Weekend Balita- May 9, 2020 by Balita Media, Inc

LOS ANGELES EDITION

Remdesivir still under clinical trial in Philippines — DOH PAGE 14

VOL. XXIX NO. 19

May 9 - 15, 2020

TOP STORIES Global News Balik Probinsiya program will be voluntary, Roque says 8  Gatchalian wants probe on how Philippine education would cope with COVID-19 8  Palace issues guidelines on mall operations during GCQ 8  House should accept fault in ABS-CBN closure – Lagman 9  Manila Archdiocese to impose new guidelines for churchgoers after quarantine 9  MRT, LRT ban exposes elderly, pregnant women to COVID-19 CHR 10  ‘eKadiwa’ will be new normal for agriculture marketing 10  Philippines records 10,463 COVID-19 cases, death toll at 696 10 

THE LEADING SOURCE OF NEWS AND INFORMATION FOR FELLOW FILIPINO-AMERICANS

EASING UP “STAY-AT-HOME,” “SAFER-AT-HOME” RULES BEGIN By ABNER GALINO

CALIFORNIA Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a new plan to guide certain retail stores and workplaces that would be allowed to reopen beginning on Friday (May 7).

Sections BUSINESS. Philippine economy contracts for the first time since 1998 19  COMMUNITY. Free legal counsel and representation for LA residents and businesses in need 3  ENTERTAINMENT. Dingdong, Marian relish having complete family during quarantine 12  HEALTH & FAMILY. Anti-flu drug Avigan is not safe for pregnant women, DOH warns 14  DELISH. Easy EGG-citing Recipes 18 

Around 7% COVID-19 positivity ratio shows PH doing ‘good’ in pandemic response — expert

Dr. Anna Lim Infectious Disease expert

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippines' current COVID-19 positivity ratio or the number of individuals who turned out positive for the virus out of all those who took the test supports that the country is doing good in ﬂattening the curve, according to a medical expert on Friday. "Currently we are hovering around 7%. Ano ba ang sinasabi ni WHO? Ang magandang standard o magandang benchmark is about 10%," Dr. Anna Lim, an infectious disease expert, said in a virtual forum. "Actually, we are now below that mark and that means a AROUND

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THIS stretch of the Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills has been almost deserted through most of the days since the “Safer-At-Home” order has been in place. However, these roadside artworks seem to remind us that all these troubles would soon come to pass. We would soon be raising one’s glass together with the others to toast on life’s resilience and beauty. Photo by Abner Galino

Newsom said the safeguards and the protocols would help guide California in its gradual easing of the “Stay-At-Home” order to regenerate the state economy ravaged by COVID-19 pandemic. Book store s, mu sic stores, toy stores, ﬂorists, sporting goods retailers, clothing stores and similar establishments can start offering curbside pickups starting Friday. EASING UP

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Filipino Americans throw support to ABS-CBN By ABNER GALINO SEVERAL Filipino American personalities and organizations recently held a virtual protest to express their support for the embattled Philippine media network ABS-CBN. In California, the virtual demonstration to protest the closure of ABS-CBN was organized by the Malaya Movement, an advocacy group for press freedom and human rights. Shortly after the virtual protest GABRIELA-Los Angeles chapter issued the following statement: “As the Los Angeles chapter of GABRIELA, in the middle of a media hub our-

selves, we condemn the orchestrated decision to shut down ABS-CBN.” “We are in solidarit y with the masses of Filipinos across the world that are ﬁghting to defend press freedom and democracy in the Philippines.” “The last time ABS-CBN was oﬀ the air was September 21, 1972 after Ferdinand Marcos declared nationwide Martial Law. Duterte’s move to shut down ABS-CBN is similarly a move to chip away at the democratic institutions left in the Philippines. Despite the absence of an outright declaration of martial law, parts of the FILIPINO AMERICANS

SAP DEADLINE. The local government of General Trias, Cavite distributes PHP6,500 cash assistance under the Social Amelioration Program of the government to some 1,400 resident-beneficiaries of Barangay Santiago on Thursday (May 7, 2020). The Department of Interior and Local Government has given the local government until May 10, 2020 to finish the distribution of the first tranche of the cash aid. (MNS photo)

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UP profs see 24k COVID-19 cases in June if ECQ lifted soon MANILA (Mabuhay) — The national government should consider extending the enhanced community quarantine beyond May 15, 2020 in several areas, including Metro Manila, stressing that a “premature relaxation” could result in spike in COVID-19

cases and deaths, a team of University of the Philippines faculty said. The study was done by Dr. Guido David, Ph. D. of the UP institute of Mathematics; Professor Ranjit Rye, MPA, of the UP Department of Political Science; and Ma. UP PROFS

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ABNER GALINO, Fil-Am News Editor

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Saturday-Friday | May 9 - 15, 2020

EASING UP.... FROM PAGE 1 Consequently, the manufacturers and suppliers that provide goods for businesses that will resume operation will also be going back to business. In-restaurant dining, shopping malls and certain office buildings could be allowed to reopen in the coming weeks if the public health officials counties could validate that their respective counties has been able to stabilize the spread of the virus, according to Newsom. The State of California has to be convinced that counties have adequate capability to conduct COVID-19 large scale testing; that they have adequate hospital capacity to confine people sick with the virus; that they have the ability to isolate people sick with the virus, and as well as that they have the ability to trace those who had contact with those that had been sick. In a related development, Los Angeles City Mayor Eric Garcetti warned that restrictions would be re-imposed if there will be notable increase in the number of people sick with the virus. Garcetti said the city’s “SaferAt-Home” order will go through some changes but it will be extended past its May 15 closing date. He added that until a vaccine becomes available to protect the city’s constituents, gatherings in big groups within the city would stay prohibited. The Los Angeles County De-

partment of Parks and Recreation (LA County Parks), in consultation with the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, has said it is “taking precautions to ensure the health and safety of park guests, team members and the community remains the top priority upon reopening.” “Staff training, prominent signage, and operations protocols are also part of the department’s necessary preparation and deployment for reopening,” said LA County Parks. “While the golf courses and trails will reopen, there are specific restrictions and safety guidelines that the public must follow in accordance with the health officer order. These include but are not limited to, the following: Golf Courses – Reopening on Saturday, May 9 • Golf courses are open for regular play of no more than 4 players per tee time. Tee times will be at least 10 minutes apart. No tournaments or group play. • Physical distancing of 6 feet always required. No group gathering allowed on the course or in the parking lot. • Online reservations and payment recommended. Golf courses will accept payment online, only by debit, credit or gift card. • Push carts and walking recommended. Golf carts are lim-

WHILE not operating, this establishment along Santa Monica Boulevard, keeps its colorful and ecstatic lights on. It will remain closed despite the gradual re-opening of the city on Friday. Photo by Abner Galino ited to single riders. • Rental golf clubs and push carts are not available. • Bring your own water. Drinking fountains are closed. • Golfers may not touch, remove or adjust the ﬂag stick during their round. Course green cups are touchless. Rakes, ball washers, benches, divot boxes and sand bottles will be removed. • Driving ranges open. One-hour time limit may be enforced. Practice putting and chipping greens remain closed. • Clubhouses and pro shops remain closed. Restaurants

and cafes open for take-out only. Trails – Reopening on Saturday, May 9 • Trail users are encouraged to check the Trails LA County website for updated guidelines, notifications, and up-todate information prior to visiting trails. The trails website offers information for over 600 miles of trails that residents can visit and experience the wonderful outdoors. • Download the Trails LA County mobile app before heading out for real-time updates and offline location tracking and trail information to explore the extensive trail network within our diverse landscapes across the County. • Do not visit public trails and trailheads if feeling sick and/or exhibiting any symptoms of illness. • Follow all posted regulations at trails and trailhead facilities • Physical distancing of 6 feet always required. No group gathering allowed on trails or in the parking lot. • Limit visit to members of your household only. • Trail users over the age of 2 are required to wear face coverings at trailheads, parking lots and while on the trail. • Consider avoiding popular locations that are prone to crowds. • Alert trail users of your presence and step aside to let others pass. • Bring water, hand sanitizer and/or disinfecting wipes to wash or sanitize hands frequently. • Practice the leave-no-trace principles on the trails to protect park staff and wildlife. Mother’s Day – Parks stay open on Sunday, May 10 Local, community and regional parks, botanic gardens (except Descanso Gardens) will remain open on Mother’s Day, Sunday, May 10, for passive use, such as walking, jogging, and leisure time outdoors for individuals or families. Since the holiday is one of the busiest days of the year, LA County Parks reminds all park guests that social distancing is required and group gatherings are prohibited by the health order. For more information on closures and changes in response to COVID-19, visit the LA County Parks website at https:// parks.lacounty.gov/covid-19.

Saturday-Friday | May 9 - 15, 2020

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Free legal counsel and representation for LA residents and businesses in need

ayor Eric Garcetti and City Attorney Mike Feuer jointly announced the launch of “L.A. Represents,” a pro bono initiative unprecedented in scope and scale, to provide free legal services to L.A. residents facing hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The coalition of law firms, bar associations, and legal aid organizations has agreed to enhance their existing pro bono commitments to provide COVID-19-related legal services — including helping vulnerable tenants, domestic violence victims, and low-income Angelenos with employment, consumer debt, and bankruptcy matters. Additionally, L.A. Represents will build a new support system for small businesses devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, overseen by volunteers and advocates at Bet Tzedek Legal Services. Now, small businesses least likely to have access to effective legal services can receive pro bono assistance as they confront new workplace regulations, renegotiate commercial leases, apply for government relief programs, and navigate compliance with emergency health and safety orders. “The COVID-19 crisis is putting people in some of the most painful, difficult, and complex situations they have ever experienced — and legal assistance can mean the difference between ruin and recovery,” said Mayor Garcetti. “L.A. Represents will get urgent help to Angelenos who may not be able to afford the advocacy they need at a critical time in their lives.” The Mayor and City Attorney have assembled a coalition of partners

that includes Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, Inner City Law Center, Public Counsel, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, and Neighborhood Legal Services, in addition to Bet Tzedek Legal Services. “Our message is clear: If you are struggling, we are here for you,” said City Attorney Feuer. “Los Angeles’s legal community is full of experienced, dedicated lawyers eager to make a difference for those in need. This crisis has taken an enormous toll on our city, but it has also brought out the best in us. The lawyers and law firms of L.A. Represents will be heroes to their new clients. All Angelenos can be very proud of them.” Angelenos needing assistance and legal professionals interested in joining the partnership can find detailed information at coronavirus.lacity. org/LARepresents. “I am proud that our legal community is enthusiastically supporting L.A. Represents,” said Los Angeles Police Commission President Eileen Decker, a former United States Attorney who assisted in assembling the coalition. “Their commitment to helping their fellow Angelenos — especially those who are struggling as a result of this public health emergency — is truly inspiring and reflects the best of our profession.”

L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti

L.A. City Attorney Mike Feuer

“For 45 years Bet Tzedek’s work has been premised on the belief that volunteer attorneys can make a meaningful difference to those who need the protection of the law the most,” said Bet Tzedek President & CEO Diego Cartagena. “As we launch this unprecedented initiative, we are particularly grateful for the remarkable contributions of more than two dozen local firms who have committed resources to this work.” “I know so many of us are trying to find ways — in addition to staying home and healthy — to help our community survive and thrive despite the pandemic,” said civil rights attorney Jessie Kornberg, a former president of Bet Tzedek who has been instrumental in starting the program. “L.A. Represents is a special opportunity for lawyers to do just that.” Law firms participating in L.A.

Represents include Allen Matkins Leck Gamble Mallory & Natsis LLP; Arent Fox LLP; Blank Rome LLP; Cooley LLP; Covington & Burling LLP; Davis Wright Tremaine LLP; Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP; Goodwin Procter LLP; Hogan Lovells; Irell & Manella LLP; Jones Day; King & Spalding LLP; Kirkland & Ellis LLP; Larson O’Brien LLP; Latham & Watkins LLP; Law Oﬃces of Lawrence S. Middleton; Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP; Milbank LLP; Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP; O’Melveny & Myers LLP; Paul Hastings LLP; Perkins Coie LLP; Seyfarth Shaw LLP; Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP; Steptoe & Johnson LLP; Vedder Price; and Winston & Strawn LLP; as well as attorneys at Southern California Edison. Additional ﬁrms, bar associations, attorneys and corporate legal teams will be added in the weeks ahead.

and their ﬁght for press freedom in the Philippines. Silencing the largest international Filipino media company does a disservice to Filipinos who rely on ABS-CBN’s critical programming, especially during COVID-19. We strongly urge the Duterte Administration to renew the ABS-CBN franchise.” Yves Nibungco of the Malaya Movement alleged that the Duterte administration is seeking to “bully ABS-CBN into becoming a mouthpiece.” “Is Duterte afraid that ABS-CBN will expose his failures, his failures to keep our families safe, his failures to address poverty and hunger,” said Nicole Cababa of GABRIELA.

The Philippines’ largest broadcasting corporation, ABS-CBN, stopped its broadcasting operations on Tuesday, May 5 after receiving a “cease and desist” order from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) of the Philippine government. The order, given during the COVID-19 pandemic, curtails the public’s access to literal life-saving information by shutting down one of the most widely available sources of news to Filipinos, including overseas Filipinos in the US. It also threatens the livelihood of the conglomerate’s 11,000 workers who may be left without income.

FILIPINO AMERICANS.... FROM PAGE 1 Philippines have experienced militarized streets, unjust arrests, and trumped up charges against human rights defenders -- examples of de facto martial law. These violations continue to be committed amid the COVID-19 crisis.” “In the midst of a global pandemic, the public is reliant now more than ever on potentially life-saving information. This is why the order to shut ABS-CBN down is especially dangerous -- it is a threat to press freedom, public health, and democracy. For many overseas Filipinos, ABS-CBN provides a connection to the Philippines, from Tagalog teleseryes to news broadcasts.” “We are calling on Filipinos in Los Angeles to join us in condemning this attack on democracy. It was the People Power Revolution that got ABSCBN and other press outﬁts back in operation after the dictator Marcos sought to shut them down. Filipinos, let us channel our outrage into action into protecting our rights and health especially during this time of fascism under Duterte.” Loida Nicolas, chair of the US Pinoys for Good Governance has said: “The ABS-CBN shutdown by the NTC under President Duterte is the start of the death of democracy because Press Freedom is the essence Sine qua non of a free government of a free society.” For his part, ABS-CBN global managing director Jun del Rosario said: “We will continue to produce as much content as we can. We won’t be silenced, deﬁnitely, we may not be able to transmit but we will not stop in seeking the truth.” One of the virtual protesters was Brandon Lee, a member of the Inter-

national Coalition of Human Rights in the Philippines. Lee is a Chinese-American journalist and activist who survived an attempted assassination for his work exposing human rights abuses in the provinces of the Cordillera region. “I’d like to thank ABS-CBN for away covering issues in Ifugao and the people’s right to their self-determination and also in my case after I was redtagged, they followed my case up to my attempted assassination. We call on everyone to support and defend press freedom.” Brendan Flores, national chairman and president of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA), posted the following statement: “NaFFAA stands with the employees of ABS-CBN. The closure of a major media resource is a blow to press freedom and chokes oﬀ a major channel of information between Filipino-Americans in the United States and their friends in the Philippines. This channel has been vital during these times when the COVID-19 pandemic has shut down travel and interaction. We consider the NTC’s issuance of a cease and desist order an overreach of powers especially since 11 franchise bills were already pending in the Philippine House of Representatives. We do not believe this move was consistent with the intention of Philippine Congress. Supporters worldwide are signing a petition at Change.org title 1M signatures for ABS-CBN franchise renewal.” The Pilipino American Los Angeles Democrats (PALAD) also posted this statement on social media: “PALAD stands in solidarity with ABS-CBN

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Honoring ALL mothers on MOTHER's DAY during these uncertain times

ll mothers are honored and celebrated on Mother’s Day. But there are few Mothers who are likewise celebrated on International Bereaved Mother’s Day. which this year, was on Sunday, May 3, 2020.

Annually since 2010, the International Bereaved Mother's Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of May and this year, it was celebrated on May 3, 2020. This temporary movement is heart-centered to celebrate ALL mothers who still grieve the loss of their beloved child. It was founded by Carly Marie, whose mission is to recognize, support and celebrate these grieving mothers before Mother's Day. It is considered a temporary movement because sometime in the future, these grieving mothers will move on and still be celebrated and recognized on Mother's Day, Coincidentally, two of this writer's high school classmates, along with this writer, celebrated this International Bereaved Mother's Day last week. One of these mothers is a dear high school classmate, Aida Reyes Sta Ana, whose beloved son, Augie Anthony Reyes Sta. Ana passed away at the age of 54 (born November 8, 1966 and died September 2, 2006), while he was at the prime of his life. He was the head of household with a loving wife (Carlota) and five children (Mikey, Ronnie, Natalie, Lauren and Kayla). .Augie was the second-born son of Aida Reyes and Tito Sta. Ana, who excelled from his elementary school at St. Joseph's College, Quezon City (where Aida had graduated from) and attended high school at San Sebastian College. He became a basketball varsity player in college at Jose Rizal College. In pursuit of greener pastures for his growing family, Augie and his family decided to follow his parents here in the United States on Sept. 29, 1986 but sadly, on September 2, 2006, he suffered a tragic brain aneurysm and passed away suddenly. And surely, our dear classmate and friend Aida considers this day a very relevant day to celebrate prior to Mother's Day on Sunday May 10, 2020 as she will likewise celebrate again with her other children and grandchildren. Another high school classmate, Dr. Shirley Ruby, along with her husband Romulo Vera Cruz, also celebrated this special International Bereaved Mother's Day in honor of their son, Arnel Vera Cruz, who was born in Brooklyn, New York on July 16, 1981, but passed away on March 18, 2017, at the young age of only 24. Early on, he was diagnosed with malignant sarcoma of the Adrenal

the Staten Island University. New York. He was a hardworking young man who worked as a Train Operator with the Metropolitan Transit Authority. He excelled in sports, particularly Ice Hockey and

Saturday-Friday | May 9 - 15, 2020

Bereaved Mother's Day. Likewise, this writer lost a ﬁrst-born beloved son on November 29, 2016 at the age of 44 years old. Our family fondly called him "Jayjay" or "JJ" due to his long name of Jonathan Jason Gorges. He was born in Chicago, Illinois but attended the Montessori School and San Jose Academy in West Covina. Growing up, he was this loving brother to his three siblings: Christian, Michael and Marissa. He imbued entrepreneurship on his young brothers by going around the neighborhood in West Covina, working on weekends, mowing neighbor's lawns or painting their curbs. He was a caring and thoughtful brother and son all through Junior High in Simi Valley and Camarillo High School. Sadly, he moved with his wife and three kids in Reno, Nevada where his in-laws lived and unbeknownst to any of us his mental state spiraled down. All of us were truly devastated and though four years had since passed, his mem-

The writer’s photo with son, Jonathan Jason Gorges

Dr. Shirley Ruby Vera Cruz with Son, Arnel

Paciencia Cordinete—Granada in her 90th Birthday celebration glands but never gave up hope as he underwent 8 years of chemotherapy and remission until 2015 when the Big "C" recurred and ultimately, didn't respond to treatment. Arnel, being the 2nd of the three children of Shirley and Danny Vera Cruz, including his siblings: Sibs Darren and Elaine Vera Cruz, all grew up in Staten Island, New York. Arnel went to elementary school at Our Lady Star of the Sea and Richmond Prep School and completed his BS degree at

Baseball. He was a remarkably caring and thoughtful young person, loved by his friends, co-workers and supervisors. He loved his family more than anything else and his best attribute that his family will always remember was his immense courage in facing the challenges to con-

ory will never be forgotten. For mothers like us, losing a child is out of the norm; it STILL always feels like there's a dagger thrust in one's heart which will never be gone. This year, Mother's Day will be celebrated on Sunday, May 10, 2020. One of the mothers we wish to recognize is Juanita Paredes Lacsamana - Bajet, who was born in Manila on July 2, 1921. Her parents were both from the Ilocos province. Her father was from La Union and her mother was from Abra. She married Demetrio Galinato Bajet during World War II in the Sta. Cruz district of Manila and they lived there, happily raising seven children: Vicky, Danny, Jun, Dick, Malou, Cherie and Gary. Juanita was a very caring housewife and mother, always busy in the kitchen cooking mostly Filipino dishes and making sure everything was taken cared of in their family's daily needs.

Juanita Lacsamana Bajet with children from left: Cherie, Dick, Jun, Malou, Gary, Vicky Malixi - Bajet and Danny quer his illness to the very end. Along with this writer's two classmates Aida and Shirley, together the three of us celebrated this special International

On the other hand, her husband, Demetrio was the family's breadwinner who worked as the head of a comCONTINUED ON PAGE 5

5 BALITA Community NEW LEADER OF COMMON CAUSE — CENSUS CHAMPION WANTS A DEMOCRACY THAT HEARS EVERY SINGLE VOICE

Saturday-Friday | May 9 - 15, 2020

By MARK HEDIN Ethnic Media Services ON the day he assumed leadership of California Common Cause, Jonathan Mehta Stein said getting people counted in the 2020 census is crucial to the organization’s goal of making politics more democratic. “First and foremost, respond to the census…We want our fair share for our communities,” he said in an interview with EMS. The lifelong Bay Area resident comes to Common Cause from San Francisco’s Asian Law Caucus, part of the national Asian Americans Advancing Justice organization. He also worked for the American Civil Liberties Union after earning his law degree at UC Berkeley. Watching his non-naturalized Indian immigrant mom’s political activism and seeing up-close challenges to eﬀecting change inspired his work, he says. “We had this sense that participation matters.” Stein emphasized census participation as a priority because data the Census Bureau is collecting will not only inform how the federal government will spend more than $1.5 trillion annually over the next ten years. It will also form the basis for U.S. Congressional apportionment decisions and individual states’ redistricting plans. Common Cause pioneered redistricting reform by driving California’s 2008 Voters First Act, also known as Proposition 11, which put the job of determining the boundaries of the

state legislature’s 40 senate and 80 assembly seats into the hands of a bipartisan commission of 14 non-politicians (wedrawthelines. ca.gov). Two years later, Proposition 20 expanded that commission’s authority to include California’s 53 congressional districts. By making the process public through hundreds of community meetings up and down the state to gather input on how political maps should be drawn, and then review proposals, the reform curtailed the ability of incumbents to draw districts to include only those voters most likely to re-elect them. “There are some communities that have been locked out intentionally,” Stein explained, for example by dividing a relatively homogenous community into smaller pieces folded into surrounding districts, thereby reducing it to minority status in each. States decide for themselves where their political boundaries are drawn. Over the years it’s led to the process called “gerrymandering,” in which those in power could draw the boundaries in such a way as to favor their re-election. In the wake of the Voters First Act, “California has become a model for the rest of the country,” Stein said. Nine other states have followed suit, and now have bipartisan redistricting commissions of their own. “In both Republican and Democratic states, voters have consistently approved independent redistricting,” Stein said. Congressional reapportionment, the once-every-decade

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Jonathan Mehta Stein

tion. He cited “deep voter disparities” such as Asian Americans voting at a 33% rate, and Hispanics voting at 36%. Every other group votes at or above 60%. With the COVID-19 pandemic, “our in-person outreach no longer exists,” Stein notes. “We have to ﬁnd ‘virtual’ ways.” In a Facebook Live event, Stein called for “culturally competent, linguistically competent messengers.”

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“You need a diﬀerent message for different communities, for those frozen out of power, out of philanthropy.” You can’t advocate “restoring democracy,” he said, to those who felt they were never included in the ﬁrst place. “If we want to build a society that is more equitable,” Stein said, “it’s time we build a democracy that hears every single voice.”

parceling out of seats in Congress according to population, is done by the Clerk of the House of Representatives, but census data informs those decisions as well. Stein is also passionate about changing the role of money in politics and what he calls “the absurdist campaign ﬁnance system.” While working as an enforcer of campaign finance laws in Oakland, he said, he saw that 93% of campaign contributions came from just 1% of the population. He is intrigued with Seattle’s “Democracy Dollars” voucher system that provides community members small public fund vouchers they COMMUNITY leader Atty. Jaime G. Monteclaro and the members of the can assign to a campaign or Rotary Club of the Historic Filipinotown successfully held a so-called candidate of their choice. "grab n go/masks giving 2-in-1 event" for senior residents of the City of This changes the dynamic of candidate fund-raising Carson on Saturday, (May 2) 11:00 at Nita’s Restaurant at 22098 Avalon and community engagement Blvd., Carson, CA 90745 by making it well worth Monteclaro thanked kababayans who help him in the preparation and their while to engage with launching of the event. constituents in other ways “We really should come together and help the most vulnerable segthan high-stakes, exclusive ment of our community during this fight against the coronavirus,” fund-raising events. Monteclaro said. Stein also has his sights set Photo and text by Nikki Arriola on increased voter participa-

LIGHTHOUSE.... FROM PAGE 4 mercial bank in the Escolta district of bless you always and forever. Manila. Soon after he retired, Demetrio Another amazing mother worth being decided to bring his whole family and recognized and honored this coming they immigrated to the United States Mother's Day is Paciencia Cordenete in the 70's. - Granada, who was born in Bacacay, Upon arrival in the United States, Albay on July 21, 1929 and was marJuanita once again found herself in the ried to Marcelino S. Granada, who was kitchen, doing her daily chores for her the former Intelligence Investigator at growing family which by then included the Philippine Constabulary. Together, grandchildren, Somehow, both Juanita they used to operate a large boarding and her husband Demetrio were able to house in Legaspi City since 1956, due enjoy travelling to Europe, including to Paciencia's advocacy which was Eduthe Holy Land, experience the amazing cation. Their relentless hard work paid Niagara Falls and they both liked go- off because their boarding house busiing to Las Vegas to watch its beaming ness, which catered to college students, lights and enjoy the sounds of the slot flourished There was a time when they machines in the various casinos they expanded to two boarding houses, stayed in. Luckily, both of them liked which accommodated 76 students. Totravelling, shopping and partying. But gether, they emphasized Education to in 1997, her husband passed away. Cur- their five children who are all currently rently, she is happy seeing her 10 grand- successful: Evelyn Granada, has a Busichildren and 9 great grandchildren ness Administration degree, Erlinda grow. Now that her household duties Granada-Sabah, has a BS Chemical have all been fulfilled, she is being taken Engineering degree, Manuel Granada, cared of at a good quality healthcare has a BS Electrical Engineering degree, facility, where her family visits her daily Evangeline Granada - Marinay, has a and they all have fun partying together BS Pharmacy degree, and Roy Granaat the healthcare facility hall. Unfortu- da also graduated with a BS Electrical nately, due to the Pandemic restrictions, Engineering degree. On July 31, 2019, face to face visitations and partying four of Paciencia's children (Evelyn, with her family are no longer allowed, Linda, Butch and Roy) gave her a surso on Mother's Day, May 10, 2020, her prise 90th Birthday celebration at the family will be giving her a surprise visit Lakewood Center, attended by numerthrough the glass door of her unit at the ous relatives and friends who all came facility. Indeed, her family will be happy from all over the world. Currently she to greet and sing "HAPPY MOTHER's is happily lucky staying strong, while DAY" and tell her how much she is loved watching her 8 grandchildren and four by all of them and that she is blessed great grandchildren grow. Her daughby the Lord Almighty for celebrating ter, Erlinda Granada - Sabah is truly this year's special day for her. A mes- grateful for the rare opportunity that sage sent by her son Danny reads: " We they have in still having a Mother they thank you Mom for loving all of us and can pamper and be grateful for all her the best wife to our Dad. We fervently unconditional love. (Ang ay dating ng pahayagan sa Pilipinas may-akda thank oursumulat Lord Almighty for editor allowing So, on Sunday, May 10,at2020, it is with aklat. dinand siya bilang superbisor sa Kagawaran us ng themga privilege of Naglingkod still seeing you great honor that we wish ALL Mothers ng Edukasyon propesor Philippine experiencing your at love. May thesaLord a veryNormal HAPPY University.) MOTHER'S DAY!

Grab and Go! Masks and food giving in Carson

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Warning: Never Hire A Debt Settlement Company A LOT of people who are burdened with credit card debt often don’t know where to turn for help. They see all the ads on TV, internet, etc. by so-called “debt consolidation” or “debt settlement” companies hoping that this will get them out of debt without filing for bankruptcy. More often than not, however, they end up either getting scammed or disappointed when those companies cannot deliver the big promises made. Buyer beware: Hiring a debt settlement company can actually make your debt problems worse and keep you in debt forever. I am sure this is not what you want, is it? What a lot of people don’t realize is that when they hire a debt settlement company, it doesn’t mean that they are now legally protected from their creditors as long as they are making their monthly payments to the debt settlement company. The debt settlement company, after deducting their fees, simply saves the money in a trust account and will only be able to settle with creditors one by one as money accumulates. So, if they put you on a 3-5 year plan, that means there will be a very long wait for creditors to get their money if they even do. Most of your creditors will not wait that long to get paid. So, what happens? They will sue you! And if they do, the debt settlement company is not going to be able to represent you because they are not lawyers. In the meantime, your debts are still grow-

ing because of the added interest, penalties and other collection costs. This is NOT the best way to consolidate your bills. While you are on their program, the creditors will also continue to report damaging information on your credit report until the debt is paid. This is not what you want, is it? Of course, the debt settlement companies will not tell you that. In my opinion, if you wish to consolidate your bills, there is nothing better than doing it through a Chapter 13 bankruptcy. Here are the advantages: (1) You pay 0% interest on credit cards and other unsecured debts. This means all your payments go towards principal. (2) You can be totally debtfree in 3-5 years, (3) In most cases, you only pay based on what you can afford, not based on how much you owe, (4) Your monthly debt payments can be slashed by at least half in most cases, allowing you to have extra money for other expenses, and (5) All kinds of debts can be included in Chapter 13, not just credit cards. So if you have unpaid taxes, medical bills, payday loans, personal loans, student loans, late mortgage payments, etc., all of these can be included in one affordable monthly payment. So if you are struggling every single month even just making minimum payments, you’re probably feeling frustrated because you realize that there is just no way that you can pay all your debts anytime soon. Some

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people get stressed out once they realized that they owe so much that it is simply not possible to ever become debt-free with the amount of debt they have accumulated given their monthly income. Well, Chapter 13 can be a game changer for you. If you have not explored this legal option, perhaps you should. Finally, the greatest advantage of filing Chapter 13 vs. hiring a debt settlement company is that in Chapter 13, you are 100% protected from all creditor lawsuits, judgments, liens, garnishments, etc. Once your creditors are notified of the filing, they also cannot report you as being late to the credit bureaus anymore. Your credit report will show that your debts are being paid through Chapter 13. Seven years after filing a 13, the bankruptcy will be deleted from your credit report. If you need to purchase a home or a car while in Chapter 13, this is also possible provided that you obtain court approval for the purchase. This

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is quite common. If you are considering bankruptcy as a way out of debt, I am sure a lot of questions are going through your mind at this time. For a free evaluation of your case, please call our office at Toll-Free 1-866-477-7772 to schedule a free consultation. Let us help you. We have offices in Glendale, Cerritos and Valencia. ***NOTE: Due to the virus lockdown, I am currently offering consultations via phone or video. Please call the office to schedule your appointment with me. Questions? Email me at gethelp@ rjb-lawoffices.com. (None of the information herein is intended to give legal advice for any specific situation. Atty. Ray Bulaon has successfully helped over 5,000 clients in getting out of debt. For a free attorney evaluation of your situation, please call RJB Law Offices at TOLL FREE 1-866-477-7772).

More Homeowners falling behind on their mortgages TO help with the financial strain, many federal agencies and private lenders are offering help to people having trouble paying their mortgages. If you’re having trouble paying your mortgage due to job loss or illness related to the coronavirus, assistance may be available. First understand Who owns your mortgage? Before you can determine if you’re eligible for mortgage relief, you need to know who owns your home loan. Keep in mind that this might be different from the company you send your payments to — known as your servicer. Many mortgages are owned by government-sponsored entities Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. To find out if your mortgage is owned by one of these, simply go to Fannie Mae’s or Freddie Mac’s lookup pages and enter your name, address and last four digits of your Social Security number. If you don’t find your mortgage there, you’ll need to contact your mortgage servicer. In many cases, you can simply call the company listed on your monthly mortgage statement. The phone number should also be listed. If you’re still unsure who owns your loan, you can send a written request to your loan servicer. It’s legally obligated to tell you the name, address and telephone number of the loan’s actual owner. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers a sample letter you can send.

Federal mortgage debt relief

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If your loan is owned by Fannie or Freddie, your mortgage servicer is required to evaluate you for a forbearance plan of up to 12 months if you’ve run into financial difficulty due to COVID-19, such as job loss, reduction in work hours or illness. The servicer is not required to obtain documents demonstrating your hardship. Forbearance allows you to temporarily pause or reduce your mortgage payments during a period of financial difficulty. You pay the difference at a later date. Under the FHFA’s coronavirus relief plan, your servicer is required to work with you on a mortgage modification by the time your forbearance period is over so that you can afford your new monthly payments. It also must suspend foreclosures and evictions through at least mid-May. If your loan is owned by Fannie Mae, you can contact your loan servicer or the enterprise’s Disaster Response Network for individual attention. Freddie Mac asks borrowers to contact their loan servicer directly for help.

Private mortgage lender relief programs

If your mortgage isn’t owned by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, there still might be some relief available. Keep in mind that your bank or other initial mortgage lender may have sold off your loan at some point after it was originated. So just because you took out a mortgage through one company doesn’t mean it currently owns your loan. Your monthly mortgage statement will show you who to contact. Below is a list of private mortgage lenders and info on assistance they’re offering, along with eligibility requirements. We’ll continue to update this list as we gather new information. It’s important to note that some states and local governments have enacted moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures, which would apply even if your specific lender or servicer isn’t offering relief measures. Check your state and local government websites to see if a moratorium has been enacted where you live.

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How to obtain Custody and Visitation Rights for Unmarried Dads ESTABLISHING parentage rights for Moms is a lot easier than establishing one for unmarried Dads. Moms can establish this by simply showing proof of her having given birth to the child. Family Code §7610. Establishing parentage rights, including custody and visitation rights, becomes more problematic with unmarried Dads because proving yourself as the biological father does not automatically make you the natural father of the child. Under the family code, there are competing presumptions of paternity which allows the non biological father to be deemed the natural father of the child. A typical situation is when boyfriend gets girlfriend pregnant. Girlfriend for some reason decides to exclude boyfriend from baby's life so she breaks up with boyfriend, does not give the boyfriend any information about her delivery, and does not state the boyfriend as the father in the birth certificate or decides to name someone else as the father. Girlfriend does this because her parents disapprove of the ex boyfriend. One way a presumption of Paternity is created is by executing a voluntary declaration of paternity. A Voluntary declarations executed before 1997 give rise to a conclusive presumption of paternity and can be overcome only by blood or genetic tests ordered on noticed motion by the mother or presumed father must be made within three years of the date of execution of the voluntary declaration Family.Code. § 7576; Kevin Q. v. Lauren W. (2009) 175 CA4th 1119, 1133, 95 CR3d 477, 485 If the voluntary declaration of paternity is executed after 1996, it is not characterized as a conclusive presumption. Instead, it “shall establish the paternity of a child and shall have the same force and effect as a judgment for paternity issued by a court of competent jurisdiction” and trumps §7611 presumptions discussed below. A post 1996 voluntary declaration of paternity “shall be recognized as a basis for the establishment of an order for child custody, visitation, or child support.” Family .Code §§ 7573, 7644; Kevin Q. v. Lauren W., supra, 175 CA4th at 1132, 95 CR3d at 485; In re J.L. (2008) 159 CA4th 1010, 1019, 72 CR3d 27, 33. Another way of establishing presumed father status is if you fall under any of the categories listed (a) to (f) under family code §7611: (a) He and the child's natural mother are or have been married to each other and the child is born during the marriage, or within 300 days after the marriage is terminated by death, annulment,

declaration of invalidity, or divorce, or after a judgment of separation is entered by a court. (b) Before the child's birth, he and the child's natural mother have attempted to marry each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and either of the following is true: (1) If the attempted marriage could be declared invalid only by a court, the child is born during the attempted marriage, or within 300 days after its termination by death, annulment, declaration of invalidity, or divorce. (2) If the attempted marriage is invalid without a court order, the child is born within 300 days after the termination of cohabitation. (c) After the child's birth, he and the child's natural mother have married, or attempted to marry, each other by a marriage solemnized in apparent compliance with law, although the attempted marriage is or could be declared invalid, and either of the following is true: (1) With his consent, he is named as the child's father on the child's birth certificate. (2) He is obligated to support the child under a written voluntary promise or by court order. (d) He receives the child into his home and openly holds out the child as his natural child. (e) If the child was born and resides in a nation with which the United States engages in an Orderly Departure Program or successor program, he acknowledges that he is the child's father in a declaration under penalty of perjury, as specified in Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure. This subdivision shall remain in effect only until January 1, 1997, and on that date shall become inoperative. (f) The child is in utero after the death of the decedent and the conditions set forth in Section 249.5 of the Probate Code are satisfied. An alleged biological father who does not meet any of the § 7611 conditions for presumed father status has no constitutionally-protected “liberty interest” in establishing a parentage relationship with a child as against the rights of a presumptive father who has an extant parentage relationship with the child. Dawn D. v. Super.Ct. (Jerry K.) (1998) 17 C4th 932, 940–942, 72 CR2d 871, 876–877 The facts get even more complicated if the girlfriend, whom boyfriend gets pregnant is married to another man because the law provides a conclusive presumption of paternity to the husband of

MORTGAGE UPDATE… FROM PAGE 6 If you’re worried about your ability to make mortgage payments right now and aren’t sure what your lender is doing to help, we recommend checking your lender’s website or calling its customer service number to discuss your options, including forbearance or other payment deferrals. You should also check with your state and local government authorities to see if evictions and foreclosures are suspended in your area.

Home insurance relief

If you’re looking for other ways to cut costs, your homeowner’s insurance issuer might also be willing to work with you. Reach out to your insurer to see what it may be offering.

Property tax relief

If you’re concerned about being able to pay your property tax, relief may be available in your area. Homeowners generally pay property taxes to the municipality, county or state where they own property. Keep in mind that it’s possible to have more than one governing body assessing taxes on your property. Contact local tax authorities to learn if any relief programs are available in your area. Not sure who to contact? Try starting with your county tax assessor’s office. Good luck and stay safe. Thanks for your support. Please call Ken Go of 1st Innovative Finance Group at 562-508-7048 if you have any questions about your mortgage loans. Rates are still at record lows, call to see if you have an opportunity to refinance without a cost to a lower rate. Call now. CABRE 01021223 NMLS 238636.

the girlfriend. Under Family Code §7540, the child of a wife cohabiting at time of conception with her husband, who is not impotent or sterile, is “conclusively” presumed to be a child of the marriage. This conclusive presumption may be challenged by showing that the husband was sterile. It may also be challenged by filing a motion for blood or genetic testing under Family Code §7541 but this has to be done within 2 years of the childs birth. In addition, only persons with standing can bring this motion which is limited to the husband, child, mother and a presumed father as listed in Family Code §7611 and 7612. Even absent a recognized rebuttal, the court has discretion as a matter of due process not to apply § 7540 conclusive presumption of paternity when it would not further the statute's underlying policies of preserving the integrity and stability of an extant marital family, protecting children from the stigma of “illegitimacy,” and promoting individual rather than State responsibility for child support ... as where the ostensible § 7540 presumptive father never developed a parental relationship with the child and the only established parent-child relationship is with a third person. Brian C. v. Ginger K. (2000) 77 CA4th 1198, 1200–1201, 92 CR2d 294, 296; In re Kiana A. (2001) 93 CA4th 1109, 1115, 113 CR2d 669, 675. Procedurally, the ex boyfriend should file a Petition for Parentage as soon as the child is born. While the case is pending, the ex boyfriend may seek temporary visitation order although this may

be on a limited or even monitored basis. If successful in proving parentage, the ex boyfriend may be granted custody and visitation rights. However, the ex boyfriend would also have the obligation of paying child support based on California guidelines. Please note that this article is not legal advice and is not intended as legal advice. The article is intended to provide only general, non-specific legal information. This article is not intended to cover all the issues related to the topic discussed. The specific facts that apply to your matter may make the outcome different than would be anticipated by you. This article does create any attorney client relationship between you and the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, P.C. This article is not a solicitation. Attorney Kenneth Ursua Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist. He was President of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of both the Family law section and Immigration law section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He is a graduate of Southwestern University Law School in Los Angeles and California State University, San Bernardino School of Business Administration. He has extensive CPA experience prior to law practice. LAW OFFICES OF KENNETH REYES, APLC is located at 3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 747, Los Angeles, CA, 90010. Tel. (213) 388-1611 or e-mail Kenneth@ kenreyeslaw.com or visit our website at Kenreyeslaw.com

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global NEWS GLOBAL NEWS CAREGIVER LAW OVERVIEW FOR 2020

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WORKING as a caregiver in a private home, an assisted living facility or nursing home is hard work. If this is your job, you probably work long hours and return home physically and emotionally drained. You may provide 24-hour, live-in help to the elderly or incapacitated. Many residential private households, residential care facilities and nursing homes ignore overtime laws. These violations can deprive caregivers of significant wages totaling thousands and even hundreds of thousands of dollars. If you are a caregiver employed by someone who refuses to follow wage and hour laws, you may be entitled to significant compensation. Reading up on your rights is the first step toward claiming what you are due. Discussing the matter with an experienced attorney at Chaleff Rehwald Peterson is the next and most important step. When employers refuse to pay caregivers the legally required minimum or overtime wages, it is a form of wage theft. The employers are essentially stealing wages from workers who care for the elderly. Thankfully, California law sets minimum requirements for a caregiver’s wages and working conditions. These laws include a minimum wage and overtime in most circumstances. An employer has no right to pay an employee less than the legally required minimum or overtime wages and anyone who

does engage in wage theft. Wage theft takes many forms and may include failing to pay for sleep or “on call” time, paying a weekly or daily salary that is too low or classifying an in-home caregiver as an “independent contractor” to circumvent California’s wage and hour laws. California provides greater protection to caregivers than exists in most other states. For instance, the minimum wage in California will increase incrementally to $15 by 2022. Cities can enact higher minimum wages. Caregivers who are victims of wage theft can claim the compensation that is legally due. On January 1, 2014, California

enacted the Domestic Worker Bill of Rights (DWBR). The DWBR mandates overtime payments for personal attendants. This law provides that an employer cannot hire personal attendants to work more than nine hours in a day or 45 hours in a workweek without paying overtime. Overtime under the DWBR is set at one and one-half times the employee’s regular rate of pay. That means that if you are an in-home caregiver, you are entitled to 150% of your hourly wage for every hour you work over nine hours in any given day, and all hours you work beyond 45 hours in a week. Now that the California legislature has created the right to over-

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time for personal attendants, an in-home caregiver who is not paid the required overtime wages can claim their unpaid wages. You can recover not just the overtime you are due, but also attorney’s fees and costs incurred in the lawsuit. It is also possible to recover interest and penalties if you are not properly paid overtime compensation. Caregiver overtime law is highly complex. In fact, an entirely different set of laws apply to caregivers who work in residential care facilities and nursing homes for the elderly. These caregivers have always been entitled to overtime under California law. These caregivers must be paid overtime for all hours they work in excess of 8 hours in a day or 40 hours in a week. In addition, they are generally entitled to double time payments for all hours worked in excess of 12 in any single day and may be entitled to meal and rest breaks. The rules for sleep time, on-call time and live-ins are also different. If you are a caregiver and believe your employer has not paid you fairly under the law, you may have a strong case for compensation. Since the laws in this area are complex, you should contact an experienced attorney who has a documented and demonstrated expertise in representing caregivers. The attorneys at Chaleff Rehwald Peterson have the experience you need. We are here to help!

This article is an attorney advertisement written by Daniel Chaleff, employment law attorney at Chaleff Rehwald Peterson in Woodland Hills. Our examples are of a general nature and are not a guarantee regarding the outcome of your individual matter. The law firm focuses on caregiver rights. Please call us at (818) 807-4168 for a free and confidential consultation. Or visit us at www.caregiverovertime.com/ to learn more about caregiver overtime law. We offer a 24-hour chat line on our website.

Gatchalian wants probe on how Philippine education would cope with COVID-19 MANILA (Mabuhay) — A Senate inquiry is needed to assess the impact of COVID-19 in the Philippine education system and the adjustments to be made, Senator Sherwin Gatchalian said Friday. He filed Resolution No.391 which seeks an investigation in aid of legislation to determine the appropriate recovery and transition measures for teachers, learners, and parents. Gatchalian, chair of the Senate committee on education, underscored that the pandemic not only disrupted the classes of over 28 million students from kindergarten to tertiary levels since March but also aggravated the ordeal for students in the marginalized sector. "Hindi lamang natin sisikaping makabangon ang ating sistema ng edukasyon mula sa naging epekto ng COVID-19, kailangan nating patatagin ang kakayahan ng ating mga paaralan na ipagpatuloy ang pagbibigay ng dekalidad na edukasyon sa panahon ng mga krisis at sakuna," he said in a statement. The Department of Education recently announced that School Year 20202021 will start on August 24. Gatchalian said home-based learning would probably be the new normal for the stakeholders in the education sector amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The senator reiterated that the remaining months shall be maximized to prepare for the shift to education platforms such as online tools, printed materials, radio- and television-based instructions. He also said that private school employees must receive assistance in these trying times as he cited data from the Coordinating Council of Private Educational Associations which showed that 409,757 private school teachers and personnel are receiving either reduced or no pay because of school closures amid COVID-19 pandemic. Around 15.5% of elementary and high school students in the country are enrolled in private schools, according to the senator. (MNS)

Balik Probinsiya program will be voluntary, Roque says MANILA (Mabuhay) — Malacañang on Friday said the Balik Probinsiya, Bagong Pag-asa Program, which aims to decongest Metro Manila and promote countryside development, would be voluntary. Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said programs would be created by the national government so that the public will realize that there are still opportunities and livelihood in provinces. "Ito naman po ay boluntaryo, walang sapilitan. Pero kung makikita naman nila 'yung mga programang bubuuin pa under medium saka long term, mayroon din talagang incentives dahil nga sino ba naman ang ayaw umuwi sa lupang sinilangan kung mayroon naman talagang panghanap-buhay doon," Roque explained. "Ang tingin ko naman ang Pilipinas, di gaya dati. Ngayon pa lamang, bagamat wala pa 'yung mga bagong batas na isusulong ni Senator Bong Go, eh napakadami nang namumuhunan din sa labas ng Metro Manila," he added. Roque mentioned that provinces in CALABARZON and Cebu have a similar metropolis setup with the National Capital Region. He added t hat some a reas in Eastern Luzon, Visayas,

and Mindanao have also improved. "Hindi naman kinakailangan na magtiyaga sa Metro Manila dahil mas marami na ring pagkakataon sa ating mga probinsiya," Roque said. If the public decides to go back to their respective provinces, Roque said quarantine protocols would be observed. Those who intend to return to provinces will be tested for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), he noted. President Rodrigo Duterte has signed Executive Order 114, creating the Balik Probinsiya, Bagong Pag-asa Council, which will provide overall direction in the implementation of the program and ensure compliance of government agencies involved. Duterte gave 30 days for the council to formulate the guidelines for the implementation of the program which covers empowerment of local industries, food security and agricultural productivity, social welfare, health and employment, and infrastructure development. It was Senator Christopher “Bong” Go, the Chief Executive's former top aide, who had pushed for t he sa id program. (MNS)

PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN HARRY ROQUE

Palace issues guidelines on mall operations during GCQ MANILA (Mabuhay) — Malacañang on Thursday released the guidelines on the operation of malls and shopping centers in areas under general community quarantine. Here are the guidelines: 1. Monitor foot traffic traffic and enforce safe distancing by: limiting the number of people inside to a density of not more than one person per two square meters; reducing number of open entrances; allowing only one companion for senior citizens, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities; ensuring social distancing (one meter apart); assigning personnel in high-density areas; standing on every other step of the escalator; limiting access to elevators to seniors citizens, PWDs, and pregnant women, and total passengers to only half of the original standard capacity; marking or reducing the seats available for waiting; creating one-way flow to decongest queues and facilitate movement; increasing police visibility 2. Designate a centralized pick up location for delivery service providers 3. Regulate air conditioning to 26 degrees centigrade 4. Turn off free Wi-Fi 5. Suspend sale events, marketing events, and other promotions which tend to attract large crowds 6. Implement other measures necessary (e.g. express lanes) "Wala po dapat Wi-Fi dahil kapag malamig at may Wi-Fi, eh marami pong tatambay,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised briefing. "Wala muna po tayong sales at saka mga marketing events na magdadahilan para magdagsaan ang tao.” The government had said that rest r icted ma l l openings cover ing non-leisure shops would be allowed in GCQ areas. (MNS)

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House should accept fault in ABS-CBN closure – Lagman MANILA (Mabuhay) — The House of Representatives should own up to its mistake of dragging its feet on hearing the 11 bills seeking ABS-CBN's franchise renewal which ended up with the government ordering the closure of the broadcast network, an opposition lawmaker said Friday. “It is utterly pretentious for Speaker Cayetano to say that the passage of the franchise renewal will now be prioritized in order to 'fix the mess' which others made. Cayetano himself made the mess by blindly kow tow ing to President Rodrigo Duterte’s repeated personal opposition to the renewal which unduly stalled the approval of the extension,” Lagman said in a statement. “Cayetano must not wash his hands and absolve himself of blame at the expense of others. Admitting one’s fault is an earmark of true leadership,” he pointed out. Speaker Alan Cayetano earlier chastised the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for issuing a cease and desist order on ABS-CBN—a turnaround from NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba’s statement before the House of Representatives in March that they would issue a provisional authority to ABSCBN given that the House and the Senate made it clear that they were in favor of such issuance. President Duterte, how-

LAGMAN ever, had repeatedly threatened to block ABS-CBN’s franchise, even saying in December 2019 that “Next year…I will see to it that you’re out.” Aside from Lagman, Buhay party-list representative Lito Atienza had also earlier said that it was Cayetano that should be blamed for the inaction of Congress on the pending bills seeking ABS-CBN's franchise renewal. Nevertheless, Lagman said that the House leadership could redeem itself of its culpability in the ABSCBN franchise fiasco by fast-tracking the renewal of the network’s franchise. “A swift congressional action extending ABS-CBN’s franchise for another 25 years will revoke the cease and desist order issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on May 5, 2020 which ABSCBN complied with on the same day,” Lagman said. “The renewal of the franchise will also foreclose the need for the High Court to issue a temporary restrain-

CAYETANO ing order (TRO) against NTC’s CDO so t hat t he network can resume operations even as such franchise renewal will quash the controversial CDO,” Lagman added. A na k Ka lusuga n pa rty-list representative Michael Defensor, Vice-Chairper son of t he Hou se Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability, earlier said that hearings on the ABSCBN franchise bills had become urgent since 11,000 people stood to lose their jobs and that the network's journalists played a key role in disseminating information amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Defensor, who also said that NTC had perjured itself and breached the Code of Conduct for public officials when it went back on its word, also said that a meeting on Monday had been scheduled by Speaker Cayetano to determine which legal action to take in connection with ABS-CBN’s pending franchise application. (MNS)

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Manila Archdiocese to impose new guidelines for churchgoers after quarantine MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Manila Archdiocese will implement new guidelines for churchgoers should the government allow mass gatherings after the enhanced community quarantine. Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo said that they have listed new protocols to ensure the safety of churchgoers amid the threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here are some of the new rules: 1. Face masks should be worn at all times Churchgoers should wear face masks at all times. Even priests and everyone working in the church are required to wear face masks. 2. Social distancing during mass Spaces will be placed among the pews so churchgoers can practice social distancing while attending mass. Should the seats be filled already, churchgoers are allowed to attend mass outside given that they will also practice social distancing. Thermal scanners will be placed at entrances to check each churchgoer's temperature. 3. Lesser sacristans Sacristans helping out during mass will also be reduced. During mass, only two sacristans will be allowed to help out. Children will no longer be allowed to be sacristans. 4. Prohibition of choirs Choirs will no longer be allowed during mass. Only one song leader and an instrument player will lead the mass' songs. Songs during mass will also be reduced. 5. No touch policy A "no touch policy" will also be implemented during mass. Holding hands will be prohibited, especially during the "Ama Namin" where churchgoers traditionally hold hands. Kissing on the cheeks and shaking of hands will be prohibited during

the sharing of peace. 6. No more exchange of words during holy communion Priests and lay ministers will have to wear face masks during holy communions. They will also have to wash their hands before giving bread to the churchgoers. An exchange of phrases will also be prohibited during the communion. Priests and lay ministers will no longer say the traditional "Body of Christ" phrase before offering the bread, so churchgoers will not have to respond with "Amen." 7. Prohibition of air conditioner, holy water usage and touching of religious images The usage of air conditioners will be discouraged during mass. Aside from covering the holy water basins so no one will touch them, the Archdiocese of Manila will also prohibit the touching or rubbing of towels on religious images. 8. Disinfection of church after every mass A 30-minute interval will be imposed after every mass to give way to the personnel to disinfect and clean the church. "Hindi kaagad papasok 'yung next batch kasi lilininsin pa 'yung mga pews," Pabillo said. "Magkakaroon din ng bagong ministry, Ministry of Sanitation para sa paglilinis na ganoon," the bishop added. According to church volunteers in Quiapo church, these new set of guidelines may be hard to implement. "Ang Quiapo pinagkakaguluhan po talaga to. Dikit-dikit po ang tao," the volunteer said. "Talaga kami mahihirapan kami pati kapulisan natin." Mass gatherings are prohibited under the enhanced community quarantine to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). (MNS)

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'eKadiwa' will be new normal for agriculture marketing

MRT, LRT ban exposes elderly, pregnant women to COVID-19 CHR MANILA (Mabuhay) — The government should not ban senior citizens and pregnant women from riding the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) in the event that Metro Manila transitions into a general community quarantine (GCQ) amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said Friday. CHR Commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit, the focal commissioner on the Rights of Older Persons and Women, said such a ban was inconsistent with the GCQ which allows the elderly to go out of their homes to buy essentials such as food and medicines. “We appeal to the Department of Transportation to revisit this policy. The MRT and LRT are major transportation options for the commuting public in Metro Manila. Banning older people and pregnant women in these major transportation options, at any time, and especially in the middle of a health crisis, potentially restricts their ability to access essential goods and services or to go to work,” Dumpit said. “Apart from its inconsistency with the GCQ protocol allowing older people to go out for work and to obtain essential goods and services, it also potentially violates their rights to health and to work,” Dumpit added. Dumpit then warned that if the ban pushed through, senior citizens and pregnant women would have to look for other means of transportation which would leave them more exposed to COVID-19 considering that a GCQ only allowed scaled-down mass transportation to comply with the required physical distancing to prevent COVID-19 transmissions. “The ban sends the wrong message that it is acceptable to restrict older people and pregnant women from accessing public transportation. There is no telling how this could later result in individually-imposed restrictions, such as by tricycle, jeepney, and bus operators and drivers,” Dumpit pointed out. “We believe that the strict implementation of physical distancing and hygiene protocols in the MRT and LRT are sufficient to lower the risk of infection not only for older people and pregnant women, but for everyone regardless of age and circumstance,” Dumpit added. The Department of Transportation, the CHR said, should focus on proactive measures and consult the sectors involved rather than resort to total bans which may prove to be discriminatory. “We submit these recommendations to complement our position and to reiterate that older persons should be allowed to go out of their homes, subject to appropriate guidelines, under the GCQ protocols,” Dumpit said. (MNS)

Saturday-Friday | May 9 - 15, 2020

M A NIL A ( Mabu hay) — Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar on Friday said the “eKadiwa” digital marketing platform that links farm producers to consumers will be the new normal for agricultural marketing. In a Laging Handa v i r t ua l presser, Da r said the online shopping platform for local farm and fisher y products leverages e-commerce during the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. “eKadiwa in agriculEKADIWA. Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary William Dar (right), ture and fisheries will and AgriNurture Inc. (ANI) president and chief executive oﬃcer Antonio Tiu be a new mechanism (left) sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the "eKadiwa", a digital with which marketing marketing that links farm producers to consumers. The signing was held or trading of agriculturat the DA Conference Room in Quezon City on Monday (May 4, 2020). (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon) al produce will happen,” Dar said. He noted that since prices of these products. the project launch this week, the department "The official program partner-participant shall has received 300 inquiries on how to join. use or follow the suggested retail price (SRP) isDar said the department would be using big sued by the Department of Agriculture, and other data in agriculture to properly support policy and government authorities, in the retail sales of covplanning with relevant information. ered agricultural and fishery products, such as but “We are elevating our game even in digitalizing not limited to price freeze orders by government agriculture monitoring and evaluation,” he added. authorities," the MOA read. The eKadiwa will be available initially via DA The DA said the use of the online market portal website with the URL eKadiwa.da.gov.ph using is free of charge by its users and official program the web browser of their computers or mobile partner-participants. devices. "As such, payment for the sale of agricultural Dar earlier said the eKadiwa will be more ac- products shall be done directly to the official processible “very soon” through a stand-alone appli- gram partner-participant online seller, or logistics cation that users can download and use on their or delivery service provider," the MOA said. mobile phones, tablets, and other mobile devices. The contract of exchange or sale and cost of Under the memorandum of agreement (MOA) of logistics or delivery shall be between the online the DA with agripreneurs AgriNurture Inc. (ANI), buyer and the official program partner-particiZagana Inc., Benjabi Ventures pant online seller, or delivery service company. Corp., and Mober Inc., agripreThe DA said there are already 12,000 farmers neurs will be allowed to sell benefiting from its new online program, which various agriculture products, it had activated to help the agricultural sector including vegetables, rice, and and consumers cope with the challenges of the fruits at the suggested retail Covid-19 pandemic. (MNS)

Philippines records 10,463 COVID-19 cases, death toll at 696

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MANIL A (Mabuhay) — The nationwide tally of COVID-19 cases climbed to 10,463 with 120 new infections, mostly coming from Metro Manila, the Department of Health said on Friday. Persons who recovered from the disease continue to rise with 116, the highest number of single-day recoveries so far, bringing the total to 1,734. Mea nwhi le, 11 more patients have succumbed to the virus, bringing the death toll to 696. Of the new cases reported on Friday, DOH said that 84 patients or 70 percent are from the National Capital Region while 28 patients or 23 percent are from Region 7 and eight patients or seven percent are from other areas. As of Friday, the National Task Force Against COVID-19 said it is capable of conducting 12,000 tests for COVID-19 daily, as it aims to ramp up testing to know if the virus is being successfully contained. Meanwhile, the DOH explained that the decreasing positivity rate in the number of individuals tested for the coronavirus disease 2019 was an indicator that the country's COVID-19 curve was flattening.

However, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that progress was “slow” contrary to reports which claimed that the curve was flattening at a "dramatic rate." "Kung ating pong titignan, ang bilang ng mga bagong kaso at ang bilang ng mga pumanaw dahil sa COVID-19, atin pong ma k i k ita na ont i-ont i nang nagf la-f latten ang curve," Vergeire said in a live briefing. "Nais po naming bigyan linaw na ang atin pong dapat suriin at pag-tuunan ng pansin sa mga bagong kaso ng COVID-19 ay ang positivity rate o ang bilang ng mga nagpo-positibo kumpara sa kabuuang bilang ng ating individuals na na-test," she added. On April 6, the DOH was able to test 24,755 unique individuals, 4,144 of whom tested positive for the virus, for a 17 percent positivity rate. On May 6, health authorities tested 131,786 unique indiv idua ls, of whom 13,405 tested positive for the virus for a 10 percent positivity rate. "'Di hamak po na mas babaa ito sa ating kalkulasyon noong nakaraang buwan at umaasa po tayo na mas bababa pa ito sa mga susunod na araw,"

Vergeire said. "Ang pagbaba ng ating positiv it y rate mula 17 percent to 10 percent ay isa sa naging basihan para masabi na nagfla-flatten na ang curve," she added. Second wave still possible Despite this, the undersecretary urged the public to keep observing measures against COVID-19, warning that a second wave was still possible as long as there was no vaccine or cure. "Kung tayo po ay magiging komportable o maka-kampante na sa kung ano na ang ating nagawa o kaya naman po ay hihinto na tayo sa pagsunod sa ating mga guidelines lalo na po sa new normal, ang tanong po ay hindi kung magkakaroon ba uli ng biglaang pagtaas ng mga bagong kaso, ang ttamang tanong po ay kailan ito mangyayari," Vergeire said. She also clarified that there could be a rise in the number of confirmed cases due to the country's increasing testing capacity. "Ang controlled lift ng lockdown ay hindi dahilan upang maging kampante tayo. Tayo pong lahat ay mga COV ID wa r r iors, manatili po tayong bisto," she said. (MNS)

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Alden Richards mulls over joining Philippine Air Force

E ntertainment

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Alden Richards revealed that he is thinking of joining the Philippine Air Force as a way to give back to the country. The Asia's Multimedia Star talked about his plans in an Instagram live video. When a fan asked about the Air Force, Alden confirmed that he received an invitation and shared that he is considering it. "I'm just clearing things up with the management," he said. "Syempre it's a way for people who are really concerned sa Pilipinas and I want to be a part of it." Alden wouldn't be the first Kapuso celebrity to be a part of the military should he decide to join. "Descendants of the Sun" actor Dingdong Dantes was recently named a Lieutenant Commander of the Philippine Navy while his costar Rocco Nacino is Petty Officer 3rd Class. Meanwhile, singer Ronnie Liang is serving the country as a second lieutenant in the Philippine Army. (MNS)

Dingdong, Marian relish having complete family during quarantine

oth in-demand stars with packed schedules prior to the pandemic, Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera are relishing being together at home during the lockdown, which has afforded them the "best time of our married life."

The celebrity couple opened up about their own experience of grappling with the coronavirus quarantine, during the live Facebook launch of "Regal Movies At Home." Under the program, the couple's 2010 ﬁlm "You To Me Are Everything" will be available to stream for free on the social media platform. During the live question-and-answer w ith viewers, Dantes and Rivera were asked whether the Regal Films project saw the beginning of their courtship. Dantes responded, in jest, "'Yung totoong nagliligawan, alam mo kung kailan? Itong quarantine, itong ECQ (enhanced community quarantine)." "Sobrang sarap ng experience namin together," he added, turning serious. "Kasi sobrang love namin ang isa't-isa. Itong ECQ talaga, the best time of our married life ito, sa totoo lang. Siyempre, because of the time." Dantes, 39, and Rivera, 35, have two children together — 4-year-old Zia and 1-year-old Sixto. "Nakakalungkot lang na dito pa nangyari sa kontekstong ito. Pero iyon nga, grateful kami because we have each other," Dantes said. The couple shared that they've formed a new routine at home, which include personal activities, play time with their children, as well as a weekly goal related to home maintenance. Those are aside from their respective initiatives of aiding frontliners and vulnerable communities, through Rivera's food drive

and Dantes' foundation. "Gu s t u ng- g u s to namin pag nandoon kami sa room lahat, nagrarambulan kami," Rivera said of their children. Being home for over a month since the lockdown started has also meant witnessing milestones of their children, particularly Sixto. "Isang araw, nakita ko na lang siya biglang tumayo at naglakad," Dantes said. "Noong nag-umpisa ang ECQ, gumagapang pa lang 'yan, e. Ngayon, tumatakbo na. Imagine, iyong ganoong milestone, nasaksihan ko at nandito ako." Dantes pointed out that prior to the lockdown, he was often not home due to his work commitments. Rivera, too, had been juggling family time with her acting projects. Rivera shared that Zia, meanwhile, has been missing her school activities. In the meantime, they are opting for home lessons courtesy of Rivera. Referring to the new normal of physical distancing amid the pandemic, Dantes said: "Natatakot ako para sa lahat, lalong-lalo para sa mga anak natin, sa next generation. At the same time, alam kong may hope, kasi hindi naman ito ibibigay ng Panginoon sa atin nang walang dahilan." "I know that 'yung henerasyon nila, magri-reap ng beneﬁts ng mga gagawin natin ngayon. Dapat ayusin na natin talaga ang mundong ito para sa kanila," he said. (MNS)

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Angel says no to running, but yes to public service

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Actress and philanthropist Angel Locsin belied speculation that she intends to run for public office, amid her lauded efforts to bring aid to hospitals overwhelmed with coronavirus cases. Locsin, 35, was asked directly whether she plans to enter public service, during the live Facebook launch of "Regal Movies At Home." Locsin's 2006 film with Richard Gutierrez, "I Will Always Love You," is streaming for free under the Regal Films project. "Public servant naman po kami bilang mga artista, e," Locsin said. "I think 'yung buhay naman namin is very public. Lahat naman 'to ginagawa namin, hindi lang para sa sarili namin, kung 'di gusto namin magbigay ng entertainment sa mga tao." "Pero, politics? Hindi talaga. Sobrang hindi. Wala sa utak ko 'yun," she stressed. Hailed as one of Forbes Asia's Heroes of Philanthropy, the 35-year-old actress has earned widespread praise for spearheading #UniTentWeStandPH, a fundraiser that aims to ease overcrowding at hospitals through the setup of quarantine tents for COVID-19 patients. The Department of Health publicly acknowledged Locsin's efforts, which has also included providing temporary rooms and personal protective gears for frontline workers. During the Regal Entertainment stream, Gutierrez counted Locsin as a frontliner, citing her active work that has brought her to numerous hospitals throughout Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. "Si Angel talaga, she's a true leader. She's a good example, ang dami niyang nai-inspire," he said. (MNS)

Jay proud granddad at 47 MANILA (Mabuhay) — Jay Manalo is very candid in admitting that he’s just 47 years old but he already has three grandchildren. “Maaga akong lumandi at nagmana sa’kin 'yung mga anak ko, 'yung panganay na lalaki at 'yung pang-apat na babae naman,” he said. “Ang maganda sa mga anak ko, nagtapos muna sila ng pagaaral nila bago sila nagsipag-asawa. Maayos naman silang nagpaalam, kaya na raw nila, so bakit ko naman sila pipigilan gayong ako mismo, hindi ako napigilan ng magulang ko noon?” He says he has 12 children with 5 diﬀerent women and the youngest is just one year old, with his eldest grandchild even older than his youngest oﬀspring. “Pero hanggang 12 na lang talaga 'yun. Hindi ko na dadagdagan pa uli. Tama na ang sandosena.” To see his kids and grandkids, you can visit Jay’s Instagram account as he posts all their photos there. He’s obviously very proud of his big brood. At 47, he now also plays father roles in movies and TV shows

and he doesn’t mind at all. He currently plays the dad of Barbie Forteza and K at e Va ld e z i n “A n a k n i Waray vs. Anak ni Biday”, with Snooky Serna and Dina Bonnevie as their mothers. In the story, he doesn’t know that he had sired kids w it h Snook y and Dina and it will only be later that he will discover that he has two daughters because Snooky and Dina are ﬁghting over him. Has he experienced this in real life? “No, hindi ako pinag-aawayan ng mga babae, lalo ng magkaibigang babae gaya ng characters nina Snooky and Dina in our show,” he says. “Hindi rin naman ako gago na alam kong magkaibigan, tapos sabay kong liligawan. At yung mga nanay ng mga anak ko, hindi sila nag-aa-

Jay and his wife, Rai way at hindi rin nila ako inaaway. Hindi ko naman ginusto yun, e. Nangyari na lang. Itinadhana.” The taping of new episodes of “Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday” is currently on hold. “We’re all hoping na sana nga, matapos na itong health crisis na kinakaharap nating lahat so we can continue with our normal lives,” says Jay. “Nami-miss ko nang mag-taping. Alam nyo naman, no taping, no suweldo kaming mga artista kaya sana, makapagtrabaho na kaming lahat ulit.” (MNS)

BALITA 13 Entertainment KC Concepcion to half-sister Garie: 'I can only hope to be the best big sis to you'

Saturday-Friday | May 9 - 15, 2020

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Assunta & Jules

Assunta de Rossi is pregnant with 'miracle baby' MANILA (Mabuhay) — Assunta de Rossi revealed on Tuesday that she is expecting a "miracle" baby. On Instagram, the 37-yea r- old ac t re ss shared that she went to see her doctor last March 5 after she missed her monthly period. “An ultrasound scan and blood test conﬁrmed later that day that I was about 5 weeks pregnant. I know, shocking,” she said. Referring to the pregnancy as a miracle, de Rossi explained: “Getting pregnant the natural way with myoma and endometriosis (which I both have) is extremely diﬃcult. Only medical intervention or a miracle can make it happen.”

De Rossi, however, revealed what scares her, now that she’s 14 weeks pregnant. “I haven’t ga i ne d an ounce of weight. Everything I eat goes to my t u m my a nd (breasts),” she said. De Rossi married Jules Ledesma in civil rites at his hometown in San Carlos City in December 2002. De Rossi's younger sister Alessandra immediately congratulated the couple on the baby. ”Aya n. Na hipo ng birhen! Congratulations," she said tagging her sister and Ledesma. God really answers prayers. 16 years of praying! Heto ka na, tita na me!” Alessandra wrote in the caption. (MNS)

'Oro Plata Mata' director Peque Gallaga passes away at 76

MANILA (Mabuhay) — Veteran director Peque Gallaga passed on Thursday at 11:45 a.m. in a hospital in Bacolod City due to pneumonia, his family said. He was 76. "He was a visionary and artist; a loving husband, father, and grandfather; and a dear friend. He has brought so much joy to so many people and he will always live in our memories and in his art," his family said in a statement. "There will be no service as we will observe safety precautions during these times. We are grateful for your thoughts, well-wishes, and prayers but we would appreciate some time to grieve as a family in private during this very painful time," they added. The director’s widow, Maddie Gallaga, said that he will be immediately cremated. “This is what he wanted and this is what we wanted,” she said. Mrs. Gallaga encouraged his friends to do their own online memorial for the director, who would have turned 77 this August. “Let’s remember him at his best!” she said. In a post on Facebook, June Ruﬁno, past manager and close friend of Gallaga, poured her emotions on the untimely death of her friend. Rufino also shared that Gallaga died peacefully and that the family was able to say their last goodbye last Monday.

MANILA (Mabuhay) — “No one’s perfect but I can only hope to be the best big sis to you.” These were the words of KC Concepcion as she expressed how much she loves her younger half-sister, Garie. On Instagram this past week, Concepcion shared that she received a surprise handwritten letter and chocolates from Garie. The caption read: “To my sister Garie, cheesy as it may sound, you never fail to make me feel loved [and] appreciated. Though we didn’t grow up together, you are pure evidence that what matters most is what we do TODAY & everyday!” She added: “Sooo thoughtful to surprise me w/ a handwritten message [and] chocolate covered strawberries! ... No one’s perfect but I can only hope to be the best big sis to you. Thank you sis! ILY!” Garie replied: "Love you. ate! You’re the best sis one could ever have," KC is Gabby Concepcion's daughter with Sharon Cuneta, while Garie, also a singer, is his daughter with Grace Ibuna. (MNS)

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Garie & KC

Juris drops another emotive ballad MANILA (Mabuhay) — Pop chanteuse Juris has released a radio edit of the heart-rending song “If You Had Asked Me To” under ABS-CBN Music International (AMI) recently. The track, penned by singer-songwriter Marion Aunor, is described by the singer as best suited for those who still hung up on their former partners and the ‘what ifs’ of a failed relationship. “It’s a song about reminiscing that part

"My mentor and best friend, Peque Gallaga just went home to his creator. I am so sad I was not able to say goodbye nor talk to him lately. Peque and I would often fight, but our love for each other would always prevail. He was one of my closest friends since I was young and my heart is so broken. Most of what of what I am now is what he taught me to be. Peque being a Virgo, was always full of surprises, last December 17, 2018 he surprised me with this message and song," Rufino wrote. Born Maurice Ruiz de Luzuriaga Gallaga, the director had a brilliant filmography spanning four decades from his first movie 'Binhi' (1973) to 'Tyanak' in 2014. He is best known for the film classic "Oro Plata Mata," which was released in 1982. Joel Torre made his final salute to the man who discovered him as a stage child actor in Bacolod in 1970 and launched his stellar career in "Oro Plata Mata." “Peque is a great man and a very generous artist who knew talent when he saw one! He was family to me. He nurtured my craft. I would not be here if not for Peque," Torre said. Cherie Gil, who made her star turn in "Oro Plata Mata," was inconsolable. “Let me take this day to grieve first and process everything, “ Gil told ABS-CBN News through a friend. Also in mourning is Senator Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr., whom Gallaga directed in "Dugo ng Panday." "Ako po ay nagluluksa kasama ng buong industriya ng pelikulang pilipino sa pagpanaw ng isang institusyon sa larangan ng sining - si Direk Peque Gallaga. Taimtim na dasal po at pakikiramay sa kanyang mga iniwang mahal sa buhay," Revilla said. "He had an eye for the art like no other. The grandness of his visions and his designs, which only he can successfully translate into film, made him a legend in his craft. Ang puwang na kanyang iniwan ay mahirap mapunan ninuman. You will greatly be missed, Direk," Revilla added. Gallaga's colleagues from showbiz quickly took to social media to remember the director. (MNS)

of a relationship when you know it’s about to end. Then eventually you end up letting go of each other, but looking back, you would have stayed if the other person just fought for it more,” Marion explained.a “If You Had Asked Me To” is the next song to be highlighted from Juris’s Here’s My Heart album released last year. The radio edit of the song under AMI aims to introduce the exceptional artistry of Filipinos to global audiences, on top of bringing more soul to the already-emotional record.

The acoustic pop singer isn’t new to international ventures with her music, having been the ﬁrst Filipino artist to release an EP in South Korea with If You And Me in 2011, which featured six tracks including two Korean songs, “If” by Taeyeon from KPop girl group Girls Generation and Baek Ji Young’s “Do Not Forget,” both of which were translated to English. She was also the sole Filipina who was invited to perform at the country’s “Green Plugged Seoul” music festival during the same year. (MNS)

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Health & Family Health Family

Saturday-Friday | May 9 - 15, 2020

Anti-ﬂu drug Avigan is not safe for pregnant women, DOH warns

Remdesivir still under clinical trial in Philippines — DOH M A N I L A ( M a bu h a y) — Remdesivir, which gained authorization from Japan and the US for the treatment of COVID-19, is part of the ongoing clinical trial in the Philippines, according to the Department of Health. "Remdesivir is one of the investigational drugs included in the WHO Solidarity Trial, which the Philippines is participating in," Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in a statement released Thursday night. She added this medicine has been developed initially for the possible treatment of ebola and there had been some early evidence that this may reduce the duration of COVID-19 illness. Both US and Japan have approved the use of Remdesivir for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. The solidarity trial mentioned by Vergeire is led by the World Health Organization and studies the effectiveness of four different drugs for the treatment of the novel coronavirus disease which al-

ready infected over 10,000 in the Philippines. "Eight out of 24 participating research sites are actively enrolling patients. Forty patients are currently enrolled as of this week and they have been allocated to the different treatment groups," Vergeire said. According to the DOH, 500 COV ID-19 patients in the country will be part of this international solidarity trial. Aside from Remdesivir, other medications that are being studied in this trial are anti-

malarial drug Hydroxychloroquine, antiretroviral drugs used to treat HIV Lopinavir with Ritonavir, and Lopinavir with Ritonavir plus Interferon beta-1a, according to the WHO. The distribution of the drugs that will be administered to the local participants of the trial have already started. "The shipment of Remdesivir has already arrived in the country and is being distributed to the study sites, while hydroxychloroquine and ri-

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Department of Health has warned about the risks of using Avigan, the anti-flu drug from Japan which has been approved for clinical trial in the Philippines. Health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Avigan will be tested if it is effective in treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. Although the drug offers hope amid the pandemic, there have been concerns about its effects on particular groups. "Lubos na mag-ingat sa paggamit ng Avigan sapagkat ayon po sa datos ang Avigan ay hindi ligtas sa paggamit ng buntis," Vergeire said. According to a report by Agence France-Presse, some doctors have also warned against the usage of the drug on children and adolescents. Avigan, the brand name of the drug favipiravir, has been approved for use in flu outbreaks and was also used to treat Ebola. A Chinese official said that Avigan showed "very good clinical results" in the trials conducted by a hospital in Shenzhen and Wuhan University's Zhongnan Hospital. Japan has already offered to give a free supply of Avigan for the potential testing of the drug. President Rodrigo Duterte and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe discussed Avigan in a special virtual summit of the Association of Southeast Nations and its dialogue partners China, Japan, and South Korea on COVID-19 on April 15. (MNS)

Rate of infection, healthcare capacity to determine whether some Metro Manila areas will shift to GCQ —Palace MANILA (Mabuhay) — The COVID-19 transmission rate and the capacity of the healthcare system will aid the government in deciding whether to ease restrictions in some areas in Metro Manila after May 15, Malacañang said Thursday. Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque issued the statement after Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said some areas in Metro Manila may shift from enhanced community quarantine to general community quarantine owing to continued decline in new cases. Majority of the COVID-19 cases were recorded in the capital region. “Kung hindi po magbabago a ng datos na n a g pa pa k it a ng ay on tonavir/lopinavir have been distributed from donations and available supplies from the malaria and HIV programs of the DOH," Vergeire said. She added that the Philippines will also receive 12,200

na bumabagal na iyong pagkalat at mayroon pa tayong kapasidad na magbigay ng critical care ay siguro po iyan ang direksiyon,” Roque said in a televised briefing. “Makikita natin na bagama’t marami pa ring mga bagong COVID cases, ang pagtaas naman po ay hindi masyadong matarik. At makikita na rin natin na iyong mga nagre-recover ay pataas na po ang numero, ang mga namamatay ay parang pareho lang po on a daily basis.” Roque also reiterated his call for people to stay at home. The Philippines has so far reported 10,463 COVID-19 cases, w it h 696 deaths and 1,734 recoveries. (MNS) tablets of favipiravir (Avigan) as part of an international trial. "We are coordinating with counterparts in the Japanese government regarding [the] supply of these medications," she said. (MNS)

Covid-19 “natural and not man-made”: US military chief WASHINGTON – US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley said Tuesday that the “weight of evidence” shows the coronavirus pandemic points towards natural origins. “The weight of evidence is that it was natural and not man-made,” Milley told reporters at the Pentagon. The top general’s remarks came days after President Donald Trump said he had seen evidence that gave him a “high degree of confidence” that Covid-19 came from a lab in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Yet the president said he was not allowed to discuss it. On the same day, Trump contradicted the Office of the Directorate of National Intelligence,

which said the intelligence community “concurs with the wide scientific consensus that the Covid-19 virus was not man-made or genetically modified.” Milley said the Pentagon does not have conclusive evidence that the virus was intentionally released, “but the weight of evidence is that it was probably not intentional.” He also said the Pentagon does not know where the virus originated, be it in a Wuhan lab, the wet market there or somewhere else, and civilian and US government agencies are looking at the issue. “It would help a great deal if the Chinese government would open up and allow inspectors and investigators to go there,” he added.

As of Tuesday, more than 71,000 people in the US had died and over 1.2 million are infected by Covid19, the respiratory disease caused by the virus, according to data being compiled by Johns Hopkins University. (Anadolu)

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Stronger health care system would boost consumer conﬁdence in post-pandemic economy, says Recto MANILA (Mabuhay) — Investing on the Philippines' health care system and strengthening its capacity would boost consumer confidence and help rebuild the economy that bore the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto said Thursday. The lawmaker acknowledged that the crisis would only really stabilize once a vaccine becomes available but the government can also take strategic steps to slowly resuscitate businesses. He cited for example that after the enhanced community quarantine has been lifted, many consumers will still opt not to dine in restaurants because of lingering reservations. "Kung alam ng Pilipino na matibay ang health care system natin at [kapag] nagkasakit ka magagamot ka, hindi ka mamamatay, mas may kumpiyansa ka," Recto said. "Kaya ang unang-unang stimulus dapat natin, ayusin ang health care system natin. Siguraduhin natin that we can treat our patients. So para sa akin doon tayo gumastos para magkarooon ng kumpiyansa lahat," he added.

Recto said the Senate will hold a series of public hearings regarding the COVID-19 situation in preparation for crafting effective economic stimulus measures. He said the government must prepare as early as now for worst case scenarios to cushion the impact of COVID-19 to the economy especially as revenues are down and expenses are projected to shoot up. "This is comparable to possibly the Great Depression so paghandaan natin 'yung worst case scenario," Recto said. "Ang sinasabi ko lang paghandaan lang natin ito para hindi ganoong maging kasama ang tama sa ating mga kababayan. Hindi lang 'yan nangyayari sa Pilipinas, sa buong mundo nangyayari yan," he added. The Philippine economy contracted by 0.2% in the first quarter of 2020, the weakest pace in at least two decades, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority on Thursday. "This is the first contraction in Philippine GDP (gross domestic product) since 1998," National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said.

T his happens to your body when you eat ginger every day for a month We didn’t know ginger is so healthy We all know that fruit and vegetables are really good for us. It is known that we should eat colored food several times a day, but did you know that certain spices also have many health beneﬁts? Take ginger, for example. When you eat ginger every day, a lot of good things happen to your body.

Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua attributed it to various factors that plagued the first quarter of 2020 such as the eruption of the Taal volcano in January, the decline in tourism and trade due to COVID-19 pandemic in February, and the enhanced community

quarantine in March. A negative GDP growth was last seen in 1998, when the full year economic performance contracted by 0.5% during the 1997-1998 Asian Financial Crisis, coupled with the El Nino situation during the period. (MNS)

Ginger is a spice with a very strong taste. Ginger is not only very tasty, but also has a lot of good qualities. Ginger contains gingerol, shogaol, zingiberene and a whole range of vitamins and minerals. It is therefore not surprising that ginger has a long medicinal history. Centuries ago, ginger was used to cure all kinds of ailments. In addition, eating ginger regularly also helps to keep your body healthy. Good qualities Ginger contains gingerol, a bio-active substance that helps to reduce symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. This substance also helps to reduce swollen joints. Ginger also contains shoagol, a substance with an analgesic effect that also helps against cancer and heart disease. Zingiberene in ginger is particularly good for digestion. But not only this: ginger also has an anti-diabetic effect and improves brain function and the immune system. Ginger every day Are you planning to eat ginger every day for a month? Then we will not stop you! Eating ginger daily has many health benefits. Side note: you do not have to nibble on a piece of ginger every day. Cut a large piece – about 1.5 centimeters – into small pieces and mix it with your smoothie, tea or Asian dish. Wondering what this does to your body? We will explain it to you.

It does this to your body: ANTI-INFLAMMATORY: Inflammation in the body is reduced faster. This is due to the anti-inflammatory effect of ginger. Nausea disappears: are you often nauseous in the morning? We bet that eating ginger every day will help you! By eating ginger daily, the nausea will soon subside. Tip: Especially pregnant women and people undergoing chemotherapy can benefit from this. REDUCTION OF MUSCLE PAIN: Do you have muscle pain or pain in the limbs? Eating ginger can have a good influence on this. Consuming ginger daily will gradually ease the pain. Promotes bowel movements: Eating ginger on a daily basis does a lot of good for your bowel movements. Do you regularly suffer from constipation? Then this might help you. MENSTRUAL PAIN: Are you in constant pain during this time of the month? Then eating ginger daily may help you. The spice is similar to taking pain medications, which can help relieve acute abdominal pain. LOWERS CHOLESTEROL: Eating ginger every day for a month can help lower “bad” cholesterol in the body. The amount of triglycerides in the blood is reduced by the substances in ginger. BOOSTS THE IMMUNE SYSTEM: The anti-inflammatory properties in ginger strengthens the immune system. Have you already been affected by a cold or virus? Then ginger can help you recover faster. -- TIPS N TRICKS

The third mega swabbing center in the SM Mall of Asia Arena, the biggest swabbing center to date with 72 testing booths. (MNS photo)

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UP PROFS... FROM PAGE 1 Patricia Agbulos, MBM of Octa Research. “Our data suggest that a premature relaxation of the ECQ in the NCR (National Capital Region) may result in an escalation of 24,000 cases and 1,700 deaths by June 15, 2020,” the professors said in their published “COVID-19 Forecasts in the Philippines: Sub-national models for NCR and other selected area.” “Based on our data, if the ECQ is lifted prematurely, we will be faced with another wave or a surge in transmissions that is certain to squander our gains forcing us to make further costly interventions and increasing the total economic cost and the number of lives lost,” they said. “It is in this light, that we exhort the government to reconsider its plan of relaxing the ECQ for selected cities within Metro Manila,” said the report by Guido David of the Institute of Mathematics, Ranjit Singh Rye of the Department of Political Science, and Ma. Patricia Agbulos, an Associate of OCTA Research. The team examined in detail the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in select cities and provinces and evaluated them by using measures or grades. Forecasts The team illustrated three forecasts for NCR, which during the time of study has around 6,600 cases. The ﬁ rst forecast used the current trends based on the recent seven-day average of reproduction of cases. The second forecast assumed

a continued ECQ, which noted improvements in the ﬁght against the virus. The third forecast assumed a relaxing of the ECQ, which showed an increase in the reproduction number. “Note that with a continued ECQ, the number of Covid-19 cases in NCR should be around 12,000 by June 15 with 800 deaths. Without any changes in the trend, the projection is 14,000 cases by June 15 with 1,000 deaths,” the paper said. However, with the easing of ECQ the cases and deaths could almost double, it added. "We believe that this proposal will create additional risk as the relaxation of the ECQ will encourage increased mobility, a driver of the virus, in some cities in Metro Manila. It is possible that this may lead to increasing transmissions of COVID-19 infections and could possibly lead to more deaths," the study said. "We wish to emphasize that we are faced with a choice not between the economy and public health (lives vs livelihood), but between a less or more costly disruption to the lives of ordinary Filipinos," the study added. Recommendations The professors said that while the ECQ have brought gains in the battle against COVID-19, the people “must not be complacent as we are not where we are supposed to be as far as dealing with this pandemic.” "We are still in the early part of managing this crisis. It is against this backdrop, that we encourage ever greater cooperation and collaboration between government, busi-

ness, and civil society moving forward,” they said. The team recommended the following in moving forward in the fight against the pandemic: The national government should consider extending the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) beyond May 15, 2020 for the following areas: National Capital Region, Batangas, Cebu, Zamboanga del Sur, and Davao City. The NG may also consider extending the ECQ for Albay, Bataan, Iloilo, Laguna and Pampanga, depending on their health provisions. Expansion of capability to expand mass testing, which will help determine the actual number of Covid-19 cases and prevent infective individuals, particularly asymptomatic cases, from spreading the virus. Continue boosting efficient and effective contact tracing system to track those who have been exposed to infective individual. The national and local government should train and hire more personnel to do this. Where applicable, digital contact tracing apps should be used. Make available supportive isolation programs and facilities to accommodate suspected and confirmed cases with mild or no symptoms especially in areas that will loosen restrictions on mobility. Provisions for food and other forms of social amelioration for patients during the quarantine period might be needed to ensure that they will observe restrictions in place. Shorten the length of time of quarantines with massive testing, effective tracing and supportive isolation programs. The government should ensure

that quarantines implemented all over the country are humane and ethical, protective of civil rights and due process, and provide mechanisms that respect health and data privacy. Expansion of the health system capacity especially those needed to combat Covid-19 like personal protective equipment, ventilators, and isolation rooms. Scale up hiring of health human resources to deal with the medium to long term impact of the pandemic. Hasten the setting up of Covid-19 laboratories and the accreditation of other laboratories across the country. The Department of Health may consider utilizing laboratories hosted in DOH-owned hospitals and in state universities and colleges with medical schools and vacant land. This network of Covid-19 laboratories will help enable the massive testing needed in the months to come. "The implementation of the quarantine should be made more effective in scaling up the government’s information drive to inform individuals and businesses of their responsibilities during the new normal especially the guidelines issued by the various agencies," the team said. "We laud the government for extending the distribution and expanding the coverage of the social amelioration program. The government, however, needs to improve the implementation of this program in order to urgently and expeditiously distribute these resources including relief goods with focus on eﬃciency, eﬀectiveness, and reduction of pilferage and corruption," it added. (MNS)

Saturday-Friday | May 9 - 15, 2020

AROUND... FROM PAGE 1 good performance," she added. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire explained that during the early stages of the outbreak, the Philippines' positivity ratio reached as high as 16% because of the limited testing capacity. "At the outset ang ating priority talaga [for testing] is the severe, the critical and the vulnerable so kaya talagang nag-umpisa tayo na mataas ang ating positivity rate," she said. "I think we even reached 16% dahil nga masyadong biased ang testing natin towards these people who really are sick at masasabi mo na talagang magpopositibo," she added. The improved testing capacity of up to 7,000 daily—which started at 300 per day— also enabled the health experts to see a clearer picture of the COVID-19 situation. Lim explained that because the COVID-19 tests are being administered to a wider base, the positivity ratio that comes out is more reﬂective of what is happening on the ground. Based on the Department of Health's (DOH) online tracker, there were over 131,786 individuals which have undergone the COVID-19 test nationwide as of May 6. Of this number, 13,405 (10.2%) have tested positive while 118,085 (89.6%) turned out negative for the virus. The Philippines reached a cumulative total of 10,343 conﬁrmed cases of COVID-19, with 685 deaths and 1,618 recoveries on May 7. According to Dr. Edsel Salvana, part of the Technical Advisory Group of the inter-agency task force handling COVID-19 response, the objective of doing widespread test is being achieved. There are currently 23 accredited COVID-19 testing laboratories across the country. National Task Force Against COVID-19 deputy chief implementer Vince Dizon said the testing capacity has also been increased to 12,000 daily after mega swabbing centers have been set up. (MNS)

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this cause in your hands (3 times). 3 Our Father, 3 Hail Mary, 3 Glory BeSay this prayer for 3 consecutive days. You must publish it, and it will be granted to you.- KORY

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RECIPES / MEAL IDEAS / COOKING GUIDES

Easy EGG-citing Recipes In these trying times, you make do with what you have. Specially in the kitchen. But that doesn’t mean you will just prepare ho-hum dishes for the family that seems to get easily hungry and asks for food every now and then. So as not to tire yourself, you have to be creative and wise. You may choose delicious recipes of dishes that don’t require much time but not compromising their taste. Egg dishes are easy, quick, and inexpensive to prepare and cook. You just run through your fridge and use up bits and pieces of food that you freeze for ‘future use,’ as we always say when there are leftover bacon from previous meals, for example.

Let’s get down to cooking!

SPANISH OMELET INGREDIENTS Extra-virgin olive oil 300g potatoes, peeled, thinly sliced and cut in half moons 1 piece medium sized onion, finely diced 1 piece Spanish chorizo or bacon, chopped 1 tablespoon parsley, finely chopped salt and pepper ¼ teaspoon Spanish paprika 4-5 pieces eggs

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

TORTANG TALONG with MEATLOAF

DIRECTIONS

1. Saute garlic and onion in a pan. then add meatloaf. cook till slightly brown. INGREDIENTS 2. Mash eggplant using a fork. 4 Eggplant, grilled and skinned 3. Mi x eg g pla nt 1 can Meatloaf, cut into cubes with meatloaf and 4-5 eggs, whisked wh isked eg g i n a 8 cloves garlic mixing bowl. Then 1 onion (white or red) add oyster sauce and 2 tbsp oyster sauce season it with nuta dash of salt and pepper meg, salt and pepper. nutmeg 4. Heat pan, then oil for frying fry. Serve hot!

DIRECTIONS 1. Heat up oil in a large saute pan over mdium-low heat. Sauté onions until translucent. 2. Add in the chorizo and potatoes and cook slowly tossing the potatoes while cooking so as not to break them. Make sure that the potatoes are soft but not crispy. 3. Add in parsley, salt and pepper, and paprika. 4. In a separate bowl, beat eggs; season with salt and pepper. 5. When potatoes are cooked, cool for 5 minutes then transfer potato mixture into the eggs then transfer back to the used pan and cook over low heat for about 8-12 minutes. Serve.

VEGETABLE FRITTATA

NUTRIENTS IN EGGS Eggs are a nutrient goldmine! One large egg has varying amounts of 13 essential vitamins and minerals, high-quality protein, all for 70 calories. While egg whites contain some of the eggs’ high-quality protein, riboflavin and selenium, the majority of an egg’s nutrient package is found in the yolk. Nutrients such as:

INGREDIENTS

• Vitamin D, critical for bone health and immune function. Eggs are one of the only foods that naturally contain vitamin D.

2 tbsp Olive oil 1 1/2 cups Mushrooms (sliced; ~4 oz) 1 cup Bell peppers (cut into thin 1-inch strips; ~4 oz) 1 cup Zucchini (cut into quarter moons; ~4 oz) 8 large Eggs 1/4 cup Heavy cream 3/4 tsp Sea salt 1/4 tsp Black pepper 2/3 cup Cheddar cheese (shredded)

• Choline, essential for normal functioning of all cells, but particularly important during pregnancy to support healthy brain development of the fetus. • Lutein and zeaxanthin, antioxidants that are believed to reduce the risk of developing cataracts and slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration, a disease that develops with age.

DIRECTIONS 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (176 degrees C). 2. Heat the oil in a 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat. 3. Add the vegetables. Saute for 6-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are browned and soft, and any extra moisture has sizzled away. 4. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk together

the eggs, cream, salt, and pepper. 5. Pour the egg mixture into the pan and add the cheese. Stir together gently. 6. Transfer the pan into the preheated oven immediately. Bake the frittata for 15-20 minutes, until the top is puffy but just set in the center. (Do not over bake or let it brown.) Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before slicing.

(Source: eggnutritioncenter.org)

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NAIA loses P1B in revenue amid COVID-19 crisis — MIAA

Philippine economy contracts for the first time since 1998

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has lost around P1 billion in revenues amid the COVID-19 crisis, which has forced a drastic reduction of airport operations as authorities attempted to arrest further virus transmission, an official said Thursday. At the Laging Handa briefing, Manila International Airport Authority general manager Ed Monreal said the P1-billion revenue loss was recorded end-April. In one of the latest travel sector efforts against COVID-19, passenger and commercial flights to and from the Philippines were temporarily suspended starting May 3. Cargo, utility, maintenance, and emergency flights as well as those carrying medical supplies are exempted. Because of the suspension, only 2 or 3 passenger flights arrive at NAIA per day, a far cry from the daily average of 768 flights the gateway was used to seeing pre-COVID-19, Monreal said. The airport's operations are below 10% of its capacity, he added. He said he is "fervently hoping" for airport operations to return to normal but said this is "wishful thinking" as he acknowledged that restrictions remain in place. "Siguro po we have to build the passenger confidence in terms of traveling," he said, adding that this could be achieved if Filipinos follow quarantine rules so that their areas will be free of COVID-19. In the "new normal," the official said airport personnel will be required to use face masks, medical staff will have complete personal protective equipment, and proper hygiene will be "strictly enforced." He also said they are setting up social distancing markers and acrylic barriers in airport counters. Metro Manila and other areas considered at high risk for COVID-19 have been under an enhanced community quarantine since March and will remain in this status until May 15. Other places at low and moderate risk have transitioned to a general community quarantine. (MNS)

MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine economy contracted by 0.2% in the first quarter of 2020, the weakest pace in at least two decades, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported Thursday. “This is the first contraction in Philippine GDP (gross domestic product) since 1998,” National Statistician Claire Dennis Mapa said. A negat ive GDP growth was last seen in 1998, when the full year economic performance contracted by 0.5% during the 1997-1998 Asian Financial Crisis, coupled with the El Nino situation during the period. The latest reading compares with the 6.7% recorded in the fourth quarter of 2019, and the 5.7% in the first quarter last year. "Ou r cou nt r y ha s faced significant soc io-e c onom ic r i sk s and shocks during the first quarter of 2020, all totally unexpected," Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua said in the same briefing. Among the factors cited by Chua are the eruption of the Taal volcano in January, the decline in tourism and trade due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pa ndemic in Febr uary, and the enhanced

community quarantine (ECQ) in March. Metro Manila, along with several "high-risk" areas, has been on lockdown since March 17, with the enhanced community quarantine in the area extended twice until May 15. "C ont a i n i n g t he spread of t he v i r us and saving hundreds of thousands of lives through the imposition of the ECQ has come at great cost to the Philippine economy," said Chua. "Ou r econom ic g r ow t h i s s how i ng weaker performance compared to the past two decades. Even so, our priorities are clear: to protect lives a nd health of our people," he added. On the demand side, household consumption slowed by 0.2% as almost all items posted weaker growth except for household spending on health which grew by 11.5%, faster than the 6.9% in the last quarter of 2019. Government spending also grew by 7.1%, an increase from 6.4% the same quarter last year albeit slower than the 17% in the fourth quarter last year. "On the supply side, all major sectors of the economy posted weaker growth as only those that provide essential goods and services were

allowed to operate during the ECQ," said Chua. The services sector posted a growth of 1.4%, while the industry sector declined by 3.0% and the agriculture sector down by 0.4%. "These are extraordinarily trying times and the road ahead of us continues to be challenging and uncertain. Bear in mind that this crisis, like others before it, shall also pass, especially because we are working together as a nation," Chua said. "All these give us hope that the Filipino nation can rise above this temporary setback, and the Philippine economy can end the year with a respectable performance," he added. Contract further In the same briefing, Chua hinted that the Philippine economy is likely to contract further in the second quarter of the year given the extension of ECQ. "The first quarter, I think, is still respectable given the very difficult environment that we are in. Second quarter might be worse," he said. "Well, second quarter as I mentioned, will be dif f icult because we saw the full-month extension of the ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) in April," he added. (MNS)

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'Build, Build, Build' under review as pandemic prompts more health spending MANILA (Mabuhay) — The government is reviewing projects under President Rodrigo Duterte's 'Build, Build, Build' infrastructure program as the coronavirus crisis prompted larger spending on health infrastructure, an official said Friday. Projects with the "biggest impact" will be prioritized, said Bases Conversion and Development Authority President Vince Dizon, who is also the deputy chief implementer of the government's coronavirus response. "Malalaman natin sa ilang mga araw ang priority natin, kung ano ang mga kailangan natin pabilisin at ano ang mga kailangan natin palitan lalo na ngayon na dinadaanan natin itong problema sa COVID-19," he said in a virtual press briefing. "Kailangan natin magdagdag ng mga proyekto para palakasin ang ating healthcare infrastructure," he added. Acting Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Chua earlier said that the P8-trillion infrastructure push remained a priority despite the coronavirus pandemic. "The BBB will remain as on of key priorities of this government even post pandemic... It has highest multiplier effect so the rest of the economy will benefit," Chua said. The government had allowed private and public construction projects in areas under the general community quarantine. 'Build Build Build,' which calls for the construction of new train systems, roads and airports generates jobs and has a multiplier effect, Chua had said. (MNS)

NEDA’s Chua hopes for a V-shape recovery by June MANILA (Mabuhay) — The Philippine economy is well-positioned to recover from the contraction it experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic with the right policies in place, the country’s top economist said Thursday. “We will use our policies proactively to ensure we gradually normalize. We are hoping with the mega swabbing, the 30,000 tests per day, we can start to reverse the economic trajectory by June so that by the second half of the year we can fully recover,” National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Acting Secretary Karl Chua said in a virtual press briefing. “The idea is we use our policies and our collective effort to proactively shape our future into a recovery that looks more like a V-shape so by the end of the end of the year, we will have respectable growth performance,” Chua said. The Philippine economy contracted by 0.2% in the first quarter of 2020, the first contraction in gross domestic product since 1998. Among the factors cited by Chua are the eruption of the Taal volcano in January, the decline in tourism and trade due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in February, and the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in March. Metro Manila, along with several "highrisk" areas, has been on lockdown since March 17, with the enhanced community quarantine in the area extended twice until May 15. The NEDA chief also noted that the economy is seen to contract deeper by the second quarter of the year owing to the full-month extension of the ECQ in April. “The good news is, as of May 1, many areas of the country have moved to GCQ...

What this means is that there is a chance that we minimize the expected contraction in the second quarter," Chua said, noting that 26% of local government units have already resumed economic activities. Sought for comment, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. chief economist Michael Ricafort echoed that most of the economic decline could be seen by the second quarter of 2020. “GDP growth could still continue to contract in third quarter 2020 but by a lesser extent as there could have been already some easing of the ECQ/lockdown but there could still be continued social-distancing measures as the economy could be re-opened gradually and stimulus measures and monetary policy easing measures to cushion the business/economic losses of COVID-19 would continue to have greater effects on the economy,” Ricafort said. By the fourth quarter, the economist said that GDP could already be positive at “low single-digit levels” on the “premise that the COVID-19 could have already been better controlled/contained by then that would result in further gradual resumption of business/economic activities.” “Stimulus measures and monetary policy measures could have also been in much greater effect by fourth quarter 2020 on the presumption that business/ economic activities already picked up/ rebounded further from third quarter 2020,” Ricafort said. “The Christmas season could also fundamentally support increased business/ economic activities in fourth quarter 2020,” he added. To drive economic recovery, the gov-

ernment is eyeing to stimulate domestic demand or consumption by bringing back consumer and business confidence. “Demand will only increase if people feel safe and are confident that the health care system is working for them,” Chua said. “Stimulating domestic demand can begin with ensuring that agricultural production, food manufacturing, and the entire value-chain – including logistics from the farm to the table – are able to operate at the highest possible capacity within the parameters that will protect the health and well-being of both producers and consumers,” he said. Despite the challenges faced amidst the pandemic, the Philippines is still well positioned to recover strongly because of the country’s solid macroeconomic and fiscal management, according to the NEDA chief. “The recent legislation of crucial economic and tax reforms such as the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN Law, the Sin Tax Laws of 2019 and 2020, the Rice Tariffication Law, the Universal Health Care Law, and the Ease of Doing Business Law have all helped us prepare for any crisis,” Chua said. “We continue to enjoy low and stable inflation, particularly after the passage of the Rice Tariffication Act. In 2018 and 2019, we recorded the lowest poverty rate, unemployment rate, and underemployment rate in many decades, thanks in large part to our “Build Build Build” Program,” he said. Chua noted that the government also maintained a strong fiscal position, with a 2019 revenue-to-GDP ratio of 16.1% of GDP, the highest since 1997, and a national government debt-to-GDP ratio of 39.6%,

ACTING NEDA SECRETARY KARL KENDRICK CHUA the lowest since 1986, given the available data. We received our highest-ever credit rating of BBB+, one notch below the A-rating category. The Cabinet official noted that the government remains committed to getting the “Build, Build, Build” program back on track. “We have proven over the past few years that we can actually implement infrastructure projects at an accelerated pace and create millions of jobs while reducing the cost of logistics, especially for micro, small, and medium enterprises,” Chua said. “Even as we ramp up implementation of our infrastructure projects, we are very much aware of the health risks. Thus, we will have to reprioritize projects and will be putting in place stringent health and safety measures,” the NEDA chief said. (MNS)

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