hope amid a pandemic

'Simbang Gabi' brings hope amid a pandemic

DUMAGUEtE citY – Owena Davis, 75, putters around the house, preparing a table with a white linen cloth for the altar, with fresh flowers, a crucifix and candles, just a day before the start of the nine-day novena masses at dawn or Misa de Gallo beginning Dec. 16, leading up to Christmas.

In another part of the city, Jackie Flores, 60, does the same, but has only a few hours before the first Simbang Gabi or evening mass for the same nine-day novena that starts at 7 p.m. on Dec. 15.

Both have something in common this year, along with many countless others: they will be attending the Filipino tradition of the Catholic masses that precede the Christmas midnight mass on Dec. 24 via live streaming on social media due to quarantine restrictions amid coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.

“I have always attended and completed the nine-day novena masses for as long as I can remember, except for a few times when I was abroad during Christmas where Simbang Gabi is not practiced in other countries,” said Davis, a devout Catholic.

She said she and her husband, Arthur, would wake up early and get dressed to attend the dawn masses, held usually at 4 a.m. or 4:30 a.m., depending on which church they would go to.

It’s a long-standing tradition handed over to her from her late mother, Obdulia, also a pious Catholic, and with the restrictions set for senior citizens and young people to refrain from attending large gatherings such as masses this year, Owena said she has no choice but to stay home.

Jackie, on the other hand, said she would be missing the in-church masses this time because she has hypertension and would not want to risk exposing herself unnecessarily to other people. This capital city of Negros Oriental has a high infection rate of Covid-19 and many cases are asymptomatic.

“I do understand that the Catholic churches in our diocese are taking the necessary precautionary measures, such as physical distancing with only three persons seated per pew, and requiring the wearing of face masks and observing health protocols, but still, I can’t take that chance because you can never tell,” she said.

Flores works at the city social welfare office here and has chosen over the past several years to attend the evening masses as it is more convenient for a working mom like her than getting up early in the morning.

Her office is just two blocks from the Cathedral of St. Catherine of Alexandria and after work at 5 p.m., she would either take a stroll at the boulevard or do a bit of shopping downtown before going to church around 30 to 45 minutes ahead of the mass.

“It was a regular routine, going to the Cathedral early to get a seat because the church is always packed with people for the Simbang gabi masses back,” she said.

Simbang Gabi is the Philippines’ version of the Misa de Gallo or Rooster’s Mass of the Catholic Church, which has evolved over the centuries and celebrated differently in many countries.

SIMBANG GABI. the interior of the cathedral of St. catherine of Alexandria in Dumaguete city. During the Simbang Gabi nine-day novena masses starting on the night of Dec. 15 and the Misa de Gallo at dawn the following day, only 50-percent of the church capacity is allowed inside as part of covid-19 quarantine restrictions. (File photo by Judy Flores Partlow)

Some churches here even offer to God for the year that was. “make a little sacrifice” this year, as “painit” or early morning delica- “It helps us to ponder the birth 2020 is a unique occurrence with the cies like “puto” (sticky rice cakes) of Christ, our Savior, and makes us Covid-19 pandemic having disrupted and “tsokolate” (chocolate drink) thankful for the blessings that we the lives of so many, “and this is now after each mass, and churchgoers have received,” she said. the new normal, and we have to abide get to mingle with the congregation, To address the concerns of con- by the rules”. something that Davis says she always vergence of large crowds for the He said in his parish, there will be looked forward to each year. Simbang Gabi, the Diocese of Du- a live-streaming of the masses and

It was customary to hold the mass- maguete headed by Bishop Julito wide screens outside the church for es at dawn in centuries past, to allow Cortes is taking steps to ensure the those who cannot be accommodated farmers to attend the religious rite safety of the parishioners. inside. before going out to the fields, but the At the Cathedral parish, simulta- Both Davis and Flores said their evening masses were later allowed neous masses will be held at different number one petition would be for here for those who worked during venues at the same time in the morn- the pandemic to end and that 2021 the day. ing and in the evening, so attendees would be a better and brighter year

Catholics here believe that their can spread out. for the world. prayer intentions and petitions are The prelate has also asked the par- “There is hope. There is always answered if they are able to complete ish priests to coordinate with their hope and even in these trying times, the nine days of Simbang Gabi dawn local Inter-Agency Task Force for the we look to Jesus, our Savior, whose or evening masses. Management of Emerging Infectious light continues to shine upon us,

“I have experienced that so many Diseases (IATF-EID) in their towns and so we must not lose hope,” Datimes in the past. My prayers have and cities for individual protocols vis said. been answered, and honestly, these and other guidelines to follow. “I know that God has a message prayers are not just for me or my Msgr. Julius Perpetuo Heruela, the for us during this pandemic. I befamily, but for other people as well, priest of the St. Nicholas de Tolen- lieve that He wants us to return to and I also give thanks to God for His tino Parish in Dauin, said there will Him, and in this dark and uncertain blessings,” Davis said. also be Simbang Gabi masses in the times, it is Jesus who we should focus

Flores also said many of her prayers “barrios” with bigger chapels, so that our eyes on. After all, the message of and petitions were answered, but she people living there no longer need to Christmas is hope, when God gave shared that Simbang Gabi is also an come down to the town proper. to us His only Son, and that is hope,” opportunity to express her gratitude Heruela appealed to the people to Flores said. (PNA)

3 FILIPINo-amerICaNs... From Page 1

and as well as the first LGBT and person of color to become mayor in the City of San Diego.

Gloria is not a newcomer in politics though. He was formerly former California 78th State Assembly District assemblyman, was former City Councilman of San Diego and was Interim Mayor in 2013.

The new mayor also highlighted that he is also gay. "As a kid growing up in San Diego, I didn't see people who looked like me leading practically anything, let alone a major U.S. city," Gloria said. "Together, we will make San Diego into a place where your ZIP code doesn't determine your destiny, we embrace what makes us unique and our community provides pathways to success for all of us." "San Diego is a big city, it's time we act like it."

Gloria said he and his staff were preparing an strategy to tackle to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic problems that it has been creating for the people of the city.

On Tuesday night (December 15), Mayor Letty Lopez-Viado of the City of West Covina, a city with a big Filipino American population, was sworn in during a City Council by Judge Lucy Armendariz of the Superior Court of California.

Lopez-Viado was accompanied by her husband and two children during the swearing-in act.

Later on, Lopez-Viado made a short speech before closing the city council session.

The new West Covina mayor also took pride in coming from Mexican and Filipino lineages.

Lopez-Viado urged residents to be part of the solution and added that they “feel free to jump on board to help the city.”

“As we move forward to the New Year, which we will begin to focus on recovery and the rebuilding of our city, I look forward to working with my colleagues … I also look forward to working with all of our residents, businesses and city staff,” Lopez-Viado said.

The new mayor also welcomed and congratulated the two new members of the City Council, namely Concilmembers Brian Tabatabai and Rosario Diaz

Tabatabai and Diaz were also sworn into office during the same session.

In the City of Sierra Madre, Rachelle Arizmendi has been selected by her peers to serve as mayor.

In press statement, Mayor Arizmendi said she was first elected to Sierra Madre’s City Council in 2014 and served as Mayor in 2017. She was the first person of color in Sierra Madre's history to hold a City Council seat.

In 2018, she was re-elected to office to serve another 4-year term.

Of her recent appointment, Ms. Arizmendi stated, "I am grateful for the support of the City Council and for the ongoing confidence of the voters in Sierra Madre. I look forward to continue representing the 11,000 residents of our Village of the Foothills.”

Rachelle Arizmendi is committed to carrying on her work from the last six years on the City Council. She will continue to strengthen the financial health of the City, support the progress in rebuilding the aging City infrastructure, sustain the efforts in a strong public safety program, and preserve the character of the community.

Ms. Arizmendi is Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment (PACE), one of the largest Asian Pacific Islander (API) community development corporations in the nation. She is extensively involved in numerous local, state and national organizations and initiatives. Locally, she serves as Board President of the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council, Board Chair for the Foothill Employment Training Consortium’s Policy Board, Second Vice-President of the League of California Cities Women’s Caucus, and Board Member of Child 360. Rachelle was also appointed by former California Governor Brown to serve on the California State Board of Food and Agriculture. Nationally, she serves as the Secretary of the Board of the National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development and a Board Member At Large for the National Community Development Financial Institution Coalition.

In recognition for her service to API and other ethnic minority communities, Ms. Arizmendi has received numerous awards including: Top 100 Filipinas in the World by the Filipina Women’s Network (2018), Southern California Leadership Network’s Top 30 in 30 Years Alumni (2017), CA Assembly Member Holden’s Woman of Distinction (2017), and Los Angeles County Supervisor Antonovich’s Women of the Year (2016).

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Ball dropped but we're still in play, Philippine envoy says of access to Pfi zer vaccine

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel "Babe" Romualdez doesn't want to dwell on how the Philippines missed its chance to access around 10 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer-BioNTech as early as January 2021.

But the fact, according to Romualdez, remains that the time for the Philippines to get the Pfizer vaccine early is gone because the government failed to submit the required Confidentiality Disclosure Agreement (CDA) on time. "It took time for us to respond, so I called up the office of Secretary (Salvador) Medialdea and asked him if he can help us in getting that done and it was in fact the office of Secretary (Francisco) Duque, so I guess that's where this whole 'dropping the ball' issue came about," said Romualdez in an interview on Wednesday, referring to the phrase Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. used in a tweet about the incident. "But nonetheless Pfizer is still with us and they're still talking to us and hopefully, we can get access to their vaccines. But the time for us to be able to get it earlier like Canada, Bahrain, and Singapore and others is gone because we needed to act quickly," he added.

As early as July, according to Romualdez, Locsin and the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo were already talking to include the Philippines on the list of early buyers of Pfizer's COVID vaccine.

Romualdez said Pfizer informed the Philippine Embassy in Washington that it is now ready to accept orders and that the CDA is required to put the Philippines in line of interested countries.

Health Secretary Duque said he signed the CDA for Pfizer's vaccine in October. Amid criticism, he said on Wednesday that "there's no such thing as 'dropping the ball' in the process of getting the vaccine from Pfizer."

Duque also said negotiations with Pfizer are still underway.

Romualdez said he doesn't know nor wants to judge how officials in Manila assessed and checked the approval of the CDA with Pfizer, but said there was a "sense of urgency" needed at that time to sign the CDA. Unfortunately, he said, that was not met. "Hindi nga napirmahan eh so October na eh, tawag ng tawag sa akin 'yung taga Pfizer following up na kung hindi tayo gumalaw kaagad eh 'yung pinag-usapan nila ni Secretary Locsin at Secretary Pompeo eh medyo magiging problema. So talagang may sense of urgency we needed to work on it quickly and unfortunately hindi nga natin napirmahan agad," he said.

Game not over

Because the Philippines missed out on the chance to acquire the 10 million doses of Pfizer vaccine as early as January 2021, the Philippines, according to Romualdez, will settle for the possible acquisition of COVID vaccines in June 2021.

This was according to Pfizer's own estimate, according to Romualdez. "We did what we could here and talking to them and moving it quickly and that's why what Secretary Locsin said 'somebody dropped the ball,' eh in a way parang ganun na nga 'yun kasi siyempre 'yung bola nandito sa amin, galing sa kanya, pinasa namin, eh yung bola nawala, eh last three minutes eh. But, it's okay, we're still in play, hindi naman tapos 'yung game," Romualdez said.

Romualdez also said Pfizer did not ask for any downpayment before accepting or committing its vaccine, as he dismissed speculations that it may have caused the delay and eventual failure to acquire the Pfizer COVID vaccine by January of 2021.

No politics, pls

"Politics should be out, we should throw that out the window, walang mangyayari sa atin diyan when we talk that way na maraming mga nag-iintriga diyan kung anu-ano sinasabi nila," said Romualdez. "Buhay na ng tao, you know, parang it's just unconscionable me, we're all Christians but I can tell you they'll all burn in hell when they start doing these things because we're talking the life or the lives of people and the lifeline of the country."

He assured the public that the Philippine government is doing its best to acquire the best possible vaccine for COVID-19 in the United States.

The Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC is expected to recommend to officials in Manila a COVID-19 testing kit developed by the company Ellume, which is said to be very effective and can give results in 15 minutes. "You can test your own in your home, and you can get the results in 15 minutes and it is about 90 to 95 percent effective and we're going to recommend that this be used by the government," said Romualdez.

The testing kit has been authorized for emergency use by the US Food and Drug Administration. (MNS)

AMBASSADOR JOSE MANUEL ROMUALDEZ

PRRD discourages kids from collecting gifts from godparents

MANILA (Mabuhay) — President Rodrigo Duterte has discouraged children from collecting "aguinaldo" or gifts from their ninongs and ninangs (godfathers and godmothers), reminding them that doing so would put them at risk of contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In a taped speech aired late Wednesday night, Duterte said this was a year to keep “calm” and skip the annual visit to godparents in exchange for their health and safety.

“There is always a time. Now is the time to be --- hindi naman (not) sedentary but iyong kalma muna. Tutal marami pa namang Pasko eh (but be calm. Anyway, there are still many Christmases). Huwag na kayong maghingi-hingi ng mga ninong, ninang kasi kaawa 'yung mga ano. Tapos maglabas 'yung ninang mo pati ninong, mamili diyan sa kung saan-saan. Idamay mo lang (Don’t ask gifts from your ninong, ninang because they’ll be pitiful. They’d have to go out to buy gifts. You’ll put them at risk),” he said.

He urged them to be patient and pray for the sick and hungry while a vaccine for Covid-19 has yet to be available in the country.

“Maghingi ka (Ask), hopefully in God's own time, maybe next December. In the meantime, what should we do is pray for our country and prepare for those who are sick. At saka kung kakain ka, ako kung magkain ako (And when you eat, when I eat), when I say my prayer, ‘God, remember those who have the food but who cannot eat,’” he added. Quoting Ecclesiastes 3 from the Bible, Duterte said that “there is a time for everything”. “There's always a time for an end. So time for happiness, time for enjoyment, birthday parties, wedding receptions, and time to be just relax lang, relax lang. Mahaba pa ang buhay (Life is long). If not for you, then for your children,” he said.

Duterte, meanwhile, reiterated his call to observe minimum health and safety standards during the holiday season.

“Christmas time is about a few days from now. Sundin lang natin ‘yung (Just follow the) culture. But remember the word ‘but’, but there are rules to be followed at this time of our national life,” he said.

According to Duterte, it won’t be long until a vaccine will reach the country’s shores.

“Sumunod ho kayo sa mga patakaran ng gobyerno. Para sa inyong lahat ito. Kaunting tiis na lang. Nandiyan na ang bakuna (Just follow the rules enforced by the government. This is for you. Just a little longer. The vaccine is already there),” he said.

Last week, Duterte urged the public to skip Christmas festivities to avoid spreading or catching the disease. "You had parties every Christmas. Would you be kind enough just to skip the festivities? Iwasan na muna ninyo (Avoid them first). You avoid it because it is for your own good and for the good of the community and eventually for the good of the country,” he said. (MNS)

Duque amid questions on China COVID-19 vaccine: Trust screening process

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of Health (DOH) on Wednesday said China’s COVID-19 vaccine would undergo a strict screening process in the country like other vaccine candidates, quelling the public’s fear regarding its efficacy and safety.

In a press briefing, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said the public should trust the screening process of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

“Mayroon tayong nakatakdang proseso, at dapat sundin 'yan, respetuhin ang DOST, ang kanilang vaccine panel, sila po ang sumusuri ng lahat ng scientific evidence para patunayan na itong mga bakuna ay ligtas, may dekalidad at epektibo, at kaya na implement, ipatupad,” Duque said when asked about his thoughts on Sinovac’s COVID-19 vaccine. (We have a process, and it should be followed. We should also respect DOST and its vaccine panel because they screen all the scientific evidence to prove that these vaccines are safe, of quality and it could be implemented.)

Vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez, Jr. earlier said the country is eyeing to secure 25 million doses of the said vaccine for next year, as it finalizes negotiations with the firm.

But the legitimacy of Sinovac products was recently questioned after the Washington Post reported that the company's chief executive officer admitted to bribery.

Duque, meanwhile, said after DOST’s evaluation, the vaccine would need approval from the Single Joint Research Ethics Board and the Food and Drug Administration.

“Ang FDA ang magsasagawa ng regulatory and technical evaluation. 'Yan ang mangyayari. Dadaan pa pala ito sa health technology assessment council, under the Universal Health Care Law. Mandated ang HTAC (Health Technology Assessment Council) [to make] an assessment on a set of literal parameters,” he said.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire echoed Duque, saying that no Filipino will be inoculated by an unsafe coronavirus vaccine.

“It has to go through the regulatory process… And only those who would pass the regulatory process would be made available and given to the recipients of the population,” said Vergeire.

Sinovac said on Nov. 18 that mid-stage trial results showed Sinovac’s CoronaVac shot triggered a quick immune response and interim data from its late stage trial could come this year.

China's Sinovac appears to be the second most expensive COVID-19 vaccine based on initial estimates, as it is expected to be priced at P3,629.50 for 2 doses. (MNS)

Philippine hospitals, LGUs told to prepare for surge in COVID-19 cases

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Health Secretary Francisco Duque III on Wednesday called on hospitals and local government units to prepare for the expected surge in cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) over the holiday season.

In a briefing with President Rodrigo Duterte in Malacañang, Duque said data showed the need to augment COVID-19 beds and mechanical ventilators in healthcare and isolation facilities.

“Hihingin natin ang commitment ng mga ospital… na maglaan po ng sapat na bilang ng kama at mechanical ventilators,” Duque said.

“Hihingin natin ang commitment ng mga ospital, lalo na ng mga pribadong ospital, na maglaan po ng sapat na bilang ng kama at mechanical ventilators para po mapaghandaan po natin nang sapat ang posibleng surge,” he added.

Duque also called on local government units to ensure the availability of isolation beds in temporary treatment and monitoring facilities.

He added that health authorities were coordinating with laboratories to ensure their continued operation even amid the holiday season.

Some medical workers earlier said they had started to feel the increase in infections.

In August, the medical community’s resounding call for a two-week timeout helped drive down the number of COVID-19 cases.

As the holiday season nears, however, the Department of Health said transmission has also escalated in many cities in Metro Manila.

The daily attack rate and reproduction number of COVID-19 breached 1 in 12 cities in the capital region, indicating sustained transmission.

The Philippines has tallied nearly 453,000 infections as of Wednesday afternoon. (MNS)

Vaccine fi rms yet to apply for emergency use in PH, says FDA

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Vaccine firms have yet to apply for emergency use in the Philippines, the Food and Drug Authority said Wednesday as it urged Chinese drugmakers to register their COVID-19 vaccine in order for these to be distributed in 3 months.

The FDA published its guidelines for emergency use authorization (EAU) on Monday, said executive director Eric Domingo. "So far we have not received any formal application yet...It takes time to prepare. In the Philippines, I’ll only accept the application if they already have an EUA in their home country," he said. "I guess it’s really also the timing of the companies being able to supply that is why they're not yet applying for EUAs. Maybe they're not yet ready to supply even if we do give them that authorization, maybe production is not enough to supply here immediately."

Domingo, meantime, said China's Sinovac or Sinopharm should now apply for an EUA in the country if they plan to roll out their vaccines by March.

The Philippines has no information yet on Sinopharm's phase 3 clinical trials while Sinovac is expected to get their clinical trial phase 3 interim report by end of the month, Domingo added.

Chinese vaccine vs COVID-19 may be first to arrive in PH: inoculation czar

China's 'vaccine diplomacy': A global charm offensive "Remember, if Sinovac or Sinopharm apply, these have EUAs only in China but not in WHO (World Health Organization)-qualified regulators," he said. "We’re going to have to take a close look at this and it will take a little longer than for example a product that’s already been approved by US, Japan, Singapore which are known to have very stringent regulatory agencies."

Domingo said the FDA would look at 2 criteria in approving the vaccine: 1) safety and efficacy, and 2) quality and stability. "We have to see the clinical trial results, we have to check the safety profile and see any if there were any adverse effects, and we have to see the efficacy, how it protects the person if injected," he said. "For a vaccine to be useful, this is pegged at 60 to 70 percent efficacy minimum requirement. The higher it is, the better."

The vaccine firm or the government who will be using the vaccine may apply for an EUA, Domingo said as the Duterte administration attempt to secure supplies from various drugmakers. "I guess we can make early negotiations but as I said di naman siya mapapasok dito hanggang di makukumpleto ang data on safety and efficacy," he said. "Mahirap din kung biglang darating ang data tapos mamadaliin natin. We have to very careful with this because these are new products." (MNS)

DFA chief departs from Palace view on doctor's aversion to Sinovac

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Foreign affairs Secretary Teddy Locsin Jr. on Tuesday diverged from Malacañang's take on why a former government health adviser questioned the purchase of China's vaccine Sinovac for COVID-19.

In a post on his Twitter account on Tuesday, Secretary Locsin -- after asking "didn't he work for Pfizer?" -- said that the doctor's comment was "a normal native reaction to anything unfamiliar."

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte snapped back at former health adviser Tony Leachon, accusing him of criticizing the administration's COVID-19 response so that he will be appointed to a government post.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said Duterte has repeatedly hurled invectives at Leachon during meetings with Cabinet secretaries because of the health advocate's remarks.

Roque made the statement when asked for comment on Leachon’s take on the government’s plan to purchase 25 million doses of Chinese firm Sinovac's COVID vaccine even if it is yet to show its safety and efficacy after human trials.

Leachon’s statement, which he posted on Twitter, read: "Isn’t it worrisome that the government is still prioritizing the vaccines for which there are not enough safety and efficacy data?"

Earlier, the government said Sinovac was still Philippines' top COVID vaccine pick, despite claims that the Beijing-based firm bribed its way for the approval of the medical product. (MNS)

Nearly 430,000 Pinoys underwent COVID-19 swab tests in December — DOH data

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Nearly 430,000 Filipinos subjected themselves to swab tests for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in December alone, in preparation for their trips to their respective home provinces for the holiday season, data from the Department of Health (DOH) showed.

At least 425,799 people have been swabbed this month ahead of the holidays.

Some testing facilities have begun offering holiday promos amid the uptick in requests for testing.

Other health facilities have introduced home and drive thru testing.

The government earlier set the swab test price cap at P3,800 for public laboratories and P5,000 for private facilities.

One health facility has already been made to explain its noncompliance to the price ceiling, the DOH said.

The public was earlier warned that family reunions are discouraged amid the pandemic as they are also considered mass gatherings that may trigger the spread of COVID-19.

The Philippine Red Cross, which accounts for a huge chunk of the COVID-19 tests performed daily, earlier suspended tests chargeable to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) over P930 million in unpaid debt.

The state insurer has since made several payments to the Red Cross, but the humanitarian organization’s chief, Senator Richard Gordon, said expenses still kept piling up.

Earlier this month, Gordon said PhilHealth had accrued P659 million in debt.

The state health insurer covers the testing fees of returning overseas Filipinos, individuals who pass through mega swabbing facilities and testing centers of local government units, and frontline workers, among others.

The 192 testing laboratories across the country have tested over 5.9 million individuals as of December 14, according to the DOH. (MNS)

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