The Filipino Press: January 14-20, 2022

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San Diego’s No. 1 Source of News & Information for the Filipino Community • An Award-Winning Newspaper Since 1986 January 14, 2022 - January 20, 2022

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Philippines secured $800M worth of loans for COVID-19 booster shots -- DOF

MANILA, -- The Philippines has so far secured $800 million or about P40 billion worth of loan financing from multilateral development banks to ensure adequate government funds for the procurement of COVID-19 booster shots, the Department of Finance (DOF) said recently.

In a statement, the DOF said it has signed a $250-million loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and another $250-million loan deal with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in December 2021.

Likewise, a $300-million loan accord with the World Bank (WB) was also inked in December.

Finance Undersecretary Bayani Agabin said the DOF is waiting for the opinion of the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the effectivity of the financing agreements.

"We expect everything, we expect [these loans] to be effective around, towards the latter part of January. So that will give us funds to purchase our COVID booster shots," said Agabin.

The Finance official also said that the DOF withdrew $80 million from the World Bank’s $500-million 4th Disaster Risk Management Development Program with a Catastrophic Deferred Drawdown Option (CAT-DDO4) last December 27 to support the national government’s disaster relief and

Nurse Sonia Saballa (left) administers a Covid-19 vaccine to Lizel Labador, 12, accompanied by her stepmother Ma. Lourdes Valdez, during the first dose vaccination inside a classroom in Phil. The Food and Drug Administration has earlier approved the use of Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 jabs for the 12 to 17 age group. Also, read story on : PHL secured $800M worth of loans for COVID-19 Booster Shots on this week-end's issue (MNS photo) rehabilitation efforts in provinces devastated by Typhoon Odette. ?"Within the week we will draw again $120 million from the same

loan facility from the World Bank, that’s equivalent to P6 billion to fund the rehabilitation and recovery efforts in connection with ‘Odette’,"

Eye on Health Meet Dr. Gregory Stainer, M.D., F.A.C.S.

By Adam Behar NATIONAL CITY, CA -According to experts, it takes 10,000 hours of practice to become an expert at something.

Now, think about vision correction surgeries like LASIK. How many LASIK surgeons in San Diego County have over 10,000 successful operations under their belt?

Maybe there are others, but I know of only one surgeon who meets this criterion – Dr. Gregory Stainer, a highly regarded ophthalmologist with American Eye Associates. A group of top-tier eye specialists and surgeons, American Eye Associates recently opened a new center in National City, on Plaza Boulevard, to go with existing locations in Chula Vista, El Cajon, and El Centro.

In addition to vision correction (LASIK & PRK) services, the specialists and surgeons at American Eye Associates provide: • Cataracts treatments • Astigmatism Correction • Cornea treatments • Dry Eye • Glaucoma • Retinal Care All of the specialists affiliated with American Eye Associates graduated from elite medical schools and received training at the best institutions—and Dr. Stainer, M.D., F.A.C.S., is no exception.

He began his medical career at

prestigious Northwestern University in Chicago, completing his internship at Northwestern Hospital and his residency at the University of Wisconsin.

And while, as you’d expect, Dr. Stainer has an M.D. next to his name, you’ll notice he has also earned an F.A.C.S., which stands for “Fellow of the American College of Surgeons.” This indicates that Dr. Stainer’s education, training, professional qualifications, surgical competence, and ethical conduct have passed a rigorous evaluation, and have been found to be consistent with the highest standards. He completed his fellowship training for Corneal & External Diseases at the University of California, San Diego.

Known for being quick, safe and highly effective, LASIK surgery is an alternative to glasses or contact lenses, and continues to be one of the most popular vision correction procedures.

Commissioner Caesar Dulay have issued Revenue Regulations (RR) No. 22-2021 extending the tax filing and payment deadlines in the

See PHILIPPINES on

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Mayor Gloria Lays Out Clear, Decisive Path Forward on City’s Biggest Challenges MAYOR FOCUSES STATE OF THE CITY ADDRESS ON SOLUTIONS TO HOMELESSNESS, HOUSING, INFRASTRUCTURE, PUBLIC SAFETY

During LASIK surgery, Dr. Stainer uses a special type of laser to change the shape of the domeshaped clear tissue at the front of your eye (i.e., the cornea).

LASIK technology continues to evolve at a rapid rate, he says, noting that American Eye Associates employs the very latest in LASIK technology.

“The laser technology has evolved to the point where it's very easy on the patient," says the doctor.

“In the old days, if you had a small correction, we could do it maybe in a minute, or a minute and a half.

Nowadays, we do small corrections in under five seconds and larger corrections in under 20 seconds.”

Also, most patients today, says Dr. Stainer, don’t experience glare, halo, or the so-called ghosting effects associated with older LASIK technologies. “What we have is just an unbelievable technology. I don't know how it can get any better.”

According to Dr. Stainer, the LASIK procedure includes three phases: Phase 1: Patient completes eye exam. Doctor checks for irregularities in the eye.

The first step is to ensure you are a viable candidate for the LASIK procedure. For example, if the tests revealed that you have an existing eye disease, such as early glaucoma or early cataracts, then you’re probably not a good candidate for See EYE ON HEALTH on

said Agabin.

Agabin also said Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez and Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR)

six regions declared by President Rodrigo Duterte under a state of calamity because of Odette.

These are the regions of Mimaropa (Mindoro-MarinduqueRomblon—Palawan), Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao and Caraga, which were declared under a one-year state of calamity starting December 21, 2021.

All December 2021 deadlines for filing and payment of tax returns, filing of tax refund applications (including of 12% value-added tax or VAT), processing of VAT refunds, as well as the statutory period to issue assessment notices and warrants of distraint and levy were moved 30 days later to various dates in January 2022 under the RR. — Ted Cordero/KBK, GMA News Covid-19 self-test kits may ease demand for swab tests -- FDA The use of self-administered Covid-19 test kits could ease the high demand for swab testing once they get regulatory approval and become widely available, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officerin-charge Oscar Gutierrez said Thursday.

In a televised public briefing, Gutierrez said the Department of Health (DOH) would release guidelines on the proper use of the self-test kits so that persons

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SAN DIEGO, CA -- In his second State of the City address as the 37th Mayor of San Diego, Mayor Todd Gloria tonight spoke decisively and unflinchingly about some of the most pressing problems facing the City of San Diego – specifically, the City’s homelessness and housing crises, the decades-in-the-making infrastructure backlog and public safety amid rising crime.

He was frank about the difficulty of addressing the challenges facing San Diego.

“I’d love to rehash the past year's many wins on climate, transportation, fiscal discipline and more – and to celebrate the people and organizations who made them happen because I’m proud of them,” Mayor Todd Gloria said. “But the last two years have left all of us short on patience for happy talk.”

But the Mayor ultimately struck an optimistic tone, pointing out that the city is in a transitional period and declaring it “ready” to turn the corner and take its place among the greatest in the United States.

“I ran for this office on the promise of reinvigorating San Diego with a jolt of big-city energy, fostering a culture of “YES” that will help us ascend to our rightful place as one of the greatest cities in the country,” said Mayor Gloria. “As I consider the progress we’ve made and the work the lies ahead – I can say that the State of our City is ‘ready.’”

HOMELESSNESS Devoting the largest segment of his address to the homelessness

crisis, Mayor Gloria detailed the progress the City made in 2021 on building out its comprehensive, coordinated system of outreach, shelter and supportive housing.

“Let’s be clear,” he said. “Under no circumstance is it compassionate to let a person live on the street.”

Recognizing that housing is the ultimate solution to homelessness, the Mayor noted that 132 new apartments for chronically homeless San Diegans were created last year, and that nearly 1,000 more are in the pipeline in 2022. He also pointed out that the City has added more than 200 temporary shelter beds since April 2021 – a 21 percent increase – and that the city is actively vetting multiple locations for additional beds.

While the City augments services for those who accept help, there is a sizable segment of the unsheltered

population that is not capable of making the decision to seek assistance, Mayor Gloria said. To help those San Diegans, the Mayor said he intends to pursue legislation to reform state conservatorship laws.

“One of our society’s most egregious failings is neglecting to care for people suffering from severe mental illness,” the Mayor said. “So, this year, I am pushing for state action on conservatorships so that people who cannot help themselves aren’t left vulnerable to the dangers of life on the streets.”

HOUSING The housing-affordability emergency was a major focus for Mayor Gloria in 2021, when he launched his “Homes For All of Us” initiative, which includes two Housing Action Packages containing See MAYOR GLORIA on

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2 • January 14, 2022 - January 20, 2022

Filipino Press

Kare Kare

Hi, friends! How’s your 2022 going so far? I hope you all are well and safe. This week, I’ve got some comfort food coming your way.

I’ve received quite a few requests for more recipes from parents who feel they rely too much on drive-thru fast food during the busy week because “cooking takes too long,” young adults that have moved out on their own and “miss Mom’s cooking,” and some folks who are not of Filipino descent and have made it a resolution to not only develop a more worldly palate, but the cooking skills to bring Filipino dishes to life.

I love nothing more than sharing our culture through art, including food.

And we all know “traditional” can look a bazillion different ways. It depends on the ingredients you have available to you, the type of tools you have access to, and how much time you have. I tip my hat to every home chef with their own signature flavors, textures and techniques. I think that it’s great that so many people want to learn how to cook Filipino dishes!

For the next few weeks, I’m going to share some of the most requested Filipino recipes. I’ll simplify and quicken the processes and even share substitute

ingredients. What matters most is that folks enjoy what they create. I’ve also begun to record video tutorials of me preparing each dish. You can find them on Facebook (Francine Maigue), Instagram (francine_filipina) and YouTube (Chef Francine). Got a request or question?

Simply leave a comment or message me on any of those platforms. #KayaNatinTo KARE KARE Ingredients • 1 lb. Country Style Pork Ribs, Boiled in water to tenderize beforehand, *Save 3 Cups of the resulting broth • 1 Tbs. Vegetable Oil • ½ Onion, Sliced into rainbows • ½ Cup Tomatoes, Cut into bite-sized pieces • 1.5 Tbs. Bagoong • 4 Garlic Cloves, minced 2 Tbs. Peanut Butter • 1 packet Kare Kare Mix • 1/3 lb. Green Beans, with ends trimmed • ½ lb. Eggplant, Large dice • ½ Large Bok Choy, Sliced into ~2inch pieces • 1 tsp. ground black pepper Directions 1. Heat oil in a saucepan or wok.

2. Sauté onions, tomatoes and bagoong.

3. When onions are tender, add garlic, peanut butter, and kare kare mix.

4. Add broth and pork.

5. Cover and allow to come to a boil.

6. Once boiling, carefully taste, adjust salt as necessary (with salt, bagoong, or patis).

7. Add in eggplant, green beans, and

HOMEMADE KARE KARE

bok choy pieces with stalk.

8. Add black pepper to taste.

9. Cover and allow to return to a boil.

10. Once boiling, add remaining bok choy leaves, and turn off the stove.

11. Serve with white rice and dollop of bagoong. *For this version of kare kare, I substituted country style pork ribs for tripe and ox tail. To prepare them, I placed the meat in a pot/saucepan, covered it with water. I brought it to a boil (around 10 min.). I removed any “scum” released from the meat. I then rinsed the meat and container, then refilled it with water. I let return to a boil, then reduced it to a simmer. This can be completed in advance, so you can save time during the week. Don’t forget to save the broth that develops from boiling the ribs in water until tender. You’ll need it for your delicious kare kare. Have a wonderful week, friends! Ingat lagi! -Francine

Exclusively here in The Filipino Press--Follow Francine Maigue’s adventures as she represents our region with grace and honor as one of the "100 Most Influential Filipinas in the World" and the "Global Face of Pinay Power," as named by the Filipina Women's Network. Francine is the FilipinoAmerican History Achievement Award Winner in Humanitarianism, Arts, and Community Service and an Outstanding Filipino American Young Leaders Awardee as selected

by His Excellency Ambassador Cuisia and the Philippine Consuls.

Originally from Cavite City, Philippines and raised in Chula Vista, Francine Maigue received her master’s degree from Harvard University and bachelor’s degree from UCLA. Francine is the District Director for California State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez.

She is the Immediate Past President of the Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce of San Diego County, Board Member for the Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center Foundation and Los Chabacanos of Cavite City, and is a former Miss Philippines of San Diego. Got an organization, business, or event Francine should know about? Email: thepamperedpinay@yahoo.com.

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Joint Statement on Western States Recommendation of Expanded Pfizer – BioNTech Booster Eligibility for 12- to 15-Year Olds SACRAMENTO, CA -- Recently, California Health and Human Services Agency Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly, and Director of the California Department of Public Health and State Public Health Officer Dr. Tomás J. Aragón, issued a joint statement on the Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup’s recommendation to expand eligibility for Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster dose to 12- to 15-year-olds at least five months after completing their primary vaccination series.

“Getting a booster shot is the best way to keep your immunity strong and protect you and your loved ones from being hospitalized or dying because of COVID-19, including from the fast-spreading Omicron variant. With today’s recommendation expanding booster eligibility to those 12 and older, as well as decreasing the time between primary series and booster dose to five months for Pfizer vaccine

recipients, Californians should go out and get themselves and their children boosted. The state has ample vaccine supply, so don’t wait – get your booster today.”

While vaccines and boosters remain the most important step Californians can take to protect themselves against COVID-19, now is not the time to let our guard down. All Californians, regardless of vaccination status, should continue to practice the safety basics – wear a mask with good fit and filtration indoors, get tested if you’re exposed to the virus or have symptoms, improve ventilation indoors, and stay home when sick.

MyTurn.ca.gov is currently being updated to reflect the expanded eligibility. Parents and guardians are encouraged to check with their youth’s health care provider to schedule their booster appointment. For the latest information on the Omicron variant, go to CDPH.ca.gov and to find a

COVID-19 testing site, call (833) 4224255 or visit your local county public health website. www.cdph.ca.gov San Diegans 12 and Older Should Get COVID-19 Boosters

By Jose Alvarez SAN DIEGO, CA -- Now that COVID-19 vaccine boosters are available for fully vaccinated people ages 12 and up, County health officials are urging eligible San Diegans to get all the recommended doses.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a booster shot helps to provide protection against the highly contagious Omicron variant, both in preventing the disease, lessening symptoms and decreasing the likelihood of hospitalization.

To date, 906,615 San Diegans have received booster shots. The CDC recommends a Pfizer or Moderna booster shot five months after their See

BOOSTER on 4

CTFLC 20TH ANNIVERSARY

Officers and Members of the Council for Teaching Language and Culture pose for a souvenir photo during their celebration of their 20th Anniversary held at Admiral Baker Field (courtesy photo/s) SAN DIEGO,CA -Last November 27, 2021, the Council for Teaching Language and Culture (CTFLC) celebrated its 20th Anniversary at Admiral Baker Club, San Diego. Its theme “Sustaining Filipino Language and Culture Programs for Global Understanding in a Diverse Community” perfectly suited for the event because it was a perfect moment to showcase CTFLC’s accomplishments.

First, Dr. Atilio Alicio, Filipino Language Professor at San Diego State University and University of California San Diego, took charge of the Awards Ceremony and for which CTFLC President Rizalyn Cruz, assisted

by President-Elect Farah Mendoza presented the Plaques of Recognition to the following exceptional individuals: a) Ms. Joann Fields advocated and supported students and teachers at San Diego Unified School District and Sweetwater Union High School District. She becamethe voice of the Filipino-American Community. b) Dr. Estela C. Matriano created the Filipino Language Credential Program at Alliant International University, paving the road for individuals who desired to pursue teaching particularly in the Filipino language. c) Mr. Anthony V. Olaes, co-founder of The Filipino School in San Diego, opened the doors to Filipino-Americans who are motivated to learn the Filipino language. He also encouraged Filipino-Americans who were born here in America to experience authentic culture through

THE RONDALLA Back Row: Basilio Ablana, Anecito Biares, Marife Biares, Dr. Julita Biares, Rizalyn Cruz, Dominique Biares, Angelo Biares and Edison Fontimayor Front Row: Myrna Ablana, Farah Mendoza, Maria Fontimayor, Grace Almazar, Marita Nierva, Dr. Juanita Santos Nacu

The Biares Family Ensemble did a special number during the event The Filgrimage and to give back to their roots. d) Dr. Evangelina Pando-Solís, Coordinator of the World Language and Multilingual Education Advocate of San Diego County Office of Education, spearheaded the Dalawang Baybayin (Two Shores) Project, which is a program in progress where teachers and students from the Philippines and United States collaborate to provide activities that deepen the understanding of Filipino language and culture.

In addition, The Filipino School, an educational institution, was also recognized for it opened its doors to Filipino-Americans who wanted to learn the Filipino language, history and reconnect with their roots and culture.

Then, Dr. Julita Vasquez Biares, julitabiares@yahoo.com Director of CTFLC Rondalla, with the

Biares Family Ensemble and the newly organized CTFLC Rondalla, performed foreign and Filipino songs.

Each member had his/her own solo piece to show mastery on how to use bandurria and octavina, which are Filipino stringed instruments.

A lot has happened since the CTFLC celebrated its 15th Anniversary five years ago. Our organization has launched a number of important endeavors and carried these out amid the threat of the pandemic.

Here are the highlights of significant new projects: (1) The Filipino Language After-School Program (FLASP) Launched in 2018, the FLASP Program is the Council’s initial venture to teach Filipino language to students in the elementary school level. It started as a joint project between the CTFLC and Salt

Creek Elementary School, a school in the Eastlake Area of Chula Vista.

Later on students from Zamorano Elementary school in National City joined the class as well. The program’s third session was in full swing when COVID-19 struck and resulted in school closures. When conditions improved, the CTFLC continued the program using music and ukulele to teach language and culture. (2) Filipino 7-8 Honors CTFLC saw the necessity of having a more rigorous course for Filipino students who are fluent speakers. As a result, early this year 2021, with the encouragement of Ms. Mary Rose Peralta, Otay Ranch High School Principal, CTFLC immediately wrote the Filipino 7-8 Honors Curriculum Guide. Currently, this course is offered at Otay Ranch High School and Sweetwater High School. (3) Filipino Language Curriculum Alignment for Three Districts Spearheaded by the CTFLC Curriculum Committee, Sweetwater Union High School District, Poway Unified School District, and San Diego Unified School District are currently working on a single Filipino Language Curriculum. This ensures consistency of lessons and standards delivered to students in San Diego County. (4)

Dalawang Baybayin (Two Shores) The CTFLC’s latest project, Dalawang Baybayin or Two Shores connects San Diego teachers and students to their counterparts in the Philippines.

Headed by Ms. Ivy Daulo, Chair of CTFLC Outreach and Advocacy Committee and Dr. Eva Pando-Solís, Coordinator of World Language Multilingual Education and Global Achievement at San Diego County Office of Education, the program started last October 2021 and will end in March 2022. Consul General Edgar Barrairo Badajos of Los Angeles and Honorary Consul Audie J. De Castro of San Diego supported this program.

Selected San Diego County schools are teamed up with partner schools from the Philippines. Students collaborate virtually as they practice the use of the target language and enhance their knowledge of each other's culture. (5) CTFLC Rondalla with an objective of integrating music in the classrooms and teaching how to play traditional Filipino musical instruments.

We still have a lot to do and a long way to go but with each and everyone’s contribution and effort, the Filipino language and culture will thrive in California and other parts of the world.

Mabuhay ang CTFLC!

Prayer to Saint Expedite May the intercession of the glorious martyr , St Expedite, recommend us, O my God, to Thy goodness, in order that his protection may obtain for us what our own merits are powerless to do.

Amen.

We supplicate Thee, Lord , to inspire by Thy grace all our thoughts and actions, that thou being their principle, we may, by the intercession of St. Expedite, be conducted with courage, fidelity and promptitude, at the time proper and favorable, and come to a good and happy end, through our Lord, Jesus Christ

Amen

St Expedite, honored by the gratitude of those who have invoked thee at the last hour and for pressing cases, we pray thee to obtain from the all powerful goodness of God, by the intercession of Mary Immaculate, (today or such a day) the grace we solicit with all submission to the Divine Will

Amen

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Filipino Press

January 14, 2022 - January 20, 2022 • 3

4 • January 14, 2022 - January 20, 2022

Filipino Press

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PRRD signs law mandating full rehab, maintenance of Kennon Road MANILA -- President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has signed into law an act mandating the full rehabilitation and maintenance of Kennon Road, one of the major access roads leading to the Benguet province.

Republic Act No. 11604 mandates the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to undertake the full rehabilitation of the 33.534-kilometer Kennon Road stretching from the Municipality of Rosario, Province of La Union to Baguio City.

After that time, the DPWH will be responsible for the maintenance of Kennon Road and will ensure that it remains safe and optimally serviceable.

The DPWH, in coordination with the Cordillera Regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, will evaluate and assess the current condition of Kennon Road to identify the necessary engineering works to be undertaken for the rehabilitation of the said road.

A feasibility study will be conducted by the DPWH to primarily plan the extent and duration of the rehabilitation of Kennon Road into an "all weather" road.

The amount necessary to cover the rehabilitation and maintenance of Kennon Road will be included in the annual General Appropriations Act. RA 11604 was signed by Duterte December 10, 2021 and was released to reporters on Thursday.

The act, which originated in the House of Representatives, was passed by the House and Senate in May 2020, and Sept. 6, 2021, respectively.

Kennon Road has been described as among the most dangerous roads in the country as landslides frequently occur along this road.

However, it also provides the shortest route from Rosario, La Union to Baguio City.

Muslim-Christianity Unity Highway Meanwhile, Duterte also signed RA 11602 providing for the construction of the Muslim-Christian Unity Highway.

The law mandates the construction of a national highway from the Lanao del Norte Interior Circumferential Road in the Municipality of Tagoloan, Province of Lanao del Norte to the Municipality of Talakag, Province of Bukidnon, with a crossroad at Barangay Malimbato, Municipality of Tagoloan, Province of Lanao del Norte and connecting roads to the national highway in Iligan City through Barangay Pugaan, Iligan City and to the national highway in Marawi City through the municipality of Kapai, Province of Lanao del Sur. Under RA 11602, the amount necessary to defray the cost of undertaking and completing the feasibility study and detailed engineering for this project, and other activities related will be included in the annual GAA. After that time, the Secretary of the DPWH will include in the department's program the construction of the Muslim-Christian Unity Highway, the funding of which will be included in the annual GAA. Duterte also inked RA11612 an act creating a new district engineering office in the Third Legislative District of the Province of Zamboanga del Norte which will be known as the Fourth District Engineering Office and will be located in the Municipality of Siocon, Province of Zamboanga del Norte.

Under RA 11612, the new district engineering office will also service the municipalities of Baliguian,

Siraway, Siocon, and Sibuco, all within the third legislative district of the province of Zamboanga del Norte.

The DPWH Secretary will include in the department's program the operationalization of the Fourth District Engineering Office in the Province of Zamboanga del Norte, the funding of which will be included in the annual GAA. Both laws were also signed on Dec. 10, 2021 and were also released on Thursday.

DepEd allows class suspensions on regions, school divisions’ discretion over COVID-19 surge The Department of Education on Wednesday urged regional and schools division offices to exercise discretion in suspending classes and other teaching-related activities this January amid the surge of COVID-19 cases.

In a memorandum signed on Wednesday, the DepEd cited the alarming surge in COVID-19 cases and the well-being of teachers and students.

“The regional and schools division offices are given the option, based on their reliable assessment of the health status of their teachers and learners and the IATF risk classification, to declare suspension of classes within the month of January 2022,” the memorandum read.

All synchronous and asynchronous classes will be stopped. Also, the submission of academic requirements and conduct of other teaching- related activities must be rescheduled.

The DepEd said considerations must be given for late submission of requirements due to valid reasons.

According to DepEd, concerned offices will decide on the specific dates and number of days for the suspension of classes as long as the period of class suspension does not exceed two weeks.

These offices will make adjustments in the school calendar to ensure that the number of school days in the current school year remains in accordance with the Republic Act 11480.

Aside from this, the DepEd instructed schools to keep implementing the Suggested Measures to Foster Academic Ease During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Meanwhile, DepEd added that private schools, in consultation with parents’ associations, may also impose suspension of classes and K to 12 learning activities due to high COVID-19 risk.

PH Navy, TESDA ink pact on free skills training In line with ongoing modernization efforts, the Philippine Navy (PN) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) signed Wednesday a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that will provide free skills training and certification related to the specialization of interested naval personnel.

"Through this partnership, TESDA is providing free skills training, assessment, and certification to PN beneficiaries through the TESDA Technology Institutions (TTIs). The skills that will be taught are related to their respective specializations, such as construction, maintenance and repair, and information technology," PN spokesperson Commander Benjo Negranza said Wednesday night.

Navy chief, Vice Adm. Adeluis Bordado and TESDA Secretary Isidro Lapeña signed the MOA in a virtual ceremony witnessed by ranking personnel of both agencies.

Under the agreement, TESDA will also provide technical assistance to enhance the PN workforce and skills

development capabilities and provide trainers with skills-related workshops, seminars, and other relevant training programs.

It is also open to dependents of PN personnel and the Navy's civilian employees.

"TESDA is privileged to further strengthen the capacity and competence of our Navy personnel through this agreement. Through this, our PN will be able to learn or expand their skills through TESDA's scholarship programs. The Navy personnel and their dependents will be given free skills training on different courses under the information and communication technology and construction sectors," Lapeña said.

He also lauded the PN for coming up with this initiative and collaborating with them to make this partnership possible.

Meanwhile, Bordado said the partnership will help improve the technical skills of PN personnel. “(The) success of this partnership will definitely support the Navy’s Human Capital Strategy and help sustain our future force projection.

We will continue to strive to achieve significant transition milestones while we shift from a legacy Navy into a modern and multi-capable naval defense force, ready and able to perform our mandate to protect the Philippines’ maritime rights and interests,” he added.

Over 3,000 healthcare workers in NCR undergoing isolation -DOH exec More than 3,000 healthcare workers in the National Capital Region (NCR) are undergoing isolation amid the increase in COVID-19 cases, the Department of Health (DOH) said Thursday.

At the Laging Handa briefing, Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said around 3,114 healthcare workers are isolated in the region, making up 11% of the 26,000 healthcare workers in government institutions.

Vega said some healthcare workers experienced reinfection. “[N]agkakaroon talaga ng reinfections itong mga healthcare workers natin or ‘yung mga breakthrough kasi sila ‘yung nauuna talaga, sila ‘yung first line sa hospital na nakikipagharap [sa] COVID-19 patients,” he said.

Despite this, Vega said cases are still manageable.

“Pero ‘yun nga, nag-strategize na rin ang ibang hospitals na mag-close ng ibang services nila like OPD, special services, at saka yung mga elective surgery nila pino-postpone muna,” he said.

Data from the DOH showed that 56% of the ICU beds in NCR are occupied while 55% of the isolation beds are in use.

According to Vega, the healthcare utilization rate in the region is at the border between moderate risk and low risk at 60%.

Meanwhile, he said the agency is currently drafting a memorandum of agreement for the Philippine National Police and Bureau of Fire Protection among others.

“Para magkaroon tayo ng deployment ng uniformed personnel across. Kasi ‘yung unang ginawa naming memorandum of agreement was between regions, no? Between regions and the uniformed personnel at saka DOH,” he said.

“Ngayon, pangkalahatan na talaga para magkaroon kami ng easier mobilization at tulong, makatulong kaagad ‘yung uniformed personnel kung saan man nangangailangan talaga ‘yung regions for deployment,” he added. (MNS)

MANILA SKYLINE. An awesome view of Manila's towering skyscrapers greets motorists plying the Skyway Stage 3, the elevated expressway connecting the southern and northern portions of the metropolis, on Wednesday (Jan. 12, 2022). Since it opened last year, the Skyway has made driving faster and easier with only about 30 minutes travel time between NLEX and SLEX. (MNS photo)

Is Belle Mariano ready to be paired up with different actor?

MANILA -- Breakout star Belle Mariano’s career is definitely on the rise despite the pandemic with the back-to-back success of her projects with on-screen partner Donny Pangilinan in 2021.

But is she willing to be paired with a different actor?

She appeared to be firm about sticking with Pangilinan as her only love team partner in showbiz when asked during the virtual press conference of her upcoming episode on “Click, Like, Share” sans the actor.

“Right now, I can't see myself being paired up with anyone else,” Mariano said.

Since the meteoric success of “He’s Into Her” and recordbreaking movie “Love Is Color Blind,” Mariano will be seen, for the first time on screen without Pangilinan as she stars in the episode “Swap” with Shanaia Gomez in “Click, Like, Share.”

PHILIPPINES

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experiencing flu-like symptoms could be sure whether they are infected with the coronavirus.

“At hindi na po sila pupunta sa mga testing center kung hindi naman kailangan, ayon sa guideline, hindi na rin sila pupunta sa mga ospital at ma-overwhelm po iyong mga healthcare workers natin (They no longer need to go to testing centers, according to the guidelines, they don’t need to go to the hospital and our healthcare workers won’t be overwhelmed),” he said, noting that the DOH would know, based on available data, which community or population needs the kits.

On Monday, the FDA has endorsed two self-administered test kits manufactured by Clearbridge Medical Philippines, Inc. and MOHS Analytics, Inc. to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for evaluation.

The two standards used in assessing the self-administered test kits are specificity (which must be 97 percent) and sensitivity (which must be 80 percent) in terms of identifying only the virus causing Covid-19.

Once the RITM issues a Performance Validation Report for the kits, the FDA would evaluate it within 48 hours and release a special certification.

“Ang special certification po ay puwede po siyang maging available

BOOSTER

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second dose. A Johnson & Johnson booster is recommended two months after the second dose. Pfizer boosters have been approved for everyone 12 years and older. Moderna and Johnson & Johnson boosters are only available for adults 18 years and older.

“COVID-19 vaccinations are the best tool we have against the coronavirus and we need more San Diegans to be boosted,” said Wilma J. Wooten. M.D., M.P.H., County public SECOND DOSE. Residents of Barangay 176 line up outside the Bagong Silang Elementary School in Caloocan health officer. “The vaccines help to City to receive their second dose of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine on Thursday (Jan. 13, 2022). The Department prevent people from getting seriously of the Interior and Local Government has ordered barangays to submit a list of unvaccinated residents following ill or dying from COVID-19.”

The region has plenty of COVID-19 President Rodrigo Duterte's order to restrict their movement. (MNS photo)

LOOK: Belle Mariano on massive NY Times Square billboard The young actress explained that working in a show without the other is not an issue for them.

“As an actor po kasi I always look at the material and the story.

I'm open to more opportunities.

When it comes to stuff like this, both of us are very supportive with each of our passion and what we love doing,” she said.

She also appreciated working

with other actors to help her grow as an artist.

“Nasanay ako since several projects I've done with him. But now, I'm also happy that I get to this project with my co-Rise artists and meet new actors as well. I get to learn as well. Natutuwa ako to be given this opportunity,” Mariano further said.

Aside from the series, Mariano is also gearing up for her first-ever solo concert "Daylight" on January 29 via KTX.ph.

Mariano’s album and digital concert are among the many career milestones she marked in the past year alone, alongside her first lead roles in a series and a movie with Pangilinan.

The showbiz breakthrough comes after a long wait for Mariano, who has been acting for nearly a decade, dating back to her “Goin’ Bulilit” stint in 2012.

(MNS)

po doon sa mga outlets po ng mga produkto na medical devices (With the special certification, the kits will be available in outlets of products with medical devices),” Gutierrez said.

“Magkakaroon po nitong tinatawag na prescription po ang doctor… may guidelines po ang DOH na ilalabas (There will be a doctor’s prescription [for the test kits]…the DOH will release guidelines),” he added.

The demand for self-test kits increases as the number of coronavirus infections further rise, with the Philippines logging 34,021 new infections on January 13, the single-day highest since March 2020.

DILG wants inventory of vaxxed, unvaccinated amid COVID spike Local governments with ordinances restricting the movement of unvaccinated individuals are directed to conduct an inventory of those with and without jabs, the Department of the Interior and Local Government said Wednesday.

Aside from Metro Manila, other regions have also agreed to pass an ordinance restricting the movement of unvaccinated persons, said DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya.

In these areas, barangays are directed to conduct an inventory of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals which they will submit to the local DILG office monthly, he added.

"First step is for them to do

an inventory, DILG has already issued a directive to the barangays to conduct an inventory of the vaccinated in the barangays and the unvaccinated. They are supposed to prepare this on a monthly basis and submit to the DILG field office in their area," he said.

"The guidance of Secretary (Eduardo) Año to them and the President also is to request those (unvaccinated) individuals in a courteous manner to stay at home...

The reason is if you're unvaccinated you are prone to hospitalization, critical illness and maybe even death and the second reason is we don’t want to overwhelm our healthcare system," he added.

"Only if they refuse, only if they have been violating this several times only then can an arrest be made. There are fines for first, second and third offenses, and there are penalties that require a prison term at the discretion of the court."

Gatherings inside a home must be limited to household members and gatherings outside must take into consideration the alert level, Malaya said. Currently, Metro Manila is under Alert Level 3 until January 15.

"Let’s not do non-essential activities first. Kung magiinuman lang naman sa kalsada, wag muna nating gawin yun," he said.

Metro Manila will be escalated to Alert level 4 if it meets the metrics of high healthcare utilization rate, high average daily attack rate, and high 2-week growth rate, Malaya said.(MNS)

vaccines and booster doses. With more than 400 vaccination sites that include pharmacies, medical providers, clinics and County locations; the region has the capacity to meet the demand. You can also make an appointment or find a site near you by calling (833) 422-4255 or visiting the MyTurn or coronavirussd.com websites.

Avoid Emergency Departments for COVID-19 Testing County health officials continue to ask San Diegans not to go to local emergency departments for COVID-19 testing. Local hospitals are experiencing an increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations, as well as staff shortages due to the coronavirus and are preserving their resources for patients who are seriously ill.

“Local hospitals and their emergency departments are under extreme stress due to COVID-19 patients, other seasonal viruses and diseases and employees calling out sick,” Wooten said.

The County recommends that people worried about COVID-19 infection and others seeking COVID-19 testing go to a hospital to be tested only if they have severe symptoms.

The region’s health care providers offer testing to members who meet each systems’ criteria. Many neighborhood pharmacies offer same day testing as do other locations on this list. The County has a network of nocost testing public sites that are both walk-up and can take appointments.

www.thefilipinopress.com

Filipino Press

January 14, 2022 - January 20, 2022 • 5

NEW YORK’S CUSTOMERS GO CRAZY FOR THIS SWEET STUFF THAT SOME 10,000 PEOPLE ARE ON THE WAIT LIST FOR KORA’S FILIPINO DOUGHNUTS SAN DIEGO, CA -- Greetings!

I say it’s the moment of the Filipino “lolas.”

Disney UK recently released its Christmas video featuring a grandmother (“lola”) and the Filipino “parol” (Christmas lantern), tugging the hearts of Filipinos in the diaspora.

A couple of weeks after that, “Blue’s Clues & You” introduced Josh’s lola, along with yet another Filipino classic, the “bibingka.”

But before the grandmas even made it into everyone’s consciousness, another Filipina lola already became viral somehow, thanks to her granddaughter who named her online bakery in her honor and memory.

In this edition’s weekly dose of “Pinoy” pride, I’m introducing “Kora” a Filipino-owned bakery in the U.S. known for incorporating beloved Filipino flavors to their doughnuts!

Now, this small business honestly needs no introduction if you’re from New York City, but if you haven’t heard of it yet, then here’s what you need to know.

The “Kora” doughnuts – which are getting media attention nowadays – join a long list of hit baked goods in New York whose fame suddenly sees demand sky rocket. They include the cupcakes of the West Village’s Magnolia Bakery and the “cronut craze” of 2013, where the makers of a croissant-doughnut hybrid saw customers queuing up at dawn until they were forced to limit purchases to two each.

Filipino-American chef Kimberly Camara started making doughnuts in her apartment in Woodside, Queens, in the summer of 2020. The online business, which has over 38,000 followers on Instagram, attracted so many orders that the waiting list hit 10,000 strong at the max.

Instagram-able ube dishes may have helped put Filipino sweets on the map in New York City but Eleven Madison Park (a fine dining restaurant located in the heart of the metropolitan) alum and baker Kimberly Camara is looking to expand the understanding of Filipino desserts in the city with the launch of her new doughnut business.

Kora – which is on line only for a while – regularly sells 275 doughnuts a week, and the wait list for the doughnuts has already grown to 800 customers even then in 2020. It is currently at around 5,000. That demand is largely driven

by Camara’s use of less mainstream Filipino flavors, she says. Doughnut fillings now include “champorado,” a chocolate porridge, and “pinipig”, a type of roasted sweet rice preparation and other assortment such as “maja blanca” (coconut and corn pudding)

and “calamansi amapola” (calamansi curd, poppy seeds, calamansi glaze, graham crunch).

“I feel like there’s always more that could be done with (Filipino food) and more that people can learn about. That’s really huge for me,” declares Camara who grew up regularly visiting home-style Filipino restaurants in Woodside, where she now lives. “I knew ube was one of those favorite flavors that people like to buy,” she says. “But what’s going to make these doughnuts special is once I start bringing all the other Filipino flavors.”

Camara kick started off the business a few months after she lost her catering job at Union Square Hospitality Group, in March of 2020, when the company laid off 2,000 employees due to the COVID-19 related shutdown.

At first, her doughnut business just served as a side hustle, though in recent months, it’s taken on a life of its own.

“You just have to be super confident when you approach these tasks,” says Camara. On the YouTube video “Why 10,000 people are on the wait list for Kora’s Filipino doughnuts – First person” https://youtu.be/ TiyxdTPnL9o - she’s seen flipping a huge tray of the flan from one pan to another for the shop’s flan doughnuts.

It’s because of unique flavors like this that the New York-based Filipino doughnut shop has that 10,000-person wait list!

“Kora is my grandmother’s name,” says Camara. “The leche flan recipe is from my grandmother’s cookbook that I found after she passed away.”

This doughnut begins with brioche dough. Once the doughnut is formed, Kevin Borja, Camara’s partner at the shop and on life, cuts a hole on it, and adds flan cream. Next, an extra round piece of flan is added to the center.

“I didn’t know how I came up with it, honestly. I think what it came down to as they wouldn’t be actually experiencing the flan unless there was an actual flan on it.” The top of the doughnut is brushed with caramel and dusted with powdered sugar. “We basically got two desserts here in one,” notes Borja.

The fillings have so far included flavors like the leche flan, but with Camara’s personal spin on it. Her version actually yields “a lot eggier, redder, and denser” flan than what one might be accustomed to from Spain and South America. To introduce “itlog na pula” a salt-treated, reddyed egg that’s usually served with tomato, onion and rice, Camara fills her brioche dough with salted egg yolk lava made of cured egg and condensed milk, and tops it with egg

yolk dust made from dehydrated and cured yolks. Her take on the popular “turon” – deep-fried pastry roll with sliced banana – comes in the form of a crueler with “saba” (banana) and jackfruit filling caramelized spring roll wrapper, banana chips, and toasted sugar and caramel drizzle.

As I have stated earlier above, another creative doughnut inspired by Camara’s heritage is a glossy purple ube doughnut. “We had to have ube on the menu, I already knew this. You

can’t pass that vibrant purple color,” affirms Camara. After the brioche dough with ube extract is made, Camara creates an ube pastry cream with milk, cornstarch, ube extract, and frozen ube imported from the old homeland. The doughnut is first fried, filled with the cream, rolled in sugar and topped with fried purple yam chips. “I think when a lot of people make ube desserts, I feel like they don’t go hard, they don’t take it all the way home. Every component of our

Jesse T. Reyes

Filipino Potpourri

Kimberly Camara with her mom Babes and Lola Corazon (center), the inspiration behind Kora's Doughnuts

doughnut has ube somewhere in it.”

Kora’s overwhelming success has taken Camara by surprise; particularly considering the fact that the idea for the business was sparked nearly by accident. Camara recounts one day in early June 2020 when she found herself at her parent’s house with left-over brioche dough from her pandemic bakery and extra ube filling from a friend’s birthday cake she had baked. “I was just like, ‘how am I going to use this up’,” she remarks.

Camara decided to pound up her dough, fry it, fill it with ube, and taste it. “I was just like, ‘Oh, my God, this is really good,’” she admits. “I would pay for this.”

Camara believes that she is lucky to have this platform “to not only share my culinary spirit with all of you but also the stories these pastries carry with them.”

In the end, it’s all about the Filipino passion and being true to one’s self.

The death of her beloved grandmother from pulmonary fibrosis in early January and the subsequent discovery of her grandma’s recipes also served as inspiration.

The Filipino-inspired flavors of Kora's Doughnuts are in profoundly high demand nowadays

Kimberly Camara and her partner Kevin Borja started making Kora's doughnuts in the summer of 2020 and relied at first on the help of friends and family to deliver them to customers

“After I lost her, I had a new outlook on life; how short it is and how I need to take the chance, no matter what,” Camara says. She riffed off her grandmother’s name – Corazon – and started “Kora” (a combination of Kimberly and Corazon).

“Kora is the coming together of my entire life. There is no way that my grandmother is looking down on us and isn’t so proud of all the work that we’ve done,” declares Camara.

“Wherever Kora takes us, behind all of it is my connection with her and my connection with my heritage.”

No doubts about it – that in the future, the company won’t stay limited to doughnuts. Camara has set her sights on an expanded menu with savory Filipino dishes and is currently deciding between pop-up operations or a storefront.

So, as Kora continues to expand, I invite you all to support a “kababayan’s” efforts in learning more and sharing about Filipino culture through cuisine and fine hospitality and of course, our own “lola’s” (grandmothers’) legacies.

Mabuhay!

Illiberal democracy needs a strong and experienced leader, Part 9 “The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.”

– Sun Tzu Philippine foreign policy has been oriented to the West with the United States having an outsized role. Every Philippine president since World War II has allied with the United States, including fighting the war itself. Such a relationship, however, has always been tilted in favor of the Americans. Despite being a sovereign nation, Philippine affairs have always been influenced albeit controlled by the United States.

After being granted independence in 1946, the U.S. Congress passed the Bell Trade Act (aka Philippine Trade Act) practically giving undue trade advantage to the United States and its citizens by legislating parity with Filipinos with regards to access to Philippine materials and resources. The Act gave preferential tariffs and pegged the Philippine currency to the dollar at fifty centavos for every dollar and no restrictions on currency transfers from the Philippines to the United States.

This 1946 trade agreement came with a heavy price: The Philippines must accept $800 million as the

price of rebuilding the extensive war damage the country suffered during the war, and to amend the 1935 Philippine Constitution to allow for the parity provision. The trade act was amended in 1955 to accommodate wealthy and influential Filipino sugar barons in the Visayas; while still giving parity rights to the Americans.

In addition to the trade rights, the Americans enjoyed unprecedented ACCESS under the 1947 Military Bases Agreement where the United States had "the right to retain the use" of 16 bases (including Clark Field and Subic Bay) in the Philippines and to use 7 other bases at Washington’s discretion rent-free, for a period of 99 years (until the year 2045).

The U.S. had full discretionary use and criminal jurisdiction over U.S. personnel including dependents – regardless of where the crime was committed (i.e. off-base). Clearly, the lopsided provisions infringed on Philippine sovereignty. In other words, the granting of independence was pro-forma to appease some nationalists. History has shown Filipinos that the military bases and American presence (albeit occupation) was the biggest irritant

between the two countries.

The 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty gave some semblance of reassurance that America would come to the defense in case the Philippines was attacked. The Americans justified the benefit of continued access to the bases would provide security umbrella to the Philippines, allows the Philippines and neighboring countries to pursue economic growth with minimal budget for military defense, put the Soviet military in check in Southeast Asia, ADDS STABILITY to the South China Sea, and (5) affords the U.S. the ability to project its military power in the Pacific and Indian Ocean.

President Ferdinand E. Marcos began doing the math after he sent the PHILCAG contingents to support the U.S. war in Vietnam, and figured how the Philippines have been greatly shortchanged. In the early 70’s, Thailand received $400 million in military assistance and South Korea was given over $600 million. These were the years that the Philippine insurgency waged by the New Peoples’ Army was gaining strength and adherents.

The U.S. gave a total of $50 million in GRANT-aid.

In essence, the special relations enjoyed by both countries was only worth that much and being a grant, the Philippines will have to do with hand-me-downs military hardware that came with expensive maintenance contracts

with American defense companies.

Note that Turkey got $1 billion, Spain $1.2 billion, and Greece for $700 million for a 5-YEAR basing agreement.

Marcos ruffled many feathers in Washington when he started demanding renegotiations of the basing agreements. Hence, he was branded a troublemaker and motu propio, the Americans started questioning the human rights situation in the country caused

by Marcos domestic policies (i.e.

Martial Law). Marcos, however, was able to extract important concessions from the Americans.

Among them, a 5-year commitment from President Jimmy Carter to make his “best effort” to obtain $500 million in military and economic grants and aid. Aside from the aid part, Filipino commanders were installed at the bases, giving the security responsibility for the bases to the Philippines. About 90% of lands occupied by the bases were returned including the bay in Subic.

More importantly, the U.S. agreed to renegotiate the bases treaty every 5 years.

In the 1983 basing amendments, the U.S. was required to inform the Philippine government of the level of U.S. forces in country, conduct suitable projects to improve the social and economic conditions in regions adjacent to the bases, for Americans to buy local for goods and services necessary for base

operations, parity with collective bargaining for Filipino employees on base. Marcos' insistence brought parity to the bases agreement with other nations having 5-year agreements with the U.S. These historical contexts need to be understood by the public and future presidents when pursuing an independent foreign policy mandated by the 1987 Philippine Constitution. More importantly, these historical facts will give context as to why the Philippine Armed Forces remain ill-prepared to defend its own. The U.S. never wanted the Philippines to reach such preparedness to continue justifying why the U.S. Forces needed to stay.

It also explains why it took a long time for the Philippines to achieve the economic status it deserved, for similar reasons.

The friendship was all about projecting American strategy and posture in the region while protecting its own national interest.

The 1947 Military Bases Agreement as amended, ended in 1991 primarily because of the Philippine Senate vote rejecting a new agreement.

President Cory Aquino tried to sign an executive agreement extending the bases as payback for having her term saved by the Americans during attempted coup d'etats, but the agreement failed being legally infirm.

The Americans, worried about the cost of the “rent” and rehabilitating

the bases badly damaged by Mt. Pinatubo shifted its resources to the Middle East to prosecute the 1991 Gulf War and closed the bases. The Americans left a void that the Chinese immediately took advantage of and began a campaign to militarize and take over some of the islands in the South China Sea. The younger Aquino president in 2012 began his courtship of the Americans by fronting against the Chinese aggression.

Then came the UNCLOS ruling and new agreements through the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) allowed the U.S. back in to strategically position itself against China whose soft power had grown in the Philippines under President Rodrigo Duterte’s while serving notice to terminate the VFA. Meanwhile, China has taken control of Hong Kong and is threatening to invade Taiwan. The U.S. sent Special Forces to Taiwan to help train their Taiwanese counterparts. The U.S. backdoored France by snatching the military contract with Australia to beef up its submarine with more advanced designs. This was clearly in response to the Russian Navy’s continuing presence in the Indo-Pacific, building alliances in the ASEAN, while threatening to invade Ukraine to keep the Americans busy. (To be continued)

6 • January 14, 2022 - January 20, 2022

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MAYOR GLORIA

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more than a dozen reforms and Blueprint SD, which will speed up updates to community plans to allow for more housing faster.

As part of the initiatives, the Mayor announced that the City will opt in to Senate Bill 10, state legislation that will make it far easier to build small apartment projects close to mass transit.

He also announced a new City program – “Bridge to Home” – that assists affordable-housing developers with the gap financing they need to get their projects over the finish line.

Seven projects have been selected to receive roughly $32 million in assistance from Bridge to Home. All told, Mayor Gloria said, these projects will create 662 new apartments for low-income San Diego families and individuals, including 193 supportive units for formerly homeless residents – 35 of which will be set aside for those who struggle with serious mental illness.

“The shortage of homes everyday San Diegans can afford is splitting up families, making it harder for our businesses to attract and retain high-quality workers, and threatening to deprive our region of the talented young people we work so hard to educate in our world-class universities,” he said.

“We are legally and morally obligated to plan for more growth and add more than 100,000 new

homes during the next eight years, and, folks, we are getting it done.”

INFRASTRUCTURE Commenting on the San Diego’s decades-long neglect of its core public infrastructure systems, Mayor Gloria said the City in 2021 invested nearly $1 billion in streets and roads, sidewalks and streetlights, stormwater collection, recycling systems, parks, libraries and more.

The Mayor focused heavily on street repair, noting that the City in the past has racked up miles of slurry-seal maintenance on side streets while delaying more costly repaving and reconstruction projects on major roads. In 2021, he rolled out his Sexy Streets initiative that will repair 54 miles of heavily traveled thoroughfares, especially those in historically underserved communities.

“Rather than chalking up miles of easy fixes in cul de sacs,” Mayor Gloria said, “We’ll be diligently restoring segments of the roads most traveled, like Euclid Avenue, Skyline Drive, Orange Avenue, Balboa Avenue and Clairemont Mesa Boulevard.”

Also last year, Mayor Gloria kicked off construction of Phase 1 of the Pure Water program, the biggest infrastructure project in the City’s history, which will supply San Diego with nearly half its water by 2035 and reduce the amount of treated sewage discharged into the ocean by more than 50 percent.

In 2022, Mayor Gloria said, he’ll launch a major infrastructure initiative that will be modeled after

his “Parks For All of Us” program, replacing a siloed funding model with a new citywide system to prioritize improvements in communities that need the most attention.

“I’ll be honest with you,” he said.

“These improvements are costly, and they take time. But we are doing everything we can to streamline these projects and get them done as quickly as possible. Our public infrastructure is the foundation for a high quality of life, and improving our core systems is a top priority of mine.”

PUBLIC SAFETY Noting that San Diego has seen the same rise in crime that other cities are experiencing, Mayor Gloria said he is committed to providing the City’s public safety departments with the resources they need to keep residents and visitors safe.

Crime rose in San Diego by 13 percent in the past year, with violent crime up nearly 11 percent. Hate crimes increased by 65 percent.

“Lawlessness will not rule the day in our city,” said Mayor Gloria.

“We will continue to provide our police department and City Attorney the resources they need to keep you and your family safe, and respond to crime, and hold criminals accountable.”

At the same time, he said he shares the public’s concern about incidents of police misconduct and that San Diego is committed to eliminating excessive use of force, racial profiling, and any abuse by law-enforcement officers.

The Mayor said he looks

forward to signing an ordinance that implements the voter-approved Independent Commission on Police Practices and a Privacy Ordinance that will allow the City to deploy more tools to keep communities safe without infringing on privacy rights.

“A great city can fully fund and support its law enforcement officers while also ensuring they honor their oath,” he said. “We can and will strike the balance between protecting our residents and respecting their civil rights and their privacy.”

Members of the public can watch the State of the City speech, read a linked transcript and find a comprehensive progress report on the Mayor’s first year in office online [sandiego.gov/mayor/sotc-2022].

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Filipino Press

January 14, 2022 - January 20, 2022 • 7

Help Wanted / For Rent / For Sale

EYE ON HEALTH

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surgery.

Phase 2: Schedule and perform surgery These days, LASIK surgery is completed in under 30 minutes!

Patients are sent home with goggles to protect the eye and are told to relax during the night.

Phase 3: Follow-up Patients return the next day for a follow-up inspection of the eye, to make sure everything’s going according to plan.

There will also be appointments after two weeks and four weeks.

“Typically, by four weeks, people are 99.99% healed and ready to do anything,” says Dr. Stainer, adding that most people, after getting the surgery, “are watching TV that night.”

American Eye Associates places great importance on clear communication, which is why they have onsite staff who speak Tagalog. “It’s very important,” says Dr. Stainer, “that you speak the same language as the people you operate on, so they feel comfortable.”

Here’s a great example: “A couple weeks ago I had a cataract patient who was Filipino, and we had someone from the operating room speaking with him while I was doing the surgery,” says Dr. Stainer.

“We honor our Filipino American friends.”

Earlier we mentioned that Dr. Stainer has completed over 10,000 LASIK surgeries. In addition, he has done over a thousand corneal transplants and 35,000 cataract surgeries.

And although known for his technical precision, Dr. Stainer says his job can be quite emotional.

“They just can't imagine the difference it’s going to make,” he says of his patients. In fact, it’s not unusual for them, after having their vision literally transformed by Dr. Stainer, to break down in tears.

What does Dr. Gregory Stainer do when he takes off his surgeon hat? The doctor likes to be outdoors if he can, usually playing tennis, golf, or scuba diving, and listening to Jimmy Buffet.

Right now, he is currently accepting new patients. Contact American Eye Associates today at (619) 425-7755 to schedule a complimentary LASIK consultation to determine if LASIK is right for you.

American Eye Associates 1520 East Plaza Blvd., National City, CA 91950 619.425.7755 www.americaneyeassociates. com

STAY SAFE EVERYONE

ATTENTION BUSINESS OWNERS!!!

Are you looking to sell your products or market your services to the Filipino Community?

This space is reserved for you..

Call for special rate and learn about our effective marketing program Call /text: 619-755-0755

8 • January 14, 2022 - January 20, 2022

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Spiritual Life The Super-agers in our midst “Super-ager” is a term coined by a neurologist, Marsel Mesulam, for those whose memory and attention isn’t merely above average for their age, but is virtually at par with healthy active 25 years old. I am 87 years old and my (second) husband is 91 years old, and from our daily conversations, I have the confidence to say that we are “Super-agers.”

Super-aging is not a bed of roses. In fact, there are so many thorns that prick superagers, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Degenerative diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer often rear their ugly head when you least expect them. Dementia sets in robbing you of precious memories.

Depression changes your personality and life is no longer as beautiful as you have experienced it to be.Aches and pains in your muscles or joints are constantly present in your body. We are fortunate to have our own primary care physician who monitors our health and who refers us to other medical specialists when needed.

Praise God, I could still think straight, make decisions, and continue doing the things I love to do. I would like to thank The Filipino Press for giving me the opportunity to write this column, which I have been doing for the past 25 years. Writing this column inspires me to bloom like a spring flower in winter.

Winter symbolizes the late phase of a human being’s life. It is cold like an attic full of memorabilia, wrapped in tattered sweater, often taken for granted if not ignored by those who are in the springtime of their lives.

In the winter of our lives, even

Aurora S. Cudal-Rivera

My Personal Testimony

our children, no matter how they profess their love for us, are too busy building their own lives, caring for their families, and accumulating memories of their own.

Their parents who are perceived to have lived their own lives are left to themselves, often the beneficiary of whatever entitlements they derived from government. Those who are living in the winter of their lives, like ourselves, feel that we have still keen minds filled with wisdom gained from the school of life.

Unfortunately, the meteoric rise of technology has left many of us behind.

What will you do with seniors, especially those blessed with longevity, whose minds are still active and who are still eager to live life to the fullest, still hopeful that the best is yet to come? What will you do with a parent who has surpassed the normally accepted life span of 75 years? Will you place them in a nursing home where they will be taken care of by others until they are “summoned to join the innumerable caravan” that goes to the Great Beyond?

These are some of the questions that our children or grandchildren have to deal with.

We are glad that there are government and non-government agencies that could help those who are caring for “Super-agers”.

Most of them are just a phone call away. But for the Filipino family, respect for elders and love for family are deeply ingrained values, hence, they try their best to re-arranged their lives to take care of the super-ager in their family.

My prayer. Thank you dear God for the blessings of life and longevity that you have given us.

Grant us the strength to do Your will in our lives. Make use of us in whatever way we can to be of service to others. Bless our loved ones and make them instruments of your love and caring. Give them the patience to care for the weak and infirm, the generosity to share their time and treasure to those in need, and the compassion to help those who need help and attention in their daily lives, especially during this time of uncertainty.

Please stop Dear God the spread of the corona virus and hasten the discovery of a vaccine that will protect us from the disease. Be with our leaders and guide them in doing what is right, what is good, and what is beautiful in Your sight.

In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.

There is no fear in love...

A friend is a sky-diving, mountain-climbing, hang-gliding thrill-seeker, but in the cave he felt sheer panic. He was terrified.

He tried fighting his fear, but he kept picturing his dead body moldering in the cave. Finally, he told his guide he was about to lose it, and the guide said, "Hey, close your eyes and listen to my voice. I will keep talking, calmly, and guide you through this. We will be okay. I have been here before. I will get you to the other side. But you must listen to my voice. It will not work for you to let your thoughts run wild. Just focus on my voice." He did so.

What freed him from panic and fear was not trying hard to quit thinking fearful thoughts. It was listening to another voice.

What voice do you listen to when you're in the cave and it's dark, when the ceiling is low and you can't back out? The Spirit longs to flow in our minds all the time. One reason why people have found memorizing Scripture helpful is that it helps us listen to the voice of our guide when we are in the cave. We set our minds on those thoughts that equip us for life. God does not want us to live in worry or fear. He wants us to live with bold confidence in his power. "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and selfdiscipline."

In the Bible, we see a pattern

Danny Hernaez

From Whom All Blessings Flow in which God rarely sends people into situations where their comfort level is high. Rather He promises to be with them in their fear. It is God's presence - not comfortable circumstances - that brings people to the best version of themselves.

Paul said that when we live in the flow of the Spirit, he does not make us timid, but instead gives us power and love. This is not the only place in the Bible where we see a close connection between receiving love and living in power. The apostle John makes the same association in one of the most famous statements in the Bible: "There is no fear in love... perfect love casts out fear."

When we live in the flow of the Spirit, we let the perfect love of God wash over us until our fear begins to leave. Modern science has confirmed what John wrote so many centuries ago. Love and fear are literally incompatible in our bodies. God wants to love you - and in loving you, to cast

out your fear.

Jesus was facing adversity when he told his followers that if they had faith, they could command a mountain and it would be cast into the sea. When my focus is on the mountain, I am driven by my fear. When my focus is on God, however, I am made alive by my faith. But if I did not have the mountain, I would not know that faith could be in me.

Use your imagination to picture being shepherded by the Lord in green pastures beside still waters. Is there any room for fear?

God knows that you can stand that trial; He would not give it to you if you could not. It is His trust in you that explains the trials of life, however bitter they may be.

God knows our strength, and He measures it to the last inch; and a trial was never given to any man that was greater than that man's strength, through God, to bear it. <(((><

Greetings in the Lord!

Last Sunday, we celebrated the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord which marked the beginning of ordinary the season of the liturgical year. The feast of the Baptism of Our Lord marked the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus himself.

The same feast also allowed us to evaluate how we have lived out our Christian faith, as followers of Jesus and members of His Church.

That was an opportunity to for to see that being members of the Church we have both the rights as adopted children of God and the responsibilities in the mission of the Church. This mission is one that is shared by all the baptized, both the lay and the ordained ministers.

The gospel of today tells us how Jesus, according to John, started his public ministry. This must have also happened after his baptism at the Jordan, when with his mother he attended the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee. The miracle of changing the water into wine is considered as the first among the miracles that Jesus performed according to the Gospel of John. The story that we have heard is full of symbols and gospel messages that would help us understand the mission of Jesus himself and the role of Mary in our own mission as active partakers of the mission of the Church.

First, we have to know what the symbols that water and wine signify. For the Jews water is a sign with many valuable meanings. It both means a sign of life and also a sign of death. In this miracle of the changing of the water and the wine, John would like to tell us that the marriage at Cana where

Fr. Agustin T. Opalalic water has been changed into wine is the beginning of the new life that the ministry of Jesus has started to establish. The Kingdom of God which is concretely signified by the wine that has replaced the waters in those jars manifest that the new life of grace which comes with the proclamation of the Kingdom by Jesus is a life that promises eternal life that is much more precious than earthly life that water simply signifies.

Second the meaning of the first miracle being done during the celebration of a wedding further tells us how God has elevated the human institution of marriage into a sacrament, a means that would symbolize the presence of God and his covenant relationship with man that would never end, no matter how unfaithful man would be.

The human institution of marriage further seals the reality that God truly designate such a human institution binding the love of man and wife as an instrument of the sanctification and redemption of man and woman themselves.

Marriage as a human reality has become a divine instrumentality in the mystery of God’s plan for the

salvation of man himself.

Third is the role of Mary in the public ministry of Jesus. This episode in the gospel of John points to how Mary is considered so fundamental by the first Christian community in the ministry of Jesus.

Consider the fact that when the party was getting short of wine the people in the feast thought of seeking the intercession of Mary first before informing Jesus himself. They must have really been conscious that in the early stages of the ministry of Jesus, Mary was constantly in his presence. They must have been convinced that Mary had much to do in the exercise of the public ministry of Jesus from inception until his passion, crucifixion and even burial in the tomb. The words of Mary are noteworthy here, even in the exercise of own ministry as disciples of Jesus, when she said to the servers “Do whatever he tells you.” Words that one who wishes to be actively involved in the mission of Church should always remember.

Our mission is not our own but only a faithful exercise of the mission of Jesus himself.

The current situation of the world that we live in today is urgently demanding that we, the followers of Jesus, would be able to bring life into the mission of the Church which is living sign of Christ’s presence in the world. This mission is not our own but is the mission of Christ himself that we only partake and should exercise in faithfulness to Him. Mary is a very important role in this mission and we can fruitfully and faithfully do this mission with her assistance and intercession.

Celebrating the life of Lourdes Bernal Manansala January 16, 1939-January 4, 2022 Vigil/Visitation: El Camino Memorial 5600 Carroll Canyon Road in Sorrento Valley Monday, January 24, 2022, 4pm-8pm Funeral Mass: St. Charles Catholic Church 990 Saturn Blvd in Imperial Beach Tuesday, January 25, 2022, 10 a.m.

STAY SAFE EVERYONE!!!

HAVE A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!!!

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January 14, 2022 - January 20, 2022 • 9

Physical Therapists Use Old Techniques to Manage New Symptoms Long COVID affects about 10% of people who are infected with COVID-19. It leads to months of extreme fatigue, and "crashes" of severe exhaustion hours or days after activity known as Post-exertional symptom exacerbation or PESE. For people living with this condition, simple activities like walking, taking a shower, or grocery shopping can leave them exhausted for hours or days.

Early in the pandemic, therapists started seeing people with these symptoms. They noticed these patients were different from others who had COVID-19. They also noticed that some of the symptoms people were describing overlapped with conditions they had treated before. Specifically, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) also caused severe fatigue and delayed symptoms after activity. This overlap led them to use techniques they knew worked to manage these diseases.

The first strategy PTs started to use was pacing. This is simply doing less activity than you have energy for. By keeping bouts of activity short with lots of breaks, pacing can help avoid severe fatigue immediately after activity. It can also avoid the delayed "crash" of PESE. A useful metaphor is to think of your energy level as a battery. When you do activities, you drain your battery. When you rest, you charge it back up a little bit. Physical therapists helped teach patients how much energy was in their "battery" and how to conserve it. This began to help patients with Long COVID accomplish more with less fatigue.

Another strategy from ME and CFS management that helped Long COVID patients was heart rate monitoring. With the huge number of wearable devices that monitor heart rate, this is an easier strategy to use than ever. Heart rate monitoring uses your heart rate as a gauge of how hard your body is working. It's based on your resting heart rate. The goal is to keep your heart rate within 15 beats of your RHR while you're doing activities. This minimizes how much lactic acid your muscles produce. Build up of lactic acid is what gives you "the burn" when you're working out really hard. It also causes your muscles to fatigue more quickly - by keeping activity light enough to avoid lactic acid, heart rate monitoring reduces fatigue.

What about exercise? That's the treatment most people associate with PTs. Some therapists tried starting a gradual exercise program for patients with Long COVID, but they found it made them worse. Just like people who have CFS, or ME, "toughing it out" or "pushing through it" doesn't make them stronger. It costs them days of their lives - leaving them barely enough energy to get out of bed or complete basic tasks. Using pacing, heart rate monitoring and other strategies like breathing exercises can stop the fatigue cycle and start to get the body responding to activity more normally. Only then can exercise be gradually and cautiously introduced.

As we learn more about the pathology behind Long COVID's symptoms, rehabilitation will surely change and improve.

But people who are living with Long COVID c Fortunately physical therapists have training and strategies that can help improve their lives right now.Fortunately physical therapists have training and strategies that can help improve their lives right now.

Kora's DoughnutBW

About The Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association

Founded in 1956, the Private Practice Section of the American Physical Therapy Association champions the success of physical therapist-owned businesses. Our members are leaders and innovators in the healthcare system.

The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) represents more than 85,000 physical therapists, physical therapist assistants and students of physical therapy nationwide. For more information, please visit www. ppsapta.org.

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10 • January 14, 2022 - January 20, 2022

Board Unanimously Approves 2-year Home Kitchen Ordinance

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office SAN DIEGO, CA -- The Board of Supervisors Tuesday unanimously approved a two-year temporary authorization of an ordinance that will ultimately allow people to legally operate “mini-restaurants” out of their homes.

They could serve as many as 30 in-person, take-out, or delivery meals a day, with a maximum of 60 meals a week. Operators will be required to get a health permit, and home kitchens must pass food safety inspections.

Vice Chair Nora Vargas and Supervisor Joel Anderson, who

brought a request to draft an ordinance for microenterprise home kitchen operations, or MEHKOs, to the Board in September, said Wednesday that the home kitchens wouldn’t compete with established restaurants but would help local communities, the economy and people with cooking skills trying to make ends meet.

“Legally implemented MEHKOS can serve as incubators for aspiring restaurateurs to test out and vet a menu while learning the basics of what it takes to run a small-scale retail operation,” Vargas said. “I want to make sure that families and businesses in our region are thriving, not just surviving, and this opens the door for

Filipino Press home cooks to do just that.”

Anderson said MEHKOS also provide a great service to communities “because people are getting quality food from their neighbors.”

“On every level I just believe this is a terrific program,” Anderson said.

County staff said comments collected in public meetings and hearings stated that microenterprise kitchens could have numerous potential economic and community benefits. They would give aspiring restaurateurs a way to earn a living and way to test their skills and ideas for an overall startup cost of about $740, rather than spending the estimated $275,000 average cost of opening a storefront restaurant. They would also provide “food justice” and healthy, home-cooked meals for communities that don’t have lots of restaurants or that lack access to healthy food.

California established a MEHKO addition to the California Retail Food Code in 2019. The code is the state law that establishes health and sanitation standards and regulates food facilities.

The County of San Diego is the regional local authority that conducts health inspections for all restaurants and food facilities and is the governing body to consider MEHKO authorization for all jurisdictions in the region.

The state law allows microenterprise kitchens with restrictions. Some of those include: They must be operated by a resident living in the home or apartment They cannot have more than one full-time employee excluding family members.

Food must be prepared and served on the same day and sold directly to consumers.

They’re limited to $50,000 in sales a year. They cannot operate as caterers, temporary event vendors, mobile event vendors or cottage food operators that prepare and sell packaged foods.

Home cooks who want to operate a microenterprise kitchen would be required to submit an application, earn a food safety manager certificate from an approved school, pass an initial inspection, and undergo annual inspections. Kitchens that rely upon well water would also have to conduct private well tests to ensure the water is safe.

The Department of Environmental Health and Quality conducted

approximately 50 stakeholder meetings to inform the drafting of the ordinance, including four public workshops with language translators, meetings with other public agencies, chambers of commerce and city councils.

Because the Board’s action creates a new ordinance to oversee regulation, it will need to be authorized again at a “second reading” Jan. 26, which will allow it to take effect 30 days after that.

County staff said they would study local MEHKOS during the twoyear temporary authorization of the ordinance and bring back that data to the Board before the ordinance expires for

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their consideration on whether to make

it permanent.

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Filipino Press

January 14, 2022 - January 20, 2022 • 11

12 • January 14, 2022 - January 20, 2022

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