Thursday, September 12, 2024
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Honduran community loses one of its children

by Marvin Ramírez

 

Mr. Alberto Redondo García, born in La Céiba, Honduras on Jan. 28, 1941, gave his soul to the Creator on January 4, 2022. He was 81 years old.

He passed away at Kaiser Hospital in San Francisco from complications of pancreatic cancer.

His parents were the Spanish gentleman Antonio Redondo Pérez and Mrs. Margarita García Buchard.

A man with an adventurous spirit, from a very young age he left his home and country to embark for Germany, and for four years he walked through the ports of almost all of Europe, including Sweden, Holland, France among other countries.

After he disembarked, he settled in the city of San Francisco, California, where he lived from the 1960s until his last days.

“He was an extremely smart man,” said his niece Marnie Redondo, a well-known singer in the SF music scene. “He had so many inventions that unfortunately could not be patented. He was an electrician, he worked as an electrical engineer in the Transamerica building on Montgomery Street in SF.”

His family describes him as a passive man, “but when someone was looking for a fight they would find him.” He was so strong that he alone carried a refrigerator on his shoulder, and boasted about an encounter he had with five assailants against whom he fought and defeated.

“We have lost a great human being in the family … we will never forget their stories … a human being with a heart that did not fit in his chest, always attentive to help people,” said Marnie of her uncle, whom was considered as a father to her.

At family parties she was fascinated by playing the harmonica, which she did excellently. He was very romantic, and almost always listened to instrumental classical music.

However, his last years, the family says, were lonely, because as a result of the death of his daughter he suffered a heart attack, and his health gradually deteriorated.

He was the youngest brother of six siblings. He is survived by Antonio Redondo, 90; Margarita Redondo, 85; and Gloria Redondo-Afansev, 83. He had four children, María del Carmen Redondo, Alberto Redondo and Tania Redondo; One of his daughters, Enma Redonte, passed away at 35.

The El Reportero staff offer his sincere condolences to the grieving family. Rest in peace.

Request For Proposals For Design And Engineering Services For I-280 Ocean Avenue Off-Ramp Project (Rfp 21/22-13)

Notice is hereby given that the San Francisco County Transportation Authority is requesting proposers from qualified respondents to provide design and engineering services and Caltrans right-of-way approval for the I-280 Ocean Avenue Off-Ramp Project. The full RFP is posted on the Transportation Authority’s website, www.sfcta.org/contracting. Proposals are due to the Transportation Authority electronically to info@sfcta.org by February 11, 2022, 2:00 p.m.

Mexico in a snit after ex-prime minister of Spain ridicules AMLO over conquest apology

Without the conquest, ‘you wouldn’t be here,’ José María Aznar said, mocking the president

 

by the El Reportero‘ wire services

 

The ruling Morena party has hit back at a former Spanish prime minister after he mocked President López Obrador for seeking an apology from the the king of Spain and Pope Francis for the conquest of Mexico.

Speaking at this week’s national convention of the People’s Party (PP), a conservative political party in Spain, José María Aznar ridiculed López Obrador for requesting the apology in 2019, pointing out that if the conquest hadn’t occurred the Mexican president would never have been born.

“What’s your name? Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Andrés from the Aztecs? Manuel from the Mayans? López! – is it a mix of Aztecs and Mayans? And Obrador – from [the Spanish city of] Santander,” gibed the former prime minister, who held office for the PP between 1996 and 2004.

“Man, if these things hadn’t happened you wouldn’t be here,” Aznar quipped. “Nor could you be called what you’re called, you couldn’t have been baptized, the evangelization of America couldn’t have occurred.”

Aznar’s belief that there is no need for Spain to apologize for events that occurred 500 years ago is shared by other conservative political figures in Spain, such as PP president Pablo Casado and the president of the Community of Madrid, who this week criticized Pope Francis for acknowledging that “very painful” errors were committed in the past in Mexico.

Isabel Díaz Ayuso, who governs the Spanish capital for the PP, described the promotion and protection of indigenous rights as “the new communism.”

The government of Spain, led by Pedro Sánchez of the Spanish Socialist Workers Party since 2018, “vigorously” rejected the need for an apology when López Obrador revealed in March 2019 that he had sought one from the Spanish king and the pope.

In response to Aznar’s remarks, Morena released a statement portraying the former prime minister as a warmongering denialist. (His government was a strong supporter of the Iraq War.)

Morena “categorically condemns” Aznar’s declarations, the party said, noting they were made at an event organized by the PP, a “political force linked to Francoism.”

The party founded by López Obrador said the former prime minister had openly offended “the history of our country and the dignity and memory of the indigenous people of Mexico and the world.”

End-of-the-year parties and pandemic: Are they having an impact on the mental health of Latinos?

submitted by Covered California

Departamento de Comunicaciones en Español

 

  • Anxiety and feelings of fear are some of the emotions that can be heightened during New Year’s Eve celebrations.
  • Many Latinos are already experiencing depression and other mental health problems due to the pandemic.
  • Experts give us recommendations to improve the mental health of Latinos.
  • If you need medical care, this is the time to enroll in a health plan through Covered California.

The end of the year parties, in addition to being characterized by tamales, posadas and music, can be described as a time of depression and anxiety for thousands. One of the communities most affected by COVID-19, Latinos, present pictures of sadness and feelings of stress, since mental health has deteriorated during the pandemic.

Californians like many around the world have had drastic changes in their lives since the pandemic began 20 months ago affecting the mind and body. Latinos have experienced stress, anxiety, depression, fear symptoms, not being able to sleep, perhaps due to the loss of a family member or loved one due to the virus, or due to a job loss.

Dr. Sandra Pisano, Director of Mental Health at ALTAMED in Los Angeles, says that, “the reactions we have are normal, but we also have the ability to improve our situation and set realistic goals to improve our lives. For this reason, I urge that whoever needs a counselor or psychologist, consult him without any penalty, we all need help.”

Experts recommend that when a loved one or friend begins with depression or anxiety, it is important to have the support of a psychologist or a therapist to see if he will not need medicine. The psychologist can support you with techniques to help you manage the situation. However, if these techniques are not enough, it is recommended that, apart from counseling, consult a psychiatrist to obtain the appropriate medical treatment for that person.

For this reason, Covered California spokesperson Patricia Izquierdo states that it is important to have health insurance, “If you enroll in a health plan, we have more than 32,000 mental health providers in individual Covered California networks. Which means that you will have access to the care you need if you are experiencing depression or anxiety.”

The registration process takes a few minutes and you need to have the answer to five questions. What is your immigration status? Your zip code? Your age? How many dependents do you declare on your taxes? and family income. Then a certified Covered California agent can tell the person what plans are in their area, how much they would pay each month, and if they qualify for financial assistance.

There are many services available to people with health coverage. According to Dr. Pisano, when a person has private health insurance, they can talk to their health plan and receive help from a counselor or a psychiatrist, depending on the case. “All services are available in Spanish.”

Unfortunately, during the holiday season, many suffer from depression and need help. For Dr. Sandra, “when a person is isolated for a long time that can cause the person to increase symptoms of depression, feel sad, feel lonely, so it is important to maintain a routine of self-care and self-compassion. That is, to stay in contact with loved ones and family virtually and also, to practice activities that make the person and the family happy. Permanent communication between couples and with their children is of the utmost importance.”

But if a family member is drinking a lot of alcohol and having thoughts of suicide, or is depressed or violent, they should be listened to, nonjudgmental, and seek help with health insurance resources. “With the family we must take these situations seriously, you never know when a loved one decides to do something that can be tragic, often under the influence of drugs. Sometimes they are very impulsive and can hurt themselves or other people. That is why it is better to seek professional help”.

For Patricia Izquierdo, “the best thing is to contact us and register before Dec. 31 to be able to take the care that is needed. In addition, if you do not have health insurance by 2022, you will have to pay a penalty of $800 per person, $400 per child and on average for a family of four, $ 2400. We don’t want anyone to have to go through the stress of paying a fine, it is better to enroll in a health plan. ”

For additional information you can contact Monday through Friday from 8a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1-800-863-1706.

Imposing ex-basketball player Peter John Ramos in his debut as a wrestler in Aztec land on Christmas Day

from the wire services

 

(Mexico City, Mexico, Sunday, December 26, 2021) – On Christmas Day he arrived at the Juan de la Barrera Gymnasium in Mexico, with the presentation of the function “Lucha de Gran Altura” by Robles Promotions, a company that has an alliance working with the International Organization of Struggle of Puerto Rico. This led to the presentation of the impressive giant Mr. Beast, the name that Puerto Rican Peter John Ramos will use in the Mexican ring.

He participated in the stellar fight of the night, agreed for the Complete World Championship, where Penta 0 Fear defeated Texano Jr. in hand-to-hand, after a battle via elimination that featured superstars such as Blue Demon Jr., Mr. Elektro and Carlito Caribbean Cool (Ex WWE, son of the legend Carlitos Colón).

Ramos debuted in his native, Puerto Rico, last Saturday night, Dec. 18, in an event in conjunction with the International Fighting Organization and Robles Promotions (Mexico and USA), in the show called, Beast Mode Christmas Show, at the Coliseo de Dolores Toyita Martínez de Juana Díaz, where he teamed up with El León Apolo, demonstrating his strength and skill in the ring by defeating Sons of Samoa (Alofa and Afa Jr). La Bestia (PJ Ramos) was the center of the Puerto Rican national team, he was in three FIBA ​​World Cups, in the 2004 Olympics, when Puerto Rico defeated the United States team, he played in the leagues of Spain, China and in the Philippines he had a season over 35 points and 20 rebounds on average per game.

10th Annual San Jose Jazz Winter Fest 2022 – with La Santa Cecilia

Compiled by the El Reportero‘s staff

 

San Jose, Calif. — Northern California’s renowned non-profit arts institution San Jose Jazz welcomes 2022 with the return of its beloved 10th Annual San Jose Jazz Winter Fest 2022 featuring riveting concerts curated for audiences within the heart of Silicon Valley. With the festival’s epicenter as San Jose Jazz’s new state-of-the-art venue SJZ Break Room, SJZ Winter Fest 2022 reaches the far corners of the South Bay region with eight venues presenting acts from Friday, February 11 – Sunday, February 27, 2022. Tickets to SJZ Winter Fest 2022 are now on sale ranging in price from $20 – $40. For detailed ticket information as well as updates on the artists and performance schedule, please visit: sanjosejazz.org/winterfest.

Artist Lineup Announcement — 10th Annual San Jose Jazz Winter Fest 2022:

San Jose Jazz Winter Fest 2022 encompasses the South First Street arts district in downtown San Jose with venues SJZ Break Room and The Continental. Premier South Bay performance venues also include Stanford University’s Bing Studio, Hammer Theatre, Hammer 4, Mexican Heritage Plaza Pavilion, SJ Women’s Club, and Club Fox in Redwood City.

San Jose Jazz proudly announces today the SJZ Winter Fest 2022 artist lineup: La Santa Cecilia; The Cookers; Marquis Hill New Gospel Revisited; Harriet Tubman; An Evening of Ukulele with Danial Ho, Featuring Randy Drake and Danna Xue; Mads Tolling Trio with Kenny Washington; Jacam Manricks With Mike Clark; Sasha Berliner; SJZ Collective Plays Wayne Shorter; Joe Kye Duo; Black/Pacific: Dispatches from the Noble Savage, co-presented by Mosaic America; Jazz Organ Fellowship Tribute to Dr. Lonnie Smith; 7th Street Big Band; Chris Cain; Maxx Cabello; Oscar Peñas; MNDSGN; Mason Rasavi Quartet; Chris Pierce; SJZ High School All Stars; and more!

San Jose Jazz’s state-of-the-art pop-up video recording and performance venue The SJZ Break Room will feature more than a dozen live concerts during SJZ Winter Fest 2022. The SJZ Break Room is housed inside San Jose Jazz’s downtown office on South 1st Street (at San Carlos) featuring a multi-media digital video wall that projection-maps live performances with Ultra-Short Throw Projectors onto high-end projection fabric mounted on motorized rollers. Sound from outdoor speakers and projections fill a 35 x 14 feet bank of floor-to-ceiling windows, providing a special multi-media concert experience for viewers, both inside the venue and outdoors.

Peruvian minimalist film ‘Powerful Chief’ among favorites in the race for the Oscar  

“A visual poem with a social and universal message”… PROIQRA.COM

 

by the El Reportero‘s news services

 

Los Angeles, CA (December 6, 2021) – The Peruvian Ministry of Culture recently announced that Henry Vallejo’s film Powerful Chief (Manco Cápac) is Peru’s official Oscar entry for Best International Feature Film at the 94th Academy Awards taking place on March 27, 2022 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The film has received several accolades and is among the favorites on the shortlist in the race for the Oscar, per Variety Magazine’s 2022 Oscars predictions.

Filmed in Spanish and Quechua in the southern city of Puno, Powerful Chief tells the story of Elisban (Jesus Luque), a young man who migrates from the countryside to the city of Puno in search of work only to find himself homeless and penniless in a city that seemingly ignores his plight with fierce indifference. Elisban survives by taking small, unstable jobs that lead to nowhere but despite the adversities, he perseveres and continues on his journey with his dignity intact.

Powerful Chief, Vallejo’s second feature film, is ten years in the making and much like the protagonist in the film, Vallejo’s story is one of perseverance and the will to win. “It’s a story that anyone can relate to, and the central theme is ultimately perseverance, just as was the case with the filming,” explains Vallejo, who had to overcome several obstacles that delayed production every step of the way. “In the end, the film aims to tell a simple, socially relevant, challenging story that pays tribute to the Incas.”

Vallejo hopes to nab the second Oscar nomination for Peru with his unfiltered, harsh but honest depiction of daily life in Puno, which highlights the challenges that immigrants face even within their own country. The minimalist film has little dialogue and relies on the sites and sounds of the city to provide the backdrop. Vallejo also uses long takes in nearly every scene, with the camera following the protagonist as he moves incessantly about the city. ​

Powerful Chief is a beautiful and sharp representation, with a genuinely remarkable sociological analysis, of an Andean society struggling to fit into the modern world. Puno is a city full of traditions, international tourists and economic strength, that attracts a young man looking for a way to survive. Henry Vallejo, the director, shows us impartially but implicitly an in-depth view of this society and shows us how the main character refuses to give up but instead seeks to stand out in an honorable way.” stated Conrado Falco, Trade Commission of Peru in Los Angeles / PROMPERÚ.

According to Falco, with the development of PROMPERU´s strategy to promote the country as a film location through “Film in Peru” and with the support of the Ministry of Culture, which promotes the national audiovisual production in national and international markets, Peruvian film production has grown significantly in the past several years. “We are thrilled to know that many stories from our country are yet to be told and that several Hollywood productions are being filmed in Peru and that they can take advantage of the spectacular landscapes from the Pacific coast to the Andes, home to the city of Cusco and the magnificent Machu Picchu and the Amazon jungle which encompasses more than 50% of the Peruvian territory,” said Falco.

Powerful Chief is a Pioneros Producciones production distributed by V&R Films. Rounding out the cast is Mario Velásquez, Yiliana Chong and Gaby Huaywa. The film has received several awards including the 24 Lima Film Festival 2020 (Best Actor Award), the Peruvian Association of Cinematographic Press APRECI 2020 (Best Peruvian Film, Best Actor and Best Screenplay), and has had a successful run at international festivals including the People of Color – International Exchange (New York), Latin America Film Festival Raices (Denmark), Al Este – European Film Festival (Switzerland), Global Migration Film Festival (Switzerland), La Plata Latin American Film Festival (Argentina), and 30 Festival Biarritz Amérique Latine (France).

– Powerful Chief releases in theatres in Peru on December 9, 2021.

5 Reasons to try calamansi juice, a refreshing beverage full of vitamin C

Shared from/by By Rose Lidell

food.com

 

The calamansi (Citrus x microcarpa) or calamondin is a fruit native to Southeast Asia. It can be used as a substitute for limes and can be made into a refreshing juice beverage full of vitamin C.

Calamansi juice also offers many health benefits, such as boosting your immune health and promoting weight loss.

Calamansi, a superfruit chock-full of vitamin C

As a citrus fruit, calamansi has properties similar to lemons and limes. The fruit is very sour and has many culinary uses, from being used as a substitute for limes or turned into delicious calamansi juice.

Calamansi is a small, bushy, evergreen tree or shrub that belongs to the Rutaceae or rue (citrus) family. The plant is believed to have originated from China or the Philippines. It has then spread out through South East Asia, India, Hawaii, West Indies, Central and North America, where it is called “acid orange” since the fruit resembles a small orange.

Calamansi is said to be a natural hybrid between a sour, loose-skinned mandarin (Citrus reticulata var. Austera) and a kumquat (Fortunella margarita). The “x” in calamansi’s scientific name indicates that the hybrid is between plants of different genera (bi-generic hybrid).

The amazing health benefits of vitamin C-rich calamansi juice

Did you know that drinking calamansi juice can provide you with a number of amazing health benefits? Below are five reasons to drink more calamansi juice.

It can help boost your immune system

Calamansi is full of minerals and vitamins, particularly vitamin C that helps boost your immunity. The vitamin helps give you immunity against viral and bacterial infections.

Consume calamansi juice regularly to strengthen your immune health and prevent colds and flu.

It boosts collagen production

Aside from improving your immune health, the vitamin C in calamansi juice helps promote skin health by boosting collagen production.

Considered a natural beauty tonic, you can apply freshly squeezed calamansi juice topically to even out your skin tone. Used topically, calamansi juice will also help rejuvenate your skin and promote wound healing.

It prevents oral problems

If you’re looking for a natural alternative to mouthwash, try gargling with calamansi juice.

Because the superfruit is full of vitamin C, using calamansi as a mouthwash will help prevent bleeding gums, gingivitis, tooth decay and loosening of teeth. Gargling with calamansi juice can also help get rid of stains and plaque.

It promotes kidney health and helps regulate bowel movements

Drinking calamansi juice regularly can help keep your kidneys healthy by reducing foul urine odor and lightening its color. The juice will also help strengthen the functioning of your liver, kidneys and gallbladder, which then helps eliminate excess toxins in the body.

The juice can also help detoxify your colon, improve bowel movement and relieve constipation.

It can help promote healthy weight loss

If you’re struggling to lose weight, try drinking more calamansi juice before all your meals.

Calamansi juice is also a low-calorie drink, making it a healthier alternative to soda or other sweetened beverages. Additionally, data suggests that calamansi juice can help eliminate stored fats and lower cholesterol in the body.

Considerations before drinking calamansi juice

While calamansi juice is a healthy beverage, there are some people who should avoid it.

If you are pregnant, do not consume calamansi juice in excess during pregnancy. Citrus fruits like lemon and calamansi may trigger heartburn during pregnancy.

Additionally, citrus juices can cause indigestion, diarrhea, or stomach cramps if consumed in excess.

If you experience any of the above symptoms while drinking calamansi juice, consult a physician.

Calamansi tea with ginger and honey

If you prefer a soothing cup of tea, try this recipe for calamansi tea with ginger and honey.

Ginger has potent medicinal properties, especially when used to relieve stomachaches and motion sickness. The honey will help relieve a scratchy throat and congestion.

Ingredients for 2 servings:

  • 2 cups filtered water
  • Juice from 2 calamansi fruits
  • 2 Tablespoons honey
  • 2-inch piece ginger root, peeled

Preparation:

  1. Slice the ginger into matchsticks or disks.
  2. Add the ginger and water to a small pot, then bring the mixture to a boil. Cover the pot and let the ginger steep for 10 to 15 minutes.
  3. Add the calamansi juice and honey to the ginger mixture. Stir until the honey dissolves.
  4. Strain the ginger and serve the tea warm with thin slices of calamansi fruit. Add more honey if desired before serving.

Camera reveals semi carrying migrants went through immigration checkpoint

Officials have denied there were any checkpoints before the truck crashed, killing 57 people

 

by Mexico News Daily

 

A tractor-trailer carrying 160 migrants that crashed in Chiapas last week passed through a toll plaza where immigration agents were stationed, contrary to statements by federal officials.

Fifty-seven migrants were killed in last Thursday’s accident on the Chiapa de Corzo-Tuxtla Gutiérrez highway and more than 100 others were injured.

Footage from state government security cameras shows the truck passing through a toll plaza approximately five kilometers from where the accident occurred. It disproves claims by officials, including President López Obrador, that the semi-trailer didn’t pass through any government checkpoint.

The National Immigration Institute (INM) agents at the location are assumed to have been deployed there to prevent people smuggling. Two INM vehicles parked next to the lane the truck was in before reaching the toll plaza can be seen in the footage.  The semi was not subjected to any revision.

The migrants, mostly Guatemalans, had paid smugglers up to US $13,000 to get to the United States, the newspaper El País reported.

Deputy Interior Minister Alejandro Encinas said this week that the people allegedly responsible for smuggling the migrants had been identified. The federal Attorney General’s Office has opened an investigation into the accident and the smuggling operation, he said.

Of more than 110 migrants hospitalized after the crash, over 40 have been discharged, according to the Chiapas government.

The INM has offered humanitarian visas to some of the migrants whose planned northward journey came to an abrupt halt when the trailer they were traveling in detached from the tractor unit and overturned. But most didn’t accept the offer.

The news website Infobae reported that 27 visas were offered but only three Guatemalans and one Dominican Republic national accepted them. Twenty migrants opted to return to their countries of origin while three others remained in Mexico and were weighing their options.

Some other migrants involved in the accident are missing, according to their families and friends. Relatives of Guatemalan migrants said they have received phone calls from men who claim they kidnapped their missing loved ones. The alleged abductors have demanded ransoms of up to US $3,000, they told the newspaper Milenio.

“They’ve been calling us and saying they have information about my missing friend, they’re asking for $3,000 to release him because they kidnapped him. But how are we going to pay if we can barely get together 2,000 quetzales [US $260] to go to Chiapas,” said Pedro Méndez, whose brother was injured in the accident and is also missing.

He said he is collecting donations from neighbors, relatives and friends in order to pay to travel to Chiapas to search for missing migrants.

Elvira Alguá Morales, whose 17-year-old brother is missing, recounted a similar story. “We don’t know anything about him and [the presumed kidnappers] have been calling from Mexican telephone numbers asking us for $2,000 or $3,000 for … information about where he is,” she said.

With reports from El País, Infobae and Milenio

US has approved sale of Texas refinery to Pemex: AMLO

President says ‘historic’ acquisition will help keep fuel prices down

 

by the El Reportero‘s wire services

 

The United States government has approved Pemex’s purchase of Shell Oil Company’s share of the jointly-owned Deer Park oil refinery near Houston, Texas.

President López Obrador told reporters at his regular news conference on Wednesday that authorization was granted Tuesday.

“It’s very good news,” he said after describing the purchase as “historic.”

The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States gave the green light to the purchase after determining there were no unresolved national security concerns.

López Obrador announced in May that the state oil company would buy Shell’s 50 percent share in the refinery, which has been a joint venture with Pemex since 1993.

The total outlay for Shell’s share will be US $1.192 billion, a figure that includes the purchase price and settlement of refinery debt.

López Obrador said that the acquisition of Shell’s share will help keep fuel prices down. Upgrades to Pemex’s six existing refineries in Mexico will be completed next year and the new Dos Bocas refinery on the Tabasco coast will begin operations soon after, he added.

With eight refineries, Mexico will have the capacity to process 1.2 million barrels of crude per day by 2023, López Obrador said.

“It will mean producing all our fuel in Mexico,” he said, apparently temporarily forgetting the Deer Park refinery.

“It’s an important change of direction with regard to oil policy. For many years Mexico didn’t buy gasoline, it was produced here … [but] the policy changed – selling raw materials [crude] and buying gasoline [from abroad] was opted for and that’s going to change,” López Obrador said.

Pemex CEO Octavio Romero emphasized that Mexico, through the state oil company, will become the owner of the Texas refinery, located about 30 kilometers east of Houston near Galveston Bay in the western Gulf of Mexico. The money for the purchase will come from the National Infrastructure Fund and it will be finalized in early 2022, Romero said.

The Pemex chief noted that the Deer Park facility has the capacity to process 340,000 barrels of crude per day and is the 16th biggest of 129 oil refineries in the United States. Fuel can be shipped from Texas to Mexico via train and petroleum tankers.

López Obrador has made strengthening the heavily indebted state oil company and achieving self sufficiency for fuel central aims of his administration.

But some analysts have questioned the wisdom of investing in refineries, arguing that doing so diverts resources from Pemex’s more profitable oil exploration business.

With reports from El Economista and El Universal