‘The Elysium,’ Philippine-style
I saw a movie the other night that reminded me of the Philippines. Elysium, starring Matt Damon and Jodie Foster, is set in the year 2154. It’s about a man-made…
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Last push for TPS for PH
IF you are still hoping immigration reform will pass this 2014, you may be in for a big disappointment. In a 180-degree turn from his more optimistic tone in January,…
The ‘American Dream’
SEVERAL developments in immigration occurred this week, beginning with the possibility of raising the cost of acquiring US citizenship, if immigration reform pushes through. The current cost of filing for…
Reparation
IN one of his most remarkable songs, popular singer/songwriter Elton John said that sorry seems to be the hardest word. This is true for most people. A sincere apology is…
Triple victory for Pinoys in the Superbowl
YES, the National Football League championship game last Sunday, February 2, made us all want to snooze as early as the first quarter. The Seattle Seahawks, after all, “butchered” the…
The Elysium, Philippine Style
I saw a movie the other night that reminded me of the Philippines. “Elysium,” starring Matt Damon and Jodie Foster, is set in the year 2154. It’s about a man-made…
Welcome, Year of The Horse
IT CAN be deemed as a love-hate relationship. Despite protests against China’s so-called “bullying” in the territorial dispute in the South China Sea, the Chinese influence is very much alive…
It takes a snake to tempt Eve
THE 2013 Survey of Enterprises on Corruption conducted by Social Weather Station tells us that the Bureau of Customs, the Land Transportation Office, the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Department…
Transparency
FILIPINOS have long desired for a more open and accountable government — a dream that may become reality soon enough. Gone are the days of secrecy and authoritarianism. President Benigno…
Updates on the call for Temporary Protected Status for PH
WE have been inundated with letters and emails, inquiring about the status of the Philippines’ call for the United States to designate Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which would give more…
A tribute to Filipino nurses all over the world
(Part 2 of 2) LAST week, I shared the first part of the speech by Atty. Arnedo Valera, Legal Counsel of the Philippine Nurses Association in America (PNAA) and Executive…
Rumination
THE National Day of Prayer is neither a political rally nor a spiritual event. With the theme “One Nation in Prayer,” last Monday’s gathering went beyond political separation and religious…
A tribute to Filipino nurses all over the world
(Part 1 of 2) WE may have heard of some horrific stories of abuse committed by a few Filipino nurses, but I hope we do not lose sight of the…
Brain drain
WHEN Labor Rosalinda Baldoz announced on January 12 that the government is “liberalizing the labor market and allowing entry of foreign workers with the required skills so we can fill…
Pinoy nurses accused of molesting elderly patient arrested
THE nursing profession is a field that Filipinos are known to excel in. Patients credit and are most thankful for Pinoy nurses’ high level of knowledge, strong work ethic and…
Riding high
BY definition, a good politician is someone who does a good job at being a leader and representing his people’s best interests. Through polls, not only are leaders’ performance projected…
How to protect yourself from electronic hackers, scammers and identity thieves
THE recent news about shoppers’ credit, debit and even personal data being stolen by hackers from big retail stores (like Target and Neiman Marcus) have left many of us feeling…
The Dasmariñas Village Gestapo
CONTRARY to the glowing praise that the super rich residents of Dasmariñas Village have showered on their security guards, in the wake of their altercation with Makati Mayor Junjun Binay,…
More forecasts on the passage of immigration reform in 2014
LAST Wednesday, I asked our readers: Will immigration reform pass in 2014? The Democrat-led Senate has already passed the bill last year, but it stalled in the Republican-led House of…
(Un)friendly reminder
A PRAGMATIC approach is always the best solution to resolve any conflict. On January 17 last year, the US Navy minesweeper, USS Guardian ran aground the Tubbattaha Reef while on…
Will immigration reform finally happen in 2014?
THE passage of Comprehensive Immigration Reform was among the campaign promises of then-presidential candidate Illinois Sen. Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential elections. On the second term of the Obama…
Honesty pays
FOR returning $300,000 to its rightful owner, Las Vegas-based and 55-year-old Filipino cab driver Gerardo Gamboa has made his kababayans in the US proud. Yet, despite being lauded and rewarded,…
First Filipina receives same-sex fiance visa in Manila, marries long-time partner in the US
WITH the US Supreme Court’s decision last June — effectively ruling that marriage in America isn’t just a union between a man and a woman — gays and lesbians are…
A faulty concept of right and wrong
WE still have to hear the last word about the Culture of Impunity that is said to pervade our government and the bureaucracy, and there I was, the other day,…
Six Hundred Billion Pesos ($13 Billion) to Prevent Future Typhoon ?and Earthquake Damage in the Philippines
President Aquino is correct that Typhoon Haiyan demonstrates that our efforts to prevent future similar damage should focus on fundamental reforms and “build back better.” However, the price President Aquino…
Make 2014 a great year
As we start a new chapter in our lives, both as individuals and as a community, allow me to share with you these beautiful quotes that I hope will help…
A year of highs and lows
AS 2013 comes to a close, Asian Journal would like to look back into the most significant events that have ensued in this Year of the Snake. 2013 had its…