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About The Asian reporter. (Portland, Or.) 1991-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 3, 2020)
August 3, 2020 ASIA / PACIFIC THE ASIAN REPORTER n Page 3 Black Pearl Acupuncture Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine are great for: - Acute/Chronic Pain (i.e. neck, back, sciatica & shoulder) - Treating & Preventing the flu and colds - Stress Relief - Headaches/Migraines www.blackpearlacupuncture.com Sita Symonette Licensed Acupuncturist seasymonettea@gmail.com Call to schedule an appointment: (503) 308-9363 505 N.W. Ninth Ave., Portland, OR 97209 Short-term Programs Help Students Start New Careers COURAGE TO BE KIND. A recipient of a bicycle from the Benja- min Canlas Courage to be Kind Foundation pushes her bicycle outside a building in the financial district of Manila, the Philippines. Restricted pub- lic transportation during the lockdown has left many Filipinos walking for hours just to reach or perform their jobs. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) Career Pathways with Additional Support Donated bikes help ease difficulties through pandemic Mt. Hood Community College offers a variety of career pathways for students who want short-term education and job training, and may need additional academic and support services. These programs enable students to work on literacy – reading, writing, and math – and language skills, at the same time they are working on certificates or degrees. Programs vary in length from 6 -12 months. Students who complete the programs are prepared to start a new career or continue their By Iya Forbes The Associated Press ANILA, The Philippines — A year after he passed away at age 17, Benjamin Canlas is still making the world a better place — one bike at a M time. The teenager is the inspiration for an unusual giveaway of mountain bikes, presented to Filipinos who are struggling to hold on to jobs in a country hard hit by the coronavirus. A foundation established by Benjamin’s parents is making it happen. “There is so much need out there,” said Dr. Glennda Canlas, co-founder with her husband Dr. George Canlas of the private Benjamin Canlas Courage to be Kind Foundation. “But people are willing to help, you just have to put them together.” In the wake of business closures and job losses in the Philippines, thousands of Filipinos have found themselves struggling to make ends meet. With a severely restricted public transportation system in metropolitan Manila, many were left with no choice but to take on odd jobs, completing them by foot, walking hours in the sun and rain. The boy’s parents recalled how once, when Benjamin saw a food peddler riding a beat-up bicycle with its pedals missing, he used his own savings to replace them. And they saw a way to connect their private donors with the needy in a way that echoed their son’s good deed. The idea was to give away bikes to deserving individuals nominated by their peers or loved ones. Unsure of the demand, the foundation at first announced on social media that it would give away just seven bicycles. But there were more than 50 entries. The nominations were vetted for authenticity and on July 11, 27 individuals received bicycles that would help make their lives a little less difficult. Among the recipients was 25-year old Ronaldo del Rosario Jr. who lost his job at a fast-food chain due to the lockdown. He ended up borrowing a bicycle to sell rice cakes in the morning and smoked fish in the afternoon, to support his wife and almost two-month-old baby. He travelled tens of kilometers each day. Often, precious time and income would be lost when his borrowed bike needed repairs. “I nominated him because he’s so hard working that his (bicycle) wheels always end up breaking down,” said Mharygrace Ortega, del Rosario’s partner. At first, del Rosario couldn’t believe that he was getting a new bike. “A bike isn’t just a simple thing,” he said. “A bike, for me, is what supports my life. A bike is my partner in my work every day. Especially now that we lost regular schedules at my previous job.” Another new bike owner is homemaker-turned-online seller Liezel Camilla. Mother of a two-year-old child, the 24-year-old Camilla started selling and delivering food on her own when her husband’s work was put on hold. “I am so happy that I won’t have to walk so far anymore,” expressed a teary-eyed Camilla. Even as the contest ended, nominations continued to pour in. The foundation acknowledged that while there are people still in need, much work has to be done. It is working on launching more sustainable projects Continued on page 16 education toward a 2-year degree. Programs with additional support services include: i Accounting Assistant i Child Development Associate: Preschool i Early Childhood: Child Care Center Teacher i Nursing Assistant For more information visit: mhcc.edu/Career-Pathways- Additional-Support. Questions about one of the programs? Contact Kristen.Kulongoski@ mhcc.edu or call 503-491-6948. mhcc.edu/Career-Pathways-Additional-Support 9-Day Closure Interstate Bridge The northbound span of the Interstate Bridge will close from September 12–20, 2020. Tu Phan 8VEƾGMRFSXLHMVIGXMSRW[MPPWLEVI the current southbound bridge span. Branch Manager, NMLS #7916 Call about refinances & purchases Offering FHA/VA/Conventional Mortgages (503) 780-6872 <tu.phan@fairwaymc.com> <www.LoansNow.com> Expect delays and congestion. 12817 S.E. 93rd Ave. Clackamas, OR 97015 Copyright©2018 Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation. NMLS#2289. 4750 S. Biltmore Lane, Madison, WI 53718, 1-877-699-0353. All rights reserved. Fairway is not affiliated with any government agencies. These materials are not from HUD or FHA and were not approved by HUD or a government agency. This is not an offer to enter into an agreement. Not all customers will qualify. Information, rates and programs are subject to change without notice. All products are subject to credit and property approval. Other restrictions and limitations may apply. Equal Housing Lender. SHIFT TRIPS, CHANGE HABITS Think you’re an organ and tissue donor? Not if you haven’t told your family. Be part of the solution. Talk to your family about organ and tissue donation. Talk to your family about donating life. interstatebridge.org For a free donor card brochure, contact: I NTERSTATE BRI DGE TRUNNION Donate Life Northwest (503) 494-7888 1-800-452-1369 www.donatelifenw.org REPLACEM ENT Go paperless! Read The AR – exactly as it’s printed here – online! Visit <www.asianreporter.com>!