77 minute read
Page 13By A� y. Liangco
17 October 28-November 3, 2021
ENTERTAINMENT Kris Aquino engaged to former DILG secretary Mel Sarmiento
Yes, Maria Clara, Kris Aquino is now engaged.
Manila media splurged with the news about the Queen of All Media and presidential daughter saying she was ready to become the better half of former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Sec. Mel Sarmiento!
On Instagram, Kris also shared a nearly oneminute video showing the two of them looking all cute while teasing each other.
The actress shared on Instagram that while she is proud to be an Aquino, she is looking forward to becoming a Sarmiento.
She also penned a lengthy caption dedicated to her fi ancé.
“To my best friend and the man I said yes to spending the rest of my life with, thank you for, as Bimb said, loving me for me, with no agenda, and for being just an overall good and patient man,” she said as reported by GMA Network, ABS-CBN and other media outlets.
“It’s unreal how much more calm [and] peaceful I feel now that you’re here,” she added. “As much as I am proud to be an Aquino, looking forward na akong maging Sarmiento
Kris also took the time to remember her brother, the late former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III whom she believes is their “matchmaker in heaven who must be smiling now.”
“It’s been exactly four months since we so unexpectedly lost our brother. Sure ako, ayaw niya talagang iwanan si bunso na walang magbabantay at mag-aalaga na siguradong pinagkakatiwalaan niya,” she said.
“We discussed this post and I thought about it carefully… marami kasi sa followers ko ang nagtatanong kung kamusta na ko because matagal na kong nawala,” she wrote in the caption.
“Aamin ako i’m only 95 pounds now. this pandemic and many stressful events that happened since mid August really caused my weight to drop & my health to suff er,” she added.
According to Kris, she and Mel would never have met if it weren’t for Noynoy. As such, she can’t help but thank him for still making sure that she and her kids, Josh and Bimb, are okay.
“You must have known how broken I’d be to lose you, so you made sure there was someone who not only helped wipe away my tears, he’s made it possible for me to smile and laugh again,” she said.
“Dumating nung hindi ko hinahanap o inaasahan—kaya nga tama silang lahat na nagsabi in God’s perfect time,” she added.
Kris revealed the identity of her mystery man in August, when he left a comment on one of her posts.
Mel served as the DILG secretary from 20015 to 2016.
Sarmiento was the third and fi nal DILG secretary under former President Aquino’s term, replacing Mar Roxas, who had tendered his resignation to focus on his presidential campaign, ABS-CBN reported.
Prior to his stint with the Aquino administration, Sarmiento was secretary general of the Liberal Party, the late president’s political party.
From 2010 to 2015, Sarmiento was congressman of Western Samar. Before joining the House of Representatives, he was the vice mayor and later mayor of Calbayog City, until he ran for a congressional seat.
To end her post, Aquino said they have agreed that “what’s personal shall remain private” so she could not share anything more, with one exception.
“Except I guess to say as much as i am proud to be an Aquino, looking forward na kong maging Sarmiento,” she said.
Aquino was formerly married to basketball star James Yap. They had a civil wedding in 2005. They welcomed Bimby two years later in 2007. They separated in 2010, and their marriage was nullifi ed two years later in 2012.
Marco Gumabao mum on rumored romance with Ivana Alawi
Marco Gumabao was needled in the press con of Viva-TV5’s Saturday night drama, “Di Na Muli,” because his photos with vlogger Ivana Alawi were all over the internet that day.
Writers say it’s obvious with the way he held Ivana’s thigh that something romantic is going on between them, but Marco was non-committal. Mario Bautista states in his column.
The columnist added: When someone quipped that he looks like he is in love, he just laughed instead of making a concrete reply. And doesn’t he also look so inspired? “Lagi naman akong inspired,” he said, without elaborating any more.
His leading lady, Julia Barretto, came to his rescue. “Hayaan nyo na lang muna si Marco,” she said. “I’m sure he will talk about it when he is ready. I think everyone is still in shock with the revelation and he is still overwhelmed. Marco kasi is the type of guy na kapag private life niya ang pinag-uusapan, he wants it to remain private lang. ‘Di ba, Marcs?”
To which Marco wholeheartedly agreed. It’s obvious that the two of them are really good friends, but they won’t be romantically linked as Julia’s romance with Gerald Anderson is now an open book.
“Julia and I have been friends for a long time,” said Marco. “We used to get invited sa birthday parties when we were kids with our respective parents. Then when Julia had her 17th birthday, she invited me and we kept our friendship through the years. Nagsasama pa nga kami sa aming vlogs.”
But it’s only now that they got to work with each other. “Di Na Muli” is Julia’s fi rst teleserye project with Viva since she left ABS-CBN and Marco was with Viva earlier than her.
“Di Na Muli” is now being shown on TV5 every Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and also on Cignal and in Vivamax streaming.
Now US-based LJ Reyes says Paolo Contis yet to reach out
Actress LJ Reyes, who is now in the United States, has revealed that her former partner Paolo Contis has yet to reach out to her since their much publicized separation in August.
In an interview with King of Talk Boy Abunda in New York, Reyes said there has been no eff orts done on the side of Contis to talk to her after they parted ways in the Philippines, ABS-CBN reported.
The actress admitted that despite fl ying to the United States, moving on from the past remains diffi cult for her to achieve.
“I want to be honest there are days that I fi nd it diffi cult to...ang hirap nito. Okay, nandito kayo ng mga bata. Kailangan kayanin mo. Halos minu-minuto akong nagdadasal. If not, may mga araw na I don’t feel okay,” she explained in the interview.
“It will be a very long journey, a diffi cult one. Pero, kumakapit na ako sa Diyos,” she added as ABS-CBN reported
When asked if she is ready to forgive Contis, the actress said she is still praying for it to happen. Reyes said she knows she needs to forgive in order to move forward in her life with her two kids.
“It’s a work in progress. Pinagdadasal ko na mapatawad ko siya kasi I know if I don’t forgive him, this very dark emotion will eat me up. And I won’t be able to move on with my kids nang maayos. Yung walang galit. May pain, hindi mawawala yun,” Reyes said.
She also did not bother to dwell too much on Contis’ statement in September that took responsibility on the fallout of their relationship.
Meanwhile, Reyes also expressed gratitude to the support she keeps on receiving.
“Maraming salamat sa inyong lahat. Sobrang laking bagay po sa akin that we feel your love and your support and it really helped me a lot. Para sabihin ko rin sa sarili ko na kaya ko,” Reyes said.
She also revealed that her former partner Paulo Avelino, father of her eldest child Aki, reached out to her at the height of the drama.
According to her, Avelino assured her of his help should there be problems, especially with their son.
“Nagsabi lang siya na I know you are going through a very diffi cult time. Syempre ang iniisip niya rin si Aki. And if anything daw that I need, when it comes to Aki, I can always tell him,” Reyes bared.
For now, Reyes said she is taking everything one step at a time and refused to give a categorical answer when asked if she would be returning to showbiz soon.
“I’m thinking life one day at a time. Ang hirap po magsalita...Hindi ko po alam what’s gonna happen. It’s okay to take your time. It’s okay to give time to yourself to heal, to fi gure out things. Mahirap kung mamadaliin yung mga bagay,” she said.
In September, Reyes broke her silence about her separation with Contis to clarify “twisted information”.
In a one-hour clip on Abunda’s YouTube channel, Reyes opened up about the breakup with Contis which came as a surprise to fans after the actor suddenly wiped out all the actress’ photos on his Instagram account.
Athletes join celebrities in election 2022
Several showbiz personalities and athletes have fi led their certifi cate of candidacy (COC) for their respective positions in the government in the coming election in 2022.
Some of those who submitted their COCs were showbiz re-electionist or have been holding government positions.In Manila, Yul Servo will try to hit the vice mayoral post from being a congressman.
Action star Jerico Ejercito fi led his COC to run for vice governor of Laguna teaming up with former broadcaster Sol Aragones who will run as governor.
In Camarines Sur, actor and comedian TV host Anjo Yllana submitted his COC to run as congressman of the said province. He served as a councilor in Quezon City.
Meanwhile, Richard “Ser Chief” Yap will try once again to be elected as congressman of Cebu City following his defeat to get the same position in election 2019.
In Victorias City, Negros Occidental, Star Magic artist Javi Benitez, boyfriend of Sue Ramirez will run for mayor.
Jason Abalos fi led his candidacy for board member in Nueva Ecija.
In San Juan City, included in the council slate of Mayor Francis Zamora are basketball players James Yap, Ervic Vijandre, Paul Artadi and Don Allado.
When it comes to beauty queen, Bb Pilipinas runnerup and Pinoy Brother housemate Ali Forbes fi led her COC to run as councilor of Quezon City.
Beauty queen-actress Marissa del Mar will also run as representative of OFW (One Filipino Worldwide) Party-list.
19 October 28-November 3, 2021
ENTERTAINMENT ‘Aswang’ is big winner at the 2021 Gawad Urian
The documentary on the war on drugs, Aswang directed by Alyx Arumpac was the night’s big winner at the 44th Gawad Urian awards night, winning Best Picture, Best Director, Best Documentary, and Best Cinematography.
Manila reports showed the ceremony was held on Oct. 21 and streamed via TVUP YouTube and Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP)’s Facebook.
“It’s a recognition from the Philippines and the [Gawad] Urian and that’s probably the most precious thing a documentary fi lmmaker can have,” Ms. Arumpac said in her acceptance speech for Best Picture. “This is a great push towards working and moving forward to this next project and this next season.”
Aswang follows a group of people whose lives have been caught up by the Duterte administration’s ongoing war on drugs which targets drug dealers, users, and criminals. Among them, Brother Jun Santiago, a photojournalist and missionary brother who comforts bereaved families
The fi lm was screened at the 74th Annual Locarno Film Festival in August. It also won the Coup de cœur du Jury award at the 20th edition of the Festival International du Film Insulaire de l’île de Groix (FIFIG) France in August. It also qualifi ed in the Documentary Feature category at the 93rd Academy Awards in April.
Aswang is currently streaming on kTxt, Upstream, and Ticket2Me until Nov. 7. Tickets are priced at P15. Ms. Arumpac also partnered with Active Vista (activevistafest@dakila.org.ph) for free on ground community screening.
Acclaimed fi lmmaker Lav Diaz was, meanwhile, given Natatanging Gawad Urian, or the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Other winners of the evening include: Micko Laurente who won the Best Supporting Actor award for Watch List; while Dexter Doria and Hazel Orencio shared the Best Supporting Actress for their work in Memories of Forgetting and Lahi, Hayop, respectively. Nanding Josef was awarded Best actor for Lahi, Hayop; while Alessandra de Rossi won Best Actress for Watch List.
The ceremony also paid tribute to National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera, who passed away at the age of 89 in September. Mr. Lumbera was a co-founder of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino.
“Salamat, Bien, sa iyong buhay na nagpayaman sa kahulugan ng pagiging Pilipino nating lahat (Thank you, Bien, for your life that deepened our understanding of what it means to be a Filipino),” professor, critic, creative writer and MPP co-founder Nicanor Tiongson said.
Meanwhile, the Natatanging Gawad Urian was awarded to director Lav Diaz.
A portion of his citation reads: “para sa pagsustina ng kapangyarihan ng pelikula bilang sining din ng pagmulat at pagbabago, para sa pagbibigay-inspirasyon sa mga nakababatang direktor at fi lmmaker sa pagtindig laban sa awtoritarianismo at para sa tunay na pagbabago, para sa pagbibigay ng malikhaing tanglaw sa madidilim na yugto na ating pinagdaanan na at patuloy na pagdadaanan pa.” (For sustaining the power of cinema for awakening and change, giving inspiration to young fi lmmakers in standing up to authoritarianism and for real change, and for providing creative enlightenment to the darkest chapter of our lives and will continue to encounter.) (Log in or sign up to view)
Mr. Diaz’s fi lm Lahi, Hayop also bagged Best Screenplay, alongside its recognition for acting awards.
THE MANUNURI ALSO HONORED THE NATATANGING PELIKULA NG DEKADA, OR BEST MOVIES OF THE DECADE, 2010 TO 2019. IT ALSO NAMED JOHN LLOYD CRUZ AS THE BEST ACTOR OF THE DECADE, WHILE THREE ACTRESSES – NORA AUNOR, ANGELI BAYANI, AND ALESSANDRA DE ROSSI – SHARE THE HONOR OF BEST ACTRESS OF THE DECADE.
The Gawad Urian is an annual awards ceremony which has been held since 1977 and is given by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (Filipino Film Critics). It is often regarded as the equivalent of the US’ New York Film Critics Circle.
Below is the full list of winners:
Best Picture
Aswang by AlyxArumpac
Best Documentary
Aswang by AlyxArumpac
Best Short Film
Ola by Mijan Jumalon
Best Animation
HayopKa: The Nimfa Dimaano Story by Avid Liongoren
Best Director
AlyxArumpac for Aswang
Best Actor
Nanding Josef for Lahi,Hayop
Best Actress
Alessandra de Rossi for Watch List
Best Supporting Actor
Micko Laurente for Watch List
Best Supporting Actress
DexterDoria for Memories of Forgetting
Hazel Orencio for Lahi,Hayop
Best Screenplay
Lahi,Hayop by Lav Diaz
Best Production Design
Darrel Manuel for Memories of Forgetting
Best Cinematography
AlyxArumpac and Tanya Haurylchyk for Aswang
Best Editing
JoselitoAltarejos for Memories of Forgetting
Best Sound
Corrine De San Jose forMidnight in a Perfect World
REAL ESTATE Development at Cebu’s SRP district booming, more jobs seen
CEBU CITY – The major developments at the South Road Properties (SRP) district in Cebu City are projected to drive property values in nearby areas particularly the neighboring city of Talisay and to generate employment in Metro Cebu, where economic activity is picking up.
This positive projection was made by Ramero Espina, vice president for sales and marketing of Cebu-based developer Primary Homes, as he sees the big-ticket projects, that have provided many jobs, particularly in construction to the locals, in what is seen to be Cebu’s next biggest business district driving real estate values here moving forward. Espina said in a PNA report by Carlo Lorenciana they are banking on the development of SRP, where various big projects are being undertaken including a resort casino, malls, commercial buildings, arena, and a convention center, among others. SRP is also where Cebu’s soon-to-completed third bridge is located.
The country’s major developers owned by the Gokongwei, Sy, Ayala, and Gotianun families have invested in the SRP district as they see its huge economic potential in the future, especially as soon as the local economy fully reopens.
“The developments in SRP will really change the landscape of Cebu City,” Espina said.
This potential is also a boon to local developers, he said, as it makes their projects appreciate in value, which also benefi ts property investors.
The company’s Almond Drive project, a walk-up condo development in Talisay City near the SRP district which started in 2019, is seeing a growing interest from young professionals here who are looking for good property investment.
He noted that most property buyers now are looking for a progressive and investment-worthy location that gives them access to essential establishments.
“It (the project) is built on a 1.5-hectare property very close to the South Road Properties, Cebu’s next biggest business district where billions worth of investments in retail, real estate, and tourism continue to pour in,” Espina said.
He said they are banking on providing the much desirable condominium home option in this highgrowth area of Metro Cebu.
According to realtor Colliers International Philippines, investors looking to purchase residential properties should consider projects close to Cebu’s major infrastructure developments, including the CebuCordova Link Expressway, which is scheduled for completion in 2022.
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Easing of travel restrictions benefitting PHL property mart
42-hectare township launched in Batangas
MAKATI CITY – The easing of travel restrictions, especially for foreigners, has positive impacts on the Philippine real estate market, a property advisory fi rm said.
Leechiu Property Consultants (LPC) chief executive offi cer David Leechiu said one of the positive outcomes of relaxing travel restrictions for foreigners is the comeback of Philippine off shore gaming operators (POGOs), which accelerated the growth of the offi ce space market before the pandemic.
“With travel restrictions easing up, we anticipate POGOs to start reopening their offi ces and begin to grow by the second quarter of 2022,” Leechiu said in a PNA report.
The POGO sector, where workers are mostly Chinese nationals, has given up around 30 to 40 percent of the offi ce space and a higher rate of vacancy in the residential space amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
“Right now they are in the moat of stability. But when they start expanding again, I think it depends on the rate of expansion, they could easily wipe out all these vacant spaces in the market in the next two years,” he added.
Leechiu also recalled how POGOs grew since 2016 when they are only occupying 200,000 square meters (sqm), to peaking at 1.7 million sqm. before the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Leechiu said both the offi ce and residential properties will be boosted with the return of POGOs in the country.
Aside from POGO, the easing of travel restrictions is also attracting business process outsourcing (BPO) companies to expand in the Philippines.
He added that many BPO fi rms, particularly newcomers, will be putting up their operations in the country. Most of these BPO companies are in the healthcare sector coming from the United States and Europe.
“I think the next administration will have to appreciate that we need more PEZA (Philippine Economic Zone Authority) zones in Manila. We continue to meet new brands, names you never heard before… who are coming to the Philippines for the fi rst time, and they need to be in Manila,” Leechiu said.
PEZA has been pushing for the lifting of the ban on new ecozones in the National Capital Region (NCR) to encourage new investors from the BPO sector to open their operations in the Philippines.
Leechiu emphasized those BPO fi rms that have been in the country for a long time are already expanding in other parts of the country, bringing more jobs and economic activities outside NCR. However, new entrants in the market will have to establish their offi ces in Metro Manila.
Moreover, with the infrastructure projects being established by the government particularly airports, it will attract more tourists to the country and will boost the tourism market, Leechiu said.
He added that direct fl ights coming from abroad to provinces with key tourist destinations will encourage more foreign travelers to visit the country for leisure trips.
“I think tourism will be the biggest industry in the Philippines within 10 years. It will be larger than the BPO sector, it will be larger than the overseas remittances,” Leechiu said.
Pueblo de Oro Development Corp. (PDO), the property development arm of the ICCP Group, announced the launch of a 42-hectare residential, institutional and commercial project, which completes the Group’s 212-hectare “live-work” community development in Malvar, Batangas.
Townscapes Malvar is composed of exclusive residential subdivisions, complemented by fi ve hectares of commercial area and an educational hub.
The development was masterplanned by internationally acclaimed architectural fi rm Pomeroy Studios, whose works include the Kallang Alive in Singapore and BSD Digital Hub in Indonesia.
Townscapes Malvar is adjacent to the Light Industrial Science Park IV, a 170-hectare industrial park for light manufacturing. It is accessible via the South Luzon Arterial road, is a few minutes from Malvar Exit, and a 1.5-hour drive to and from Manila.
Malvar is also an ideal location because of its proximity to the Batangas International Port, which has attracted manufacturing and industrial companies.
Prospective home buyers are also targetted to relocate and settle down in Townscape Malvar’s 15-hectare Pueblo de Oro Residences and 12-hectare Pueblo de Oro Townhomes.
21 October 28-November 3, 2021
NATIONAL NEWS SPORTS NEWS Carlos Yulo world gymnast champion again
TOKYO - Top Filipino gymnast Carlos Yulo is world champion again.
This time he won the gold medal in the vault and a silver in parallel bars at the 50th FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Kitakyushu, Japan.
Yulo’s feat could be a redemption of sort for failure to retain the fl oor exercise title in the event and prior to that any medal at the Tokyo Olympics, where three of his compatriots - Hidilyn Diaz, Nesthy Petecio and Carlo Paalam - copped the Philippines’s fi rst gold in the games and two silvers in boxing.
Yulo, 21, slayed the ghosts of the Tokyo Olympic Games that had haunted him for months with a recordbreaking winning score of 14.916 points in the vault and the silver in the parallel bars where he scored 15.30 points
With his win, Yulo is now the fi rst Filipino to win multiple medals in the world championships. This means an early Christmas for Yulo when he comes come as the Philippine Sports Commission is set to award him at least P750,000 in cash incentives.
Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) chairman William Ramirez lauded the 21-year-old Yulo for winning a gold medal in the vault and a silver in the parallel bars in 50th edition of the annual meet.
“Very happy for Caloy and his coaches, the GAP (Gymnastics Association of the Philippines) leadership and his parents,” said Ramirez. “Sayang yung fl oor exercise and (parallel) bars, tatlong gold sana and perhaps P3 million din iyon.”
The PSC board will meet anytime to decide how much Yulo will receive but reports have it that the Southeast Asian Games gold medalist will pocket incentives ranging from P750,000 to P1.5 million, including an amount somewhere P250,000 to P500,000 for his silver.
Yulo had received P1 million when he copped the fl oor exercise gold in Stuttgart, Germany two years ago and P250,000 for his bronze also in the fl oor exercise in Doha in 2018.
The 21-year-old bested seven other athletes in the fi nals of the vault event after delivering a near-fl awless attempt of a Kasamatsu double twist and a Dragulescu, considered one of the hardest elements on vault.
He scored an average of 14.916, surpassing Japan’s Yonekura Hidenobu who ranked second with 14.866, and Israel’s Andrey Medvedev who earned 14.649.
Earlier, Yulo scored 15.300 in the parallel bars fi nal, behind China’s Hu Xuwei who garnered a scored of 15.466. China’s Shi Cong placed third in the category with a score of 15.066.
Yulo had hoped to add another gold medal to the one he won in the vault apparatus earlier in the day, and appeared to be in good position to do so after topping the qualifi cation for the parallel bars.
However, Yulo was overtaken by Hu, who scored 15.466 on his own routine (8.866 execution, 6.600 diffi culty).
Another Chinese gymnast, Shi Cong, grabbed the bronze with a score of 15.066 (9.066 execution, 6.000 diffi culty).
Shi bumped off Olympic all-around champion Hashimoto Daiki from the podium, who scored 15.000 on his routine.
Yulo’s score was lower than the 15.566 he recorded in the qualifi cation.
Yulo’s double victory came just a day after he failed to defend his world title in the men’s fl oor exercise fi nal.
Yulo has now won two gold medals in the World Championships — the fi rst one being the fl oor exercise event in 2019 which keyed his Tokyo Olympic qualifi cation.
In August, he also missed a podium fi nish in the men’s vault apparatus competition in the Tokyo Olympics.
In 2019, Yulo made history after capturing the Philippines’ fi rst ever gold in the world championships. A year before that, he took home the bronze medal in the event.
PSC approves P750,000 special incentives for Yulo
MANILA – The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Board has approved the granting of P750,000 worth of special incentives for Carlos Edriel Yulo for his double-medal performance at the 2021 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships held in Kitakyushu, Japan.
Yulo is the first Filipino multi-medaled gymnast in the said tournament after claiming the gold medal in the men’s vault with a score of 14.916 points, besting Japanese Yonekura Hidenobu who earned 14.866 points. Yulo also won a silver medal in the men’s parallel bars.
PSC Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez explained that the provisions and technical conditions of Republic Act 10699 also known as the National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act does not cover the annually-held world tilt of gymnastics.
Despite this, the sports agency recognizes the special significance of Yulo’s win and approved the P500,000 and P250,000 incentives for his gold and silver medals, respectively.
Ramirez congratulated and thanked Yulo for this historic win saying, “he has bounced back and showed us all that he is still our world champion in gymnastics.”
Yulo wasn’t able to defend his title in the men’s floor exercise finals but went on to claim two medals in other events.
In 2019, the PSC also granted Yulo P500,000 as an incentive for winning multiple medals in the Southeast Asian Games and another PHP500,000 as qualifying incentives to the Tokyo Olympics.
“Every incentive that he receives is well-deserved. By sheer will and determination, Caloy has created his own niche in the halls of Philippine Sports history. Caloy is truly an inspiration to our youth and Filipino athletes.” Ramirez said.
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A client called me and told me her son is 15 years old but received an audit from the IRS and had collectors calling for him. I asked her if her son was working and that if he had credit cards and she said no! I was merely asking the obvious but I needed to know that was not the case.
I told her that it was possible that his identity was stolen and used to work illegally in the U.S. that’s why the IRS was after him and his credit used to get loans and credit cards. I kid you not, it happens to many on a daily basis. It is not because they are not careful with information but someone could have gone through extreme lengths to steal one or more information from a central database center. It becomes an impossible task to fi nd out how it was stolen but what is even more extreme is the task of stopping and undoing the damage done. Fact too is that he cannot get a new one even if the fi rst one was stolen. That is why it is a good idea to check.
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Skilled nursing facility COVID-19 cases decline
LOS ANGELES - With the continued slowing of COVID-19 transmission countywide, COVID-19 case numbers among staff and residents at skilled nursing facilities have declined from 63 new cases during the week of September 5 to 49 new cases reported the week of October 3. Of the 49 people who tested positive for COVID-19 at skilled nursing facilities; 18 new cases were among skilled nursing facility residents and 31 new cases were among skilled nursing facility staff . Fifty-seven percent of new cases the week ending October 3 at skilled nursing facilities are among staff /residents that are fully vaccinated.
Under a State and County Health Offi cer Order, healthcare workers, including staff at skilled nursing facilities, are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of September 30; those with an approved medical or religious exemption need to be tested once or twice weekly. The latest survey results received this week from skilled nursing facilities indicated that 94% of staff and 89% of residents are fully vaccinated. Skilled nursing facilities are subject to strict infection control precautions and are also required to verify the vaccine status of all workers and conduct routine testing of staff and residents.
Skilled nursing home residents, many of whom are immunocompromised, are eligible for a third dose of Pfi zer COVID-19 vaccine six months after they received their second dose in the series. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) continues to work with staff and residents at skilled nursing facilities to prioritize these most vulnerable residents for additional/ booster doses.
Today, Public Health confi rms 26 new deaths and 825 new cases of COVID-19. Of the 26 new deaths reported today, 10 people who passed away were over the age of 80, eight people who died were between the ages of 65 and 79, four people who died were between the ages of 50 and 64, and four people who died were between the ages of 30 and 49. To date, Public Health has identifi ed 1,479,421 positive cases of COVID-19 across all areas of L.A. County and a total of 26,442 deaths.
There are 632 people with COVID-19 currently hospitalized, and 29% of these people are in the ICU. Testing results are available for nearly 8,911,000 individuals with 15% of people testing positive. Today’s test positivity rate is 0.9%.
“To everyone mourning loved ones and friends who have passed away from COVID-19, you and your family are in my heart and mind,” said Barbara Ferrer, PhD, MPH, MEd, Director of Public Health. “We continue working with nursing homes across L.A. County to ensure every eligible nursing home resident and staff is off ered a third booster dose. Once FDA recommendations are fi nalized and eligibility for Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster doses is determined by the CDC, those who are older and have underlying health conditions should be sure to get their boosters once eligible. Importantly, those who live or work with individuals at higher risk for severe disease should be sure to get fully vaccinated to reduce exposure risks.”
Vaccinations are widely available throughout L.A. County and are always free and open to eligible residents and workers regardless of immigration status. Anyone 12 and older living or working in L.A. County can get vaccinated. Appointments are not needed at many sites and all Public Health vaccination sites where fi rst, second, and third doses are available.
Vaccinated middle and high school students are eligible for free UCLA football tickets. UCLA has partnered with Public Health to give away free tickets to a UCLA football game at the Rose Bowl to middle or high school students in L.A. County who’ve received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, while tickets last. Students aged 12 to 18 who’ve received at least one dose can sign up for the free tickets online by visiting: http:// ph.lacounty.gov/DPHUCLAVaxforTix.
California’s redistricting process gives citizens lead roles
By Mark Hedin, Ethnic Media Services
SAN FRANCISCO - Two members of California’s Citizens Redistricting Commission joined a press briefi ng hosted by Ethnic Media Services on Oct. 11 to discuss the process of drawing new political boundaries for the next decade.
Sara Sadhwani, chair of the commission, and colleague Linda Akutagawa joined Paul Mitchell, a national expert on redistricting and demographics, to discuss the process in California .
“It’s one of the most under-appreciated, but also one of the most important jobs out there,” Akutagawa said. “It’s important that all of us have a voice in this process.”
California is a pioneer in eff orts to end the traditional political “gerrymandering” that for centuries has enabled incumbent politicians to choose their voters via the redistricting process.
Typically, this was done by making districts less competitive, either by “packing” voters expected to vote a certain way together so their views aren’t refl ected in neighboring districts, or “cracking” communities into several larger districts where their voices will be drowned out.
By passing 2008’s Prop. 11 and 2010’s Prop. 20, California voters have tried to de-politicize the redistricting process by taking it out of the purview of state legislators and establishing a nonpartisan redistricting commission. (Prop. 11 only covered the state legislature, Prop. 20 added Congressional districts.)
Both Sadhwani and Akutagawa said they applied to the commission in part to help ensure it would be representative of California’s diversity.
“This would give our community, in this particular case, the Asian American community a voice on the commission,” Akutagawa said.
Following California’s example, another eight states now have redistricting commissions, although debates continue on how to best make them truly non-partisan, for instance, in the process of selecting the commissioners.
“It’s a pretty esoteric idea,” said Sara Sadhwani, chair of the redistricting commission, a mother of three and a professor of political science at Pomona College.
“It’s not something moms sit around talking about on a regular basis, or at the water cooler or over coff ee.”
California, like every other state in the country, is redrawing voting districts based on changes in population in the past decade, as seen in new data from the 2020 Census.
California has growing Latino and Asian communities , noted Paul Mitchell, who runs Redistricting Partners. The Asian community, he said, has not become as widely dispersed as the Latino/ Hispanic community has across the state, tending to instead add population to already established communities. Meanwhile Black populations in California are tending to disperse throughout the state.
Voter turnout patterns also come into play, with Latino voters typically less likely to vote than African American voters.
But racial characteristics aren’t the whole ballgame , Mitchell noted. Voting districts still have to be “compact, contiguous and makes sense,” and also consider “communities of interest” that share, for example, language, culture, schools, commonalities in the amenities and services its people use, or characteristics such as being renters, or being homeowners.
“The idea,” Mitchell said, “is to draw them into districts where they can affect the outcome of an election or they can have better representative or voting power.”
The panel is continuing to hold meetings and hearings, in person and online, to gather community input. Information on these, currently scheduled through Dec. 22, is available at wedrawthelines. ca.gov/hearings/. Final maps have to be submitted to the secretary of state by Dec. 27.
“We’re really in a phase of assessing to what extent can we be responsive to the communities of interest testimony that we received while at the same time upholding our obligations to historically excluded communities under the Voting Rights Act,” Sadhwani said.
California also has a Fair Maps Act that applies to local government redistricting, adding transparency and rules against partisanship or emphasizing incumbent interests.
But, Mitchell said, “just because we’ve changed these laws doesn’t mean we’ve eliminated some of the gerrymandering we might see in local redistricting.”
Mitchell demonstrated proposed maps in Riverside and Orange counties where minority blocks had been “cracked” to where there were no “majority minority” districts, despite those counties’ demographics, thereby diluting their representation.
Redistricting follows close on the heels of the reapportionment process that divides the 435 seats in Congress among the 50 states to ensure that those offi cials all represent the same number of people – now, about 760,066 each.
The 2020 Census found that California has not been growing as fast as other parts of the country since 2010, so it will lose one of its 53 seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Texas, by contrast, will gain three.
So California has to draw new boundaries to divide the state into 52 congressional districts instead of 53.
It also has to establish 80 political districts for the 80 state assembly seats, 40 for the state senate, and four for the State Board of Equalization. ”What does it take to have elected offi cials actually be responsive to the communities they serve? We know communities on the ground have real needs. Those needs and concerns really mean a lot to me,” Sadhwani said.
“We are truly a citizens’ commission. The majority of us are not political individuals. That is truly what we have brought to this commission,” Akutagawa said.
INC: Uninterrupted
By Don Orozco
The Philippines is widely known as the largest christian professing country in Asia. Just ask any Filipino how important spirituality is to them they would readily say it is very important.
An independent survey conducted in 2019, about 83% of those surveyed said that religion is very important to them while only 3% says it is not as important. Religion is very important as Filipinos are naturally spiritual. But then came the pandemic!
This widespread disease called COVID-19 has wreak-havoc not just in the Philippines but from all over the world. Suddenly, everything was put to a stop. The economy and even spirituality was set aside. But thank God not for us congregants of the Iglesia Ni Cristo. In fact INC even grew and expanded from 158 to 159 countries adding the country of Montenegro in the District of the Mediterranean (iglesianicristo.net/ directory).
During the Pandemic, INC has put together and built 164 new houses of worship and repaired around 50 chapels from all over the world costing them around 6.5 billion pesos ( US$130 million). Simply put with 164 new edifi ce, INC is dedicating 1 new chapel to Our Almighty God every 4 and half days. Amazing work of God.
More importantly for us members of INC, our worship service was never ever interrupted by the pandemic. Prior to the government’s implementation of lockdowns from various parts of the globe the Church was fully prepared.
The dynamic leadership of Brother Eduardo V Manalo, Executive Minister of the Iglesia NI Cristo has prepared the members of the Church worldwide. The use of modern technology coupled with hard work from his co-workers in the Ministry as well as Church offi cers was eff ectively implemented whereby we were able to continue our services to Our Almighty God. There was no interruption. INC was uninterrupted in serving God.
That is why we are all the more spiritually invigorated and morally strengthened for all the love and dedication showered to us by our spiritual leader Brother Eduardo. We are all so thankful to him that on his birth anniversary on October 31 all of us will celebrate his birthday by conducting a Worldwide Aid To Humanity or in Filipino “Lingap sa Mamamayan.”
Lingap sa Mamamayan is a philanthropic project of the INC to do good to others. This was initiated by Brother Felix Y Manalo and was continued by Brother Erano G Manalo in the Philippines. Today, with the exponential growth of INC under Brother Eduardo V Manalo, Lingap sa Mamamayan is now worldwide as Iglesia Ni Cristo will always care and do good to our fellowmen. This we will do all for the Glory of God.
The entire membership of the Iglesia Ni Cristo wishes Brother Eduardo V Manalo a blessed and joyous birthday and may God be with him and his family as always.
Community mourns passing of veteran Bay Area journalist
Newsom visits UC Merced, future medical school
By Cherie M. Querol Moreno
Filipino American leaders are mourning the sudden passing of Carmen Hernandez, veteran journalist who wrote for the Guardian in the San Francisco Bay Area and a column about Bay Area Filipino Americans in the Philippine Star in Manila. Prior to immigrating to California some four decades earlier she headed public relations for Jazzie, the premium apparel brand.
Ms. Hernandez passed away peacefully on the evening of October 20, 2021 surrounded by her three children in Sacramento. She was diagnosed with leukemia a few weeks earlier. She was 83.
Holy Mass will be off ered for her at 10:30 am, Saturday, Oct. 30, at our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church on 1 Elmwood Dr., Daly City. Father Rey Culaba will preside. Lunch will follow at the church hall with Ms. Hernandez’ bosom friend Gloria “Goya” Navarrete preparing Ms. Hernandez’s favorite food. “Everyone is invit-
Carmen Hernandez (le� ) loved life, says her bosom friend Goya Navarrete.
ed to attend,” said Navarrete, who hosted Ms. Hernandez at her South San Francisco home for frequent bonding fortnights.
“We were shocked to hear of her serious illness,” Navarrete told Inquirer.net. The two women belonged to a coterie that attended community events and traveled together until recently.
“We were a tight group that enjoyed supporting the same causes,” Navarrete described her friendship with community leaders Anita Sanchez and Erlinda Galeon, who lost their lives to cancer a few years apart. “Now it’s just (former San Mateo County Commissioner on Aging) Marissa Robles and I.”
“Mameng” thrived in company and was quick to participate in socials. When she began tiring easily and complained of weakness, ‘Goya” urged her to see her doctor. Only then did they know the severity of her condition two weeks after her birthday.
Carmen Hernandez was born Oct. 5, 1938, according to Navarrete. She attended the University of Santo Tomas, where her father reportedly was a much-admired professor. He inspired her and sister Alice H. Reyes to take up journalism, utilizing her keen observation and frank description of people and events. In her new home in the Bay Area, she advocated for education, child safety, older adults and healthy relationships.
Friends and allies who would like to attend the memorial may call Goya Navarrete at (650)9229192.
MERCED -- Governor Gavin Newsom has visited the future site of UC Merced’s Medical Education Building, joined by Congressmember Jim Costa, Senator Anna Caballero, Assemblymember Adam Gray and university leaders. Governor Newsom discussed the signifi cance of the future school for the region and its potential benefi t to health outcomes in the long-underserved area of the state.
“The Central Valley community has been living with unfair health outcomes for too long,” said Governor Newsom. “Zip codes shouldn’t be a pre-existing condition. UC Merced’s Medical School will be the fi rst of its kind for the community, providing local students with opportunities to both learn closer to home and serve the communities they grew up in, while also working to confront the most persistent health challenges facing the Central Valley head-on.”
“Establishing a medical school at UC Merced has been a dream for more than 20 years,’ Newsom said. “Today that dream becomes a reality as we establish a branch campus of the best medical school in the country right here in the San Joaquin Valley.”
“The medical school will truly transform the health care landscape in one of the most underserved regions of California. This is by far my proudest accomplishment. I am extremely grateful to Governor Newsom for making Valley health care a priority,” said Assemblymember Gray.
The Central Valley experiences some of the worst health outcomes in the state, while having fewer doctors in the community than other regions. There are 157 medical doctors for every 100,000 residents in the Central Valley, compared with 411 per 100,000 in the Bay Area. Statewide there’s 157 primary care physicians per 100,000 residents, while in the Central Valley there’s less than 45 per 100,000.
The Medical Education Program is a joint eff ort between UC Merced, UC San Francisco and UC San Francisco-Fresno. UC Merced’s proposed Health, Behavioral Sciences and Medical Education Building will be home to the Medical Education Program, Health Sciences Research Institute, and the Departments of Psychological Sciences and Public Health, serving approximately 2,220 undergraduates by 2030.
PG&E wants to provide you with an update on our efforts to restore power to our customers following this weekend’s potent atmospheric river storm
From the arrival of this storm in the early morning of Sunday, Oct. 24, to 6:30 p.m. today (Tuesday, Oct. 26), we have restored 777,000 customers who experienced weather-related outages. For perspective, PG&E has 5.5 million electric customers.
As of 6:30 p.m. today (Tuesday, Oct. 26), about 5,000 PG&E customers are experiencing weatherrelated outages due to wind, rain and snow.
Nearly 99% of all customers impacted by this historic storm have been restored.
Restoration will continue this evening, overnight and into Wednesday.
In terms of where the remaining outages exist, the top three counties still feeling storm impacts are:
San Mateo County - 924 customers
Santa Clara County - 1,161 customers
El Dorado County - 1,597 customers
This has been an all-hands-on-deck storm response by PG&E, with more than 3,000 electric workers and tree workers on the ground assessing damage, making repairs and restoring customers. Hundreds of more PG&E employees are staffing emergency centers and performing other jobs related to the storm response.
We continue to provide estimated restoration times to customers.
Governor Newsom gets Moderna booster, urges Californians to have booster
OAKLAND – Following the FDA’s Emergency Use Authorization approval for COVID-19 booster doses, Governor Gavin Newsom received a Moderna vaccine booster at an Asian Health Services’ clinic in Oakland’s Chinatown, encouraging eligible Californians to get their booster and keep immunity strong, especially as we enter the winter months.
“It’s imperative that we all keep our immunities strong in preparation for the winter cold, fl u and now COVID season, especially for those at increased risk,” said Governor Newsom, who received his initial singledose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine in April 2021 when his age group became eligible. “Getting vaccinated and keeping our immunity strong through boosters is a vital step we can take to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our community — it remains the best way to end this pandemic. Getting a booster is safe, easy, free, and you don’t even have to stick to your original vaccine. This is your chance to continue to keep yourself and your community healthy.”
The Governor was joined today by California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly and community and local leaders who have supported vaccine equity eff orts in the region. To date, Asian Health Services (AHS) has administered nearly 30,000 COVID-19 vaccination doses and 56,000 COVID tests. On October 25, AHS initiated their fi rst public booster dose clinic at a park in Oakland’s Little Saigon area. Last week, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved an Emergency Use Authorization for the Johnson & Johnson and Moderna booster doses, followed by recommendations from both the Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Western States Scientifi c Review Workgroup that included “mix and match,” the ability to receive a booster diff erent from a person’s original vaccine series. The Pfi zer-BioNTech booster was approved in September and has since been available for eligible populations seeking to strengthen their immunities to COVID-19 and its variants. Already, nearly two million Californians have received their booster dose, representing 14.3 percent of the nationwide total recipients as reported by the CDC. The state’s Vaccinate ALL 58 campaign will continue to focus on driving vaccine eff orts in lower-income and non-English speaking communities with cultural competency and in-language services. Its community based organization network, in partnership with philanthropy, is now standing at over 700 organizations and will support outreach and appointment assistance eff orts.
California has one of the highest vaccination rates in the country and the highest of the large states, with nearly 87 percent of the 12-and-over population having received at least one dose. Over the past few weeks, between 45 and 55 percent of all COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered as boosters.
Boosters are recommended for all Johnson & Johnson vaccine recipients who are 18-years and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago. The CDC and Western States Scientifi c Safety Review Workgroup have declared the following groups of Pfi zer-BioNTech and Moderna recipients eligible for a booster dose six months or more after their initial series: 65 years and older
Age 18+ who live in long-term care settings
Age 18+ who have underlying medical conditions
Age 18+ who work or live in high-risk settings
Age 18+ who are at increased risk due to social inequity Booster doses are not required for one to be considered fully vaccinated, but are encouraged for those that are eligible to ensure signifi cant protection from COVID-19 and its variants, especially as we enter the winter months. Booster doses went through the same thorough scientifi c review process as the initial vaccine series and have been proven safe.
Asian Health Services was established in 1974 in Oakland’s Chinatown, and has since expanded to a 12site community health center serving over 28,000 patients in Oakland and its surrounding communities in English and 14 diff erent Asian languages.
“We’re encouraging all eligible community members to come and get their booster shot,” said Mychi Nguyen, M.D., Chief Medical Offi cer, Asian Health Services. “This is the best way to continue to protect yourself against COVID.”
For more information on how to receive a booster in your area and other COVID-19 vaccine information, visit www.myturn.ca.gov.
Upside...
(From Page 11)
Alice Bulos’ family led by daughter Elizabeth and her husband Sonny Ramilo, their children Charity, Clark and Charles with grandchildren and some family members. Photo by Marie Patea/ssf.net
tory month in March. The sub-committee’s recommendation was unanimously approved by the City Council on March 24, 2021.
Today, in commemoration of the 5th death anniversary of Alice Pena Bulos, who lived just across the street for more than 40 years, and while we are celebrating the Filipino American History month, we are here renaming the Westborough Recreation Center to Alice Pena Bulos Community Center. This is truly an appropriate acknowledgment for a life strongly committed to service and community involvement. Mabuhay ang pamana ni Alice! Offl ine
(From Page 13)
pay for rent in nominally decent housing, and buy enough clothes for their kids?
You know nothing, do you Bongbong?
Do you mind if I call you Bongbong? It was a cute nickname when you were young, but good God, sir! You’re already a senior citizen like me.
Know what? I used to have a cute nickname too. I had two, actually. In high school, I was called Django. No kidding. But my older relatives always knew me as Baby Ting. Even when I reached middle age, I was still Baby Ting.
I’m Beting now, of course. One T. Like Sara with no H.
Funny thing though, a few friends still pronounce my name Beteng. It’s kinda mildly irritating, you know? I mean how would you like it if you were called Bungbung?
But I digress.
As I ask, why are you running for president? What do you hope to accomplish?
Please, please, please do not give me motherhood statements like you want to unite the people, lift the lot of the poor, and turn the country into the paradise it was when your old man was president.
Since you haven’t really accomplished anything of note in your decades in public service, what can you really do?
You and I both know the answer. Nothing. You cannot do anything for the people of the Republic of the Philippines.
This is the sad truth.
At least you gave some trolls some form of employment. This way, the hidden, ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses fi nds its way back into the economy.
Good for you, bro.
To end this rather long letter, I humbly ask you to abandon your quest to be president. You are not your father. You are you. And you will never be President of the Republic of the Philippines.
God bless you, Bongbong.
Do you still want to be called Bongbong?
Why don’t I just call you Bong? Or Bobong, maybe?
Health & Wealth (From Page 12)
shipping and handling) in check or order to: ART G. MADLAING, c/o Books Ministry, 701-8th Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94118 Call or text us: (650)438-3531, (415)2726301 or (650)580-7223 Special Off er is good only in the United States. (ART GABOT MADLAING is accredited and commissioned Notary Public and licensed Real Estate Broker (DRE#00635976) in California since 1981. He is founder of FITNESS FOR HUMANITY (aka FITNESS FOR CHRIST) and ACAPINOY. Art is active Evangelist with the GOLDEN GATE CHURCH OF CHRIST in San Francisco, California.
“Reprinted from the column “HEALTH & WEALTH” by Art Gabot Madlaing published in the weekly PHILIPPINE NEWS TODAY. )
PerryScope... (From Page 12) dustry; but it is getting better now with the high demand for truck drivers.
Dwindling workforce
With the dwindling workforce in other industries, it draws away potential truck drivers simply because of the grueling environment that truck drivers have to endure. So why not open immigration opportunities to foreign truck drivers? Europe being highly industrialized could provide experienced truck drivers.
With just a month away from the Black Friday pre-Christmas shopping spree, the problem of truck driver shortage may not be solved soon enough to stop the economic hemorrhaging of America, which could cause the republic to “bleed.”
It’s imperative that the truck driver shortage should – nay, must – be resolved now; otherwise, it could cause chaos that would lead to runaway infl ation, which is now happening in earnest.
At the end of the day, President Biden is urged to use the power of his presidency and do whatever it takes to prevent the economy from collapsing. It’s not too late; however, he has to use extreme measures to stop the bleeding. (PerryDiaz@gmail.com) On Distant Shore (From Page 12)
ing what he called the “hypocrisy” of the US, which he said has been “bullying small nations.”
Clearly, President Duterte has chosen which side to align the country in the growing tensions in the Asia-Pacifi c region. Is it the path Filipinos want to take? Evidently not because surveys after surveys, they have shown complete distrust of the Chinese, and rightly so. It is important that voters consider the stand of the presidential candidates on the ongoing territorial dispute between China and the Philippines, and on the ongoing alliances in the Asia-Pacifi c region because this will aff ect how the country will move forward politically and economically in the next six years.
How do the presidential candidates stand on the issue? Former Sen. Bongbong Marcos agrees with the way Duterte is dealing with China and his ignoring the arbitral ruling. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said he would allow joint exploration of the country’s EEZ (oil, gas and fi shing grounds) with China. Sen. Manny Pacquiao said there was much to be desired in Duterte’s handling of the dispute with China, although he wasn’t clear how to handle it. Vice President Leni Robredo said she would allow Chinese trade and investments but would not deal with them unless they recognized the arbitral ruling on the dispute over the West Philippine Sea. Sen. Bato de la Rosa has not made any comment, but knowing how he kowtows to Duterte, the best bet is he would also kowtow to China. Sen. Ping Lacson said the country needs to align with foreign powers that share our country’s interests in the region.
I’m not at all surprised that Marcos would follow Duterte’s line because from all indications, it was the Marcoses and former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo who opened the door for Duterte to gain China’s support in the 2016 elections. Just last week, Marcos was the special guest of the Chinese ambassador in the opening of the photo exhibit on the Philippines-China relations, which his father, President Ferdinand Marcos initiated in 1975.
Voters should reject candidates who would continue Duterte’s acquiescence and subservience to China. Just as the other issues against the Duterte administration – continuing corruption in the government even in the midst of the pandemic, incompetence in the handling of Covid-19, extrajudicial killings in his deadly drug war, tightening of democratic space, human rights abuses, and lack of decency – his kowtowing to China’s aggressive behavior should be enough reason to reject Duterte and his chosen candidate.
IRS helps taxpayers in 350 languages, expanded child tax credits, other benefi ts
By Jenny Manrique
On the same day that marked the last pandemic-related extension for fi ling taxes, IRS offi cials briefed ethnic media reporters about another major benefi t under the American Rescue Plan — the expansion of the Advance Child Tax Credit.
One of the most widely used tax credits in the country, the plan increased this benefi t for 2021: formerly capped at $2,000, qualifying families can now receive up to $3,000 for each child between the ages of 6 and 17 and $3,600 for those under the age of six. To be eligible, children must be these ages as of December 31, 2021.
Half of these advance payments began to be issued as of July 15, 2021, in monthly installments, and the other half can be claimed with the 2021 tax return. This benefi t is expected to help more than 39 million households.
“The new law enhances the credit by making it fully refundable for certain taxpayers,” said Ken Corbin, Commissioner of the Wage and Investment Division and Chief Taxpayer Experience Offi cer, at the IRS, speaking at an EMS briefi ng Oct.15. “This means that taxpayers can benefi t from the credit, even if they don’t have earned income or don’t owe any income taxes.”
The IRS has provided three virtual tools for families to verify whether they can access this benefi t. The fi rst is the Eligibility Assistant, which allows a parent, another family member, guardian, or caregiver to determine if they qualify for the tax credit by answering a series of questions about themselves and their family members.
“This includes those taxpayers who could be experiencing homelessness, low income households and other underserved groups,” Corbin said. The IRS has partnerships with over 5,000 homeless shelters, which can provide their mailing address for homeless people to receive their payment.
The second tool is the Non-fi ler Sign-up Tool to report qualifying children of those taxpayers who are not required to fi le a 2020 tax return, or have a gross income less than the applicable standard deduction amount, and have a main residence in the United States for more than half a year.
The third tool is the Update Portal that allows families to enroll or exclude themselves from advance payments if they have already received them, add or remove benefi ciaries, report a change in their marital status or income, change the form of receipt from a paper check to direct deposit, change account numbers to which the payments are directed and update their address.
“Taxpayers may prefer to claim the full credit when fi ling their 2021 tax returns next year,” added Corbin. All of these tools are available in English and Spanish.
Advanced payments are not subject to federal income taxes nor are they counted as income when determining eligibility for amounts of benefi ts or assistance under federal programs such as unemployment benefi ts, food stamps, or Medicaid.
Singles and couples who have social security numbers can claim the earned income tax credit even if their children don’t have a SSN. This is important for undocumented families where parents can request an Individual Taxpayer Identifi cation Number (ITIN).
“In January 2022, the IRS will be sending recipients of the advanced child tax credit payments and the economic impact payments, a letter that tells them how much they received in 2021. This information is important to make sure that when they fi le their 2021 returns.
Cebu City ‘very low risk’ for Covid-19: OCTA
From OCTA Research Group
CEBU CITY – Cebu City is now classifi ed as “very low risk” for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) as of October 26, according to the OCTA Research Group.
In its latest report, the group noted that the average daily attack rate (ADAR) in the city is low at 1.72 per 100,000 population.
“Its reproduction number is 0.42, healthcare utilization is 19 percent while testing positivity rate is just 2 percent,” the report read.
Meantime, the NCR (National Capital Region), the provinces of Rizal, Cavite, Bulacan, Batangas, and Davao City are classifi ed as low risk.
NCR’s reproduction number is 0.52 with an ADAR of 6.73 per 100,000 population. Its positivity rate is at 6 percent and its healthcare utilization is at 35 percent.
“Healthcare utilization in Cavite, Bulacan, Batangas, and Davao City were all healthy at less than 60 percent. In Rizal, healthcare utilization was also less than 60 percent, but the intensive care unit occupancy was at a critical level at 94 percent,” the OCTA Group said.
The provinces of Laguna and Pampanga are still classifi ed as moderate risk for Covid-19 because their testing positivity rates are still greater than 10 percent. Overall, the number of cases nationwide continues to drop this month, with only 3,218 new coronavirus cases reported for October 27
Your COVID-19 queries
PHILIP S. CHUA
Heart of Hope
Following our series of articles on COVID-19 the past few weeks, we have received more than two dozen questions from our readers. We have integrated them in this Q&A:
Are the vaccines safe for those pregnant?
Yes, the COVID-19 vaccines are safe for pregnant mothers, proven by the millions of shots administered to women in the various stages of pregnancy. The FDA strongly recommends the vaccines for those who are pregnant to prevent pre-term abortion/miscarriages and death of fetus in the womb.
Does the vaccine alter the DNA?
This is a myth propagated in the social media. The vaccine does not alter the DNA, does not have a virus in it, does not cause COVID-19 or Alzheimer’s, does not have a micro-chip in it, does not change a person’s blood type, and does not cause infertility or cancer or any other disease among healthy individuals.
How eff ective are the vaccines for kids?
Pfi zer, for one, reported its new “lower-dose COVID-19 vaccine showed 90.7% effi cacy (95% CI 67.7-98.3) against symptomatic infection for kids ages 5 to 11. The FDA is releasing its fi nal approval of this vaccines for this age group. Children eligible to get the vaccines should get it to be safe. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there were 130,000 new COVID-19 cases among kids for the week ending October 14, 2021, alone. The cases among children are on the rise and so with hospitalization.
The stupid mandate against masked by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and the dangerous medically-baseless ideas of other arrogant leaders like her have obviously contributed to the gravity of the pandemic across the nation. It is one thing to mandate in favor of a protective strategy; it is another to mandate against one and endanger people. Are they epidemiologists? These politicians could be challenged in court and held liable for their words and actions. Why don’t they follow the federal guidelines?
Any new ingredient in the Booster?
No, the ingredient in the Booster shot is the same as the fi rst two shots. So, individuals who had any brand of the two shots and did not develop any complications will also most likely not have any untoward reaction to the Booster, which is not a new formulation. The booster is specially benefi cial for those who are at high risk, those immunocompromised, and those who have co-morbidities (high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, COPD, asthma, etc.).
What if I skip the Booster?
The immunity/protection (antibody titer) following the fi rst two shots of any brand of COVID-19 vaccines wanes after 6 months (the titer goes down to around 60 percent or so from the 90-95 percent titer level conferred by the vaccines), so the immunity is reduced by about 40 percent. This fi gure represents the risk after 6 months. Getting the Booster will raise the antibody titer (protective immunity) back up to 95.6 percent or higher. This is the right way to go, even for children. Discuss your concerns with your physician.
What is mix-and-match?
Clinical studies have shown the safety and effi cacy of giving one brand of the COVID-19 vaccines for the fi rst shot (example: Pfi zer’s) and a diff erent brand (Moderna’s) for the second shot. The same thing with the Booster: If one had Pfi zer or Moderna for the fi rst 2 shots, the booster shot could be either of the two. If equally available, take the same brand for the second shot or for Booster. If not, mix and match is similarly safe and eff ective.
How long do I stay test-negative?
After testing negative for COVID-19, a person remains negative as long as he/she does not get exposed to, or actually get the SARS-CoV2 virus form people who have the virus (even if they do not have symptoms). A negative test in the morning could turn positive when tested the same afternoon or the following day if the individual does not wear facemask and does not do social distancing and get exposed to infected persons. The risk of negative turning into positive is at least ten times higher among the unvaccinated, unprotected.
Is natural immunity better?
No, natural immunity is not as protective, not as stable, and not as long-lasting as the immunity from the vaccines. Natural immunity will not be suffi cient to protect people from getting COVID-19 (again). Many unvaccinated individuals who have died from COVID-19, did not survive to benefi t from natural. The best strategy is to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Did the court rule on a vaccine-mandate?
Yes, according to the Wall Street Journal, ”In nearly every instance, COVID vaccine mandates are holding up in court,” just like the federal mandate requiring all children to have the required vaccinations before enrollment which has held up for decades and protected billions of children around the world. Medically speaking, only a prompt federal vaccine mandate for all eligible persons will end this pandemic in the United States sooner than later. The body of the unvaccinated acts as a host and becomes a reservoir-factory of the virus, where it replicates and mutates to a deadlier strain, which will exponentially spread to millions more and prolong this pandemic. Without a host, the virus self-destruct.
Is there a pill for COVID-19?
While hundreds of potential oral medications to prevent or treat COVID-19 are undergoing clinical trials, Merck’s COVID-19-antiviral pill is the only one so far scheduled to be reviewed and scrutinized by the USFDA on November 30, 2021.
Are you against the freedom of choice?
No, I am not against civil rights or personal liberty to choose, as long as the choice does not cause harm or kill other people. Let me echo my rhetorical questions to clarify my sentiment about freedom of choice: Does a driver of a school bus full of children have the right to choose to drive the bus over a cliff because he does not want to live anymore? Would you allow people who have active tuberculosis or any deadly infectious disease, who refuse treatment (as their constitutional right) to spread the disease and kill thousand others? Would a federal mandate to compel these persons (like those who refuse the COVID-19 vaccines) to get the shots to protect them and the general public not be justifi ed?
Sadly, the abuse of freedom, political correctness, and cancel culture today are standing in the way of safe public health. I strongly believe national societal interest and safety must always prevail over individual civil rights, especially in a pandemic which has so far killed more than ¾ of a million around the world. King Solomon must be turning in his grave. Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international medical lecturer/author, a Health Advocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian foundation in the United States. Websites: philipSchua.com, Today.SPSAtoday.com, and FUN8888.com Email: scalpelpen@gmail.com
Overcoming Loss
Q: “My beloved wife of 30 years just passed on. I am not at all embarrassed to tell you that almost every day I cry my heart out longing for her. It has been two months and I still couldn’t believe that when I wake up, I would not fi nd her beside me. At times when I am at work, I automati-
Lovelife Special cally dial our number at home expecting her to pick up the phone then I would just bawl in PTR. DANTE & CYNTHA VELUZ grief. I am just forcing
myself to work and I try to stay late so that I will go home feeling so tired and sleepy. Of course our grown-up kids come and visit me very often, try to take me out and invite me to stay with them but I feel I still want to savor my wife’s presence in the house despite the fact that everything in it brings me deep sorrow. Some of my good friends are trying to help by teasing me about this lady at church just to divert my attention. Somehow I become more depressed and off ended because I still feel so much in love with my wife. Instead of looking for another person to love, I am rather asking the Lord to take me home as well. I feel so lonely and helpless.
A: We cannot underestimate the grief and the sense of loss that you have right now. We know that even in the word of God, the Bible, a time is set aside for grieving. It is a blessing, though, that for us Christians that the hope we have in Jesus carries us through these hard times of sorrow and pain. He is the Prince of Peace and He will bring you peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7). The Holy Spirit is our Great Comforter. More than ever, this is the time to fi nd solace in and to draw closer to God, who is your very help in times of need.
By the way you sound, we can sense that you are a godly man and that you most probably believe that your wife is in a better place. The Bible says, “Absence from the body means at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). This should help comfort you that one day all those who have received Jesus into their hearts as their Lord and Savior will still see each other in heaven. What joy this reunion will be!
For now, since you cannot help thinking about your wife, we advise you to thank God every time you recall good and happy memories. This will focus your mind in God instead of on your grief. It is normal and healthy to give a good cry once in a while but you also have to think about your health as well. Remember that there are still people who need you. Should anything untoward happen to you, just imagine how much greater their grief would be. Perhaps you might want to consider them and the other people who care for you as well. We suggest you accept you children’s invitation to stay with them so you will be able to comfort one another. We believe they are also suff ering as much although they are trying to stay strong for the only parent they have left.
Some friends are well meaning but sometimes their timing may be off . Just take their teasing you as their way of trying to make you come out of your loneliness. Do not take it against them but you can also be frank to them about how you feel. On the other hand, they may be insinuating something for you to consider in the long run, that is to fi nd another partner who can give you comfort and happiness just as your deceased wife did. This does not mean you will forget your wife altogether but we are sure she would have not wanted you to brood but rather be happy in your life, too. We know a man in the same predicament as yours who was married even longer than you were. The solution he found was to marry a lady he knew before only after a short time of much grieving.
Meanwhile, you can join friends and church mates in worthwhile activities, which would require giving of yourself away, for instance, visiting the sick and those in prison and perhaps sharing your faith. The more you share your life with other people, the more you add meaning to it. The Bible says, “Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5). After the time of weeping, then it is time to move on. The earlier you can stash away your wife’s clothes and things in a box or give them away, the better it will be for you. Memories may remain; sometimes the pain doesn’t still go away, but do not stop living a full life. Jesus wants you to fulfi ll the destiny He has set before you. Shalom, our brother!
INSPIRATIONAL ARTICLE FOR THE WEEK
WORRYING WHAT OTHERS THINK
By TIM PEDROSA Don’t worry about what others think. Just focus on yourself and be positive. Some people are always negative, so don’t let it bother you. We all want to be liked and appreciated for our talents, our good nature, our sparkling personality. But when we start to rely on what other people think of us; when and we make their opinion key to our success, we get into trouble. When we give over our power to others and allow their impressions to become how we perceived, we lose out on who we really are because the only reality we can see is how we believe others see us. People may know our name, not our story. They have heard what we have done, but not what we have been through. So let us take their opinions of us with a grain of salt. In the end, it is not what others think, it is what we think about our self that counts. Sometimes we have to do exactly what is best for us and our life; not what is best for someone else. So, I have learned to stop worrying about other people’s understanding me. I get in touch with myself instead; focus on what makes me happy, what makes my soul feel at peace. I have realized that life becomes so much more fulfi lling when I am just simply myself; that the world keeps spinning whether people understand me or not. We will never be happy if we constantly worry what others think about us. Let us worry about our character and not our reputation because our character is who we are and our reputation is only what people think of us.
Discerning Heart
Discernment is a deeply well thought, well considered, making of decision. When we discern it means that the matter being considered is very important. Our life with God and our life of faith are matters of importance. God can Afl ame The Heart never be secondary, but rather utmost priority. REV. JOSE PELAGIO A. PADIT, SThD Therefore, obedience to His Holy Will and to His commandments is the foundation of all our making of decisions and discernments. If we are serious with our faith and love of God, all our decisions must be done mindful of God’s commandments and teachings.
An important lesson we can learn from the reign of king Saul, please read 1 Samuel 15: 10 – 23. King Saul won the battle against the Amalekites. However, according to the command of the Lord, everything about the Amalekites was put under a ban of destruction. Thus, all must be destroyed. But as to Saul’s thinking and decision, he spared some sheep and oxen, the best from the spoils of war, with the intention of making them as off erings to be sacrifi ced to the Lord God. But God through His prophet Samuel told Saul that he has sinned against the Lord. Prophet Samuel said: “Does the Lord delight in burnt off erings and sacrifi ces as much as in obedience to the Lord’s commands? Obedience is better than sacrifi ce, to listen, better than the fat of rams. For a sin of divination is rebellion, and arrogance, the crime of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, the Lord in turn has rejected you as king.”
To our human thinking, especially with our pragmatic and contemporary mentalities, we may take the side of Saul, we could say, “his intention was right, even exemplary as to think of off ering to God.” Yet, very clear to us, that it is not about what we think, but it is about what God thinks. It is not about what is valuable to us, but what is of value to God. It is not about our will, but about His Divine Will. Obedience to God’s commands must be the basis of all our discernments. Our hearts will attain its fullest joy when it truly chooses and does whatever comes from the Divine Will. Our human will, power of choice, fl ows and is only a participation of God’s Freewill. If our human will deviate from the Divine Will; then, it gains no merit and purpose. To serve our own whims, interests, plans and making decisions only for our own purposes, especially in the realm of faith and morals, will impoverish our human will. Our will will be lost in itself; we are lost from God’s company as well.
We cannot mess with God’s Will and commands. We cannot pretend to be more intelligent than God. We deceive ourselves to consider that our plans are better than His plans, and that we know what is best for us; as if God does not know what is truly best for us. Arrogance or presumption is a crime of idolatry, as mentioned above; idolatry, because it means we put our ego in place of God’s Lordship in our lives. In all our decisions, in all moments of discernment, we cannot let our hearts wander away from God’s commands. I understand, dear reader, we all struggle to obey. It is not easy sometimes to obey God’s commandments. It is not easy at times to put into practice Christ’s teachings. However, God promised us abundant blessings, abundant life, if we obey and listen to Him, for instance see in Deuteronomy, “The Lord will love and bless and multiply you…(7: 12-15)”; or, “…Blessed be the fruit of your womb, the produce of your soil and the off spring of your livestock, the issue of your herds, and young of your fl ocks… (28: 1-6).” In discernment, we have to focus on the outcome; not on the diffi culties that might be involved; for when we are serving the Lord, He will not be blind to our plight, but rather will succor and vindicate us if we will be in trouble. We struggle in obeying because we think that we lower ourselves; but rather, it is then that we are lifted up. We are not made less when we obey, rather the contrary, we are made great. Let us pray: Lord Jesus, You are obedient to the Father’s will and commands even accepting death on the Cross. Empower our hearts to always choose to obey. Bless our making of decisions. May our hearts discern well as to consider not only for what is of temporal benefi ts, but more so for what is of eternal value. Amen. You may fi nd this article in my website, faithexpressions.org; view us too in YouTube, Faith Expressions, for other adult faith formation refl ections.
Recipe of the Week
Beef Spareribs Adobo with Oyster Sauce
Ingredients:
1 kilo beef spareribs, cut into serving pieces 1/2 head garlic, crushed 1/2 tbsp. peppercorns 1 thumb size ginger, sliced 2-3 bay leaf 1 stalk lemongrass trimmed, crushed 1/3 cup white vinegar 1/4 cup soy sauce 2-3 tbsp. oyster sauce 1 tbsp. brown sugar salt to taste
Cooking procedure:
In a thick sauce pan put all ingredients add enough water to cover meat and bring to a boil. Set heat to medium low and simmer for 45 to 90 minutes or until beef are tender and the meat start to separate from the bones. Remove all scum that rises, add more water if necessary. Correct saltiness and sweetness according to taste, set heat to low and continue to simmer until liquid is reduced to almost dry Serve with a lot of rice.
Upgraded Camiguin airport ready for tourists as province holds Lanzones Festival
MAMBAJAO, Camuigin - The newlyupgraded Camiguin Airport started accepting tourists on October 25 in time for the province’s popular Lanzones Festival.
This as plans to further expand the improved airport to accommodate larger aircraft was unveiled by the Department of Transportation (DOTr).
Last week, the DOTr together with Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) inaugurated the improved and upgraded Camiguin Camiguin Airport in Mambajao.
The Camiguin Airport development project covers a comprehensive improvement of landside and airside facilities in the airport, including the fi re station building, the development of the airport’s passenger terminal building (PTB), the administration building, the construction and improvement of the CAAP Security and Intelligence service building, and the asphalt overlay of runway.
Secretary Arthur Tugade said as Camiguin reopens its economy and welcomes tourists starting on October 25, the completed transport facilities and infrastructure projects will augment the recovery not only of the province but the region as well.
In view of the threat of the pandemic and lanzones scarcity, the island province is Beef Spareribs Adobo with Oyster Sauce celebrating its annual Lanzones Festival virtually, Governor Jurdin Jesus Romualdo said.
Romualdo said festival-related events will be held but on a smaller scale.
Due to erratic weather patterns, they expect an abundant harvest in December or January next year, way beyond the festival season.
Camiguin’s lanzones are considered the sweetest because of the island’s volcanic soil.
“We will still celebrate it to show the people of Camiguin that there is still hope amid the pandemic and low harvest. Even if we have a scant lanzones yield, the spirit of the Lanzones Festival will still be there to keep the morale of the Camiguinons,” he said at the sidelines of the inauguration of the newly rehabilitated Camiguin Airport.
In its 42nd year, the Lanzones Festival 2021 activities from October 24 to 31, can be viewed through online streaming on social media.
Among this year’s activities are the special votive Mass for all parishes in Camiguin on October 24; TikTok dance challenge, October 24-30; online agri-tourism trade fair, October 25; “paksoy” or costume design competition, October 26; the festival king and queen contest, October 28; and inter-municipality cooking contest, October 29.
The festival will also coincide with the reopening of Camiguin’s tourism industry, which is expected to boost the local economy.
Romualdo said the provincial government had to order the temporary closure of resorts and tourist destinations and prohibition of entry of tourists since last year as the cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the country started to shoot up.
Before the declaration of the national health crisis, Camiguin recorded more than 800,000 tourist arrivals per year.
The number of visitors usually peak during the Lenten season and Lanzones Festival.
Secretary Tugade, with offi cials of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), inaugurated the improved and upgraded Camiguin Airport in Northern Mindanao, before its reopening on October 25.
The completed projects included the fi re station building, passenger terminal building, administration building, CAAP Security and Intelligence Service building, and runway asphalt overlay.
Tugade said as Camiguin reopens its economy and welcomes tourists next week, the completed transport facilities and infrastructure projects would augment the recovery not only of the province but the region, as well.
“If Camiguin is indeed a beauty, which it is, it needs to be given mobility and connectivity for the people of Camiguin, so that the energy and sweetness of Camiguin will be seen, felt, and experienced again,” he said.
It has been almost two years since Camiguin closed its borders to tourists due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
Meanwhile, to further develop the Camiguin Airport, future projects such as the expansion and improvement of check-in and pre-departure areas, the provision of a control tower, and the improvement of the vehicular parking area are also slated to be done.
A feasibility study on the development of the airport to accommodate larger aircraft and jet aircraft operations has also been proposed for next year.
“By next year, we will make a feasibility study where we can locate and improve the existing (airport) runway. The airport (capacity) depends on the size and width, as it also depends on the kind of airplane (it can accommodate). Now if there will be international fl ights from smaller airplanes, it can become an international airport,” CAAP Director General Jim Sydionco said.
Except for the suspension of the operations of tourism sites, the island’s economic activities have been sustained, with stores and food establishments still open to residents, Romualdo said.
“Our economy was not at all crippled by the pandemic. Our local government-initiated infrastructure projects have continued, and (the) infl ow of basic commodities from the mainland has not been hampered,” he said.
He added that it was a good thing that small- and medium-sized resorts have no outstanding bank loans so they were spared from having to suff er from debts and fi nancial burdens.
Candice Naomi Dael, the provincial tourism offi cer, estimated that the island’s tourism sector has lost PHP2 billion since March 2020 due to the pandemic.
Dael said the fi gure was computed based on the daily expenditures of a tourist while staying in Camiguin before tourism activities were suspended.
These expenses include souvenir items, food, rentals, transportation fares, entrance fees, hotel, and other accommodations.
Romualdo said the reopening of the island to tourists could be seen as a return of the people’s livelihood and income.
For instance, he said, a seller of “kiping” (a circular wafer made of cassava and topped with caramelized muscovado sugar) used to earn as much as P3,000 to P5,000 a day.
