Covering the week’s most noteworthy business news impacting the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
The Philippines engages in online piracy more than neighboring countries like Indonesia and Malaysia, according to a new study of the online content viewing behaviour of Filipino consumers. The survey, commissioned by the Asia Video Industry Association’s (AVIA) Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and conducted by international data and analytics group YouGov, found that 49% of…
The Philippines is among the top 10 countries in the world when it comes to investments in telecommunications, according to the Institute of Management Development’s (IMD) World Competitiveness Center. In its World Digital Competitiveness Rankings of 2020, the Philippines is the tenth country that has ramped up its investments on telecommunications to meet the rising…
Out of all the social media platforms available, Facebook is the “most prolific enabler” of disinformation about the coronavirus pandemic, according to a recent international survey among journalists. The “Journalism and the Pandemic” study, which surveyed more than 1,400 English-speaking journalists in 125 countries, said that 66% of the respondents identified Facebook as the primary…
Investment holding firm Abacore Capital Holdings is optimistic that Batangas, one of the country’s fastest-growing provinces, will continue its economic growth in the years to come as they have seen the value of its real estate in the province surged in the past two years due to the rezoning of land driving up values. Abacore…
by Martin Santiago, Broker-Associate THE average 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to 2.81% from 2.87% last week, Freddie Mac said in a Thursday release. The reading is the lowest in data going back nearly 50 years. The last record low was 2.86% seen in early September. The streak of new mortgage-rate lows is unlikely to…
SOME of us feel anxiety over robots taking over our jobs. Yes, they can take over repetitive chores, but let’s view them as helpers to release us from boring repetitive tasks so we can devote more time to creative, administrative, and managerial tasks. Robots don’t do well in unruly environment (like yours, so you are…
WHEN the virus makes your income disappear overnight, it can be very frightening to realize that you can’t go very long without it because your bills don’t stop just because your income did. No one ever wants to file bankruptcy. But if you are one of the millions laid off and don’t even know whether…
Q: I WAS off work for 2 months as a result of my COVID-19 infection. I was hospitalized and received treatments while under quarantine, Thank God I was eventually relieved of my symptoms and a couple of tests later showed negative findings. My doctors informed me that I can return to work without risk to…
THE client is 42 and is going through a divorce after a short two-year marriage. He has moved out of the marital home and now lives by himself. He has a toddler who is with his wife, so he expects to pay child support. There is not alimony because the marriage has not lasted 10…
EARL Valencia has been working on startups for as long as he can remember and he has made it his passion to help accelerate the development of the startup ecosystem in the Philippines. Over the past decade, he was able to build three startup accelerators focusing on the Philippines – IdeaSpace for emerging market needs…
1. REPORT all income IRS receives copies of 1099s and W-2s from your work, bank, buyers – people who pay you. Failing to report a W-2 wage statement or1099 subcontract income is flirting with IRS scrutiny. 2. Check your occupation Your occupation must be consistent with your income and expenses. It does not make sense…
THIS has got to be the best news I have heard recently! Given the huge job losses and high unemployment rate that have left many unable to pay their debts, this may be the biggest change in the law that can help many people protect and keep the substantial equity they have in their family…
Independent contractors are in business for themselves and generally work on a freelance basis, often with several clients. They either have specialized skills (e.g., actors, writers) or advanced degrees (e.g., lawyers, doctors) that allow them to decide when, where, and how they perform the work. True independent contractors are not employees and, therefore, do not…
THE client is young in his 50s. Believe me, that’s young. This is not only mentally young, but physically, 50s is still quite young. It is said that the 60s now are the new 40s. During the olden days, people were not expected to live beyond their 40s. Even here in the USA, the average…
SACRAMENTO – Covered California for Small Business unveiled the health plan choices and rates for small-business employers and their employees for the upcoming 2021 plan year. The statewide weighted average rate change will be 1.5 percent, which represents the lowest annual increase in the program’s seven-year history, and is significantly lower than national projected increases…
BROADCAST giant ABS-CBN on Tuesday, October 6, announced that some of its entertainment shows and movies will return Saturday on A2Z, the newly-rebranded Zoe TV Channel 11. “Starting Saturday (October 10), some entertainment shows and movies of ABS-CBN will be seen on the newly rebranded A2Z Channel 11 through an agreement between ABS-CBN and…
The digital era introduces us to a society who are always in the look-out for what’s coming-out next. In light of this rapid development, everyone has become more dependent on technology. That is why it is essential for businesses and consumers to be equipped with the latest innovations in the market. As the leading trade…
PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) plans to lay off 35% of its workforce, the company announced on Monday, October 5. Around 2,700 workers out of its total 7,800 workforce will be affected in the “first stage” of its downsizing initiative. The national flag carrier also called on employees to apply for “voluntary separation.” “The retrenchment is part…
For the past several months, hundreds of companies continue to be on the defense because of the influx of unforgiving adversities presented by the pandemic. As most businesses know by now, the lack of preparation and foresight, in a time when massive changes are happening rapidly, can bring a swift yet painful death. Even if…
By Martin Santiago This is the last quarter of 2020. Despite some challenges, the real estate market has boomed nationwide during the pandemic as people have found themselves spending more time at home and reevaluating their living spaces. Record-low mortgage rates and shortage of inventory has kept the housing market strong with respect to buyer…
1. DON’T go to your appointment unprepared. 2. Don’t be late for the appointment. 3. Don’t volunteer information. 4. Don’t bully IRS personnel. And if they bully you back? 5. Don’t fight the auditor. This is the agent’s business assignment, not a personal attack against you. 6. Don’t insist on indefensible positions. You’ll lose it…
Lauren Scricca worked as a Clinical Nurse for the University of California Irvine Medical Center (UCI) and was assigned to the Acute Rehab Unit. Throughout the 10 years she worked for UCI, she was commended for her performance and had several promotions. She was fired in 2018. The Daily Journal reports the following: Lauren has…
THERE have been increasing talks recently about making needed changes under the Bankruptcy Code to protect families and business owners who are suffering during this pandemic. While the government has made limited efforts to alleviate the hardship experienced by millions of people with the recent stimulus payments, loan forbearances, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and…
THE landlord of the warehouse leased by the client’s company has filed a lawsuit to collect $300,000 of unpaid rent from the company. The question that immediately comes to mind is whether or not the client, as in an individual person, is liable also for the unpaid $300,000 lease of the company. It looks like…
The program is providing financial support to college students navigating difficult and uncertain education landscape due to current pandemic CHICAGO – McDonald’s USA is thrilled to announce the inaugural class of McDonald’s/APIA Scholars. Through this program, the company is awarding $500,000 in scholarships to 55 Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) college students. Established in…
Win up to $5,000 in EasyPlay with our Lucky Lantern Promotion IN celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Pechanga Resort Casino will be holding the Lucky Lantern promotion every Tuesday in October. Pechanga Club members can visit the promotion area on October 6, 13, 20 and 27 from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. to participate in the “Lucky…
THERE have been increasing talks recently about making needed changes under the Bankruptcy Code to protect families and business owners who are suffering during this pandemic. While the government has made limited efforts to alleviate the hardship experienced by millions of people with the recent stimulus payments, loan forbearances, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and…
Volkswagen vehicles have long been favored by drivers all over the world. That includes the Philippines where the automaker first entered the market in 1958, and eventually powered the Volkswagen “Sakbayan.” With a name that combines Tagalog words sasakyan (vehicle) and bayan (people), the Sakbayan was advertised as the “all-around” vehicle — “All-around sa Filipinas,…
Van Nuys Kia has excitedly opened its doors for customers looking for a new car fit for their daily lifestyle or to trade in their old one at a bargained price. The car dealership has the largest selection, as well as the lowest prices in the San Fernando Valley. Customers can choose from over 700…
MY Tax Tips are usually written from your perspective. Let’s make this interesting a bit – turn things around and discuss this from the IRS agent’s perspective. This is how they (IRS agents) are trained to interview taxpayers. • Establish rapport with the taxpayer (you). • Maintain a friendly and professional demeanor. • Recognize that…
