COVID-19 workplace protections, minimum wage raise and criminal justice reform NEW year, new laws. On Jan. 1, a flurry of new laws came into effect in California. Some of these laws were set in motion years ago and were simply on the docket, but many of these new laws reflect the unique trials and tragedies…
“I…am…sor..ry…” With these words of contrition, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo hoped to cleanse her presidency of the grave sin of “influencing” the 2004 Philippine election, which she had just pulled from under the feet of Tagalog movie action king, Fernando Poe Jr. Arroyo had just emerged victorious in a bruising contest for her first full-fledged presidential…
THE Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday, January 6 recorded five new confirmed COVID-19 cases among Filipinos abroad. The day before, the agency reported observed another spike as it logged 67 additional infections. The two-day numbers bring the total tally to 13,001, of which 3,631 are currently undergoing treatment. The agency also reported…
PHILIPPINE Deputy Speaker Vilma Santos-Recto on Monday, January 4, said that she will refile a bill seeking to give broadcast giant ABS-CBN a fresh 25-year franchise. “I am refiling the bill seeking for the renewal for another 25 years of the ABS-CBN franchise. I filed it the last time and I continue to believe that…
On December 20, the UNESCO convention was held on the occasion of the 2020 United Nations International Day for Human Solidarity, and the United Nations Secretary-General His Excellency António Guterres attended in person and delivered a speech. During the convention, the Chairman of the U.S. National Commission for UNESCO Clubs, Centers and Associations Guy Djoken…
October 14, 1948 – December 13, 2020 The first-born son of Cuadrato Irlanda Dolalas and Nenita Acapulco Dolalas. Beloved husband to Elvessa Descallar Dolalas. Loving father to Elaine Descallar Dolalas and thoughtful father in law to Michael Nailat. Manong to his siblings Luz, Teresita, Titus, Fe, Joey, and Alan. Affectionately known to his family and…
THE Philippines is barring the entry of foreign travelers from the United States to prevent the transmission of the new COVID-19 variant. The move comes after the new variant of the virus was detected in Florida, following the first two known cases in Colorado and California. The U.S.’ fourth case was recorded in New York…
by Bernard J. Wolfson / California Healthline The recent rollout of two newly authorized COVID-19 vaccines is a bright ray of hope at the pandemic’s darkest hour. We now have a path that can lead us to happier times — even as we watch and suffer from the horrible onslaught of new infections, hospitalizations and deaths…
By Yey Coronel, FASGI Executive Director; Melanie Sabado-Liwag, PhD, MPH – California State University, Los Angeles Faculty; Reener Balingit, CHES – FASGI Mental Health Program Coordinator; and Nicole Aniceto, California State University Los Angeles, Master of Public Health Student Filipino American Service Group, Incorporated (FASGI) continues to serve Filipino-Americans and all of the residents in…
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is now offering COVID-19 rapid tests that are processed in a state-of-the-art, on-site laboratory, providing guests with a convenient and safe option for testing before or after travel. “As more destinations around the world integrate COVID-19 testing requirements for arriving passengers, and as passengers are choosing to take steps to…
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell indicates possibility of $2K checks in other future legislation FOLLOWING intense back-and-forths among congressional Republicans, Democrats and President Donald Trump, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) said that the proposal from Democrat to approve the $2,000 stimulus checks has “no realistic path to quickly pass the Senate.” In response to…
PHILIPPINE Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, confirmed that the COVID-19 vaccines administered to some members of the Presidential Security Group (PSG) were smuggled, since they have not been authorized by the government. “Yes, it’s smuggled. Kasi hindi authorized eh na pumasok dito (the importation was not authorized). Only the government can…
THE Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) in Historic Filipinotown is among the local organizations that have been selected as part of Los Angeles County’s Community Equity Fund to help slow the spread of COVID-19 in communities disproportionately impacted by the virus. Through the fund, announced in December, the 51 organizations — which include health care centers,…
PH gov’t halts entry from 20 countries IN an attempt to prevent the new COVID-19 variant from entering the Philippines, the national government imposed travel restrictions from countries where its presence was confirmed. The travel ban includes countries such as United Kingdom, Denmark, Ireland, Japan, Australia, Israel, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Switzerland, France, Germany, Iceland,…
THE Philippines’ internet connection saw a slight improvement in November this year, according to a global speed test. In Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index, the Philippines ranked 110th out of 139 countries in mobile broadband, with a speed of 18.49 megabits per second (Mbps) for downloads — a spot above its 111th ranking in October with…
THE Philippines has expanded its travel ban to 19 more countries in an effort to address the threat of the new COVID-19 variant. In a memorandum signed by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, Malacañang said President Rodrigo Duterte has banned the entrance of all foreign passengers coming from the following countries: • Denmark • Ireland •…
Trump signs COVID-19 relief bill U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Tuesday, Dec. 29 blocked the House bill that would have fulfilled President Donald Trump’s request to increase the coronavirus relief stimulus checks from $600 to $2,000, noting that senators will soon “begin a process” to address the issue. Trump signed Congress’ long-awaited…
THE Southern California and San Joaquin Valley regions will continue to operate under the state’s stay-at-home order into the new year as their ICU capacities are projected to remain under the threshold based on the regional plan implemented by the state. This development was announced in a virtual press conference by California Health & Human…
Plus, taking a look at the radical history of self-care It could not be said enough: 2020 was awful. Nearly everybody could agree, and no matter what kind of silver-lining spin you try to put on it, it’s an immovable fact that this was a year marked by the ongoing coronavirus crisis which has threatened…
2020 has been a turbulent year all around, offering no reprieve as it doled out concerning news and tragedies month after month. It’s no wonder then, that everyone is eager to say goodbye to this year and welcome 2021 with boundless hope that it will be better than the last. Countries like the United Kingdom…
PART II in series on Love-Infused LA Fil-Am Small Businesses In the Asian Journal’s previous Southern California midweek issue, I wrote about Max & Lucy’s ensaymadas, co-owned by Don Sagarbarria and Mike Zuñiga, which had exponential growth during the pandemic, entitled: “Love-Leavened Small Business.” Another business that fits the bill is Kuya Lord’s Pop-Up series,…
“People learn who they are through the stories they tell. As they touch the imagination, stories become alive. The images trigger the imagination to realize what is in the narrative. When the imagination awakens, and the stories are told, existence itself comes to fullness, to completion.” –Fr. Aris Martin, Nov. 2020 in his Santo Niño…
AN avid cyclist, Gerrard Nieva took the day off from work on Thursday, December 10 to participate alongside nearly 20 bicycle enthusiasts in their annual 130-mile Nipton Loop ride outside of Las Vegas. The group began at M Resort Spa Casino in Henderson and charted a route that would take them through Searchlight to Nipton,…
THE doctors, nurses, and caregivers who are fighting on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic are our modern-day heroes. They work long hours and are exposed to the COVID-19 virus on so many levels. What happens when these heroes get infected by the virus? What happens when the doctor becomes the patient? Let me share…
The January 2021 priority dates, continue to provide great news for workers in the EB-3 (skilled/professional) and “other worker” (unskilled workers like caregivers). The priority dates for all countries (except India and China) are CURRENT! This includes the Philippines! This means visas are available, regardless of the person’s priority date. If a person is being…
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte has warned that he will terminate the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) if the United States fails to provide the country with COVID-19 vaccines. In a meeting with the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases on Saturday, December 26, the chief executive urged the country’s ally to deliver…
By Christina Jewett, Robert Lewis and Melissa Bailey / Kaiser Health News More than 2,900 U.S. health care workers have died in the COVID-19 pandemic since March, a far higher number than that reported by the government, according to a new analysis by KHN and The Guardian. Fatalities from the coronavirus have skewed young, with…
THE path to U.S. citizenship may be more difficult as the naturalization test now features an expanded version of the civics portion — but a free educational tool is helping applicants prepare with study materials in their native language. USAHello, a non-profit dedicated to providing an online center of information and education for refugees, immigrants,…
House passes legislation on $2,000 stimulus checks DAYS after expressing doubts over Congress’ coronavirus relief bill, President Donald Trump on Sunday, Dec. 27 signed the bill, leaving the U.S. government scrambling to send out the one-time stimulus check as soon as possible. The $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill — which adds up to $2.3 trillion…
