Jose Paolo Dela Cruz, Author at PeopleAsia

How COVID-19 almost snatched a pastor’s faith

BY JOANNE RAE RAMIREZ Priests and pastors have extraordinary faith, and have studied its tenets extensively. And yet, they, too, are all too human and are brought to the test. But perhaps, it is in their humanity that they are able to give witness to the strength and saving power…

Thirty-year-old doctor dies a hero in the frontline

Praises and prayers poured on the Internet for Dr. Wilbur Jan Robert Demafiles, a medical professional and an HIV advocate who recently passed away after manning the frontline in the battle against COVID-19. LoveYourself Inc., a non-profit organization that conducts free HIV testing and awareness campaigns, shared their grief over…

Twenty-one days straight: A doctor’s story

By Jose Paolo S. dela Cruz At this point, it’s no secret that very few tasks can prove to be quite as daunting – and as noble – as that of being a front liner in the battle against COVID-19. And many young doctors are most likely finding out now…

No April Fools for those who want to #ProtectVico

Netizens from all over the web virtually went up in arms as a copy of the National Bureau of Investigation’s summons for Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto was leaked on the Internet on April Fool’s Day. The said letter required the mayor to appear at their office on April 7, on…

How Pinoys in Pisa battle COVID-19

Story and photos by BÜM D. TENORIO Jr. “Grabe dito sa Pisa. It’s like [the] Apocalypse. We feel paranoid. May konting sumakit lamang sa katawan, feeling namin infected na rin kami. Fear is everywhere.” The Filipino is an international race. We are everywhere. In Pisa, Italy alone, some 300 people from Gulod, my barrio in Cabuyao, Laguna, now live and work in that part…

“I am Patient 358:” A COVID-19 survivor’s story

BY JOSE PAOLO S. DELA CRUZ As of March 29, 2020, the Philippines has recorded a total of 1,418 COVID-19 cases, with 71 fatalities and 42 recoveries. This young man's inspiring journey gives a face to such statistics. On March 29, Rogelio Bueno Jr. took to Facebook to tell his story –…

DLSU and CSB are now homes to the homeless

By JOSE PAOLO S. DELA CRUZ/ Photos courtesy of DLSP and Kalinga. It’s a question many concerned netizens have asked since the enhanced community quarantine took effect in Luzon earlier this month: How does one stay at home, if one is homeless? Such is the tough reality that many of…

Spoiler Alert: Did this 2018 Netflix K-Drama predict COVID-19?

By JOSE PAOLO S. DELA CRUZ Tongues are wagging across the web as Netflix viewers noticed a strange case of art imitating – or should we say, predicting – life in a scene from the 2018 Korean Drama, My Secret Terrius. (The scene from My Secret Terrius, Episode 10)…

Okada Foundation pledges P50 million for medical frontliners

The fight against COVID-19 may be far from over, but the brave medical frontliners who spare no effort in battling the dreaded disease continue to inspire generosity from various businesses and sectors. In line with this, the Okada Foundation has pledged to donate P 25 million to the Lung Center…

Our “ITo Guy” takes a bow

by JOSE PAOLO S. DELA CRUZ and ALEX Y. VERGARA PeopleAsia’s beloved columnist and designer extraordinaire Ito Curata passed away Thursday, March 26, after bravely battling pneumonia at the ICU of Asian Hospital in the past weeks. Ito, who had made a name for himself dressing Manila’s – and even Hollywood’s…