WEEKLY ISSUE @FilAmNewspaper www.filamstar.com Vol. IX Issue 612 1028 Mission Street, 2/F, San Francisco, CA 94103 Email: [email protected] Tel. (415) 593-5955 or ( 650) 278-0692 Dec 31- Jan 06, 2021 Jan. 6 last Rogue cop’s murder Registry of stand for of mom and son anti-Covid Trump backers fires up death vaxers first penalty debate in Spain

US NEWS | A2 PH NEWS | A5 WORLD NEWS | A8

Duterte leverages VFA vs. 20 million doses of

Pres. Rodrigo Duterte & Harry Roque (Photo: Facebook)

only right?” COVID-19By Macon Araneta vaccine The Philippine government, upon FilAm Star Correspondent the instruction of Duterte, sent a notice to Imee asks why PH should pay double SEN. Panfilo Lacson on December the U.S. embassy to terminate the VFA. 28 warned that antagonizing Ameri- Presidential spokesperson Harry cans might have sealed the country’s Roque denied the President’s warn- for the same vaccines rich countries buy fate in settling for China’s Sinovac ing to scrap the Visiting Forces Agree- By Macon Araneta buying the AstraZeneca vaccine for only instead of the US-made Pfizer-BioN- ment (VFA) if the US could not provide FilAm Star Correspondent 1.78 euros or about PHP105 per dose, Tech and Moderna vaccines. its COVID-19 vaccines to the Philip- which is 2.3 times less than what the pines was a “blackmail.” President Rodrigo Duterte SEN. IMEE Marcos asked the gov- Philippines will be paying the Brit- He also said, “First of all, the Pres- threatened the US, “We need a ernment to explain why it will pay more ish-Swedish pharmaceutical firm. ident is still the chief architect of our vaccine. You have a vaccine then than double what rich countries have This week, the Inter-Agency Task foreign policy so we cannot deny him you should give us some. You need negotiated to buy the same vaccine Force for the Management of Emerg- that kind of decision.” our territory for the Visiting Forces against Covid-19. ing Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) “There is nothing wrong with Agreement (VFA). We will give that Marcos, who chairs the Senate expects to sign an agreement with that, it’s not blackmailing. That’s what but if you don’t give us vaccines then committee on Economic Affairs, said AstraZeneca to buy 30 million doses of independent foreign policy means. We do your VFA in countries you first Belgium’s Budget Sec. Eva De Bleeker its vaccine at $5 or about Php240 per provided with vaccines. Isn’t that ■ To Page A7 publicly disclosed that member states of the European Union (EU) will be ■ Security team for Philippines' Duterte To Page A7 gets unauthorised Covid-19 vaccine PRRD hasn’t received any MEMBERS of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's security team have Covid-19 vaccine shot: PSG received a Chinese-made coronavirus MANILA – President Rodrigo Dute- po ang Presidente (if the President vaccine, officials said Monday -- the rte has not yet received any vaccine has been vaccinated),” he said. Sen. Imee Marcos (Photo: Facebook) first people in the country to be offi- shot against coronavirus disease In a meeting with selected cially immunised despite no regulatory 2019 (Covid-19), Presidential Secu- Cabinet members and infectious approval. rity Group (PSG) Chief Col. Jesus disease experts in Malacañang last Trump, under The Philippines is in talks with Durante said on Monday. Saturday, Duterte asked Food and several pharmaceutical firms, includ- In a statement, Durante said Drug Administration (FDA) Director pressure, signs ing Britain's AstraZeneca, US company Duterte is still waiting for a “perfect” General Eric Domingo if it is possible Pfizer and China's Sinopharm, to se- or “appropriate” vaccine before he to be inoculated with more than one cure 60 million doses for a vaccination subjects himself to inoculation. brand of vaccine. $900 bn Covid drive starting as early as the second Presidential Spokesperson “Ako ang may problema ngayon. Harry Roque earlier said he has no For example lang, puwede akong mag- relief bill quarter of 2021. AFTER delaying for nearly a week knowledge about whether the Presi- pabakuna ulit pagdating ng Pfizer mo? No vaccine has been approved by and under pressure from all sides, US dent has received any vaccine. (I’m the one with a problem now. For the country's Food and Drug Adminis- President Donald Trump finally signed “I have no information, personal example, can I get vaccinated again a massive $900 billion stimulus bill (Photo: Facebook) ■ To Page A7 information kung nabakunahan na ■ To Page A7 Sunday, in a long-sought boost for millions of Americans and businesses battered by the coronavirus pandemic. Community fireworks display allowed for New Year revelry The package "providing coronavi- MANILA – Community fireworks Meron lang designated na commu- rus emergency response and relief" is (Photo: Pixabay) displays would be allowed during the nity fireworks display na inilaan ng part of a larger spending bill that, with New Year celebration in the country, local government units (LGU) at ito Trump's signature, will avoid a govern- Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said on ay may permit sa FEO (Firearms and ment shutdown on Tuesday. Monday. Explosives Office). Ito lang dapat, dito "I am signing this bill to restore Año said this is in compliance with manonood yung mga tao, of course ex- unemployment benefits, stop evic- Executive Order 28 signed by President ercising pa rin social distancing (What tions, provide rental assistance, add Rodrigo Duterte in 2017 which strictly we are allowing are only community money for PPP (Paycheck Protection regulates the use of firecrackers and display fireworks. The LGUs have desig- Programs), return our airline workers pyrotechnics. nated community fireworks display and back to work, add substantially more “Ang pinapayagan lang natin these have permits from the FEO. These money for vaccine distribution, and yung community fireworks display. ■ To Page A7 ■ To Page A7 A2 FilAm Star December 31 - January 06, 2021 US News Trump backers In final days, a weakened Trump look to last-stand faces first veto override THE US House of Representatives dealt a blow to pressure and signed the bill on Sunday night at his President Donald Trump on Monday by rejecting Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, out of sight of televi- protest on January 6 his veto of a defense bill, setting the stage for the sion cameras. PRESIDENT Donald Trump is urging support- Senate to deliver a humiliating first veto override But in an attempt to save face, Trump re- in the final days of his presidency. leased a statement airing his grievances about the ers to amass in Washington on January 6 for a The Democratic-controlled House voted 322 November 3 election and claiming that he had last-ditch rally to pressure Congress to not certify to 87 to override Trump's veto of the $740.5 billion obtained a number of concessions on the relief bill. Joe Biden's election victory. defense bill, with 109 members of the president's Among Trump's demands was increasing Thousands of supporters from around the own Republican Party siding with Democrats. direct relief payments to Americans from $600 to country, from the Women for America First A similar motion will be introduced in the $2,000. group, to StoptheSteal, to the violent Proud Boys, Republican-majority Senate, where it will also The House, in a 275 to 134 vote, approved are expected to descend on the US capital press- have to gain two-thirds support to override the a motion on Monday to increase the payments ing Trump's unsupported claim that massive president's veto. to $2,000, but it is likely to meet with resistance voter fraud was behind his defeat in the Novem- In a statement released after the vote, Dem- from Republicans in the Senate. ber 3 election. ocratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi slammed Independent Senator Bernie Sanders threat- Trump tweeted twice this weekend urging Trump's veto as "reckless" and called on the presi- ened late Monday to filibuster the veto override supporters to attend, labelling the election "the dent to "end his eleventh-hour campaign of chaos." bill in the Senate if the upper house did not allow biggest SCAM in our nation's history." The House vote came a day after Trump caved a vote on the extra $2,000 direct payments to to pressure from both Republicans and Democrats Americans. "See you in Washington, DC, on January 6th. and reluctantly signed a $900 billion coronavirus That would potentially delay the measure and Don't miss it," he wrote Sunday. relief and stimulus package that he had threatened throw extra pressure on the Republicans ahead The rally raised fears of fresh violence after to veto. of two key Senate run-offs in Georgia next month the previous pro-Trump protest that included the Trump's capitulation on the Covid-19 relief that could determine control of the chamber. Proud Boys on December 12 saw several people bill and the looming congressional veto override President-elect Joe Biden, asked by a report- stabbed and dozens arrested. are the latest signs of his waning powers as he pre- er Monday if he favored raising the payouts to Trump appears to hope that the protestors pares to leave the White House on January 20. $2,000, replied, "Yes." could pressure Congress to reject the final count The fiscal 2021 National Defense Authoriza- Biden, speaking after a briefing by his tran- of state-based electors and reverse his election tion Act was passed this month by 335 votes to 78 sition team on national security, also said that loss. in the House and by 84 to 13 in the Senate. political appointees at the Pentagon, which Trump "We the People must take to the US Capitol But the NDAA was vetoed by the president has packed with loyalists since the election, have lawn and steps and tell Congress #DoNotCertify," because it did not repeal Section 230, a federal refused to provide a "clear picture" on troop pos- law that provides liability protection to internet ture or budgeting. StopTheSteal declared online. companies. "It is nothing short, in my view, of irrespon- "Congress cannot certify this fraudulent Trump also opposed a provision that would sibility," Biden said in Wilmington, Delaware, Electoral College," they said. strip several US military bases of the names of warning that US adversaries could take advantage On January 6 Vice President Mike Pence is to generals who fought for the secessionist, pro-slav- of the transition. lead Congress in certifying the Electoral College ery South in the 1861-65 Civil War. The strange episode over the relief package votes submitted by each state, which represent President Donald Trump (Photo: Facebook) Including the defense bill, Trump has vetoed highlighted the degree to which Trump has be- the results of the popular vote. nine bills during his four years in the White House. come isolated, spending much of his time playing In the joint session of the House of Repre- Alabama Representative Mo Brooks told Congress has not previously mustered the votes golf or railing on Twitter about his election loss. sentatives and the Senate, Pence is to open and Fox News on Monday that he has the support of needed to override any of his vetoes. In a sign of his fading influence, the Rupert read the certificates reporting elector tallies from "dozens" of lawmakers to formally challenge the Murdoch-owned New York Post, one of Trump's each state, and then declare the victor. counts. - 'Stop the Insanity' - most ardent supporters, published an editorial That process should be, as it almost always Meanwhile Trump and supporters have pres- For a real estate tycoon who prides himself as late Sunday telling him to "Stop the Insanity" and is, a formality. sured Pence to unilaterally reject some pro-Biden a master negotiator, the past few days have been acknowledge he lost the election. an exercise in humiliation. "Mr. President, it's time to end this dark cha- Democrat Biden captured 306 electors while states' elector certificates, a power legal experts Trump threatened for days not to sign the rade," the newspaper said. Republican Trump only won 232. say Pence does not have. Covid-19 relief and spending bill that had been "We understand, Mr. President, that you're Trump's campaign has lost dozens of court Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger hammered out by his own treasury secretary and angry that you lost. challenges in several contested states, with judge on Sunday said it was all an effort by "certain had received broad bipartisan support in Congress. "But to continue down this road is ruinous," after judge saying they showed no evidence of any members of Congress and the president" to raise His surprise move risked shutting down the the Post said. "If you insist on spending your final significant fraud. money. government from Tuesday and depriving millions days in office threatening to burn it all down, that But the session can be stalled if lawmakers "It is a scam and it is going to disappoint the of Americans of economic relief badly needed will be how you are remembered. from both houses submit formal objections to any people that believe this election was stolen," he during the pandemic. "Not as a revolutionary, but as the anarchist state's report. told CNN. (AFP) He finally backed down under bipartisan holding the match." (AFP) December 31 - January 06, 2021 FilAm Star A3 PH News Study shows PH lags Responsibilities behind 57 countries for consuls, in Math, Science ambassadors set 36 percent received instruction with moderate By Macon Araneta clarity and 16 percent received instruction with up by new bill FilAm Star Correspondent sentatives, and personnel of the Philippine gov- low clarity. By William Casis According to the TIMSS, the clarity of instruc- ernment posted abroad regardless of their mother WHILE the global assessment Trends in Inter- FilAm Star Correspondent agencies shall, on a per country basis, act as one national Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) tion in Grade Four was positively associated with SEN. CHRISTOPHER “Bong” Go said that the country-team with a mission under the leadership 2019 revealed that the Philippines lags behind achievement in both science and mathematics. The new version of the Department of Overseas Fili- of the Ambassador or the Consul General.” 57 other countries in Math and Science achieve- Philippines, however, scored only 297 in mathe- pinos (DOFil) Act of 2020, or Senate Bill number This also means that the officer who acts as ments, the study also reported that less than 50 matics and 249 in science --- the lowest in both the head of post abroad, such as the Ambassador tests among 58 participating countries. 1949, intends to implement a one country-team percent of Grade Four learners were receiving approach of government offices and personnel or Consul General, through the Department of Gatchalian reiterated that while the Depart- instructions with “high clarity.” posted abroad. Foreign Affairs Secretary, may recommend to ment of Education (DepEd) supports teachers’ For Sen. Win Gatchalian, this only reinforces Go filed the proposed measure early Decem- the DOFil secretary the recall of DOFil officers, the need to improve the quality of teacher educa- skill upgrades, the country should first help ber. It has been recently certified as urgent by representatives and personnel posted abroad for tion and training as the country’s basic education aspiring teachers receive quality education and President Rodrigo Duterte. misbehavior, misconduct or commission of acts that are detrimental to the national interest. sector struggles with a major crisis: learners failing training from teacher education institutions (TEIs) He said the one country-team approach re- Other reasons for recall also include the fail- to master basic competencies and lagging behind to improve learner outcomes. quires all officials in Philippine diplomatic posts ure to provide necessary services to protect the in global assessments. “We need to restructure the entire teacher ed- to act together as one team, per country of assign- ucation continuum from studying in college, get- ment, in protecting the rights and advancing the rights of overseas Filipinos and failure to perform To measure the clarity of instruction that the duties required of Assistance to Nationals learners receive, the TIMSS used a scale that asked ting a license, and teaching in our public schools,” welfare of Filipino migrant workers there, with guidance from the Department of Foreign Affairs (ATN) officer. Upon request of the secretary of learners about the aspects of teachers’ instructions said Gatchalian. Foreign Affairs, the Department of Overseas Fili- “Our public school system has 90 percent of and the Philippine Foreign Service Posts. in Mathematics or Science, including the learners’ “Due to the one country-team approach in pinos shall recall the ATN Officer. knowledge of teachers’ expectations. our students so, if you have a poorly performing In addition, the revised DOFil bill also adds public school system, the entire nation is affected,” the latest version of the DOFil bill, we hope for a The scale also covers the capacity of their swift response to overseas Filipinos in distress,” responsibilities to the secretary who shall have also said the Chairman of the Senate Committee teachers to offer clear answers to questions, ex- he said. the authority to “assess and evaluate and, on the plain the subjects clearly, do a variety of things to on Basic Education, Arts and Culture. “May iisang team na binubuo ng iba’t ibang basis of which, transfer, delineate, reassign, or help them learn, and explain again when learners Gatchalian filed Senate Bill number 1887 or opisina sa bawat bansa na magtutulungan. Wala reorganize the functional areas or responsibilities do not understand. the Teacher Education Council Act, which seeks to ng pasa-pasahan ng mga requests kasi gumaga- of each office as he may deem necessary.” The Secretary is also authorized to rec- Based on the results of the TIMSS, only 48 achieve better coordination between the DepEd, law ang gobyerno natin bilang iisang team,” Go ommend the creation of such positions when percent of Grade Four learners in the country the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), explained. and the Professional Regulation Commission As author of the bill, Go emphasized that deemed necessary. reported receiving Mathematics instruction with Once the DOFil is established, the Legal As- “high clarity”, 37 percent received instruction (PRC) in improving teacher education and training the establishment of the DOFil would also help “rightsize “ the bureaucracy by streamlining and sistance Fund and the ATN Fund of the DFA shall with “moderate clarity”, while 15 percent received in the country. rationalizing the organization and functions of all be consolidated into the ATN Fund. This fund instruction with “low clarity.” The proposed measure also seeks to ensure government agencies related to overseas employ- will then be administered by DOFil. In terms of science instruction, 48 percent the link and coherence between pre-service educa- Lastly, the monetary claims arising out of an tion and in-service education and improve teacher ment and migration into one department. reported receiving instruction with high clarity, It will also promote streamlined coordination employer-employee relationship or by any con- education outcomes’ (AFP) among various officials and offices based abroad tract involving overseas deployment or employ- through the one country-team approach. ment of Filipino workers will be transferred back “(It is) about time we create a Cabinet-level, to the POEA within a year from the effectivity of secretary-led department with an organization the act. Pinoys confident 2021 would structured to work together as one team to SBN 1949 is the third iteration of a measure protect the rights and advance the interests and filed by Go in 2019. The latest version of the bill welfare of about 10 percent of our population who “represents the unified position of the entire reside abroad,” reasoned the Senator. Executive branch of the government” including be better year: Veritas survey Under the new DOFil bill, “all officers, repre- the agencies which will be affected by the reorga- nization. (AFP) MANILA – With only four days before the New Year, a Church-run survey showed Filipinos are confident that 2021 would be a better year. Based on the results of the Veritas Truth Sur- vey (VTS) initiated by Radio Veritas, roughly five out of 10 Filipinos or 48 percent feels confident and are looking forward for a better 2021. The 1,200 respondents nationwide were asked, “How confident are you that the new year (2021) will be a much better year than 2020?" The survey was conducted from Nov. 20 to Dec. 20. It also revealed that only 31 percent (three out of 10 Filipinos) feel "very confident" 14 per- cent feel "somewhat confident" and 7 percent feel "not confident". “Though still a majority of around 79 percent (very confident and confident response) remains positive towards the prospects of the new year, those who feel confident only outweighs those who feel very confident which is indicative of a fairly cautious optimism towards 2021,” said VTS president Bro. Clifford Sorita. “The remaining 21 percent (somewhat con- fident and not confident response) brings to light (Photo: Facebook) a somewhat negative outlook towards the new year,” he added. Sorita believed that the natural calamities -- has prompted our respondents to choose a and the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) that somewhat cautious optimism towards 2021,” Sor- have happened this year made the respondents ita said. “Hopeful yet guarded and tempered. As think less confident for the coming year. this idiom would suggest it is a feeling of general "The experiences brought about by 2020 -- confidence regarding the New Year and its possi- our Taal Volcano eruption, Typhoons Ambo, Rol- ble outcome coupled with a sense of readiness for ly, Siony and Ulysses plus this Covid-19 pandemic possible difficulties or disappointment.” (PNA) A4 FilAm Star December 31 - January 06, 2021 PH News The government might go against World “How many passengers will we have to quar- Health Organization (WHO) recommendations of antine? We might run out of quarantine facilities. not imposing a travel ban until there was com- Our countrymen who need to be quarantined will Quarantine for travelers munity transmission just to keep the variant out suffer. We will be overwhelmed,” he said. of the country, he said. Año said the IATF would also be closely look- “But you wouldn’t know that unless the virus ing into the effect of the holidays on the country’s from abroad will protect PH (new strain) is already here,” Año said, adding COVID-19 infection rate, given that there was that it was a risk not worth taking. laxity in the observance of health protocols, in- The secretary noted the impracticality of cluding the ban on mass gatherings, particularly from virus variant – Palace simply subjecting persons coming from countries parties. MANILA, Philippines — The mandatory 14-day merase chain reaction) test,” he said. with the variant under a 14-day quarantine peri- “We would feel the effects of this in the first quarantine for travelers coming from countries Health experts have said that while the new od, also a WHO recommendation. week of January,” he said. (inquirer.net) with the new coronavirus variant would prevent variant was more transmissible, there was no ev- its transmission in the Philippines, presidential idence showing it causes more severe COVID-19. spokesperson Harry Roque said on Monday The DOH has also said no new strain has been amid calls from lawmakers to expand the travel reported in the country. ban. But to make sure the new variant would not PH internet connection speed 2nd “Whether it be the new strain or the old be transmitted, the President suspended the pilot strain, our protection against it is the 14-day testing of in-person classes, which were supposed quarantine and the use of mask, washing hands, to start in January. He also ordered tighter bor- slowest among ASEAN countries and [physical] distancing,” Roque said in a press der control and surveillance. briefing on Monday. On Saturday, the DOH and other health By Macon Araneta FilAm Star Correspondent The government has banned until Jan. 14 experts recommended mandatory 14-day quar- flights from the United Kingdom, which imposed antine for passengers from countries with the THE PHILIPPINES’ average Internet con- stricter lockdowns after reporting cases of the new strain, but said a travel ban should only be nection speed remains very sluggish and is way new coronavirus strain that was found to be more considered if there was already a community behind those of its peers as it ranks 110th in In- transmissible. transmission of the new variant in the country of ternet speed among 139 countries in the Associa- But several lawmakers said the ban should origin. tion of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Makati also cover other countries where the new strain Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday City Rep. Luis Campos Jr. had been reported. said he did not see a need for a stricter lockdown, Citing figures from The Speedtest Global In- Roque said the two-week quarantine would particularly in Metro Manila, over the variant. dex, Campos said the Philippines – with an aver- prevent the transmission of the variant in the “We still have no proof that it has reached age mobile Internet speed of only 18.49 megabits country, noting that those arriving from countries the country. We have not received reports here of per second (Mbps) – ranks number 110 among with the new strain must complete the isolation a transmission from that kind of strain,” he said. 139 countries or territories as of November. period regardless of the results of their COVID-19 In a radio interview, Año said the current The United Arab Emirates ranks number one test. lockdown classification in Metro Manila, con- with 170.30 Mbps, while Afghanistan is number ASEAN, for instance, our average mobile Internet sidered the country’s epicenter of the pandemic, 139 with 6.31 Mbps. speed is ranked the second-slowest,” Campos Mandatory quarantine might only be maintained in the face of reports of In fixed broadband, Campos said the Philip- pointed out. “This means that even if there is a new strain the new variant in other countries. pines ranks number 103 with an average speed of “In fact, our 18.49 Mbps represents just 60 coming from these countries, this would not only 28.69 Mbps. percent of the 30.94 Mbps average mobile Inter- spread because it would be mandatory for them Up to task force Singapore ranks number one with 241.10 net speed across all ASEAN members,” Campos to be quarantined in New Clark City,” he said. He said the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Mbps, while Turkmenistan is at the tail end with said. But he also took note of the possibility that Management of Emerging Infectious Diseas- 3.47 Mbps. “We are more concerned about mobile the travel ban could be expanded to cover coun- es (IATF), the temporary body overseeing the The Speedtest Global Index analyzes web ac- Internet speed because an overwhelming major- tries with the variant. country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, cess performance metrics around the world based ity of Filipinos now access the web through their “Let us just wait for the developments be- might decide not to wait for community transmis- on millions of tests taken by real people using the smartphones via their cellular telephone service cause the Department of Health (DOH) is saying sion before imposing the travel ban on countries Internet. provider,” Campos said. that while there is no community transmission of where cases of the variant have been reported. “We clearly still have one of the slowest In- President Rodrigo Duterte threatened in the new variant in the different countries, a 14- “Our (IATF’s) real proposition now is how ternet speeds in the world and in Asia,” Campos July to expropriate the assets of private telecom- day quarantine could be imposed and this would to prevent the entry of this new variant in our said. munications firms if they failed to improve their be regardless of the results of their PCR (poly- country,” Año said. “Among the 10 member countries of the Internet services by yearend. 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(415)593-5955 SF REST HOME needs Live in- Live out HOUSEKEEPING Please call 415-678-9403 FilAm Star Classifieds (650)278-0692 (415)593-5955 December 31 - January 06, 2021 FilAm Star A5 PH News PSG members first to Tarlac murder be vaccinated against adds fire to death Covid-19: AFP MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines Monday, said that he knew of some personnel in (AFP) on Monday confirmed that members of a unit, which he cannot disclose for security rea- the Presidential Security Group (PSG) were the sons, that have been vaccinated against Covid-19. penalty debate ones who were given the coronavirus disease "I know of some but I could not disclose the (Covid-19) vaccine. unit, I know po personally na meron na pong "Per our inquiry, members of the PSG were nabakunahan sa hanay po ng Armed Forces (that By Macon Araneta (Photo: Facebook) FilAm Star Correspondent the first ones from the AFP who were vaccinated there are some in the ranks of the Armed Forces owing to the nature of their mission and function," that have been vaccinated already)," he added. PRO-DEATH penalty senators pushed anew for AFP spokesperson Marine Maj. Gen. Edgard Sobejana said these troops, especially those the revival of the capital punishment on the heels Arevalo said in a statement forwarded to reporters. in the front-lines, were vaccinated to avoid of the shooting to death a mother and her son by Over the weekend, President Rodrigo R. Covid-19 infection. a Paranaque policeman in Paniqui, Tarlac, last Duterte said that some members of the military Sobejana added that those given with Sunday. were already inoculated with Covid-19 vaccines. vaccines are a mixture of officers and enlisted Currently, there are 10 pending death penalty "As the unit primarily tasked to protect and personnel. bills in the upper chamber that were all referred to the Senate Committee on Justice. secure the highest official of the land, the PSG He also noted that the decision to have these The proposed measures imposing the maxi- will have to ensure that the President is safe from troops inoculated came from the "chain of com- mum penalty of death were filed by eight out of 24 all threats -- including Covid-19," Arevalo said. mand of the AFP." members of the Upper Chamber. They are Sena- Citing the safety of the President equates to tors Ronald "Bato” dela Rosa, Manny Pacquiao, national well-being, Arevalo said Duterte's secu- No inoculated cops yet Bong Revilla, Panfilo Lacscon, Bong Go, Sherwin rity also includes protecting him and those whom Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) Gatchalian, Imee Marcos and Senate President he is constantly exposed to such as the members chief Gen. Debold Sinas said no police officer has Vicente Sotto III. imprisoned for the heinous crime he committed." of his security detail from Covid-19. been inoculated with any Covid-19 vaccine yet. Dela Rosa raised the possibility that the said Pacquiao. Also, Arevalo said the AFP is not privy to “I don't know about that. There is no guid- cold-blooded murders Sonya Gregorio, 55, and her Revilla said the Tarlac shooting is a compel- the arrangements as to how the vaccines were ance yet and we will just wait for the instructions 25-year-old son Frank Anthony Gregorio could ling case for the reinstitution of the death penalty. obtained for the PSG. from Malacañang and SILG (Secretary of the In- not have happened if the death penalty had been Lacson, a former PNP chief said police should "But we have taken cognizance of the fact terior and Local Government Eduardo Año). The passed. "show no mercy" to Nuezca. He also filed a bill to that the members of the PSG under Brig. Gen. "That rouge cop deserves the death penalty," re-institute the death penalty. President has already made some of his policies said the Senator, referring to Police Senior Master Under his proposed measure, crimes pun- Jesus Durante has taken a bold step to try the so let's just wait and see what the instruction real- Sgt. Jonel Nuezca. ishable by death include treason, qualified piracy, vaccine to protect the President. ly is. There is no specific instruction, no black and "Sino pa ang gustong pumatay ng tao kung qualified bribery, parricide, murder, infanticide, In a Laging Handa briefing on Monday, white, no policy on what we will do. We are just alam nyang papatayin din sya (with the) death rape, kidnapping and illegal detention, robbery Arevalo said there is no AFP-sanctioned inocula- preparing when that time comes,),” Sinas told penalty?" he said. with violence and intimidation of persons, destruc- tion or vaccination for military personnel. reporters when sought for a comment during his The former police and corrections chief said tive arson, and human trafficking, among others. He added that they are still validating this press conference held at Camp Prospero Olivas in killing is considered a heinous crime that should Sotto conceded that senators are unlikely to report which claims that Covid-19 vaccines man- San Fernando City, Pampanga. be punishable by death. "But until now the death pass a measure for the death penalty revival. But ufactured by Sinopharm were used to vaccinate Sinas also welcomed President Rodrigo penalty bill I authored is having a hard time he believes that if capital punishment would be some members of the military. Duterte's pronouncement that the police and hurdling Congress," lamented Dela Rosa, also an applied only to high-level drug trafficking, then it Arevalo said the AFP is very thankful for the the military would be prioritized in receiving the ally of President Rodrigo Duterte, who has been would have a better chance of hurdling the Senate. President's announcement's that military person- Covid-19 vaccine. pushing for the death penalty reimposition. Sen. Richard Gordon, chair of the Senate Justice nel, as front-liners, are among the first to be vacci- "My bill covers high level drug trafficking committee expressed reluctance in deliberations on Meanwhile, Sinas said there is ongoing coor- nated once an effective and safe vaccine is procured. while Sen. Bong Go’s bill covers heinous crimes. the death penalty bills even as it was one of the prior- dination between the Food and Drugs Adminis- So, if our death penalty bills were tackled by the ity legislation outlined by Duterte in his SONA. He also emphasized AFP chief-of-staff Gen. tration (FDA), Department of Health and PNP in referred committee then chances are that it will Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri also Gilbert Gapay's earlier commitment to the Chief running after fake Covid-19 vaccines. be consolidated together with the Sotto, Lacson, maintained his opposition to the reimposition of Executive that the military will help in the rollout “I already talked with the new FDA Direc- Pacquiao, Gatchalian, Marcos and Revilla death death penalty. "As a Red Cross member for over of the Covid-19 vaccines once it arrives in the tor General (Eric Domingo). We will meet again penalty bills and contained in a substitute bill to be 20 years, we believe life is sacred. So, I maintain country. with our people especially those from the CIDG submitted by the referred committee. But unluck- my anti-death penalty stance," he said. The government earlier said that vaccines (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group) ily, no hearing was done since the opening of the Sen. Joel Villanueva, whose father founded will be made available for all especially those in and the ACG (Anti-Cybercrime Group) because 18th congress.” the Jesus Is Lord Movement, said nothing has the poor and marginalized sectors. we are worried that there might be fake vaccines. Pacquiao said, “(Nuezca) probably thought changed on his objection to the revival of death Earlier, Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. We would finalize the details with the FDA,” he our law was weak and he would afford only be penalty. Cirilito Sobejana, in a radio interview over DWIZ said. (PNA) A6 FilAm Star December 31 - January 06, 2021 Opinion PerryScope Street Talk Trump loses in Will Trump fiddle his ‘chicken’ game while Washington burns? PERRY DIAZ GREG B. MACABENTA

NCE again, President Donald J. Trump in Congress is merely a formality. But Trump’s T IS said that Nero played the fiddle while one really believes he will succeed. played the game of “chicken” when he campaign is putting up Trump “electors” in the Rome burned. According to historians, that For this reason Trump may throw caution held up the $900 billion COVID relief six battleground states where he lost the elec- expression is not to be taken literally (the to the winds and incite his supporters to resort O tion. But the bogus Trump electors were not I stimulus bill by demanding that direct payments fiddle, as a musical instrument, had not been to violence. In a recent tweet, Trump reminded to the people be increased to $2,000 per person. certified by the corresponding governors. Only invented at the time). them: “See you in Washington DC on January 6. Speaker Pelosi responded that she would go the Biden electors were submitted and certified Nero was such a ruthless and decadent Don’t miss it. Information to follow.” along with the $2,000 direct payment wanted by by the governors. Obviously, the Trump cam- ruler that he cared little about his people or the A pro-Trump website, Trump March.com, Trump. But the Republican majority in the Sen- paign is planning to create havoc in Congress city of Rome. He could have been indulging carries the headline: “March for Trump - Jan- ate didn’t want to go along, saying that $2,000 when it convenes on January 6 for the counting. in some bacchanalian pursuit while his people uary 6th Washington DC - The President is is too much to dole out to the unemployed, The question is: How will Trump’s Republican were dying and his empire was on the verge of calling on us to come back to Washington DC which the GOP legislators claim would make the allies overturn the Electoral College votes in destruction. In effect, Nero played the fiddle, for a big protest. Be there. Will be wild.” unemployed Americans lazier to look for work. Congress? What play – or magic -- are they while Rome burned. Olivia Troy, a former Pence homeland But there are no jobs available for them! going to do? As much could be said about President security and counter- terrorism specialist, has But as the “chicken” game was nearing the Donald Trump - both in the allegorical and in expressed grave concern that there could be vio- cliff, Trump blinked and gave up on his de- Martial law the literal sense. lence on that day, as Trump supporters, backed mand. The original amount of $600 for direct But Trump’s playbook calls for martial While the United States is being ravaged by armed militant groups like The Proud Boys payments to Americans stayed. Clearly, Trump law as last resort if he couldn’t get Congress by the coronavirus, with 19.4 million afflicted, rally in Washington DC. They will be confronted cannot afford to lose in his “chicken” game; to overturn the election result. He’ll probably 335,000 dead and over 1,000 dying every day, by the police and could also clash with groups which turned out to be “chicken” shit. It un- create chaos and disturbances. He already Trump has cared only about his failed reelection allied with Black Lives Matter. nerved him. started sowing confusion when he didn’t sign the bid and his desperate efforts to overturn the Troy told the media: “I’m actually very But let’s go back to the time Congress and COVID relief stimulus bill. Wait until millions victory of President- elect Joe Biden. concerned that there will be violence on Jan. 6 the President started negotiating for the COVID of hungry and evicted people will go marching in Worse yet, - Trump could be playing golf because the president himself is encouraging relief stimulus package. The programs, which the streets. There will be bedlam! while Washington DC burns. it.This is what he does. He tweets, he incites it, were adopted nine months ago at the start of the And Trump, surrounded by an eight-foot On January 6, the US Senate and House of and he gets followers and supporters to behave pandemic, have helped Americans buy grocer- metal fence around the White House, would de- Representatives will convene in a joint session in this manner, and they believe they are being ies, pay their bills, stay current on their rents clare a state of emergency, which would further to confirm the election of Biden and of Kamala patriots because they’re supporting the presi- and mortgages. All are set to expire by Decem- infuriate the people. Harris as vice-president. Vice-President Mike dent.” ber 28. And the next thing he would do is invoke Pence will preside. During the first pre-election debate between If Trump fails to sign the stimulus package the Insurrection Act. Republican governors Trump intends not only to disrupt the pro- Trump and Biden, the moderator, Chris Wal- by that date, all hell will break lose! With no would call the National Guard to quell the ceedings but is also actively inciting his fanat- lace, challenged Trump to condemn the white food on the table and no roof over their heads, anticipated disturbances and rioting that would ical supporters to create havoc in the nation’s supremacists and armed militias that he had millions of Americans will suffer. All the while ensue. This would only exacerbate the situation. capital. been accused of cultivating. Trump hedged, at the pandemic is killing Americans. To date, People will get angrier! And that’s what Trump One of Trump’s congressional minions, first, pretending that he could not think of any there are more than 18 million COVID cases and wants. It could trigger a civil war. Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) has such groups. After Biden mentioned The Proud 330,000 deaths. And if everything else fails, Trump would sued Pence in federal court to compel him to Boys, a particularly violent group, Trump called But he has been remiss in dealing with the then declare martial law and have Presi- declare Trump as the duly elected president, on them to “Stand back and Stand by!’ pandemic. He doesn’t have a plan to mitigate dent-elect Biden and Vice-President-elect Kama- overriding the votes of the Electoral College. Instead of taking that as a reproach, The the coronavirus from spreading across the coun- la Harris arrested and placed under house arrest In spite of failing to produce any evidence Proud Boys used Trump’s words as a slogan try. He doesn’t even want to talk about the pan- guarded by the Proud Boys, Trump’s storm to support his allegations, Gohmert is claiming (printed on t-shirts) and a virtual call to be demic. How he spent his time is baffling indeed. troopers. This might sound outlandish but don’t that the elections were marred by "...rampant ready for conflict. The group has since been at At 3:00 AM, he starts his tweeting attacking underestimate Trump. He plans to be in power fraud and unconstitutional actions that...were so the forefront of pro-Trump marches, inclduing his enemies – the Democrats – and keeps on for 12 years, by hook or by cook. After Trump’s egregious that seven contested states--Arizona, the post-election protests in Washington DC. pursuing his election fraud claims, which were tenure, who would be next? Donald Trump Georgia, Michigan, New Mexico, Nevada, Penn- The group is expected to show up on Janu- rejected by at least 60 courts and two Supreme Jr. or Ivanka Trump maybe? Thus, begins the sylvania, and Wisconsin all sent dueling slates of ary 6 and could stir up trouble. Court rulings that rejected his claims as “lacking Trump dynasty. Or should I call it Donald Duck electors to Congress.” It is feared that violence will flare up in the merit.” Dynasty? The attempts of Trump and his lieutenants nation’s capital - and even on Capitol Hill itself. to abort Biden’s election have been rebuffed But where will Trump be? Plotting his moves Trump’s inauguration over 60 times by the courts - twice by the US He may be in the safety of Mar-a-Lago or In the morning he watches Fox News and Meanwhile, thousands of Trump supporters Supreme Court - but like a madman, Trump has one of his Florida properties. As one pundit pits other right-wing channels. Some sources say he are planning a virtual “second inauguration” for been literally pushing every conceivable button it, “Trump will be playing golf ." spend eight hours each day watching television. Trump on January 20, the same day as Presi- to reverse the Constitutional mechanism that Thus, in characteristic Trump fashion, he is Then he’d go to one of his golf courses at least dent-elect Biden’s inauguration. respects the will of the American people. inciting his supporters to stir up trouble - to be twice a week and play golf for the rest of the day. So far, more than 60,000 people have Unfortunately, there are millions of Trump wild - while he plays golf. And in between, he’d be calling his Republican indicated on Facebook that they are planning to supporters who have swallowed his lies about Like Nero - fiddling while Rome burns. allies to tell them to support his plot to convince attend the event billed as “Donald J. Trump 2nd being cheated. They have staged protest march- Meanwhile, on January 5, the run-off elec- Congress to overturn the election results and Presidential Inauguration Ceremony.” At $40 es in Washington DC and have clashed with tions in Georgia will determine the balance of declare him president for a second term. non-refundable per ticket, that’s $2,400,000 to the police and anti-Trump counter protestors. power in the Senate. If the Democrats win against With the legal fight now deemed over, be raised for Trump bogus inauguration. That’s The last one resulted in 4 being stabbed and 33 the Republican incumbents, the GOP could suffer Trump is bringing his fight to Congress where a lot of moolah! arrested. the same fate as the Confederates in the movie the legislators will count the Electoral College A disclaimer appears on the Facebook page, Even more violence is feared on January classic set in Atlanta, “Gone With the Wind.” votes, which by the way has already been com- which says: “We are a grassroots collection of 6, which will mark the formal certification of And as for Trump, it will be “Gone With the pleted by the 50 states. The totals came out to private individuals 325,000 strong, showing our Biden’s election by Congress and, likely the last Windbag!” 306 for Biden and 232 for Trump. The counting recourse of Trump to reverse his defeat. But no ([email protected]) ■ To Page A7

great time to set intentions and look for ways to make positive changes. We just must remember to set realistic goals; things that are simple; and As I See It objectives that are reachable. Otherwise, we are The Opinions expressed by our writers and doomed to fail in pursuing our New Year’s reso- contributors do not in any way reflect the opinion lutions since general and unreasonable intentions of the management of Fortune News Media Inc. are difficult to comply with. Exit year of The Trump year 2020 is leaving us as we Fortune News Media Inc. welcome the Biden year 2021! It will be a dif- Publisher ficult and challenging year, but we are hoping Trump, enter that we have more opportunities to come as the Harvey Barkin new year is about to roll and usher another year Editor-in-Chief for us. I am optimistic the year 2021 will give us year of Biden many positive challenges that propels us to make Edwina Aniag resolutions. Vice President for Marketing and Operations ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO Biden has resolved to address the corona virus pandemic as his priority within his first Gary De Guzman APRICORN year 2020 (I labeled it as US COVID relief bill, that millions of Americans will Vice President for Community Relations 100 days in office. He outlined his national plan President Donald Trump Year) is exiting lose their EDD benefits, lose their jobs, and the to combat the pandemic as if saying that it is his Cwhile the Year of the Ox 2021 (I labeled it economy will be paralyzed if he does not sign the New Year’s resolution to really defeat the virus, Geoffrey Julian as President-Elect Joe Biden Year) is making its bill into law. So, on Sunday night, he signed the among others. Creative and Production Manager entrance in a very fashionable way! bill that gave the country to continue to survive As to us, citizens of America, we also have We must put aside things that happened last in times of the pandemic hoping to find a way for our resolutions to make as we welcome the New Elpidio Estioko year and face greater challenges in the new year, Americans to keep both ends meet. Year. We make our new year’s resolution promis- Atty. Crispin Lozano which is a great year to sharpen our skills and re- Trump temporarily came into his senses ing to do an act of self-improvement, big or small! kindle our talents. While 2020 was a challenging after so many selfish moves he made in order to Dr. Philip Chua The tradition dates to religious origins, but the year as charted by Trump’s administration, 2021 hold on to his position as president not conceding concept, regardless of origin, is geared towards Ben Lou / Perry Diaz is more challenging because Biden must undo the election to president-elect former vice presi- reflecting upon self-improvement every year Federico Espiritu what burdened us last year and do a better job dent Joe Biden. While most New Year’s resolutions fail, Columnists that will make the new year viable and nourish His latest move, of course, is a palliative one despite this, we do it anyway! A study made in new things that will make us prosperous and sus- as he continues to please his supporters and allies 2007, conducted by Richard Wiseman from the Macon Ramos-Araneta tainable, both as a person and as a nation. strengthening his hold on them. Exercising his University of Bristol involving 3,000 people, Corina Oliquino Looking forward, we believe in transforma- prerogative of presidential pardon, he already showed that 88% of those who set New Year’s tion because our big break is within reach and pardoned a total of 43 convicted criminals who Daniel Llanto resolutions fail. Well, if that is the case, why is all it takes is hard work, determination, and a are either his cronies, allies, or party mates. there still a need for a New Year’s resolution? Correspondents nurturing ambition. There is always hope for With 20 more days as a lame duck president With almost everybody breaking their prom- improvement in every new year we face. by January 20, 2021, we do not know what he ises immediately after making them, and after This coming year, our desire to move forward will still do to favor, not the American people, jumping when the clock strikes 12 midnight of will be stronger than ever and our attempt to fill but to people close to him and himself. It is scary December 31, 2020 during the countdown: do we @FilAmNewspaper out whatever deficit we had in the previous year because whatever he thinks (working on his guts) still have to make resolutions? should be effectively executed. Our determination he does because he is now managing the affairs FilAm Star is published weekly by Fortune News Media Inc. In real life, yes! Most people make their New and positive attitude will help us succeed. We will of the country by instinct, which results are not Year’s resolution because it is crucial to our life. www.filamstar.com use our talents wisely to overcome obstacles we benefiting the American people but to a few close If we make one, we set a goal that we aspire to may encounter as we weather the challenges in to him. We must credit him though that under his attain. On the other hand, if we do not – there is Headquarters: the coming year. administration, he had a victory lap by coming up no direction – at all, in our life! 1028 Mission St., 2/F, San Francisco, CA 94103; As we approach the new year, US President with two vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer) that will While there are popular goals or resolutions Tel. (650) 278-0692 or (415) 593-5955 Donald Trump finally realized, after so many address the corona virus. Email: [email protected] pronouncements not to sign the bipartisan We are hoping that the new year can be a ■ To Page A7 December 31 - January 06, 2021 FilAm Star A7

Duterte... From Page A1 Imee.... From Page A1 are not blind followers. We cannot be dictated by the Philippine had a good chance to procure vac- dose, as soon as the UK Health ministry authoriz- cheaper price in poorer countries. anyone,” he said. cines early from the United States. es its use. Meanwhile, Sen. Christopher “Bong” Go relat- In a speech last December 26, the President “But someone from our side dropped the “The purchase price doesn’t match the prom- ed that the Philippine government is exploring all demanded at least 20 million doses of US-made ball and has yet to be held accountable up to this ise sold,” Marcos said. possible sources of vaccines available to immunize COVID-19 vaccines and to stop the termination of day,” he added, referring to Health Sec. Francisco Marcos cited statements made by AstraZen- Filipinos against COVID-19. the VFA. Duque. eca’s CEO Pascal Soriot and its research partner According to a government report on De- Sen. Panfilo Lacson said, “I think there could Senate Majority Leader Migz Zubiri said, Oxford University “to provide the vaccine on a not- cember 21, Gamaleya is poised to ship in the first be a more diplomatic or at least a better way of "Our problema, the whole world is looking for a for-profit basis for the duration of the pandemic quarter of 2021 with 15 to 20 million doses arriv- asking a longtime ally to help us avail of the vac- vaccine. I can feel the frustrations of the President across the world and in perpetuity to low- and ing with ongoing engagements with the Russian cines for our people without sounding like we are as a senior citizen. I think they're asking for down middle-income countries.” Embassy. blackmailing our way into it.” payment so, the President got mad," he added. “Why has the government agreed to be short- AstraZeneca also committed 2.6 million doses The senator also said Duterte’s rant could Sen. Francis Pangilinan believes the better changed?” Marcos asked. with ongoing talks for another 20 million. Private have limited the Philippines’ source for COVID-19 alternative were if the President threatened China At $5 per dose, 30 million doses will cost the sectors are also raising another round and local vaccines only to those developed by China. not to sell the Philippines more expensive yet less Philippine government $150 million or almost government units will also procure five to 10 mil- What is more unfortunate, Lacson noted, is effective if not inferior vaccines. PHP7.2 billion, which could buy more than 69 lion doses. Its delivery is targeted to be May 2021. million doses for the EU. Other vaccines, such as Pfizer, Sinovac and “With two doses required, 15 million Filipinos Moderna, are still in the process of talks. From Page A1 can be vaccinated at the same cost that can cover As this developed, Sen. Pia Cayetano said the Security... about 34.5 million Europeans,” Marcos pointed private sector may procure and bring in COVID-19 tration (FDA), which is required before it can be and if we cannot be given Western vaccines, our out. vaccines into the country from registered phar- rolled out across the country of 110 million people. friend and neighbour China is willing to give us Marcos also cited that the United States will maceutical companies as long as they comply But the Presidential Security Group (PSG) vaccines," Roque said. be buying the AstraZeneca vaccine at $4 per dose, with standards set by government authorities and -- which is tasked with protecting Duterte -- said "It's not prohibited under the law to get at which rate five Americans can be immunized for existing laws. some of its personnel have already been inocu- inoculated with an unregistered (vaccine). What every four Filipinos. She also said COVID-19 vaccines could have lated. is illegal is the distribution and selling." “The pricing issue must be addressed by the already been exempted from the value added tax "The PSG administered Covid-19 vaccine to IATF, lest the government be suspected of profi- (VAT), had the House adopted the Senate's version teering amid tight funding for vaccines,” Marcos of the Corporate Recovery and Tax Incentives its personnel performing close-in security opera- - 'No guarantee on safety' - tions to the President," unit chief Brigadier Gen- More than 470,000 cases of coronavirus noted. for Enterprises (CREATE) bill before the session eral Jesus Durante said in a statement, without have been recorded in the Philippines and Marcos pushed for an ASEAN initiative to ended this year. specifying how many got the drug. authorities fear a post-Christmas surge in infec- lobby global pharmaceutical firms to waive their Cayetano was reacting to the call by House Asked if Duterte had been immunised, Du- tions. intellectual property rights on vaccine patents, so Ways and Means Chair Rep. Joey Salceda for the rante said the president was still waiting "for the The FDA issued a statement Monday warn- that vaccines can be produced locally and sold at a government to make the vaccines tax-free. perfect or appropriate vaccine". ing against the use of unauthorised vaccines, not- Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said ing there was "no guarantee on the safety, quality the Sinopharm drug was given to the soldiers, and efficacy" of a drug that has not undergone confirming Duterte's comments at the weekend technical evaluation by the regulator. Trump.... From Page A1 that "a select few" had been inoculated with the So far, the Philippines has signed a deal with much more," the president said in a statement people unable to pay their rent, suspends foreclo- Chinese vaccine. AstraZeneca for 2.6 million doses of its vaccine from his Christmas vacation at his Mar-a-Lago sures and provides funds for the distribution of Roque did not explain how the drug was and hopes to secure another 30 million from the resort in Florida. Covid-19 vaccines. obtained or the number of doses received. The company using public and private funding. The turnaround came after a day marked The aid is essential to the world's largest Chinese embassy in Manila did not respond to Pfizer has applied for emergency use authori- by calls from all sides of the political spectrum economy, hit hard by restrictions put in place to AFP's request for comment. sation for its vaccine. for action to avert an economic and social halt the spread of Covid-19. Duterte has previously expressed confidence China has four vaccines, including Sino- disaster, especially for America's vulnerable "I applaud the President’s decision to get in vaccines made by China and Russia, even offer- pharm, in the final stages of development and populations. billions of dollars of crucial COVID-19 relief out ing himself up as a guinea pig for the very first jab is well advanced with mass human testing in a Two federal unemployment benefit programs the door and into the hands of American fam- of Moscow's controversial "Sputnik V". number of countries. approved in March as part of an initial Covid-19 ilies," tweeted Republican Senate leader Mitch Roque played down concerns about the safe- But, unlike vaccines being developed by relief plan expired at midnight on Saturday, McConnell. ty of the Sinopharm drug, saying it was meant to Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, cutting off an estimated 12 million Americans, House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi called send a message of hope to Filipinos. little information has been published about the according to The Century Foundation think tank. the bill "a down payment on what is needed to "The news is that the vaccine is already here safety or efficacy of the Chinese drugs. The relief package, which was first passed by crush the virus, put money in Americans' pockets Congress on December 21, extends those benefits & honor our heroes." From Page A1 as well as others set to expire in the days ahead. "We must quickly take further action," she PRDD .... But for days, Trump had refused to put his added in a tweet. when Pfizer is available?),” he asked Domingo. teknolohiya na hindi pa po siguro tayo ready na signature on it, calling the bill a "disgrace" and Since a Covid-19 vaccine was only recently paghalu-haluin (It’s very new with different plat- catching both Democrats and Republicans off - 'Chaos and misery' - developed, Domingo said it would be difficult to forms, different technologies that perhaps we are guard with his complaints, which came after Romney was not the only politician to have determine whether it is safe to receive various not ready yet to mix),” he added. months of negotiations. urged the president to change course Sunday. combinations of the vaccine. Last August, Duterte volunteered to be Influential Republican senator Mitt Romney "I understand he wants to be remembered “Kasi po bagong-bago pa 'yung mga bakuna. among the first to be inoculated with Sputnik V, said he was "relieved" at the signing. "Help is now for advocating for big checks, but the danger is Wala pa po tayong experience 'no doon sa pag- the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Russia. on the way to workers, families, and small busi- he'll be remembered for chaos and misery and gamit po ng isang bakuna at ang ibang bakuna pa “I will tell President [Vladimir] Putin that nesses across the country who are desperately in erratic behavior if he allows this to expire," Re- (Because the vaccine is still new. We don’t have I have great trust in your studies combatting need," he tweeted. publican Senator Pat Toomey told Fox News on any experience in the use of the vaccine and other [Covid-19] and I believe that the vaccine that you Earlier Sunday, he had urged Trump to Sunday. vaccines). Although, I think our immunologists have produced is really good for humanity,” he "immediately sign or veto the COVID-19 relief Senator Bernie Sanders said that "what here would say na possible naman po 'no (that it’s said. package so Congress can act before it's too late." the president is doing right now is unbelievably possible),” he said. Currently, the government is negotiating cruel." Domingo said more than one vaccine might with several pharmaceutical companies for the - Crucial aid - "Many millions of people are losing their ex- not be advisable especially since it is relative- procurement of Covid-19 vaccines including In his statement Sunday, the president tended unemployment benefits," he said on ABC. ly new in comparison with vaccines for other Pfizer Inc., Moderna, AstraZeneca, Johnson & continued to push for the $600 direct payments "They're going to be evicted from their diseases. Johnson, Novavax Inc, and Sinovac. to US taxpayers spelled out in the bill to be more apartments because the eviction moratorium is “Kaya lang masyado lang pong bago pa The government is eyeing to roll out the than tripled, and argued the legislation included ending." kasi tapos iba-iba po 'yung platform, iba-ibang Covid-19 vaccines as early as March 2021. (PNA) too much excess spending on unrelated pro- Sanders said increased direct payments grams. could be approved in the coming days. He has not said why he waited until the bill Democrats in Congress sought Thursday to was already approved to make his views known. approve a measure to increase the direct pay- Community.... From Page A1 The new stimulus package extends federal ments in line with what Trump wants, but Repub- aid to the unemployed until mid-March, and licans blocked it. are what the people can only watch, with proper Hello Columbia provides guaranteed loans and billions of dollars It was seen largely as a theatrical move with social distancing of course),” Año said in a radio Goodbye Napoles in aid to small businesses, restaurants, hotels, little hope of passage designed to expose the rift interview. Super Yolanda airlines and other companies. between Republicans and the outgoing president. Año, meanwhile stressed that the use of fire- Mother Rockets It extends the moratorium on evictions of (AFP) crackers is prohibited in Metro Manila. Kwiton "Ano mang paputok dito ay bawal sa Metro Super Lolo Manila (Any kind of firecracker is not allowed in Goodbye Bading Metro Manila) and that is within the authority of Goodbye Philippines Perry.... From Page A6 the local chief executives. Otherwise, kailangan Bin Laden support for President Donald J. Trump. We have ing to be worse than the triple whammy, which sumunod tayo hindi lang para sa kaligtasan hindi Coke-in-can no affiliation with any formal organization.” was what would have happened had the COVID maputulan ng kamay o mamatay kung di mai- Pillbox Facebook has added a disclaimer to the page relief stimulus package been revised that would wasan din yung mga (we need to comply not just Boga that states, “Joe Biden is the President-elect. He delay the funds from being released. for our safety, for our hands not to be amputated Kabasi will be inaugurated as the 46th US President on This reminds me of the La La Land dream- or to avoid death and of course, to prevent) mass Other similar firecrackers January 20, 2021.” ers’ song, which goes as follows: gathering,” he added. With regard to pyrotechnics, the Philippine According to a news report, one of the Leaped without looking DILG Undersecretary and spokesperson National Police which is the primary agency that event's organizers Evi Kokalari was involved in And tumbled into the sand Jonathan Malaya said the department has issued implements the said order, has announced in a the 2020 Trump campaign and regularly ap- The water was freezing Memorandum Circular (MC) 2017-105 supple- joint advisory dated Dec. 16, that it will no longer pears on right-wing television shows including She spent a month sneezing mented by MC 2017-168 to provide the imple- process and issue special permits for community One America News Network. Which makes one But she said she would do it again. menting guidelines for EO No. 28. The Philippine fireworks display in malls and other establish- National Police has likewise issued an advisory to ments. wonder: Who will swear Trump in as president? Here’s to the ones who dream remind the public of the implementation of the “This is to discourage mass gatherings among Will it be one of three appointees to the Supreme Foolish as they may seem said order. the spectators as a measure against the transmis- Court? I doubt it. But Rudy Guiliani would Here’s to the hearts that ache He said to reiterate, the sale and use of fire- sion of Covid-19 this holiday season. Nonetheless, love to swear him in. After all, he’s a lawyer, a Here’s to the mess we make. crackers which fall under any of the following are according to the PNP, they will respect the permits former mayor, and a joker Yes, Donald, keep on dreaming. strictly prohibited anywhere in the country: which were already granted prior to the issuance of Watch out for the Trump whammy. It’s go- ([email protected]) Overweight – with more than one-third the advisory,” Malaya said in a statement. teaspoon or more than 0.2 gram of net explosive The sale and use of consumer pyrotechnics ingredients; or commonly referred to as pailaw may still be As I See.... From Page A6 Oversized – like atomic big triangulo, super allowed. people go for, to me, the most important, should a week, instead of saying “lose weight”); when we lolo, giant whistle bomb, etc; The PNP cited examples of allowable pailaw: be to keep the family together. If your family is make our goals public and get support from our With short fuse – should not burn less than Butterfly one, united, and well-connected – maintain it friends; and when we talk with a counselor about three seconds but not more than six seconds; Fountain by all means! If there is a lot of disconnections, setting goals and New Year’s resolutions. Imported finished products; Jumbo Regular and Special dysfunctions, and misunderstandings – pick up So, if only we can set up realistic goals, items Mixture – sulphur and/or phosphorous mixed Luces with chlorates; Mabuhay the pieces and put them together. that are attainable and easy to comply with… we Unlabeled locally made products. Roman Candle So, with that, let us make and nourish this may have a better success rate in accomplishing Although some of the following firecrackers Sparklers year’s resolution to greater heights. Make the our resolutions! may be considered small, the following and similar Trompillo family the center of our heart, the center of our But the reality is, with or without a New ones are also strictly prohibited anywhere in the Whistle Device life, the center of our existence. In fact, make it Year’s resolution, we can do many good things in country for causing injuries to the public especially Other similar types of pailaw the center of everything we do in life without any our life. If we can set our New Year’s goals and to children, namely: “Please bear in mind, however, that EO No. mental reservation! can commit to these resolutions, our life will even Watusi 28 authorized local government units (LGUs) to Check this out! In the same study, it showed be more meaningful… it will have a direction, Piccolo promulgate the necessary rules and regulations on that the most common reason for participants there is a goal we can aim for and attain, as we Poppop firecrackers and other pyrotechnic devices with- failing their New Year’s resolution was setting live the New Year with a charted future! Five Star in their territorial jurisdiction in conformity with themselves unrealistic goals (35%), while 33% So, we can start saying goodbye to Trump Pla-Pla national standards, rules, and regulations. Therefore, did not keep track of their progress and a further year 2020… and welcome Biden year 2021 and Lolo Thunder as authorized by their respective ordinances and is- 23% forgot about it. About one in 10 respondents, embrace the New Year with hope and added Giant Bawang suances, LGUs may or may not issue special permits the study further showed, claimed they made too enthusiasm for a better tomorrow! Giant Whistle Bomb for the sale of consumer pyrotechnics or “pailaw” in many resolutions. ELPIDIO R. ESTIOKO was a veteran jour- Atomic Bomb their respective jurisdictions. LGUs may also prohibit As to success rate, the study mentioned bet- nalist in the Philippines and an award-winning Atomic Triangle community fireworks display outside of malls and ter chances of achieving one’s resolutions when journalist in the US. For feedbacks, comments… Large-size Judas Belt other establishments to prevent crowds as a measure we engage in goal setting (a system where small please email the author @ estiokoelpidio@gmail. Goodbye Delima against Covid-19,” Malaya added. (PNA) measurable goals are being set, such as, a pound com. A8 FilAm Star December 31 - January 06, 2021 World News Spain to keep registry Poles losing faith in once of people who refuse mighty Catholic Church ONCE ALL powerful in Poland, the Catholic schools, according to an opinion poll published Church has been under severe pressure this year last week. -- from a series of abuse scandals and a perceived A website for people applying to give up their Covid vaccine association with the country's right-wing govern- faith -- licznikapostazji.pl -- tallied up more than (Photo: Facebook) ment. 1,000 application in the space of just two weeks. Negative media reports and documentaries Another site, apostazja.eu, said more than have hurt its image, as has criticism from the 30,000 people had filled out apostasy forms online Vatican itself. -- ready to be printed and submitted to their Some Poles are even beginning to question parishes. the legacy of the late Polish pope John Paul II. "It has pretty much exploded" since the abor- A poll published earlier this month found that tion court ruling, said the site's creator, Krzysztof only 41 percent of Poles have a positive view of the Gwizdala. Church, a decline of 16 percentage points since While the numbers are small in what is still March. a predominantly Catholic country of 38 million, The opinion poll found that nearly half of there are signs the Church is beginning to take Poles (47 percent) have a negative view of the notice. Church. After a 10-year break, the Church's statistics The change "is considerable in such a short office has decided to once again keep track of the space of time," Katarzyna Zalewska, a sociologist number of apostasy declarations it receives. at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, told AFP. In 2010, there were just 459 cases. The trend of growing secularisation seen in Poland in recent years "has visibly accelerated", - 'Operating in a different system' - SPAIN will set up a registry of people who refuse The proportion of Spaniards unwilling to she said. Marcin Kaczmarek, a sociologist at the Uni- to be vaccinated against the new coronavirus take a Covid-19 vaccine has plunged to 28 percent versity of Poznan, said the decline in influence of and share it with other European Union mem- in December from 47 percent last month, accord- - Losing faith - the Church in Poland was not so much the result ber states, although it will not be made public, ing to a poll published last month. A Constitutional Court ruling in October of sexual abuse scandals, but "above all its reaction Health Minister Salvador Illa said Monday. The survey by the state-funded CIS research aimed at imposing a near-total ban on abortions to them". During an interview with La Sexta television, institute found 40.5 percent of respondents are was particularly damaging for the Church, prompt- "It seems torn between its corporate interest... Illa reiterated that vaccination against the virus -- willing to have the jab while 16.2 percent would ing a public outcry and unprecedented demonstra- and respect of its own teachings," he said. which as in most EU nations began in Spain over do so if it is shown to be "reliable". tions across the country. Zalewska said the Church appears to "not hear Some of the criticism was aimed at the the signals" and is acting "as if it was operating the weekend -- would not be mandatory. Spain has been one of Europe's worst-hit religious hierarchy and the reaction has been so in a different system" in which it feels it does not "What will be done is a registry, which will countries by the pandemic, with the virus death strong that the government has held off on enact- have to react and is convinced of its unshakeable be shared with our European partners... of those toll passing the 50,000 mark on Monday, accord- ing the ruling. position. people who have been offered it and have simply ing to the health ministry. Official figures show Poles are also taking Zalewska said the abuse scandals could accel- rejected it," he said. Nearly 1.9 million people have been infected. their children out of religion classes in schools in erate secularisation -- as happened in Ireland in "It is not a document which will be made The government expects to have between 15 ever greater numbers, and some are even formally the 1990s. public and it will be done with the utmost respect million and 20 million people out of its population renouncing their Catholic faith -- a process known But she said it was also possible that the diffi- for data protection," he added, noting that em- of 47 million vaccinated against the virus by June. as apostasy. cult times brought on by the coronavirus pandem- ployers or members of the general public would "The way to defeat the virus is to vaccinate Two out of three Poles now want religious ic could help restore Poles' faith in the Catholic not have access to it. all of us or the more the better," Illa said. (AFP) education to be the responsibility of parishes, not Church. (AFP) German care home workers South Korea detects first given five times vaccine dose coronavirus variant cases EIGHT care home workers in Germany were ac- THREE cases of a particularly infectious coro- cidentally injected with five doses of the Covid-19 navirus variant that recently emerged in Britain (Photo: Facebook) vaccine, local authorities said Monday -- but are have been confirmed in South Korea, health suffering no serious ill effects so far. authorities said Monday. The seven women and one man, aged be- The three individuals are members of a tween 38 and 54, are employees of a retirement London-based family who arrived in the country home in the town of Stralsund in northeastern on December 22, according to the Korea Disease Germany. Control and Prevention Agency. They are therefore in a priority group and They have been placed in isolation since among the first to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech testing positive for Covid-19 on arrival, the KDCA Covid-19 vaccine, which Germany began rolling statement said. out at the weekend. The new strain of the virus emerged earlier But as they were being inoculated on Sunday, this month in Britain and has already reached they were each injected with five doses at once, several European countries, as well as Canada, according to Stefan Kerth, the administrator of Jordan and Japan. the district where the facility is located. Last week London said another new variant They were immediately informed of the of the virus was found in the country in cases error, Kerth said. linked to South Africa, which is the first African Four were admitted to hospital for observa- nation to record one million coronavirus cases. tion with mild flu-like symptoms, while the others The new strain, which experts fear is more were sent home. contagious, prompted more than 50 countries to "I deeply regret this incident," Kerth said, impose travel restrictions on Britain. for Covid-19 after his body was returned from (Photo: Pexels.com) adding that the mistake was an isolated case and South Korea was among them and has Britain earlier this month. down to human error. barred flights from Britain until January 7. The announcement came as a third wave "I hope all those affected suffer no serious The vaccine, created in less than a year and In addition, the country will make it man- of the virus grips the country, with a resurgence side effects," he said. designed to be administered in two injections, datory for passengers travelling from Britain centred on the greater Seoul area seeing daily cas- Ahead of the launch of vaccination cam- is being delivered in vials that each contain five or South Africa to submit negative Covid-19 es climb to over 1,000 several times this month paigns in several European countries at the doses once diluted. test results before departure, KDCA chief Jung despite stricter distancing measures. weekend, German company BioNTech said larger However, a spokeswoman for the health Eun-kyeong said. South Korea reported 808 new cases Mon- than normal doses had been injected during trials ministry said Monday that the vials could each be Authorities are also looking into the case of day, raising its national total to 57,680 with 819 without serious side effects. used to give up to six doses. (AFP) an elderly South Korean man who tested positive deaths. (AFP) December 31 - January 06, 2021 FilAm Star A9 Stellar Events world or another planet – this is the theme behind Song: Bulalakaw “Ibang Planeta.” Dan Tañedo wrote this love song Composer: Joanna Ang presented in a very artistic way, so that it is some- Songs of hope, love, and social Interpreter: Janine Berdin feat. thing new, yet familiar. Joanna Ang Dan spent a lot of time making the song, so commentary take center stage in This is the first Visayan song in the history of when he found out he was one of the finalists, he the Himig competition. felt fulfilled because he has visualized that this ABS-CBN Music’s “Himig 11th Edition” Joanna Ang wrote “Bulalakaw” during one of song would make it to Himig. her lowest points, dealing with problems at work Zild, who interpreted the song in his unique This is a much-antic- style, shares, “Kahit hindi ako masyadong singer, ipated reunion for inter- and in her personal life. “I was wallowing in frus- tration that I forgot to appreciate the many good kaya ko mag-interpret ng kanta ng iba.” (I feel that preters Moira and Agsunta even if I may not be much of a singer, I can inter- because they go way back to things in life, especially the one thing that has always comforted me, which is music.” pret the songs of other people.) their college days. Did you find among these finalists your new Moira shares that in in- So, one night on a rooftop, under a beautiful sky full of stars, Joanna created “Bulalakaw.” The on-repeat song? Then vote for them and they could terpreting the song, she put be the “TFC’s Global Choice” awardee for “Himig herself in character where message of the song is to always hold on to hope. Janine Berdin was excited to learn she was 11th Edition!” she set a boundary in the Your votes are needed to determine who will relationship so even if it was interpreting the song. It is her third time to be an interpreter for Himig, but this is the first time for be TFC’s Global Choice among the 12 finalists. Be painful, it was healthy for sure to react or post a comment on the in-studio both parties in the end. her to sing a Visayan song, and for her, it is a huge honor and a huge responsibility. performance video of your favorite song/s. Check them out on any of these official TFC Facebook DALY CITY, Calif, December 22, 2020 – “Himig pages: facebook.com/KapamilyaTFC, facebook. 11th Edition,” formerly known as Himig Handog, Song: Ika’y Babalik Pa Ba Song: Ibang Planeta com/TFCUSOfficial, facebook.com/TFCCanad- is a worldwide search for the best OPM (Original Composer: Jabez Orara Composer: Dan Tañedo aOfficial, facebook.com/TFCMiddleEast, facebook. Interpreter: Juris Interpreter: Zild Pilipino Music) songs. The biggest songwriting Jabez Orara wrote “Ika’y Babalik Pa Ba” That feeling of being mesmerized by one com/TFCEurope, facebook.com/TFCAsia, face- competition in the Philippines will have its grand in 2015 during a time he was torn between his person, where you feel as if you are in another book.com/TFCANZP. finals in February 2021. present and his past. Since then, he has tried to Meanwhile, “Himig 11th Edition” is now on enter the song to Himig for four years now, and it its final leg where overseas Filipinos can vote for usually just made it to the first or second cut. their favorite song among the 12 finalists. The song So, when finalists where announced in Sep- with the most reactions and comments will receive tember, he was overjoyed. Jabez shares how every- TFC’s Global Choice special award. thing felt like a dream for him because he waited In an earlier story, the first six finalists were for a long time to be a Himig finalist. introduced. Below, readers will get to know about This is the fourth time Juris will be interpret- the other six finalists. ing a song for the Himig competition. She feels the earnest plea in the song, where the subject hopes Song: Tinadhana Sa ‘Yo his past love would return in time before he opens Composer: SJ Gandia his heart to a future with someone new. Interpreter: Zephanie Los Angeles-based SJ Gandia wrote “Tinad- hana sa ‘Yo” a few days before the deadline and Song: Ang Hirap Maging Mahirap she says she feels blessed because it was her goal Composer: Kenneth Reodica Interpreters: Davey Langit feat. Kritiko to make it to three Himig competitions, and this is Kenneth Reodica reveals that this is his first the third time her song made it to the finals. time to be part of a prestigious songwriting com- This is the first time Zephanie will be in- petition and he is very grateful. His inspiration in terpreting a song for Himig and she is looking writing “Ang Hirap Maging Mahirap” came from forward to performing the song live for all to hear. his observation of life as a daily commuter. “Ang Both SJ and Zephanie share that the song’s mes- dami po’ng salat talaga sa buhay. Naisip ko gagawa sage is sad, but hopeful. SJ says, “You can be hurting ako ng kanta na maririnig yung boses nila.” (I because the person you love does not love you back, see many from the fringes of society. I thought to but as long as there is tomorrow, you never know myself that I should write a song where their voices what will happen, you might end up together.” can be heard.) Interpreter Davey Langit was immediately Song: Kahit Kunwari Man Lang hooked on the play of words of the title, with the Composer: David Mercado first mahirap meaning difficult, and the second Interpreters: Agsunta, Moira Dela mahirap which means poor. “It is a social com- Torre mentary kind of song and when I first listened to it “Kahit Kunwari Man Lang” was based on one I was immediately interested because it’s right up of composer David Mercado’s friends who was my alley.” struggling through a one-sided relationship for 12 Kritiko, who does a rap portion on the song, years. The couple did not end up together, as the agrees that the song has a powerful message that man got engaged to someone else, and the woman will send a wake-up call to fellow Filipinos. eventually moved on. A10 FilAm Star December 31 - January 06, 2021 Business & have been taken out of your gross pay, we can keeps collectors away. We take Federal Credit now use the net pay to deduct your household Unions, Payday loans and high interest personal expenses. loans in our program too. This is exclusively Tech News For household expenses consisting of ordi- available for Debt Aid Consulting clients. None nary expenses like rent, utilities, car payments of our competitors provide this program. You and groceries keep them at a minimum. Avoid are well protected. creating any new recurring monthly expens- We only provide Federal Trade Commission es. This will be very important in achieving compliant programs. Go with Debt Aid Consult- your goals. Try to save every penny. Yes, every ing! penny. 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Bolstered by pandemic, tech titans face growing scrutiny ACCELERATING the transition to an ever more Zoom, created in 2011 by a Californian engi- tious set of new rules to clip their wings, ranging And last week, market regulators launched digital existence, the coronavirus pandemic has neer, has watched its share price jump 600 percent from limits to their power over the market to an anti-monopoly investigation into Ant parent tightened tech giants' grip on billions of customers' in 2020, while Airbnb's share value doubled on the cracking down on hate speech and requirements company Alibaba shortly after Communist Party lives. day of its IPO. for transparency over algorithms. leaders vowed to crack down on "disorderly capital Governments and users are belatedly coming Meanwhile Chinese apps, long confined Drawing lessons from past failures -- delayed expansion". to terms with the power held by the likes of Apple to the local market, are exploding in app stores and drawn-out procedures and weak penalties -- and Amazon, particularly in focus this year thanks around the world: notably TikTok but also SHEIN the Digital Services Act could see companies face - Little economic damage - to their role in everything from setting up video for clothes shopping and another video sharing crippling fines or even bans from the EU market Despite public outcry over their failings to meetings to doing our shopping for us. platform, Likee. for breaches. rein in misinformation or hate speech, among oth- Most of the planet has spent at least part of The bloc's competition chief Margrethe Ve- er things, tech companies have seen little impact 2020 in lockdown, and as Western consumers - Taking back control - stager has said the draft laws would bring "order to on their bottom line. clicked through Google and Facebook, hundreds of The pandemic may have strengthened these chaos" online, reining in the massive "gatekeepers" In the US, Facebook was boycotted in July by millions of Chinese users turned to Baidu, Alibaba, high-flying digital giants, but it has also energised who dominate markets. a hundred or so advertisers against the backdrop Tencent or Xiaomi. calls to regulate the conglomerates which continue The United States is also acting on competi- of the Black Lives Matter movement, without any These "superstars" of online capitalism "have to expand through hundreds of acquisitions. tion concerns, with US federal and state antitrust major economic damage. given the impression, in this world where so many "Until 2017, the benefits, especially in terms enforcers filing suits against Facebook on De- Ride-hailing platforms Uber and Lyft, which things that seemed solid are now fragile, that they of innovation, were considered to outweigh the cember 9 seeking to overturn its acquisitions of refused to take on their thousands of drivers as are above it all and even invincible," said Par- damage," said Toledano, who has written a book Instagram and WhatsApp. employees as required by California law, managed is-based economist Joelle Toledano. about taking control back from Google, Amazon, "For nearly a decade, Facebook has used its to convince voters there to support them in a cru- While governments are spending trillions Facebook and Apple. dominance and monopoly power to crush smaller cial referendum in November. of dollars to avoid widespread bankruptcies and That has changed, however, as they now stand rivals and snuff out competition, all at the expense And in France, Amazon is accused of destroy- mass unemployment, shares of these companies accused of not paying enough taxes, unfair compe- of everyday users," Letitia James, New York's ing small business, exploiting its employees and have been rising since January: Facebook's stock tition, stealing media content and spreading fake attorney general, said. promoting over-consumption with disregard for is up 35 percent, Amazon 67 percent and Apple 68 news. In October the Justice Department and 11 the environment -- yet the French branch of Jeff percent. The European Union has unveiled an ambi- states launched proceedings against Google, Bezos' company made record sales during the accusing it of having illegally strengthened its "Black Friday" sales bonanza. monopoly on online searches and advertising. In China, meanwhile, authorities have - 'Surveillance capitalism' - been tightening regulation of content for several Shoshana Zuboff, a professor at Harvard months, and recently announced new rules for Business School and the author of a book on "sur- e-commerce. veillance capitalism", has denounced the sale of November's dramatic suspension of the personal data to advertisers. IPO for online payment giant Ant Group Speaking on a European Parliament panel -- which was expected to raise a record $34 bil- last week, she said Google's possible acquisition of lion -- was interpreted by many observers as a fitness wearables maker Fitbit should be blocked. shot across the sector's bows from the Chinese "Google's assurances cannot be trusted," she government. said. (AFP) Gig economy workers say they can no longer survive WHETHER in Paris, Kuala Lumpur or Califor- "So it knows me personally," said Mighetto. nia, gig economy workers fear they can no longer "And the bonus offers were changed, you know, survive on meagre earnings from jobs that leave based on what I was willing to accept." them increasingly vulnerable. If friends were getting bonus offers of $50 The term "gig" stretches back a century to for doing 20 rides per week, the algorithm would jazz musicians who used it to refer to a one-off offer her $350 -- but for 120 rides a week. show but now the "gig economy" involves mil- To get enough jobs and claim the bonus, lions of people in all sorts of jobs, from Uber drivers would accept lower fees. drivers to Deliveroo delivery teams. "You're in this like, vicious cycle black hole," said Mighetto. - Algorithm slaves - She does not buy the argument that gig work Wissem Inal does more than 700 kilometres is flexible. (450 miles) a week on his scooter, delivering up "I personally call it on demand work... there's to 10 takeout meals in the Paris suburbs every no flexibility -- you have to work when there's evening. demand. You're going to work late nights, long "At the moment, with the lockdown I end weekends and every single holiday." up with 500 euros ($600) a month net," said the In the spring, she gave up driving for fear of 32-year-old who has driven for Deliveroo since catching Covid-19 but had to fight for unemploy- 2017 but also takes jobs for Uber Eats and Stuart. ment benefits of $450 per week instead of the Inal has trouble seeing the "good side" of his $167 paid to gig workers. job at the moment and criticises calculations by She received a $600 per week supplemental Deliveroo's algorithm that decide how much to federal benefit that the US introduced as part offer him for jobs. of its Covid-19 stimulus measures but it ran out "A delivery that's worth six euros at noon is after four months. worth just three euros in the evening. You can't Mighetto is bitter about a California refer- earn a living with this job, unless you're willing to endum -- backed by Uber -- to overturn a state live like a slave." law that would have forced gig firms to recognise He recently joined an association of gig their drivers as employees, and pay them mini- delivery drivers that seeks to improve working mum wages and benefits. conditions. California voters approved the measure with "We should be able to defend ourselves," he 58 percent of the vote. maintains. "We shouldn't be stripping workers of basic labour protections so people can get cheap rides," - 'Flexibility' or 'on demand'? - she said. When Erica Mighetto began driving with Lyft three years ago, "I just loved it", she said. - Juggle the platforms - Her grown son had left the house and she Twenty-seven-year-old Devon Gutekunst thought it would be a great move until she found delivers for DoorDash, which just took in almost a job in bookkeeping or property management. $3.4 billion in its stock market debut. "I really enjoyed, you know, choosing my His smartphone offers him a job -- $5.50 for own hours," she told AFP. "I thought life was a 4.6-mile delivery in 30 minutes. good." "That's the equivalent of $11 an hour, that's Mighetto lived in Sacramento but would too little," said Gutekunst. drive more than an hour to the San Francisco "My personal minimum is $18 an hour. I area on weekends because there was more work often make more than that, because I have a in the richer towns. strategy." She slept in her car or shelled out $25 for a Part of it is to be selective and focus on west- room. ern Los Angeles and the beach towns of Marina Mighetto was pulling in $60-$80 an hour Del Rey and Santa Monica. before expenses in 2017 but a series of rate cuts But mostly it consists of playing different caused that to fall to $20 at the beginning of the platforms off against each other. year and to less than $10 in March. Gutekunst's job acceptance rate for Door- She finds the algorithms opaque and perni- Dash was 12 percent that day but he said it can cious. often be just two percent. (AFP) December 31 - January 06, 2021 FilAm Star A11 Community Emergency rental Awareness assistance program Fed contractor pays $130,619 accepting applications in back wages after US Labor THE CITY of Santa Clara is pleased to announce 2.A Copy of your lease agreement and/or that the City’s Emergency Rental Assistance amendment. dept. finds SoCal Violations Program (ERAP) is accepting additional applica- 3.Pay stubs for ALL persons in the household tions into its Round 2 Program on a rolling basis over the age of 18 for the months of September, WEST COVINA – After an investigation support services to the Department of Defense beginning December 21 until January 4. October, November, and December of 2020. by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and and other federal agencies. When the Application Submission period 4.Unemployment Benefits Statement for Hour Division (WHD), Technica LLC will pay The McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract closes on January 4, pre-eligible applicants will ALL persons receiving unemployment. Statement $130,619 in back wages and fringe benefits to 43 Act requires contractors and subcontractors receive an email invitation to upload household must show amount being received. employees. performing services on prime contracts in excess information and documentation that supports 5.ALL pages of ALL types of bank statements Investigators found the contractor failed of $2,500 to pay service employees in various income and asset information stated in the initial (e.g. savings, checking, PayPal, Apple Pay, invest- to pay required prevailing wages to warehouse classes no less than the wage rates and fringe application. ment accounts) for ALL persons in the household employees on their contract for work at the Bar- benefits found prevailing in the locality, or the Please note: All applications are subject to over the age of 18 from the months of September, stow Marines Corps Logistics Base in Barstow, rates, including prospective increases, contained final review and available funding. October, November, and December of 2020. California. in a predecessor contractor’s collective bargain- Pre-eligibility applications can be accessed 6.2019 Tax Returns (only if self-employed). WHD investigators found that Technica ing agreement. here: SantaClaraCA.gov/RentRelief If you have any questions, you may contact LLC violated the Service Contract Act (SCA) and For more information about the SCA and In preparation for next steps, please start the Program Administrator, Bill Wilson Center, the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards other laws enforced by the Wage and Hour Divi- gathering the following documents: or city staff at the following email addresses: Act (CWHSSA) in its payments to workers under sion, contact the toll-free helpline at 866-4US- 1.Two (2) forms of proof of residency (e.g., Bill Wilson Center: [email protected] a US Department of Defense contract. WAGE (487-9243). Information is also available driver’s license, recent utility bill, recent bank City of Santa Clara: rentrelief@santaclaraca. The employer erroneously categorized em- at https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd. statement, etc.) gov ployees performing work in several positions on WHD’s mission is to promote and achieve the contract and paid them rates applicable to compliance with labor standards to protect and incorrect job categories. Technica classified Ma- enhance the welfare of the nation’s workforce. terial Identifiers and Examiners, for example, WHD enforces federal minimum wage, overtime Amid pandemic, enrollment as Customer Service Representatives, and paid pay, recordkeeping and child labor requirements them $15.12 per hour, rather than the required of the Fair Labor Standards Act. rate for the position of more than $20 per hour. WHD also enforces the paid sick leave deadline, sign-ups for The employer also paid workers below the and expanded family and medical leave re- required hourly rate for health and welfare bene- quirements of the Families First Coronavirus fits called for under the contract. Paying incorrect Response Act, the Migrant and Seasonal Agri- health care coverage urged hourly base rates resulted in additional violations cultural Worker Protection Act, the Employ- when Technica computed and paid overtime ee Polygraph Protection Act, the Family and SACRAMENTO, Calif. — With the first In response to the pandemic, Covered based on rates below those required by law. Medical Leave Act, wage garnishment provisions open-enrollment deadline approaching soon, California extended the enrollment deadline to “Contractors must understand and abide by of the Consumer Credit Protection Act and a Covered California urged consumers to sign up receive January 1 coverage from December 15 to all of the requirements associated with perform- number of employment standards and worker now so they can have their health care coverage December 30. Consumers who sign up by Decem- ing work on contracts for the federal govern- protections as provided in several immigration be effective on January 1. ber 30 will need to pay their first bill in order to ment,” said Wage and Hour Division Assistant related statutes. Additionally, WHD administers “Covered California is a critical safety net have their coverage take effect on January 1. District Director Rafael Valles, in West Covina, and enforces the prevailing wage requirements to help people get quality health care cover- Right now, an estimated 1.2 million Cal- California. of the Davis-Bacon Act and the Service Contract age during the surging pandemic and ongoing ifornians are uninsured — even though they “Our enforcement of prevailing wage laws Act and other statutes applicable to federal con- recession,” said Peter Lee, executive director of are eligible for financial help through Covered levels the playing field for all contractors and tracts for construction and for the provision of Covered California. “With our first enrollment California, or they qualify for low-cost or no-cost protects the wages of workers. We encourage all goods and services. deadline coming up this week, we want to encour- coverage through Medi-Cal (see Table 1: Estimat- employers to contact us for guidance to avoid The mission of the Department of Labor is age anyone who needs coverage to check out their ed Number of Uninsured Eligible for Financial violations like those found in this case and to to foster, promote and develop the welfare of options and sign up so they can start the New Help Through Covered California or Medi-Cal [by ensure workers receive all the wages they have the wage earners, job seekers and retirees of the Year with protection and peace of mind.” Metro Region]). earned.” Technica LLC, based in Charleston, United States; improve working conditions; ad- South Carolina, provides warehouse facility vance opportunities for profitable employment; Table 1: Estimated number of uninsured eligible for financial help operations, logistics and information technology and assure work-related benefits and rights. through Covered California or Medi-Cal (by Metro Region)

Metro Region Uninsured Californians eligible for financial help Northern California and 139,000 Sacramento Valley Greater Bay Area 122,000 Central Coast 60,000 San Joaquin, Central Valley, 163,000 Eastern, Kern Los Angeles 338,000 Inland Empire 192,000 Orange 88,000 San Diego 100,000 Total 1,202,000 Of those eligible for subsidies, more than half — 650,000 — are believed to be Latino (see Table 2: Estimated number of uninsured in California eligible for financial help through Covered California or Medi-Cal [by Race and Ethnicity]).

Table 2: Estimated number of uninsured in California eligible for financial Help through Covered California or Medi-Cal (by Race and Ethnicity)

Race and Ethnicity Uninsured Californians eligible for financial help Latino 650,000

Caucasian 367,000

Asian 89,000

African American 67,000

Other 29,000

Total 1,202,000 Financial help lowers costs for consumers Get covered, stay covered Roughly nine out of every 10 consumers Covered California is urging consumers who enroll through Covered California receive to “get covered” — not only with quality health financial assistance — in the form of federal tax insurance coverage, but also with a mask and credits, state subsidies, or both — which helps vaccine when they become available. make health care more affordable. California’s Covered California mailed masks to 1.5 million state subsidies, which first became available in enrollees and asked consumers to take all necessary 2020, are benefiting nearly 600,000 consumers precautions to help prevent the spread of the virus, — including more than 41,000 middle-income while sharing the news about open enrollment. consumers who had previously been ineligible for “Getting covered with a mask will help pro- financial help because they exceeded the federal tect Californians and their families and friends; income requirements. getting covered with a health plan will help “Most of the people who are uninsured protect people if they get sick,” Lee said. “Cov- either do not know they are eligible for financial ered California helps you get access to some of assistance, or they have not checked recently to the best doctors and health care facilities in the see how affordable quality coverage can be,” Lee country and provides peace of mind during these said. “No one should wait to sign up, and we are challenging times where there is so much uncer- extending the deadline through Dec. 30 to give tainty.” all of us more time to spread the word and make Shop and compare sure our family and friends have health insurance Those interested in applying for coverage during this pandemic.” can explore their options — and find out whether The latest data shows that, with the combi- they are eligible for financial help — in just a few nation of federal tax credits and state subsidies, minutes by using the Shop and Compare Tool at the average consumer receiving financial help CoveredCA.com. All they need to do is enter their paid an average of $127 per month for their cov- ZIP code, household income and the ages of those erage (with federal and state assistance reducing who need coverage to find out which plans are their costs by $454 or nearly 80 percent). available in their area. A12 FilAm Star December 31 - January 06, 2021 Legal & Law cussed in congress that will be addressed by the Naturalization approvals from USCIS. next congress. Stay tuned. 9. For the month of February 2020, we re- Note: This is not a legal advice. ceived approvals from USCIS of five Adjustment of Status applications and three Naturalization SUCCESS STORIES applications. Immigration 1. For the month of October 2020, we 10. For the month of January 2020, we received from USCIS seven approvals of Fami- received approvals from USCIS of five Adjust- Reform Promises ly petitions, and one Removal of Condition on ments of status applications, three N-400 appli- residence. cations for naturalization and three fiancé visa 2. For the month of September 2020, we applications. of Joe Biden received three naturalization approvals, four 11. For the month of December 2019, I-130 petition approvals and one DACA approv- we received four approvals of naturalization al. applications, five approvals of Adjustment of BY ATTY. CRISPIN CADAY LOZANO 3. For the month of August 2020, we Status applications, two approvals of Petition to received three renewals of green card and four remove condition on residence, one renewal of RESIDENT Elect Joe Biden Promised End Trump’s asylum policies. naturalization approvals from USCIS. green card approval and one green card applica- during the campaign to reform the immi- End prolonged detention and reinvest in a 4. For the month of July 2020, we re- tion at the U.S. Embassy. Pgration system of the United States in the case management program. ceived two approvals of Naturalization applica- 12. For the month of November 2019, we first 100 days in office. Reverse Trump’s public charge rule tions from USCIS. received approvals of one naturalization applica- As this year comes to an end and the inau- End the so-called National Emergency that 5. For the month of June 2020, we re- tion, one renewal of green card, one Petition to guration of Joe Biden as the next president of siphons federal dollars from the Department of ceived approvals from USCIS two naturalization remove condition on residence and one adjust- the United States approaches, there are rising Defense to build a wall. applications, two renewal of green card and one ment of status. expectations that the dysfunctional state of Protect Dreamers and their families. adjustment of status. If you have immigration problems the Law U.S. immigration can finally be addressed and Rescind the so-called “Muslim bans.” 6. For the month of May 2020, we re- Offices of Crispin C. Lozano can help you find a reforms adopted to repair what is not working. Order an immediate review of Temporary ceived approvals from USCIS for three green solution before your problem gets worse which Apart from what Biden promised in the cam- Protected Status (TPS) for vulnerable popula- card renewals, two adjustments of status, and could lead to deportation and family separation. paign, several other encouraging initiatives are tions who cannot find safety in their countries one naturalization application. Chris Caday Lozano, Esq. is an active also being circulated in Congress. All of them ripped apart by violence or disaster. 7. for the month of April 2020. We member of the State Bar of California, the contain proposals worthy of consideration. Ensure that Immigration and Customs received approval of one adjustment of status, American Immigration Lawyers Association President-elect Biden outlined his program Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border three removal of condition on residence and one and San Francisco Trial Lawyers. He practices for immigration reform during the campaign. It Protection (CBP) personnel abide by profes- renewal of green card. immigration law, bankruptcy and personal contained the following key promises: sional standards and are held accountable for 8. For the month of March 2020, we injury law since June 1999. His contact phone Immediately reverse the Trump Administra- inhumane treatment. received six Adjustment of Status and three is 1-877-456-9266, email: [email protected] tion’s policies that separate parents from their In addition to the above there are other children at our border. worthwhile immigration reforms being dis- China trial of 'Hong Kong 12' Trump administration begins as US decries 'tyranny' appeals court ruling blocking US TikTok ban THE TRUMP administration on Monday ap- trary and capricious manner by failing to consider pealed a federal court ruling which allows TikTok obvious alternatives." to keep operating in the United States despite a The White House claims TikTok is a nation- move to block the popular social media applica- al security risk because of potential links to the tion on national security grounds. Beijing government through its Chinese owner The Justice Department filed the appeal ByteDance. seeking to enforce a ban on TikTok by President Trump's order said the action was necessary Donald Trump, who has argued that the app's to "protect our national security" and claimed the Chinese parent company may use TikTok for personal data of TikTok users could be used by espionage and to spread disinformation. Beijing. The filing did not include arguments for en- TikTok has repeatedly defended itself against forcing the ban, which had been rejected earlier allegations of data transfers to the Chinese this month by US District Judge Carl Nichols and government, saying it stores user information on in a parallel case filed in Pennsylvania. servers in the United States and Singapore. Nichols said TikTok's lawyers had demon- TikTok has a further fight on its hands over strated that the Commerce Department likely an August 14 executive order from Trump to force overstepped its authority by seeking to ban the ByteDance to sell its US operations to an Ameri- popular social media app and "acted in an arbi- can buyer. (AFP)

(Photo: Facebook) Courts summoned to A GROUP of Hong Kong pro-democracy activ- Friday, while their lawyers have been barred from ists who tried to escape the city by speedboat for meeting with the detainees. Authorities instead sanctuary in Taiwan went on trial in China on have appointed state-approved legal representa- Monday as the United States urged the immedi- tion. rule on climate change ate release of dissidents it says "fled tyranny". In a joint letter over the weekend, the fami- FRUSTRATED with inaction on catastrophic it would hear a Peruvian farmer's case against Ten of the so-called "Hong Kong 12" were lies said they "strongly condemn" the authorities' global warming, citizens are hauling governments energy giant RWE over climate change damage in in court in the southern city of Shenzhen to face decision to hold the trial in "de facto secret". and big polluters before the courts calling for the Andes. charges linked to an illegal border crossing. "We urge governments to send embassy "climate justice". NGOs have deposited lawsuits in France Chinese authorities took them into custody personnel to the hearing to guarantee a proper Increasingly the cases invoke human rights, against oil giant Total for not doing enough to after their boat was intercepted on August 23. and fair trial by the courts in Shenzhen," they particularly the right to life. reduce its carbon emissions. The hearing began as scheduled on Monday af- said, noting that those detained include British, And this month environmental groups faced ternoon and a convoy of vehicles were seen depart- Portuguese and Vietnamese nationals. - Boom in lawsuits - Shell before a Dutch court to force the oil giant to ing around four hours later. The Yantian District The security law that now blankets Hong The Sabin Center for Climate Change Law meet emissions targets in the Paris climate accord. People's Court said sentencing will be at a later date. Kong gives authorities sweeping powers of at Columbia University has counted more than Court officials stayed tight-lipped about the prosecution for acts deemed terrorism, secession, 1,700 legal cases filed across the globe, with over - Stopping work - case, and the trial -- like many in China's opaque subversion or collusion with foreign entities. 1,300 in the United States. Some lawsuits specifically aim to pull the legal system -- was not open to foreign reporters "We've seen over the last five years a dramatic plug on projects. The city had enjoyed unique freedoms since increase in the number of cases filed in the US and Last year, Australian courts refused to grant or diplomats. its handover from former colonial power Britain all over the world," the Sabin Center's executive permission for a new Rocky Hill open-cut coal At least two of the group could face in 1997, with a deal promising a "one country, director Michael Burger told AFP. mine, citing the proposed mine's contribution to around seven years in jail for organising the two systems" arrangement for 50 years. The rapid growth in legal cases reflects soci- climate change. attempted escape from a city where democracy Beijing says the new security law was need- ety's frustration with the extent of climate inaction, activists last year led massive protests against ed to restore peace and stability but critics have he said. - Civil disobedience - Beijing's rule. condemned it as a fatal attack on Hong Kong's While many cases are in richer countries, Activists facing trial for civil disobedience Some of the group were already facing pros- freedoms. there are around 40 cases in developing nations, actions taking aim at big polluting companies of- ecution in Hong Kong, where a draconian na- In a statement following the first day of the according to the British Grantham Research Insti- ten invoke the "climate emergency". Some judges tional security law imposed by China has largely trial, the UK's top diplomat said London was tute on Climate Change. And the number is rising. have been receptive to these arguments. stamped out the city's protest movement. "deeply concerned that members of the Shenzhen Switzerland's appeals court in October "I would like to urge the Yantian court to 12 were tried in secret today." acquitted a protester who smeared red paint on a - Double-edged sword - hand down the verdict as soon as possible... With "The Shenzhen 12 have not had access to Courts do not necessarily rule in favour of Credit Suisse bank, targeted because of its financ- those seeking to defend the environment. ing of fossil fuels. a verdict I can set off for Shenzhen. I just want to lawyers of their choosing, raising further serious "Litigation is the last resort and a risky prop- But in September a different Swiss appeals meet my son," activist Wong Wai-Yin's mother questions about access to legal counsel in Main- osition at best," said Burger. court convicted activists who invaded a Credit Su- said Monday evening. land China," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab "There are going to be wins and losses." isse branch dressed as Roger Federer to denounce Activist Lester Shum added that "none of the said. In the US, the Oregon court of appeal in Jan- the tennis star's sponsorship deals with Switzer- families we know got to hear the trial", despite the "We expect China to uphold the rule of law uary rejected a lawsuit filed by children in 2015 land's biggest bank. court's statement saying relatives were present. and conduct trials in a fair and transparent man- that sought to force the American government to In France, some demonstrators who un- "Their so-called 'crime' was to flee tyranny," ner, consistent with the basic requirements of protect public resources from climate change. hooked and pocketed portraits of President Em- a US embassy spokesperson told AFP, ahead of international human rights law." "Very few lawsuits have really succeeded in manuel Macron hanging in town halls to protest the detainees' scheduled court appearance. China has a history of putting dissidents on producing positive results for the moment," re- the "void in government (climate) policy" were Urging their immediate release, the spokes- trial around the Christmas and New Year period searcher at France's Pantheon-Sorbonne univer- discharged, but others were convicted. person said: "Communist China will stop at noth- to avoid Western scrutiny. sity Marta Torre-Schaub told AFP. ing to prevent its people from seeking freedom Amnesty International said there was little But she added that states and companies - Who's responsible? - elsewhere." take these issues seriously "because they know Attributing cause and effect on a planetary chance the group would receive a fair trial. there is a risk of litigation". scale is a tricky question in environmental law- The US has used Hong Kong's evaporating "They have so far been deprived of their basic suits. freedoms as a stick to beat China with in recent rights, including the right to defend themselves months. through legal representation of their own choos- - State inaction - "Holding any one actor responsible for any In a landmark case last year the Dutch Su- one particular event raises issues of causation China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs went into ing," Amnesty Hong Kong's Programme Manager preme Court ordered the state to slash its green- and responsibility," Columbia University's Burger a familiar attack mode over the US comments. Lam Cho Ming said in a statement. house gas emissions by at least 25 percent of 1990 told AFP. Washington must "immediately stop in- Eight of the group are accused of an illegal levels by the end of 2020. But the science of attribution is becoming terfering in China's internal affairs through the border crossing, while two are suspected of or- Similar cases are in the works. In France ever more sophisticated. Hong Kong issue and immediately stop interfer- ganising for others to cross the border. campaigners backed by over 2 million citizens Researchers concluded this summer's heat- ing in China's judicial sovereignty," spokesman Two minors face non-public hearings. are seeking to hold the government to account wave that engulfed Russian Siberia would have Zhao Lijian told reporters. Since Beijing imposed the security law in for "climate inaction" in a so-called "Case of the been "almost impossible" without climate change. June, Taiwan has emerged as a sanctuary for Century". Numerous scientific studies have also suc- Hong Kong activists -- quietly turning a blind eye ceeded in breaking down the main CO2 emis- - Secret trial - Families of the accused -- the youngest of to dissidents turning up without proper visas or - Polluting companies - sions, by company or by country. Fossil fuel companies responsible for huge The Climate Accountability Institute, which whom is just 16 -- have called for the hearing in paperwork. CO2 emissions are in the firing line. Claimants tracks the CO2 and methane emissions of the the Shenzhen court to be broadcast live, after The self-ruling island opened a new office in are seeking not only compensation but also a biggest polluters, said in December 2019 that the they were unable to attend due to the short notice July to deal with Hong Kongers wanting to move change in practices. 20 worst offenders have produced 35 percent of for the trial and Covid-19 requirements. to the island, including those seeking to stay in A German court ruled in November 2017 that all fossil fuel emissions since 1965. (AFP) They were only notified of the trial date on Taiwan for "political reasons". (AFP) December 31 - January 06, 2021 FilAm Star A13 Health & Health@Heart Lifestyle

Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines, and re- The world, each country, would acquire herd leased for public use a week ago only after passing immunity and stop this pandemic only when Did the Nurse die? the stringent safety milestone of, and approval by, 75 percent of the(ir) population got the an- the US-FDA. With this new and improved process ti-COVID-19 two-shot vaccine. of vaccine production, future vaccines will also be Post-vaccination behavior developed faster. After getting the shot, all of us should PHILIP S. CHUA, MD, FACS, FPCS As we have stated in an earlier article, simply behave as if we have not had it yet, continuing because vehicles today are manufactured a lot our frequent handwashing, limiting ourselves to HE other day, I received a startling video is not certain at this point that if this new strain is faster than those of 80 years, or even 50 years ago, essential travels, using facemask and doing social clip from a friend in Texas, who forwarded already in the United States. does not mean our cars of today are less safe. As a distancing. This is the safe demeanor post-vac- it from his Messenger account, showing a T matter of fact, with the amenities and smart fea- cination, because there are a lot we do not know nurse being interviewed after getting the an- An egregious act tures in vehicles today, they are a lot safer, more about the clinical course of the vaccines. The ti-COVID-19 vaccine. The video showed she felt Whoever maliciously crafted the incomplete comfortable, and a joy to drive. The faster speed of vaccines are new and the medical community and ill right there and then, and passed out. The video video and the resultant half-truth, fake news, must development is due to more efficient, more precise the public should (would) learn more about it: clip ended there. The printed message on the be censured. CHI Hospital confirmed Tiffany, way of manufacturing vehicles today. How long after the vaccination does protection video said ““Nurse died after taking shot of covid who had a previous history of vago-vagal reaction Of course, vaccines, medications, surgical pro- (immunity) start, and at what level (about 52 per- vaccine.” to stress or anxiety (the reason she fainted after cedures are not perfect, not 100 percent without cent after the first week? How about after the first Tiffany Dover, a nurse at CHI Hospital the shot) is alive and well and back to work. Fake risk or possible complications. Life is full of risk. day, second day, etc.?). During this first week of in Chattanooga, Tennessee, who fainted after news, false information like this, are instantly We have all read about people crossing the streets, vaccination, can we still get the infection, and can receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, was wildly circulate throughout the world in this day and age climbing ladders, biking, skiing, etc., who were we still transmit the virus to others? After the circulated in the social media around the world as of the high speed internet and social media. The killed. That is reality. The trick is not to abandon required second shot (21 days for the Pfizer-Bi- having died from the shot. harm this person has done, obviously intentional, them, but to evaluate and take all precautions. oNTech and 28 days for the Moderna vaccine), News like this will obviously create fear and could kill countless people, especially those gull- how much protection do we get and when do we panic among people who are waiting to get the ible, innocent, and ignorant, who would develop get the 95 percent the manufacturers reported, vaccine and may opt out of it. That would be a deathly fear of the vaccine and refuse to get it. The Shot or no shot As far as the vaccines against SARS-CoV2 vi- and for how long? Do we have to get the vaccine disaster. The public is already worried about the act, an abuse of our first amendment right by an rus of COVID-19, what we have to weigh is which every year like the seasonal Flu vaccine? Anyway, safety of the vaccines, because they were devel- apparently mentally deranged person, borders on one is less risky, less deadly to have. The scale hope is now here. We must be grateful. oped rapidly (about 11 months rather than the criminality. It is a great disservice to mankind as a definitely, scientifically, practically, wisely, tips In the meantime, let us rejoice the vaccines old conventional way, which took years, even whole. If we cannot help end this ravaging pan- in favor of getting the vaccine. Its no brainer. We are here, the silver lining, the light at the end decades, to develop). demic, we must at least not endeavor to worsen it must take advantage of what modern medicine of the tunnel, which hopefully symbolizes the and kill more people around the globe. As recipi- has to offer to save our life and maintain good beginning of the end of this COVID-19 pandem- ents of fake news, we, on the other hand, have the COVID-19 data update health. ic within next year. We are all in this together Currently, worldwide, there are almost 81.8 responsibility not to disseminate them, without Those with history of allergies are observed globally. Let love, compassion, and peace reign as million cases of COVID-19 and nearly 1.8 million doing a due diligence first. All lives matter. All lives at the place of vaccination for at least 15 after the we usher in a healthier and more prosperous new deaths; USA - about 19.8 million and 344,000 are valuable. We have more than enough deaths! vaccine is given. All those facilities have anti-al- year for the world. deaths; and, The Philippines - around 472,000 lergy medications, steroids, etc., in readiness, cases and 9,200 deaths. A new strain (variant) Hurried vaccines? even for more severe reactions. This reassuring. Philip S. Chua, MD, FACS, FPCS, a Cardiac with 20 mutations of SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19) Scientifically, the impressive speed with which In one clinical study of quarter of million Surgeon Emeritus based in Northwest Indiana virus, 70 percent more transmissible, is spreading these anti-COVID-19 vaccines evolved was due to people given the anti-COVID-19 vaccine, there and Las Vegas, Nevada, is an international in the United Kingdom, first detected December a newly discovered faster, more efficient, process were six who developed allergic severe reactions, medical lecturer/author, a Health Public Ad- 14, 2020. Other countries with this new strain (with mRNA) in vaccine manufacturing. There was a miniscule incidence of 0.000024 percent. vocate, and Chairman of the Filipino United include Japan, S. Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, no rush or short cuts taken here. The same strict, Evidently, as the manufacturers announced, Network-USA, a 501(c)3 humanitarian and an- and Australia. All passengers on flights from the rigid, intensive laboratory and 3-stage clinical, ev- these vaccines are safe. More common side effects ti-graft foundation in the United States. Visit our UK to the USA are now required to have a nega- idence-based, randomized studies and trials were noted are pain in the area of the shot, fever, tired- websites: philipSchua.com and FUN8888.com tive COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the flight. It followed, involving at least 80,000 subjects for the ness, and headache, which last for a day or two. Email: [email protected]

Pandemic severe, but 'not necessarily the big one': WHO crisis, including developing vaccines at record bring the pandemic to an end. speed, it remained far from prepared to ward off He specifically mentioned the two new future pandemics. strains of the virus that have emerged in Britain "We are into second and third waves of this and South Africa, which appear to be more infec- virus and we are still not prepared to deal with tious that previous strains. and manage those," he told the briefing. "We are working with scientists in the UK "So while we are better prepared... we are not and South Africa who are carrying out epidemi- fully prepared for this one, let alone the next one." ologic and laboratory studies, which will guide next steps," he said. - 'More ambition' - He hailed the two countries for testing and WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreye- tracking the new variants. sus meanwhile voiced hope that the Covid-19 And with more than 50 countries now impos- pandemic had helped the world become more ing travel restrictions on Britain, he also warned prepared to tackle future threats. against taking punishing measures against coun- "In terms of awareness, I think we are now tries that transparently share such results. getting it," he said. "Only if countries are looking and testing But he stressed that it was "time now to be effectively will you be able to pick up variants and really serious." adjust strategies to cope," he said. "More ambition will be necessary." "We must ensure that countries are not But Tedros also hailed how scientists around punished for transparently sharing new scientific the world were working closely together to help findings." (AFP)

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (Photo: Facebook) THE NOVEL coronavirus has had a devastating acknowledged. More work needed to identify risk impact around the globe, but the World Health "It has spread around the world extremely Organization warned Monday that worse pan- quickly and it has affected every corner of this demics could lie ahead, urging the world to get planet, but this is not necessarily the big one." from Nigeria strain, says researcher "serious" about preparedness. He stressed that while the virus is "very "This is a wakeup call," WHO emergencies transmissible, and it kills people... its current case A RESEARCHER who identified a novel coro- Nigeria has recorded more than 82,000 cas- chief Michael Ryan told reporters at a briefing fatality (rate) is reasonably low in comparison to navirus variant in Nigeria has cautioned against es of Covid-19, of which 1,246 were fatal. marking a year since the UN agency first learned other emerging diseases." automatic assumptions that it poses similar risks Compared to the country's population of of the new virus spreading in China. "We need to get ready for something that to strains that have emerged elsewhere. some 200 million people, this number is tiny. Since then, Covid-19 has killed nearly 1.8 may even be more severe in the future." The new strain was uncovered last week by However, the tally of cases has been rising by million people around the world, out of over 80 WHO senior advisor Bruce Aylward also scientists at the African Centre of Excellence for several hundred a day since the start of Decem- million infected. cautioned that while the world had made huge Genomics of Infectious Diseases (ACEGID) in ber. There has been a major increase in Lagos, "This pandemic has been very severe," Ryan scientific progress to address the coronavirus southeastern Nigeria. Nigeria's economic capital, prompting the author- ACEGID director Christian Happi said the ities there to reinstate a curfew and gatherings of variant was found in two out of 200 samples of more than 50 people. (Source: Kappapuzzles.com) KROSWORD virus collected from patients between August 3 But the number of deaths in Nigeria has not and October 9. experienced a proportionate surge. The two samples were taken from the same state in Nigeria at different times. - Virus mutation - They show a variant "different to the one that Happi, a Cameroon-raised, Harvard-trained has been circulating in Nigeria, different from the professor of molecular biology, works in a state- one in South Africa and different from the one in of-the-art lab in Ede, southeastern Nigeria. the UK," he said in an interview with AFP. It is one of only 12 in Africa designed to se- Britain tightened restrictions after finding a quence viral genetic code and track mutations -- new strain there that it said was more contagious telltale changes that can be used to build a family than initial forms of the virus. tree of the microbe. South Africa says a new strain detected there From this, the scientists at Ede believe the could explain the rapid spread of a second wave variant evolved "within Nigeria, I don’t think it that has especially affected younger people. was imported from anywhere," said Happi. Happi stressed that scientists were racing to "When changes occur, what matters most, unlock knowledge about the Nigeria strain and what we’re focusing on, is the spike protein," he urged people not to "extrapolate." said, referring to the prong-like protein by which "We have no idea, no evidence to say that this coronavirus latches onto a cell and infects it. variant is linked to the spike we are seeing in Nigeria Happi said there was a "tendency to extrapo- or not," said Happi, explaining that samples from the late" after a discovery of this kind. latest cases were being analysed for an answer. But he cautioned strongly against automati- cally assuming that what happened in one popu- THIS WEEK'S ANSWER lation setting would also happen elsewhere.

- African difference? - "A lot of the models drawn at the onset of the pandemic, all got it wrong," he said. "They were saying by now that a third of the African population would be dead. So people need to think," he said. "It is very wrong to assume models based on knowledge that are not accurate or on assump- tions that are dependent on data obtained from Europe or the US and transpose it to a continent like Africa -- we are genetically different, we are immunologically different." All of Africa has recorded 2.4 million cases, according to an AFP tally -- just 3.6 percent of the global tally, although testing is also far less wide- spread. The continent's death toll of 57,000 is less than a fifth of that of the United States. (AFP) A14 FilAm Star December 31 - January 06, 2021 Entertainment & Sports News Actress Lori Loughlin begins prison term for US Mavericks thrash Clippers, college admissions scam Loughlin, 56, had been ordered to surrender Hornets hand Nets first to the US Bureau of Prisons before November 19. She also faces two years of supervised release, a $150,000 fine and 100 hours of community service. loss of NBA season She and her husband were sentenced by a "Unbelievable win for us," said Hayward, federal judge in August. who joined the Hornets from the Celtics in No- The pair admitted to paying $500,000 to vember. "Just proud of our effort, man, proud of gain admission for their two daughters at the our defense. We finally got it together it seemed University of Southern California as recruits to like on that end." the rowing crew team -- a sport neither had ever Kevin Durant led the Nets with 29 points trained in. and Kyrie Irving had 25 for Brooklyn, which had Giannulli, 57, described in the prosecutors' become the first club since the 2008-09 Lakers to sentencing memo as the more active participant win their first two games by 20 or more points. of the duo, is due to serve five months, pay a It looked like the Nets might pull out a close $250,000 fine and do 250 hours of community one when they erased a 16-point fourth-quarter service. deficit, twice trimming the gap to two points with Loughlin, among the most high-profile less than three minutes to play. personalities indicted in the wide-reaching case, Durant missed a fadeaway jumper with 7.4 initially denied any guilt for more than a year, but seconds left and Rozier made two free throws that apologized for her part prior to sentencing. sealed the win. "I'm ready to face the consequences and The Hornets were playing without center Lori Loughlin (Photo: Facebook) make amends," she said. Cody Zeller, who broke his left hand in their AMERICAN actress Lori Loughlin began her In admitting guilt, the pair were spared from season opener. two-month prison term in California Friday after potentially much stiffer sentences: their original Brooklyn guard Spencer Dinwiddie departed admitting to conspiracy to commit fraud as part charges carried penalties of up to 45 years in in the third quarter with a right knee strain and of her role in a sprawling college admissions prison. did not return. scandal. Some 55 people have been charged in the The reigning champion Los Angeles Lakers Loughlin -- best known for playing Aunt scandal. Most of the 41 who have pleaded guilty seemed not to feel the absence of Anthony Davis, Becky in the 1980s-90s hit sitcom "Full House" -- received punishments of less than a few months nursing a calf contusion, in a 127-91 romp past reported to a low-security federal camp in Dublin, behind bars. the Minnesota Timberwolves -- who were without some 30 miles east of San Francisco. Huffman had admitted during a tearful star Karl-Anthony Towns a day after he dislocat- She and her husband, designer Mossimo court appearance to paying $15,000 to boost her daughter's SAT college entrance exam score. Luka Doncic (Photo: Facebook) ed his left wrist in a win over Utah. Giannulli, were among some 50 people indicted Kyle Kuzma led the Lakers with 20 points. over an elaborate scam to secure spots for already The ringleader behind the college admissions THE DALLAS Mavericks powered to an LeBron James added 18 with nine rebounds and privileged children at prestigious US universities. scam, William "Rick" Singer, who authorities say NBA-record 50-point halftime lead on the way five assists and sat out the fourth quarter with the Actress Felicity Huffman of "Desperate was paid about $25 million to bribe coaches and to a 124-73 demolition of the short-handed Los game in hand. Housewives" fame was released last October from university administrators, has pleaded guilty and Angeles Clippers on Sunday. the same prison, after serving 11 days of a two- is awaiting sentencing, expected sometime next The Mavs, taking full advantage of the ab- - 'Why chance it?' - week sentence for her role in the scam. year. (AFP) sence of injured Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, set The Cleveland Cavaliers, with 24 points, 14 the tone early. rebounds, three assists and three steals from An- Point guard Luka Doncic scored 18 of his 24 dre Drummond, cruised to a 118-94 victory over points in the first half and the halftime score of a Philadelphia 76ers team missing big man Joel 77-27 gave Dallas the largest margin at the break Embiid, who was a late scratch with a tight back. Masked and muted ever in the NBA, according to the Elias Sports "We just thought, why chance it this early in Bureau. the season," Sixers coach Doc Rivers said. "Noth- Olympics will still dominate Josh Richardson added 21 points and Tim ing to be concerned about." Hardaway Jr. chipped in 18 for the Mavs, who The Golden State Warriors, who were again had opened the season with two defeats. without Draymond Green -- and may have lost crowded 2021 in sports "Everything was clicking on all cylinders," center Marquese Chriss for the season with a Hardaway said, adding that the Mavericks did not broken right leg and ankle injury suffered in prac- realize how big their halftime lead was until they tice -- shook off the bad news to edge the Bulls in were in the locker room. Chicago 129-128. Coach Rick Carlisle said the key for the Mav- Stephen Curry delivered 36 points with five ericks going forward would be to maintain the three-pointers. intensity they showed in the first half. His first long-range shot of the night made "Our guys established a standard for collec- him just the third player, along with Ray Allen tive toughness and will that we need to find a way and Reggie Miller, to make 2,500 three-pointers to maintain," he said. in their career. In Charlotte, Gordon Hayward scored 28 But it was Damion Lee who drilled the points as the Hornets cooled off red-hot Brook- game-winner from beyond the arc with 2.3 sec- lyn, handing the Nets their first defeat of the onds remaining, taking over as the Bulls prevent- (Photo: Facebook) season 106-104. ed Curry from getting his hands on an inbounds THE RESCHEDULED Tokyo Olympics will Athletes will be asked to arrive late and Terry Rozier -- Hayward's former teammate pass. be the centrepiece of a crammed sporting year in leave early, minimise their time in the Olympic in Boston -- added 19 points and P.J. Washington It was a blowout in New York, where the 2021 as sports administrators who had their cal- village, refrain from speaking loudly, avoid chipped in 14 points and 12 rebounds for the Hor- Knicks stunned Giannis Antetokounmpo and the endars wiped away by the coronavirus pandemic physical contact and wear masks when not nets, who held the Nets to 42.7 percent shooting. Milwaukee Bucks 130-110. (AFP) try to fill the gaps even as a second wave hits. competing or training. They will be screened While the Games will still be called the 2020 on arrival and undergo tests every four to five Olympics, they have been changed by Covid-19. days. Tokyo organisers and the Japanese govern- "I think the Games will go off," World Ath- ment are struggling with increased costs and, letics president Sebastian Coe said this month. Chiefs grab NFL playoff bye as despite the growing possibility of vaccination, "What nobody is clearly across at the moment, whether to allow foreign visitors and what safe- is... whether we are going to have a stadium pop- guards and restrictions will apply to spectators ulated by good, noisy, passionate fans." and participants. The challenge for the organisers is consid- Steelers, Seattle win divisions In early December, organisers said the de- erable, since the Games bring together 11,000 NFC West title while host Washington lost 20-13 layed Games will cost at least an extra $2.4 billion athletes from 206 countries, accompanied by at to Carolina, failing to claim the NFC East crown. as the unprecedented peacetime postponement least 5,000 officials and coaches, 20,000 media Half the NFL's 14 playoff spots will be settled and a raft of pandemic health measures inflate a representatives and 60,000 volunteers. next Sunday. budget that was already over $13 billion. Chiefs coach Andy Reid says his team must Enthusiasm appears to have waned in Japan. - Lost time - improve to repeat as champions. A poll in July showed that just one in four people Meanwhile, other sports, desperate to make "We just weren't as sharp as we need to be," wanted to see the Games held in 2021 -- and a up for lost time are, for the most part, ma- Reid said. majority backed either further delay or cancella- noeuvering to minimise overlaps between their Mahomes said he needs to play better. tion. revamped schedules and the Olympic behemoth. "The defense played their tail off to keep us "Whether it's seen as too much or that we The National Basketball Association, which in the game and give us a chance," he said. "The have done well to contain the costs, I think it only finished its coronavirus-hit 2019-20 season offense found a way to score a touchdown when depends on how you look at it," said Tokyo 2020 on October 12, agreed with its players union to we needed to." CEO Toshiro Muto. start the new season on December 22, cut the A 39-yard field goal attempt by South Korean Organisers have reduced the number of free regular season by 10 games and end it on May 16. kicker Koo Young-hoe was wide right for Atlanta in tickets, scaled down the opening ceremony and This was partly to allow players to compete the dying seconds to seal Chiefs' bye as AFC top seed. made savings on mascots, banners and meals, but in Tokyo, although since the playoffs are sched- "When you look at the history of the bye so far have cut just $280 million. uled to continue until July 22, the day before the week, usually it's a good thing for a team trying to "It will be simple rather than festive, but I Games start, some of the biggest stars could still make a championship run," Mahomes said. hope it will be something moving that encourages miss Tokyo. Super Bowl 54 Most Valuable Player Ma- people through the power of sport," he said. One event that has not, so far, publicly homes also threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to The organisers are determined to go ahead rethought its plans is the other marquee casualty Travis Kelce, whose seven catches for 98 yards next year, even if the pandemic has not receded. from the summer's sporting wipeout: the Europe- Patrick Mahomes (Photo: Facebook) gave him an NFL one-season tight end record of They want to welcome foreign spectators and an football championships. 1,416 reception yards this year. PATRICK Mahomes rallied the Kansas City plan to waive quarantine requirements. Still called Euro 2020, they are scheduled to Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger completed Chiefs over Atlanta 17-14 on Sunday to give the They plan to require fans to wear masks, to stick to the planned 12-city format but some mem- 34-of-49 passes for 342 yards and three touch- reigning Super Bowl champions a first-round bye refrain from cheering and keep their ticket stubs ber nations have reportedly been urging UEFA to downs as the Steelers snapped a three-game and home-field edge in the NFL playoffs. for contact tracing. put all the matches in one country. (AFP) losing skid. Mahomes completed 24-of-44 passes for 278 Indianapolis led 24-7 before "Big Ben" hit yards and two touchdowns, his second scoring scoring throws of 39 yards to Diontae John- 20-3. A fightback died when the Browns lost the Seattle (11-4) kept the Rams (9-6) from toss a 25-yarder to Demarcus Robinson with 1:55 son, 5 yards to Eric Ebron and 25 yards to JuJu ball on downs in the final seconds. securing an NFC playoff berth and stayed level remaining to lift the Chiefs ahead to stay. Smith-Schuster. with New Orleans chasing Green Bay for the "It's that championship swagger of knowing The Colts fell level with Cleveland, Balti- NFC bye. how to win the game even when you're not play- - Ravens, Cowboys win - more, Tennessee and Miami at 10-5 in a fight for Lamar Jackson threw for 183 yards and two Russell Wilson ran four yards for a touch- ing well," Mahomes said. the last three AFC playoff spots, but would need touchdowns and ran 13 times for 80 yards to down and flipped a 13-yard touchdown pass There was also plenty of heartache in the help in the final week to advance. spark the Baltimore Ravens over the visiting New to Jacob Hollister to give the host Seahawks a season's penultimate weekend as losses jeopar- At cold and snowy Green Bay, Aaron York Giants 27-13. division title. dized the playoff hopes of Indianapolis, Washing- Rodgers threw four touchdown passes and the The Giants (5-10) stayed in playoff conten- The Rams (9-6) could miss the playoffs with ton, the Los Angeles Rams and a Cleveland squad Packers (12-3) beat Tennessee 40-14 to stay atop tion when Washington (6-9) lost to Carolina, a loss next week to Arizona (8-7) and a Chicago missing key players due to Covid-19. the fight for the NFC top seed while keeping the missing a chance to clinch the NFC East title. victory over Green Bay. The Bears (8-7) overpow- Host Pittsburgh rallied late to edge India- Titans from clinching the AFC South title and a Dallas (6-9) ripped Philadelphia 37-17 to end ered Jacksonville 41-17. napolis 28-24 and secure the AFC North division playoff berth. the Eagles' playoff hopes. If Washington loses Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin crown while the host New York Jets (2-13) beat Cleveland, out of the playoffs since 2002, at Philadelphia next week, the Cowboys-Giants Herbert broke Baker Mayfield's NFL one-season Cleveland 23-16, ensuring league-worst Jackson- had four receivers and two linebackers out due to winner captures the NFC East, the NFL's weakest rookie touchdown pass record with his 28th of the ville (1-14) has the 2021 NFL Draft top pick. Covid-19 tests and contact tracing and fell behind division, and will host a playoff game. campaign in a 19-16 victory over Denver. (AFP) Seattle defeated the Rams 20-9 to secure the December 31 - January 06, 2021 FilAm Star A15 Entertainment Ivana Alawi among ‘Fan Girl’ rules Metro film fest, loses to online piracy celebs with most ANTOINETTE Jadaone’s “Fan Girl,” a film about an obsessed teenage girl who spent an unforgettable night with her idol, was declared winner of nine awards, including best picture, during the virtual beautiful faces for 2020 edition of the 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival’s (MMFF) “Gabi ng Parangal” on Sunday night. While the film won most of the awards, it was also the most affected by online piracy, Jadaone said during a media conference on Monday after- noon. “We are talking with the producers of the nine other film fest entries, as well as the organizers of the MMFF and Upstream (the festival’s official livestreaming partner). This week, we will be very busy with the filing of criminal cases against these pirates,” she said. “There will be ‘real’ consequences for these online pirates and those who will patronize them,” she added. Dolly Dulu’s romantic-comedy “The Boy Fore- told by the Stars” placed second in the best picture award, while McArthur Alejandre’s dramatic piece “Tagpuan” was third. Jadaone, who bagged the best director and best screenplay awards, coproduced “Fan Girl” un- Fan Girl (Photo: Facebook) der Project 8 San Joaquin with Epicmedia, Black Sheep Productions, Globe Studios and Crossword makers to collaborate with him. Productions. “A film is a reflection of the times. This 2020 The film premiered at the 2020 Tokyo In- has been a struggle with the pandemic; because of ternational Film Festival in Japan and competed this, we want to continue to produce films that will at the 2020 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival in touch the hearts of Filipinos. AV Cinema is open to Ivana Alawi (Photo: Facebook) Liza Soberano (Photo: Facebook) Estonia. all. I hope to work with you soon,” he said. MANILA, Philippines — Actress, model, and list started in 1990. Christian Acuna’s “Magikland” won the YouTube star Ivana Alawi was named one of the This year, Israeli model Yael Shelbia was Film collaboration awards for best production design for Ericson celebrities with the most beautiful faces for 2020. hailed number on “The 100 Most Beautiful Faces In her speech, Jadaone thanked the people Navarro; best visual effects for Richard Francia Alawi placed 11th on TC Candler and the In- of 2020.” who collaborated with her on the project. “A and Ryan Grimarez (Central Digital Lab); and best dependent Critics’ annual list released Monday. Meanwhile, model Daniel Matsunaga was the director is only as good as the people who worked musical score for Emerzon Texon. It is the first time that Alawi appeared on the list lone Filipino celebrity who appeared on the “100 behind the camera with her,” she said. “Ulan,” written by Jhay Cura and Pau Protacio The YouTube star was joined by Kapamilya Most Handsome Faces for 2020” list. He placed “I hope that after we’ve all seen ‘Fan Girl,’ we for “Boy Foretold by the Stars,” was declared best actress Liza Soberano, who marked her sixth 75th on the list, down from the 50th spot in 2019. will remember to raise our children in a Philip- original theme song. time to appear on the list. Soberano placed in The male celebrity who was hailed number pines that is liberal; we will remember to leave our Also participating in the two-week-long festi- 14th place. one was Swedish YouTube star Felix Kjellberg, youth with a country that is worth their love and val are comedy films by Al Tantay, titled “Pakboys: In 2017, Soberano took the top spot on the more popularly known as PewDiePie. (inquirer. care,” she added. Takusa,” and Topel Lee, titled “Mang Kepweng: annual list — the first Filipina to do so since the net) Paulo Avelino, who plays the celebrity in “Fan Ang Lihim ng Bandanang Itim.” Girl,” won the best actor award, while his costar, newcomer Charlie Dizon, snatched the best actress Special awards trophy from her more experienced opponents, Special awards were handed out during the Angeline Quinto looks back namely Nora Aunor (“Isa Pang Bahaghari”), virtual ceremony that was streamed on Facebook Sylvia Sanchez (“Coming Home”), Iza Calzado and YouTube on Sunday night. (“Tagpuan”), and Ritz Azul (“The Missing”). The GatPuno Antonio Villegas Cultural Award on fulfilling dream to be a “I used to just dream of being an actress. I went to “Suarez: The Healing Priest”; Fernando never thought I’d get this far. I hope my parents Poe Jr. Memorial Award to “Magikland”; Manay are proud of me,” Dizon said. Ichu Vera Perez Memorial Award to Gloria Rome- singer: ‘Law of attraction‘ “I know that life is difficult for most of us ro; Gender Sensitivity Award to “The Boy Foretold these days. I pray that things would get better by the Stars”; and Special Jury Prize to the late ANGELINE Quinto recalled how she soon. Let’s just hang in there. I’m sure that in the filmmaker Peque Gallaga, who was coproducer of dreamed of becoming a professional singer near future, better days will be upon us; that our “Magikland.” from a young age, adding that the law of at- lives will improve,” Avelino said in his “thank you” Winners of the best float awards are traction helped her achieve her goal. note. “Magikland” (first place), “Isa Pang Bahaghari” The award-winning artist reminisced the “Fan Girl” also won the best cinematography (second), and “Fan Girl” (third). time she simply dreamed of her current career honor for Neil Daza, best editing for Benjamin This year’s winner of the best student short on her Instagram page on Dec. 27. Quinto Tolentino, and best sound for Vincent Villa. film honor is “Paano Maging Babae” by students of shared a photo of herself from an old year- De La Salle College of St. Benilde. book. Other winners As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, this Beside her picture were the phrases “Tagpuan” won for Shaina Magdayao the year’s edition of the MMFF features 10 entries “Nothing is impossible” and “To be a profes- award for best actress in a supporting role, while that are streamed exclusively via upstream.ph for sional [singer] someday.” Michael de Mesa copped the best actor in a sup- P250. The festival will run until Jan. 7, 2021. Referring to the image and her goal at the porting role for his performance in Joel Laman- Jadaone pointed out that even as the country time, Quinto simply said: “Law of attraction.” gan’s drama “Isa Pang Bahaghari.” battled the pandemic, pirates continued to find Quinto’s dream eventually became her re- Japanese child actor Seiyo Masunaga was de- ways to record films without permission. ality after she won the TV talent contest “Star clared best child actor for his work in Easy Ferrer’s “Anyone can screen grab and record through Power” back in 2001. She has since released horror-thriller “The Missing.” Upstream just like in Netflix. Piracy is always five studio albums. Her latest effort was called “Tagpuan” lead actor Alfred Vargas, who also illegal. It’s bad, but its worse when it’s happening “@LoveAngelineQuinto” and premiered in produced the film under his Alternative Vision during the pandemic. Now that we are hanging on 2017. Cinema, said: “Ours is but a small company but for dear life, all the more we are being stepped on,” Aside from her singing career, Quinto we plan to keep making worthwhile films because she said. has also ventured into acting. She last starred we believe that cinema and entertainment are art Producers, Jadaone said, had been teaming in the 2017 romantic comedy “Foolish Love.” forms that contribute to a nation’s identity.” up to fight piracy. “We’ve always spoken against (inquirer.net) Angeline Quinto (Photo: Facebook) Vargas, who is also Quezon City’s fifth district it but it’s now time that we take serious actions to representative, called on young and aspiring film- help curb it,” she said. (inquirer.net) Maxine Medina gets promise Anime epic 'Demon Slayer' ousts ring from non-showbiz boyfriend Ghibli classic as Japan's top-grossing film MISS UNIVERSE Philippines 2016 Maxine Medina proudly AN ANIME epic in which a teenager hunts down revealed that she has received a and beheads demons on Monday became Japan's promise ring from her boyfriend, top-grossing film of all time, its production com- Timmy Llana, for Christmas. pany said, ending the near two-decade reign of The beauty queen-turned-ac- Studio Ghibli's "Spirited Away". tress showed the gold ring on her In- "Demon Slayer", based on the hit manga stagram page last Sunday, Dec. 27. series, has chalked up 32.5 billion yen ($314 mil- “I thought it was just a Christ- lion) in box-office sales since its October release, mas gift but this guy… haaaaay a spokeswoman for anime producer Aniplex said. [heart emoji],” she said. The story of Tanjiro, whose life transforms Medina noted too that Llana when his family are killed in a demon attack, has gave a speech before placing the ring drawn 24 million viewers to cinemas, she added on her finger. -- in a year that has seen movie theatres and film “I promise to take care of you releases around the world hit hard by the corona- and will love you forever,” Llana told virus pandemic. her. After weeks of closing in on the top spot, Upon hearing Llana’s heartfelt "Demon Slayer" dethroned the 2001 fantasy message, Medina could not help but classic "Spirited Away", whose total takings had feel grateful and become speechless. reached 31.7 billion yen including ticket sales Though Llana did not propose, from a summer re-release. Medina stressed that the gift is Japan has seen a relatively limited outbreak Demon Slayer (Photo: Facebook) a promise ring. According to the of Covid-19, with some 3,200 deaths, although actors voicing the characters, also helped boost Gemological Institute of America, record numbers of new cases have been reported the film. a promise ring is generally given to in recent weeks. The success of the movie, whose full title is signal an exclusive relationship. "Demon Slayer" has been helped by Japan "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Medina confirmed their rela- not implementing the strict lockdown measures Mugen Train", has been a rare bright spot in tionship last June when she marked seen elsewhere, and movie theatres have largely the economic malaise that has accompanied the their anniversary with a touching stayed open, though with restrictions including pandemic in Japan. message. mask-wearing. One research institute estimated the entire “Thanks for all the ways you Throughout the pandemic, people have series has generated an economic impact of 270 love, support, and care for me,” she been urged to avoid crowds -- putting most other billion yen in Japan alone. said at the time. “I love sharing my forms of mass entertainment off-limits -- while a "Demon Slayer" has already been distributed life with you. I love you so much.” sophisticated marketing campaign, including tie- elsewhere in Asia with releases in Europe and the Maxine Medina (Photo: Facebook) (inquirer.net) ups with shops and restaurants, and well-known United States planned for next year. (AFP) A16 FilAm Star December 31 - January 06, 2021