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Duterte signs law easing entry of foreign retail enterprises in PH and more
MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law a measure that would further open up the Philippine retail sector to more foreign retail businesses by lowering their required paid-up capital. Republic Act (RA) 11595, which amends RA 8762, also known as the Retail Liberalization Act of 2000, was signed by Duterte on Dec. 10, 2021, and was released to reporters on Thursday. Duterte earlier certified the bill as urgent as part of efforts to encourage the entry of more investors and further boost economic recovery amid the prevailing coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Under the law, "a foreign retailer shall have a minimum paid-up capital of PHP25 million." The current law sets the required capital at USD2.5 million or PHP119.67 million. The law also mandates the entry of foreign retailers coming from countries that do not prohibit the entry of Filipino retailers. In the case of foreign retailers engaged in retail trade through more than one physical store, the minimum investment per store must be at least PHP10 million “provided that this requirement shall not apply to foreign investors and foreign retailers who are legitimately engaged in retail trade and were not required to comply with the minimum investment per store at the time of the effectivity of this Act.”
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte signs several laws which include easing entry of foreign retail enterprises in PHL, creating the Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos and more at the Malacañan Palace recently (MNS photo) The Department of Trade and Industry, Securities and Exchange Commission, and the National Economic and Development Authority shall review the required minimum paid-up capital every three years and their recommendations should be submitted to Congress. Foreign retailers are encouraged to have a stock inventory of products that are made in the Philippines. As for penalties, violators may face
imprisonment of not less than four to six years and a fine of not less than PHP1 million but not more than PHP5 million. In the case of partnerships, associations, or corporations, the penalty shall be imposed upon its partners, president, directors, general manager, and other officers responsible for the violation. If the offender is not a citizen of the Philippines, he or she shall be
Eye on Health Meet Dr. Sara Khandan
“I am where I am today because of an ophthalmologist,” says ophthalmologist Sara Khandan, M.D. By Adam Behar NATIONAL CITY, CA -- “When I was a young child I had a lazy eye and a very smart ophthalmologist operated on my eyes,” she says. Dr. Khandan, at the time, was only five years old. “He essentially saved my vision.” And so she wanted to pay it forward, as they say. “Because of him I went on to become a surgeon,” says Dr. Khandan, now a glaucoma specialist and surgeon with American Eye Associates. A group of highly trained 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. Their top-tier specialists and surgeons provide the following services: • Cataracts treatments • Vision Correction, LASIK & PRK • Astigmatism Correction • Cornea treatments • Dry Eye • Glaucoma • Retinal Care When it comes to caring for your eyes, you want someone you can trust, the cream of the crop, right? All of the specialists affiliated with American Eye Associates graduated from elite medical schools and received training at the best institutions—and Dr. Khandan is no
exception. After obtaining her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Davis, Dr. Khandan received her medical degree at Rush University in Chicago. Afterwards, she completed her ophthalmology residency at nationally ranked Beaumont Hospital in Michigan. As if that weren’t enough, she then moved to Florida, where Dr. Khandan completed her glaucoma fellowship at the world renowned Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. What exactly is glaucoma? It’s a condition that can damage the optic nerve and lead to a complete loss of vision. The optic nerve is responsible for carrying signals from the eye to the brain. Once damaged, the optic nerve cannot be repaired, making glaucoma “one of the leading causes of blindness for people over the age of 60,” says Dr. Khandan. “The good news is that a regular
eye exam with an ophthalmologist can lead to early detection and early treatment for glaucoma and may prevent blindness.” Dr. Khandan helps her patients manage and monitor cataracts, glaucoma, and other related eye conditions. When surgery is called for, her patients are in good hands. The highly trained doctor’s expertise includes cataract surgery, blepharoplasty, and pterygium surgery, in addition to implantation of glaucoma devices and glaucoma laser treatment. A member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the American Glaucoma Society, Dr. Khandan participates in international conferences, including the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. Dr. Khandan, who enjoys playing tennis and swimming in her free time, encourages patients of all ages to make an appointment with her. “In particular,” she says, “people who are age 60 and above and/ or those with medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension, should have early exams.” Dr. Khandan is currently accepting new patients. Contact American Eye Associates at today at (619) 425-7755 to schedule a one-on-one consultation. American Eye Associates 1520 East Plaza Blvd., National City, CA 91950 619.425.7755 www.americaneyeassociates.com
deported immediately after the service of sentence. If the Filipino offender is a public officer or employee, he or she shall, in addition to the penalty prescribed, suffer dismissal and permanent disqualification from public office. RA 11595 is a consolidation of House of Representatives Bill 59 and Senate Bill 1840 passed by the House and the Senate on September 21 and 20 last year, respectively.
New law giving ‘small’ farmers cash assistance until 2024 inked Small farmers tilling two hectares and below of rice land will get an annual direct cash assistance under a new law signed by President Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte signed Republic Act (R.A.) No. 11598 also known as Cash Assistance for Filipino Farmers Act on Dec. 10, 2021. The copy of the law was released to reporters on Thursday.
In signing the law, Duterte recognized the policy of the State to address the plight of small farmers in the country. “The State recognizes the urgency of intervening for our farmers in light of the current state of declining palay prices and the crippling effects of the Coronavirus Disease-19 or Covid-19 pandemic. Towards this end, the State shall provide monetary assistance to the hardest hit segments of the country's small farmers in the form of actual giving of cash to farmers,” RA 11598 read. RA 11598 authorizes the Department of Agriculture (DA) to use the monies from the annual tariff revenues in excess of PHP10 billion on the Rice Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (RCEF) to directly provide cash assistance to the small farmers until 2024. The law mandates Bureau of Customs (BOC) to directly remit to the DA the said excess funds. The BOC and the DA shall, at the end of each year, submit separate reports to Congress, through the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform and the House Committee on Agriculture and Food, on the remittance of funds and the actual fund disbursement for the year. The source of funds for the annual direct cash assistance to farmers shall See DUTERTE on
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San Diegans Urged to Not Go to Emergency Departments for COVID-19 Testing By Jose Alvarez SAN DIEGO,CA -- County health officials are urging 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. The County recommends that people worried about COVID-19 infection and others seeking COVID-19 testing only go to a hospital to be tested if they have severe symptoms. “Do not go to an emergency department just to get tested, and only go when you have symptoms that need emergency care,” said Cameron Kaiser, M.D., M.P.H., County deputy public health officer. “If you’re experiencing no COVID-19 symptoms, have mild illness or have not been exposed to someone who tested positive, go to one of the many testing locations available in the region.” The region’s healthcare 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, which has about 10 percent of the region’s testing capacity, has a network of no-cost testing public sites that are both walk-up and can take appointments. Together, all testing sites have the capacity to perform about 45,000 tests daily. Rapid antigen tests, which are available at many local pharmacies, are a good option
if a testing site is unavailable. Those who test positive on a rapid should follow the healthcare guidance and generally do not need a confirmatory PCR test unless instructed by a doctor. “Currently, there is a high demand for COVID-19 testing so we’re asking San Diegans to be patient as testing traffic can surge and sites can be very busy,” Kaiser said. Avoid Fake COVID-19 Testing Sites The County is also warning San Diegans about potential scams from “pop up” sites that are offering “free” COVID-19 testing. All legitimate COVID-19 testing sites should be able to show you their medical credentials upon request. They should also be able to tell you what laboratory test is being used, where the test is being run and how the results will be reported. A testing site could be fake if:
• They ask for social security numbers or other non-medical information • Materials do not have a logo • Site is on a sidewalk and not affiliated with a medical provider “San Diegans should be wary as some pop-up sites could be personal information scams. If you have doubts, go to a County or community pharmacy COVID-19 testing site,” Kaiser said. Also, the region has plenty of COVID-19 vaccines and booster doses, which remain the best longterm protection against COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths. There are more than 400 vaccination sites that include pharmacies, medical providers, clinics and County locations; the region has the capacity to meet 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.
2 • January 7, 2022 - January 13, 2022
Filipino Press
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Commitment to You in 2022
Alright… We’re a week into the New Year, dear friends. How’s your health? I hope you and your loved ones are healthy and safe. As a community, we can afford to be more diligent and careful—socially distance, wear masks, wash hands...You know the deal. The surge in COVID-19 cases, especially given the impact of the Omicron variant, is frightening. The pandemic has been a real test of patience. But shortterm sacrifices for long-term success, right? Do what you can—all that you can—to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community…or we’ll be in our respective bubbles forever. (Nooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!) How are those well-intentioned resolutions? If they’re already slipping, remember changing habits takes time and discipline…But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. This week, I’m sharing tips to help support your efforts. #kayanatinto 1. If you planned on increasing your physical activity this year, make
example, complete a variety of leg lifts or calf raises while you brush your teeth, do rounds of push-ups (wall push-ups count) while waiting for the microwave, or stretch while your morning coffee is brewing. Build habits into existing habits, and make use of time when you usually daze out. Engage, my friends! 2. If squeezing in a fruit or vegetable into each meal is a bit of a challenge, display an array of washed fruit and vegetables on your kitchen counter. Now that they’re within reach and ready to be consumed, hopefully their vibrant colors will lure you in for a healthy dessert or snack during the day. If your plan is to enjoy your fruit and veggies in healthy smoothies daily, it may be helpful to keep your juicer/ blender out, next to your beautiful display of fruit and veggies. Easy access means more frequent use. 3. If your drawers, pantries and closets still need some lovin’— and by lovin’ I mean a good cleaning and organizing session—incentivize yourself. You just might find “gold” in there! For example, by cleaning and organizing your space, you may find that you don’t need to buy certain ingredients, order makeup, etc. because you already have the tools you need…You just didn’t know it. Consider these newly found treasures gifts you didn’t realize you were giving yourself. Think of the money (and space) you’ll save! 4. In labeling goods and spaces,
use of otherwise “dead time.” For
are you finding that you actually don’t
Journaling helps you set, meet, reflect on your goals as well as make note of your wins and challenges. It helps you change your course, pivot, change if need be. (FP stock photo)
use or need certain items? Consider donating or selling such items. Save your receipts of donation and keep them in a safe place, so they’re not forgotten when you prepare this year’s taxes. If you’d like to try selling your items, Facebook may be the quickest way to spread the word. Good luck! 5. Ok, maybe journal writing isn’t your thing…but maybe you’re on your phone or computer at least once a day (or maybe the whole day). Maybe your journaling looks like fun, artistic photos. You can also keep a Word file on your desktop. You may choose to add to a running digital note on your phone. Whatever works for you, try adding a daily entry. You may just find a support system of folks going through the same thing! You’ve got this, my friends! We’ve got this. Let’s show this year just how committed, strong and disciplined we can be! XO, 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.
Nandy and Felma Vargas posed for a souvenir photo with their grandkids during the later's birthday and holiday celebration at their home in Chula Vista, Ca . Vargas family also wishes everyone a Prosperous New Year (photo by Zen Ply)
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January 7, 2022 - January 13, 2022 • 3
4 • January 7, 2022 - January 13, 2022
Filipino Press
Philippines COVID-19 active tally leaps to 56K with 17,220 new cases MANILA -- The Philippines on Thursday recorded 17,220 new COVID-19 cases bringing the nationwide COVID-19 tally to 2,888,917. Based on the Department of Health (DOH)’s latest bulletin, the new cases brought the country's active case count to 56,561, of which 1,837 are asymptomatic, 49,988 are mild, 2,954 are moderate, 1,470 are severe, and 312 are in critical condition. The DOH said of the 17,220 new reported cases, 17,104 (99%) occurred within the recent 14 days from December 24 to January 6, 2022. The top regions with most cases in the recent two weeks were the National Capital Region (NCR) with 11,563 or 68%, followed by Region 4-A with 3,165 or 19% and Region 3 with 1,126 or 7%). Meanwhile, at least 616 more patients recovered from the viral disease, increasing the total to 2,780,613. The death toll climbed to 51,743 with 81 new fatalities. The Philippines’ COVID-19 positivity rate was at 36.9%, which is higher than the 31.7% positivity rate on Wednesday. Both are higher than the World Health Organization's requirement target of less than 5% positivity rate, which means there is a high transmission rate of the virus. The total conducted COVID-19 tests were at 59,847. The latest data also showed that 31% of 3,500 intensive care unit (ICU) beds for COVID-19 patients nationwide are in use. At least 27% of the 12,500 ward beds in the country were utilized, while 50% of the 4,000 ward beds in the NCR were in use. Based on the report, the DOH said all laboratories were operational since January 4, while there were 11 laboratories that failed to submit data to the COVID-19 Document Repository System. The health department reported 46 duplicates were removed from the total case count. Of these, 46 are recoveries.
In addition, at least 66 cases that were previously tagged as recoveries were reclassified as deaths after final validation. 14 more cities, provinces shift to higher Alert Level 3 A total of 14 more cities and provinces will be placed under more stringent Alert Level 3 status from Jan. 9 to 15 as the country hit a threemonth high 17,220 new Covid-19 cases, Malacañang announced on Thursday. Acting Presidential Spokesperson, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has agreed to also escalate the following areas to a higher alert level: * Baguio City in the Cordillera Administrative Region; * Dagupan City in Region 1 (Ilocos); * City of Santiago and Cagayan in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley); * Angeles City, Bataan, Olongapo City, Pampanga and Zambales in Region 3 (Central Luzon); * Batangas and Lucena City in Region 4-A (Calabarzon); * Naga City in Region 5 (Bicol); * Iloilo City in Region 6 (Western Visayas); and * Lapu-lapu City in Region 7 (Central Visayas). The 17,220 new infections recorded on Thursday increased the country’s total caseload to 2,888,917. Health authorities also reported 616 more people getting better, bringing total recoveries to 2,780,613 while 81 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 51,743. Strictly adhere to protocols President Rodrigo Duterte, in a prerecorded Talk to the People on Thursday, urged authorities to continue enforcing and the public to continue adhering to minimum public health standards. “We are reverting back to a stricter quarantine protocol to minimize mobility and exposure of the coronavirus. Our minimum public health standards shall be strictly enforced and violations shall be
dealt with accordingly under the law especially under Republic Act No. 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Concern Act,” he said. “To our countrymen, please follow persons in authority who are enforcing the restrictions and public standards. Must ito (This is a must), must obey,” he said. He also renewed his call to local officials, including barangay (village) captains, to apprehend those who left their homes despite refusing to get vaccinated against Covid-19. “Otherwise. you deal with the police or maybe the military on the long stretch,” he added. Metro Manila and nearby provinces of Bulacan, Cavite and Rizal are under Alert Level 3 until Jan. 15 while Laguna will also be put under higher alert level from Jan. 7 to 15. OWWA to assist OFWs affected by Hong Kong's travel ban The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) is ready to assist overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who might be affected by the travel restrictions implemented by Hong Kong. OWWA administrator Hans Leo Cacdac, in a Laging Handa presser on Thursday, said they are monitoring the situation on the possibility of Filipino workers being stranded. “We are now monitoring the airports for those who may be affected,” he said at the Laging Handa briefing. Cacdac added that the assistance will be provided to all OFWs, whether they are agency-hired or Balik Manggagawa. “Although, in general, the recruitment agencies have been cooperative and have resources to help their OFWs who are stranded and cannot continue the flight, among others. But there are also returning workers who do not have agencies. We will probably help them. If there is no accommodation in NCR (National Capital Region), we will help them provide shelter, food, accommodation, and transport,” Cacdac added. (MNS)
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Gary V never thought he would become an entertainer MANILA -- Did you know that Gary Valenciano never thought that singing and dancing in front of audiences would be something he would do as a professional? “My dream [growing up] was everything I am not today,” Valenciano said in an interview with Toni Gonzaga for her vlog. “I wanted to be the typical – doctor, architect. Those were the top two.” Despite this, he knew he could sing even at a young age. “When I was a kid, my mom already said that I was singing kasi kumakanta ako sa bahay kapag may mga taong pumupunta,” he said. “Maybe I was seven years old and the first song that I ever sang in front of her was the song ‘I Believe.’ She heard it. My mom said, ‘He’s probably going to end up in entertainment.’ That’s when I found out I could sing. Pero I never ever thought, never in my life ko naisip na aabot ako sa ganito,” he continued. It was in high school when Valenciano discovered that he could dance. “When I was a kid, hindi ko masasabi na dancer ako but I could move. When I was in high school, Michael Jackson did the moonwalk and I remember every day pumupunta ako sa studio and I would be practicing
the moonwalk all the time until one of my classmates saw it. From that time on, sa akin binibigay 'yung mga dance moves.” It was also during that time that he had his first televised performance, but not yet as a solo artist. He performed with his high school singing group Kundirana. “I was in senior year in high school, Tita Pilita Corales and Jackie Lou Blanco, may television show sila. Inimbita 'yung Kundirana to perform. After that performance, lumapit si Tita Pilita. I think it was my sister na sinabihan niya, ‘You think your brother can come back to the show but
as a soloist?’ Sabi ko okay.” Still, that wasn’t the time he thought performing would be his passion. Sharing when he experienced a turning point, he said: “What happened was I came to Immaculate Concepcion Academy (ICA) and in this school, hindi ako nilagay sa start ng show and hindi rin sa dulo.” “So nandoon ako, ‘Gary, you’re going to sing at this part because it’s going to fit the whole program.’ Para sa akin, program, program, basta lalabas ako doon, kakanta ako. But this time they were really saying, ‘This is the concept of the show.’ I stood out there. At that point, walang sumisigaw pero merong mga naririnig [sa tenga ko]. I am actually able to speak in the form of something harmonious, in the form of something melodious and there I was creating an impact that I never thought I could do.” To this day, Valenciano vividly remembers how the crowd applauded after his performance, and that was the start of everything. “I remember talking to my sister saying I think this is what I want to do, being a solo performer. Kasi may mga offers din na maging part ng band. Dapat ako, si Randy Santiago and Juan Miguel Salvador. But that event in ICA changed my whole perspective.” (MNS)
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January 7, 2022 - January 13, 2022 • 5
“DON’T STOP BELIEVIN” USHERS IN 2022 AND ON THE CONTINUING SAGA OF LEGENDARY ROCK BAND JOURNEY’S FILIPINO FRONTMAN “There are so many things that we can be proud of about our county… We just have to know them.” - www.FilipinoMatters.org SAN DIEGO, CA – Cheers! Filipino artist Arnel Pineda has welcomed 2022 with a rocking performance at “Dick Clark’s 50th Anniversary Rockin’ New Year’s Eve” show held at New York City’s iconic Times Square. Our “kababayan” who was fronting Journey sang the bands hit songs “Any Way You Want It” and “Don’t Stop Believin’,” as seen on the band’s Instagram page January 1st. “Happy New Year to you all… Great time last night ringing 2022 in (New York City),” it said. Pineda belted the songs amid the cold New York weather while fans were jamming and cheering for the band, as seen on the page. Incidentally, the band is set to have its concert tour in February entitled “Journey Freedom Tour 2022,” which would take place in the United States and some parts of Canada. “Just a small town girl…” “A singer in a smoky room…” “Some will win, some will lose…” “It goes on and on and on and on…” “Hold on to the feelin’…” When was the last time you heard Don’t Stop Believin’? Was it on the radio or in the pub? At a festival or a wedding? Was it sung by Journey themselves, the cast of Glee, a fan on YouTube, a choir of school children or a drunken friend on a karaoke machine? Nothing has wriggled its way into every corner of the culture quite like a slow-burning powder ballad that celebrated its 40th birthday! Yes, almost four decades after releasing their hit song, “Don’t Stop Believin’” to the world, the rock band Journey is still believing in the uplifting power of what it says – and includes the group’s then newest member and now the band’s worldfamous Filipino front man. Well, I say it’s actually not that surprising really once you learn specially about the musical culture in our beloved old homeland, the Philippines. I must confess guys like me weaned on The Beatles aren’t supposed to like Journey. Yet, decades beyond my rock ‘n roll formative years, here I am very proudly giving a shout out to the iconic rock band Journey, honestly enamored with the group’s fellow countryman lead vocalist, Arnel Pineda – the same singer who, I understand years prior, perform cover tunes in dingy downtown Manila bars where they say wobbly ceiling fans swatted flying cockroaches. Ha-ha-ha-ha! I must admit, too that I wasn’t surprised to witness Arnel’s rise to fame. From Hong Kong to Singapore and back to Tokyo or Beijing, if there’s a skilled rock band on stage, I would say that they’re likely Filipino. And indeed, Arnel was fronting his rock cover band, The Zoo when this then still unknown would-be star rock out in a random, smoky Manila dive.
Jesse T. Reyes
Filipino Potpourri
One of the biggest bands in rock history, Journey with lead vocalist Arnel Pineda performed on New Year's Eve (31 December 2021) from New York City's Times Square As Journey’s new vocalizer, as well as a genuine Filipino fronting a now Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band - Arnel’s life journey itself was the biggest entertainment news ever in the Philippines even outshining another “kababayan” Lea Salonga’s Tony Award-winning role in Miss Saigon. Really, even before Arnel was launched out of obscurity and into the world spotlight, the youthful, unassuming vocalist was armed only with standard Filipino politeness. Even then he had insisted that his birthplace was “a big sponge that’s open to world music.” No stranger to smiling, he added, “We grew up breathing music, it’s in our veins.” Some may call it luck, but I would say Arnel was well-prepared for the opportunity that unexpectedly knocked on his door. His mother, a seamstress, who passed away when he was 13, began grooming him via in-home performances at age 5. Born into poverty, he was competing in local singing contests by age seven. He went pro at 15, initially showcasing his vocal range in malls and later throughout the Philippines and other parts of Asia. His story was also punctuated by spells of hunger and homelessness. A bona fide amazing rags to riches story – this is also the essence of the feature film “Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey” which is actually about Arnel’s life – decidedly, now the world-known Filipino front man of the storied American rock band Journey. The feature film “Don’t Stop Believin” traces the unlikely story of Arnel – from how he started singing on the streets of Manila to cope with poverty, to how he was discovered on YouTube and eventually became the lead singer of Journey. According to a synopsis on the film’s official site (http:www. everymansjourney.com), the magical jaunt started for Arnel when Neal Schon, guitarist of Journey, checked out Arnel’s video on YouTube (http://www.youtube. com) singing cover songs of the band. Truly, Arnel’s life narrative is the stuff of fairy tales – a poor boy with a golden voice finds his way to become the lead vocalist of a legendary rock band. Arnel’s story unfolds in the
documentary which was an official selection at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival and the winner of the Audience Award at the 2013 Palm Springs International Film Festival. The film goes on the road with Journey, crisscrossing hemispheres and timelines, to chronicle the intersecting destinies of Arnel and the iconic rock band in this age of the internet and social media. The central story that started it all is itself an internet legend. Journey faced a very hard road back to the top after parting ways with lead singer Steve Perry in 1998. To make a story short, Journey was essentially seen as headed into oblivion. The timing couldn’t have been worse. The season finale of The Sopranos kick started a wave of “Don’t Stop Believin” mania that continued in the following years when the song appeared in Rock of Ages, Glee and every karaoke bar on the planet. And so back in the summer of 2007, the members of Journey, who got together in 1973 and disbanded several times in the ensuing decades, began searching for a new lead vocalist. It was a tall order considering the anointed one would be stepping into the very big shoes of departed singer Steve Perry. The group, who hit the height of their popularity in the early ‘80s with big, rich rock hits including Open Arms, Faithfully and Don’t Stop Believin’ (of course!) has sold more than 80 million albums worldwide. After trawling YouTube for possible leads and almost ready to give up, the founding guitarist Neal Schon clicked on one last video. There popped up Arnel onstage in the Philippines, singing Journey cover songs for his band The Zoo. “This is too good to be true,” said Schon then. Emails were sent, and soon an incredulous Arnel found himself in San Francisco to audition for the lead role. And the rest is history, so to speak. Journey’s first gig with Arnel took place February 21st of 2008 at the Vina del Mar Festival in Chile. It was a bold move to debut a new singer in front of such a large audience but Arnel was quite up to the task. Dates were soon booked all
over the world, and the story of an unknown Filipino fronting a major rock band was an irresistible story for the media. The band even got booked on Oprah and became a subject of the documentary, helping Journey sell more tickets than they had since Perry left. “If it wasn’t for me finding Arnel, who knows where we’d be right now,” Schon told Rolling Stone. “He does bring it. Now that people know him and have seen him so many times, they understand him and they believe it. They know there’s conviction in it.” The film’s director Ramona S. Diaz recounts how she was first inspired to make the documentary. In 2008, she received an email from a friend in Manila with the title “Best US Embassy Visa Application Story.” Written by one of the immigration agents at the American Embassy in Manila, it was about Arnel, who said that the reason he was going to the US was that he was invited by Journey to audition for lead vocals. “Journey? You mean the rock band Journey?” the dubious agent had asked, and Arnel could only nod meekly, producing some flimsy email correspondence from the band. So Arnel was asked to sing Wheel in the Sky. He belted it out loud enough for the entire waiting room to stop and listen. “Look sir,” said the agent afterwards, “there isn’t a person in this embassy who would believe that story! So I’m giving you that visa. You’re going to try out. And you’re going to make it.” And make it he sure did! Ha-ha-ha-ha!! Way to go, “Kababayan!” And thank you to the American Embassy agent for the quick approval. Arnel, who once had to sing for food, who lost his mother when he was 13 and grew up in a family so poor his father had to send siblings to live with relatives, who quit school and stuck out on his own to ease the burden, spending two years on the streets before finding some domestic success as a musician, today performs in front of thousands of people in sold-out concerts all over the world. As I’ve stated earlier above, his story was covered in Rolling Stone,
he performed at a Super Bowl pregame show and he was a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Yet many times he’d still wonder if it was all a dream. In one scene, he says: “Why me? I’m short, I’m so Asian…it was like I was just edited in with Photoshop!” Since 2007 Arnel has recorded two albums with the rejuvenated Journey: Revelation in 2008 and 2011’s Eclipse. But Everyman is about Arnel’s life on the road, and in it the front man proves an endearing, soulful character, a nice guy who suffered at an early age and is now reaping a lifetime’s worth of good karma. Says Diaz: “As we’ve travelled to film festivals the world over, it’s apparent that audiences young and old feel a powerful kinship with Arnel. The bursts of applause and the standing ovations have overwhelmed us.” “Audiences truly like Arnel, they root for him because his success affirms that in this crazy world we live in, good things still happen to good people.” Amen, I say to that! Now, I ask, too – what fairy tale would be complete without a villain…or in this particular story, villains – the haters, critics and downright racists who hurled their insults in cyberspace, if I may also add? If the internet was what got Arnel discovered, it was also where wickedness thrived – where such insults as “garbage,” “impersonator” and “monkey” were slung freely. In fact, just this last New Year’s Eve, CNN became the unlikely location for a debate about Journey. Shortly after the band’s energetic performance of “Any Way You Want It” and “Don’t Stop Believin’” in New York City’s Times Square Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest on rival network ABC, CNN ebullient Andy Cohen—co-hosting the network’s own festivities with good pal Anderson Cooper – appeared on camera, draped on a streamer he said was hot from Journey’s stage. The CNN duo’s farcical exchange went like this: “Cohen: “Wow, I just got doused with confetti. Journey is appearing on ABC. If it’s not Steve Perry, it’s not Journey.” Cooper: “Really?” Cohen: “You get it? NOT JOURNEY!!” Cooper: “That’s not true.” Cohen: “It’s propaganda!” Cooper: “That’s not true…” Cohen: “it’s propaganda! Not Journey!” Cooper: “Settle down…” Cohen: “No! It’s not Journey! Steve Perry is Journey!” Cooper: “Its l-Ching…Things evolve, it’s OK, it’s OK, and it’s OK. Come back to us!”” After that, there was no further discussion as it was nearing
Local Lender Receives $625,000 in Federal Funding to Help Small Business in San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial Counties Still Recovering from Pandemic * Nearly 50% of California small businesses are at risk of shutting down * Data shows that businesses owned by people of color have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 health and economic crisis * Funding from the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund * Accessity is one of 265 CDFIs chosen to bring equitable financing to low-income and underbanked communities SAN DIEGO, CA -- Accessity received an additional $625,000 grant from the U.S. Department of the Treasury's CDFI Fund Program to bring equitable small business financing, expert guidance and
business development support to struggling San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino and Imperial County small businesses amidst the ongoing COVID-19 health and economic crisis. Earlier this year, Accessity was awarded $1.8 million through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s CDFI Rapid Response Program – the largest grant awarded from the CDFI Fund as well as the largest grant received in the organization’s 27-year history. This new federal funding awarded through the CDFI Fund Program, will primarily be used as loan capital and loan loss reserve capital to reach low-to moderate-income, Hispanic and African American small business owners. As the COVID-19 pandemic
rippled through economies, labor markets and communities across the globe, the pandemic disproportionately impacted minority-owned businesses, causing many to close their doors for good. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, for small businesses that remain open, cash balances are a growing concern with small business owners of color struggling and experiencing a more severe cash crunch than their white counterparts. In response to this reality, Accessity will deploy close to $20 million in loan capital to low-income and diverse entrepreneurs to help them build prosperous businesses and spark economic growth in their communities. CDFIs play a vital role in increasing
access to equitable loan capital for low-income, Black and Brown communities of color, who already face systemic barriers to accessing financing and business resources. Of the total $625,000 grant, $100,000 is dedicated to fund loans within Imperial County which is designated as a Persistent Poverty County by the CDFI fund and the remaining $525,000 will fund loans and reserves directly to support low-to-moderate income, African American and/or Hispanic owned small businesses in the four territories that Accessity serves. QUOTES: “Small businesses are the economic engine that drives our country. I am extremely grateful to
the U.S. Department of the Treasury for its generous grant that will help Accessity reach Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego County small business owners and help them gain access to much-needed capital to recover from the impacts of the pandemic,” says Robert Lopez, chief credit & operating officer at Accessity. “When we invest in the small business owners, particularly those within low-and-moderate income & BIPOC communities, we strengthen local economies, promote future growth and create more jobs and opportunities.” ADDITIONAL DETAILS AND CONTACT: Accessity, Community Development Financial Institutions Fund
midnight and the traditional ball drop. Interestingly, Journey’s spot was easily the most-hyped by ABC before and during its broadcast, and the sole classic rock performance on the show. The following morning on Twitter, Cohen admitted to having been “over served” while Journey’s founding guitarist Neal Schon succinctly dismissed anybody criticizing the band’s current lineup: “F the haters we are great.” Moving on - “Arnel was very aware of that,” says Diaz. “The internet has no gatekeeper. But he chose to ignore it; he knew he couldn’t please everyone. He couldn’t let that seep into his consciousness. Also, he had no time to focus on that because he was on tour.” It’s an issue that Arnel addresses in the film, by the way. “There are people out there who want me to fail,” he affirms. “I‘m sticking to those people who believe in me” And those folks could translate into a whole country (the Philippines…Ha-ha-ha-ha!) as his backup! Yeah, man…as one avid Filipino fan commented in the film, when Journey chose Arnel for the lead, “They inherited a nation.” Indeed! Ha-ha-ha-ha!! During a grueling year on the road, Diaz, of course, had no way of knowing how her film would end. “As a documentary filmmaker, one of the most exciting things about the process does not know how it’s going to turn out,” admits Diaz. “Observing life as it unfolds through the camera’s lens is a privilege.” Ultimately, there is no doubt about it that Everyman’s Journey is a feel-good film with a great soundtrack and a positive image. It shows the soft side of rock, seen in the warmth and enduring faith of the veteran rock stars Neal Schon, Ross Valory, Jon Cain, Deen Castronovo and the band manager John Baruck, in their fellowship of strings. No matter how clichéd it seems, it really is a story of never giving up,” declares Diaz. “Or, at the very least, surrounding yourself with friends who never stop believing in you,” she surmises, too. There’s no denying it: Halfway around the world and also no doubt about it, I could imagine that Arnel would be walking into the spotlight right now and turning around and nodding a jubilant “Yes!” I say, too - no one better to sing us into a New Year than the awesome Journey and its legendary Filipino front man Arnel Pineda. Similar to that famous song, Arnel Pineda’s fairy tale life journey goes on, and on, and on, and on… So, please don’t stop believin’, “kababayans”! Mabuhay!!!
Medical Mission of the Inland Empire is going to administer FREE Flu Shot at First United Methodist Church located at 242 E. 8th St. National City, on Jan. 16, 2022 at 1pm. Please call (619) 477-2741 to reserve a spot.
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be the excess of PHP10 billion of the annual tariff revenues from rice importation pursuant to RA No. 11203 or the Rice Tariffication Law (RTL). RA 11203 removes government limits, called quantitative restrictions (QRs) on rice importation. The Cash Assistance for Filipino Farmers Act was passed by the House of Representatives as House Bill No. 9950 on Sept. 15, 2021 and adopted by the Senate of the Philippines as an amendment to Senate Bill No. 1927 on Sept. 21, 2021. (MNS) Law providing 1% preferential tax relief to private schools inked MANILA, Feb 7 (Mabuhay) -President Rodrigo Duterte has signed a law reducing the preferential tax rate of 10 percent to 1 percent imposed on proprietary educational institutions. Duterte signed Republic Act (RA) 11635 on Dec. 10, 2021, amending Section 27 (B) of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997. “Hospitals which are nonprofit and proprietary educational institutions shall pay a tax of 10 percent on their taxable income except those covered by Subsection (D) hereof: Provided, that beginning July 1, 2020 until June 30, 2023, the tax rate herein imposed shall be 1 percent,” the law, released on Thursday, read. Proprietary education institutions refer to any private school maintained and administered by private individuals or groups with an issued permit to operate from the Department of
Education (DepEd) or the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), or the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), as the case may be, based on existing laws and regulations. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee chair, Albay Rep. Joey Salceda, author of the bill, earlier said the new law is expected to help private schools hire more teachers and keep existing staff through tax relief. “It will help private schools keep their teachers. They already had to fire teachers due to the pandemic. I think the whole committee agrees we should provide them relief,” he said. He noted that applying the reduced 1 percent preferential rate under RA 11534 or the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives for Enterprises (CREATE) Act until 2023 would allow schools to save an equivalent of 3.43 percent of compensation expenses, which could help them rehire at least 12,996 teachers at the start of the next school year. RA 11635 was passed by the Senate as Senate Bill 2407 on Sept. 27, 2021 and adopted by the House as an amendment to House Bill 9913 on Sept. 29, 2021. Meanwhile, Duterte also signed the following laws: 1) RA 11599 - An Act Separating the Sito of Ladol from Barangay Poblacion in the Municipality of Alabel, Province of Sarangani and constituting it into a district and independent barangay to be known as Barangay Ladol; 2) RA 11636 - An Act Establishing the Bohol First Congressional District
Library in the Municipality of Balilihan, Province of Bohol; 3) RA 11637 - An Act Granting Good News Sorsogon Foundation, Inc. a franchise to construct, install, operate, and maintain radio and television broadcasting stations in the Bicol region; and 4) RA 11638 - An Act Recognizing CCF Life Academy Foundation, Inc. as an education institutional of international character, granting certain prerogatives to hasten its growth. These laws were also signed on Dec. 10, 2021 but released on Thursday. Duterte signs law creating Department of Migrant Workers President Rodrigo R. Duterte on Thursday signed into law a measure that aims to improve coordination among agencies concerned with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and OFW affairs. In a ceremony at the Rizal Hall in Malacañan Palace, Duterte signed Republic Act 11641 also known as “An Act Creating the Department of Migrant Workers”. Duterte likened OFWs to the country’s national hero, Jose Rizal, for being the lifeline of the Philippine economy. “The establishment of the Department of Migrant Workers happens on the celebration of Rizal Day. May we honor not only the exceptional love for country of Dr. Jose Rizal, but also the patriotism, excellence, courage of our modernday heroes including our overseas Filipinos,” he said in his speech. The creation and establishment of the Department of Migrant Workers
is one of Duterte’s priorities after he certified it as an urgent bill in March. Duterte has repeatedly pushed for the passage of a bill mandating the creation of the Department of Migrant Workers, even mentioning it in his final State-of-the-Nation Address on July 26 this year. “I also ask Congress to pass a law creating the Department of Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos kailangan po ito (we need this) because they are suffering not on -- they suffered not only yesterday but they are still suffering now with so many inadequacies, in both our government response including the monetary assistance -- to ensure that there is a department that is solely focused on addressing the needs and taking care of the welfare of our countrymen abroad,” he said. The Department of Migrant Workers is expected to benefit an estimated 2.2 million Filipinos abroad, based on the 2019 Survey on Overseas Filipinos released in 2020 by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). In the same event, Duterte also signed into law the PHP5.024 trillion national budget for 2022, which will be used for the country’s Covid-19 pandemic response and recovery operations after the onslaught of Typhoon Odette. He previously signed RA 11640 entitled, “An Act Extending the Availability of the 2021 Appropriations to December 31, 2022, Amending for the Purpose Section 62 of the General Provisions of Republic Act 11518, the General Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 2021”.(MNS)
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IN CALIFORNIA REDISTRICTING BY THE PEOPLE WORKS FOR THE PEOPLE LOS ANGELES, CA -- California’s just-completed redistricting process offers a model for the rest of the United States in establishing political districts that do justice to rapidly growing racial and ethnic minorities. At an online news briefing convened by Ethnic Media Services on Dec. 28, all four speakers – including three veteran voting rights experts and redistricting reformers – called the redistricting process transformational. Asked which minority groups won and which lost in the map drawing, Paul Mitchell, owner of Redistricting Partners who works with dozens of governments and interested parties nationwide, said, “It’s impossible to say how did minority groups benefit without asking how did Californians benefit. California is a majority minority state.” The final maps “were not the ones the legislature would have drawn if it could,” Mitchell added. In most of the rest of the
country, incumbent politicians’ first priority is getting themselves and their allies re-elected. They rig the redistricting process through so-called “gerrymandering” that “packs” political districts to boost their supporters or “cracks” them to divide their opponents. But prior to the 2010 Census, California became the first state — and still one of just a handful — where the redistricting process is instead conducted by private citizens. Such commissions in other states operate under rules different from California’s. Russell Yee, one of five Republicans serving with four independents and five Democrats on California’s 14-member commission, described the process as “the most participatory, openaccess redistricting effort in the nation, and probably in all history.” He was one of 2,000 people to apply to serve on the redistricting panel, charged with drawing new,
equally populated districts for the state’s 53 U.S. Congressional seats, 80 state Assembly seats, 40 state Senate seats, and four Board of Equalization seats to represent the state’s nearly 40 million people. An analysis of California’s new maps by MALDEF, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, found that the number of districts where the majority of the voting-age population is Latino grew from 10 to now 16 for the 53 Congressional seats, from 17 to 22 in the state Assembly, and from seven to 10 in the state Senate. “On behalf of MALDEF,” said Thomas Saenz, its president and general counsel, “I have to say that the commission did a terrific job in complying with the Voting Rights Act in drawing maps — not a perfect job, but as good as you can expect.” Since the 2010 Census, California’s Latino population
has grown by 11.2% — 69% of all population growth in the state and 70% of the growth of votingage citizens – and is now 27% of the state’s voting population. All other ethnicities combined grew at a 3.1% rate as the state population grew by 6.1% overall. Asian Americans are California’s fastest-growing ethnic minority, Census data found, though still fewer and less widely dispersed as compared to the Latino population. In three of the new U.S. Congressional district maps, the voting age population is more than a third Asian American, Mitchell said. Mitchell said the Commission worked to maintain the ability of California’s Black population – now at 7% statewide — to choose its representatives even as it has tended to disperse across the state. The Commission, for example, drew a Northern California district spanning Richmond and Vallejo that has an approximately 25% Black population. Yee said the commission fielded and honored tribal requests both to maintain or separate various tribal
territories. Jonathan Mehta Stein, executive director of California Common Cause, described how the commission held hundreds of public meetings, with translators for public testimony and materials printed in 13 different languages, and hosted 23 commission meetings that heard almost 200 presentations from a wide range of stakeholders, including the Black Redistricting Hub, the Dolores Huerta Foundation, Asian Americans Advancing Justice and many others. Outreach also took the form of ads, town hall meetings, roundtables, and more, ultimately eliciting 32,000 written public comments and 3,900 verbal ones. Other efforts yielded 1,300 forms returned from state and federal jails and prisons, Stein said. The commission detailed its processes on its wedrawthelines. ca.gov website in a 221-page report on Dec. 26. “Community input actually did influence us, all the time and throughout the process,” Yee recalled. “Ordinary citizens’ stories
absolutely had an influence on us, absolutely did affect how the lines were drawn.” Yee also highlighted the important role of Kathay Feng of Common Cause in advocating for a citizen’s commission in the first place, an effort Common Cause continues to propel nationwide. The panelists emphasized that although California is notoriously “blue,” ensuring that any given district includes a certain community does not guarantee specific outcomes. To “perform,” that is, make their voices heard, people still have to be eligible to vote, choose to register and vote, and often also form coalitions. No community’s political loyalty is assured. “Recognizing and honoring diversity does not necessarily advantage Democrats,” Mitchell stated. “The test in elections is, when they’re campaigning, are they trying to earn those votes? When they’re in office, are they responsive to those individuals? Because that’s ultimately what the framework of districts is trying to establish.”
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Spiritual Life The significance of the gifts of the Magi The flurry of Christmas is over. We have given our gifts to friends and loved ones to symbolize the message of Christmas: love, peace, and hope. We say goodbye to 2018 with fun and merriment and we usher in the New Year with resolutions, promising ourselves to change for the better, to improve our outlook in life; and to practice a healthier life style. Some of us take a deeper look into our spiritual life and start looking into the significance of January 6, the official end of the Christmas celebration. Last year, I wrote about an experience which has broadened my perspective about the symbols of the gifts of the three wise men, I got hold of a church bulletin which had an article, “The Epiphany of the Lord.” The article said, "Essentially, the Christmas season is not over, it is only a part of the Easter mystery." Epiphany which literally means "manifestation" or "revelation" is celebrated to focus our attention to the direction of Easter and the birth of the Church on Pentecost. Figuratively speaking, the three kings represent the entire world and the gifts they brought to Jesus symbolize who Christ is. The gifts are also intended to be the guiding principles of Christian living in
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the world. Reading the article made me understand the hymn that I used to sing in Sunday School during Christmas. "We three kings of Orient are, bearing gifts we traverse afar...Born a King on Bethlehem's plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again, King forever, ceasing never, Over us all to reign...Frankincense to offer have I, Incense owns a Deity high, Prayer and praising all men raising, worship Him God on High. Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume, Breathes a life of gathering gloom, Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in the stone-cold tomb. Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God, and Sacrifice." In brief, Gold is given as a symbol of the Kingship of Jesus; Frankincense
is the symbol of Jesus' prophetic mission and Myrrh, represents his sacrificial death on the cross. “The Epiphany is the realization by the Magi that Jesus is the ultimate King and the light of the world. He has come to sacrifice himself in order to give us life. We are all born to die. However, if we place our trust and faith in Christ we leave our tomb empty and are raised with Jesus as His body, the Church, in the Resurrection.” As we become more mature in our faith, we realized that Christmas is just the beginning of a long journey in our spiritual life. We would like to emulate the three wise men, and give our own gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to symbolize our total faith, acceptance and commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ.
Truth never changes Lord, who may dwell in Your sanctuary? Who may live on Your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart. (Psalm 15:1-2) "I cannot believe they are not going to honor my bonus agreement," said the executive who was about to take another position in a new city. Her understanding of her present work agreement called for a bonus at the end of the year. Management saw the situation differently. "It's not right. I am entitled to that bonus," she complained. It was time to leave. The company had given her a laptop to use. However, when she left, she decided that because the company was not going to pay her the bonus she was entitled to, she would simply keep the laptop as compensation due her. "And they would never miss it," she reasoned. She was now in the employment of the new company. As each day passed, she grew uneasier about her decision. She could not get it off her mind. Finally, she concluded that the Holy Spirit was telling her this decision was wrong and that she needed to call her former boss to confess her action. She called him and confessed what she had done and why she had done it. Her boss accepted her confession and
Danny Hernaez
From Whom All Blessings Flow forgave her. Strangely enough, he allowed her to keep the laptop computer. Truth never changes. It is absolute. When we make decisions based on other actions that are taken, we move into making decisions based on the situation, not truth and righteousness. The executive may indeed have been wronged, but she had to address the wrong in the appropriate way. Trying to compensate for the wrong by doing something that violates another scriptural principle is called situational ethics. If the employer had never wronged the executive, do you think she would have felt justified in taking the computer? Probably not. When you isolate the two situations, you see that one action was taken in response to the other action. Have you had any experiences in which you have used situational ethics? The Lord desires His people to have a higher standard, even at the cost of being wronged. Ask
the Lord to reveal any business practices that may indicate situational ethics. You might be surprised what will happen when you do the right thing. Jesus didn't come as a king, but as a helpless infant (Luke 2). Although he was perfectly God and perfectly human at the same time (John 1:14), he lived his life as a humble laborer. After he began his ministry, he demonstrated humble service to others in the miracles he performed, as well as in his instruction to his disciples. When the time came for him to die, he submitted to his Father's divine will (Mark 14:36). And now, seated in power at the right hand of God, he intercedes on our behalf (Acts 5:29-32). As the perfect model for godly leadership, Jesus set the perfect example of humility. Ask God to help you follow Jesus' example as you seek to demonstrate the kind of humility that will cause others to see Jesus in you. <(((><
Greetings in the Lord! Today is the Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord in the Jordan. This marks the end of Christmas season and beginning of the ordinary season of the year. The season must have taught us many things about the mystery of our salvation. The incarnation of the Word of God, incarnated in a Virgin and manifested through the singing of the heavenly angels and a bright Star that guided the magi to adore and present gift to the Child in Bethlehem, must have hopefully deepened our faith and made us more convinced in bringing into the world the Good News of God’s love and is ever abiding presence. The mystery of the invisible God made visible by the birth of Jesus should have made us more aware that God indeed continuously reveals Himself to us so that we may be able to respond to his divine invitation in a manner that would please Him. Today we celebrate the feast that commemorates the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus. With his baptism at the Jordan Jesus is formally proclaimed by the Father in heaven with the words that the evangelist Luke records “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” From henceforth Jesus began his ministry of proclaiming the presence of the Kingdom of God in the world through his preaching, his healing activities,
Fr. Agustin T. Opalalic his miracles and his very life laid to show the love of His Father for man. The four evangelists: Mark, Matthew, Luke and John, as well as the Paul and the other apostles in their letters allow us to have the opportunity to know the message of Jesus during his public ministry. This season of the liturgical year is a period that should urge us to be more open to the teachings of Jesus so that we would be able to know, understand and accept the message about the Kingdom, the demands of discipleship and the right way of life that would qualify us to be true followers of Jesus Himself. The baptism of Jesus in the Jordan is an occasion for us to review what we have received in the sacrament of baptism. In the Jordan, Jesus was formally proclaimed by his Father to initiate his public ministry. When we were baptized we are formally received into the community of believers
in Jesus Christ. We were cleansed from the original sin that we have inherited from Adam and Eve and are made adopted children of no less than God the Father himself. We became brothers and sisters to each other not because of flesh but because of the faith that we share from the fountain of grace that gives us the both the rights of being children of God and the responsibilities as members of the People of God chosen to be the sacrament of Jesus Christ himself in the world that no longer wants to accept the presence of God in their midst. This wonderful feast is therefore an occasion for us to thank the Lord for his ministry and a time for us to evaluate how close or far we have been in the performing our own responsibilities both as members of the Church and as children of God and brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ himself. The baptism of Jesus in the Jordan may have formally initiated the public ministry of Jesus, let this feast also allow us to seriously consider how we can share in the ministry that Jesus wants his disciples to do. As we begin a new year, 2022, let us seek the blessings and graces from the Lord who promised to always be with us all the days of our lives. It only requires true faith in His love and mercy.
Remarks by Vice President Harris Marking One Year Since the January 6th Deadly Assault on the U.S. Capitol THE VICE PRESIDENT: Fellow Americans, good morning. Certain dates echo throughout history, including dates that instantly remind all who have lived through them -- where they were and what they were doing when our democracy came under assault. Dates that occupy not only a place on our calendars, but a place in our collective memory. December 7th, 1941. September 11th, 2001. And January 6th, 2021. On that day, I was not only Vice President-elect, I was also a United States senator. And I was here at the Capitol that morning, at a classified hearing with fellow members of the Senate Intelligence Committee. Hours later, the gates of the Capitol were breached. I had left. But my thoughts immediately turned not only to my colleagues, but to my staff, who had been forced to seek refuge in our office, converting filing cabinets into barricades. What the extremists who roamed these halls targeted was not only the lives of elected leaders. What they sought to degrade and destroy was not only a building, hallowed as it is. What they were assaulting were the institutions, the values, the ideals that generations of Americans have marched, picketed, and shed blood to establish and defend. On January 6th, we all saw what our nation would look like if the forces who seek to dismantle our democracy are successful. The lawlessness, the violence, the chaos. What was at stake then, and now, is the right to have our future decided the way the Constitution prescribes it: by we, the people -- all the people.
We cannot let our future be decided by those bent on silencing our voices, overturning our votes, and peddling lies and misinformation; by some radical faction that may be newly resurgent but whose roots run old and deep. When I meet with young people, they often ask about the state of our democracy, about January 6th. And what I tell them is: January 6th reflects the dual nature of democracy -- its fragility and its strength. You see, the strength of democracy is the rule of law. The strength of democracy is the principle that everyone should be treated equally, that elections should be free and fair, that corruption should be given no quarter. The strength of democracy is that it empowers the people. And the fragility of democracy is this: that if we are not vigilant, if we do not defend it, democracy simply will not stand; it will falter and fail. The violent assault that took place here, the very fact of how close we came to an election overturned -- that reflects the fragility of democracy. Yet, the resolve I saw in our elected leaders when I returned to the Senate chamber that night -- their resolve not to yield but to certify the election; their loyalty not to party or person but to the Constitution of the United States -- that reflects its strength. And so, of course, does the heroism of the Capitol Police, the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, the National Guard, and other law enforcement officers who answered the call that day, including those who later succumbed to wounds, both visible and invisible. Our thoughts are with all of the
families who have lost a loved one. You know, I wonder, how will January 6th come to be remembered in the years ahead? Will it be remembered as a moment that accelerated the unraveling of the oldest, greatest democracy in the world or a moment when we decided to secure and strengthen our democracy for generations to come? The American spirit is being tested. The answer to whether we will meet that test resides where it always has resided in our country -- with you, the people. And the work ahead will not be easy. Here, in this very building, a decision will be made about whether we uphold the right to vote and ensure free and fair election. Let’s be clear: We must pass the voting rights bills that are now before the Senate, and the American people must also do something more. We cannot sit on the sidelines. We must unite in defense of our democracy in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and to our prosperity and posterity. That is the preamble of the Constitution that President Biden and I swore an oath to uphold and defend. And that is the enduring promise of the United States of America. My fellow Americans, it is my honor to introduce a public servant with the character and fortitude to meet this moment, a leader whose life’s work has been moving our nation toward that more perfect union: President Joe Biden.
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Filipino Press
January 7, 2022 - January 13, 2022 • 9
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District’s annual economic impact is $3.6 billion The San Diego Community College District (SDCCD) contributed $3.6 billion to the region’s economy during the 2020-21 academic year, according to a recent report from Emsi, an Idahobased labor market analytics firm. Among the report’s highlights: · The $3.6 billion generated by the SDCCD in fiscal year 2020-21 supported 37,508 jobs or 1 out of every 57 jobs in San Diego County. · The net impact of the SDCCD’s former students currently employed in the county workforce amounted to $3.1 billion in added income.
· Around 4% of students attending the SDCCD originated from outside the county. The expenditures of relocated and retained students added $114 million in added income to the San Diego County economy. · Getting an education with the SDCCD continues to be a good investment. Students will receive a cumulative present value $2.3 billion in increased earnings over their working lives or a return of $4.50 in higher future earnings for every dollar students invest in their education. The average return on investment for SDCCD students is
impressive economic outcomes the district has across the region.” For graduate Rie Sims, her investment in her SDCCD education has paid off handsomely. Sims, who came to the United States from Jakarta, Indonesia, attended the College of Continuing Education to formalize her training as a chef. She completed the college’s culinary arts certificate program. After graduation, Sims became the co-owner of Warung RieRie a
Culinary arts graduate Rie Sims 18.1% as compared to the stock market 30-year average rate of return of 10.6%. · For every dollar of public money invested in the SDCCD, taxpayers will receive $1.80 in return, over the course of students’ working lives. “The San Diego Community College District is humbled to see the opportunities granted to students who enroll at City, Mesa, and Miramar colleges, and the College of Continuing Education and are most proud of the investment they make in themselves and their futures,” said SDCCD Chancellor Carlos O. Turner Cortez. “We are also elated with the
www.thefilipinopress.com fine-dining Indonesian restaurant in San Diego that has since achieved international recognition. In 2016, Sims cooked for the President of Indonesia, the Indonesian Delegation, and media representatives at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit hosted by President Barack Obama. “Even though I have been honored with these incredible experiences, I always advocate for the College of Continuing Education’s culinary arts program. They give all people the same opportunity, especially immigrants,” she said. The College of Continuing
Education’s culinary program is just one of dozens of career education programs offered throughout the SDCCD, each offering students the opportunity to train for good-paying jobs in some of the region’s fastestgrowing fields. As one of the largest of California’s 73 community college districts, the San Diego Community College District serves approximately 100,000 students annually through three two-year colleges. The San Diego College of Continuing Education offers noncredit adult education at seven campuses throughout San Diego.
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January 7, 2022 - January 13, 2022 • 11
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