Issuu

Wednesday, June 8-14, 2022 - // no. 163

Puerto Rico and the Caribbean

www.theweeklyjournal.com

New scientific research incubator in Aguadilla P7 New software for Apple’s iPhone P9 Technology as a means to access Justice P10

STRONG WINDS AHEAD Challenges loom on the horizon for the tourism industry during hurricane season

Father’s Day conundrum solved P14

Enrique Muchacho, The Weekly Journal

he tourism industry in Puerto Rico has faced many challenges throughout the previous five years, but with the new report predicting an “above-average hurricane season” released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), more challenges seem to loom over the horizon this season. With the island still recovering from the damages caused by hurricanes Irma and Maria five years ago, along

with the earthquakes of 2020, and the economic problems caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses seem to be at a risk again of being hit by a major storm that will likely bring hardships to them as well as the island’s economy. While the season is just beginning and the sky appears clear now, the threat of storms passing close by is real, and the people must be prepared. The NOAA’s 2022 report instills fear in a community that still remembers how hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the island in terms of infrastructure and economy proves. Days and GO TO PAGE 4

The Weekly Journal > Wednesday, June 8, 2022 >

Auspiciador Flamboyán

La Junta de Síndicos y el Comité Organizador tienen el honor de invitarles a celebrar la

GRAN GALA

Auspiciador Heliconia

MUSEO DE ARTE DE PUERTO RICO sábado, 18 de junio de 2022 8:00 p.m. Sheraton Puerto Rico Hotel & Casino

Auspiciador Amapola

Información de auspicios y boletos 787. 977.4449 / 787.376.4317

mperez@mapr.org

Auspiciador Helecho

/ Wednesday, June 8, 2022

a week in review Don Q wins at 2022 World Cocktail Championships Destilería Serrallés Inc., the company behind Don Q Rum, announced that its flagship product won Platinum, Gold, and Silver medals in the 2022 World Cocktail Championship hosted by the Beverage Testing Institute’s (BTI). Don Q Rum also won 1st and 4th place in the competition for “2022 Best Rum in a Daiquiri.” “Receiving such a prestigious award from leading industry experts like BTI is an absolute honor and privilege,” said Philippe Brechot, president and CEO of Destilería Serrallés. As a family-owned distillery, Serrallés is now led by two female master blenders, Silvia Santiago, and Lisa Cordero.

CLARO announces roaming plans for the summer

Bad Bunny to open restaurant in Miami

Claro announced several offers for its roaming service to customers who have scheduled trips to the U.S. this summer. “Bearing in mind that these months are one of the most active in terms of travel, at Claro we have a wide variety of options so that our clients can travel calmly and without any worries,” said Enrique Ortiz de Montellano, president and CEO of Claro. The company also has international roaming agreements with countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania, Latin America, Canada, and the Caribbean. With these agreements, they offer international roaming coverage in over 200 countries. They also have available the “Claro sin Fronteras” plans, which include services in Puerto Rico and 18 countries in Latin America.

Trap crooner Benito Martínez, a.k.a. Bad Bunny partnered with innovator David Grutman to open a new Japanese steakhouse in Miami’s Groot Hospitality. The restaurant, named Gekkō (moonlight), will create a menu around premium cuts and wagyu beef, with a touch of Korean barbecue, and particular emphasis on table presentations. Design firm, The Rockwell Group, leads Gekkō’s design concept, anchoring aesthetics in a luxurious but contemporary application of graphic wall coatings in jewelry tones, golden light and natural wood accents. The restaurant will host up to 185 guests, and it will be located on the ground floor of the SLS Lux Brickell Hotel on South Miami Avenue.

Powered BY El Vocero de Puerto Rico, 1064 Ave Ponce de León 2nd floor San Juan, PR Postal Address: PO Box 15074, San Juan, PR 00902

President Salvador Hasbún shasbun@elvocero.com

VP of Accounting Félix A. Rosa frosa@elvocero.com

Human Resources Director Arlene Rolón, PHR arolon@elvocero.com

Vp of Marketing and Business Operations Michelle Pérez Miperez@elvocero.com

VP of Production Eligio Dekony edekony@elvocero.com

VP of Editorial Content Juan Miguel Muñiz Guzmán jmuniz@elvocero.com

Multi-Platform Graphic and Technology Director Héctor L. Vázquez hvazquez@elvocero.com

Phone: 787-622-2300, 787-721-2300

Multi-Plataform Digital Director María Arce marce@elvocero.com

Customer Service: 787-622-7480

/ Wednesday, June 8, 2022

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 nights without any power or running water, and barely any gas for generators that prompted a sense of despair, is still fresh in the memory of many. The 2022 report, which suggests that between 16 and 21 storms could form in the east Atlantic, is still the cause for panic for most people. Even as the NOAA does their best to make sure all the right information is made known to the public, there are many organizations that have learned hard lessons from hurricanes Irma

Living in the Caribbean area, we have learned that it only takes one [hurricane] to pose a great threat to our life and irreparably damage our properties. Orlando Olivera FEMA’s Caribbean Area Office Coordinator

FEMA’s Caribbean Area Office Coordinator. and Maria that have made them bring about new emergency plans to ensure that all the necessary preparations are made. Organizations such as the The Hotels Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), While FEMA calls for individuals to prepare their the Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association homes in case of a storm, local businesses, such (PRHTA) and Discover Puerto Rico have drawn as hotels around the island, have been coming up plans for when a hurricane together under the Puerto Rico may be on the way. Hotel and Tourism Association Recently, FEMA released a (PRHTA) to work on their statement that encourages emergency plans and to plan Puerto Ricans to be prepared ahead for any incoming storms. for the season by stocking All necessary steps will be taken up on food, water, and prior to a storm, and there Aside from prescription medicines. are plans in place so that both emergency plans, the People should also make guests and employees will be PRHTA has also been plans with family members safe. working on providing for any emergency, gather “All the properties [hotels] assistance for any important documents such have emergency plans ready tourists who would as identity and property that they start implementing as wish to go back to papers, insurance, and even soon as the hurricane season the mainland in case downloading the FEMA app to approaches. We have a security of an approaching their cellphones. committee that’s very active, hurricane. “Living in the Caribbean and the larger properties help area, we have learned that some of the smaller and midit only takes one [hurricane] sized properties that don’t to pose a great threat to our have all the resources, and life and irreparably damage they support each other,” said our properties. Getting ready for the hurricane Clarissa Jiménez, President, and CEO of the PRHTA. season should be a planned exercise and second Aside from emergency plans, the PRHTA nature for every one of us,” said Orlando Olivera, has also been working on providing assistance

In fact,

/ Wednesday, June 8, 2022

This is a normal thing that the whole Caribbean deals with regularly. If we get hit by a hurricane, we’d get a bump in tourism arrivals. Ricardo Cortés Director of Public Affairs and Engagement, Discover Puerto Rico

for all tourists who, in case of an approaching hurricane, would wish to go back to the mainland by connecting them with airlines. Simultaneously, hotels have been preparing their structures by ensuring generators and water tanks are fueled and stocked should a storm hit. “A lot of the insurance companies and emergency services from the mainland would come to the island to help (after a hurricane), and we need to be ready to welcome them and provide (resources) as much as possible. So, that’s why the hotels have their water tanks and their generators, in many cases not one but two. The coordination

starts with FEMA and all the other groups, and season, or the COVID-19 pandemic. our organization participates by providing the “We relay messages from the authorities, such assistance they need,” said Jiménez. as those from FEMA or climate service agencies, The emergency plans may through our social media. vary between hotels, but all We also put them up on our coincide in that preparation is webpage, as we do right now important for the season. with COVID, where we have a “I think we’ve learned our special communications page lesson and many of our hotels, to keep people informed,” said if not all of them, have been Ricardo Cortés, Director of While the industry preparing for the moment with Public Affairs and Engagement has made the generators and water tanks and of Discover Puerto Rico. necessary everything they need in case of When it comes to the preparations to an emergency,” added Jiménez. tourism industry being affected ensure that minimal by a passing storm, Discover damage occurs and Puerto Rico is not so worried DMO its reconstruction about possible effects. While the industry has made goes smoothly, it “This is a normal thing that the necessary preparations to cannot fully assure the whole Caribbean deals ensure that minimal damage the tourism industry with regularly. If we get hit occurs and its reconstruction will go unscathed. by a hurricane, we’d get a goes smoothly, it cannot fully bump in tourism arrivals. assure the tourism industry will That happened with Maria, go unscathed. Discover Puerto and it pretty much has Rico, the organization in charge been happening every time of promoting Puerto Rico as we get hit. Nevertheless, our industry usually a tourist destination through advertising and recuperates very quickly, and tourists come very public relations deals, also attends to the issue quickly and start visiting our island again,” Cortés of hurricanes by informing any incoming tourists added. about possible issues related to the hurricane

In fact,

/ Wednesday, June 8, 2022

In fact, Access to electricity increased steadily between 2010 and 2020, but progress was hindered in the last few years.

Universal Access to Electricity Delayed

The COVID-19 pandemic and invasion of Ukraine continue to hinder global progress

Zoe Landi Fontana, The Weekly Journal

he COVID-19 pandemic may be gone from the minds of some, but its effects will continue to be felt heavily in the most vulnerable communities globally. Together, the International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), United Nations Statistics Division, The World Bank, and the World Health Organization (WHO), developed the Tracking SDG 7 (Sustainable Development Goals 7) report. According to this energy progress report, the pandemic slowed the advancement towards achieving universal energy access by 2030. The SDG7 found that 733 million people still live without access to electricity and another 2.4 billion don’t have access to clean cooking methods. From 2010 to 2020, global access to electricity rose from 83 percent to 91 percent, but the pace of electrification has slowed over the past few years. Access to clean cooking fuels also rose, reaching 69% in 2020. Overall progress, however, has stalled as population growth outpaces the rate of accessibility to clean cooking fuels, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa.

“International public financing for renewable energy needs to accelerate, especially in the poorest, most vulnerable countries. We have failed to support those most in need. With only eight years left to achieve universal access to affordable and sustainable energy, we need radical actions to accelerate the increase of international public financial flows and distribute them in a more equitable manner, so 733 million people who are currently left behind can enjoy the benefits of clean energy access,” expressed Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the IRENA. Access to electricity increased steadily between 2010 and 2020, but progress was hindered in the last few years. At the current rate, only 92 percent of populations globally will have electricity by

International public financing for renewable energy needs to accelerate, especially in the poorest, most vulnerable countries. We have failed to support those most in need. Francesco La Camera Director General, IRENA

2030. 100 million new connections must be added per year to achieve the SDG7’s goal of universal electrification by 2030. Decreased financial flows to developing countries has slowed the rate of global electrification and access to clean fuels and technology for cooking, a result of the already dire situation caused by the pandemic and the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. International financial flows fell to $10.9 billion in 2019 from $11.2 billion in 2010. Within the Caribbean and Latin America, financing in support of clean energy decreased by 29.8 percent. “International public financing for renewable energy must be accelerated, especially in the poorest and most vulnerable countries. We have not helped those who need it most. Only eight years remain before the deadline for achieving the goal of universal access to affordable and sustainable energy, so we must take drastic measures to increase international public financial flows more rapidly and distribute them more equitably, so that the 733 million people who are currently excluded can enjoy the benefits of accessing clean energy,” said La Camera. IRENA and the other participating organizations in the SDG7 are working towards ensuring universal access to electricity that is affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern. Renewables are an integral part of this vision. To achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, renewable energy needs to constitute over 30 percent of total final energy consumption (TEFC) by 2030.

/ Wednesday, June 8, 2022

New scientific research and development incubator in Aguadilla There are only five other gene and cell therapy hubs in the U.S.

Department of Economic Development and Commerce Secretary Manuel Cidre (right) and OcyonBio CEO and cofounder Robert Salcedo.

Juan A. Hernández, The Weekly Journal

cyonBio, a pharmaceutical research and development (r&d) facility in Aguadilla slated for inauguration by the end of the year, expects to become the sixth gene and cell therapy hub in the U.S., researching and producing therapy medication for several cancers and other pernicious diseases. Biosimilar Solutions, a bioequivalent “When we are done [building], our clients and manufacturer, is already a signed client of OcyonBio we are going to be developing oncology products and is expected to be among the first companies, if and CNS (products to diagnose, assess stage and not the first, to start operations before the end of treatment of the disease) for several types of cancer. the year in the Aguadilla facility. A considerable number of products that we’ll be producing here will attack some form of cancer,” said The Wave Of The Future Robert Salcedo, CEO and co-founder of OcyonBio. For Salcedo, the future of the pharmaceutical Salcedo explained the company will cater to the industry in Puerto Rico is not in the manufacturing needs of its prospective clients via a dual model of of medicines anymore. business. OcyonBio will provide all the necessary “If you look at the tablets, capsules and ointments facilities for any pharmaceutical company to [that are still being manufactured in Puerto Rico], research and develop possible gene and cell therapy they are dying because they can’t make it… they products, from laboratory space, equipment, testing can’t compete. They [other pharmaceutical plants] facilities and science personnel to production of can make those in China for half a penny,” Salcedo the finished product. On the other hand, these argued. “I think the future of Puerto Rico lays in companies could opt to bring its own scientists and its increasing capabilities for researchers to use the facilities. biotech and the increasing “OcyonBio will bring in clients possibilities of the new cell with an initial idea and clients biology, which is gene-cell ready for the commercial stage. therapy.” Of course, most of our clients Salcedo further argued fall somewhere in the middle of There are four that r&d in the gene and cell that, so we are providing them gene and cell therapy therapy field now offers a with what I call a ‘compliance hubs in the U.S. strong incentive for Puerto envelop,’ through which they —Boston, San Diego, Rican scientists wanting to do can take their products to the San Francisco and “real hardcore science” in the clinic, through the Food and Austin. fields of biology, chemistry, Drug Administration (FDA) or pharmaceutical and engineering into the commercial avenue, as to stay on the island. a standard commercial product,” “Up until now, there was Salcedo explained. no place in Puerto Rico where According to the these professionals were able to do real, hardcore pharmaceutical executive, there are only four science. They were destined to make widgets [a gene and cell therapy hubs in the U.S. — Boston, manufactured product]. Don’t get me wrong, Amgen, San Diego, San Francisco and Austin— and a fifth AbbVie and BMS [Bristol-Myers Squibb] are fantastic currently under construction in Philadelphia. “We companies to work for, but if you really want to do want to be the sixth,” he said. science, you want to be in the early stages of the r&d “Once the design and construction phases process,” said the former Amgen executive. are completed, we could host up to 25 different Salcedo admitted that one of the reasons for companies operating within our campus. From establishing the company in Aguadilla is because r&d, to production, emphasizing on gene and cell of its closeness to the University of Puerto Rico, therapies and the manufacturing of biosimilar Mayagüez Campus, which produces many of the products,” Salcedo said.

In fact,

I think the future of Puerto Rico lays in its increasing capabilities for biotech and the increasing possibilities of the new cell biology. Robert Salcedo CEO and cofounder, OcyonBio

island’s top scientists and engineers. “I’m committed to hiring all the scientists graduating from Mayagüez [Campus] for the next three to five years. If they want to stay, they’ll have a job here,” he said. The OcyonBio exec met with Mayagüez class of 2022 about three weeks ago and presented all the grads with a job offer. “It will be up to them to accept the offer or not.” Salcedo estimates there will be about 150 employees working at OcyonBio by the end of the year, among them several expats that have been looking to come back to Puerto Rico.

Investment

OcyonBio has already invested $50 million in its Aguadilla facility and plans to invest $128 million before the year’s end to start operations. An additional $40 million would be invested in 2023. Salcedo admitted Biosimilar Solutions did receive a $22 million tax incentive from the Puerto Rico’s government. A similar incentive for OcyonBio is still being negotiated with the government. “We are going to invest $165 million upfront. After that investment, we estimate some $200 million in revenues for the first year. But those revenues will be a mix of the construction of the facilities, and the services provided,” Salcedo said.

/ Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Musk threatens to walk away from Twitter deal

Tesla’s CEO has repeatedly asked for information he is not getting

Tom Krisher and Matt O’Brien, The Associated Press

ETROIT — Elon Musk is threatening to walk away from his $44 billion bid to buy Twitter, accusing the company of refusing to give him information about its spambot and fake accounts. Lawyers for the Tesla and SpaceX CEO made the Elon Musk is accusing Twitter of refusing to give him threat in a letter to Twitter dated Monday that the information about its spambot accounts. >AP Photo/ company disclosed in a filing with the U.S. Securities Susan Walsh, File and Exchange Commission. Musk’s lawyers wrote in the letter that Twitter The lawyers wrote that Musk has repeatedly has offered only to provide details about the asked for the information since May 9, about a company’s testing methods. But they contend that’s month after his offer to buy the company, so he “tantamount to refusing Mr. Musk’s data requests,” could evaluate how many of the company’s 229 and constitutes a “material breach” of the merger million accounts are fake. agreement that gives Musk the right to scrap the Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal has said that Twitter deal if he chooses. has consistently estimated that fewer than 5% of “This is a clear material breach of Twitter’s its accounts are spam. But Musk has disputed that, obligations under the merger contending in a May tweet, agreement and Mr. Musk without providing evidence, that reserves all rights resulting 20% or more are bogus. therefrom, including his Shares of Twitter Inc. slid 1.5% right not to consummate Monday, likely incensing Twitter the transaction and his right shareholders who filed a suit Twitter shareholders to terminate the merger against Musk late last month for filed a suit against agreement,” the letter says. deflating the price of the stock. Musk late last Musk wants underlying data Shares of Twitter are down more month for deflating to do his own verification of than 20% in the last month. the price of the what he says are Twitter’s lax Twitter said in a statement company’s stock. methodologies. Monday that it has been The Twitter sale agreement cooperatively sharing allows Musk to get out of the information with Musk “in deal if there is a “material accordance with the terms of adverse effect” caused by the the merger agreement” and company. It defines that as a change that negatively noted that the deal is in “the best interest of all affects Twitter’s business or financial conditions. shareholders.” Twitter has said all along that it’s proceeding with “We intend to close the transaction and enforce the deal, although it hasn’t scheduled a shareholder the merger agreement at the agreed price and vote on it. terms,” it added. Musk agreed to buy Twitter for $54.20 a share back in April. A number of Musk’s actions since, No Way Out? including a public spat with Twitter’s CEO about the Last month, Musk said that he unilaterally placed fake accounts — on Twitter — has led some experts the deal on hold, which experts said he can’t do. to question whether the billionaire wants to use his If he walks away, he could be on the hook for a $1 loud complaints to negotiate a lower deal price or billion breakup fee. even walk away entirely. Musk’s latest maneuver shows how he is “looking

In fact,

[Musk is] looking for a way out of the deal or something that will get leverage for a renegotiation of the price. Brian Quinn Law professor, Boston College.

for a way out of the deal or something that will get leverage for a renegotiation of the price,” said Brian Quinn, a law professor at Boston College. But Quinn said it’s unlikely to hold up in court since he already waived his ability to ask for more due diligence. “I doubt he would be allowed to walk away,” Quinn said. “At some point, the board of Twitter will tire of this and file a suit” asking a judge to force Musk to stick to the deal. Twitter has disclosed its bot estimates to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for years, while also cautioning that its estimate might be too low. “If Twitter is confident in its publicized spam estimates, Mr. Musk does not understand the company’s reluctance to allow Mr. Musk to independently evaluate those estimates,” the Musk letter says, adding that he agrees not to disclose or keep the data. The bot problem is a longtime fixation for Musk, who has more than 96 million Twitter followers and whose name and likeness are often mimicked by fake accounts promoting cryptocurrency scams. Musk appears to think such bots are also a problem for most other Twitter users, as well as advertisers who take out ads on the platform based on how many real people they expect to reach. Musk’s lawyers are arguing that he is entitled to data about the core of Twitter’s business model, so he can prepare the transition to his ownership. Citing a June 1 letter from Twitter in which the company said it only has to give information related to closing the sale, Musk’s team says the company is obligated to provide data for any reasonable business purpose needed to complete the deal. Musk’s bot count skepticism was also taken up Monday by the chief legal officer of Texas, where Tesla is headquartered. Attorney General Ken Paxton, a Republican, said he’s launching an investigation because he has a “duty to protect Texans if Twitter is misrepresenting how many accounts are fake to drive up their revenue.”

/ Wednesday, June 8, 2022

A person takes a photo with an iPhone, before the start of the keynote presentation of Apple’s World Wide Developer Conference on the campus of Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino, Calif. >AP Photo/Noah Berger

Apple offers glimpse OF upcoming changes to iPhone software The new software will be released this fall as a free download

Michael Liedtke, The Associated Press

pple on Monday provided a peek at upcoming tweaks to the software that powers more than 1 billion iPhones, and rolled out two laptops that will be the first available with the next generation of a companydesigned microprocessor. As usual, Apple spent most of the opening day of its annual developers’ conference touting the next versions of software for the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch and Mac computers instead of the sleek devices that established it as a technology trendsetter and the world’s most valuable company. The iPhone’s next operating system, called iOS 16, will revamp the look of the device’s lock screen and make mostly minor improvements to the current software. The software updates have become increasingly important in recent years as iPhone owners have started to hold to their existing devices for longer periods of time than

will allow consumers to stagger the cost of any purchase made through Apple Pay over four installments completed within a six-week period The New Features with no additional fees. Similar financing is already One of iOS 16’s most noticeable differences offered through digital services such as Affirm, will occur on the iPhone lock screen. The new whose stock price sank by more than 5% Monday software, which will be released this fall as a free after the news about Apple Pay came out. download, will allow users to anchor their favorite Several of the new features apps as small widgets on the for Apple’s Macs and iPads are lock screen. designed to make it easier to The new software also will sync with the iPhone for things enable the lock screen to like making video calls. Other display live notifications, such tools will enable more apps the status of an Uber ride on The iPhone’s to run side by side to perform its way to pick up a passenger. messaging system multiple tasks on the same Other authorized notifications will be revamped so screen. will come in from the bottom texts can be edited Helping people toggle from of the screen instead of the after they are sent one Apple device to another is current distribution from the or even rescinded in one of the main reasons that top in an effort to avoid clutter their entirety. the company began making on the display. Macs that run on the same kind The iPhone’s messaging of chips that power the iPhone system will be revamped, so and iPad in late 2020. texts can be edited after they Now Apple in putting the next are sent or even rescinded in generation of its Mac chip in it two most popular their entirety if the sender has a change of heart. laptops, the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro, which Those options will only be available when both the company said will be available in stores at some users are using Apple’s messaging app for texting. point next month. The MacBook Air will sell for The Apple Pay service that’s part of the iPhone’s $1,200 and the MacBook Pro will sell for $1,300. digital wallet is adding a new financing feature The event was held at Apple headquarters in likely to be popular as soaring inflation rates Cupertino, California. squeeze more household budgets. The option

they once did.

In fact,

/ Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Manuel Quilichini, Lawyer

Opening the doors of justice through technology

he US Census Bureau estimates that 43.41% of our population lives below the poverty line, or twice the rate of the poorest state, Mississippi. Hurricane María, the earthquakes, the Government’s bankruptcy, and the COVID-19 pandemic probably has pushed many more middle-class citizens into poverty. The government provides for the less fortunate as best it can. Aid programs abound for those who qualify based on their income or lack thereof. It is a situation that has been with us ever since the first settlers moved to this Island. Still, the problem of economic inequality has worsened in recent years. A troubling and mostly invisible consequence of poverty is the huge obstacles that many must face when seeking justice from our court system, especially in civil cases. We are a litigious society. According to statistics from our Judiciary Branch, 179,297 new cases were filed in 2018-2019. We increasingly solve our differences in court, ranging from disagreements among neighbors to more complex disputes on contract, family, and tort law. To be successful, parties rely on attorneys to provide adequate legal representation in these disputes. To an outsider, our judicial system seems to be working well. But looks can be deceiving. Increasingly, justice is mostly available only to those who can pay. In its 2017 Justice Gap Report, the Legal Services Corporation found that low-income citizens failed to receive adequate legal representation or any legal representation in 86% of civil legal problems faced by them. Unable to pay for an attorney’s services and facing eviction or collection lawsuits, these low-income citizens opt to represent themselves in court, usually with disastrous results. These self-represented persons are called pro se litigants. Why do we have a large number of pro se litigants? Normally, indigents in civil cases can access legal aid programs such as that of the “Corporación de Servicios Legales de Puerto Rico” (CSLPR), but the sheer volume of persons seeking legal help is overwhelming, more than what these courageous and dedicated lawyers can handle. Law schools handle some of this overflow through legal assistance clinics, which provide legal representation using law students supervised by experienced attorneys. Unfortunately, legal clinics are incapable of handling the thousands of persons seeking help. Also, there are people who do not qualify as indigent but lack the resources to hire an attorney to handle even simple legal matters.

Faced with a lawsuit and unable to hire an attorney, low-income persons have no choice but to represent themselves in their court battles. This is a daunting if not impossible task. First, a pro se litigant has little knowledge about the law to allow him to mount an appropriate defense. Second, complicated procedural rules make navigating court proceedings very difficult even for attorneys. Third, there will be an opposing counsel, an experienced attorney representing the other party, who will use his knowledge and skills to crush the pro se litigant’s defense. No wonder

A troubling and mostly invisible consequence of poverty is the huge obstacles that many must face when seeking justice from our court system, especially in civil cases. over 90% of the pro se litigants lose in court. We, as a society, have grappled with the intractable problem of access to justice and the inequities imposed on the low-income litigant. Forcing attorneys to represent some of these litigants for free, called “pro bono representation”, has not fared as well as expected and imposes a heavy burden on attorneys. Pro se litigants

continue to seek justice without the benefit of an experienced counselor and justice will not be served. However, there is hope on the horizon. Some years ago, a group of innovative lawyers created a not-for-profit organization named “Ayuda Legal Puerto Rico.” Led by Ms. Ariadna Godreau-Aubert and others, they created the best self-help website for pro se litigants. Found at www.ayudalegalpr. org, this website focuses on providing self-help tools to those in need of legal assistance in many areas, including evictions, foreclosures, immigration problems, consumer claims, handicapped claims, family law issues, and labor law controversies. You can find a plethora of information on various legal topics, providing clear and concise explanations of what the law says and what procedures one must follow to file a claim or defend against one, in plain language, free of legal jargon. To top it off, it has a vast library of automated legal forms that will allow anyone to prepare an appropriate pleading. To fill out a form, you answer a series of questions about yourself and the claim, and the system will automatically prepare the appropriate form for filing, ready for printing or downloading. The problem of access to justice will require creative approaches, and “Ayuda Legal” certainly is one of the most innovative in Puerto Rico. It not only educates the public on the law, but it also empowers them to take justice into their own hands in a positive way. More has to be done to close the justice gap, but this is certainly a good beginning.

se olvidan de nosotros.

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< The Weekly Journal > Wednesday, June 8, 2022

La verdad

/ Wednesday, June 8, 2022

What to know about the first visit to the vet Give as much information as possible for personalized pet care

Víctor Collazo, DVM Advisory veterinarian for Royal Canin

electing a veterinary doctor before your new puppy or kitten arrives allows you to ensure their wellbeing from day one. It’s important to make an appointment with the vet as soon as your pet arrives to its new home. Friends and family may be able to recommend a professional. However, if you choose a new veterinary practice, you should take into consideration some factors: • The doctor must be licensed and collegiate, and authorized to practice veterinary medicine in Puerto Rico. • Do locals recommend it? Is there an online opinion? • How close is it? Can you easily get there by car or public transport? • Are the facilities clean and well maintained? • What kind of diagnostic and preventive medicine services are offered? Is there any service the vet. Puppies and kittens are very receptive after hours? To fully assess the health of your dog or cat, and to their surroundings and negative experiences will have a lasting effect, so it’s important not to give you personalized advice, your vet will need as associate the car or your bag much information as possible. with the vet. Before the consultation, you must Once in the office, to consider a series of key aspects: guarantee the well-being of your • vaccination record (if any) pet, and thus be able to control • food being currently it, if necessary, it is better to keep consumed (brand, amounts, etc.) Health exams it in the bag or with a collar and • any treatment against can be stressful. leash. Waiting rooms can be quite parasites received (product and Try to make the busy places, so keep other pets in date of doses administered) experience as mind. • observed changes in your positive as possible Health exams can be stressful. pet’s behavior, appetite, thirst or for your pet. Try to make the experience as weight, among others positive as possible for your • documentation you have that pet. If she likes to eat, offer is related to your pet appropriate treats to reward her Your pet should be well when she’s calm, which can make the exam room secured in the car when traveling to the vet in a experience more positive and cooperative on dog/cat carrier bag or carrier appropriate for its size. Pets could get motion sickness, so it’s best not future visits. Your pet’s first visit to the vet, beyond a simple to feed them immediately before traveling by car. consultation, is an in-depth examination. At the To help reduce stress, be sure to set aside end of the appointment, the veterinarian will be some time for your pet to get used to his bag or able to: crate and traveling in the car, aside from visits to

In fact,

• Check the health of your pet to minimize problems that may affect the well-being of her and the family. • Complete the pet’s health record, which is important to keep up to date. • Advise you on any behavior specific to the species and breed. • Offer advice on flea and parasite treatments. • Recommend a vaccination program that suits your pet. • Advise the most appropriate diet according to the stage and lifestyle of your pet and its environment. • Answer any questions about the care of your pet. If your new pet does not yet have a microchip, then take advantage of his first visit to the vet as an opportunity to find out about its benefits and, if you wish, have it inserted. The microchip is a fast, safe and effective way to permanently identify your pet. Your pet’s first visit to the vet doesn’t have to be a negative experience. Taking the time to choose a trusted veterinarian will ensure your pet’s wellbeing as he grows and develops.

/ Wednesday, June 8, 2022

In fact, Historians and demographers use census records to learn about sociological shifts in the nation’s communities or groups of people.

National Archives releases 1950 Census records for public access Census data is released 72 years after the census is taken

States and the director of the Census Bureau in 1952 for the release of the 1880, (and later) census records. The agreement was codified by the U.S. Congress in 1978.

Who Can Be Found In The Census For The First Time?

Juan A. Hernández, The Weekly Journal

ata collected from the 1950 Census is now available to the public through the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) website (https://1950census.archives. gov/). This population census is the 17th decennial census of the United States. The NARA has digitized and is providing free online access to the 1950 Census population schedules for U.S. states and territories, enumeration district maps, and enumeration district descriptions. “For the first time, we can glimpse personal details about life in post-World War II America and the beginning of the economic, housing and demographic boom that followed,” reads an article publish by the Census Bureau. According to the government agency, the population census provides “a snapshot of information on individuals and families at 10year intervals that can help researchers trace, reconstruct and learn the story of their ancestors’ life.” Historians and demographers use census records to learn about sociological shifts in the nation’s communities or groups of people. Census records for 1950 include the person’s name, age, gender, race, marital status, relationship to the head of the household, state or country of birth, naturalization status, and employment information, such as occupation, industry in which the person worked and the type of employer (private, government, self-employed, and others). Census data is released 72 years after the census was taken. The period was determined by an agreement between the Archivist of the United

The oldest any American citizen can be to appear in a decennial population census is 10 years, if he or she is counted on time. Since the census documents include such a wealth of sociological information, we can effectively take a peek into the lives of some famous people born during the 10-year period immediately previous to the census, and who first appeared in the census records in 1950. In the U.S., icons such as rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix, boxing legend Muhammad Ali and movie sweetheart Annette Funicello were all born during the 1940s and their mark in history started out in the 1950 census.

In Puerto Rico

Several Puerto Rican personalities have also a first mention in history in the 1950 census. At least two former governors appeared in that census for the first time: Sila M. Calderón (Popular Democratic Party) and Pedro J. Rosselló (New Progressive Party). In the case of Gov. Calderón, she lived in Santurce (Sagrado Corazón, specifically) with her parents (César Calderón and Sila Cerra) and two siblings (César and María Teresa). She was the eldest daughter and was in second grade. She had a well-to-do family, with her father being the owner of an ice cream factory, and service in the home included two maids and two cooks. Gov. Rosselló, for his part, was just finishing kindergarten when the census was taken, and lived with his parents (Juan Rosselló and Iris González) and sisters (Gregorelina and Janette) at “Calle España” in Santurce. He was the eldest. His father was a doctor working for the U.S. government in a psychiatric hospital. His family was also well-to-do

For the first time, we can glimpse personal details about life in post-World War II America and the beginning of the economic, housing and demographic boom that followed. -U.S. Census Bureau.

and had a maid who also cooked. Also appearing for the first time in the 1950 census was TV and radio producer/presenter Alfred D. Herger. Born in Arecibo in 1942, Herger lived in Cataño’s Bay View area when the census was taken, with his parents (Bernardo Herger and Ramonita Traverso) and his grandmother (Clemencia Arana de Traverso). His father was an engineer and owner of various airplanes, and his mother was a schoolteacher. The household income also afforded them a housemaid. Pop singer Nydia Caro, also known as the “Bewitching Eyes Doll” (“La Muñeca de los Ojos Brujos”) was born in New York City in 1945. In 1950 she lived with her parents (Fred and Nydia) and younger brother (Fred). Her father is listed as a “salad maker” at a café in New York. Her mother is listed as a homemaker. TV and radio producer, comedian and motivational speaker Silverio Pérez was born “about 1949,” according to census documents and was living at Barrio Mamey in Guaynabo with his parents (Silverio and Victorina) and his sisters (Victorina and Josefina). Pérez is the youngest sibling. His father is listed as a carpenter who worked in the construction of buildings for a private company.

/ Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Father’s Day gift ideas

for 21st century dads

Juan A. Hernández, The Weekly Journal

t has been quite a while since both children and spouses have done away with neckties, underwear and socks as last resort presents for Father’s Day. As younger generations come of age, the father’s role has evolved, and so have the presents for such a momentous occasion. Socks and underwear have given way to power tools and gift certificates, in an effort to “play it safe” and avoid exchanges or even store credit. Still, fathers yearn for that elusive Father’s Day gift that is neither meant to be useful, nor implies a weekend full of household chores or

repairs. Of course, there are some fathers that wake up that Sunday morning in June to find a new car parked in their driveways, but they are so few and r-a-r-e, that we may consider them non-existent, for practical reasons. Even though I am not a father, I do have some experience receiving gifts from many wide-eyed and grinning nephews and nieces that I cannot wait to return them to see what else I can get at the store. We all have to admit, though, that it is the time, effort and love put into the gift what really matters. Nevertheless, can a father be considered selfish for wishing he’d be given something that he really likes? So, to avoid a disillusionment, here are some of our suggestions at The Weekly Journal for Father’s Day gifts for all those 21st century dads.

Rocket Decanters

Every dad loves to come home and relax from a hard day at work, whether the office, the field, or the store. Nothing better than some TV and a drink. Right? Even better if dad’s favorite brew could be decanted from adventure itself. Kiyume, at Plaza Las Americas.

Chess Set

Not all fathers were created equal. So, if your dad is more of the cerebral type, his notion of relaxation could be exercising the mind. For those fathers, a gold-plated brass, wood and marble chess set could be an alternative. Kiyume, at Plaza Las Americas.

Books

Most dads always enjoy a good read, be it a fiction or non-fiction. There is always room for a new book in dad’s shelf. “Discover Puerto Rico USA: propaganda, cultura y marca país, 1929-1941” will allow your dad to become aware of how the notion of a Puerto Rican national image was developed in early 20th century . Fundación Luis Muñoz Marín.

Jewelry

Who says men can’t wear jewelry? Fortunately, no one. For the fashion conscientious, father John Hardy’s collection of bracelets, rings and men’s earrings and necklaces could be an alternative. Made in sterling silver with a black rhodium finish, these pieces strike a balance between industrial edge and heritage design. Reinhold Jewelers, Plaza Las Americas.

/ Wednesday, June 8, 2022

Jeff Goldblum takes one more bite out of ‘Jurassic World’ Dr. Ian Malcolm is one of the actor’s best-known characters

In fact,

Jake Coyle, The Associated Press

EW YORK — There is only one person who, in the middle of a massive dystopic dinosaur movie, can utter a line like “That’s bananas” with just the right timing and inflection. For almost three decades, off and on, Jeff Goldblum has played Dr. Ian Malcolm with particular Goldblumian panache. As the stylish chaos theorist of the “Jurassic Park” and “Jurassic World” films, Goldblum is the voice of reason and comedy relief in one, an auger of nature’s unpredictability who can’t help marveling at seeing his theories in action, even if that poses immediate danger to himself. It’s one of the 69-year-old actor’s best-known characters. Yet in even big movies like “Jurassic Park” and “Independence Day,” Goldblum has such a singular manner and much-intimated tempo that he’s never been particularly defined by those roles. It’s more that Goldblum, in putting his own idiosyncratic spin on them, marks the characters, rather than the other way around. Life finds a way in “Jurassic Park,” and so does Goldblum. In Colin Trevorrow’s “Jurassic World: Dominion,” which opens this week, Goldblum — along with original cast members Laura Dern and Sam Neill — returns to close out the franchise’s second trilogy of films in a sprawling adventure set in a near future where dinosaurs have spread across the world, as has ecological imbalance and a plague of giant locusts. Either through experience (Goldblum’s early films included two with the improvisational Robert Altman, “a dipsy doodle of an artist,” he says) or practice (Goldblum credits acting teacher Sandy Meisner with instilling in him “a continuity of digging”), Goldblum has arrived at his unique cadence and perpetual state of curiosity. “At the beginning of the day, I remind myself: free association, stream of consciousness, perceptual readiness and then openness,” says Goldblum. “This whole business of acting and music seems to be, if nothing else, an invitation toward opening up. Opening yourself up in both directions. Not only to what’s around you in reception, but then in your giving back, reacting and offering something.” After co-starring in “Jurassic Park” and its 1997 sequel, “The Lost World,” Goldblum returned to Ian Malcolm in 2018’s “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” during which his character testifies to the U.S. Congress. Malcolm recommends letting

“Jurassic World: Dominion” closes out the franchise’s second trilogy of films in a sprawling adventure set in a near future where dinosaurs have spread across the world.

Actor Jeff Goldblum.

This whole business of acting and music seems to be, if nothing else, an invitation toward opening up. Jeff Goldblum Actor

the exploding volcano determine the fate of the dinosaurs on Isla Nublar. Goldblum relished it. “I was full of juice,” he says. “I was in this froth of fun, which I sometimes get in.” Trevorrow, who has co-written the trilogy and directed the first and third installments, first worked with Goldblum on a “Jurassic World” Super Bowl ad for Jeep. Goldblum wasn’t what he expected. “You think that he’s purely improvisational and maybe even a loose canon,” says Trevorrow. “But on this movie, I’d just see him walking out on the garden at the hotel we were staying in going over his lines again and again and coming in and delivering a very precise, considered performance.” Production on “Jurassic World: Dominion”

was halted in 2020 due to the pandemic. When shooting restarted, the studio rented out a hotel in England near Pinewood Studios for cast and crew. Goldblum would sometimes play the piano there with his castmates and Trevorrow — “musicales and hootenanny’s of one kind or another,” Goldblum says. Dern posted one video of her, Neill and Goldblum singing the Beatles’ “Blackbird.” “He’s a beautiful man,” says Trevorrow. “We would have really thoughtful conversations about his perspective on where we’re at. There was a depth to it all, honestly, when it comes to the experience of making the film and going through pandemic together.” For the “Jurassic World: Dominion” cast and filmmakers, making a movie about nature’s resistance to humankind’s meddling during the pandemic took on real-world resonance. As in the movie, the world might be ending, but Goldblum is still there keeping the spirits up. “What else can we do?” says Goldblum. “Being a Sandy Meisner devotee, I’m a romantic about the ensemble credo and synergy and, like this movie depicts, what educated, smart and deeply caring people can do — even a few of them — together at a crucial moment. They can even sometimes defeat the forces of ignorance, corruption and greed, and keep the homo-sapiens ball moving along a little more. Maybe.”

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