News and Announcements

As this (awkward) summer nears its end, we can’t help but reflect on these past months. We really experienced the most. Honestly, who said life had to try that hard? But each week spent inside our homes, forced us to look outside at the ‘bigger picture.’ We witnessed actions leading to consequences, leading to more consequences, with eyes wide-open, and probably red-from-binge-watching another-drama. Perseverance, Flexibility, Positivity: traits like these became essential to our health. No matter how we look at it, we can’t deny how bizarre life has been. Eh ano ngayon? What now?

Now we see what life has in store for us next. As we embrace this “new norm”, let’s continue to remember we are all in this together. (LOL this is so cheesy).

Current Events in Filipinx/Filipinx-American Community

Filipino-Americans and COVID-19 in California

Both Filipinos and Filipino Americans account for one-quarter of the Asian Americans in California, yet they account for “at least 35% of COVID-19 deaths” in California’s Asian population (Wong). According to UC Davis Bulosan Center for Filpinx Studies, a number of factors contribute to a high death rate such as “undocumented status, exposure for health workers, poverty and economic insecurity, preexisting respiratory conditions and lack of health insurance” (“Bulosan Center for…”). Dr. Melinda Bender, who specializes in health intervention work at San Francisco State University  stated that “Filipinos have relatively high rates of obesity, high blood pressure, and heart disease” which are factors associated with more serious cases of COVID-19. In addition, almost one-fifth of registered nurses in California are Filipino, placing them at a greater risk when working on frontlines in hospitals and nursing homes (Wong). To read more about this, click here.
_______________________

COVID-19 Cases in the Philippines

The Philippine Department of Health logged an additional 2,103 COVID-19 infections on Friday, July 24th, 2020. This brings the total number of cases to 76,444 with 50,063 active cases (active cases are patients who are still undergoing treatment) (Hallare).

During a speech on Tuesday, July 21st, Duterte suggested that residents should disinfect face masks with gasoline. He stated, “At the end of the day, hang [the mask] somewhere and spray it with Lysol if you can afford it. For people who don’t [have Lysol], drench it in gasoline or diesel” (Barone). The Philippine Department of Health corrected the President’s remarks and suggested that Duterte was joking. To read more about this article, click this link.

Mabuhay Kabayan!

We hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. Only a little bit over one more month until we see one another on campus (6 feet apart, with masks on)!

Let us take this moment to reflect on our surroundings with an open-mind and a willingness to adapt. In times of crisis, people have a tendency to retreat into an us-versus-them mentality. People alienate the different and seek comfort in the familiar. By passing an Anti-Terrorism Bill, the Duterte Adminestration forces a divide when what the country needs is unity. The recent decision of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) forces universities to choose between reopening in the fall and the students’ health and safety; a decision that places the fates of many international students on the line.

During these past few months, our concept of normal has continuously been challenged for better or worse. Yet the forces that resist the currents of the new age could only find solace in the status quo. Maybe this is why we’ve seen a surge in COVID-19 cases. People fail to recognize that the status quo wasn’t made for a pandemic. Extra precautions and a change of pace are necessary whether you are ready for it or not.

The concept of being makabayan (patriotic) does not only identify with one’s country but also refer to the support for its interests. Being makabayan also calls out the nation when change is due. From healthcare to human rights, we believe it is time for us to grow and to develop the scope of our nations’ interests.

Current Event in Filipinx/Filipinx-American Community

Anti-Terrorism Bill 

President Duterte signed the Anti-Terrorism Bill on July 3rd, 2020. This bill allows police enforcement and the government more discretion when defining what is a terrorist act and determining who is a terrorist. This allows warrantless arrests and allows people to be detained for a prolonged period, a time where torture can be used without approval from a judge. There have been high criticisms of this bill, arguing it violates human rights and is merely a way for the government to have more power over the people. Click here to read more about this topic.

Please consider signing this petition to junk the terrorism bill.

__________________________

ABS-CBN Formally Shut Down

After 13 hearings, the Philippine Congress has officially denied renewal and shut down ABS-CBN, the leading broadcasting network in the Philippines. President Duterte has outwardly spoken against the network, accusing them of bias. Kapamilya stars and staff are openly against the decision while critics stress the company’s oligarchical structure revealed during the investigation. It is unsure what the next steps will be. ABS-CBN no longer provides free TV and radio to the public after the franchise was shut down in May. Read more in this article.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us via e-mail at OhioState.PSA@gmail.com or connect with us on our social media, linked below.

Mabuhay!

We hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. As June comes to a close, we want to officially acknowledge Pride Month and the LGBTQIA+ community.

This June, we find ourselves in a situation that is both mind-numbingly unprecedented and disappointingly familiar. The uncontrollable spread of COVID-19 resulted in the cancellation of Pride Marches worldwide. Regretfully, even the disruptive pandemic fails to cancel deep-rooted problems in our society like discrimination and apprehension against the LGBTQIA+ community. OSU PSA stands in solidarity- in isolation- as we fight against discrimination of any kind.

In the Philippines, the LGBTQIA+ community faces a wide variety of societal and political issues. Society stereotypes the LGBTQIA+ as either being extremely feminine “gay men” or masculine “lesbian women.” Because of these misconceptions, the nation fails to understand the LGBTQIA+ nor the distinction between gender and sexual orientation. The result is to ignorantly find solace in comedic flamboyance in lieu of acceptance.

In general, the Philippines lack anti-discrimination laws. With no legal protection in a pious country, prejudice in the workforce and military on the basis of sexual orientation lay evidence to inequality. According to a joint report by USAID and UNDP in 2014, LGBTQIA+ Filipinos are also police targets in a graft-rampant nation. Exploited by the very people who swore to protect them, innocents are criminalized in order to capitalize on their fear of being exposed to their loved ones.

Fortunately, there are those who fight and bring awareness to the many issues LGBTQIA+ face.

Let us take a moment to recognize some of the most prominent activists for civil rights: Marsha P. Johnson was a black transgender drag queen in the frontlines of the 1969 Stonewall Riots. 2015 Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach is the UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador for Asia who fights against the stigma of HIV/Aids. TV host and publicitst Boy Abunda is one of the most influential gay celebrities, unafraid to voice his opinions in the fight for Philippine LGBTQIA+ rights. OSU PSA takes pride in fighting alongside them and many more like them.

Fight for equality. Teach acceptance. Be understanding. Together we stand united with More Color More Pride.

Current Events in Filipinx/Filipinx-American Community

Journalist’s Conviction and Democracy

Journalist Maria Ressa, CEO and executive director of Rappler, was found guilty of cyber-libel related to an article published in 2012. The verdict caused global backlash due to “the dubious circumstances of the case” tied to Ressa and Rappler being open critics of the Duterte administration (Tharoor). With charges based on a law that was non-existent during the date of publication (ex post facto law), the Ressa and Rappler case is received as a warning from an increasingly authoritative government. Read more in this article.

__________________________

Overseas Filipino Workers in Saudi Arabia

Many overseas Filipino workers (OFW) are being repatriated to the Philippines due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Philippine government is sending out three chartered flights to Saudi Arabia to bring home the remains of hundreds of Filipino workers, many of whom died from the coronavirus. Saudi Arabia gave the Philippines 72 hours to complete the transportation, but Philippine labour chief Silvestre Bello III is appealing for more time. Read more about it in this article.

__________________________

Supreme Court Rule on DACA

On June 18th, 2020 the United States Supreme Court ruled that Trump cannot immediately end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). This decision protects about “7,000 young immigrants known as Dreamers from deportation” (Liptak and Shear). To read more about this topic, click this link.

Undocumented immigrants come from all different cultural backgrounds, including the Filipino community. Read about Raymond Partolan’s experience and how DACA saved his life in this article.