The Weekly Journal - Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Wednesday, June 22-28, 2022 - // no. 165

FED’s Chair under questioning P6 Economy affected by decreasing gross salary P7

Nobel Peace Prize Medal auctioned P12

Puerto Rico and the Caribbean

www.theweeklyjournal.com

Puerto Rico’s restaurant industry

Faces uncertainty Inflation brings new concerns on how to handle the economic situation

P

Enrique Muchacho, Special to The Weekly Journal

Valduero’s personalized wines P15

uerto Rico’s local business world has been in hot water since the beginning of the pandemic. With high prices on products such as gasoline and electricity, running a business has become much trickier and business owners have been forced to take tough decisions.

For Puerto Rico’s restaurant industry, the threat could be more pressing than for any other industry.

While inflation in Puerto Rico is at 5.1% compared to the U.S. 8.5%, other aspects such as energy and labor

costs have risen significantly. The distribution chains have been affected and the increase in interest rates are likely to cause a recession.

While local restaurants managed to survive the economic difficulties caused by Hurricane Maria and the pandemic, inflation brings a different concern on how to handle the situation.

A change in the numbers

Comparing statistics from the restaurant business from 2018 and 2021, the industry GO TO PAGE 4

2 The Weekly Journal > Wednesday, June 22, 2022 >

Cambios Contributivos y Tecnologías Emergentes

23 JUEVES

JUN

@ VIVO

Beach Club GUIA le invita a su decimoquinto seminario GUIAeduca sobre cambios contributivos y tecnologías emergentes. Además, la publicidad en Gaming como nueva frontera en el marketing digital con una presentación sobre tendencias y oportunidades para la industria automotriz en el mundo del gaming digital. Contaremos con la participación del Lcdo. Jay Fonseca como invitado especial.

MODERADORES:

Shirlyan Odette Rodríguez

INVITADOS:

Aiola Virella

Hon. Jesús F. Santa

Presidente de la Comisión de Hacienda y Presupuesto de la Cámara de Representantes de PR

PARA INFORMACIÓN Y BOLETOS VISITE

Lcdo. Ángel L. Pantoja

Subsecretario de Departamento de Hacienda

Lizzette Morales

Senior Sales Executive @ Entravisión Cisneros Interactive

Enrique Volckers

Secretario Auxiliar en Innovación, Información, Datos y Tecnología del Gobierno de PR

O LLAME AL (787) 303-0334

Desayuno Buffet y Registro de 8:00am a 9:00am | Seminario de 9:00am a 12:00pm | $99 + IVU & fees Localización: Vivo Beach Club @ 7000 Carr. 187 RR2, Carolina, Puerto Rico 00979

ULTIMATE PROTECTION

3

/ Wednesday, June 22, 2022

a week in review Puerto Rican delicacies reach Aspen, Colorado Discover Puerto Rico, the island’s destination management organization (DMO) went to Aspen, Colorado for its Food and Wine Classic event, and took with it Rums of Puerto Rico and renown Chef Mario Pagán to exhibit some of the island’s most emblematic delicacies and cocktails. “This event showcases Puerto Rico’s tourism attractions to travelers that consume luxury tourism products and travelers interested in gastronomy and cocktail attractions, and the cultural experiences a destination has to offer,” said Leah Chandler, chief marketing officer at Discover Puerto Rico. This is the second year Puerto Rico participates in the Food and Wine Classic, where attendees average yearly incomes of $800,000 and travel about three times a year.

El Mesón opens new restaurant in Guayama El Mesón Sandwiches expanded its operation with a new restaurant at El Molino Shopping Center in Guayama. With a total area of 3,300 square feet, the restaurant seats up to 75 patrons and provides a drive-thru window for those customers that prefer their sandwiches on the go. The restaurant is designed to operate with power saving technologies, such as solar panels and LED lightning to reduce the building’s carbon footprint.

El Mesón president, Felipe Pérez Grajales also announced the launching of the restaurant’s new app, Meso Pick-Up. The app provides direct access to the customer’s preferred restaurant to order and pay for his/her sandwiches via their smartphones or computers and pick up at the restaurant.

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

Chubb launches digital platform for travel insurance Chubb insurance Company of Puerto Rico launched its digital platform where customers can purchase travel insurance directly from the company, without the need of a broker. Customers traveling abroad could benefit from coverage against flight cancellation, lost baggage, medical expenses in case of accident or illness and medicines, among other benefits. Chubb’s insurance packages also include travel on cruise ships and is the only insurance company offering coverage against Covid-19 and atmospheric events. Policies include 24/7 assistance in both English and Spanish and a concierge service.

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

4

/ Wednesday, June 22, 2022

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 experienced some recovery but not without its difficulties. In 2018, the number of restaurants was down to 3,692, following the damages caused by hurricane Maria the year before. Of all the restaurants, about 64.1% of them offered limited service. In 2021, the number of restaurants increased to 4,144 with just 60% offering limited service.

In terms of the number of employees, the number changed from 57,362 in 2018, to 59,071 employees in 2021. But there had been a loss in

Fortunately, there has been a gradual and recurrent recuperation in the number of jobs in the industry.

Mateo Cidre, president of ASORE

2020, following the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. the state of local restaurants. The survey included some 105 participants, representing 898 of the According to data, full-service restaurants suffered island’s restaurants. more from the loss of employees because of the pandemic than limited-service restaurants did. Full-service restaurants Survey Results dropped to 17,492 employees From the 105 participants, the in 2020, from 21,208 the year data showed that 71.43% found before. “Fortunately, there has their sales diminishing in the first been a gradual and recurrent quarter of 2022 compared to the recuperation in the number of last quarter of 2021.

In terms of jobs in the industry,” according “We could definitely see a the number of to Mateo Cidre, president decrease in sales going into employees, the of the board of directors of 2022. That’s not the typical number changed the Puerto Rico Restaurants movement and the typical traffic from 57,362 in 2018, Association (Asore, for its that we see and it’s probably due to 59,071 employees Spanish acronym). to the increase in air fare and in 2021.

Despite some recovering, many variables that are coming inflation has begun to into play. We have definitely seen rise, and a high number of a substantial decrease,” said Phil restaurants are now struggling Reed, owner of La Mallorquina with how to bring customers restaurant in Old San Juan. and money to stay afloat. To narrow down the 57.14% of the restaurants reported having 15% state of the industry, Asore commissioned a less employees, or less, compared to 42.86% survey to economics analysis and solutions firm saying they lacked between 15% and 30%, of their Economic Intelligence to gather information on necessary staff.

In fact,

5

/ Wednesday, June 22, 2022

“Our main issue with employee turnover is “I’m particularly concerned that the culinary not really just having people who are qualified to industry in Puerto Rico, which was once do the job or that are in a position to learn, but thriving, is now falling, and it seems that the also that there’s a low skill set level for the upper most experienced chefs either find their own management portion of our industry. Executive restaurants or that their cooking skill set hasn’t chefs, line cooks, and bartenders with experience… yet fully been revitalized. We can see it all around. they can be trained. But finding people who Everyone is just having a hard time with finding are actually skilled in the qualified and reliable people,” management areas that we’re Reed argued. hiring into is challenging,” Reed Interestingly enough, the said. same percentage of restaurant The restaurateur owners (57.14%) perceived argued that the problem the condition of their own when hiring management restaurants to be normal.

Despite some positions, “is largely due to “Our restaurant fortunately recovering, inflation misrepresentation of their skill has been doing pretty good. has begun to rise, set.” People lie about their skills But for the industry as a whole, and a high number and experience.

I’m a bit concerned,” Reed said. of restaurants are “There’s just a really low When it comes to looking now struggling pool on talent. We have done forward to the rest of the with how to bring everything we could to attract year, 57.1% had a negative customers and talent; we offer benefits, we perception of the restaurant money to stay afloat. offer the highest pay in the business, and 52% of the industry, and still attracting restaurateurs said they were talent has been a challenge for investing to expand their us,” Reed said. operations.

With economic challenges such as keeping “I’m hopeful that people will continue to visit employees and a daily inventory, most restaurant Puerto Rico and locals will go out to eat and enjoy owners (57.14%) consider the conditions of the all the food options the island has to offer,” Reed industry to be “bad.” said. “Right now, we’re expanding by opening a

In fact,

Our main issue with employee turnover is not really just having people who are qualified to do the job or that are in a position to learn, but also that there’s a low skill set…

Phil Reed, owner of La Mallorquina

rooftop space in La Mallorquina, giving people an option for open air dinning. That’s something that’s been really popular.”

“We’re trying to find a proper balance between proper staffing and keeping our food processing and other hard costs down,” he added.

The main takeaway of the survey is that while employment in the industry matched the numbers prior to the pandemic, rise in minimum wage and the rampant inflation has affected restaurants causing a decrease in revenues. Apart from that, inflation has also prompted an increase in operational expenses.

“I’m concerned, but I’m hopeful,” Reed concluded.

6

/ Wednesday, June 22, 2022

In fact, The Fed’s huge rate hike and Powell’s comments renewed concerns among economists about where he has taken the Fed. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.>AP

Fed’s Powell facing rising criticism for inflation missteps

Powell seen by Fed watchers as much less sure-footed

W

Christopher Rugaber – The Associated Press

ASHINGTON — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell won praise for his deft leadership during the maelstrom of the pandemic recession.

As threats to the U.S. economy have mounted, though, Powell has increasingly struck Fed watchers as much less surefooted.

Inflation has proved higher and far more persistent than he or the Fed’s staff economists had foreseen. And at a policy meeting last week, Powell announced an unusual last-minute switch to a bigger interest rate hike than he had previously signaled — and then followed with a news conference that many economists described as muddled and inconsistent.

It’s been a sharp turnaround for Powell, who is widely credited with preventing what could have been a far worse economic crisis during the pandemic and who last month won an easy bipartisan Senate confirmation for a second fouryear term.

Now, as he confronts chronically high inflation, plunging financial markets and the growing threat of a recession, Powell is facing questions — and criticism — surrounding his stewardship of the Fed at a time when its challenges are multiplying.

Thanks to a once-in-a-century pandemic, the first major European war in decades, and soaring gas and food prices that the Fed has limited power to affect, Powell could become the first Fed chair since Paul Volcker in the early 1980s to grapple

with “stagflation,” a miserable combination of slow critically important communications with markets economic growth and high inflation. and the public.

Struggling to curb the worst inflation outbreak As those criticisms echo, Powell will visit Capitol in four decades, Powell last week engineered a Hill this week to give his semi-annual testimony three-quarters-of-a-point increase in the Fed’s to House and Senate committees, where he could short-term interest rate — the largest single rate face tougher questions than at any other point hike in a quarter-century. It was an unexpectedly in his tenure as Fed chair. He will testify one year aggressive move after Powell had made clear a after he stressed his confidence to Congress that month earlier that a more modest half-point rate inflation was temporary and would likely “wane.” hike was coming.

It has not. In May, the government reported, At his news conference, Powell defended consumer prices accelerated 8.6% from a year the Fed’s decision earlier. At his news by noting that the conference last week, most recent inflation Powell said the Fed readings had been had been surprised even more worrisome by the latest figures, than expected. The which have been Fed’s hike will make fueled by Russia’s it more expensive for invasion of Ukraine, many consumers and still-clogged global businesses to borrow. supply chains, labor Mark Zandi, chief economist Yet Powell’s shortages and surging at Moody’s Analytics explanation was demand for services faulted by many Fed from rents to airline watchers, with some tickets to restaurant complaining that he meals. had failed to articulate a coherent and consistent “We’re not seeing progress and we want to see policy. progress and that’s really another part of why we “The Fed was ad-libbing, scrambling to catch up did what we did today,” Powell said Wednesday. to the painfully higher inflation,” said Mark Zandi, The Fed’s huge rate hike and Powell’s comments chief economist at Moody’s Analytics. “The Fed renewed concerns among economists about where doesn’t have a script and is kind of making it up as he has taken the Fed. Most analysts have sharply it goes here.” criticized the Powell Fed for waiting too long to William Dudley, who, as the former head of the tighten credit when inflation took off last year and Federal Reserve Bank of New York, served with warn that it’s now having to raise rates so fast as to Powell on the Fed’s Board of Governors, said on risk tipping the economy into recession. a think tank webcast last week that the central “Our worst fears around the Fed have been bank’s leader was putting its credibility at risk. confirmed,” Ethan Harris, global head of economics “When the Fed changes their mind at the last at Bank of America, said in a client note last week. minute like this,” Dudley said, “it does have the “They fell way behind the curve and are now potential to undermine the credibility” of its playing a dangerous game of catch up.”

The Fed doesn’t have a script and is kind of making it up as it goes here.

7

/ Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Puerto Rico decreasing gross salary signals less consumption Runaway inflation responsible for consumer distrust

T

Brenda A. Vázquez Colón, The Weekly Journal

Bank of Atlanta Salary Growth Tracker, the salary of a full-time worker at large companies has risen about 5% in the 12 months preceding May 2022.

However, data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that inflation has caused wages to decline by an average of 3.5% in the vast majority of sectors.

Moody’s Analytics estimates that, as a result from high prices, consumers will have to spend about $460 more than they did during this same period last year for the same products and services.

he growing inflation currently experienced Puerto Rico is slashing through the pockets of consumers, particularly those with low to moderate income, Effect of higher wages whose earnings continue to be Zayas understands that undermined due to the high cost increasing salaries would allow of essential items and services, workers to buy more and such as food, fuel and utilities.

The economic impact improve the economic activity “This is the perfect storm. will soon be felt in of the island, but it will not Higher interest rates and home purchases be easy for small businesses, runaway inflation. People and loans in general, since they face greater have the same salary with because the average challenges to stay afloat. more expensive products, so worker will have less “Small businesses will their income is reduced. They money to buy goods have to implement austerity are looking for ways to save and pay for loan measures, such as reducing and lower their expenses, interests. hours or laying off employees for example, with public because costs, particularly for transportation or car-pooling,” oil-dependent manufacturers, said certified public accountant are out of control,” he said.

(CPA) Kenneth Rivera.

“Solving these conditions is not The economic impact will soon be felt in home in the hands of Western countries.” purchases and loans in general, because the Dean of the Business, Tourism and average worker will have less money to buy goods Entrepreneurship Division at Ana G. Méndez and pay for loan interests, with a salary that is not University, Juan Sosa, coincided that the effects enough to cover minimum essential expenses. of inflation and the rise Former Secretary of the Department of Labor in interest rates will and Human Resources, Ruy Delgado Zayas, negatively affect considers that, although the rise in interest rates small businesses. authorized by the Federal Reserve (FED) seeks to “Micro lower prices and stabilize the economy, the scenario and small is still complicated for people with lower income. businesses will He pointed out that, while some employees have have to make received a rise in minimum wage of an additional decisions $1.25 per hour (from $7.25 to $8.50), that is not about how enough due to high inflation. Minimum wage to manage employees would need a greater rise in their their operating compensation to be able to face the increasing cost costs and of living. maintain their “Inflation is eating up the rise in minimum wage profitability and reducing consumption. You can already see it within inflation out there. Traffic is not that heavy because people because are driving less to save gas. There are fewer visits to consumers will stores as purchasing power lowers,” said the former be spending less. They will have to secretary. adjust their business models,” said Sosa.

Larger companies and sectors such Statistics as restaurants, will be forced to increase According to data from the Federal Reserve wages and offer better deals, to retain their

In fact,

This is the perfect storm. Higher interest rates and runaway inflation. People have the same salary with more expensive products…

Kenneth Rivera, CPA

staff and ensure that they do not migrate to other industries with better compensation and benefits.

Having a salary that does not pay enough for monthly expenses in a scenario of uncertainty is reason enough for consumers to cancel or postpone their purchases. This is consistent with a University of Michigan study that found that real disposable income per capita could be seeing the biggest annual decline since 1932.

“This is psychological behavior; if people understand that inflation is going to continue, they will hold up, and there will be less consumption. Decisions are made based on a pessimistic perception. If Russia decides to lower its weapons, then a better expectation will be created and the markets will react like the stock market,” Sosa said.

8

/ Wednesday, June 22, 2022

T-Mobile leads in 5G performance and satisfaction Independent study ranked the carrier first in 14 out of 15 categories

A

Juan A. Hernández, The Weekly Journal

n independent study measuring costumer accessibility and satisfaction among wireless carriers in Puerto Rico ranked T-Mobile’s network as number one in both performance and consumer experience, in all the 5G categories.

“Our 5G network is delivering a great customer experience and powerful network performance.

Our early bet and two-year lead in mid band 5G continues to pay off giving customers the fastest, most available in the country and Puerto Rico,” said Neville Ray, president of Technology at T-Mobile, in a written statement.

According to Opensignal, an independent global analytics firm, T-Mobile is ahead of all other wireless carriers operating in Puerto Rico after it measured mobile user experience on every major network operator in Puerto Rico.

“T-Mobile was favored in 14 of the 15 categories of service evaluated by the study,” said Lyanette Dávila, T-Mobile’s Marketing “Nowadays, phones are 5G, or 4G minimum.

Director for Puerto Rico. T-Mobile’s 5G network outpaced its nearest competitor with a download Equipment still operating in 2G are trackers, maybe, for vehicle fleets and others using low speed of 104.6 Mbps (megabits per second) and data levels, such as portable cash registers,” 9.6 Mbps for uploading. she said. “But technology has been evolving Dávila confirmed that her company had been and the companies that used operating 2G, 3G and CDMA such equipment have also networks at the moment the evolved to keep up with the study was being conducted, networks. Also, keeping those as well as other competitors. technologies in operation is Nevertheless, those networks very expensive.”

T-Mobile were disabled by March 31st.

Dávila assured that currently has Liberty Puerto Rico, T-Mobile’s Opensignal’s study for the year’s over 1.1 million closest competitor turned off its first quarter concentrated more subscribers and 2G and 3G networks in February. in the 4G and 5G networks has experienced a The only category in which operation than anything else.

45% growth since T-Mobile came in second place It is significant that in the Hurricane Maria hit was in “Availability” of time, “Excellent Consistent Quality” Puerto Rico in 2017. which refers to the time the and “Core Consistent Quality” carrier’s networks are up and both T-Mobile and Liberty available for customer access. In Puerto Rico are separated this category, Liberty outpaced by less than one and two T-Mobile with 99.2% availability percentage points respectively. vs 99.0%.

In the “Excellent Consistent Quality” category “Variance in that category was of only 0.2%.

T-Mobile bested Liberty with 74.8% against There is no perceptible difference from the 73.9%. A difference of 0.9%. consumer’s point of view,” argued Dávila, who In the “Core Consistent Quality” category explained that those lower technologies had T-Mobile again bested Liberty 89.3% against already been phased out.

In fact,

Network reconstruction after Maria advanced spectrum clearance in order to launch our 600MHz. frequency…

Lyanette Dávila, T-Mobile’s Marketing Director

87.6%. A difference of 1.7%.

According to Dávila, T-Mobile currently has over 1.1 million subscribers and has experienced a 45% growth since Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico in 2017. The marketing executive also claimed that 79% of T-Mobile’s network is already 5G ultra-capacity enabled.

“Network reconstruction after Maria advanced spectrum clearance in order to launch our 600MHz. frequency, which is part of the company’s three-layer cake [voice, text and data] network strategy… These allow us to provide the customer with a positive experience,” Dávila said.

9

/ Wednesday, June 22, 2022

In fact, Placetopay allows individuals to pay through social media, payment links through WhatsApp, texts messages and QR codes.

Evertec’s online platform combines several payment alternatives

The platform is already in use in seven Latin American countries

P

Enrique Muchacho, The Weekly Journal

lacetoPay, Evertec’s new online payment platform, will allow consumers the possibility of making payments to businesses and individuals using ATM protocols thus making online transactions easier and more user

friendly.

The platform, which is already being used in seven different countries, is known for processing payments through different channels and enable diverse payment methods in a fast and simple way, all while keeping the highest security levels.

“We are bringing a platform that goes beyond e-commerce… it is multichannel, allows the ability to pay with a debit card, and provides strong security measures,” said Guillermo Rospigliosi, Evertec’s Chief Products and Innovation Officer.

Unlike other online payment methods, Placetopay (PtP) allows individuals to pay through social media, payment links through WhatsApp, texts messages and QR codes.

“Evertec’s offer is centered in processes and tools that seek to increase approval rates and mitigate the risk of fraud by providing a positive digital experience to consumers,” Rospigliosi added.

PtP can be used to pay businesses as well as non-profits, schools, hospitals, and even government entities.

“Evertec has always worked in close alliance with

different businesses around the island to make available its robust payment platform, which is more accessible, handles different currencies and has a proven record in Latin America. Also, we have helped democratize the electronic commerce by activating multiple payment methods, that include people with no bank accounts,” said Evertec’s Chief Commercial Officer for Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

Several businesses have already subscribed to PtP, including restaurants, retail stores, security companies, and professional services as well.

Evertec’s offer is centered in increasing approval rates and mitigating the risk of fraud by providing a positive digital experience to consumers.

Guillermo Rospigliosi, Evertec’s Chief Products Officer

For Pedro Rodríguez, Marketing Director of Outumoro Automotive Group, PtP has provided the company with a simple payment option for its customers by just sending a link to their e-mail accounts, or via a text message.

“This digital platform helped us offer every one of our clients an easier option to make payments through a simple link sent to their email or by text message, simplifying the process,” said Rodriguez.

Outumoro specializes in car services.

Similarly, Totto Puerto Rico, a clothing and

accessories retailer, said “this platform has allowed us to provide additional payment methods to our customers in Puerto Rico and the U.S. through our web page.

PtP is not an app. To subscribe to it, you must make an integration with Evertec.

“Placetopay is more of a facilitator during checkout,” Rospigliosi said.

With PtP, Evertec seeks to increase its offer for a secure, agile, and versatile electronic platform for electronic transactions.

According to Rospigliosi, one of PtP salient characteristics is its low fraud index.

“We offer several security modules, being “Escudo” (Shield) the main one. This tool takes user’s information –who he is, where he is connected, what is he buying…– it analyzes it and notifies the seller about the possibility of fraud –low, moderate, high– so it can take a better informed decision about the transaction,” explained Evertec’s executive. This protocol is redundant with what Rospigliosi identified as “3D Secure,” an authentication protocol that redirects the user to the bank that issued the card he is using in the transaction, so the bank can authenticate it.

“These protocols allow us to keep possible fraud in check, without sacrificing our approval rates, which are currently above 90%,” he added.

A recent study published by CyberSource, a payment service provider powered by VISA, fraud rate for electronic transactions in Latin America averages about 60%. Rospigliosi declined to mentioned which is PtP’s fraud rate, but assured it is well below the Latin American average.

“We are trying to make sure that the customer’s experience could be simpler. You enter the application, confirm it, and its done in a fast way without putting information repeatedly,” said Rospigliosi.

10

/ Wednesday, June 22, 2022

opinion

10

/ Wednesday, February 9, 2022

Kenneth Davison McClintock 22nd Secretary of State of Puerto Rico

Kenneth Davison McClintock

Puerto Rican Power: Useful or Useless

22nd Secretary of State of Puerto Rico

O “T

ver the past decade the state of Florida became our country’s most populous “Puerto Rican State”, with slightly over one RightRicans to Life”surpassing is a million he Puerto phrase used in the the Boricua population of New national discourse only York, the traditional “Puerto in the context of the Rican State” for over 80 years. beginning of lifevoters when Sheer numbers have given Puerto Rican discussing women’s in the Sunshine State an enormous political power right to choose or the which they have used to elect numerous Puerto end of to lifelocal, and county euthanasia.

However, Ricans and state office,at asleast well once as the a person is born, she has an enduring right late Maurice Ferréhe as or Mayor of Miami nearly 40 years of survival throughout In designing several ago and Darren Soto to life.

Congress in the past decade. important federal programs since as back as Increasingly, a growing number offar aspiring the nineteenth century, the Federal government Florida politicians recognize that they cannot has sought to help Americans prolong theiriflives. attract the support of Puerto Rican voters they During the Civil War, President Abraham for Lincoln don’t support the alternative of statehood saw theRico, needfavored to create system, known asthey Puerto byaover 80%now of the voters the Department of Veteran Affairs, to provide are wooing for support. those who foughtobservers in America’s warsthat withcurrent medical Many political believe services that would help them live and receive NASA Administrator Bill Nelson didn’t win medical services.

FewStates nations provide those who reelection as United senator due to two have served the level of health services as America. factors. First, even though he was a Puerto Rico During the Depression, as part of the New statehood supporter, he didn’t advertise it or Deal, the federal government saw the need to repeat it often enough. He had campaign advisors help Americans who could not afford basic health that told me he had to respect the 19% that services, and began to provide some assistance. weren’t statehood supporters, advisors most of In the 1960s, President Lyndon Johnson which probably had been on the payroll of antispearheaded efforts to create Medicare for the statehood governments in Puerto Rico in the past. elderly and the disabled and Medicaid for the Second, simultaneously, pro-statehood Republican medically indigent. leaders in Puerto Rico had painstakingly extracted Unfortunately, federally subsidized medical a somewhat pro-statehood statement from assistance has not been made available to all Nelson’s opponent and current United States Americans in a non-discriminatory fashion.

Senator Scott late in the campaign. two As forRick veterans, VA facilities are doled Those out, not factors resulted in increasing Scott’s share of the strictly on the basis of need, but as a result of vote, whichor contributed to his slim victorypolitics over patronage political influence.

Partisan Nelson in the general elections. and seniority in Congress is factored in when it is This time where around, appears that current determined a it new VA hospital or clinic will Senator Marco Rubio will be confronting be located. In that case, a state-like jurisdiction that Congresswoman Val Demings in and the midterms should have two voting senators two voting in November.

Marco, whom I’ve known sincethe representatives but doesn’t, ends up getting he was Florida House Speaker and I was Puerto short end of the stick.

Rico Senate President, has been the pride Regarding Medicare, that same state-likeof many Hispanics, a few Democrats included. jurisdiction lacking voting representation in the Unfortunately, his timidity towards Rico national legislature as well as in the Puerto Electoral statehood and Congresswoman Demings solid College that elects that jurisdiction’s president and record towardsCongress all thingshas Puerto and its vice president, builtRican in mechanisms admission into the Union, could create problems to extend Medicare services almost equally, but for senator Rubio among Florida’s Puerto Rican almost. When I turned 65 last month, I qualified voters, even including a few Republicans, almost all for the Medicare coverage that I’d been paying of whom support statehood. premiums for 47 years. However, if I didn’t ask Every time Marco hasofspoken about Puerto particularly forthat “Part B”, one the most important Rico status it has been to apologetically explain benefits, I wouldn’t get it. Anywhere else in the why this is not get the that timebenefit to pushautomatically. for statehood. nation I would That When two bills were filed on Puerto Rico’s political discriminatory rule---“opt in” if in Puerto Rico, “opt status in this term, the Senate counterparts out” if anywhere else--was devised for Medicare to Nydia his federal fellow Republican be lessVelázquez’ expensiveand for the government in Puerto Rico, only in Puerto Rico.

Concerning Medicaid, the program to provide

The Right to Life

Jenniffer González’, he did not sponsor either one. Meanwhile, Congresswoman Val Demings didn’t quibble in signing on to the bill filed by Rep. Darren Soto and many Republicans led by Jenniffer and the then Dean of the House, the highly respected late Don Young.

As Congress struggles to decide to If Florida’s million-plus Puerto Ricans factor in the issue of Puerto Rican statehood when legislate and keep America they decide who to choose between Marco Rubio and Val Demings in November, Marco Rubio could fiscally stable past Friday, be in trouble.

February Puerto He could have18, joined JennifferRicans González on and cosponsored her bill in the Senate, but he did the mainland as well as theirnot.

He could have sought to recruit other representatives Congress Republicans to co-sponsorin Jenniffer’s bill in the Senate, but he did not. should make sure in the next He could have raised his voice in the Senate’s few days to include language Republican conference regarding the Republican Party’s long-standing platform commitment to that will protect the Right to support Puerto Rico’s admission into the Union, but he did Life innot.

Puerto Rico, providing He could have educated his Republican colleagues equal benefits under Medicare about the fact that Puerto Rico, rather than a solidblue state, would probably become a swing and Medicaid to its citizensstate, in which has sent two pro-statehood Republicans and our territory. one Democrat to represent it in Congress for the past nine Congresses, but he did not.

He could have supported the consensus language

by Jenniffer and Velázquez, and services todrafted all the medically indigent throughout has chosen not to do so.

America, the cost in Puerto Rico is statutorily His opponent, the former Orlando Police Chief capped at less than $400 million and the federal and current congresswoman Val Demings, has share is limited to 55% of the total cost, requiring always stepped to the plate Puerto America’s poorestup jurisdiction to for cover 45% Rico, of thehas cost. In a state with demographics similar to the nation’s most populated territory, the total cost to

the federal treasury would be over $4 billion, and the federal share would be 83%.

While those benefits are automatic in a state, Puerto Rico’s non-voting representative Jenniffer González, Governor Pedro Pierluisi, and their predecessors for generations, have to devote a lot of time and lobbying efforts to plead with Congress and every President from LBJ on to seek the equality that would guarantee residents of Puerto Rico the “right to life” that is automatic on the mainland.

There are many reasons why an absolute majority of Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico want statehood. According to multiple polls, over 75% of Puerto Ricans in Florida, over 60% of Puerto Ricans in New York and probably an absolute co-sponsored andthirds spoken for the billPuerto introduced majority of the two of America’s by fellow Democrat Darren Soto and Jenniffer Ricans who have chosen to live in the states González, and endorsesPuerto the consensus and not in discriminated Rico, also language. want Each Puerto Rican voter must decide in the statehood for the territory. However, because of midterm elections they turn their political the discrimination in whether extending federally financed power at the polls a useful exercise health services to theinto island, it is also a life to or move Puerto Rico forward or whether they render death issue, a denial of the Right to Life. useless the power of their vote. The best way to As Congress struggles to legislate and keep empower that vote is by rewarding Val Demings’ America fiscally stable past Friday, February 18, continued loyalty Puerto Rican values and Puerto Ricans on thetomainland as well as their telling Marco Rubio that he had his chance, representatives in Congress should make surethat he but he blew it, and that inhad the our nextsupport few days to that include language that willVal Demings has earned the votes that he has not. protect the Right to Life in Puerto Rico, providing equal benefits under Medicare and Medicaid to *The author the 22nd Secretary its citizens in our was territory.

That Puerto should Rico be our of State urgent agenda for the next week, seeking the full extension of The Right to Life in Puerto Rico through equality and statehood.

Sheer numbers have given Puerto Rican voters in the Sunshine State an enormous political power which they have used to elect numerous Puerto Ricans to local, county and state office.

11

se olvidan de nosotros.

La verdad te necesita para reivindicar.

La verdad no tiene precio.

< The Weekly Journal > Wednesday, June 22, 2022

La verdad

12

/ Wednesday, June 22, 2022

In fact, The proceeds will go directly to UNICEF in its efforts to help children displaced by the war in Ukraine.

A worker holds Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov’s 23-karat gold medal of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize before being auctioned at the Times Center. >AP

Nobel sold for Ukrainian kids shatters record at $103.5M Auctioning house said the winning bid was made by proxy

N

Bobby Caina Calvan – The Associated Press

EW YORK — The Nobel Peace Prize auctioned off by Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov to raise money for Ukrainian child refugees sold Monday night for $103.5 million, shattering the old record for a Nobel.

A spokesperson for Heritage Auctions, which handled the sale, could not confirm the identity of the buyer but said the winning bid was made by proxy. The $103.5 million sale translates to $100 million Swiss francs, hinting that the buyer is from overseas.

“I was hoping that there was going to be an enormous amount of solidarity, but I was not expecting this to be such a huge amount,” Muratov said in an interview after bidding in the nearly 3-week auction ended on World Refugee Day. Previously, the most ever paid for a Nobel Prize medal was $4.76 million in 2014, when James Watson, whose co-discovery of the structure of DNA earned him a Nobel Prize in 1962, sold his.

In 2013, the family of his co-recipient, Francis Crick, received $2.27 million in bidding also run by Heritage Auctions.

Muratov, who was awarded the gold medal in October 2021, helped found the independent Russian newspaper Novaya Gazeta and was the publication’s editor-in-chief when it shut down in March amid the Kremlin’s clampdown on journalists and public dissent in the wake of

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

It was Muratov’s idea to auction off his prize, having already announced he was donating the accompanying $500,000 cash award to charity.

Muratov has said the proceeds will go directly to UNICEF in its efforts to help children displaced by the war in Ukraine. Just minutes after bidding ended, UNICEF told the auction house it had already received the funds.

I was hoping that there was going to be an enormous amount of solidarity, but I was not expecting this to be such a huge amount.

Dmitry Muratov, Nobel Peace Prize laureate

Online bids had begun June 1 to coincide with the International Children’s Day observance. Many bids came by telephone or online. The winning bid, tendered by telephone, catapulted the bidding from the low millions to astronomical levels.

Muratov had left Russia on Thursday to begin his trip to New York City, where live bidding began Monday evening.

Early Monday, the high bid was only $550,000.

The purchase price had been expected to spiral upward — but not over $100 million.

“I can’t believe it. I’m awestruck. Personally, I’m flabbergasted. I’m stunned. I don’t really know what happened in there,” said Joshua Benesh, the

chief strategy officer for Heritage Auctions.

“We knew that there was a tremendous groundswell of interest in the last couple of days by people who were moved by Dimitry’s story, by Dimitry’s act of generosity, that the global audience was listening tonight,” he said.

Muratov and Heritage officials said even those out of the bidding can still help by donating directly to UNICEF. Muratov shared the Nobel Peace Prize last year with journalist Maria Ressa of the Philippines.

The two journalists, who each received their own medals, were honored for their battles to preserve free speech in their respective countries, despite coming under attack by harassment, their governments and even death threats.

Melted down, the 175 grams of 23-karat gold contained in Muratov’s medal would be worth about $10,000.

Muratov has been highly critical of Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and the war launched in February that has caused nearly 5 million Ukrainians to flee to other countries for safety, creating the largest humanitarian crisis in Europe since World War II. Independent journalists in Russia have come under scrutiny by the Kremlin, if not outright targets of the government. Since Putin came into power more than two decades ago, nearly two dozen journalists have been killed, including at least four who had worked for Muratov’s newspaper.

In April, Muratov said he was attacked with red paint while aboard a Russian train.

Since its inception in 1901, there have been nearly 1,000 recipients of the Nobel Prizes honoring achievements in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature and the advancement of peace.

/ Wednesday, June 22, 2022

13

McCartney marks 80th birthday with Springsteen, 60,000 pals The “cute Beatle” keeps sharing his music from the stage David Bauder – The Associated Press

E

AST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Hard to think of a better way for Paul McCartney to celebrate his 80th birthday than by singing “Glory Days” onstage with Bruce Springsteen or being serenaded by some 60,000 well-wishers.

That’s right, the “cute Beatle” turned 80 on Saturday. It’s one of those cultural milestones that bring a sharp intake of breath – has it been THAT long? – along with an appreciation of what he still has to offer.

For it has been more than a half-century now since the Beatles broke up, a realization that hits Paul McCartney performs during his “Got Back” tour, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. >AP you like that 1970s-era joke about young people saying, “Paul McCartney was in a band before Wings?” reminded him. “I’m not trying to ignore it, but...”

Leppard’s Joe Elliott went against type with the gentle Like several other members of the “hope I die The crowd offered a spontaneous “Happy “Little Lamb Dragonfly.” Mac DeMarco picked the before I get old” generation, including Bob Dylan, Birthday” serenade, even before Jersey guy Jon “Ram” epic, “The Back Seat of My Car.” the Rolling Stones and former Beatles mate Ringo Bon Jovi brought out a fistful of balloons during Many remarked upon the unfairness of having Starr, McCartney keeps working, keeps sharing his the encore to lead them in another verse. to pick just one. music from the stage. Another 1960s icon, Brian That other Jersey guy, Springsteen, joined How vast is the songbook? McCartney Wilson of the Beach Boys, was scheduled to play McCartney for the duet on “Glory Days” and a performed 38 songs at MetLife, 20 of them Beatles at the Starlight Theatre in Kansas version of “I Wanna Be Your songs, and even managed to miss an entire City on his 80th birthday last Man.” He later popped up to decade. Remember the 1990s?

Monday. join the guitar duel from “Abbey With the help of Peter Jackson, who reimagined “He has a youthful exuberance Road.” the “Get Back” sessions for last year’s television that is ageless,” said Bob Spitz, For most artists, the project, McCartney was able to perform a virtual a Beatles biographer. “There’s It would be appearance of such local royalty “duet” with Lennon singing his part of “I’ve still some of that 21-year-old boy a cliché – and would be a hard-to-top moment.

Got a Feeling” from the Apple rooftop concert. that shines through in all of his wrong – to suggest Most artists can’t immediately McCartney also paid tribute to George Harrison, performances.” time hasn’t taken whip out “Let it Be” and “Hey who died in 2001, with a version of “Something” It would be a cliché – and a toll. The fragility Jude” to follow it. that began with Paul on a ukulele George gave him wrong – to suggest time hasn’t in his voice was To mark the birthday, and built to a full band version. taken a toll. The fragility in his evident while Stereogum magazine asked Spitz recalled a Beatles-era film clip of Lennon voice was evident while singing singing “Blackbird.”

80 artists to pick their favorite telling an interviewer that he’d be flabbergasted if “Blackbird” on Thursday night at McCartney song, and the choices it lasted more than 10 years. McCartney stood next MetLife Stadium, the final night were remarkable in their breadth to him laughing. of a brief U.S. tour. He struggled – from the pre-Beatles 1958 Lennon was right about the Beatles as a for the high notes in “Here Today,” his love letter to cut “In Spite of All the Danger” (which McCartney unit, but not about the music. He couldn’t have John Lennon, who was robbed of a long life by an performed at MetLife) to his 2016 collaboration imagined that in 2022, one adult standing in line assassin’s bullet. with Rihanna and Kanye West “FourFiveSeconds” to get into MetLife being overheard asking a The skill of a sympathetic band, along with the (which he didn’t). companion: “Where are Mom and Dad?” imagination and voices in the audience, patches David Crosby and Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys Advanced birthday be damned, the irrepressibly over the rough spots. both chose “Eleanor Rigby.” Master showman Wayne cheerful McCartney left with a promise when the “Yeah, yeah, right, I’ve got a birthday coming up,” Coyne of the Flaming Lips picked “Magical Mystery last firework burst and he walked offstage.

McCartney said, scanning signs in the audience that Tour.” Steve Earle selected “Every Night,” while Def “See you next time.”

In fact,

14

/ Wednesday, June 22, 2022

From left, Michael J. Fox, Euzhan Palcy, Diane Warren and Peter Weir, who will be honored at at the Academy’s 13th Governors Awards on Saturday, Nov. 19, in Los Angeles. >AP

Oscars to honor

Fox, Euzhan Palcy, Diane Warren, Peter Weir All four will be recognized for their contributions to cinema and the world at large

D

Lindsey Bahr – The Associated Press

iane Warren will finally be able to thank the Academy this November.

The oft-nominated songwriter has been selected to receive an honorary Oscar at the annual Governors Awards alongside directors Peter Weir and Euzhan Palcy.

Actor Michael J. Fox will also be bestowed with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said Tuesday.

None have won an Oscar before.

“The Academy’s Board of Governors is honored to recognize four individuals who have made indelible contributions to cinema and the world at large,” David Rubin, the president of the film academy, said in a statement.

The honorary Oscar statuette is given for “extraordinary distinction in lifetime achievement, exceptional contributions to the state of motion picture arts and sciences, or for outstanding service to the academy.”

Warren, 65, is the most recent Oscar nominee in the class, having just been up for the original song award earlier this year. The prolific songwriter who has contributed original songs to more than 100 films has been nominated in the category 13 times since 1987 for songs including “Because You Loved Me,” “How Do I Live” and “I Don’t Want To Miss

artistry whose work reminds A Thing.” She’s worked with artists like Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, us of the power of film to Cher, Celine Dion and Whitney reveal the full range of human Houston. experience,” Rubin said.

Rubin said, “Warren’s music And though perhaps less Michael J. Fox and lyrics have magnified the widely known than the others will be feted with emotional impact of countless in this Governors Awards class, the Jean Hersholt motion pictures and inspired Palcy, 64, has been a trailblazer Humanitarian Award generations of musical artists.”. for decades as a Black woman for his advocacy At age 77, the Australian director. Born in Martinique in work in Parkinson’s auteur Weir, has also received the French West Indies, Palcy research. many nominations over made broke new ground with the year for both directing her debut feature “Sugar Cane “Witness,” “Dead Poets Society,” Alley,” which won the Silver Lion “The Truman Show” and at the Venice Film Festival in “Master and Commander: 1983 and a César Award. She The Far Side of the World,” which also got a best also became the first Black woman to direct a film picture nomination, and writing “Green Card.” A for a major Hollywood studio with MGM’s “A Dry leading voice in the Australian New Wave, Weir first White Season” in 1989, for which Marlon Brando made his name with “Picnic at Hanging Rock,” “The got an Oscar nomination.

Last Wave” and “Gallipoli.”

Rubin said her, “groundbreaking significance in “Weir is a director of consummate skill and international cinema is cemented in film history.”

Fox, meanwhile, will be feted with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for his advocacy work in Parkinson’s research. The 61-year-old “Back to the Future” and “Family Ties” star was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease at age 29. His organization, the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, which was founded in 2000, is a leader in the field. Though he’s never been Oscar-nominated before, Fox has won five Emmys, a Grammy and two Screen Actors Guild award.

“Michael J. Fox’s tireless advocacy of research on Parkinson’s disease alongside his boundless optimism exemplifies the impact of one person in David Rubin, president of changing the future for millions,” Rubin said.

The 13th Governors Awards will be held in Los the Film Academy.

Angeles on Nov. 19 in an untelevised ceremony.

In fact,

The Academy’s Board of Governors is honored to recognize four individuals who have made indelible contributions to cinema and the world at large.

15

/ Wednesday, June 22, 2022

La Tenada: become a member and have your own wine Your own bottle of wine is no longer a dream but a potential reality

I

Juan A. Hernández and Madison Choudhry, The Weekly Journal

f it is true that the more you love something, the more you speak of it, then it would seem the world is madly in love with wine.

When it comes to the number of proverbs pertaining to wine they seem to outnumber the bottles themselves.

The poet Rumi once exalted: “Either give me more wine or leave me alone.” On his part, philosopher Paul Tillich surmised, “Wine is like the incarnation –it is both divine and human”.

Those who claim to love wine speak of it with the same language one may reserve for a lover or a cherished idol. Too many it is more than a drink… it is an experience. And, it is this experience, this personal connection, what drives many to the wine industry.

Nevertheless, while alluring, the time, money, and the all-around know-how required to build a winery is a daunting task. With such dismal prospects many dismiss their dream of creating required is to have a love for wine, and a desire to their own wine even before they start. But, do discover,” said Bodegas Valduero representative not despair would be wine entrepreneurs of the Alfonso González. world. A unique solution has emerged.

Members’ bottles are personalized with a strip La Enoteca, a spirit disruptor on their lower half with his own in San Juan, has teamed up logo, or a word or phrase of with Spanish wine maker their choosing. Members may Bodegas Valduero to offer also sign the lid of their barrel, budding wine entrepreneurs a which will then be hanged novel opportunity. The fortuity on the cave along with those emerges as an exclusive of renown American writer Members’ bottles membership to Bodegas Ken Follet, Spanish fashion are personalized Valduero’s La Tenada, a designer Agatha Ruiz de la with a strip on their venture in which members Prada, soccer star Cristiano lower half with his acquire a wine barrel, holding Ronaldo and world renown own logo, or a word approximately 300 bottles tenor Plácido Domingo, among or phrase of their of 750mL each, of one of others. choosing.

Valduero’s wines, and the La Tenada has only 175 possibility to customize the members, so far, five of which bottles’ label at will. are from Puerto Rico.

As for the wines, each person can choose the one he or she prefers, Your own personal wine starting with a base wine from a 100% For many, the possibility of having their own bottle of wine may had been a faraway dream. But “tempranillo” grape, and up to prized wines valued with over 95 points in international competitions. with La Tenada membership that dream becomes “The owner of a barrel is given the full a reality.

“This is an initiative that allows you to enjoy wine experience, from visiting the Valduero vineyard, at the same level as professionals, sommeliers and where his/her wine is cultivated, to seeing the importers. Here there are no pretensions, because complete elaboration process, culminating with the final product: your own wine,” Ballester Hermanos the club can be for anyone, the only thing that is

In fact,

This is an initiative that allows you to enjoy wine at the same level as professionals, sommeliers and importers.

Alfonso González, Bodegas Valduero

wine specialist Pedro Riollano explained.

The membership includes invitations for 20 people, with 20 wine tastings and meals at the winery’s restaurant. The member could opt for a one time experience accompanied a group of friends and family, or visit several times during his membership, depending on his preference. Also, members could decide to offer the some of the visits to family and friends as a gift.

“This opportunity offers our customers an exclusive experience, which goes beyond the wine in the glass. La Tenada membership achieves an unparalleled connection between the wine and the aficionado. It is much more than a club, it is being part of a unique land that offers its best with each grape,” said Juan A. Riollano, manager of La Enoteca.

Constant updates online 24/7.

TheWeeklyJournal.com

Visit us for updated content on our 24/7 platform.

WeeklyJournal

The