

pa ang ﬁlter sa loob.” Andrada has donated some of his face masks to the volunteers of the Project Food Angel. He has created more than a 100 face masks. “I spend about 10 to 12 hours a day, since I am the one doing the cutting and the sewing,” Andrada narrated.

Community CENSUS DAY – APRIL 1 – THE DAY AMERICA TAKES ITS SELFIE

Saturday-Friday | April 4 - 10, 2020

By MARK HEDIN Ethnic Media Services

ensus Day, when the United States takes its once-every-decade collective selfie, is April 1. Those who don’t include themselves in the decennial snapshot will cost themselves and their communities thousands of dollars’ worth of government tax spending -- $1.5 trillion annually nationwide (https:// tinyurl.com/Census-drivenSpending) for the next 10 years, and other benefits too, with no chance to get added to the picture until 2030. But Census Day isn’t the actual deadline for being included. It’s just the day listed on the census questionnaires (https://tinyurl. com/2020censusquestionnaire): “How many people were living or staying in this house, apartment or mobile home on April 1, 2020?” For this question, include yourself, all the kids, all the relatives or friends who live there, and roommates. Information given to the census will never be shared with landlords. Until the coronavirus hit, the actual deadline for filling out the census was July 31. Now the Census Bureau has extended the deadline to August 15. The nine-question questionnaires themselves are already available for people to answer online, At the website https://my2020census.gov, and will remain available in a dozen different languages until the Aug. 15 deadline. Many people have already received “invitations” in the mail to answer the census online, with an ID number customized for their address. Whether you have an invitation or not, you can still go to that https:// my2020census.gov website and fill out the questionnaire. The Census Bureau has also begun sending out print copies of the questionnaire through the mail. People can also be counted by making a telephone call, to (844) 330-2020 if they speak English, or to one of 13 numbers, listed below, for other languages. The call centers, however, are not fully staffed due to stay-at-home orders for the corona virus, so this method could involve longer wait times on the phone. You can also wait for an “enumer-

ator,” a Census Bureau employee who will be dispatched starting in May to visit addresses that have not yet responded online, or by mail, or by phone. Although the Census Bureau says it has offered jobs to 600,000 people – 100,000 more than it anticipated hiring – it is also delaying the “onboarding” process, which includes fingerprinting and background checks, for at least a couple of weeks due to concerns surrounding COVID-19. The census requirement is included in the U.S. Constitution, and a national census has been conducted every 10 years since 1790. Participation is required. From 1790 to 1820, Census Day was the first Monday of August. Then it was moved to early June until 1910, when it was moved to April 15. In 1920, in an effort to avoid interfering with farm work, Census Day was Jan. 1. But when that census showed how the country was becoming increasingly urbanized, Census Day was shifted to April 1, where it has remained ever since. Census data is used to try to evenly distribute political representation in Congress. Currently, every member of the 435-seat House of Representatives has about 750,000 constituents. The data also helps businesses decide where to invest, helps state and local governments determine where new schools and roads are needed, and directs the federal government to where kids are living who qualify for Head Start, or need any of more than 100 other federally funded programs providing child care and development, education, nutrition, health care and much more. The personal information the census collects – your name, address, age, race, the household phone number – is kept strictly confidential for 72 years. The Census Bureau is forbidden to share that information with other government agencies, including police, the FBI, ICE, everybody. California has invested more money than any other state in census outreach in an effort to ensure that all its people are counted this year. The website CaliforniaCensus. gov can Direct you to Questionnaire Assis-

PH... FROM PAGE 1 ng lunas para sa COVID-19,” Duque explained at a virtual press briefing. The study, launched by the WHO mid-March, will compare the safety and effectiveness of four different drugs against COVID-19. The WHO announced last March 27 that over 45 countries have joined the trial and underscored that more participants will fast-track results. The ﬁrst patients to be enrolled in the trial were from Norway and Spain. The new coronavirus has so far claimed over 40,500 lives and infected over 823,000 worldwide. Death toll passes 100 The Philippines’ death toll from the

coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continued to climb on Thursday to 107 after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 11 more fatalities as Luzon marked its third week on lockdown. Duque confirmed 385 more cases, bringing the total number of infections nationwide to 3,018. Meanwhile, the number of people who have recovered from the respiratory illness likewise rose to 52 one more patient was discharged from hospital. The DOH earlier explained that the country’s increased testing capacity fueled the surge of COVID-19 cases that started in March after several sub-national laboratories became operational. (MNS)

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tance Centers and kiosks where you will be able to get some help filling out the forms if you need it. By May, if you haven’t filled out the census form, a census enumerator will come to your address. There are several ways to make sure it’s really a census worker. You can ask to see their official U.S. Census Bureau I.D. badge, which will have their name and photograph, along with an expiration date and a Department of Commerce watermark. They will also be using a handheld computer device and carrying a census bag. You can verify that they’re who they say they are by calling (800) 923-8282 to speak to a local representative. Also, no census worker will ask about your citizenship status, or your social security number, or any banking information. Nor will they ask for a payment or donation of any type. If you want help completing your census form, the Census Bureau has phone lines in 14 languages to provide that: English (844) 330-2020 Spanish (844) 468-2020 Chinese (Mandarin) (844) 3912020 Chinese (Cantonese) (844) 3982020 Vietnamese (844) 461-2020

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Korean (844) 392-2020 Russian (844) 417-2020 Arabic (844) 416-2020 Tagalog (844) 478-2020 Polish (844) 479-2020 French (844) 494-2020 Haitian Creole (844) 477-2020 Portuguese (844) 474-2020 Japanese (844) 460-2020 The state of California is providing online assistance in the following languages: CQ Arabic: https://californiacensus.org/ar/ Armenian: https://californiacensus.org/hy/ Khmer: https://californiacensusorg/km Persian: https://californiacensus. org/fa/ Korean: https://californiacensus. org/ko/ Japanese: https://californiacensus.org/ja/ Punjabi: https://californiacensus. org/pa/ Russian: https://californiacensus. org/ru/ Chinese (simpliﬁed): https://californiacensus,org/zh-hans/ Chinese (traditional): https://californiacensus.org/zh-hant/ Tagalog: https://californiacensus. org/tg/ Vietnamese: https://californiacensus.org/vi/

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Saturday-Friday | April 4 - 10, 2020

KOREAN... FROM PAGE 1

her workers called up on Sunday morning. “Dumating sila (workers), magluluto sana. Pero yun nga, nakita nila na sunog na (the Korean restaurant). They call me up,” Mallari recalled. There is an old saying that says: Lightning never strikes a place twice. Well, scientists have long proven that such a claim wasn’t true at all. But metaphorically though, it could be said that Pampanga Master Grill has just been “hit twice by a lightning.” It can be recalled that at dawn of January 10, 2018, a fire burned down Island Pacific Seafood Market. The Filipino supermarket used to be situated at the northeast side of the Pampanga Master Grill. The Korean restaurant that burned down last Saturday was at south side of the Filipino restaurant. Both fires happened at dawn when there was no operation ongoing in the L-shaped Koreatown strip mall. While the Pampanga Master Grill was only slightly damaged during the Island Pacific Seafood Market fire two years ago, the Filipino restaurant had to close to pave the way for the reconstruction of the burned building. Mallari said it took more than two months for her restaurant to resume operation. But this time though, it would take at least

a year for the Pampanga Master Grill to re-open. Mallari has just learned that the burned building would have to be demolished.

New public health guidelines: Restaurants to sell groceries via delivery, takeout, curbside pick-up

he Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has released new guidelines allowing restaurants in LA County to sell groceries as part of their delivery, take-out, and curbside delivery services. Supervisor Janice Hahn and the Board of Supervisors directed the Department of Public Health to issue these guidelines after several restaurants that had reinvented themselves as markets during the COVID-19 crisis had been shut down for operating without a grocery license. “ T he s e ne w g u ide l i ne s a l low restaurants to sell grocery items and unprepared food through takeout, delivery, and curbside pickup,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “I hope this helps our local restaurants stay in business, keep their employees and customers safe, and continue to feed their communities during this crisis.” Unde r t he s e ne w g u ide l i ne s , restaurants may add grocery items such as unprepared food to their menus for purchase. Restaurants in LA County continue to be prohibited from oﬀering dine-in services under the Safer At Home Public Health Order.

All business must be done through delivery, take-out, or curbside pickup. The new updated guidelines include: 1. Restaurants oﬀering grocery type products (e.g. raw ingredients, products, etc.) for retail sale may only include them on their menu for delivery or take-out. They are not allowed to set-up a grocery store in their dining room for customer self-selection as this defeats the purpose of closing dining rooms to customers and is outside of their existing permit. 2. Public Health will not enforce labeling of packaged products that are packaged for convenience purposes, provided they are able to provide ingredients to customers upon request. 3. Restaurants are strictly prohibited from engaging in high-risk packaging: — Reduced-oxygen packaging that has not been approved by CDPH. — Bottles of sanitizer solution being sold without any of the required EPA labeling. 4. If a restaurant is using a portion of their dining room as back-up storage for non-food items, they must prohibit customer self-selection of these items. These products are to be provided as part of the delivery or take-out purchase.

As a consequence of the “Island Paciﬁc” ﬁre two years ago, two Filipino businesses, particularly; Kowloon Dimsum restaurant and the Banco de

Oro (BDO) remittance shop, never resumed operations after they were closed for the re-construction of the damaged building.

GLOBAL... FROM PAGE 1 Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) said the Covid-19 pandemic is disrupting global supply chains and international trade. With nearly 100 countries closing national borders during the past month, the movement of people and tourism flows have come to a screeching halt. “Millions of workers in these countries are facing the bleak prospect of losing their jobs. Governments are considering and rolling out large stimulus packages to avert a sharp downturn of their economies which could potentially plunge the global economy into a deep recession. In the worst-case scenario, the world economy could contract by 0.9 percent in 2020,” the DESA said, adding the world economy had contracted by 1.7 percent during the global financial crisis in 2009. It added the contraction could be even higher if governments fail to provide income support and help boost consumer spending. The analysis said that before the outbreak of the Covid-19, world output was expected to expand at a modest pace of 2.5 percent in 2020, as reported in the World Economic Situation and Prospects 2020. Taking into account rapidly changing economic conditions, the UN DESA’s World Economic Forecasting Model has estimated best and worst-case scenarios for global growth in 2020. In the best-case scenario with moderate declines in private consumption, investment and exports and off setting increases in government spending in the G-7 countries and China global growth would fall to 1.2 percent in 2020. “In the worst-case scenario, the global output would contract by 0.9 percent instead of growing by 2.5 percent in 2020,” it said, adding the scenario is based on demand-side shocks of different magnitudes to China, Japan, South Korea, the US and the EU, as well as an oil price decline of 50 percent against its baseline of USD 61 per barrel. The severity of the economic impact will largely depend on two factors -- the duration of restrictions on the movement of people and economic activities in major economies; and the actual size and efficacy of fiscal responses to the crisis. A well-designed fiscal stimulus package prioritizing health spending to contain the spread of the virus and providing income support to households most affected by the pandemic would help to minimize the likelihood of a deep economic recession, it said. According to the forecast, lockdowns in Europe and North America are hitting the service sector hard, particularly industries that involve physical interactions such as retail trade, leisure and hospitality, recreation and transportation services. Collectively, such industries account for

more than a quarter of all jobs in these economies. The DESA said as businesses lose revenue, unemployment is likely to increase sharply, transforming a supply-side shock to a wider demand-side shock for the economy. Against this backdrop, the UN-DESA is joining a chorus of voices across the UN system calling for well-designed fiscal stimulus packages which prioritize health spending and support households most affected by the pandemic. Urgent and bold policy measures are needed, not only to contain the pandemic and save lives, but also to protect the most vulnerable in societies from economic ruin and to sustain economic growth and financial stability, Under-SecretaryGeneral for Economic and Social Affairs Liu Zhenmin said. The analysis also warns that the adverse effects of prolonged economic restrictions in developed economies will soon spill over to developing countries via trade and investment channels. A sharp decline in consumer spending in the European Union and the United States will reduce imports of consumer goods from developing countries. Developing countries, particularly those dependent on tourism and commodity exports, face heightened economic risks. Global manufacturing production could contract significantly, and the plummeting number of travelers is likely to hurt the tourism sector in small island developing states, which employs millions of lowskilled workers, it said. Meanwhile, the decline in commodityrelated revenues and a reversal of capital flows are increasing the likelihood of debt distress for many nations. Governments may be forced to curtail public expenditure at a time when they need to ramp up spending to contain the pandemic and support consumption and investment. UN Chief Economist and Assistant Secretar y- G enera l for Economic Development Elliot Harris said the collective goal must be a resilient recovery which puts the planet back on a sustainable track. “We must not lose sight how it is affecting the most vulnerable population and what that means for sustainable development,” he said. The alarm raised by UN-DESA echoes another report released on March 31, in which UN experts issued a broad appeal for a large-scale, coordinated, comprehensive multilateral response amounting to at least 10 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP). According to estimates by the Johns Hopkins University, confirmed coronavirus cases across the world now stand at over 932,600 and over 42,000 deaths. (PTI)

Saturday-Friday | April 4 - 10, 2020

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No service disconnection for SCE power customer By NANCY RODRIGUEZ CASANOVA

Bill Help

Southern California Edison announced that it is suspending ser v ice disconnections for nonpayment and waiving late fees by request, eﬀective immediately, for residential and business customers impacted by the current COVID-19 emergency restrictions. For more information about customer programs, visit: sce.com/ billhelp.

Time-of-Use Rate Plans

Being on a rate plan that helps you save money is important. SCE oﬀers several Time-of-Use rates that oﬀer lower rates during daytime hours. The Time-of-Use Rate plans may

work for households that use more energy during the day. The cost of electric service is changing at different times of the day. Generally, you can benefit from a Time-of-Use rate plan if you can shift some or most of your energy usage away from 4-9 p.m. For instance, you can optimize your day and run major appliances or charge your electric vehicle during off-peak hours. V i s it s c e .c om/r ate pl a nto ol to compare our rate plans and determine which one is best for your home.

Budget Assistant

You can also sign up for alerts if your next projected bill is expected to exceed your spending goal. Our Budget Assistant tool is here

NEW DRIVE-UP COVID-19 TESTING SITES IN LA COUNTY LA County has opened three new locations on April 3 and developing many others countywide to ﬁght the COBID-19 virus. The sites that newly opened are at the Pomona Fairplex (Gate 17 - W. McKinley/Fairplex Drive), the South Bay Galleria (1815 Hawthorne Blvd., Redondo Beach, CA 90278), and the Antelope Valley Mall (1233 Rancho Vista Blvd., Palmdale, CA 91768). The testing is by appointment only. Walk-up appointments are not available. At this time, COVID-19 testing is limited to the most vulnerable Los Angeles County residents who are:  65 and older; and/or  Have u nderly i ng

he a lt h conditions including:  Diabetes  Heart disease  Hypertension  Chronic lung disease  Moderate to severe asthma  People who are immunocompromised, including as a result of cancer treatment; and/or  Have been subject to a mandatory

14-day quarantine period because they have been exposed to an individual with a confirmed case of COVID-19 and have more than 7 days of the 2-week quarantine period remaining. Anyone interested in getting tested must first register on the screening website, coronavirus.lacity.org/ Testing. This first step determines if people are eligible to be tested. At the website, individuals are asked to answer basic questions including name, date of birth, address, and whether they are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms such as fever, coughing, and difficulty breathing. The website (in rea l t ime) determines and conf irms an individual’s testing eligibility. Those who receive confirmation of testing eligibility will then be given a selection of testing sites, available appointment times to complete the test registration process. The registration number will be required information at the testing site. All of the testing locations are “drive-up” — clients stay in their cars for tests (though pedestrian clients

HOSPITAL... FROM PAGE 1 Garcetti said the arrival of the hospital ship would “add one-third more hospital beds” to the city’s capacity to accommodate sick persons. However, the officials made it clear that “Mercy” will not confine individuals who are still sick with the coronavirus. The LA mayor clarified that the reason why Mercy was sent to the LA port is to decompress the hospital system and to make room for a probable surge of coronavirus patients in the city's hospitals. It can be recalled that the US Navy hospital ship also saw action in the Philippines, immediately following the devastating onslaught of typhoon Haiyan LA Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2013. Garcetti, who warned that LA could be follow New York City in the surge of the number of people sick with the coronavirus in the coming weeks, said the arrival of Mercy in the Port of Los Angeles would be a big help to increase the city’s capacity to respond to the crisis. The LA Mayor thanked Newsom for his efforts to secure the hospital ship. Authorities are considering recruiting California’s 3rd and 4th year medical students to augment its force of medical personnel.

to help and is free to use. You can customize your alert options and receive alerts via email, phone or text. To sign up for the Budget Assistant tool, visit: sce.com/budgetassistant. Here are some other SCE Customer Assistance Programs: California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) The CARE program provides a discount of about 30% on monthly electric bills for eligible customers. Households of t wo would be eligible if the household income is below $32,920 per year. For more information: sce.com/care.

discount of 18% for income-qualiﬁed households of three or more if the household income is below $51,950 per year. For more information: sce. com/fera.

Energy Assistance Fund (EAF)

FERA provides a reduced monthly

SCE’s nonproﬁt EAF program, in partnership with the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, is funded by customers and SCE employees. It provides up to $100 once during a 12-month period to help customers pay their SCE energy bills when they meet the program’s income qualiﬁcations. Visit sce.com/eaf and click the “How to Get Assistance” link.

with appointments can be tested as well). The test is a self-administered oral swab, meaning clients must swab their own mouths/throats using instructions provided to them at the site. The testing process takes between 5 and 10 minutes, however waiting times may vary. More information and frequently asked questions are available at covid19. lacounty.gov/testing. “The goal is to increase testing capacity as quickly as possible in Los Angeles County to meet the community’s needs, which are growing every day,” said Dr. Clayton Kazan, Medical Director of the LA County Fire Department, and is leading the county-wide coordination

of COVID19 testing. Dr. Kazan continues to reach out to healthcare stakeholders all across Los Angeles County. Los Angeles County seeks to support and scale the eﬀorts of cities and health care providers who have begun their own testing programs, merge them into the county-wide network and ensure that they have adequate supplies. Additional sites in Northridge, Long Beach, Lancaster, and Pasadena are presently in planning stages. For more information and FAQs: covid19.lacounty.gov/testing To register and see if you are eligible for a test: coronavirus.lacity.org/ testing

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Pilipino po tayo!

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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Major Changes in Lending Guidelines that will restrict buying a Home WE have never faced something like a Covid-19 before and though there are analogues in the way the countries adapt to situation like war and famine, in the west at least this situation is unprecedented in our modern age. Already the impact of the coronavirus crisis on everything from the economy to social interactions to the environment has been enormous. The Housing Market leaders are bracing for what’s called an “Economic Inferno” that will hit the real estate market

of the world and this might bring down the world economy to something we all have never seen before. Government Loans like FHA which only required 3.5% down payment now have made these changes. The new down payment requirement will be at 10% instead of 3.5%. The minimum Fico Score requirement use to be 600 now it will be 680 minimum Fico. Loan with Debt to income ratio above 50% will require a minimum of 700 Fico scores or six

Family Law Issues during the COVID-19 Pandemic The COVID-19 Pandemic has changed our lives almost overnight. Not only has it changed our lives in terms of our daily routine, jobs, lifestyle, but also our relationship with our family members under the Stay at Home orders in place in major cities such as Los Angeles,

Divorce caused by Financial and Emotional Stress China is a few months ahead of the US in terms of the impact of this pandemic on families. Statistics show that the number of couples filing for divorce in China is reportedly way up after long periods of COVID 19-related confinement. This gives us a glimpse of the months to come after the stay at home order has been lifted. The rapid spread of the corona virus has destabilized every household particularly those of parents. The closure of schools and child-care facilities has created challenges for scores of parents who must figure out how to keep their children safe while continuing to work from home. The current situation has posed significant challenge to parents with existing custody orders. Many parents are attempting to renegotiate the terms of the existing custody orders at a moment when emotions run high and the Courts are closed for most hearings. Most families have roles to play for each member of the household such as the parents getting up and going to work or the child being in school. When these roles are radically changed in a time that we’re all feeling incredibly stretched emotionally

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months reserves. If the borrowers Self Employed or 1099 Income, the income will be reduced by 25% to account for the disruption in the business unless the borrower can document 12 months of reserves. Suspension of all Non-QM funding. Non Qualified Mortgage The new rule provides banks and mortgage lenders with certain liability protection when originating Qualified Mortgage (QM) loans, which allows them to make home loans with less fear of buybacks, lawsuits, and financial loss. As a result, some lenders have begun to originate so-called “non-QM loans,” which as the name implies, do not comply with the Qualified Mortgage rule. Well, it appears the non-QM industry has been rocked by the coronavirus news, which isn’t surprising given just about every business and individual has been affected thus far. It’s hard enough to be any home loan lender these days, let alone a non-QM lender, thanks to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis that’s wreaking havoc on the global economy. The Federal Reserve already stepped in to provide liquidity to the ailing and oversupplied agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) market, but that has only perhaps stopped the bleeding. What about non-agency MBS? How will non-QM lenders survive when even government-backed mortgages are having trouble making it to the finish line? Let’s set fear aside for a moment and look at the facts. The January Existing Home Sales report shows us that 5.46 million homes

were sold in the United States over the last 12 months. If we average that out over the year, it means there are roughly 455,000 homes selling each month. The demand for housing is still extremely strong! At the same time, the supply of existing homes for sale is near an all-time low. Currently, there are only 1.42 million existing homes for sale in the United States. This inventory is down 10.7% year over year, meaning demand continues to exceed the supply of homes for sale. At the current pace of 455,000 homes selling per month and only 1.42 million homes currently for sale, there is only a 3.1 month supply of homes on the market. This is near record-low inventory. In a healthy, balanced market where we would expect to see moderate real estate appreciation, we would expect to see a 6-month inventory. When the real estate market peaked and began to fall before the Great Recession, we had over 11 months’ inventory of homes available for sale If the coronavirus slows economic growth or tips us into a recession – which is possible – the Federal Reserve will likely continue to reduce interest rates making homes even more affordable. If you keep yourself safe, you are keeping your friends, family and neighbors safe. We all have to be conscious about this, its real and its here. God Bless and Be Safe. Call Ken if you have any questions or concerns about your mortgage financing. Call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance Group at 562-508-7048 CA DRE 01021223 NMLS 238636.

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Filing Bankruptcy When You Can’t Pay Your Bills

A LOT of people in debt often already know what they need to do once they realize that bankruptcy is their only way out. But they usually delay the decision to file because they try their best to avoid it if at all possible and will only rush to act when they face an immediate threat from creditors such as a lawsuit or wage garnishment. However, sometimes the decision to delay can hurt you. Let me explain. If you wait too long and continue to use all your financial resources to temporarily keep you afloat, in the end you might be sorry that you did this. For example, I have seen a lot of people go through all their savings, retirement

plans, kid’s college funds, etc. in the hopes that doing this will fix their financial situation. They often find out the hard way that it is not and ultimately end up filing bankruptcy anyway. Of course, no one has a crystal ball that can predict the future but unless you miraculously come up with the money you need when you’re already drowning in debt, chances are that things will just continue to get worse and this can put you at an extreme disadvantage, making financial recovery more difficult than it should be. When you are depleting assets while facing debt collections lawsuits, it may be difficult to cover even basic living

expenses such as rent or mortgage, food, utilities, car payments, etc. Sure you may be avoiding bankruptcy temporarily, but all you’re doing is putting a band-aid on a big, gaping wound. This is especially true if your wages are being garnished and you have other creditors who are just waiting to do the same. If you completely use up all your assets so that you have zero at the time of filing bankruptcy, you may find it more difficult to regain your financial footing and start your new life after bankruptcy. Most retirement plans are also exempt in bankruptcy and had you not used all your retirement money to pay debts before filing, you would have been able to protect what little you have and still have some type of savings after bankruptcy. I have clients whose debt payments are more than 30-40% of their monthly income and they wonder why they’re broke every payday. Keep in mind that if you are in that situation, you are only living on 60-70% of your actual income level and that is why you feel that there is never enough money to go around no matter how hard you work. What this means is that you are on “survival mode” and as long as you stay there, you’re never going to be able to plan for your financial future. And remember

that if you “fail to plan, you plan to fail”. I am sure this is not what you want for yourself and your family, is it? If bankruptcy is your best solution, please don’t be too hard on yourself by looking at your filing as a sign of personal failure. Bankruptcy is not the end of your financial life. But rather, it can be a useful tool to be able to rebuild your finances, your credit and your life if you are no longer able to solve your debt problems on your own. If you are in debt and don’t know what to do, let me help you understand your options. I will give you a free initial consultation so we can talk about your situation. Just call 866-477-7772 and schedule an appointment. I have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. NOTE: Due to the current lockdown order caused by COVID-19, I am offering free phone consultations. (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 1-866477-7772).

BARRISTER’S CORNER… FROM PAGE 6 creates major stress on families. As a result of this stress, marriages may fracture and may result to divorce because the coronavirus crisis is causing many families to experience job loss from the massive layoffs caused by the shutdown of the economy. Financial stress is always one of the big stressors that lead to divorce. Parents are trying to figure out how they can support an entire family.

Eﬀect of COVID-19 “Stay at Home Order” on Custody Orders The stay at home order issued by both the City of Los Angeles and later the State of California has stirred a lot of confusion among divorced parents who share custody of their children. Stay at home orders have required California residents to remain at home, except if they need to go out for essential needs such as for groceries, medication or health care appointments. People can’t go into work unless they are in certain essential jobs. The stay-home orders restrict travel for unapproved purposes. As a result, divorced parents didn’t know if they were allowed to travel to bring their children back and forth to the other parent during visitation schedules. There is confusion about whether the stay-at-home order trumped the custody order or whether the court order trumped the stay-at-home order. Custody and visitation orders are not affected by stay at home orders or other order restricting movement issued by a governmental entity that arises from the COVID-19 pandemic. The stay at home order does not change the existing parent-child custody orders that may be in place. Just the fear of pandemic is not enough to warrant keeping a child from seeing the other parent. If there is an actual threat of harm to the child, the Los Angeles Superior Court is available for ex parte emergency RFO to address these issues. However, parents should attempt to work together first to come up with some kind of temporary agreement that works for both the parents and for the kids that accommodates the problems caused by the pandemic and modify temporarily the existing custody orders as a solution to the current environment. For example, if exercising the father’s alternate weekend visitation exposes the child to other members of the father’s new household, perhaps the parents can temporarily agree to a virtual visitations such as zoom video conferencing, face time, and other apps available that allows the father to see the child and interact the child without exposing the child to the risk of contagion. The Los Angeles Superior Court has been continuing most hearings except for emergency hearings. It would serve the parties best to co-parent and work out a temporary custody agreement which can be turned into a temporary court order.

anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC. This article is not a solicitation. Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com. Visit our website at Kenneth@kenreyeslaw.com.

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Domestic Violence during Stay at Home Order Many domestic violence victims live with their abusers and are now being forced to isolate with their abusers. Victims may have also lost their source of income and are having a harder time connecting with their support systems such as the victim’s family. Leaving their situation is much more difficult during the pandemic. COVID-19 stay at home order in Los Angeles means victims might be stuck with their abusers. Victims might also be losing their job and income. For the most vulnerable people in the community, stay at home order is the same as putting them in a cage with a dangerous creature. Even though there may be an increase in domestic violence during this period, neither law enforcement nor the family courts may hear about the domestic violence and abuse because it is usually the community that reports these incidents when children go to school, when people see their friends, when people are in a situation where other people see what's going on. Now, teachers, childcare providers and, friends are physically cut off from the people and children they normally are in contact with daily. In addition, seeing businesses shuttered and paychecks halted has put intense pressure and hardship on a growing number of people and families who are becoming increasingly depressed. Many are self-medicating at home with drugs and alcohol. Add to that scenario the school closures and children and spouses sheltering together at home can create an extremely hostile, even dangerous, environment for many families. It is therefore important for victims to call the police or avail of the Family Courts by filing an application for a restraining order and a kick out order against the perpetrator. The Los Angeles Superior Court is available during this pandemic to issue such emergency orders to protect the victims of domestic violence. 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

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CAREGIVER LAW OVERVIEW FOR 2020 WORKING as a caregiver in a private home, an assisted living facility or nursing home is hard work. If this is your job, you probably work long hours and return home physically and emotionally drained. You may provide 24-hour, live-in help to the elderly or incapacitated. Many residential private households, residential care facilities and nursing homes ignore overtime laws. These violations can deprive caregivers of significant wages totaling thousands and even hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you are a caregiver employed by someone who refuses to follow wage and hour laws, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Reading up on your rights is the first step toward claiming what you are due. Discussing the matter with an experienced attorney at Chaleff Rehwald Peterson is the next and most important step. When employers refuse to pay caregivers the legally required minimum or overtime wages, it is a form of wage theft. The employers are essentially stealing wages from workers who care for the elderly. Thankfully, California law sets minimum requirements for a caregiver’s wages and working conditions. These laws include a minimum wage and overtime in most circumstances. An employer has no right to pay an employee less than the legally required minimum or overtime wages and anyone who does engages in wage theft. Wage theft takes many forms and may include failing to pay for sleep or “on call” time, paying a weekly or daily salary that is too low or classifying an in-home caregiver as an “independent contractor” to circumvent California’s wage and hour laws. California provides greater protection to caregivers than exists in most other states. For instance, the minimum wage in California will increase incrementally to $15 by 2022. Cities can enact higher minimum wages. Caregivers who are victims of wage theft can claim the compensation that is legally due.

On January 1, 2014, California enacted the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights (DWBR). The DWBR mandates overtime payments for personal attendants. This law provides that an employer cannot hire personal attendants to work more than nine hours in a day or 45 hours in a workweek without paying overtime. Overtime under the DWBR is set at one and one-half times the employee’s regular rate of pay. That means that if you are an in-home caregiver, you are entitled to 150% of your hourly wage for every hour you work over nine hours in any given day, and all hours you work beyond 45 hours in a week. Now that the California legislature has created the right to overtime for personal attendants, an in-home caregiver who is not paid the required overtime wages can claim their unpaid wages. You can recover not just the overtime you are due, but also attorney’s fees and costs incurred in the lawsuit. It is also possible to recover interest and penalties if you are not properly paid overtime compensation. Caregiver overtime law is highly complex. In fact, an entirely different set of laws apply to a caregivers who work in residential care facilities and nursing homes for the elderly. These caregivers have always been entitled to overtime under California law. These caregivers must be paid overtime for all hours they work in excess of 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week. In addition, they are generally entitled to double time payments for all hours worked in excess of 12 in any single day and may be entitled to meal and rest breaks. The rules for sleep time, on-call time and live-ins are also different. If you are a caregiver and believe your employer has not paid you fairly under the law, you may have a strong case for compensation. Since the laws in this area are complex, you should contact an experienced attorney who has a documented and demonstrated expertise in representing caregivers. The attorneys at Chaleff Rehwald Peterson have the experience you need. We are here to help!

This article is an attorney advertisement written by Daniel Chaleff, employment law attorney at Chaleff Rehwald Peterson in Woodland Hills. 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. Or visit us at www.caregiverovertime.com/ to learn more about caregiver overtime law. We offer a 24-hour chat line on our website.

Philippines eyes mass testing of suspected COVID-19 cases starting on April 14

Lorenzana eyes use RapidPass PNP enhanced quarantine "On theof massive testing for PUIs andfor itation from theafter Department of Health Manila into mass quarantine facilities

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The government is looking to start mass testing persons MANILA — Defense Secsuspected(Mabuhay) of having COVID-19 on April retary Delfin Lorenzana eyeing to 14, the chief implementer ofis the national action plan against the disease on utilize the RapidPass System insaid the fuThursday. ture operations of the security forces, Secretary Carlito Galvez made the reparticularly the Philippine National mark at(PNP). a briefing in Camp Aguinaldo Police after the Research Institute on Tropical The government is set to launch the Medicine accredited several hospitals for RapidPass, a virtual identification COVID-19 testing.

PH Covid-19 cases surge to 3,018, death toll climbs to 136 MANILA — — The The Philippines Philippines now now has has 3,018 3,018 cases cases of of coronavirus coronavirus disdisease ease 2019 2019 (Covid-19), (Covid-19), the the DepartDepartment ment of of Health Health (DOH) (DOH) announced announced Friday. Friday. "As "As of of 4 4 p.m. p.m. today, today, the the DepartDepartment ment of of Health Health reports reports 385 385 new new cases cases (PH2634-PH3018) (PH2634-PH3018) of of CovCovid-19. id-19. The The total total number number of of cases cases in in the the country country is is now now at at 3,018," 3,018," it it said said in in aa bulletin. bulletin. Of Of this this number, number, one one additionadditional al patient patient has has recovered recovered while while 29 29 new new deaths deaths were were recorded, recorded, bringbringing ing the the total total number number of of recoveries recoveries to to 52 52 and and the the deaths deaths to to 136. 136. The The government government had had earlier earlier announced announced the the establishment establishment of of community community quarantine quarantine facilities facilities to to cater cater to to the the suspected suspected and and conconfirmed firmed Covid-19 Covid-19 patients patients who who are are asymptomatic asymptomatic or or only only exhibiting exhibiting mild mild symptoms. symptoms. In In Metro Metro Manila, Manila, the the Philippine Philippine International International Convention Convention Center Center in in Pasay Pasay City City and and the the Rizal Rizal MemoMemorial rial Sports Sports Complex Complex in in Manila Manila are are being being prepared prepared to to serve serve as as quarquarantine antine areas. areas. The The government government also also targets targets to to start start mass mass testing testing of of persons persons suspected suspected of of being being carriers carriers of of the the virus virus on on April April 14. 14. (PNA)

PUMs, we are also determined to fast-

(DOH).

laboratories are currently seeking accred-

vert several establishments across Metro

system, which aimsoftosubstantial labtrack the accreditation Data from the department as of Thursensure faster passage oratoriesa so we can start with the mass day afternoon show that 4,726 people have testing of the PUIs and PUMs," Galvez been tested for COVID-19. A total of 1,154 of frontliners and other said. have been classified as persons under inexempted individuals expect that during by April 14, we should vestigation and 6,321 others are under in"We control points be able to start massive testing," he added. monitoring. the implementation of Galvez said it was a good sign that the A total of 1,275 have tested negative for the enhanced commulatest number of new cases - 322 - on April the respiratory disease. nity 2 wasquarantine. lower than the highest number of The country’s COVID-19 testing centers Forcases Lorenzana, this -recorded on have conducted 15,337 tests, including new in a day -538 system can also be helpMarch 31. retests and validation, as of Monday. ful"Iffor police who arethe increase of you'll see the data, The DOH thumbed down calls for widemanning checkpoints the new cases has been 322 which is lower spread testing in March because the govthan the highest that we have last ernment was “not yet ready” due to a lack in various partscases of the few days ago of 538," of resources. country even afterGalvez the said. "This is a good sign implementation ofthat thewe are gaining the battle despite the many tests that we 15,000 PPEs delivered strict quarantine. have right now," he added. Galvez said 15,000 sets of personal pro“I’ve seen the demonDEFENSE DELFIN LORENZANA Galvez said he was confident there SECRETARY tective equipment (PPE) were delivered to stration, maganda. I would an increase in recovery in the various COVID-19 referral facilities earlier share concern comingthe weeks becauseofmore than 500 on Thursday. even the ECQ... This is Secretary Dela Peña nalocated in the points COVID-19 patients were Duque said after the initial batch was disuseful now kasi nga of nagkagupuwede pa ba itong gamitin sa ibang very "best hospitals." tributed to the Lung Center the Philtayo noong week because sa bagay? I think we should think of oth- lo ippines, Dr. Josefirst N. Rodriguez Memorial tayong sistema,” Testing centers Hospital, East wala Avenue Medical Center, er things we can use this after nitong checkpoints Earlier inna theito...” day, Health Secretary AFPadded. Medical Center, San Lazaro Hospital, lockdown Lorenzana said he Francisco Duque IIIbriefing announced the and Philippine General Lorenzana furtherHospital. asked if the in a virtual press on that Friday Western Visayas Medical Center received RapidPass Some 885,000 setsbe are expected datamore could shared to afternoon. certification to conduct COVID-19 tests, the between April 6 and once 24. police organization the “But this is very good. I hope the to arrive bringing the total number of accredited is over: Can we not share these Philippine Police will be able ECQ laboratoriesNational nationwide to eight. COVID-19 facilities data to PNP later on for would their use? toOver adopt this sa kanilang mga check40 more healthcare facilities and Galvezthe said the government con-

within the next 10 days. would beasmanning Some of theThey facilities eyed isolation checkpoints in are Metro centers for COVID-19 patients the Rizal Complex, World Trade PhilManila from Center, one way or ippine International Convention Center, another.” and Cultural Center of theifPhilippines. “Maybe they have Other facilities will bethey usedcan by thosethat database, COVID-19 patients are the Quezon City use [them] for any law enInstitute, the Philippine Sports Complex, forcement activitiesAmothey Duty Free Philippines in Parañaque, will do in the future?” ranto Sports Complex, pointed out. Quezon Cit yLorenzana MeAccording to Departmorial Complex, ment of Information and and the Veterans Medical Center Communications TechComplex. nology Assistant Secre“We will also tary Manny Caintic, it is deploy threepossible to share the data doctors a nd to the PNP as long as the 50 nu r ses at data privacy will be obthe Rizal Memoserved. rial Sports Com“As long as we observe plex coming from the Data Privacy mechanism, make the Armed Forces,” sure naadded. hindi mafall into the wrong Galvez COVID-19 has said. hands...” Caintic soCabinet far claimed Secretary Karlo Nograles 107 said livesaand has RapidPass can be requested infected over or authorized personnel by frontliners 2,000 people through the website RapidPass.ph, in the Philipwhich is accessible on a desktop or a pines. (MNS)

mobile device. (MNS)

PH COVID-19 PH envoy envoy to Lebanon dies of COVID-19

GALVEZ

MANILA (Mabuhay) (Mabuhay) --- The The Philippines' Philippines' top top diplomat diplomat to to Jakarta Jakarta and and was was Passport Passport Director Director where where she she delivered delivered Lebanon Lebanon has has died died of of coronavirus coronavirus disease, disease, the the Department Department frontline frontline service service to to millions millions of of Filipinos, Filipinos, the the DFA DFA said. said. of Prior of Foreign Foreign Affairs Affairs said said Thursday. Thursday. Prior to to her her assignment assignment in in Lebanon, Lebanon, she she was was Consul Consul "With General "With deep deep sadness, sadness, the the DFA DFA announces announces the the General in in Hong Hong Kong. Kong. untimely While untimely demise demise on on 2 2 April April 2020, 2020, of of AmbassaAmbassaWhile in in Lebanon, Lebanon, Catalla Catalla spearheaded spearheaded the the dor voluntary dor Bernardita Bernardita Catalla, Catalla, Philippine Philippine Ambassador Ambassador voluntary mass mass repatriation repatriation program program for for disdisto tressed to Lebanon, Lebanon, from from complications complications arising arising from from tressed Filipinos Filipinos there. there. COVID-19," "Bernie, COVID-19," a a department department statement statement said. said. "Bernie, as as Ambassador Ambassador Catalla Catalla was was fondly fondly Catalla called, Catalla is is the the first first senior senior career career diplomat diplomat in in called, has has always always lent lent aa helping helping hand, hand, to to her her active family, active service service to to have have died died of of the the deadly deadly respirarespirafamily, friends friends and and colleagues. colleagues. Her Her ever ever ready ready tory smile tory disease, disease, which which was was first first detected detected in in China China smile and and infectious infectious laughter laughter may may have have been been in extinguished in late late December December and and has has already already killed killed tens tens of of extinguished but but her her dedication dedication to to our our country country AMBASSADOR AMBASSADOR thousand will thousand across across the the world. world. will be be always always be be there there as as aa guiding guiding light light for for BERNARDITA BERNARDITA A career diplomat for almost 30 years, Catalla all A career diplomat for almost 30 years, Catalla all members members of of the the Philippine Philippine foreign foreign service," service," CATALLA CATALLA has the has served served in in key key posts posts like like Kuala Kuala Lumpur Lumpur and and the DFA DFA said. said. (MNS)

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Duterte ﬁres PACC commissioner who wanted Leni probe over COVID-19 aid MANILA (Mabuhay) -- "Fire him." President Rodrigo Duterte has publicly ordered the sacking of Manuelito Luna, the commissioner of his anti-graft commission for calling for a probe of Vice President Leni Robredo for "competing" with government for COVID-19 relief. In a rambling address to the nation aired late Friday night, Duterte praised Robredo's moves to solicit aid to help frontliners battling the spread of the novel coronavirus. "Tama yan maghingi ka ng tulong

Conﬁrmed Covid-19 cases worldwide exceed 1 million WASHINGTON — The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases worldwide has risen above 1 million, according to the Worldmeters’ COVID-19 Pandemic tally dated April 3, 2020. As of the 3rd of April, A total of 1,074,290 people have been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus across the world, with a death toll of 56,987, while more than 226,062 patients have recovered. The United States has reported the most cases with 265,506, along with 6,786 deaths. Italy, with 119,827 cases, has also seen 14,681 deaths, higher than other countries. Spain has recorded more than 117,710 cases and 10,935 deaths.

sa kapwa mo tao," Duterte said. Duterte said it was not right for Luna to call for a probe on Robredo and announced his firing on the spot. The President acknowledged that he did not always see eye-to-eye with the Vice President, an opposition figure who he had fired from his Cabinet twice over his administration. Luna had called for the National Bureau of Investigation to probe Robredo's efforts, saying these had "competed" with government relief operations. Robredo dismissed the call, with her camp calling it ridiculous and out of touch. Lawmakers across party lines, meanwhile, rallied around Robredo, whose office has been active in coordinating transportation, lodging, and equipment for frontline health workers, among other things. Presidential Anti-Corruption Com-

◘ Support continue to pour in for Vice President Leni Robredo as her oﬃce has already been able to accumulate a total of P44 million fund, which is dedicated to health workers and other frontliners in ﬁght against the COVID-19 outbreak. (MNS photo)

mission Chairman Dante Jimenez and Commissioner Greco Belgica have disowned Luna's call, saying

it was his personal opinion and not of the commission. (MNS)

Chief Implementer Galvez claims DOH had started mass testing MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of Health (DOH) had started "mass" testing for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the country's chief implementer of the national plan against the novel coronavirus clarified Friday. "[W]e would like to correct that the DOH is already conducting massive testing for PUIs and PUMs so that we can take out COVID-positive patients from their communities and bring them to designated hospitals," Secretary Carlito Galvez said at a briefing in Camp Aguinaldo. In an earlier briefing, Galvez said that the DOH was looking to start mass testing on April 14. However, according to Special Assistant to Health Secretary Dr. Beverly Ho, the DOH's testing was "targeted."

"Ibig sabihin, bagama't ito'y pinalawak, targeted po ang testing natin to cover those who are in need. Hindi natin layunin na pipila tayong lahat, isang araw, at basta-basta na lang po mag papa-test," Ho said in a live briefing. The doctor clarified that individuals who could be carriers of the virus would be the subjects for testing. "Ang mass testing po na ito ay pag-papasiguro na maitest lahat ng PUIs and ang ating vulnerable population lalo na ang ating health care workers," Ho said. "Ito po yung sinasabi nating mass testing. Mas maraming mabibigyan ng test, lalo na ang may kailangan talaga nito," she added. He emphasized that the DOH's plan would "cover those who are in need of testing." (MNS)

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Duterte: 'I never said shoot-to-kill' quarantine violators MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Friday night denied giving state forces a "shoot-to-kill" order against people flouting the enhanced community quarantine. "I never said in public 'shoot-to-kill.' Period," he said in a surprise public address. Duterte said police officers and soldiers would only resort to strict measures if their lives are threatened. "'Pag lumaban ka, 'pag inilagay mo sa delikado ang buhay ng pulis, barilin mo, patayin mo. 'Yan ang batas," he said. (If you resist, if you put the lives of police officers in danger, (to police) shoot them, kill them. That's the law.) Duterte added, "I do not have the obligation to lie to you." On Wednesday night, the chief executive issued a stern warning against leftist groups and violators of the government-imposed lockdown. “My orders are sa pulis pati military, pati mga barangay na pagka ginulo at nagkaroon ng okasyon na lumaban at ang buhay ninyo ay nalagay sa alanganin, shoot them dead. Naintindihan ninyo? Patay. Eh kaysa mag-gulo kayo diyan, eh ‘di ilibing ko na kayo. Ah ‘yung libing, akin ‘yan. Huwag ninyo subukan ang gobyerno kasi itong gobyerno na ito hindi inutil,” he had said. (MNS)

Philippine Arena set to open as 'megaquarantine' facility for COVID-19 MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine Arena, the world's largest indoor arena, is set to be used as a "mega-quarantine" facility that will house possible carriers of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), an official said Friday. Religious sect Iglesia Ni Cristo, which owns the arena in Bulacan, has agreed to allow temporarily transform the facility to quarantine patients in Central Luzon, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) Vince Dizon said during the Laging Handa briefing. "Ang Philippine Arena ay magiging isang mega-quarantine facility sa Central Luzon," he said. The government is currently constructing isolation rooms and sealed nurse stations in the Philippine Arena and at least a dozen other sports stadiums to ensure that the spread of the virus will not worsen inside these quarantine facilities, he said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

12 Chinese doctors to arrive in PH April 5 By TERRY CAGAYAT AND MELDA GUERRA

TWELVE medical experts from China will arrive on April 5 to help the Philippines stem the fastspreading coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, according to a statement released by the Chinese Embassy in Manila on Thursday. The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) facilitated the coming of the 12 doctors. It may be recalled that on March 30, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Francisco Duque denied that they turned down an offer of help from Chinese doctors as alleged by DFA Secretary Teodoro Locsin. In a tweet March 28, Locsin wrote: “I ASKED AMB. HUANG to send us Chinese doctors. Interpreters are no problem: Chinese General Hospital and the Metropolitan Hospital… will readily supply them. BUT DOH is blocking their arrival. DON’T PISS ME OFF. LET THEM IN.” This tweet can no longer be seen in Locsin’s twitter account.

Philippines sees dip in number of new COVID-19 cases 'a good sign'

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The chief implementer of the national action policy against COVID-19 has seen a "good sign" in the data given daily by the Department of Health as regards the confirmed cases of coronavirus disease in the country.COVID-19 At a press briefing on Thursday night, Secretary Carlito Galvez said the latest number of new cases - 322 - on April 2 was lower than the highest number of new cases in a day -538 -recorded on March 31. Galvez said he was also expecting an increase in recoveries in the coming weeks as 500

of the COVID-19 cases were in the country's top hospitals. "If you'll see the data, the increase of the new cases has been 322 which is lower than the highest cases that we have last few days ago of 538," Galvez said. "This is a good sign that we are gaining the battle despite the many tests that we have right now," he added. The number of cases recorded on April 2 was higher than the number recorded on April 1, which was 227. As of Friday, the country has recorded 3,018 COVID-19 cases nationwide with a total of

136 fatalities and 52 recoveries. According to Galvez, authorities are also aiming to decrease the death rate and increase the rate of patient recoveries. The secretary also extended his thanks to frontliners working amid the COVID19 threat. "Finally, we wish to honor those who gave up their lives so that others may live," Galvez said. "They are heroes who should not be forgotten. They will always be remembered and cherished for our lifetime," he added. (MNS)

DSWD bares how to avail of social amelioration package Beneﬁciaries will be given a monthly aid of P5,000 to P8,000 for two months MANILA — The Department of Social Welfare and Development on Tuesday said it has started coordinating with various local government units (LGUs) for the distribution of the Social Amelioration Package to help Filipinos during the coronavirus crisis. DSWD spokesperson Irene Dumlao said they started with the profiling using the social amelioration card, and LGUs are set to submit the list of beneficiaries. “Social amelioration cards (SAC) will be distributed to identified families in need, in coordination with LGUs,” she said. In an information video posted by DSWD, the

SAC will be given by the LGU to its residents on a “house-to-house” basis. “Ang puno ng pamilya ang siyang magsusulat ng kanilang impormasyon na hinihingi sa dokumento at nakasulat sa malaking letra (The head of the family shall fill out the information on the document in capital letters),” the video said. The form should be submitted to the LGU which will be returned while the other copy shall be kept at home for reference and monitoring of authorities. The Social Amelioration Card will be filled out by heads of the family who will benefit from the program. (Screengrab from DSWD video) CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

RUSSIA DELIVERS COVID-19 AID TO U.S. WASHINGTON — The State Department has reported on Wednesday that days after President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin made an agreement, Russia has sent out a plane, An-124 Ruslan cargo aircraft, that carried the medical supplies to help fight the coronavirus pandemic. Department Spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus stated that the said medical supplies, which included ventilators and personal protective equipment, are not a gift from Russia. “Both countries have provided humanitarian assistance to each other in times of crisis in the past and will no doubt do so again in the future,” said Ortagus. “This is a time to work together to overcome a common enemy that threatens the lives of all of us.”

"Trump gratefully accepted this humanitarian aid," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was cited as saying by the Interfax news agency on Tuesday. Trump himself spoke enthusiastically about the Russian help after his call with Putin. The medical supplies landed on John F. Kennedy International Airport and are under custody of the Federal Emergency Management Agency in New York. However, the value of these medical supplies were not diclosed. Spokesperson Ortagus expressed that America will continue to support other countries in fighting the coronavirus pandemic, but they cannot do it alone. Furthermore, Russian's ambassador to Washington believed that this agreement is proof that the world is one in fighting COVID-19 despite the

political differences between the two countries. According to Ambassador Anatoly Antonov, all criticisms aimed at Russia that they want political gain in

giving medical supplies are considered cynical and immoral. Russian military medical experts risk their lives everyday to battle COVID-19. —Terry Cagayat

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ANG SENSO AY SIMPLE AT PRIBADONG 9 NA KATANUNGAN SA SURBEYO KABILANG ANG KOMUNIDAD LUMAHOK KABILANG ANG PAMILYA SA SENSO LAHAT AY KABILANG NGAYON

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PERFECT Pasta RECIPES

In most of the supermarkets and grocery stores around the U.S., the first food choice that consumers buy amid the coronavirus disease pa ndemic is pasta. You ca n understand why. Pasta is a versatile food, which can be prepared quickly and cooked easily. Plus, you can’t go wrong with pasta as it gives us the carbohydrates the body needs for energy. Here are quick and easy recipes of pasta dishes for you and your family as you stay home in this challenging time.

Delish

Saturday-Friday | April214-- 10, Saturday-Friday | March 27, 2020

RECIPES RECIPES // MEAL MEAL IDEAS IDEAS // COOKING COOKING GUIDES GUIDES

PESTO PASTA INGREDIENTS 1 350 grams pasta (ziti, penne, spaghetti) 2 tsp salt 1/2 cup homemade or store-bought pesto 3/4 cup pasta cooking water Parmesan, for serving INSTRUCTIONS 1. Fill a large pot with water and add salt. Bring to a boil. Add the pasta and cook following package cooking instructions. 2. Scoop out 1 cup of pasta cooking water and set aside. 3. Now drain the pasta in a colander (strainer). After 1 minute, transfer the pasta to a bowl. 4.Add the pesto into the bowl with pasta and pour in ¼ cup of pasta water (you set aside earlier). 5. Toss precisely to coat pasta with pesto. Add more water if required to make pasta silky and saucy to avoid being dry and sticky. 6. Time to taste. Sprinkle more salt and pepper if desired. 7. Garnish with fresh parmesan and serve! TIPS • Do not toss pesto pasta on a hot stove. Heat will make the basil black. • It is best to squeeze some lemon juice on your pesto pasta to enjoy its taste. • For leftovers, store in fridge in an airtight container. • Do not reheat leftovers as this will also make the basil black. Just bring to room temperature which is best for pesto pasta quality then consume.

PASTA WITH OLIVE OIL AND GARLIC INGREDIENTS

NSTRUCTIONS

2 ounces spaghetti 1 tbsp olive oil ground black pepper 1 garlic clove, chopped 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

1. Boil water in a large pot. Add the spaghetti and cook until al dente (firm to the bite). Put aside a tablespoon or two of the pasta water and then drain the pasta. 2. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Put the garlic in the oil and cook until lightly golden and softened. 3. Add the cooked spaghetti. Pour in the starchy pasta water to the skillet and toss with the garlic oil. 4. Add the chopped parsley and Parmesan cheese and toss evenly. 5. Serve!

TIPS • If you desire a little heat, add a pinch or two of red pepper flakes when you add the garlic to the oil. • Add a little lemon zest when you add the hot spaghetti to the skillet. It will give it a pop of brightness. • Switch up the herbs! Add dried herbs like oregano, rosemary, basil, thyme, or Italian seasoning when you heat up the oil right before you serve it. • Add a protein like cooked chicken or shrimp to make it more filling. • Serve it with crusty bread and a fresh green salad on the side for a complete meal.

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CHEESY PASTA INGREDIENTS 350 grams spaghetti 2 tsp salt 1/2 stick butter (or more if desired) Grated Parmesan (or other aged hard cheese) Black pepper

INSTRUCTIONS 1. Bring water to a boil with a generous pinch of salt in a pot. 2. Boil the pasta until before al dente. Drain and reserve the pasta water. 3. Heat a deep sauté pan to medium f lame. Add the butter and use a pasta fork to transfer the pasta to the saute pan. 4. Pour enough of the pasta cooking water into the saute pan to come about ha lf way up the noodles. Add a generous pinch of salt and cook the pasta, tossing occasionally, until al dente (or to your liking). 5. Turn off the heat and toss with enough grated cheese to absorb the remaining liquid in the pan and form a creamy sauce. 6. Season with black pepper and add more salt if needed. 7. Transfer to a plate, garnish with more cheese before serving.

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Mahilig ako sa mga numero! Tungkol ito sa 2020 Census at pondong pampubliko. â€˜Di ako accountant, pero gustung-gusto ko â€˜pag nag-a-add up ang mga numero. Kada sampung taon, ine-aim ng census na makakuha ng tama at tumpak na bilang ng lahat ng naninirahan sa United States. Mas tumpak ang data, mas maraming oportunidad na makakatanggap ng pondong pampubliko ang ating komunidad. Iyon ay higit 675 bilyong dolyar kada taon para sa pondong pampubliko para sa mga schools, health clinics at roads. Magre-respond ako! Kayo? Kapag sama-sama, mas may lakas, mas may pwersa!

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Anne Curtis, Regine Velasquez lend hand to Angel Locsin’s tent drive for hospitals MANILA (Mabuhay) — Anne Curtis and Regine Velasquez are among the celebrities who are helping provide additional room for COVID-19 patients at overwhelmed hospitals, through the program of fellow Kapamilya actress Angel Locsin. Locsin has been spearheading the fundraisder #UniTentWeStand, which is now in the process of delivering 12x24-meter tents to dozens of hospitals in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. Curtis and her husband, restaurateur Erwan Heussaﬀ, as well as Velasquez and her husband, music veteran Ogie Alcasid, were among the showbiz personalities who pledged tents early on. On Thursday, Locsin showed on In-

stagram that the tents from the Heussaﬀs and the Alcasids have been set up at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center and Diliman Doctors Hospital in Quezon City, respectively. Ten 15x15-meter tents were also donated to the National Kidney and Transplant Institute by the Alcasids, according to Locsin. OnThursday, Locsin, along with her ﬁancé Neil Arce, also delivered three tents to the Philippine National Police (PNP) headquarters in Quezon City. As of April 1, Locsin's #UniTentWeStand has already set up a total of 22 tents at 11 hospitals. Her group will deliver tents to 38 more locations, including the PNP General Hospital, in the coming weeks. (MNS)

Anne Curtis

Regine Velasquez

Anne, Erwan celebrate daughter Dahlia turning 1 month old

Anne and Erwan’s baby girl, Dahlia

ACTRESS-host Anne Curtis and her husband, restaurateur and vlogger Erwan Heussaﬀ, celebrated the ﬁrst month of their baby girl, Dahlia Amélie. In her Instagram post Friday morning, Curtis shared a photo of their adorable baby girl. “Yesterday, we celebrated her 1st month of life. We love you our little Dahlia Amélie Hoping this brings a smile to your face today,” Curtis wrote in the caption. The "It's Showtime" host gave birth last March 2 in Melbourne, Australia. (ABS-CBN News)

Angel Locsin

K Brosas asks for prayers for family in Italy MANILA (Mabuhay) — Singer and comedienne K Brosas is asking her social media followers if they could include her family in their prayers amid this COVID-19 pandemic. Brosas said her entire family has been living in Italy for a while now and her sister works as a registered nurse there. Sharing a photo of her sister in a

K Brosas protective suit, Brosas said: “This is my Ate Emily, a registered nurse sa Italy.. actually buong family ko nasa Italy matagal na. Bigla akong na sad.. Please pray for our hardworking health workers/frontliners.” Italy is one of the hardest hit countries of the coronavirus disease. While she is worried about them, Brosas has been doing her share in helping the frontliners here in the Philippines. On Monday, Brosas distributed PPEs to health workers, saying this is her way of giving back to those who risk their lives for everyone every day. “Be safe po lagi sa ating mga masisipag na healthworkers/ frontliners. Alam ko pong kulang na kulang ang mga PPEs ngayon kaya sana tumulong tayo sa kahit konting paraan na mabigyan sila,” she wrote. “Gusto ko man mabigyan lahat pero hindi ko kaya, pero kung lahat tayo ay tutulong kahit pa konti konti ay magiging malaking bagay na. God bless you all,” she added. (MNS)

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JM de Guzman muses on the pains of unrequited love MANILA (Mabuhay) — Singer-actor JM De Guzman struggles with the torture of unrequited love in his new single, “Asa,” and its freshly premiered music video under Star Music. “Asa,” self-penned by JM with ABSCBN Music creative manager Jonathan Manalo as co-writer and producer, bares an admiration for a special someone and the willingness to love that person from afar because he feels that she is out of his league. Its lyric

is inspired by JM’s own personal experience. The trippy love song will be one of the tracks included in his upcoming EP under Star Music. Directed by Cris Escolano, the video meanwhile sees JM taking some time oﬀ for himself to embark on an emotional and reﬂective road trip, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Many were quick to voice their appreciation for the “Asa” song. Pamilya Ko

fans would also be delighted to know that Alyssa Muhlach, JM’s love interest on the show, will star alongside him on the music video for the single he released last year, “Huling Liham,” which will serve as a sequel to the “Asa” MV. JM is just one of the versatile artists of ABS-CBN Music—which houses many of the best OPM music of today from the country’s leading media and entertainment company, ABS-CBN.

JM de Guzman

(MNS)

Ellen Adarna responds to netizen who asked about John Lloyd MANILA (Mabuhay) — Despite persistent rumors of their supposed separation last year, neither John Lloyd Cruz nor Ellen Adarna has gone on record to conﬁrm if they had indeed broken up. Nonetheless, Adarna addressed this topic when she replied to one of her Instagram followers who asked about the status of her relationship with Cruz. “I am curious what really happened why you and John Lloyd had fallen out,” the netizen asked. Turning candid, Adarna replied and said: “Only God can answer this ques-

Ellen, John Lloyd and baby Elias tion.” The former “Home Sweetie Home” costars started their whirlwind romance in 2017, the same year both went on hiatus

to focus on their new family. They are known to have a son. In a separate post, Adarna again answered a netizen and clarified why she never posts about their child. “His father and I are protecting him and his privacy from chismosas like you,” she said. Adarna had just become active again on social media, including Instagram, after her nearly twoyear absence from showbiz. In her most recent Instagram posts, Adarna broke her silence about what she referred to as a "dark" and "traumatic" period in her life while away from the limelight. (MNS)

Moira hopes to bring comfort, peace with new album ‘Patawad’ MANILA (Mabuhay) — Moira dela Torre has released her new album “Patawad” under Star Music.

joy and comfort,” she added. The “Patawad” album features 13 tracks, 9 of which are dela Torre’s

Lovi Poe calls for donations for street children, families affected by quarantine MANILA (Mabuhay) — Lovi Poe has reached out to her millions of followers to help raise money for street children and families aﬀected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in the Philippines. The Kapuso actress just posted a video on Instagram, asking for donations that would provide food for hundreds of families amid the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine. “Our street children need your help and compassion now more than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to scary and uncertain times for many of us, but not more so than people with no homes who are most vulnerable,” Lovi said. Lovi reached out to the

public in support of Child but of course any amount is a Hope Philippines, a move- big help. It can reduce their ment of advocates for the burden of ﬁnding a way to eat cause of street children. food amid The actress also called for the donations on Twitter, and provided details on how people can send their donations. “In the past days, Child Hope Philippines has joined our frontliners distribute relief but we need to help 500 more families so they can have food to eat as the days go by,” Lovi said in her video. “If you can, please donate to Child Hope Philippines. A thousand pesos, isang libo, makakatulong na ‘yun to feed a family Lovi Poe for one whoe week,

crisis,” she added. Low-income Filipinos are now struggling to provide food for their families as the entire Luzon was placed under enhanced community quarantine to address the COVID-19 threat in the country. Other Kapuso stars like Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza are also doing their part to help. Alden donated food to frontliners in Laguna, while Maine has also reached out to her fanbase to help the less for t unate during the crisis. (MNS)

Manny Pacquiao gives Matteo tips on marriage MANILA (Mabuhay) — Senator Manny Pac-

quiao shared marital advice to Matteo Guidicelli, who married Sarah Geronimo just a little over a month ago despite the disapproval of the singer’s parents to their relationship. Pacquiao said he and his wife Jinkee also experienced what Guidicelli and Geronimo had gone through when they got married 22 years ago. “What happened to you now, that’s my experience. It happened to us ni Jinkee before. Nagpakasal kami wala 'yung magulang ko kasi ayaw niya kay Jinkee. Same thing with you, parehong pareho talaga,” he began. “Nagpakasal kami ni Jinkee, wala 'yung magulang ko. 'Yung magulang lang ni Jinkee and mga relatives niya. Ang kasama ko lang 'yung kapatid kong isa, wala na,” he added. As time went by, Pacquiao said his parents also learned to love Jinkee and their family. “Later on, nung nakita na niyang masaya kami at nagkaroon na siya ng apo, unti-unti niyang naintindihan na kailangan pala suportahan ang anak para maging masaya. Nakita niya na masaya ang pamilya namin at tinutulungan namin siya kahit na hindi kami sinipot or nagagalit siya sa amin,” he said. It is on this note that Pacquiao reminded Guidicelli that it is every child’s responsibility

to love their parents no matter what happens. “We still love our mother and father. Later on naintindihan naman nila na hindi naman habang buhay na laging diyan sa poder nila ako nakatira, kami nakatira. Later on, maiintindihan din,” he said. “Huwag lang natin awayin ang magulang natin kasi iisa lang ang mga magulang natin. Kapag sila nawala na, mahirap. Hindi ko naman sinasabi na mama’s boy ako. Pero that’s our responsibility. We should love our parents,” he added. Pacquiao then told Guidicelli to always do his best in making their marriage work because it is a combined eﬀort between the husband and wife. “Teamwork talaga parati. Sometimes, kung maganda naman ang suggestion or idea ng asawa, pakinggan din natin. Sometimes may suggestion naman na maganda 'yung husband, the wife must submit to the husband. Balancing lang. Mag-intindihan ng mabuti,” he said. To end their conversation, Pacquiao oﬀered to keep his line open anytime for Guidicelli if ever he would need marital advice. “Maraming pagsubok na dadaanan. You will remember me. Mark my word. [If there’s] anything that I can help [you with], don’t hesitate to call me. I’ll give you advice,” he said. (MNS)

Moira Dela Torre is hop- original composiing that her new tions. These include songs can bring “Kita Na Kita” with comfort and hope her husband Jason now that Filipinos Hernandez, “Ang are battling the Iwasan,” “Pahinga,” pandemic corona- “Ikaw Pa Rin” with virus (COVID-19). Erik Santos, “Sabi “ To be honest Ng Lola,” “E.D.S.A. with you, we con- – Emosyong Disidered postponing naan Sa Awit,” and this album's release the trilogy “Pataagain. I understand wad, Paalam,” with the terrible storm I Belong To The we are faced with Zoo, “Paalam” with right now and it's Ben&Ben, and the not to be taken titular song “Patalightly. But I also wad.” understand that in The album also hardships, music features dela Torre’s is always a present performance of the friend,” dela Torre spoken word piece said. “Handa, Awit” writ“In times of trou- ten by Brian Vee, ble, music brings the “24/7” theme comfort, hope and song “Hanggang peace. So we've Sa Huli,” “Unbreakdecided to push able” from the Star through with it, Cinema ﬁlm of the with the hopes that same title, and the these songs, which 2019 Himig Hantook us two years to dog best song “Maﬁnish, would bring bagal.” (MNS)

Manny Pacquiao

Matteo & Sarah

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Health & Family

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Wearing of face masks mandatory By MELDA GUERRA

ONTO the third week under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), the Philippine government now sees the importance of wearing a face mask. On Thursday, the Philippine government has ordered all Filipinos to wear face masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). “For areas placed under ECQ, the IATF hereby adopts the policy of mandatory wearing by all residents of face masks, earloop masks, indigenous, reusable or do-it-yourself masks, face shields, handkerchiefs, or such other protective equipment that can effectively lessen the transmission of Covid-19, whenever allowed to go out of their residences,” Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles said. Nograles said that the measure was approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases. Nograles also urged the local government units to issue an ordinance with corresponding penalties to make sure this order is strictly followed. “Concerned LGUs (local government units) are hereby enjoined to issue the necessary executive order or ordinance to that effect, and impose such penalties as may be appropriate,” he said. It can be remembered that since the ECQ was imposed March 15, the Department of Health (DOH), for lack of enough persona l protective equipment (PPE), face masks, and other shields for health care workers, urged the public to use face masks only if they experience colds, flu, and other symptoms of Covid-19.

Can bananas cure COVID-19? DOST-FNRI says no MANILA (Mabuhay) — There have been rumors circulating in the internet saying that bananas can cure the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

But according to the Department of Science and Technology’s Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI), that's fake news. "Scientific information reveal that bananas are definitely not the cure for the novel coronavirus causing COVID-19," the institute said in a statement. However, there's no harm in adding this fruit to your diet. DOST-FNRI said bananas are "highly nutritious and are beneficial for digestion, heart health, and weight control."

It added that bananas are also considered as a "superfood" since they contain several nutrients such as potassium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, and dietary fiber. "The nutrients that bananas contain are helpful in maintaining overall good health, DOST-FNRI said. However, it stressed that "there is no one food that can cure COVID-19 or any other disease." "We should eat a balanced diet to get most of the nutrients needed by our bodies to function well and boost immunity," DOST-FNRI reminded. As of Wednesday, the Department of Health announced that the number of COVID-19 infections in the Philippines rose to 2,311, with 96 deaths and 50 recoveries. (MNS)

Inducing passive immunity to COVID-19 patients still in experimental stage in Philippines -- PGH MANILA (Mabuhay) — Transferring the plasma of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors to improve the condition of critically-ill patients suffering from the virus is still in the experimental stage but health authorities have high hopes for the effectiveness of the procedure, Philippine General Hospital spokesperson Jonas Del Rosario said Friday. Del Rosario it is called convalescent plasma transfusion wherein patients who recovered from COVID-19 donate blood so that the antibodies that they have used to fight the virus may be transfused to those who are sick. "Ito po ay nasa experimental stage. Sa mga dating pandemic nagawa na rin po 'yan. Ang tawag

po diyan ay passive immunity, ipapasa po ang immunity," Del Rosario said. "Although ito po ay experimental at tinatawag nating nasa compassionate use, may mga ebidensiya po na ito ay nakakatulong—either napapaigsi nila ang course ng disease at napapalakas nila ang pasyente at nakakarecover po," he added. The PGH recently called for blood donations from COVID-19 survivors. "Nagtataglay ang kanilang dugo ng antibodies. Kaya nga sila naka-recover ay nakagawa sila ng immune response through the antibody. 'Yan ang gagamitin natin ngayon na para ibigay naman sa mga pasyente na lumalaban pa sa COVID-19," Del Rosario said.

He, however, underscored that the donor has to be healthy. "Usually kapag negative na, mga two weeks pa 'yan na pinapagaling bago sila maging qualified donor. Siyempre may tests din sa dugo nila kasi kung may iba naman silang sakit at hindi pwedeng makapag-donate ng dugo, hindi rin sila pwede," he said. According to DOH's online tracker, out of the 3,018 cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines, only 52 have so far recovered while 136 died. COVID-19 survivors who want to donate blood may contact PGH through Dr. Sandy Maganito at 0917 805 3207 or the UP PGH COVID-19 hotline at 155-200. (MNS)

BALITA 17 Health & Family Nograles: Philippines now has 8 health facilities capable of conducting COVID-19 tests

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MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippines already has eight health facilities capable of conducting COVID-19 tests, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Friday.

The eight health facilities are the following: Research Institute for Tropical Medicine Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center San Lazaro Hospital Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center Southern Philippines Medical Center University of the Philippines-National Institutes of Health Western Visayas Medical Center Lung Center of the Philippines “At this point, we cannot overemphasize how important it is for our health professionals and workers to properly identify and treat not just those who have been infected, but potential carriers of the virus as well,” Nograles said in a virtual press conference. At a later press briefing, Health Un-

dersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said symptomatic persons will be prioritized in the testing. “Ang mass testing po na sinasabi natin ay hindi lahat ng tao sa ating bansa. Ito po ay magkakaroon din ng protocol. Kung sakaling itutuloy nga po ito, 'yung mga may sintomas ang uunahin

natin na i-test natin,” Vergeire said in a virtual press briefing Friday. “Kung sakaling magpositibo, ilalagay natin sa community quarantine facility. That was the plan and that is the plan,” she added. The Philippines has so far recorded 2,633 COVID-19 cases with a total of

107 fatalities and 51 recoveries. Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr., the chief implementer of the national action policy against COVID-19, announced on Thursday that the government will begin mass testing of suspected cases on April 14. (MNS)

PGH calls for blood donation from COVID-19 survivors

PhilHealth to shoulder full cost of COVID-19 treatment until April 14 MANILA (Mabuhay) — The full cost of treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in hospitals and health facilities will be shouldered by the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) until the end of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine on April 14. “Due to the growing public concern over the financial costs of getting treatment for the COVID-19, please be informed that the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. will shoulder the full cost of treatment for all COVID-19 cases until April 14, 2020,” PhilHealth president and CEO Ricardo Morales said in a letter to all accredited hospitals and health care facilities accommodating COVID-19 patients. Morales said after April 14, the PhilHealth will continue providing financial coverage to COVID-19 cases through a “recomputed case rate.” “The reason for this accommodation window is due to the novelty and the wide range of severity of the disease in the country for which no existing case rate or package based on accepted protocols has yet been established,” he said. “PhilHealth is confident that by the above-mentioned date, more about the behavior of the disease in the Philippines can be learned, a final protocol established, and an appropriate case rate can be developed that will provide adequacy and sustainability to the anti-COVID-19 campaign,” he added. The state health insurer will issue a new set of guidelines which will include the appropriate case rate based on “accepted protocols in dealing with the disease.” “Furthermore, as stipulated under the R.A. 11469 also known as the ‘Bayanihan We Heal as One Act,’ all health workers will be covered beyond the April 14, 2020 cut-off date for all work and COVID-19 related health services,” Morales said. “Due to the exigency of the times, this will include all other personnel necessary for the operation of a health facility,” he said. (MNS)

2 more studies on VCO to ﬁght Covid-19 underway: DOST

MANILA — Two research studies on how virgin coconut oil (VCO) could help fight coronavirus diseases (Covid-19) are underway, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Fortunato dela Peña announced on Wednesday. On his Facebook page, dela Peña said these would be hospital-based and community-based studies. The DOST, in partnership with the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) Covid-19 Research Group, will conduct the “Virgin Coconut Oil and

Omega-3a Adjunctive Therapy for Hospitalized Patients with Covid-19” study at the UP-PGH to assess the possible benefits of VCO if given to patients with moderate to severe Covid-19, in addition to the drugs being assessed in the clinical trials. In this study, the VCO will serve as a supplement to the daily treatment regimen of the Covid-19 positive patients. This may likely run for a minimum of one month, or until the minimum number of patients have been achieved, dela Peña said. The other study, to be done in

PHOTO FROM DOST SECRETARY FORTUNATO DELA PEÑA’S FB PAGE

collaboration with the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA), will be a research for Covid-19 persons under investigation (PUIs), and will be conducted in isolation facilities in communities and hospitals in the National Capital Region and Calabarzon Region. This community-based study aims to assess the possible of VCO for patients with Covid-19 as well as contacts and other high-risk groups. Here, VCO will be incorporated in the food provided to the PUIs. Dietary supplementation may possibly run for at least four weeks. In a text message to the Philippine News Agency (PNA), dela Peña said the DOST will fund the two studies, and will also give directions. As of posting, dela Peña is yet to comment on the budget allocation for these studies, and as to when the concerned agencies target to start the studies. Earlier, he said the Ateneo de Manila University’s study, in partnership with the Duke-National University of Singapore, is doing a study on whether VCO components could be used as a safe antiviral agent against the novel coronavirus. As of Wednesday, however, dela Peña said there are no details yet on this study. (PNA)

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine General Hospital (PGH) has appealed for survivors of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to donate blood to patients in critical condition. The PGH will be the first hospital in the country to attempt a convalescent plasma transfusion, which was reportedly used in the epicenter of the disease in Wuhan City, China to heal patients in severe condition. “Ang mga pasyente pong ito [na] napatunayan na negative sa COVID-19 ay nagtataglay po ang kanilang dugo ng antibodies laban sa virus na ito,” PGH spokesman Dr. Jonas Del Rosario explained. Antibodies, as defined by the Center for Disease Control, are proteins produced by the body to neutralize or destroy toxins or disease-carrying organisms. COVID-19 survivors who wish to donate their blood may reach the PGH through Dr. Sandy Maganito at 0917 805 3207. “Ang mga potential donors ay sisiguraduhing karapat-dapat, malusog, at naka-recover sa COVID-19. Dadaan sila sa pagsusuri upang malaman kung wala silang ibang sakit at kung sila ay eligible na donor,” Del Rosario said. At least 51 people out of the country’s 2,633 COVID-19 patients have so far recovered. Meanwhile, 107 people have already died due to the respiratory disease. (MNS

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Sewing hope beyond borders IT was not a regular day. The streets that were usually busy with cars driving by and with people frolicking have become empty. Visible instead are military personnel manning the borders, checking the vehicles and IDs of passengers to make sure that only authorized individuals can get in and out of Marawi City. The easy choice was to stay at home, but Salika Maguindanao, who experienced hardship during the Marawi siege, decided to do something different. Together with her husband, Jardin Samad, and with proper documentation at hand, the couple braved the empty streets and crossed the border from Marawi City to extend their help to the community and deliver the first batch of alternative face masks to Iligan City. The couple, together with a group of weavers and through the Marawi-based Maranao Collectible Services Cooperative, has committed to produce 20,000 alternative face masks per month to counter the limited supply of disposable face masks in the market. While sewing was an easy task for the members of the Cooperative, Salika wanted to make sure that they were producing alternative face masks with acceptable designs and made of quality materials. Through the help of Task Force Bangon Marawi Shared Service Facility (SSF) and in constant consultation with the Department of Health (DOH) Region 10, the specifications, design and materials for the alternative face masks were finalized and soon production began. Equipped with 35 high-end sewing machines and handloom equipment provided by DTI’s SSF-Bangon

Marawi project, the Cooperative can easily produce an estimate of 1,600 alternative face masks per day. On March 23, 2020, the first batch with 2,400 alternative face masks was delivered to DTI Lanao del Norte for distribution to other offices. As the Cooperative prepares for the production and delivery of the next batch, Salika expressed her gratitude for the continuous support provided to them by DTI, from recovering their lives after the Marawi siege to helping the community combat the COVID-19 pandemic. “Ang paghimo namo sa masks dili lang makalipay kay naa mi matabangan og panginabuhi but more happy nga nakatabang mi gamay paghatag og protection sa mga tao, ” Salika shared. [Producing the masks brings us joy not only because we are able to provide jobs but we are more than happy that we are able to provide protection to the people.] “Gamay ra siya pero we hope nga daghan matabangan ana ug daghan ang masave nga kinabuhi tungod ana," she further said. [It’s just a small thing but we hope that we can help a lot of people and more lives can be saved because of it.] Salika also expressed her gratitude towards DTI from changing their lives to helping them in the fight against COVID-19 threat. “Dili gyud mawala atong pagdahom nga naay mga ingon ani nga project ang government para mutabang sa mga tao. Thank you, DTI," she added. [We never lose our hope that there are projects like this from the government that is intended in helping people.] (PIA)

DSWD… FROM PAGE 10 "The facilities are designed to make sure that patients are comfortable," said architect Daniel Lichauco, who led the design team. "Lahat ng ginagawa namin has a nurse system na parang sa hospital ibig sabihin you can turn on a light para alam ng mga nurses san pupunta," he said, noting that nurse stations are placed in an area separated by a decontamination system to ensure that health worker will also be protected from contracting the virus. In Metro Manila, the Ninoy Aquino Stadium at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex, the Philippine International Convention Center, and the World Trade Center are being converted into "instant hospitals" to accommodate more coronavirus patients, Dizon said. "Gusto po natin mapigilan ang pagdagsa ng mga ito sa mga ospital para yung mga ospital po natin ay nakatutok sa mga kritikal at severe ang sakit at pangangailangan," Dizon said. The New Clark City in Tarlac, which was used to as a quarantine area for repatriated seafarers, is also being disinfected so that more COVID-19 patients or possible carriers can occupy the facility. The government is fast-tracking the creation of quarantine centers as officials expect a spike in the need of isolation rooms, as soon as the Philippines begins mass testing for the coronavirus in 2 weeks. The disease has infected at least 2,633 patients in the Philippines, with 107 deaths. (MNS)

DSWD… FROM PAGE 10 The DSWD, along with the departments of Labor and Employment, Agriculture, Trade and Industry, Budget Management, Health, and the Interior and Local Government, has planned out the guidelines for the government’s social amelioration package under Republic Act No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act. The video also reminded the public that while the government pushes to support everyone through the Social Amelioration Program, “distribution is subject to the level of need of the beneficiary”. “Kung kaya’t ang inyo pong kooperasyon, pagbibigayan, at pag-uunawa ay higit na kinakailangan (That is why your cooperation, generosity, and understanding are needed),” it added. The beneficiaries of the government’s anti-poverty program, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), are still entitled to receive food packs and non-food aid, as well as availing of the social amelioration program, on top of their existing benefits from the 4Ps. Based on Republic Act 11469, which granted President Rodrigo Duterte additional special powers, some 18 million low-income families will get PHP5,000 to PHP8,000 in emergency cash aid, depending on the minimum wage in their area. In previous reports, Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, chair of the Senate health committee, said the assistance will be given directly to target beneficiaries in cash so they can avail of it immediately. “Depende po sa minimum wage po sa lugar nila. Halimabawa po sa Metro Manila, kung mas malaki yung ating daily wage yung sweldo po, so PHP8,000. ‘Pag sa mga probinsya naman po, PHP5,000 (It depends on their location. In Metro Manila, the daily wage is bigger, we will give PHP8,000 while in the province, we will allocate PHP5,000 [per household]),” he said. For inquiries, the DSWD hotline number is 8-951-2803. (PNA)

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St. Luke’s provides frontliners and their families free groceries through its “Care Store”

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ST. LUKE’S Medical Center (SLMC) is providing its medical staff and their families free groceries amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The staff members are the frontliners who are exposed in their fight against the fast-spreading disease. The hospital is easing the burdens of its medical staff by launching the St. Luke’s “Care Store” in its Global City branch, from which they can choose what they need for themselves and their families. “A project of the SLMC executives, this makeshift store aims to provide the hospital’s frontliners and their families FREE grocery items, as a token of appreciation for their hard work and selfless efforts to continuously provide patient care amid the COVID-19 crisis” SLMC said in a Facebook post. “Our frontliners can choose from the array of food and other essentials they can use or share with their loved ones,” it added. The store opened Friday, April 3. St. Luke’s Care Store in SLMC Quezon City will open on Tuesday, April 7. Because of their direct contact with patients infected with Covid-19, these frontliners can no longer get their food and other essentials from grocery stores and supermarkets for fear of infecting others. St. Luke’s initiative to give them free groceries is a welcome action.

VISITA IGLESIA Seven Churches Visitation

VISITING different churches during the Lenten season is an old tradition practiced by Filipinos. Officially called “Seven Churches Visitation” is forsooth a pious Roman Catholic Lenten tradition where devotees visit seven churches on the evening of Maundy Thursday. Following the Mass of the Lord's Supper, the Blessed Sacrament is placed on the Altar of Repose in the church for Adoration. During the Seven Churches Visitation, the faithful visit several churches – sometimes seven, sometimes fourteen, sometimes no set number depending upon the particular practice – to pray before the Blessed Sacrament in each church.

HISTORY

CATHOLICS & CULTURE

The tradition of visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday probably originated in Rome, as early pilgrims visited the seven basilicas as penance. The Via Francigena was an ancient pilgrim route between England and Rome. It was customary to end the pilgrimage with a visit to the tombs of Sts Peter and Paul. In 1300 Pope Boniface VIII declared the first Holy Year, granting a special indulgence to those, who meeting the requisite conditions, visited St. Peter's Basilica and the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls. Over time the number of prescribed churches increased to seven. The tradition of visiting all seven churches was started by Saint Philip Neri around 1553. He and a few friends would

gather before dawn and set out on their "Seven Churches Walk". These pilgrimages were designed to be a counterpoint to the raucous behavior of Carnival. The Walks became very popular and began to attract others.

PRACTICE After the Mass of the Lord's Supper, during which Christians remember Jesus Christ's last meal with His Apostles on the night that He was arrested, the faithful remember Jesus's Agony in the Garden. After the Mass, the main and most side altars are stripped; all crosses are either removed or covered; the Blessed Sacrament is placed in a tabernacle on the Altar of Repose, and churches are open late for silent adoration. This is in response to the request Jesus made to His apostles while they were in the Garden, as recorded in Gospel of Matthew 26:40, "Could you not, then, watch one hour with me?" Those who practice this visitation leave the church where they attended the Mass of the Lord's Supper and travel to nearby churches to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. This occurs most frequently in urban areas where churches are in close proximity making traveling easier. There are no set of prayers given by the Catholic Church except to pray for the intentions of the Pope and recite the Lord's Prayer, Hail Mary, and Gloria Patri. People also opt to pray the Stations of the Cross. (Source: en.m.wikipedia.org)

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Worldwide friends post heartbreaking COVID 19 internet postings

s of Wednesday, April 1, 2020, a day which used to be known as “April Fools’ Day,” it is not a joke to face the reality of the COVID 19 cases here in the United States, topping an increasing amount of almost 200,000 cases with around 3,800 conﬁrmed deaths. The uncertainty of life we’re in is quite alarming and devastating, particularly to those we personally know, along with their heartbreaking experiences.

not at risk. His wife and young kids, sisters, brot her a nd mother could not even hug him and no one can embrace the bereaved family, because they themselves were exposed. Plans for funeral services uncertain. And we are yet days away from the end of this quarantine. So, keep yourselves and everyone safe. Be strict about social distancing. Staying home and washing your hands for 20 seconds is a must; remind other people whenever you can to pray.

frontlines? Or, are you just going there to show your face so you can brag that you were there?' The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila sent their deepest sympathy and condolence to the family of frontliner and hero, Dr. Nicko Bautista, his friends and his patients." On a much lighter note, on May 30, 2020, a hospital staﬀ, John Jeﬀerson Basa described the situation inside the UP PGH and wrote: "We now see empty beds and silent monitors. This was the refuge of the underserved. Last hope for the abandoned. Home for the internists of tomorrow. The battle has long begun. A war against our species, threatening our very existence. Some of our generals have fallen And members of our ranks succumbed. People struggling for life. The virus is our foe, Unseen by naked eyes But it is doubt that numbs And it is worry that clouds It is fear that paralyzes And this is what makes us human.

James Rivera, gone too soon

Dr. Cenover Nicandro ‘Nicko’ Bautista Among all of this writer's friends worldwide, there was one posting sent by a sorority sister, Margie Templo-Parks, that truly stood out as one of the most heartbreaking COVID 19 stories. In her March 23, 2020 posting, Margie wrote: "If I can help anyone understand the real risk of going through this pandemic,

I'm letting you all know that a beloved cousin has just passed away from COVID 19. No longer just infected, no longer just sick, no longer just rushed to the hospital, no longer just ﬁghting for his life in the ICU. He is gone. I couldn't believe it. My cousin was just 49 years old, with no underlying conditions, supposedly

To you, Kuya Jim, (James Rivera) you were loved. I pray your passing helps others grasp how serious this pandemic is." Another heartbreaking posting was sent by dear friend, Erlinda Granada-Sabah, and she wrote: "The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila deeply mourns the sudden death of Dr. Cenover Nicandro Bautista, one of the passengers of the Lion Air Medical Air Services team (MedeVac), which caught fire on March 24, 2020 at Runway 24 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), on their way to a rescue COVID 19 medical mission in Haneda, Japan. Dr. Nicko, as his family and friends called him, was a frontliner at the Madaluyong Medical Center." Prior to his death, he posted a series of internet postings addressing the COVID 19 situation in the Philippines. On March 18, 2020, after Dr. Nicko learned that some senators received fast track COVID 19 testings, Dr. Nicko posted: 'When will we be first? When we start dropping like flies, left and right? When there's only a few of us left? WHEN? Who will take our place when all of us fall ill, because we can't get tested early enough due to lack of testing kits...YOU? Do you people who sit in the comforts of your homes are able to live out the months ahead with no worries because you were able to get tested out of protocol, just so you can have peace of mind? Is it you who who's going to be in the

But it is love that moves soldiersLove for country, a life dedicated to service Love for family, a hug for our dear ones Love for self, an instinct to escape harm. An oath we pledge A call we heed A vocation we live A purpose we fulfill A battlefield has been laid And though mountain scarce Our warriors few Our knowledge lacking It is faith that we grasp It is courage that matter. We will march on For our patients, For our fallen comrades, For service to humanity. Tomorrow, UP PGH will officially be a COVID 19 Referral Center; The task is daunting. We fear for our lives, But we have been called, and we will respond. 'Padayon,' para sa bayan." To all these worldwide frontliners, we will forever salute YOU as our heroes, for all your sacrifice and noble task, in putting your lives on the line, so we may all have longer better lives. Our hats off to all of YOU!

Above is a COVID 19 comic strip, just to make our kababayans smile inspite of all this sadness and uncertainty. Courtesy of Steve's Strips, who's active with Indieket (PHL version of Comicon) since 2016, based in Manila.

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ADB: Philippine GDP to slide at 2% in 2020 due to COVID-19; rebound to 6.5% in 2021 MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippines’ economic performance will drastically slow down this year as the country reels from disruptions in economic activities due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but a strong rebound is seen next year, Manila-based Asian Development Bank (ADB) said Friday. In its latest annual flagship publication, Asian Development Outlook 2020, the multilateral lender projects the Philippines gross domestic product (GDP) will grow 2.0% in 2020 on the back of “enhanced community quarantine imposed by the government in March to stop the spread of the COVID-19 in the country.” The projected growth this year is much slower compared to last year’s 5.9% growth and 6.2% growth in 2018. The ADB cited disruptions in tourism, trade, and manufacturing as well as slower domestic demand as factors of the growth slowdown, but the government’s expansionary fiscal and monetary policies are seen to partly offset the potential slid. The multilateral lender, however, is expecting a strong recovery to 6.5% GDP growth in 2021, assuming that COVID-19 infections in the country are curbed by June this year. “This unprecedented and extraordinary public health emergency brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic will substantially slow down economic growth this year, with most of the contraction in the economy occurring in the second quarter,” ADB country director for the Philippines Kelly Bird said. “We are anticipating a bounce back starting in the second half of this year, supported by the government’s stimulus spending and easier monetary policies,” he said. The ADB Philippine director said the lender has been working closely with the Philippine government in its fight to ease the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Filipinos. “We have provided two grants totaling $8 million to assist the government and we are now in advanced stages of preparing a larger and comprehensive assistance to help alleviate the impacts of the pandemic on communities’ well-being and support fiscal stimulus,” Bird said. On 14 March, ADB approved a $3 million grant to help the government deliver much-needed emergency medical supplies and equipment, including a new laboratory to enhance the country’s capacity to conduct more COVID-19 tests. This week, ADB launched a $5 million project to provide critical food supplies for poor families in Metro Manila. The quarantine measures have shut down schools and most government offices and private establishments in Metro Manila and the entire Luzon island, which accounts for over half of the country’s total population and generates more than two-thirds of the country’s overall GDP, according to the ADB report.

SEC directs implementation of 30-day extension for loan payments MANILA — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has ordered lending and financing companies to defer the collection of payments and charging of penalties while the country remains under a state of national emergency due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. In a not ice to lending companies, financing companies, and microfinance non-governmental organizations (NGOs) on April 2, the Commission reiterated the provisions of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Section 4(aa) of Republic Act No. 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, which empowered the President to implement a minimum 30-day grace period for the payment of all loans. Under the IRR issued by the Department of Finance on April 1, all lenders, including those under the supervision of the SEC, shall apply the 30-day grace period to all loans with principal and/or interest falling due during the enhanced community quarantine from March 17 to April 12. The IRR also covers banks, quasi-banks, non-stock savings and loan associations, credit card issuers, pawnshops and other credit-grant-

ing financial institutions under the supervision of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and Cooperative Development Authority, whether public or private, including the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS), Social Security System (SSS) and Pag-IBIG Fund. The IRR took effect immediately upon publication in a newspaper. The mandatory grace period shall be extended automatically if the President extends the quarantine period. All covered institutions shall not impose additional interest, fees, and other charges during the 30-day grace period to the future payments or amortizations of their borrowers. Borrowers may also pay the interest accrued during the 30-day grace period on a staggered basis over the remaining life of the loan. All covered institutions are further prohibited from requiring their borrowers to waive the application of the mandatory grace period. No waiver previously executed by borrowers for payments falling due during the enhanced community quarantine shall be valid. Nonetheless, borrowers may still choose to pay their obligations during the enhanced community quar-

Sustained public investment—especially in priority projects under the government’s “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) infrastructure development program—and a rebound in private consumption will drive economic growth in 2021, the report said. The economy will also benefit from the government’s largescale fiscal spending to boost the delivery of relief measures to vulnerable sectors affected by the pandemic. Meanwhile, inflation is expected to reach 2.2% this year and 2.4% in 2021, with further downside pressure from lower global oil prices, well within the government’s target range of 2.0% to 4.0% as price pressures caused by African swine fever counter lower global oil prices. With inflation projected to remain within the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ target range, monetary authorities have room for further monetary policy expansion to cushion any lingering effects of the pandemic on the economy, the ADB said. In addition to combating the COVID-19 pandemic, the Philippines is taking steps to address climate change, it said. “The government’s infrastructure development program focuses on improving mass urban transit systems to help shrink the country’s carbon footprint,” the ADB said. The lender cited the ADB-funded Malolos–Clark Railway project, a 53-kilometer elevated railway project that will connect Metro Manila to northern provinces. ADB said it is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region. (MNS)

Meralco to adjust bills in next cycle

MANILA — Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) spokesperson Joe Zaldarriaga said Thursday that bills for March 17 to April 14 will be the average consumption for the past three months as the entire Luzon is still under the enhanced community quarantine amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) outbreak. With the restricted movement of people during the en ha nc ed com mu n it y quarantine, the power distributor halted the reading of electricity consumption of customers for the current billing period. “After this quarantine period, once we have a normal situation, whatever the deficit or the excess in the actual consumption, antine. Violators of the IRR shall be subject to the appropriate penalties under RA 11469, as well as existing laws, rules, and regulations. In a statement Friday, SEC Chairperson Emilio Aquino said the Covid-19 pandemic has affected everyone across the globe, with thousands of lives being lost and livelihoods being disrupted. “In these trying times, the compliance of lending and financing companies with the mandatory grace period and other emergency measures being implemented would greatly help our fellow Filipinos recover from the pandemic,” he said. Prior to the enactment of the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act and the issuance of

we will adjust it in the next billing cycle,” Zaldarriaga said in Filipino during the Laging Handa press briefing. He added Meralco already announced a 30-day deferment of bills payment due from March 1 to April 14. Zaldarriaga also assured customers there will be no power interruptions during the quarantine period. “Meralco will continue to keep the lights on. We will continue serving our customers. We postponed maintenance and upgrading schedules of our distribution facilities so we can focus on providing adequate power supply to our customers,” he added in Filipino. (PNA) the IRR, a number of financing and lending companies have voluntarily extended relief to their borrowers. For one, members of the Philippine Finance Association have allowed the extension of payment deadlines, without penalties and fees, for borrowers. Microfinance institutions under the umbrella of the Microfinance Council of the Philippines (MCPI) and the Alliance of Philippine Partners in Enterprise Development (APPEND), Inc. have also declared a moratorium on the collection of loan payments. MCPI and APPEND said the moratorium would benefit nine million households catered member-institutions. (PR)

Saturday-Friday | April 4 - 10, 2020

SEC warns ﬁnancial 'scam' entities amid Covid-19 pandemic CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has warned entities not to engage in online fraudulent financial schemes in the wake of the 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) contagion. In a statement on Friday, the SEC-Northern Mindanao regional office said it has issued a series of advisories warning the public to exercise caution in dealing with certain groups offering get-richquick schemes. “These individuals and groups are taking advantage of the [Covid-19] pandemic to defraud investors and consumers,” the agency said. In the advisories, the commission said it has flagged at least 14 groups engaged in “authorized investment-taking activities and other fraudulent activities since the declaration of national public health emergency following the confirmation of local transmission of [Covid-19] in early March." In its most recent advisories, SEC urged the public to stop investing in Maginvestka.Online (Mik.O), “which purportedly trades Bitcoin against the US dollar,” and Azenzo-Online, “which supposedly operates as an independent crowdfunding platform”. SEC said Mik.O is operated by a person or persons using the pseudonym “Mag Forex”. The agency said the group “entices the public to invest with a guaranteed 2% return daily or 200% in total for a period of 100 days”. The other group, Azenzo-Online, meanwhile, boasts about a “’deposit-donation, withdrawal-blessing’ scheme similar to that of Kapa-Community Ministry International. It promises a 30% return in as early as five, 10 or 15 days and a 100% ‘Donation Return’ after 20 days,” SEC said. SEC said that based on its records, both entities are not registered in its office as a corporation or partnership. “Furthermore, they did not secure prior registration or license to solicit investments from the public, as required under Sections 8 and 12 of Republic Act No. 8799, or the Securities Regulation Code,” it said. The agency has also f lagged the activities of individuals and groups using the names of certain foundations or representing themselves as such. “The Commission particularly warned the public against a text scam using the name of President Rodrigo R. Duterte. Under the scheme, one would receive a text message stating that he or she won P750,000 from the President Rodrigo Duterte Charity Foundation through an electronic raffle,” SEC said. The agency also cited Republic Act 11469 or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, which penalizes those participating in cyber-related incidents that make use or take advantage of the current crisis to prey on the public through scams, phishing, fraudulent emails, or other similar acts with two-month imprisonment or a maximum fine of P1 million or both. “We encourage the public to carefully study and examine offers and invitations to participate in schemes promising easy money especially in these difficult times,” Emilio Aquino, SEC chairperson, was quoted as saying. (PNA)

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2020 SUBARU

with Navigation and Power Moonroof

Offer Expires 04/30/20

with Keyless Access with Push Button Start, Power Rear Gate with Height Memory & Reverse Automatic Braking

269

PLUS TAX PER MONTH LEASE/ 36 MONTHS @10k MILES PER YEAR

$2,899 Down Payment $0 Security Deposit $0 First Months Lease Payment

$2,899 Total Due Lease Signing (tax, title, license & doc fees extra)

Model Code: LAF-34 — L3004788 & L3010539 FINANCE OFFER Offer Expires 04/30/20 As low as 0.9% limited term ﬁnancing on ALL 2020 Legacys in stock

Model Code: LCB-12 — L3453217 & L3453408 FINANCE OFFER Offer Expires 04/30/20 As low as 0% Limited term ﬁnancing on ALL 2020 Ascents in stock

“Para sa bagong Subaru, tawagan niyo lang po kami!”

Driving People Happy

SUBARU OF GLENDALE 1308 S Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA 91204 www.SubaruofGlendale.net

855-230-1547 Andrew Marilla Christian Marilla Sales & Leasing Finance Manager

Enzo Patnongon Sale & Leasing Consultant

Subaru, Forester, Outback, Tribeca, Legacy, Impreza, WRX, STI, and SUBARU BOXER are registered trademarks. Purchase or lease any new (previously untitled) Subaru and receive a complimentary factory scheduled maintainance plan for 2 years or 24,000 miles (whichever comes ﬁrst). See Subaru Added Security Maintenance Plan for intervals, coverage and limitations. Customer must take delivery before 12-31-19 and reside within the promotional area. At participating dealers only. See dealer for program details and eligibility.