Weekend Balita- May 2, 2020

LOS ANGELES EDITION

Frontliner’s heroism saves patient’s life PAGE 16 VOL. XXIX NO. 18

May 2 - 8, 2020

TOP STORIES Global News 2 soldiers who recovered from COVID-19 test positive anew 8

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IN OBSERVANCE OF LABOR DAY:

Duterte wants ‘stable career, humane conditions’ for workers 8  4 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Metro Manila cluster closely with samples from China 9  Tagle becomes first Asian elevated to Cardinal-Bishop 9  COVID-19 cases climb to 8,772 with 41 new recoveries, 11 new deaths 9  Next 2 weeks crucial to arrest COVID-19 spread, allow gradual reopening of business 9  Old jeepneys eased out in GCQ guidelines, says transport group 12  Religious, work-related mass gatherings still banned under GCQ -Palace 12  School resumption in August does not mean physical return — DepEd 12  AFP unfazed with CPP’s ‘resumption’ of offensive operations 12

Sections

BUSINESS. Philippines allows partial reopening of POGOs 13  COMMUNITY. US solons call for release of prisoners of conscience amid COVID-19 pandemic 3  ENTERTAINMENT. Heart Evangelista responds to netizen who called out her ‘altruism pictures’ 15  HEALTH & FAMILY. 9 amazing benefits of eating bananas everyday 18  DELISH. A nutritionist’s guide to reducing anxiety in the midst of pandemic 19 

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

goV. NEWSom orDErS CLoSUrE of oraNgE CoUNTY BEaCHES

By ABNER GALINO

CALIFORNIA Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered on Thursday the immediate closure of state and local beaches in Orange County after thousands of people flocked to its beaches last weekend, many of them apparently violated restrictions contained in the statewide Stay-At-Home order that has been in place to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

“None of us is invincible and some of us are vulnerable,” Newsom said during a regular press conference on Thursday.

The governor was apparently piqued seeing the photos of large crowds enjoying Orange County beaches last week-

end.

New som sa id beachgoers who ignored the state’s restrictions could be prolonging the implementation of restrictions meant to contain the spread of the coronavirus in California.

The beachgoers, Newsom stressed, GOV.

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THE unusually hot weather brought out a lot of people to Ventura County's beaches that have been slightly reopened since Friday (April 24).

Police set up tents in the place and visitors are being handed fliers about what activities are permitted and what activities are not allowed.

In the said police fliers, activities like swimming, surfing, walking and biking are enumerated as being

allowed. But activities like sunbathing and social gatherings are not allowed.

Playground equipment are still off limits to visitors.

The Hueneme pier, a favorite spot for fishing enthusiasts, remained restricted.

Ventura County-managed beaches, Oxnard and Port Hueneme still have their parking lots closed.

Photo and text by Tony Garcia

Free COVID-19 testing for all LA residents First big city to offer wide-scale, free testing

MAYOR Eric Garcetti has announced that the City of Los Angeles will provide COVID-19 testing to all its residents “whether or not they are experiencing symptoms of the virus.”

The testing will also be open to residents of the Los Angeles County.

The said tests will be administered at eight locations inside the City of Los Angeles.

“So long as COVID-19 spreads, we have to scale up our response — and because this disease

can be a silent killer, we have carefully built the capacity to get more people tested,” said Mayor Garcetti.

“No one should have to wait, wonder, or risk infecting others. Don’t leave it to chance.

Schedule a test.”

Testing appointments can be made through the city’s online portal. Any resident of Los Angeles County can begin to schedule a test, regardless of whether they are showing symptoms of COVID-19.

But priority for the FREE COVID-19

Guidelines for workplaces allowed to operate in ECQ, GCQ areas

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A COVID-19 testing site set up in the so-called “Skid Row” district in the City of Los Angeles. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Mayor of LA

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Friday released the guidelines on workplace prevention and control of COVID-19 for private sector institutions allowed to operate during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and general community quarantine (GCQ).

The guidelines cover all workplaces, employers, and workers in the private sector.

Philippines concerned over number of health workers getting COVID-19 MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of Health on Friday expressed alarm over the continued increase in the number of health workers who get infected with COVID-19.

DOH spokesperson Health Undersecretary Mario Rosario Vergeire said the country might suffer a shortage of health workers if the trend would continue.

As of Thursday, a total of 1,694 health care workers have tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This number is almost 20 percent of the country's confirmed cases which stood at 8,488 as of April 30.

The countr y’s confirmed case reached 8,772 on Friday.

"Halos isa sa bawat limang nakatalang kaso ng COVID-19 ay health care worker. Ito ay nakakalungkot sapagkat kung magpapatuloy ang ganitong trend, maaring dumating ang panahon na magkulang na ang nag-aalaga sa ating mga pasyente," Vergeire said in PHILIPPINES

The government earlier released a list of businesses allowed to operate during ECQ and GCQ periods.

Below are the health and safety standards to be implemented in all workplaces.

Before entering buildings or workplaces all employers and workers shall observe the following: l Wear face masks at all times and remove the same only when eating/drinking. Employers shall provide the appropriate face masks

for workers. Should a cloth mask be used, the washable type shall be worn with additional filter material such as tissue papers inside the mask may be added. l Accomplish daily health symptoms questionnaire and submit to the guard or designated safety officer prior to entry. l Have t heir temperat ure checked and recorded. For any personnel with temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius, even after a five minute rest and needs further

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questioning shall be isolated. Isolation [areas] shall be well-ventilated and disinfected frequently.

Clinic staff assigned to attend to isolated persons shall be provided with PPEs. l Equipment or vehicle entering hubs must go through disinfection. l If there will be long queues outside office or establishment premises, roving officers should instill physical distancing.

GUIDELINES

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ABNER GALINO, Fil-Am News Editor

Fil-Am

Community Visit www.Balita.com

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Brennan Center outlines 2020 Census challenges: Misinformation, COVID-19 put people at risk of being overlooked for next 10 years

By MARK HEDIN, Ethnic Media Services

I

n June last year, the Supreme Court ended the Trump administration’s plan to ask all 2020 Census respondents about their citizenship status.

But with the first month of census-taking almost complete, it’s clear that the court ruling hasn’t undone the damage caused by even proposing the question be added.

Although the Census Bureau has not yet analyzed 2020’s ethnicity response rates, research two weeks in (https:// tinyurl.com/CUNYstudyWeek2), when the national response rate was in the low 40% range, found predominantly Hispanic census tracts were at 30.5%, the lowest of population groups studied.

Predominantly African American tracts were at 35%, Asian American-dominated tracts at 41%, and predominantly non-Hispanic white tracts 42.5%.

In an April 20 discussion, “The Fight for a Fair Count: Keeping the 2020 Census on Track,” attorney Thomas Wolf of the Brennan Center for Justice’s Democracy Program cited December findings by the Urban Institute (https://tinyurl. com/UrbanInstituteCensusReport) that almost 70% of adult respondents still believed the nine-question 2020 Census form(https://tinyurl.com/QuestionsOn2020Census) would include one about citizenship.

And almost as many expected it “somewhat, extremely or very likely” that au-

thorities would use answers to find people living in the United States without documentation.

The Brennan Center for Justice event also included Janai Nelson from the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Adriel Derieux of the ACLU Voting Rights Project.

The once-every-10-years census controls more than $1.5 trillion of annual federal spending (https://tinyurl.com/ CensusDataSpendingReport) and determines people’s voice in government. It does NOT include a question about citizenship or allow police, border or immigration officials, or any other government agencies to use anyone’s personal information from the census.

“That’s a nonexistent threat,” Nelson said. “The larger risk is from not being counted.”

Wolf also cited the report’s findings on how likely people are to fill out the census questionnaire. In 2010, the response rate was 72%. For this census, a majority (77.2%) said they likely would respond, and among those age 50-64, it was 86.9%.

But for those 18-34, it was 67.3%, even worse than the 69.1% of households that include a noncitizen, in which 12% said they definitely or probably would avoid being counted.

Among white non-Hispanics, 81.5% said they were likely to respond. The percentage among those identifying as

Hispanic was 71%, among black non-Hispanics 73.3%, and for other races, or those of multiple non-Hispanic ethnicities, 65.6%.

The nation as a whole has now passed the 50% response rate (https://tinyurl. com/CensusBureauReport). That’s about 10% behind where it was at this point in 2010, so the Census Bureau is at least on board to attain what it once deemed its “worst-case scenario” in terms of a low response rate, Wolf said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit 2020 Census plans hard. Plans to reach socalled “hard-to-count” communities have been delayed or altered, and the Census Bureau is also seeking extra time to compile data for use in redrawing political boundaries and reapportioning seats in Congress.

The original deadline for being counted

was July 31, but households now have until Oct. 31 to respond online, over the phone, by the traditional method of mailing back a questionnaire, or via an “enumerator” sent to visit those who haven’t responded.

The Census Bureau has also delayed training and deploying the hundreds of thousands of people to whom it offered enumerator jobs. Also, in early March, it suspended after just four days its “Update/Leave” program sending staff to check addresses and leave questionnaires where people are particularly hard to reach, for instance, in tribal lands, or where people rely on Post Office boxes or are dealing with a natural disaster, such as Puerto Rico.

Data the Census Bureau puts together from answered questionnaires determines the need for more than 300 programs that help educate, feed, house, provide infrastructure — and emergency services — for U.S. communities for the next 10 years.

Anonymous census data also is used to redefine a community, city, county or state’s political boundaries. Different states have different procedures on how they go about redistricting. Reapportionment, though, uses census data to decide how many members of Congress each state gets — and the number of electoral college votes in presidential elections.

Each House seat is supposed to represent the same number of people. Currently it is set at 750,000 per seat. After each state gets its one guaranteed House seat, the remaining 385 seats are divided according to population. States the census finds have growing populations gain representatives. States where fewer people are counted will lose seats.

So if people aren’t counted, their communities don’t get a full voice in political discussions.

By 2045, Nelson of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund said the United States is expected to no longer be majority white, but “the popular vote is not reflected in our politics or our representation. All that — political representation — relies on census counts.”

“Encouraging online response is important,” she said. “It’s the same as encouraging voter registration. We need to make sure our friends and family understand. Go into your phones, contact lists, send texts. … Do everything we can to encourage participation while staying safe.”

The census, said ACLU Voting Rights Project’s Derieux, “is the stuff democracy is made of. It can determine what our country looks like. It should reflect the growing diversity of our country.”

“Everyone counts,” Wolf said in conclusion. “When you’re able to stand up and be counted, you have an opportunity to make government the way it should be.”

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PH EMBASSY IN DC LIGHTS UP IN HONOR OF FILIPINO MEDICAL FRONTLINERS AND TO MARK THE ONE-YEAR COUNTDOWN TO THE QUINCENTENNIAL “VICTORY AND HUMANITY” ANNIVERSARY

The Philippine Chancery building on Bataan street corner 1600 Massachusetts Avenue in Parols light up the Philippine Chancery Annex building along Massachusetts Avenue Washington, D.C. Northwest is decorated with blue lights in Washington, D.C. Northwest

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Philippine Chancery and Chancery Annex buildings along Massachusetts Avenue in Washington, D.C. have been adorned with parols and blue lights in honor of the thousands of Filipino medical professionals who are serving in the frontline of the global battle against

COVID-19.

“Filipino healthcare workers are appreciated and recognized internationally for their remarkable contributions in their respective workplaces. Filipino nurses, doctors, caregivers and healthcare workers are very much appreciated in so many states all over

the United States. Most are frontliners carrying the heavy burden brought by the new coronavirus pandemic, working almost 24/7 as they help in the herculean effort to save the lives of people in the United States,” said Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez.

US solons call for release of prisoners of conscience amid COVID-19 pandemic WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), co-chairs of the Senate Human Rights Caucus, and Representatives James McGovern (D-Mass.) and Christopher Smith (R-N.J.), co-chairs of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, issued the following statement: “As co-chairs of the Senate Human Rights Caucus and the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, we call on foreign governments to release arbitrarily detained Americans and all prisoners of conscience on humanitarian grounds immediately.

These artists, activists, journalists, and more are held unjustly as a result of their peaceful expression of their

beliefs or identity, and many, due to age or poor health, are especially vulnerable to COVID-19 as it spreads through detention facilities. It is incumbent upon all governments to make every effort to protect all individuals under their custody, including prisoners of conscience, from the deadly COVID-19 pandemic.”

“As partners in the Defending Freedoms Project, which campaigns to free prisoners of conscience around the world, the Caucus and the Commission also urge members of Congress to continue advocating for the release of prisoners of conscience and to do everything within our power to ensure their health and safety.”

The heroism of Filipino medical frontliners also resonates with the upcoming Quincentennial Anniversary of the first circumnavigation of the world and the Filipinos’ victory in Mactan.

The one-year countdown to the quincentennial celebration starts today, 27 April 2020.

To mark the one-year countdown, the National Quincentennial Committee of the Philippines emphasizes the message that “The Filipino people is one with humanity in combating COVID-19 pandemic.

Over adversities and trials, we shall triumph putting humanity first always.

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McDonald’s Gives Away Nearly 4 Million Thank You Meals to Healthcare Workers and First Responders in First Six Days Thank You Meals for frontline heroes continues through May 5.

CHICAGO, IL: April 28, 2020 — In just a few days of the Thank You Meal program, McDonald’s restaurants have served nearly 4 million free meals, a value of more than $20 million, to the healthcare workers, paramedics, firefighters, police officers and other first responders keeping America safe and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

These frontline heroes have given us the privilege of serving them at McDonald’s restaurants in all 50 states, and we are ready to serve millions more before the offer ends on May 5, providing a sense of normalcy and happiness during this time of crisis.

“Since we launched the Thank You Meal program last week, the response from our franchisees, restaurant crews and customers has been incredible,” said Joe Erlinger, McDonald’s U.S. President. “In my nearly 20 years at McDonald’s, I’ve never been more proud of the way the McDonald’s system has come together to give back in the communities we serve.”

Healthcare workers and first responders

from around the country have shared some of their experiences with us along the way: We remain grateful to all the McDonald’s employees who make it possible to continue serving our com-

POLO-WDC DELIVERS FOOD AND FINANCIAL HELP TO OFWs IN THE UNITED STATES AND CARIBBEAN WASHINGTON, D.C. – More than 1,000 of the 3,000 applicants of the DOLE-AKAP one time US$200 financial assistance have been approved by the Philippine Overseas Labor Office-Washington DC (POLO-WDC) as of 26 April 2020.

POLO-WDC said most of the applications have been processed within the 5-10-day period, including the sending of the notice of approval. However, Labor Attaché Angela Librado-Trinidad clarified that some of the workers have not been able to receive emails of acknowledgement immediately or even after the 5thday of filing, because of the volume of applications received for processing.

“Since day one, we have been receiving an average of 300 to 400 applications daily. The POLO-WDC team vets the applications, and oftentimes finds submissions to be incomplete. We then inform the workers what they still need to submit for us to act on their applications,” Labor Attaché Librado- Trinidad said.

Half of the 3,000 applicants were also referred to POLOs in other regions since they were improperly filed.

“To those whose jobsites do not fall not within the US or the Caribbean islands, including those who have been repatriated recently, and have not received our emails of referral yet, please understand that we cannot act on your applications for lack of jurisdiction,” Labor Attaché

Librado-Trinidad stated.

There are still about 800 applications up for review. Labor Attaché Librado-Trinidad said POLO-WDC might not be able to accommodate all of them due to limited funds at this time.

The actual release of funds may take time after the approval because of certain procedures involved in effecting transfers through banks and remittance centers.

“Based on our experience, it takes 3-7 days for the bank to process payment,” said the Labor Attaché.

Meanwhile, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration-Washington DC (OWWA-DC), together with the Embassy’s consular team led by Consul General Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga, has extended food assistance to Filipino nationals in Trinidad and Tobago and released financial assistance to 10 crew members who were COVID-19 positive.

“We are in touch with and constantly monitoring the 33 crew members who have been medically disembarked and we are thankful to be working with non-government organizations, specifically the Apostleship of the Seas, in monitoring the health conditions of our OFWs,” Welfare Officer Josephine Tobia said.

Food assistance is also being arranged for delivery to Filipinos in the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, The Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

munities and the essential workers who need quick, affordable options during these challenging times.

About McDonald’s Corp. U.S. COVID-19 Relief Efforts

McDonald’s approach to challenging situations is guided by our belief that we are all in this together, and our system has come together in extraordinary ways to help each other, our customers and the communities we serve. In the U.S. we remain committed to leading by example as an organization, which is why we’ve donated $3.1 million in food to support local communities, made commitments to support truck drivers across the country, donated 1 million N95 masks to Chicago and the state of Illinois

and donated $1 million to the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund to ensure non-profits in our home state have the supplies they need during this time.

McDonald’s has always been a home base for our communities, and we’re proud to provide calm and comfort to them throughout this crisis. We are here to serve.

Senators laud NCAA’s rule changes on student-athletes getting compensation INGLEWOOD — Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena) has lauded the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Board of Governors’ announcement today on “supporting rule changes to allow student-athletes to receive compensation for third-party endorsements both related to and separate from athletics.”

“I commend the NCAA governing board in their decision to allow college athletes the opportunity to monetize their name, image and likeness through sponsorships and endorsements,” said Senator Steven Bradford (D-Gardena).

“This is an issue that has been long debated and its time has come. SB 206, the Fair Pay to Play Act, by no means changes the amateur status of college athletes. Despite being on full scholarship, many of these athletes still suffer from food insecurity and lack the necessary resources to thrive academically.”

Another state senator also lauded the NCAA, Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley) said: “Today, after California and states across the country put the ball in their court, the NCAA has taken a step in the right direction. College athletes are on their way to making money off their name, image, and likeness — just like all other Americans can.”

“The devil will be in the details,” continued Senator Skinner.

“Yet no matter how you cut it, this represents a landmark change. A year ago, no one would have expected the NCAA to move definitively toward giving college athletes their NIL rights. California launched a tidal

wave, with more than two dozen states joining the cause to give student athletes their NIL rights. I urge states to press forward with their plans and keep the pressure on the NCAA. I also look forward to closely examining the NCAA’s decision and monitoring the steps it takes going forward. Pressure from states and the public will help ensure the NCAA does the right thing — and crosses the finish line to fully give college athletes the same rights that all other Americans enjoy.”

The issue of whether student athletes should be able to receive endorsements and have the ability to earn money from sales through items such as jerseys or bobble heads has been a charged debate for years.

However, there are some caveats inside the Board’s recommendations, which are weaker than California’s law. One such guideline states that athletes could not use logos or trademarks from their school in endorsements.

The board’s recommendations will now move to a rule-making process inside the three divisions of the NCAA. The new rules are likely to be adopted by the body by January 2021 in order to take effect at the start of the next academic year.

Last year, Bradford and Skinner jointly authored Senate Bill 206, known as the Fair Pay to Play Act. This legislation will become operational in 2023 and will give California student athletes the right to their name, image, and likeness, allowing them to earn money from sponsorships, endorsements, and other activities.

frEE CoVID-19... from PagE 1 same or next-day testing is still given to people with symptoms such as fever, cough and shortness of breath.

Medical professionals and workers who interact with the public as part of their job duties will also be given priority in the scheduling of tests.

The testing program began with one Los Angeles Fire Department-staffed location and has grown to eight sites within the city and 34 across the region.

The Los Angeles County and the nonprofit emergency response organization CORE, has been credited for the program that has done about 140,000 tests since March 20.

Those interested to schedule an appointments for testing, please visit coronavirus. lacity.org/testing.

Mayor Garcetti has taken several emergency actions in the fight against the spread of COVID-19, including a “Safer at Home” emergency order requiring City of Los Angeles residents to remain in their homes except for the most essential activities — including critical tasks such as securing food and health, safety and medical necessities, as well as caring for children, elder adults, family, friends and people with disabilities.

In a related development, LA County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis iterated that the free testing is meant, aside from being a concerted effort to flatten the curve, to help “our hardest working families are either uninsured or underinsured and do not normally seek access to health care.”

“We know that widespread testing will help flatten the curve. In addition, preliminary demographic data has revealed that LA County’s communities of color have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. I have worked diligently to remove

barriers to testing and to expand access in diverse socioeconomic communities. I’m pleased all essential workers regardless of symptoms can be tested. That includes our first responders, healthcare professionals, grocery workers, and critical government workers. Asymptomatic individuals who are either over 65 or have chronic underlying health conditions can also be tested. For all LA County residents being tested for COVID-19, immigration status and health insurance are never requested or taken into account.”

There are now 35 drive-up testing sites throughout LA County.

People with symptoms such as difficulty breathing or a high fever, or are a first responder, please make an appointment at the website covid19.lacounty.gov/testing or to dial 2-1-1 to find the nearest neighborhood testing. site near you. You must have an appointment for a test, but there are many time slots available—including same-day, or next-day appointments.

Solis said residents may also qualify for My Health LA, a free health care program with a network of more than 200 community clinics for low-income LA County residents who are 26 years or older.

Undocumented immigrants qualify for My Health LA. Call 844-744-6452 for information on how to enroll.

Solis reminded parents that starting and staying on schedule with recommended immunizations protects our children from diseases.

Among the diseases that are preventable through immunizations are hepatitis B, chickenpox, measles, mumps and whooping cough.

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5

A salute to COVID-19 Pandemic’s ESSENTIAL WORKERS

T

his writer believes that the COVID-19 pandemic actually awakened all of us worldwide, that there are numerous service workers whom most of us must have ignored all these years, help us live our lives. But now, we all realize that they are our heroes as we currently call them our “ESSENTIAL WORKERS.” We call these workers “ESSENTIAL WORKERS,” because while they help us survive, their lives are on the line too.

On top of the “ESSENTIAL WORKERS" list of course are the healthcare workers - doctors, nurses, respiratory therapists and all the people who assist in overall hospital operations, including firefighters, paramedics, pharmacists and all those who help in the hospital’s housekeeping services as well as cafeteria workers.

"ESSENTIAL WORKERS" also includes the hardworking people who transport (truckers) food across the country 24 hours a day, to meet the demand for food necessities needed by consumers like us everyday, as well as all the grocery workers who work from dawn to midnight to stock grocery shelves with food necessities.

Other "ESSEN TI A L WORLERS" are: Airline pilots and stewardesses, Train engineers, public transportation drivers, government postal workers, UPS and Fed-Ex mailing and shipping companies or emergency transportation services.

Luckily, some cities now are slowing the curb of the upsurge of this pandemic, that's why some states and local cities are now slowly opening beaches and parks, that's why lifeguards and coast guards are on alert, making them "ESSENTIAL WORKERS" as well.

There's no denying that these "ESSENTIAL WORKERS" are called as such because of their sacrifice as they

Restaurant staff at Baja Cali Restaurant serving take-out food Grocery cashier in mask

Grocery cleaning crew

acy for these "ESSENTIAL WORKERS" supplemented by tragedy, fear, and certainly, the overwhelming grief for millions of loved ones left behind by those who didn't make it.

To all of you our "ESSENTIAL WORKER" HEROES, we SALUTE YOU!!!

Driver of Southern California Auto Club on an emergency traffic service

risk their own lives, for all the important things they do. Somehow, COVID-19 pandemic has all brought us learning not only about commitment to one's service as a leg-

Post office workers with customers on masks and social distancing

Pilipino po tayo!

LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH U. REYES, P.C. Neighborhood Lawn sign created by: deluciadesigns.co

goV.... from PagE 1 are putting the health and safety of oth- ment to securing safe and healthy workers at risk. ing conditions for all workers.”

The Stay-At-Home order and the prac“Worldwide, an estimated 2.3 million tice of social distancing are meant, not people die each year from work-related only to stop the spread of the coronavi- accidents and illnesses.” rus, but also to protect frontline workers “In California, 422 workers lost their --- particularly doctors, nurses and other lives in 2018. California’s 19 million medical professionals --- from getting workers have helped build the fifth-largsick themselves due to the high volume est economy in the world, and the conof afflicted with the deadly disease. tributions of our workforce help all CalSome counties, including Los Ange- ifornians to live and thrive in the state. les, have ordered all beaches closed. But Workers serving in California’s many counties such as Ventura and Orange industries put themselves at risk of sehave allowed their beaches to remain rious injury every day.” open.

“This Workers’ Memorial Day, the Although social distancing has been heroism of our essential workers is on required in these areas and some of the display all across the state as health care parking lots there have been closed to workers, emergency response personnel, keep out-of-town visitors out. law enforcement, farm workers, grocery In a related development Newsom has workers, port workers, delivery drivers, issued a proclamation declaring April child care workers, utility workers, jan28, 2020 as “Workers’ Memorial Day” itors and others continue to serve their in the State of California. fellow Californians during these chalThe proclamation stated that: “Work- lenging times. California is profoundly (Ang sumulat ay dating editor ng pahayagan sa Pilipinas at may-akda ers’ Memorial Day is a time to remember grateful to these women and men and is ng mga aklat. Naglingkod din siya bilang superbisor sa Kagawaran theng men and women who have lost their committed to protecting those who are Edukasyon at propesor sa Philippine Normal University.) lives on the job and renew our commit- protecting us.”

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

View POINT 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 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

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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.

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

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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 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.

BALITA viewpoint VIEWPOINT Mortgage Forbearance important information

Saturday-Friday | May 2 - 8, 2020

WITH so many job losses due to the COVID-19, many homeowners are in search of mortgage relief. Two strategies that many borrowers are anxious to invoke right now are mortgage deferment and mortgage forbearance. Estimated about 3.4 million US homeowners have had requested for delayed mortgage payment, leaving $754 billion in principal unpaid balances and that figure is steadily climbing day by day.

Both tactics allow a borrower to skip monthly payments for a set period. Depending on the lender, there can be subtle differences between the two terms.

What happens at the end of the forbearance period is the amount of payments that you missed during that forbearance will be due in a lump sum, sometimes the lender will work with borrowers to structure a payment plan, instead of demanding a lump sum.

Deferment—especially special programs that lenders have introduced during the pandemic—often allow customers to repay the money over time or to add it to the end of the loan period.

Clearing up confusion about mortgage forbearance If a lender does differentiate between the terms deferment and forbearance, the difference will be at the end of the loan period, whether the missing payments are all due or restructured.

Some borrowers will be able to add extra payments to the end of the loan or

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make other arrangements to spread out repayment, while others will not. Sometimes, payment terms involve a new loan or a rewriting the existing loan.

Technically, a mortgage forbearance agreement is when you’ve possibly been late, and the lender agrees not to foreclose during that forbearance period. In this scenario, a borrower already has a history of nonpayment before entering into a forbearance agreement.

But with the pandemic only revealing its enormous scope within the past 30 days, many borrowers haven't been late—yet.

However, because of sudden job loss or because of the quarantine, borrowers have besieged the phone lines of their lenders, to get out in front of the financial iceberg.

Contact your lender for mortgage relief No matter what you call it, if borrowers ask for help during this crisis, many lenders are allowing them to miss payments and not charge them late fees or penalties.

More importantly the definition really doesn’t matter. The moral of the story right now is to call your lender. Don’t just assume you can skip a payment. Call them, let them know, and make arrangements.

Due to the current financial situation, the mortgage world is shifting. Options that weren't on the table for borrowers a few months ago might be available now.

Are Your Debt Problems Putting Your Family’s Welfare At Risk?

ARE you worried about not being able to take care of your family’s needs because of your debt problems? No one ever wants to be in this situation, but I see it every day in my work as a bankruptcy attorney.

When you are overwhelmed with debt problems, the situation becomes even more challenging when you have a family that are counting on you for financial support. Your paycheck may not even be enough to pay for basic living expenses like mortgage payments or rent, food, clothing, etc., let alone pay your monthly debt obligations.

When you have to choose between paying your debts and meeting your family’s financial needs, that’s when you have a dilemma in your hands.

You want to do the right thing by meeting your financial obligations, but you also realize that you need to put family first before anything else.

A lot of people wait too long to take action when they have bill collectors pursuing them. For a while, they ignore the phone calls and the letters, thinking that somehow their creditors will just give up and go away. Well, they may for a while but when collection efforts become more serious, you can get hit with a lawsuit. Once a lawsuit becomes a judgment, the creditor can then garnish your wages or levy on your bank accounts.

With the pandemic causing massive layoffs and shutting down businesses, people who were already struggling with debt before the lock down are in an even worse situation because they barely have enough income to pay for basic needs (assuming they are even getting some type of assistance such as unemployment benefits), let alone pay their debts. Although lenders may be allowing some temporary suspension of payments during this crisis, it is just a matter of time before all the

missed payments become due.

If you have debts in collection, don’t bury your head in the sand pretending that these debts don’t exist, or you may be caught totally unprepared for the consequences. I am saying this so that you can at least find out what your options are before it’s too late if your debt problems are putting your family’s welfare at risk. You owe it to them and yourself to protect your income and everything that you’ve worked so hard for.

A lot of families in debt are unable to save even a small amount of money every month because all of their disposable income is used to pay their debts. They have zero savings, and so this forces them to borrow even more just to meet any unexpected emergencies. Of course, this makes their situation worse because they are already overextended as it is, and they just keep on piling more debt that they cannot repay. It’s a vicious cycle and at some point, they will no longer be able to borrow and will be forced to file bankruptcy.

If any of the above speaks to your current situation and you don’t know what to do, I can help you figure out the best solution for your situation. For a free attorney consultation, please call Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772. I have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. ***NOTE: Due to Covid-19, I am currently offering consultations via phone or video. Please call the office to schedule your appointment with me.

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

The length of t i me t hat t he forbea ra nce c ou l d b e e xtended and the options at the end of the term might be different. Borrowers in good standing prior to the cu r rent cr isis may able to do a modification wherein any monthly payments missed now are simply tacked on to the end of the loan.

Pressing pause on your mortgage Whatever terminology your lender uses, it’s important for you to understand what is really happening with your loan. Nothing is free. You can't expect to stop paying your mortgage forever.

There is no such thing as a free mortgage payment, it's not free money. [Forbearance] is temporarily hitting the pause button on your mortgage, and not having to make the payment.

It does not necessarily pause the interest that is accruing, and it does mean that you're going to have to make that principal and interest payment at a later date.

Key questions to ask before seeking mortgage forbearance When calling your lender, Carlson recommends asking: • What relief options are available?

• Will interest continue being calculated during the length of time I am not paying?

• Will there be any fees?

• How will it be reported to the credit bureaus?

• Do I still need to pay for my escrow to cover taxes, insurance, and mortgage insurance?

Some lenders have decided to allow certain loan modifications. In some cases, they will allow the monthly payment to be changed later in the life of the loan, to

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include the amount missed during the forbearance.

However, the main confusion for consumers right now is the fact that most lenders will not necessarily require a lump sum payment after the forbearance period ends.

I think some people are panicked that if they get a forbearance, they have to pay it all back immediately.

That’s one option, or they can enter into a payment plan if they can’t make the lump sum, and if they can’t make a repayment plan work, there are other options available to them.

If you work out a forbearance or deferment plan with your lender and don’t just skip payments, it can protect your credit.

So far, It doesn't show a positive or a negative, but it doesn't show like a missed payment.

So if you were to ignore it and just not pay anything and pretend it will go away, that's absolutely going to affect your credit report in the long run. But the forbearance or deferment is a neutral. It's not positive or negative on the credit report, but it's a lot better than having missed payments on your mortgage.

One caveat to keep in mind is that if you can pay your mortgage, pay it, and don’t ask for relief.

Be Safe and Lets Pray for everyone to be safe and this Covid crisis to go away.

Thanks for your inquiries, please call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance Group 562-508-7048. CABRE 01021223 NMLS 238636.

DEBT PROBLEMS?

TAX PROBLEMS? Don’t Stress!

I will help you find a way out.

DEBT RESOLUTION • Bill Collectors • Lawsuits • Debt Settlement • Foreclosure • Student Loans • Chapter 7/13 Bankruptcy TAX RESOLUTION • IRS Audits • Liens • Levies • Wage Garnishments • Negotiate with IRS • Unfiled Returns

GLENDALE OFFICE: 100 N. Brand Blvd, 2nd floor (corner Broadway)

OTHER LOCATIONS:

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CAREGIVERS IN A TIME OF CRISIS Even in normal times, when the economy is growing and our health care systems are free from pandemics, caregivers are vital to our society. Neither the economy nor the health care system can survive without people willing to do the hard work of caring for our elderly population.

However, with the advent of COVID-19, caregivers are being asked to do the extraordinary.

Many caregivers are sheltering in place with their clients. Family members may be fearful to even visit their loved ones due to the possibly of passing a disease they may not even know they have.

Some caregivers, working in care facilities, have also been asked to shelter in place, even as residents get sick. These caregivers are placing themselves in great physical peril to ensure that the elderly get adequate care. Caregivers may also be facing growing insecurity in terms of wages and may not even know when their next paycheck is coming. Caregivers may not have access to groceries, and some may even be rationing food with their clients.

Despite all of this, caregivers continue to do what they do, which is care for our loved ones.

If you are sheltering in place and have to stay at a facility or at the home of a client, you deserve to be paid overtime. Not only is it the law, but the work caregivers perform is fully deserving of fair and adequate compensation.

California law recognizes that caregivers, and in fact all employees, are entitled to compensation for all time that they are required to be at the worksite, under an obligation to respond to the client. The California Supreme Court

again reaffirmed that point in February of 2020. To be entitled to compensation, you do not have to be actively discharging some assigned duty. All you have to do is be present and available for your client. That, as the California Supreme Court recognized, is still “work” and it is still valuable to your employer.

Therefore, you need to be paid for all of that time.

Just like you, the attorneys at Chaleff Rehwald Peterson are still working. We have moved our offices to our homes and will not stop working to protect our caregiver clients. We recognize and value the vital work that our caregivers do and will not stop working for our caregivers. If you are sheltering in place, or are working 24-hours, without overtime compensation, please contact our firm at (818)807-4168 for a free and confidential consultation. We love helping caregivers get the overtime compensation that they deserve. We are here to take your calls, and can even sign you up remotely, so we can still maintain social distance.

This article is an attorney advertisement written by Kevin Rehwald, employment law attorney at Chaleff Rehwald Peterson in Woodland Hills, Ca. 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.

2 soldiers who recovered from COVID-19 test positive anew MANILA (Mabuhay) — Two soldiers who have recovered from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) tested positive anew for the virus.

One army officer had received a hero's welcome when he was discharged from the Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center.

However, he once again tested positive for the virus three weeks later.

"Unfortunately, ang resulta sa atong pasyente, positive," a medical personnel said.

The soldier is currently quarantined at home and is being monitored by the Rural Health Unit of Labangan.

"We do not know if it is relapse, if it is the infection, if it is re-emerging. This is still for study. Kasi 'yun nga bago pa itong COVID-virus . . . scientists are still studying kung ano ba talaga ang behavior," Dr. Joshua Brillantes, assistant regional director of DOH-9, said.

Last week, two patients from the Southern Philippines Medical Center also tested positive anew for the virus.

According to the World Health Organization, there is still no evidence that patients who have recovered and developed anti-bodies against COVID-19 will no longer acquire it. (MNS)

Less than 1% of over 8,000 COVID-19 cases in PH are foreigners — DOH MANILA (Mabuhay) — Less than one percent of the over 8,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines are foreign nationals, the Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday.

In a virtual briefing, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the latest number is at 70.

"Sa ngayon, batay sa datos namin. Mayroon tayong 70 na foreign nationals na nagkaroon ng sakit, nag-test positive dito sa atin sa Pilipinas," Vergeire said.

"Out of this 70, 24 sa kanila ay Chinese," she added.

Vergeire said many of the COVID-19 cases among Chinese nationals were reported during the onset of the outbreak.

"Noong mga umpisang mga kaso dito talaga tumala nang marami itong mga Chinese na nationals na nagkakapositibong kaso dito sa Pilipinas," she said.

The first three confirmed cases of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines were all Chinese nationals with travel history in

China's Wuhan City—the area where the novel coronavirus was first detected.

There had been recent proposals to allow Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGO) —mostly employing Chinese nationals—to resume work in a bid to generate government income amid the health crisis.

The said move has been countered by several lawmakers who pointed out health risks as these employees usually work in enclosed areas and are residing in high rise condominiums.

Meanwhile, Vergeire said that the gene sequencing studies of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine and the Philippine Genome Center are ongoing to determine the origin of the COVID-19 strain that is present in the Philippines— whether it came from Wuhan or other territories.

The DOH's epidemiology bureau will also release an analysis on the clustering of cases to complement the said studies.

(MNS)

LRT, MRT to allow only 160 passengers per train set once ECQ is lifted — DOTr exec MANILA (Mabuhay) — A limited number of passengers will be allowed to ride the Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Metro Rail Transit (MRT) systems once the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila is lifted, according to the Department of Transportation on Friday.

"Ang MRT at LRT, ang maximum number of passengers per train set po is 160.

That's about 20% po of total capacity," DOTr Undersecretary Artemio Tuazon Jr. said.

Prior to the coronavirus disease 2019

(COVID-19) pandemic, LRT1 has a daily ridership of around 500,000; LRT2 has 200,000; while MRT caters to around 300,000 passengers per day.

Metro Manila is among the high-risk areas in the Philippines placed under an extended enhanced community quarantine until May 15 to prevent the further spread of the contagion.

Meanwhile, buses, modernized jeepneys will be primarily allowed to resume operations in areas under the general community quarantine starting May 1.

"Kapag hindi pa rin po kakayanin 'yung numero at dami ng ating mananakay sa dalawang ito, papayagan na rin pong mag-operate 'yung mga ordinary jeeps natin, after that 'yung mga TNVS at mga taxi. Sa mga areas po na papayagan ng LGU, papayagan din po ang mga tricycle," Tuazon said.

"Pero lahat po ito ay dapat sumunod sa social distancing," he added.

These modes of mass transportation will only be allowed to operate at 50% capacity, according to the official. (MNS)

IN OBSERVANCE OF LABOR DAY

Duterte wants ‘stable career, humane conditions’ for workers

By MELDA GUERRA

President Rodrigo Duterte on May 1 has urged the business sector to provide workers with “stable career and humane working conditions” to commemorate Labor Day. Duterte added that the Filipino workers must be rewarded for their contribution and commitment to the country.

“I thus remind everyone in the business sector of their shared responsibility in improving the lives of our workers by providing them stable career opportunities and humane working conditions,” he said in his Labor Day message.

The President also sends his “warmest greetings” to all Filipino workers here and abroad and acknowledges their hard work which “serves as the very foundation of our nation's prosperity and growth.”

The President continued: “Globally renowned for its professional excellence and unmatched

diligence, our workforce continues to benefit communities and industries across the world.”

Duterte assured the people that his government would safeguard the rights of our labor force through the “humanization of laws and the equalization of social forces.”

“As all work is vital in forging a more inclusive and more progressive Philippines, may each and every Filipino rightfully enjoy the fruits of their labor and lead more productive and dignified lives. I wish everyone a meaningful celebration,” he added.

Data from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) reveals that over 2.3 million workers have been displaced due to the imposition of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) to stem the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in the country.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday said the government will launch a re-

covery plan for workers, alongside other packages to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.

President Rodrigo Duterte

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Next 2 weeks crucial to arrest COVID-19 spread, allow gradual reopening of business -- Duterte adviser MANILA (Mabuhay) — The measures against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the next two weeks will be important in ensuring that businesses will not take a fatal dive amid the pandemic, according to presidential adviser on entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion on Friday.

"Remaining two weeks dapat nasa bahay lang tayo. Last two minutes na lang itong extension.

Huwag na natin paulitin itong lockdown or ECQ (enhanced community quarantine)," Concepcion said, "If after one month or two months bumalik ulit tayo sa [ECQ], talagang masisira ang mga negosyante.

Andar, para, andar, para. Hindi puwedeng ganiyan," he added.

Concepcion remained optimistic that the ECQ over Metro Manila and other high-risk provinces will be lifted on May 15.

He also acknowledged that continuous COVID-19 testing is important in the gradual reopening of businesses in the country.

"Ang testing talaga creates visibility and when you have visibility, it helps manage the infection level," he said.

The official further said that the private sector also has ongoing efforts in strengthening the country's testing capacity.

"Itong mga rapid test kits na dadalhin ng private sector halos umaabot na close to 1 million between May 15 at June," Concepcion

said.

"While we are going to use rapid test kits, we are telling the companies to test your people twice a month. Not just once a month," he added while acknowledging that PCR-based tests are more reliable.

Some establishments in areas outside Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, and other highrisk provinces will be allowed to resume partial and full operations starting May 1 based on the guidelines released by the inter-agency task force leading the COVID-19 response.

As of April 30, the Philippine recorded a total of 8,488 cases of COVID-19, with 568 deaths and 1,043 recoveries. (MNS)

COVID-19 cases climb to 8,772 with 41 new recoveries, 11 new deaths MANILA (Mabuhay) — The number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections in the country climbed to 8,772 on Friday after the Department of Health (DOH) reported 284 new cases.

According to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, 130 or 46 percent of the new cases are from the National Capital Region while 116 or 41 percent are from Barangay Kalunasan, Cebu City.

"Sa kabuuan, 87 percent sa mga kaso ngayong araw ay galing lamang sa dalawang lugar na nabanggit. Ang natitirang 38 cases ay matatagpuan sa iba't ibang lugar sa bansa," Vergeire said in a live briefing.

"Dahil dito, puspusan ang pakikipag-ugnayan ng DOH sa mga local government units upang ma-contain ang virus sa National Capital Region at sa mga close-setting facilities tulad ng bilangguan sa Barangay Kalunasan," she added.

As of Friday, there are 6,877 active cases in the country with 5,750 mild cases, 1,043 asymptomatic cases, 55 severe cases, and 29 critical cases.

Forty-one more patients have recovered from the virus, bringing the total recoveries to 1,084.

Meanwhile, the death toll rose to 579 with 11 new deaths.

According to Vergeire, several individuals at the Ospital ng Maynila have tested negative for

the virus.

"Ikinagagalak din po naming ibalita na isa namang tagumpay ang nakamit ng ating mga kapatid sa ospital ng Manila sapagkat sila po ay officially declared as negative for COVID-19," she said.

In celebration of Labor Day, the DOH has lauded health workers for their service. (MNS)

HEALTH UNDERSECRETARY MARIA ROSARIO VERGEIRE

JOEY CONCEPCION

4 SARS-CoV-2 sequences from Metro Manila cluster closely with samples from China MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine Genome Center (PGC) found that four viral genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 from Metro Manila patients cluster closely with samples collected from Shanghai, China.

Two other sequences were found to be similar to samples collected from Japan and Australia.

PGC released the sequences to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data (GISAID) database on Thursday.

SARS-CoV-2 is the official name of the virus which causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The samples came from COVID-19 cases who have no travel history outside the Philippines, which means that they are community-acquired infections.

The specimens were collected between March 22 to 28 by a team of physicians and epidemiologists from the UP National Institutes of Health and the Philippine General Hospital.

The sample from Shanghai was collected on February 4 while the samples from Japan and Australia were collected from February 15 to March 14.

Scientists all over the world have been using genome sequences of the virus to predict its history.

According to a report from the New York Times, as mutations accumulate in coronavirus genomes, "they allow scientists to track the spread of COVID-19 around the world."

The six specimens were collected as part of GenAmplify rRT-PCR testing kit field validation.

(MNS)

Tagle becomes first Asian elevated to Cardinal-Bishop MANILA (Mabuhay) — Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle has just become the first Asian to be elevated to the rank of a Cardinal-Bishop, the highest order within the College of Cardinals.

According to Vatican News, Pope Francis appointed Tagle in an audience granted to Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, Substitute for General Affairs for the Secretariat of State, on April 14.

The new rank, Cardinal-Bishop of San Felice da Cantalice a Centocelle, has made Tagle "equal in all respects to those Cardinals with suburbicarian Churches."

It was in November 2012 at the age of 55 that Tagle was appointed Cardinal-Priest of San Felice da Cantalice a Centocelle. He w a s i n CARDINAL-BISHOP LUIS ANTONIO TAGLE

stalled the following year.

Pope Francis promoted 62-yearold Tagle as the new Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples or Propaganda Fide in December 2019 to succeed Cardinal-bishop Fernando Filoni.

The appointment came about eight years after he was elevated to cardinal

by Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI. At 55 years old Tagle already participated in one Conclave, which is the gathering of cardinals from around the world to elect a Pope after Pope Benedict resigned in 2012.

The said conclave elected Argentina's Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, S.J., who picked the name "Francis."

It w a s i n Oc tober 2011 t hat Pope-Emeritus Benedict XVI appointed then Imus Bishop Tagle as Manila archbishop to succeed Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales.

It can be recalled that Tagle was ordained priest in February 1982 and was consecrated a bishop by the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, a former Manila archbishop, in December 2001.

He held several positions, including

rector and spiritual director of Tahanan ng Mabuting Pastol in Tagaytay City in Cavite from 1983 to 2011.

At the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Tagle was chairperson of the Episcopal Commission on the Doctrine of the Faith.

Last year, he was reelected as president of Caritas Internationale which is a confederation of Catholic charities from different countries.

He was given several awards, including Doctor in Humanities honoris causa from various educational institutions in the Philippines and abroad.

In 2013, he was named an "Outstanding Manilan."

Grade school and High school education was at the St. Andrew's school in Paranaque City. He studied Theology and Philosophy at the Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola School of Theology and San Jose Seminary.

He was at the Catholic University of America for further studies, particularly Sacred Theology.

The then Archbishop of Manila stepped down and left for Rome in early February. (MNS)

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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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Tungkol ito sa 2020 Census at pondong pampubliko. ‘Di ako accountant, pero gustung-gusto ko ‘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.

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global NEWS GLOBAL NEWS

Old jeepneys eased out in GCQ guidelines, says transport group

MANILA (Mabuhay) — A transport organization lamented that drivers of old jeepneys are slowly being eased out in the implementation of the general community quarantine (GCQ) in select areas.

The Stop and Go Transport Coalition said the government appeared to be prioritizing modernized jeepneys and buses in the guidelines its released in allowing public utility vehicles (PUVs) to ply the roads anew following a lockdown to curb the COVID-19 spread.

"Ang air-conditioned, mas dangerous ka roon eh dahil kapag umubo ang isang tao, hindi na lalabas ng sasakyan 'yun, doon na iikot 'yun. Unlike naman ng open jeep, 'pag umubo ka sa unahan lalabas lang sa likod 'yan," the groups president, Jun Magno, said.

Magno said many drivers are also complaining about the new rule of allowing only 50% passengers on PUVs in keeping with social distancing measures. "'Yung isang trip mo, kung P300 ang kita mo dahil puno, dito P150 na lang," Magno added.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) earlier laid down the guidelines to be enforced on PUVs that will operate in areas with downgraded lockdown or GCQ. "Unang-una, titingnan po natin kung puwedeng magpatakbo ng mga bus doon sa kanilang mga ruta. Kapag walang mga bus and modernized jeepneys, saka lang tayo papayag sa lumang jeepney," DOTr Assistant Secretary for Road Transport and Infrastructure Mark de Leon said.

Under the GCQ, PUVs should also secure a special permit from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB).

"Bakit kailangan pa naming humingi ng special permit?

May prangkisa naman kami, parang salungat 'yon. Kasi kung ano ang ruta namin, doon din kami bibiyahe," Magno said.

The DOTR clarified that modernized jeepneys are prioritized also due to the tap card system which prevents close contact of passengers. Modern jeepneys are also wider and the height of their ceilings is higher.

"Hindi na boundary-based ang kanilang pagpapatakbo.

Meaning kahit na puno or hindi puno ang kanilang sasak-

School resumption in August does not mean physical return — DepEd MANILA (Mabuhay) — Due to the lingering COVID-19 threat, the resumption of classes in August would not necessarily require teachers and students to report back to school every day, Education Undersecretary Annalyn Sevilla said.

Sevilla said that the Department of Education had been drafting a strategy to combine distance learning with the formal education scheme since the lockdown took effect in March. Such interactions between individuals would remain inadvisable pending the availability of a COVID-19 vaccine.

“When we say opening of the school, it does not mean that we will be asking the teachers and students to physically report to the school,” Sevilla said.

“We are preparing modules para minimum lang ang face-to-face interaction. ‘Yung pag move ng opening from June to August, this will give us more time to train our personnel and the students for distance learning, so the school opening could happen without them going out of their houses,” Sevilla added.

Sevilla said that distance learning did not mean exclusively using online platforms since teachers would also be deployed to the houses of the students from time-to-time for a semblance of formal education.

Those teachers aged 60 and above who were vulnerable to COVID-19, on the other hand, would be instead required to report to the schools to work on improving modules on distance learning.

“Hindi po compulsory na ang learning thru online. Hindi po blanket ang delivery mode ng learning,” Sevilla said.

“Dedepende po ito sa COVID-19 situation ng isang lugar,” she added.

Luzon has been under an enhanced community quarantine due to the COVID-19 threat since March 16. (MNS)

yan, wala silang pakialam 'pag biyahe sila. Unlike 'yung mga boundary-based na driver, siyempre ang tendency niyan pupunuin 'yung kanilang mga sasakyan bago bumiyahe," de Leon said.

A special permit is needed by drivers to ensure the three essential components of safety, capacity and coverage or scope are followed.

Safety includes the wearing of face masks and gloves of drivers, and disinfection of the vehicle and their terminals, according to the DOTR. While under the capacity category, buses and jeepneys should follow the less than 50% passenger load.

UV express and taxis, meanwhile, should not exceed the two passengers per row guideline, while tricycles should follow the one-passenger rule.

Private vehicles and motorcycles may also travel under GCQ as long as it is an "essential travel." Only one person is allowed in front in private vehicles, and up to only two passengers are allowed per row.

DOTr said any kind of public transportation is still prohibited in areas under ECQ. The agency has submitted to Congress a stimulus package, including fuel subsidy and loans with low interest, to assist struggling drivers and operators.

Driver Rico Lapaz has converted his jeepney as shelter following the ECQ. He is one of the 15 drivers in Nagtahan in Manila who failed to go home to his home province in Bicol. Because of the lockdown, he has no means of living and is just relying on relief packs.

"Sana po matulungan kami tungkol doon sa binibigay na amelioration para naman maibsan 'yung mga pangangailangan ng bawat isa sa amin," Lapaz said.

"Naghihintay lang po kami, talagang walang magbibigay, wala rin. Nag-iisa lang ako rito, eh apat ang anak ko tapos may special child pa po ako, eh 'yung asawa ko pa," jeepney driver Gamaliel Aniñon said.

They called on the government to include them in the beneficiairies of the cash aid. (MNS)

AFP unfazed with CPP's 'resumption' of offensive operations MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is unfazed with the latest order of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) for all New People's Army (NPA) units to transition from an active defense posture to an offensive posture.

In a press statement Friday, AFP spokesman Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo said the communist group never really stopped in their offensive operations against the military.

"The AFP is unfazed by t he CPP’s saber rattling. What we are more concerned with and is determined to prevent are their attacks on non-combatant civilians and tribal leaders which are also violations of International Humanitarian Law," Arevalo said.

"We w i l l pu r sue with our combat patrols to thwart any harm these terrorists will bring to our people. We will not hesitate to put our lives on the line —against t he u nseen enemy which is COVID 19 or

the lingering CPP-NPA virus," he added.

He said the military has resumed its combat operat ions against communist rebels following the lapse of the unilateral ceasefire declared by the government.

Arevalo said from April 16 to 28, a total of 34 military operations had transpired wherein ten communists were killed and seven others were captured.

A tota l of 58 high-powered f irearms were a lso recovered as well as rifle magazines, assorted ammunition, 20 improv ised ex plosive device and other subversive documents.

A reva lo sa id t he military also recovered anti-pregnancy pills during an operation in Samar province.

"This supports the heart-breaking revelations of female members of the NPA who were either rescued or surrendered—some of them pregnant, of how they were sexually abused and molested by their superiors; Of how some of them

w e r e c on s t r a i n e d to marry their commanders for lack of recourse," he said.

Earlier, the Department of the Interior and the Local Government (DILG) directed the Philippine National Police to be on full alert after the cea sef i re decla red by communist rebels lapsed on April 30.

In a separate statement, the CPP-NPA said they decided not to extend the ceasefire declaration due to "the refusal of the Duterte regime to relent in its attacks against the NPA, despite calls for a 'global ceasefire.'"

The CPP had extended the ceasefire until April 30 after the national government extended the enhanced community quarantine, which was supposed to lapse on April 12, for two more weeks to address the COVID-19 threat.

The group maintained that all units of the NPA have observed the ceasefire a nd have desisted from mounting any tactical offensives.

(MNS)

Saturday-Friday | May 2 - 8, 2020

Religious, workrelated mass gatherings still banned under GCQ -Palace MANILA (Mabuhay) — Mass gatherings, including religious and work-related, will still not be allowed in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ), presidential spokesperson Harry Roque announced on Friday.

Roque made the announcement during the regular Laging Handa public briefing, a day after he announced that religious and work-related mass gatherings are allowed under GCQ. Roque said the decision was made by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases after some local officials from areas under GCQ voiced their opposition to the lifting of the ban on religious and work-related mass gatherings.

“Ipinagbabawal po muli ang mass gatherings even for religious activities or yung mga work-related gatherings, balik po tayo doon sa rule,” he said.

Under the scrapped guidelines, essential work gatherings and religious activities may continue in GCQ areas provided that there is strict ma i ntena nce of at lea st two-meter distance between and among those attending.

The mandatory wearing of face mask, face shield, or other facial protective equipment by attendees must also be maintained during the entirety of the event.

Apart from mass gatherings, these sectors and activities remain prohibited in areas under general community quarantine: schools, leisure, amusement, gaming, fitness, kids industry, and tourism.

The GCQ will follow the enhanced community quarantine, implemented as a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Roque said ride-hailing services such as Grab are allowed to operate in areas under general community quarantine, Malacañang said Friday.

“Kung ang TNVS (transport network vehicle service) po ay mga Grab eh limitado po ang pasahero pero sa GCQ lang po, hindi sa ECQ (enhanced community quarantine),” Roque said.

Under the guidelines released by the Department of Transportation (DOTr), taxis and TNVS are allowed to operate but subject to strict physical distancing and sanitary practices.

Multiple bookings in a single trip for TNVS are prohibited.

Public transportation in areas with low to moderate risk of COVID-19 transmission can resume operations on Friday following a decision by the national government. (MNS)

Saturday-Friday | May 2 - 8, 2020

Gov’t to guarantee small businesses’ loans — DOF exec MANILA (Mabuhay) — To encourage banks to lend to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to get their business back to its foot after the COVID-19 crisis, the government will guarantee loans given to MSMEs. Finance Assistant Secretary Tony Lambino said banks are “risk-averse” or cautious to lend to MSMEs to lessen their exposure credit losses.

“Para labanan ‘yung risk aversion ng mga bangko ay magbibigay po [ang gobyerno] ng credit guarantee,” Lambino said.

“Sa mga bangko po sila sila mismo uutang pero may garantiya ang gobyerno na kung di nila mabayaran ay meron pong sovereign guarantee sa mga utang na ‘yun,” he said.

The Finance official said the implementing rules and regulations detailing the specifics of the program will be released by the Philippine Guarantee Corp.

“Ang IRR po niyan specific rules ay ilalabas po pero approved na po siya ng board ng PhilGuarantee at ang mahalaga dapat nakabaling dito sa maliliit na negosyo,” Lambino said.

Apart from sovereign guarantee for small businesses’ loans, the government is also looking at extending the net operating loss carry-over period from three to five years.

This means that losses incurred this year by small businesses may be deducted from their income taxes for up to five years.

“Sa batas natin ngayon three years po pwedeng i-deduct na lugi sa isang taon, meaning in the next three years of tax payment. Ang gusto po natin gawing five years para ‘yung mga lugi this year dahil sa COVID-19 at ECQ ay ma-claim nila as tax deduction for five years until 2025,” Lambino said. (MNS)

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Philippines allows partial reopening of POGOs MANILA (Mabuhay) — The government has allowed the partial reopening of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operations (POGOs) even amid the enhanced community quarantine being implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) chairman and CEO Andrea Domingo said only 30% of the total workforce will be allowed to report for work, provided that they follow precautionary measures.

"Only 30% ng kanilang mga tauhan ang puwedeng pumasok. Skeletal din," Domingo said.

"Kaya 30% lang ng manpower nila ang puwedeng mag-report, sapagkat mahigpit na mahigpit kami sa pagpapatupad noong social distancing using face masks, disinfection of their work areas every shift, and then also sila hindi puwedeng sumakay sa public transport or hindi pwedeng pumunta sa any public place," she added.

POGO firms shall provide private buses which shall transport the workers from their houses to their workplace and vice versa. Those who will be required to work must be the ones residing within the five-kilometer radius of the office.

Around 60 POGO companies are expected to reopen after around a week of validation and preparations, she added.

"Formal notice sa kanila sa Monday but with all our strict requirements including testing for COVID-19," Domingo said.

"'Yung negative lang ang puwedeng pumasok at sila ay ite-test every 14 days," she added.

Cayetano sees problem But enforcing quarantine measures in POGO hubs could be problematic, according to Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano.

“I do not believe all POGOs are the same, but I agree with you, enforcement is a problem,” Cayetano said when asked on POGO hubs being confined in cramped housing units.

“They should follow the [quarantine] rules, such as social distancing. There are rules, but enforcement is a different matter. Like if you allow religious gathering, and you have a small house church with 50 people, how do you deal with that? If the police came in, bigotry naman iyon, in violation of religious freedom,” Cayetano said.

POGO as BPO Domingo said there are around 90,000 Chinese nationals in the POGO industry and most of them are in the BPO work who answer gam-

ing-related calls. "'Yung POGO parang BPO 'yan. Ang kliyente nila o mga manlalaro, nasa ibang bansa. Walang face-to-face," she said.

She further said that over 31,000 Filipinos are part of this industry, which has halted operations in late March due to the enhanced community quarantine.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said POGOs are classified under the business process outsourcing industry, which the government has allowed to resume operations.

“Ang BPOs po ay ina-allow at ang POGO po talaga ay isang BPO,” Roque said during the Laging Handa briefing on Friday, adding POGOs must comply with regulations before they can operate again.

The partial resumption of operations comes with a condition that all Filipino workers in the POGO industry will be paid their full salaries for the month of April even though they do not report for work, Domingo said.

"Babayaran lahat buong April, nitong na ka raa ng April at kahit hindi papasok

kapag mag-start na sila halimbawa by next week or even later, kailangan bayad 'yung lahat ng sweldo ng Pilipino pumasok man o hindi," she added.

She added that the government will receive a total of around P350 million from 60 POGOs every month as part of the deal.

"Isa rin sa kondisyon na 'yun na kung papayagan sila, dahil kailangan talaga natin ng revenues, magbabayad sila ng minimum guarantee fees for April kahit wala silang operations o wala silang revenues," Domingo said.

"By law, five percent pumupunta sa BIR sa franchise tax, 50 percent goes to the national treasury. Fifty percent of 50 percent na 'yan pumupunta sa universal health care so 'yun deretso talaga 'yun sa COVID," she added.

Domingo said once the full operation resumes, the government revenue from these registered POGOs may reach P500 to P550 million every month.

The PAGCOR official assured that POGOs that are not compliant with the tax laws of the country will not be allowed to resume business. "'Yung mga hindi nagbay ad ng BI R t a x e s at walangcertification of registration, at saka ay hindi pa fully paid as of March 2020, hindi namin sila hahayaan magbukas, kailangan bayad lahat ng taxes nila," she said.

"Lahat lang ng may valid working permit at visas lang ang aming papapasukin," she added. (MNS)

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Finally, Solenn Heussaff uploads video and photos of baby Thylane Katana

S

ince giving birth to her and Nico Bolzico’s baby, Thylane Katana, mom Solenn Heussaff is ‘careful’ not to show the baby’s face even when "People keep asking why I haven't posted Thylane yet.”

The first-time mom explains that she still wants to enjoy her baby first, her every change.

“She is so precious,” Solenn remarked.

“Though I eventually will sometimes, I am not in a hurry and [still] enjoy ing her every change.”

Well, until Wednesday, April 29, when Solenn shares a close-up photo of her and Thylane in her Instagram for the first time — to the delight of her fol- NICO & BABY THYLANE soul. lowers.

“Te amo Thylane..... de tout In her Instagram post, the new mom shares how much she rel- “mon coeur [with all my heart]!”

To give joy to the family’s supishes caring for Thylane specially now that we are under quaran- porters and followers, the Kapuso star also uploads a video of her tine.

She said: “Best days at home and Thylane on Instagram Story, getting to know your pure gentle teasing her husband, Nico Bolzi-

SOLENN & BABY THYLANE co: “Sorry @nicobolzico this is just a girls pica... you can’t hang with us!”

Solenn and Nico will celebrate their 4th wedding anniversary on May 21. The couple welcomed Thylane on January 1, 2020. — Melda Guerra/Terry Cagayat

Saturday-Friday May 2 - 8, 2020 Visit www.Balita.com

Yassi Pressman releases new song dedicated to COVID-19 frontliners

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Yassi Pressman released a new song that is dedicated to all the frontliners as the country and the world battles this coronavirus pandemic.

Titled “Kaya Natin Ito,” the inspirational tune was composed

by Eich Abando and produced

by Ang Probinsyano party list Representative Ronnie Ong. “Alam po natin na napakahirap nitong pinagdadaanan nating lahat. Pero kailangan po nating makahanap ng lakas ng loob at palakasin din po natin 'yung loob ng mga taong tumutulong,” Pressman said.

“Everyone is helping right now and I think 'yun ang pinakaimportante na magawa rin po ng bawat isa.

Kung meron mang mga extra na pwedeng ibigay sa mga panahon na ito, ibigay po natin sa mga nangangailangan. Sana sama-sama po tayo, kaya natin ito,” she added.

Ong said Pressman was very hands-on with this project from writing lyrics to organizing the music video.

“What I just did was actual-

ly, I was able to put everyone together. Kinausap po natin si Eich if he can help write a song.

Siya po 'yung nag-compose, tinulungan ko po siya sa lyrics and then kinausap po natin si Yassi. After that, pinagsama po namin kaming tatlo,” he said.

The song and the music video can be seen on Pressman’s Facebook page. It will soon be available on Spotify for streaming. (MNS)

YASSI PRESSMAN

How Matteo Guidicelli is adjusting to married life with Sarah Geronimo MANILA (Mabuhay) — Matteo Guidicelli has opened up about how he is adjusting to married life, two months after his controversial wedding to Sarah Geronimo.

“It’s amazing. I recommend it to all my friends. I was talking to my other batchmates, kumbaga ‘how’s married life?’ Sabi ko, ‘Bro, I think you should get married too, man.’

I don’t know, maybe I’m just in my honeymoon stage or I’m in the beginning of my marriage, but you know it’s amazing to wake up, to sleep beside the person you love the most. It’s amazing,” Guidicelli said in a Facebook Live seminar of a product he is endorsing.

“It’s a blessing and I found

my partner, kumbaga. There’s so many things we could do together, and so many things we could achieve together,” he added.

The actor said he considers his marriage as one of the best decisions he made in his life.

“It also makes you learn about yourself so much more.

You learn also about humility so much. You’re not always right kumbaga because the wife is always correct even though they’re not. But yeah, tama ba? But on a serious note, you really learn how to balance, and how to just give in, and just how to agree, to be more patient and all these things. It’s a nice phase kumbaga,” he said.

Valeen gets good feedback on workout videos

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Valeen Montenegro was last seen in the hardhitting action-drama series, “Beautiful Justice”, where she played the villain role. The show’s rights have been bought for international exhibition and it’s now being shown in Ecuador and in iFlix.

“Nakakatuwa nga na ang sarili nating mga programa are now being shown in other countries,” she says.

VALEEN MONTENEGRO

MATTEO & SARAH According to Guidicelli, he and Geronimo have time to

know each other more because of the enhanced community

“And so far, maganda raw ang feedback ng foreign viewers, kaya naman I can really say na I’m proud to be a part of this show na mga babae kaming naga-action nina Yasmien Kurdi, Gabbi Garcia and Bea Binene.”

So what is she doing now to fill up her time while we’re on corona lockdown and her other show, “Bubble Gang”, has also stopped taping new episodes?

“Lahat tayo, our primary goal should be maging fit and healthy para hindi tayo mahawa sa pandemic na laganap ngayon sa buong mundo,” she says. “Since I’m really into physical fitness, I’m now offering free online workout classes sa internet. You can watch this sa Instagram account ko or sa video conferencing app

quarantine.

“There’s so much silver linings in the situation today.

You know being home, being with your family. Ako, bagong kasal ako, being with my wife, it’s also, in a way, a blessing in disguise, na we have an extended honeymoon, kumbaga.

It’s a time we’re really locked in our place, and we’re getting to know each other more and more every single day. That’s the interesting part. But, of course, not to forget that there are so many people out there still fighting for their lives. Our frontliners are fighting every single day to save and protect all of us here,” Guidicelli said.

na Zoom.”

She says people should not just hibernate at home while they’re not working. “The more that you’ll feel lazy and sluggish kung hindi ka gumagalaw,” she adds. “We should always remain active so our health will not deteriorate and we will always be energetic. I’m offering different kinds of workouts at puwede kayong magchoose which ones ang gusto ninyong gawin.”

She has gotten good feedback from her followers and she reposts the comments she receives from them, like this one from a Makati resident: “Thank you po for your workout videos. Lagi ko pong ginagawa ang mga workout ninyo at nakikita ko na po ang improvement

(MNS)

sa body ko. You’re a big help po.”

She says such words of encouragement give her more energy to produce more workout videos. “I’m glad to be of great help to anyone and everyone during this quarantine period,” she wrote in her social media ccount. “Thanks to all those who have trusted me in leading you in your workouts. We can all do this together and survive this crisis looking more physically fit than ever.” (MNS)

Saturday-Friday | May 2 - 8, 2020

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Rhian reflects about life amid quarantine

R

hian Ramos says one and a half months of extended quarantine has given her enough time to meditate and made her more reflective about life.

“This period of isolation has given me a new perspective in life,” she says in an online interview. “You know how they say that you don’t really know what you have until it’s gone? I realized it’s so true. Now, I’m not just grateful for the little things, like taking walks in the park, I really long for them!”

She has not gone out for so long and is just staying in her condo. “Earlier today, I went outside to sit under the sun, which I haven’t done in over a month. A woman from our building’s staff then approached me and politely asked me to go back to my unit. I nodded, I know it’s for my own safety, but then, I cried a little, before going back inside. She must’ve thought I was nuts!”

What does she like about staying at home? And what’s frustrating? “I’ve always liked naman being alone. Given a choice, I would probably live my life similarly to this quarantine even, kaya lang sobra naman

what’s happening now. Hindi naman ako hermit or recluse.

But I also like that the lockdown makes you more creative with how you show and demonstrate your love to the people you truly care for, like ordering food and supplies for them then sending it to their homes. But it’s hard living in the city and not being able to go outside and feel the sun or the grass under your feet.

I miss that.”

What does she look forward to doing when the lockdown is finally lifted? “Una sa lahat, going back to work, taping new episodes for our hit primetime show, ‘Love of Your Life’. So many people are telling me na nabitin sila kasi biglang natigil ang airing. But what can we do?”

She says she’s surprised that so many viewers seem to like her being paired with Mikael Daez, the less favored son of Coney Reyes, in the story.

“Nagulat nga kami ni Mikael, may chemistry pala kami, ka-

hit alam ng lahat he has Megan Young in his life and I’m also in a relationship now, even if sa abroad nga lang siya naka-based. They’re asking what will happen to our characters, Kelly and Nikolai. So sabi ko, abangan na lang nila kapag nakapag-tape na kami ng bagong episodes and we get back on the air.”

What else does she miss? “I miss hugging my mom and my sister. Also, shaking people’s hands and working out in the gym with other people. I miss the beach and seeing the people I work with who I consider my second family. I also miss wearing heels. Ha ha ha!”

How about her Israeli boyfriend, Amit Borsok, who’s in the USA? “Oh yes. We last saw each other in person before I got busy with ‘Love of My Life’.

Now, bawal mag-travel due to the lockdown, so tiis-tiis muna.

It’s good we have the technology to communicate regularly online.” (MNS)

RHIAN RAMOS

Heart Evangelista responds to netizen who called out her 'altruism pictures'

NEIL ARCE & ANGEL LOCSIN

Angel Locsin and Neil Arce test negative for COVID-19 MANILA (Mabuhay) — Angel Locsin and Neil Arce have tested negative for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Angel announced the news on her Instagram Story with a photo of two test kits showing the negative results.

"Covid free," Angel said.

The engaged celebrity couple is among the local stars who have been actively doing relief efforts for the COVID-19 threat that the country is facing.

Last year, Angel was cited in Forbes Asia’s “2019 Heroes of Philanthropy: Catalysts For Change” list for a series of donations she made to charitable causes.

Meanwhile, singer Ronnie Liang, who is serving as an army reservist frontliner, has tested

negative for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

On his Instagram account, the singer and pilot said he decided to get tested because "as an army reservist and frontliner, I am always exposed to any possible virus around."

He is thankful to learn that he had tested negative, Ronnie added.

At the latter part of his post, he urged everyone to "stay at home and follow physical distancing when running errands for the household. Stay healthy for our loved ones."

Last March, Ronnie posted videos of himself showing his work as a military personnel on duty, tasked to bring medical frontliners to their workplaces.

(MNS)

Regine Velasquez raises P4.2M for Bantay Bata with birthday concert MANILA (Mabuhay) — Regine Velasquez's livestreamed birthday concert raised more than P4.2 million for Bantay Bata 163.

The concert, filmed from her home and which lasted nearly three hours Saturday night, fea-

tured performances of her hits, medleys, covers of classics such as Eraserheads' "With a Smile," and guest appearances from her son Nate and Broadway star Lea Salonga.

The Facebook stream also

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Heart Evangelista clapped back at an Instagram user who called her out for posting photos of her donations on the image-sharing platform.

According to the netizen, Evangelista should “reduce those ‘altruism’ pictures of yours,” branding it as inappropriate.

“I saw one particular actress from the Philippines who gave a lot and gave a lot of time to share her blessings to the community but not a single picture of her with all her donations, time and effort,” the netizen said before telling Evangelista to do the same.

Responding to the comment, Evangelista said that her donations “are not out for people to see.”

“These are donations from companies and I post to show them for transparency,” the actress explained.

Evangelista then advised the netizen to “go on to your real account and do something good. Maybe pray in a room where no one will see you but God.” Since a lockdown was imposed in the entire Luzon back in March, Evangelista has been one of the celebrities spending their time helping those in the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic.

She also extended help to those badly affected by the HEART EVANGELISTA crisis, especially the ones who have lost their jobs due to the current situation. (MNS)

Kim Chiu auctions Star Magic jersey to benefit Cebu frontliners MANILA (Mabuhay) — Kapamilya star Kim Chiu is helping Sisi Rondina's cause.

The Chinita Princess offered her jersey from the Star Magic All-Star Games to be auctioned off, with the proceeds benefiting the frontliners in Barangay Luz, Cebu.

Rondina shared her exchange of messages with Chiu, with the actress saying she was "inspired" by the efforts of the University of Santo Tomas standout.

C h iu memor abl y played Rondina in a "Maalaala Mo Kaya" episode last year, after Rondina won MVP honors in UAAP Season 81 and led the Golden Tigresses to the Finals.

Rondina also put up for auction the San Miguel Beer jersey of reigning PBA Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo, whom the volleyball star counts as a distant cousin.

The jerseys of Jaja Sa nt iago, Dimd im Pacres, and Johnvic de

showed birthday messages, and a tribute to Bantay Bata 163, its initiatives, and founder, the late Gina Lopez.

The donations were coursed through the ABS-CBN Foundation, and will mainly benefit Bantay Bata's programs outside its coronavirus relief efforts, including the "Children's Village," which houses rescued abused, neglected and abandoned chil-

REGINE VELASQUEZ

KIM CHIU AND SISI RONDINA Guzman among others are also up for auction.

UST star Eya Laure

also put up a pair of her shoes to be bidded out.

(MNS)

dren.

The concert was well-received, reaching thousands of fans, and attracted several celebrity viewers such as Sharon Cuneta, who donated P1 million to the cause.

Velasquez, who turned 50, posted after the show: "Walang hangang pasasalamat. Maraming maraming salamat po sa inyong tulong." (MNS)

16

Weekend

BALITA

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Saturday-Friday | May 2 - 8, 2020

Frontliner’s heroism saves patient’s life LEGAZPI CITY – Despite the risk and fear of contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), a 22-year-old nurse from Catanduanes did not hesitate to accompany a patient who suffered a stroke from the island province to the mainland.

Neil Jane Tribiana, a resident nurse of Immaculate Heart of Mary Hospital Island of Catanduanes Inc. told the Philippine News Agency that her desire to help pushed her to attend to the need of the patient and his family.

“Masaya po akong natulungan ko sila sa maliit na bagay na ginawa ko.

Natural po sa mga nurses na maging caring, nagkataon lang po siguro na ako ang available. (I am very happy that I was able to help them in my simple way. It is also natural for all nurses to be caring and it just so happened that I was available at the moment they needed help), Tribiana said in a recent phone interview.

She, however, admitted having fear before deciding to accompany the patient.

“Ga duwa-duwa ako ta syempre baga magamo ta delikado baga tapos iniisip ko po baka iquarantine ako pag balik ko sa isla saka may duty ako kinabukasan and dakol na pong factor para mag dai. Nag hapot po ako sa mother ko sabi nya risky daw po and birthday nung sister ko (I had second thoughts about going. I was thinking about my hospital duty, the possibility of having to undergo a 14-day quarantine, the risk I would take and also my sister’s birthday),” she said.

In a separate interview, Jhon Paul Rodriguez, a brother of the patient, said his elder brother was diagnosed having a blood clot in the brain after suffering a stroke.

“Since there is no resident neurologist in the province, our family decided to transfer our brother to the mainland hospital but the enhanced community quarantine and the risk of getting the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) made it very difficult to find a nurse that will accompany my brother during the travel,” he said.

Neil Jane Tribiana, a 22-year-old nurse from Catanduanes.

(Photo courtesy of Rodriguez family) sent by God to save the life of our brother,” he said, referring to Tribiana.

Rodriguez said their family would forever be grateful to the 22-year-old nurse.

Tribiana, when asked why she helped, said she knew that the patient was in dire need of being immediately transferred to a bigger hospital. Saving a life, she said, was more

He said the hospital would not allow the transfer if no nurse would accompany his brother during the four to five hours of Rollon Roll-Off (RORO) travel.

“The hospital could not provide a nurse since they also need all those on duty as some were already undergoing a 14-day quarantine procedure,” Rodriguez said.

“Nurse na lang talaga ang wala para mapayagan si kuya mailipat. (The only thing needed was a nurse for our brother to be allowed to be transferred) The travel time was Tuesday, 1 p.m. then at around 10:30 a.m., someone called and was willing to accompany our brother, we really believed that she’s an angel

important than all the fears and concerns that she had.

Meanwhile, the patient, who was admitted to Mother Seton Hospital in Naga City, has recovered and now waiting to be brought back to Catanduanes.

Tribiana finished Nursing at Catanduanes State University (CSU), Batch 2018. (PNA)

PHILIPPINES... from Page 1 a live briefing.

"Regular naman po'ng nagpapaalala ang DOH sa ating mga ospital, pang-publiko man o pribado, na palagiang i-check ang inbentaryo ng kanilang PPEs," she added.

The undersecretary assured the public that the DOH was on top of the situation.

"Umaasa po kayo na ang inyong DOH ay laging babantayan at aalagaan ang ating mga dakilang manggagawang pangkalusugan. 'Yan po ang pangako namin sa inyong lahat ngayong Araw ng Pagawa," Vergeire said.

According to the DOH, 566 of the infected healthworkers are physicians or doctors, 638 are nurses, 104 are nursing assistants, 66 are medical technologists, 32 are radiologic technologists, 18 are respiratory therapists, 19 are midwives, 14 are pharmacists, and 237 others.

Vergeire said that 65 personnel at the National Center for Mental Health are confirmed positive for the virus. Of these, 36 are quarantined and three have recovered.

At the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, 45 personnel area confirmed cases, 38 recoveries, and seven quarantined cases while there are nine confirmed cases at the Nation-

al Kidney and Transplant Institute with one recovery.

Public hospitals such as the Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center, East Avenue Medical Center, Mandaluyong City Medical Center, Tondo Medical Center, Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Rizal Medical Center, Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital, at Baguio General Hospital have also reported COVID-positive personnel, according to Vergeire.

"Muli po natin binibigyan diin na ang ating health care workers ang mga bagong bayani sa digmaan kontra COVID, at ginagawa po natin ang lahat upang sila ay maprotektahan at mabigyan kaligtasan," she said.

Meanwhile, 256 health care workers have recovered from the virus with 33 fatalities composed of 24 doctors or physicians and seven nurses.

"Kami po ay taus-pusong nakikiramay sa mga pamilya at kaibigan ng mga yumaong bayani natin. Ipagpatuloy po natin ang laban nila at gagawin ang lahat ng aming makakaya upang hindi na mangyari ito," Vergeire said.

(MNS)

GUIDELINES... from Page 1 Inside the workplace personnel shall observe the following measures: l All work areas and frequently handled object shall be cleaned and disinfected at least once every two hours. l All washrooms and toilets shall have sufficient water, soap as workers are encouraged to wash hands frequently and avoid touching eyes, nose, mouth. l Sanitizers should be made available along corridors, conference areas, elevators, stairways, and where workers pass. l Workers shall practice physical distancing at minimum one meter radius. l Eating in a communal area is discouraged. However, if eating in an individual work area is impossible, physical distancing should be maintained in dining areas. l Canteens and kitchens should be cleaned and disinfected regularly.

The DOLE and DTI encouraged alternative work arrangements, such as working-hour shifts, work-from-home.

For those who will be physically present at workplaces, the government discouraged prolonged face-to-face interaction between workers and masks shall be worn at all times.

Meetings are advisable to be kept at a minimum number of participants and at shorter durations.

Office tables, meanwhile, should be arranged to maintain proper physical distancing and barriers may be provided between tables.

“Work station layout should be designed to allow for unidirectional movement in aisles, corridors, or walkways,” the guidelines read.

The number of people in closed spaces such as rooms or stores shall be limited and elevator use should consider one meter physical distancing.

The government encouraged the use of stairways, but subject to physical distancing requirements.

“If more than two stairways are accessible, one stairway may be used exclusively for going up and another for going down,” the circular read.

Online systems are highly encouraged to be utilized for clients needing assistance from offices including use of videoconferencing.

Roving officers shall always ensure physical distancing and observance of minimum health protocols.

In the event that a worker is suspected of COVID-19, the following shall be observed: l The worker shall immediately proceed to the isolation area designated in the workplace and never remove his/her mask. l Clinic personnel attending should wear appropriate PPEs and if needed, should require the transport of the affected worker to the nearest hospital. Company protocols for transport for suspected COVID-19 cases and for PCR testing should be in place including providing for ambulance conduction. Hospital will report to the DOH for COVID-19 suspect. l Workplace shall be decontaminated with appropriate disinfectant. After disinfection work can resume after 24 hours. l Workers present in the work area with the suspect shall go on 14 days home quarantine. If a co-worker is negative of COVID-19, co-workers may be allowed to report back to work.

If a worker is sick or has fever but is not suspected to have COVID-19, the employer must advise the worker to stay at home and keep away from work or crowds, take adequate rest and plenty of fluids, practice personal hygiene, and seek proper medical care. (MNS)

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PRAYER TO SAINT JUDE

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ly Apostle St. Jude Thaddeus, faithful servant and friend of he name of the traitor who delivered your beloved Master hands of the enemies has caused you to be forgotten by ut the Church honors and invokes you universally as the of hopeless cases and of things despaired of. Pray for am so needy; make use, I implore you of that particular accorded to you to bring visible and speedy help where most despaired. Come to my assistance in this great need ay receive the consolations and succor of heaven in all my ies, tribulations, and sufferings particularly (here mention ition) and that I may bless God with you and all the elect out eternity. I promise you, O blessed Jude to be ever of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor you as my and powerful patron and to do all in my power to encourage n to you. Amen. THANK YOU - ARDY

PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT

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Holy Spirit Thou who make me see everything and show me the way to reach my ideal, You who give me the divine gift to forgive and forget the wrong that is done to me and who are in all instances of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank You for HYHU\WKLQJ DQG FRQÂżUP RQFH PRUH WKDW , QHYHU ZDQW WR EH VHSDUDWHG from You no matter how great the material desires may be. I want to be with You and my loved ones in Your perpetual glory. Amen.

(A person must pray this for three consecutive days without stating his wish. After the 3rd day the wish will be granted, no matter how PRAYER TO BLESSED VIRGIN GLIÂżFXOW LW PD\ EH 3URPLVH WR SXEOLVK WKLV DV VRRQ DV \RXU IDYRU KDV (Never known toGrateful fail). O Most Beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, been granted.

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I am a retired Health Professional seeking Nursesand/or and/or Doctors to share to my home.

Each room I’m renting has seeking Nurses Doctors share my home.

Each room I’m renting has it’s own Private Bathroom. The monthly cost is $1000 (unfurnished), or it’s own Private Bathroom.

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PRAYERS

PRAYERS Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, PRAYERS Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help We are looking for PRAYER TO me and show me herein you are mySAINT Mother. JUDE O Holy Mary, Mother of Most Holy Apostle St. Jude Thaddeus, faithful servant and friend of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly you from the Jesus, the name of the traitor who deliveredbeseech your beloved Master into the hands of the enemies has caused you to be forgotten by bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request). There many, but thePRAYERS Church honors and invokes you universally as the PRAYER TO SAINT THERESE are none that can withstand your power. O Mary conceived without sin, patron of hopeless cases and of things despaired of. Pray for pray for usamwho recourse to thee (3 times).

Mary, I place me who so have needy; make use, I implore youHoly of that particular privilege accorded to you to bring visible and speedy help 8 Hrs. , 5 3Days a week. this cause in your handsshift (3 times).

Our Father, 3 Hail Mary, 3 where Glory help is almost despaired. Come to my assistance in this great BeSay this prayer for 3 consecutive days.

You must publish it, and need that I may receive the consolations and succor of heaven Live In and Live Out Options available. it in all necessities, KORY and sufferings particularly (here will bemy granted to you.-tribulations, PRAYER TO BLESSED VIRGIN (Never known to fail). O Most Beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times). Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands (3 times). 3 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary, 3 Glory BeSay this prayer for 3 consecutive days. You must publish it, and it will be granted to you.- KORY

FULL TIME CAREGIVERS

O Glorious St. Therese, whom Almighty God has raised up to aid and inspire the human family, I implore your Miraculous Intercession.

You are so powerful in obtaining every need of body and spirit from the Heart of God. Holy Mother Church proclaims you ‘Prodigy of Miracles... the Greatest Saint of Modern Times.’ Now I fervently beseech you to answer my petition (mention here) and to carry out your promises of spending Heaven doing good on earth...of letting fall from Heaven a Shower of Roses. Little Flower, give me your childlike faith, to see the Face of God in the people and experiences of my life, and to love God with full confidence. St. Therese, my Carmelite Sister, I will fulfill your plea ‘to be made known everywhere’ and I will continue to lead others to Jesus through you. Amen THANK YOU - SHAHELA

We are&hiring Caregivers, HHA C.N.A.’s ! mention your petition) and that I may bless God with you and all the elect throughout eternity. I promise you, O blessed Jude to be BALITA ADS Great HHAPRAYERS &Pay! C.N.A.’s ! GET RESULTS ever mindful this great PRAYERS favor, and I will never cease to honor you Callof818-704-9090 as my special and powerful patron and to do all in my power to PRAYER TO SAINT JUDE encourage devotion to you.

THANK YOU - ABA Great Pay! PRAYER TOAmen.

SAINT THERESE Part time Time work PRAYER TO THE HOLY SPIRIT Most Holy Apostle St. or JudeFull Thaddeus, faithful servant and friend of Los Angeles area O Glorious St. Therese, whom Almighty God has raised up to aid PRAYER Holy Spirit Thou whoLAX makeairport, me see everything and show me the Jesus, the name of the traitor who delivered your beloved Master PRAYERS (near Culver City, and inspire the human family, I implore your Miraculous Intercession.

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Norwalk area, North Hills area, me who am so needy; make use, I implore you of that particular 1-ON-1 work at a Patient's Home.

Miracles... the Greatest Saint of Modern Times.’ Now I fervently of my life with me. I, in this short dialogue, want to thank You for O Glorious St. Therese, whom God has raised upmatter to aid his wish.Almighty After the 3rd day the wish will be granted, no how difficult it may be. Promise to publish this as soon as your favor has and inspire the human family, I implore your Miraculous Intercession. been granted. Grateful Thanks) - God bless - OMEL You are so powerful in obtaining every need of body and spirit from the Heart of God. Holy Mother Church proclaims you ‘Prodigy of JOB OPPORTUNITIES? SERVICES? Miracles... the Greatest Saint of Modern Times.’ Now I fervently beseech you to answer my petition (mention here) and to carry out your promises of spending Heaven doing good on earth...of letting fall from Heaven a Shower of Roses. Little Flower, give me your childlike faith, to see the Face of God in the people and experiences of my life, and to love God with full confidence. St. Therese, my Carmelite Sister, I will fulfill your plea ‘to be made known everywhere’ and I will continue to lead others to Jesus through you. Amen THANK YOU - SHAHELA

CCF ADMINISTRATOR (RCFE or ARF) PRAYERS CAREGIVERS/ DSP/ CNA

(SanthatDiego) areato be separated everything andEscondido confirm once more I never want

from You no matter how great the material desires may be. I want

Please call

to be with You and my loved ones in Your perpetual glory. Amen.

714-519-8997

626-926-7186

(A person must pray this for threeor consecutive days without stating

for3rd inquiries email resume his wish. After the day the or wish will be granted,atno matter how

charmiley@aol.com

difficult it may be. Promise to publish this as soon as your favor has been granted. Grateful Thanks) - God bless - OMEL

RENTAL SPACES? NEW OR PRE-OWNED CARS?

privilege accorded to you to bring visible and speedy help where help is almost despaired. Come to my assistance in this great need that I may receive the consolations and succor of heaven in all my CALL/TEXT KARLENE necessities, tribulations, and sufferings particularly (here mention your petition) and that I may bless God with you and all the elect throughout eternity. I promise you, O blessed Jude to be ever EMAIL: mindful of this great favor, and I will never cease to honor you as my special and powerful patron and to do all in my power to encourage KARLENE@DYNAMICNURSING.COM devotion to you. Amen. THANK YOU - ARDY

Monica (661) 877-6486 424-382-4331 Monica (661) 877-6486

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Our Father, Hail Mary, 3 Glory Be Say thispeople prayer and for me your3childlike faith,3 to see the Face ofyour God in the Therese, my Carmelite Sister, I will fulfill plea ‘to be made 3 consecutive days. You must publish it, and it will be granted H[SHULHQFHV RI P\ OLIH DQG WR ORYH *RG ZLWK IXOO FRQÂżGHQFH 6W to you.everywhere’ Thank you. and —LUCY known I will continue to lead others to Jesus 7KHUHVH P\ &DUPHOLWH 6LVWHU , ZLOO IXOÂżOO \RXU SOHD ÂľWR EH PDGH through you.

Amen THANK YOU - SHAHELA known everywhere’ and I will continue to lead others to Jesus through you. Amen THANK YOU - ABA

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Saturday-Friday | May 2 - 8, 2020

9 amazing benefits of eating bananas everyday Everyone probably knows by now that bananas are very healthy. It’s a fruit, and generally speaking fruits are good for you; they’re full of great vitamins. Most parents encourage their children to eat at least one, but preferably two, pieces of fruit a day. But what kind of fruit should you eat? Well, it turns out that bananas are especially good for you!

Bananas have all kinds of amazing health benefits and we have put together a list of nine of them for you!

1. Stress Are you feeling stressed out?

Try eating a banana! Bananas regulate your blood pressure, they provide you with energy and have a positive influence on your digestion. They also contain tryptophan, which is a substance that helps you relax. So, instead of going for that bar of chocolate when you’re stressed, grab a healthy banana instead.

2. Cool down It sounds a little strange, but bananas can actually help you cool down. Banana is an astringent food, which means that it can cause tissue to shrink, which in turn means more water can be absorbed. This can help you cool down. Grapes and beans do this as well.

3. Heartburn Although experts aren’t exactly sure about why this works, they do know that bananas can function as a natural antacid. In other words: a banana can help against heartburn.

4. Constipation Banana is a fruit that is very rich in fibres, which makes it ideal when it comes to intestinal problems. If you’re feeling constipated, you should eat a banana because it is bound to help.

5. Lower blood pressure Eating bananas can also help lower your blood pressure. Since bananas are a great source of potassium, eating them can help you get your blood pressure down.

However, if you suspect you have high blood pressure, you should definitely visit your doctor first.

6. Source of energy Bananas are a great source of energy. Eating a banana before you exercise can give you that boost of energy you need for a great workout. Bananas contain tyrosine, vitamin B, and, of course, sugar, which all serve to give you a boost.

7. Anaemia If you have anaemia, you should eat bananas. Anaemia, which is basically a haemoglobin deficiency, is a common condition of the blood. Among other things, it can cause you to feel very tired.

To tackle anaemia, you can eat a lot of bananas, since these are a source of iron. However, you should also visit your doctor if you suspect you have anaemia, so they can give you the proper diagnosis.

8. Stomach ulcer Dried, unripe bananas contain a substance called “sitoindoside”, which can help to produce more mucus in the digestive system, among other things. This mucus can function as a protective layer and can help to prevent, as well as cure, stomach ulcers. Not only that, but bananas can also aid the growth of cells in the gastrointestinal tract. So, basically, if you’re having gastrointestinal problems – eat a banana! And possibly visit your doctor.

9. Depression If you feel depressed, eat a banana. Or, to be more specific, keep eating bananas. Bananas contain vitamin B and other helpful substances that can improve your mood and provide you with energy. If you’re feeling depressed for a longer period of time, however, we advise you to seek help.

(HEALTH TIPS N TRICKS)

A banana a day keeps the doctor away

DOH: No such thing as 'immunity of the poor' against COVID-19 MANILA (Mabuhay) — There is no evidence supporting the claim that the poor have developed some kind of resilience or immunity against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday.

"Wala pong ebidensiya na mayroong magiging immunity ang specific sectors of society," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a virtual conference.

"Kaya wala tayong dapat iniiisip na mayroong immunity dito. Wala pong sini-sino ang virus, kahit sino puwedeng magkaroon," she added.

She pointed out that the World Health Organization already said there can be no "immunity passports" as much is yet to be known about the novel coronavirus.

"Even those who has had the virus already, nag-positive na, hindi pa rin daw sigurado kung pwede silang magkaroon o hindi," Vergeire said.

Philippine Red Cross aims to cover COVID-19 tests of 20k returning OFWs MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) on Friday said it aims to test around 20,000 returning overseas Filipino workers in the country amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) global pandemic.

To kick off the initiative, the swab samples of 120 Filipino seafarers were collected on Thursday night at PRC's molecular laboratory in Mandaluyong. They have just returned to the country on April 29.

"We want to make sure that our OFWs are safe before they go home to their families. Last week, we inaugu-

rated our molecular laboratory and we are planning to put up 20 more throughout the country so that we could test more," PRC chairman and Senator Richard Gordon said in a statement.

Returning OFWs who would arrive at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminals I and II, and at Eva Macapagal ferry terminal in Manila will also be tested by the PRC in coordination with the Philippine Coast Guard.

Swab samples for the PCR-based tests will immediately be taken at the terminals by nurses and medical technologists of the armed forces, under the supervision of the PRC staff.

"Umaabot ng isang libo mahigit ang dumarating na OFWs everyday. We want to test them and we want to work with Chairman Gordon para mabilis iyong resulta kase kapag na-test natin sila at nalaman natin na negative, puwede na natin silang ipa-home quarantine," Bases Conversion and Development Authority president Vince Dizon said.

The Philippines has at least 19 laboratories that are accredited for COVID-19 testing. Over 93,000 individuals already took the test, according to the Department of Health. (MNS)

On Wednesday, Presidential adviser on entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion, citing priests and bishops, said the incidence of COVID-19 in poor communities was minimal and that this sector is "resilient" to the virus.

"When we talked to the proponents of Caritas project, which involved about 30 business organizations, the same thing was relayed to them that many of the poor are somehow resilient to the virus," Concepcion said.

"Maybe because they are so used to so much exposure that they have a better immunity than us who are sheltered in well-protected environment," he added.

Concepcion also said the work on road networks should continue amid COVID-19 because the workers are "under the sun."

Vergeire explained that during the onset of the outbreak, it is the middle and the upper class who had been initially affected but that doesn't mean the poor are safe.

"Kasi sila po 'yung mga nagta-travel, sila po 'yung may pera to travel abroad, to travel elsewhere in the Philippines.

Also sila po 'yung mga nag-aattend ng mga convention, mga conferences, sila rin yung madalas na magkakasama sa mga meeting," she said.

"Kaya hindi natin nakikita sa ating mga lower income class pero hindi natin pwedeng sabihin at hindi tayo dapat makampante na hindi ito nangyayari sa ating mga lower income class," she added.

Vergeire also reiterated that there is no evidence that the weather affects the transmission of the virus.

"Whether mainit o malamig nandiyan pa rin yung virus ‘pag tiningnan natin ang experiences across the globe.

So, it should not be a basis for the business sector na kasi exposed sa sun, kaya pwede nang magtrabaho," she said.

"Kailangan pa natin ng masusing pag-aaral batay diyan para naman safe tayo kung sasabihin natin na pwede na nating pabalikin 'yung mga workers who are exposed to the sun," she added.

As of April 29, the Philippines recorded a total of 8,212 cases of COVID-19, with 558 deaths and 1,023 recoveries.

(MNS)

Saturday-Friday | May 2 - 8, 2020

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

A nutritionist’s guide to reducing anxiety in the midst of pandemic

by Teddy Manansala While the world is confronted with uncertainties brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, we should also remember to focus on strengthening our immune system, which acts as our natural defense against this virus.

The Food and Nutrition Research Institute of the Department of Science and Technology recommends to follow the principle of a balanced diet using the Pinggang Pinoy as a menu planning guide, which emphasizes various portions of go, glow, and grow food, complemented by fats and oils and high intake of water.

The food that we eat can also help strengthen our immune system especially when fear, panic, and anxiety—which are common during a crisis—affect our ability to relax and sleep, the lack of which lowers body’s defenses.

Enter: melatonin.

Melatonin regulates human physiological rhythm, alleviates related disorders like insomnia, acts as an antioxidant, enhances the immune system, provides anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects, and facilitates the control of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity.

Enrich your diet with the following food sources of melatonin: Cereals. Non-glutinous black rice contains twice the level of melatonin, while the concentration is reduced to 1/3 less when rice is polished. For other cereals, melatonin is relatively high in wheat, barley, and oats. Meanwhile, bread crumbs have higher levels than the crust.

Fruits. These are the highest melatonin-rich fruits in descending order: skin of grapes, cherries, and strawberry. Others include pineapple, kiwi, apple, pomegranate, mulberry, and cranberry.

PANDEMIC DIET. A registered nutritionist-dietitian suggests adding melatonin-rich food items, such as cereals, to our diet to help revitalize our immune system during a crisis.

Legumes and seeds. Legumes and seeds such as white and black mustard, and sautéed mung bean sprout (togue) are good sources. Melatonin is also found in lentils, kidney beans, barley seed, alfalfa, coriander, green cardamom, fennel, anise, flax, and almond.

Nuts. Pistachio and walnuts are the top sources from this food group.

Grape skins are a rich source of melatonin.

Vegetables. Peppers contain relatively high concentrations. Other vegetables with varying levels of melatonin content are onion, garlic, ginger, black olive, cabbage, cauliflower, turnip, cucumber, carrot, radish, beetroot, purslane, spinach, asparagus, chungitsu, taro, Indian spinach, Chinese cabbage, Japanese butterbur, ashitaba, and radish.

Peppers contain relatively high melatonin concentration in the vegetable group.

Pistachio is one of the top sources of melatonin.

Edible oils. Top contenders are refined linseed and virgin soybean oils.

Others include refined olive, sunflower oils, and extra virgin olive oil Animal food. Eggs and fish have higher melatonin content than lamb, beef, pork, and chicken.

Edible oils such as refined olive oil Consumption of food items with and linseed oil help revitalize immune melatonin may revitalize one’s im- system. mune system by increasing circulating melatonin in the blood stream, and increasing the body’s antioxidant capacity.

The author

About the writer: Teddy S. Manansala is a registered nutritionistdietitian and holds two master’s degrees—from the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde and University of the Philippines. He is an Assistant Professor at the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management of the DLS-CSB where he teaches Culinary Nutrition, Wellness, Food Safety, Sanitation, and Security, among others.

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