It is indeed a great humanitarian advocacy to make sure every individual — regardless of race, gender, age, income, and yes, immigration status — gets access to healthcare. But will your conviction change if you are asked to foot the bill through your income taxes, to pay for health care coverage for those living in…
AFTER meeting again with President Benigno Aquino, Grace Poe—the polls frontrunner for both the Presidential and Vice Presidential races—has issued a statement that has people buzzing in the way they look at the political crystal ball: Here is how she was quoted by several news organizations, including my colleague Vicky Robles: “We talked for about…
LAST Wednesday, many kababayans rejoiced about the news that the Obama administration will be looking to reunite Filipino World War II veterans with their families sooner through a new policy. Balitang America Correspondent Rommel Conclara spoke to Fil-Vets who have been waiting for news like this for decades because for these heroes, time is of…
PRESIDENT Noynoy Aquino is reportedly very pleased with a report in TIME Asia concerning the high level of optimism among Filipinos with respect to their job prospects. According to a Gallup poll, cited by the publication, some 66 percent of Filipinos feel good about landing a job – a figure higher than the 51 percent…
DONALD TRUMP: either you love the guy or hate him. This is especially true in the context of politics and the race to the White House. Filipinos in America are divided as well in how they look at this real estate mogul/reality TV show star, and now US President wannabe. Most Democrats and many Independents…
WE have often talked about how it is to be “Pinoy” in America, as other races/ethnicities would also have their own conversations about their unique experiences as they live new lives and get assimilated in our adoptive country. This comes out naturally to us because this is OUR experience, our perspective, living in America. But…
The folks at my favorite watering hole in Daly City have all perked up at the recent announcement by Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV that he is “100% sure” to run for vice-president in 2016. It appears, they all have this impression of Trillanes as the epitome of that song, “Fools rush in where angels fear to…
I AM in a very sentimental and celebratory mood because last July 7, 2015, my husband and I celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary. Humbled and with a grateful heart, I wish to share this article I found on Facebook from the website vamshare.com, hoping you will be blessed with God’s grace and mercy as we’ve…
WHEN tensions arise and compromise stifle dialogue and cooperation, you bring it to court—through diplomatic means. When uncontrolled escalations and biased communication make countries in contention unable to design an agreeable solution, a third party needs to get involved and international law prevails. This pragmatic approach is the intervention the Philippines is banking on for…
THE highest court of the land has finally ruled: Marriage between people of the same sex is now legal in all 50 states of America. In a landmark decision on June 26, 2015, the Supreme Court said same-sex marriage cannot be banned in any state of the nation, and married same-sex couples will now be…
“FILIPINO PIGS…with your faces in the trough.” This was how former American Apparel CEO and founder Dov Charney allegedly called some Filipino workers who were employed by American Apparel. This was revealed by court documents filed by the company against Charney as evidence of why he was fired last year. Charney reportedly even told his…
NOW that Senator Grace Poe has overtaken in the public opinion polls all the aspirants for the presidency, she and her supporters should brace themselves for a minute scrutiny of her qualifications to vie for the highest position in the land. The scrutiny will not necessarily be malicious but mandatory in the interests of electing…
COULD the historic 6-3 decision of the Supreme Court (SC), which saved the controversial Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), finally put a stop to the “repeal and replace” campaign slogan and all the lawsuits from those who oppose this signature legislation introduced by President Barack Obama? President Barack Obama said this historic decision reaffirms that in…
FIRST, there was Ralph DeLeon, a 26-year old Filipino-American who received a 25-year prison sentence after a jury found him guilty of three terrorism related charges last fall. Now, Balitang America Correspondent Steve Angeles reported about the arrest last Friday, June 19 of another Fil-Am, 19-year-old Justin Nojan Sullivan of Morganton, NC, for allegedly plotting…
IT has been amazing to see and feel the passionate support Filipinos have given the Warriors in their quest to once again be this NBA champion after 40 years. Yes, Pinoys love basketball. Yes, there are so many Filipinos in the San Francisco Bay Area and in California, in general, which explains why there are…
ABS-CBN International’s The Filipino Channel (TFC) has added more reasons for us Filipinos in the United States to be proud. We can now compete in America and around the worldagainst big broadcasting corporations and mainstream media companies in America when it comes to excellence in reporting news and stories that matter. What makes these awards…
THE 117th anniversary of Philippine independence was celebrated by Filipinos in America from coast to coast, shouting out a new mission: Defend Philippine sovereignty against China’s bullying by protest actions and a global boycott of goods made in China, as well as of companies that sell products that are made in China. The Filipino Channel’s…
JAE Koo (Jerry) Chang left Korea for the United States in early 1980’s, seeking better economic opportunities for himself and his family. For the next 30 years he built a new life in Los Angeles, starting his own dry cleaning business and raising his two daughters with his wife. As a lawful permanent resident, Jerry’s…
You have likely heard many arguments from both sides of the debate concerning the passage of trade legislation and whether or not it is good for the country. As the National Deputy Director of the Minority Business Development Agency, I know that open and fair trade is an effective way for American businesses to sell…
JUNE 12 marks the celebration of Independence Day among Filipinos, a commemoration of the victory of our people against foreign intrusions and oppressors that denied Filipinos the freedom and liberties that are considered rights of any democratic nation. However, it seems the call to defend the freedom and liberties is an ongoing saga, especially in…
PERHAPS the surrogates of Vice President Jejomar Binay are scratching their heads over how their tactic of aggressively probing Senator Grace Poe’s nationality and qualifications to run for President in 2014 have boomeranged against them. They were, after all, doing the Filipino people a service to help them make the intelligent choice come May 2016,…
WOULD America have survived the Great Depression if Franklin Delano Roosevelt had not been elected president? Would the British have won the Battle of Britain, marked by the massive Luftwaffe bombing of London, without the leadership of Winston Churchill? Would America have brought Japan to its knees in World War II without Gen. Douglas MacArthur?…
ONE of the very amusing things I have learned from following the political news here in the United States and in the Philippines is this: Do not discredit the power of the narrative during election season. In fact, most political campaigns revolve around how to best sell the narrative of a candidate, if only to…
I WAS quite touched by popular Showtime host Vice Ganda’s effort to use his celebrity status to help a 16-year-old student who has been a victim of bullying. As Balitang America reported, Kapamilya star Vice Ganda gave an inspiring advice to Pamela Reyes who came to the noon time program “It’s Showtime” to ask for…
THE United States has stepped up its support in favor of the Philippines in the escalating tension in the West Philippine Sea, amid China’s alleged bullying of smaller claimants in the disputed areas. The US’ message is clear: it does not recognize China’s claim over the area where it has reportedly reclaimed islands and built…
THE USS Ronald Reagan, described as one of the most lethal “supercarriers” in the world, is on its way to Japan to be the US Navy’s deployed aircraft carrier in the Seventh Fleet. Carrying at least 65 aircrafts and around 5,000 highly trained US Navy and Air Force personnel, the USS Reagan represents the command…
I HOPE you all have a happy Memorial Day weekend, and most especially to our World War II veterans and their families who have been waiting to receive what they believe they have earned through their service to the US military during the war. Pensions and benefits are important, but what has been most frustrating…
IN its latest effort yet to help qualified undocumented immigrants in America, which include many kababayans, the Obama administration asked the US Court of Appeals on Monday, May 18 to set aside a court order that blocks the implementation of the President’s executive order that aims to provide relief to about four million people unlawfully…
“THE key for the future of any country and any institution lies in the talent, skills and capabilities of its people. With talent shortages projected to become more severe in much of the developed and developing world, it will be imperative to turn our attention to how these shortages can be met in the short…
SENATOR Grace Poe used to be a darling, not only in the entertainment world which saw her being raised by her adoptive parents movie icons, Fernando Poe Jr. and Susan Roces. She was also very much liked in politics, especially after she topped the senatorial race in 2010. In fact, suddenly, many politicians wanted to…
