Health: How to use cultural traditions to fight heart disease among Filipino Americans

UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I

TO LOWER the high rate of heart disease among Filipino Americans, the community needs heart health interventions rooted in Filipino cultural values, according to a new analysis by public health researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Filipino Americans comprise 20 percent of the growing Asian American population and are overrepresented in important workforces, including healthcare and the military. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among Filipino American males and second among Filipino American females.

Further, they have a high prevalence of hypertension and behavioral risk factors associated with these cardiovascular and other chronic conditions, such as obesity, alcohol consumption and physical inactivity.

Filipino Americans place a high importance on family relationships and often hold gatherings and celebrations with traditional foods. The community also values spirituality, caring for others and a tradition of obligation and reciprocity.

“We found that incorporating these values into interventions is an effective way to improve heart health,” said Professor Kathryn L. Braun, who worked on the study and is the director of the UH Office of Public Health Studies. Lead researcher on the study, Jermy-Leigh Domingo, is a recent UH Mānoa public health graduate.

For their analysis, the authors looked at eight previous studies that involved healthcare workers using culturally tailored interventions to increase Filipino-Americans’ participation in heart disease prevention programs. The researchers looked at whether these interventions worked and also identified their key components. Four of the previous studies were done in Hawaii, while the others were performed on the mainland.

“In some interventions, healthcare workers offered suggestions for small changes that could be made in serving traditional Filipino foods, such as grilling fish rather than frying it,” Braun said.

Other interventions focused on a recognition of the importance of family relationships. For example, since turning down food is frowned upon, it is vital to get the whole family on board for support rather than focusing on the single individual with heart disease, the researchers said.

Few interventions involved finding ways to increase physical activity, however, dancing is popular among Filipino Americans and may be an area to target in future studies.

“Our research is part of a growing body of evidence that shows that public health efforts that are tailored to reach people of certain cultures are effective in lowering the rates of chronic diseases,” Domingo said. Other factors include the ethnicity of healthcare workers, educational materials and the settings of interventions.
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U.S. Supreme Court rules in favor of Filipino/American fighting deportation

THE U.S. SUPREME COURT ruled Tuesday (April 17) in favor of a Filipino immigrant threatened with deportation.

The ruling in Sessions v. Dimaya is another setback for Donald Trump's immigration policies. It  affects certain immigrants who are convicted of crimes, especially important as the Trump administration steps up deportations of immigrants who are convicted of small, nonviolent crimes.

The court's 5-4 decision concerns a catchall provision of immigration law that defines what makes a crime violent. Conviction for a crime of violence makes deportation "a virtual certainty" for an immigrant, no matter how long he has lived in the United States, Justice Elena Kagan wrote in her opinion for the court. 

JAMES GARCIA DIMAYA

The high court was deadlocked last year on the case of James Garcia Dimaya, a permanent U.S. resident who pleaded no contest to residential burglary charges about ten years ago. Since then, Neil Gorsuch was appointed to the court and as expected, he broke the deadlock vote, but not in the way Homeland Security anticipated. Gorsuch joined liberal justices to overturn the DHS interpretation of an immigration policy.

Tuesday's decision involves James Dimaya, a native of the Philippines who came to the United States legally as a 13-year-old in 1992. 

Dimaya was convicted in the burglaries of a garage in 2007 and an empty house in 2009. He pleaded no contest and was sentenced to two years in prison but spent five more years in prison until he was released on bond in March in 2016. The government then began deportation proceedings.

Dimaya challenged the deportation order. His lawyers argued that no one had been injured in the burglaries.

The case was heard by the Supreme Court last year but ended in a 4-4 tie because Gorsuch had not been seated in the court yet. It was reheard with hope that Gorsuch would break the tie. He did that, but not in the way the DHS had hoped.

"Today’s ruling significantly undermines DHS’s efforts to remove aliens convicted of certain violent crimes, including sexual assault, kidnapping, and burglary, from the United States," reads a statement by DHS Press Secretary Tyler Q. Houlton, "By preventing the federal government from removing known criminal aliens, it allows our nation to be a safe haven for criminals and makes us more vulnerable as a result."

Justice Kagan said ambiguity surrounding the crimes of violence provision created confusion in lower courts. “Does car burglary qualify as a violent felony?” Kagan wrote. “Some courts say yes, another says no.” Kagan mentioned other examples including evading arrest and trespassing in which courts have also been divided.

Although Gorsuch voted with the liberal justices, he did not join all of Kagan's opinion. He agreed with her that the law could not be left in place. 

Gorsuch wrote that "no one should be surprised that the Constitution looks unkindly on any law so vague that reasonable people cannot understand its terms and judges do not know where to begin in applying it."

Although it is uncertain how many cases Tuesday's ruling might affect, it won't be a whole lot. “It’s certainly not a tidal wave,” said Kathy Brady, a senior staff attorney at the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.

Dimaya’s attorney, Joshua Rosenkranz, said the decision strikes down a law that has over decades led to the deportation of thousands of immigrants. “The Supreme Court delivered a resounding message today: You can’t banish a person from his home and family without clear lines, announced up front,” Rosenkranz said.

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Filipina American named 'World's Most Beautiful Face"

ASAM NEWS

FILIPINO/AMERICAN model/actress Liza Soberanto has been named the world’s most beautiful face by a group of British critics, reports Phil Star

The annual list is put together by the Independent Critics.

The 19 year old began her modeling career at age 12. She has appeared in numerous films, but is best known for her appearances on the Filipino Television Network, ABS CBN, according to the website Married Biography. The site says Soberanto is single and dating Enrique Gil, a Filipino actor.

She was born in the heart of Silicon Valley in Santa Clara, California. Soberanto is Filipino, German and Scottish, but has been raised in the Philippines since her parents separated at age 10. 

“Aesthetic perfection is only one of the criteria,” for those on the list, according to the Independent Critics website. “Grace, elegance, originality, daring, passion, class, poise, joy, promise, hope … they are all embodied in a beautiful face.”

The annual list began in 1990. Joining Soberano Iin this year's top 20 are other Asian actresses, singers and models including Kennie Kim, Lisa Monabon, Ju Jingyi, Naana and Tzuuyu, 

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Tim Lincecum training ... for a comeback?

TIM LINCECUM is planning a comeback. 

The last time we saw Lincecum he was attempting a comeback after a couple of disastrous seasons with the Giants.

This time around, he was in a Padre's uniform pitching against the Oakland A's.

Unfortunately, the comeback didn't work out. He couldn't reach 90 mph on his fastball. Halfway through the season, the Padres let him go. 

Since then, he has been MIA. The Giants didn't know where he was.

A Bay Area newspaper sent a reporter up to Seattle to see if he could be found. No such luck.

Occasionally, he'd be spotted in one of San Francisco's pizza joints. Rumors on the sports talk shows said that he was spotted in Hawaii where his Filipina/American mother's family still lives. Fans said he was taking part in the Women's March in San Francisco.

Well, maybe after his Hawaiian vacation ... A short drive from his Seattle digs, Lincecum turns up with Kyle Brody who tweeted the above photo and message. Brody owns Driveline Baseball, a training analysis that teaches pitchers how to throw harder.

When Lincecum's career appeared to end in the 2016 season, the velocity on his  fastball couldn't reach 87 mph. Just a few years ago, during his years as the best pitcher in baseball, the two-time Cy Young winner could throw up to 95 mph. 

Once that fastball was established, he could keep hitters off balance with his change-up and curveball.

Lincecum never officially retired. He just disappeared off the face of the earth.

He was 5'10" but in his prime, he was unhittable and fans loved him. “It was a little guy taking on the world,” recalled broadcaster Duane Kuiper. “Everybody likes that.”

In the photo he looks like he's buffed up and at age 33, training for comeback. Driveline says that in the near future he'll throw teams in a showcase.

The odds may be against his return, but I, for one, would love to see him come back. even if it's not as a Giant. It would be a heckuva story.
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Filipino religious group buys Connecticut ghost town

Google Earth presents an aerial view of Johnsonville Village, Connecticut.

Historic Johnsonville Village in Connecticut has been a ghost town for decades until Philippine mega church Iglesia ni Cristo (Church of Christ) bought the 62-acre property for $1.8 million last July.

And for the first time since the purchase last July 26, the new owners opened the Victorian era mill town to the public in a neighborhood appreciation day.

At least 1,500 INC members from Connecticut and nearby states came out to enjoy free food, refreshments, and entertainment, to admire the fresh cut lawns bordering the picuresque pond and to meet former town residents.

"Brother Eduardo V. Manalo, INC Executive Minister, envisions Johnsonville as a future site of INC activities in the Northeastern Seaboard of the United States.," said INC spokesman Edwil Zabala. "The INC, which currently has three congregations in Connecticut, is found in 138 countries and territories around the world," he stated further.

“This looked like the perfect property, like I said, we’re just following the administration, these blessings and ah, right now as we have our neighborhood appreciation day, we invited all of the people in the surrounding community,” said Jason Dulalas, INC's Minister of the Gospel.

iNSTAGRAM

In Johnsonville Village, an old hotel overlooking the mill pond may one day host visitors again.

“Restoration will be a priority,” said INC Brother Joji Crisostomo. "Ultimately, the plan is to use the property for church activities and also open it to others.

“While exact plans for development have not yet been finalized, the INC is hopeful neighbors will appreciate the breath of new life being brought into the town,” he said. “INC respects the rich history that the property will always carry.”

He said the INC will preserve much of Johnsonville’s original architecture, a statement that makes some local official welcome the newcomers. 

Among the visitors was Connecticut state representative for East Haddam, State Rep. Melissa Ziobron.

“In America they love to see history preserved and I think that’s really the underlying thing,” said Ziobron. “I think there are certain buildings that are probably more sentimental than others, and that’s how I hope the community will have conversations and be involved and welcomed.”

Johnsotville Village  is the second U.S. town bought by INC. In 2011 the group bought Scenic, South Dakota, a virtual ghost town where the only open business is the U.S. Post Office. 

Thus far, INC representatives have been meeting with the local Native Americans but no physical improvements have been made.

Historically, INC established congregations where there are a number of Filipinos. In South Dakota, there are under 2,000 Filipino Americans, just under .2 percent of the total population.

The church group sent Pastor Jose Ventilacion to offer church services in 2015. He told the Rapid City Journal that the goal of opening in South Dakota was to "build a house of worship and try to establish a strong regional membership."

Besides the post office, the 46-acre town has a gas station, museum and a bar.

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AAPI Athletes: Doug Baldwin hopes stem cell therapy will help his aching knees

Wide receiver Doug Baldwin doesn't shy away from his heritage. He ran onto the field carrying the Philippines' flag.

ASAM NEWS

SEATTLE SEAHAWK'S receiver Doug Baldwin is the latest NFL player to treat his aches and pains with a new, unproven treatment.

The all-pro former Super Bowl champ flew over to England before the season started to partake in stem-cell therapy.The treatment was a “pre-emptive, preventative treatment to maintain healthy knees” according to The News Tribune.

Baldwin, 29, a Filipino/American, had been looking into the therapy for about two years, stating that he did his research before finding the right company. He made sure to disclose that he was not suffering from any particular ailment or injury, but instead was seeking out the best options for keeping him in shape.

Although stem-cell therapy is still a new trend for football players, most have already taken on other forms of therapy to help treat themselves. In the past two weeks, there have been seven Seahawks teammates who have missed a few practices and games because they were seeking regenokine treatment. Those seven are K.J. Wright, D.J. Alexander, Tyler Lockett, Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, Luke Joeckel, and Michael Wilhoite.

Regenokine treatment, originated in Germany, is the process of one’s blood being “heated and spun in a centrifuge to enhance its anti-inflammatory properties” and then re-injected to “treat aching joints and/or aid in recovery from surgery”.

Both regenokine and stem-cell therapy are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The regenokine treatment has unproven results and the FDA, reportedly, has issues with the re-heating of blood. Stem-cell only has one form approved by the FDA, which is the use of “human umbilical cord blood forming stem cells for certain diseases.”
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Asian American social networkers make their presence felt

INTERESTING STATS, eh?

The graphic above, from pollster Nielsen suggests that the typical social media user is a mid-20s Asian woman who graduated from college, has a pretty good income and most likely, is a Red Sox fan. (I think if the same poll was taken today, it would show that she is a fan of the Giants or Golden State Warriors.)

In June 2012, the PEW Research Center issued a report on the use of social media among ethnic groups. "Their" ethnic groups were Whites, Latinos and Blacks.

This caused an uproar among Asian Americans who felt they were slighted. "What about us?" they asked. PEW explained that Asian Americans were difficult to poll because of our great diversity and languages and beside, Asian Americans -- all 17.3 million of us -- didn't make up a big enough ethnic group to be significant.

Not significant? Reduced to insignificance again! Well, that riled up the AAPI community again.

The following three paragraphs is what I imagined happened within PEW's office -- and keep in mind I'm making this up:

The response from the Asian/American community hit a nerve and in order to compensate that particularly vocal minority -- from academicians to ordinary Tweeters and Vimeo users -- PEW staff decided to do another study of the Asian American community. That report, titled "The Rise of Asian Americans," which conjures up an "invasion", came out later in 2012 covering the usual categories of where we live, family income, out-of-race marriage, etc.

PEW researchers were probably surprised at the response. Here they thought they were doing something good to appease its Asian/American critics and all they got in response was ... more criticism! 

Now they were being criticized for portraying the the Asian/Americans as well-educated, better than average income, loyal Americans, strong family ties -- in other words, the data presented reinforced the stereotype of the "model minority," an image that I and millions of other "average" Asians have had a hell of a time correcting.

The criticism apparently hit a chord (again) and in 2013, PEW updated the report to include data from other Asian groups and emphasized the poverty and lower test scores for some of the Asian groups.

I don't think PEW will put "insignificant numbers" and "Asian Americans" in the same sentence again, especially in regards to use of the Internet and social media. Therefore, it would seem, Asian/Americans should be included in any study regarding the Internet or social media.

Other polls have come out indicating Asians' use of social media goes beyond their numbers in the United States. If you go to to some social media sites such as Yelp, Twitter, etc. simply judging by the photos of the users, you will see the preponderance of Asian participants.

RELATED: Asian/Americans love the Internet, social media

When the TV show "How I Met Your Mother," recently aired an episode where its white actors donned yellow-face, the social media response was swift and heavy as Asian Americans flexed their new-found virtual muscles. It wasn't long before the show's producers issued an apology.

The online outcry that occurred when Asians were made the butt of offensive jokes at the 2016 Oscar telecast rallied people in the entertainment industry to express their disappointment which eventually led to an apology from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts.

RELATED: Chris Rock went one joke too many during the Oscars

Despite its apparent flaws, I found the PEW report interesting for the important information that they presented. It may be the closest thing we have of a researcher's acknowledgement that Asians are part of this American stew and although small in numbers, the influence of Asian/ Americans goes beyond their numbers. Business, political consultants, marketers and policy makers need to keep this in mind when viewing the data.

PEW's response indicates that a lesson was learned. America is not just a black-and-white world and the country's perception -- and the world's perception, for that matter -- of what an American looks like needs to be broadened beyond the broad brushstrokes used by traditional mainstream media,

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