NYC Fil-Ams celebrate all things Ube
WHILE Filipinos in the diaspora have their distinct ube memory – from the fish-shaped halaya with flecks of Star margarine or the jars of ube jam pasalubong from Baguio City, or ube in pastillas or otap – it was only about a decade ago when food lovers around the world began taking notice. Ube, a tuber indigenous to the Philippines has been touted as the next big thing…
[COLUMN] Ruffa Gutierrez doesn’t pay attention to bashers
BEAUTY queen and actress Ruffa Gutierrez has a surefire way to keep her sanity despite the constant barrage of criticism leveled at celebrities: pay no attention to bashers. The former Miss World Second Princess said as much in an article in the Philippine Star recently. “I’ve been in the industry for 36 years and all…
Fiesta In America’s relaunch to highlight community cohesion
Fil-Am community strength and unity will be on the spotlight on Saturday, August 20, 2022 in Court A of American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey when Fiesta In America celebrates its relaunch. Admission is free and open to the general public; festivities will start at 10am with a Mass, followed by a santacruzan…
PH Consulate General in SF joins first in-person Pistahan parade and festival in two years
SAN FRANCISCO – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco and its partner government agencies, led by Consul General Neil Ferrer, went in full force to support the return of the in-person celebration of the Pistahan Parade and Festival in downtown San Francisco on August 13-14, 2022. During the pre-parade program at the San Francisco…
[COLUMN] Visas issued despite petitioner’s death, this Sunday on Citizen Pinoy
ALMITA’S father petitioned her in 2001. However, before her visa was issued, her father died on Christmas Eve of 2014. This resulted in the petition being “revoked.” Her previous lawyer suggested that the family lie about the petitioner’s death, pretending he was alive, and continue pursuing the case. However, Almita’s mother did not want to…
Polio virus detected in NYC wastewater
Officials urge unvaccinated New Yorkers to get vaccinated now THE New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDOHMH) updated New Yorkers last week on the detection of poliovirus (the virus that causes paralytic polio) in sewage, suggesting likely local circulation of the virus. Polio…
Fil-Am kids immerse in Philippine history, food and tourist spots during tour of Sentro Rizal San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco’s Sentro Rizal on August 3, 2022 welcomed 42 young Filipino Americans who were taking part in the 9th Cultural Immersion Summer Camp of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of San Francisco (UPAASF). Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer personally welcomed the…
Philippine startups participate in pitch week at Dynamico Space in Philippine Center SF
IN partnership with the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Silicon Valley, Dynamico Space held two Startup Pitch Nights on July 27-28, 2022 at the Philippine Center in San Francisco. Dynamico CEO JR Calanoc hosted two hybrid (online and in-person) sessions at Dynamico Space on Sutter St….
SF Asian Art Museum hosts first major museum retrospective of a Fil-Am artist in US
SAN FRANCISCO – Consul General Neil Ferrer led the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco in touring the exhibits of the late Filipino American artist Carlos Villa at the Asian Art Museum, and the San Francisco Arts Commission (SFAC) Main Gallery inside the War Memorial Building on August 15, 2022. Exhibit curators Trisha Lagaso Goldberg…
[COLUMN] Polio in NYC
THE Polio virus was detected in the sewage system in New York City, a discovery that signals this dangerous virus has been spreading locally. Poliomyelitis (Polio) is a contagious, disabling, and life-threatening disease caused by the poliovirus which infects the spinal cord and results in paralysis. It can lead to meningitis and death. The polio…
Get a boost against COVID: What you need to know about boosters
COVID vaccines and boosters have reduced the threat of COVID, allowing many people to gather, travel, and celebrate with more peace of mind. Vaccines and boosters provide the best protection against the worst outcomes of COVID, yet people still have many questions around boosters. As of August 10, CDC data showed that while Asian Americans…
[COLUMN] Grazing in the grass
What’s your game plan when you retire? The timing can be one of 3 ways: you yourself planned when it will happen; the government said it’s time you did; or circumstances beyond your control, like the onset of illness, finally put you out to pasture. Or are you one of those who have decided to…
[COLUMN] Debt problems: How can bankruptcy protect you?
Facing difficult financial times can be a frightening thing for a lot of people. When bill collectors are hounding you, at some point, you realize that something must be done but you just don’t know where to begin or where to go for help. Often, options can also be confusing unless you get the right…
REAL ID enforcement date now 9 months away
Californians whose licenses expire this month can upgrade to a REAL ID NEARLY a half million California drivers will need to renew their driver’s licenses this month, and the California Department of Motor Vehicles suggests this is the perfect time to upgrade to a REAL ID. Driver’s licenses expire on a customer’s birthday every five…
Filipina American business leader Grace Ouano Awarded Knighthood by Pope Francis
On August 4th Grace Mercado Ouano became the first Filipino American to receive the Order of St. Gregory the Great from the Catholic Church. Monsignor Lawrence J. Spiteri, on behalf of Pope Francis, bestowed the knighthood at St. Therese Roman Catholic Church in Alhambra, California. The Order is awarded to Catholic men and women in…
LA County moves out of high COVID-19 level
OVER the past week, Los Angeles County’s COVID-19 metrics improved enough to move the county back to the medium level. The level is based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 framework. While Public Health is greatly encouraged by the decline in cases, hospital admissions and deaths, because viral transmission remains high,…
[COLUMN] Misclassification as independent contractors harms workers
JAMES Karl signed a sales associate agreement classifying him as an independent contractor with Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. a company that designs, manufactures, and markets medical products. Karl sold orthopedic devices in the San Francisco Bay Area. He and his team were paid by commissions. Karl’s time was spent primarily on demonstrating the products, setting…
[COLUMN] When any conflict arises
NONE of us wants conflict. On the contrary, we all want to live in peace and harmony. But the reality is that we will always live with conflict. There will always be conflict in the family and among relatives, at work, and in the community; conflict among members of a political party, congress, and city…
LA looks to land banking to lower construction costs for affordable housing
By Pilar Marrero/Ethnic Media Services Los Angeles County is getting ready to launch a project that could lower existing barriers to building much-needed affordable housing in the region. The model, already in use in other cities, would allow the county to purchase and hold land, keeping it out of the speculative market while housing is…
Alden Richards comes to Harrah’s SoCal with special guest Sue Ramirez on Sept. 4
Alden Richards is coming to Harrah’s Resort SoCal to bring a night of non-stop entertainment to the Funner crowds. Joined by special guest Sue Ramirez, this dynamic duo is excited to perform live for fans in The Events Center. Alden Richards is recognized as Asia’s Multimedia Star and is famously known for his talents as…
[COLUMN] Senior passes away right after Chapter 13 plan confirmation
AT 90 years old, this senior was my oldest client. Everything came crashing down on him during his golden years, unfortunately. He had a business, which looked like it never made money but he kept on doing the business just because it gave him something to do every day. So, he had $34,000 in credit…
[COLUMN] Parent’s right to change child’s residence to another state in custody cases
Parents who are going through divorce and legal separation sometimes have to make a decision to move out of state for various reasons. It may be because their family network is in another state. This decision often have a significant impact on the visitation of the other parent because it would be more difficult for…
Sen. Cortez Masto announces advisory council of AAPI community leaders
Las Vegas, NV – The Cortez Masto for Senate campaign rolled out a list of 24 Nevada AAPI community leaders who are endorsing Senator Catherine Cortez Masto’s re-election and will serve as an advisory council for her campaign, supporting the senator’s AAPI outreach across the state of Nevada. “I will always be an advocate for…
Getting to know Fil-Am triple threat Frankie McNellis, starring in Netflix’s ’13: The Musical’
MEET Frankie McNellis, a 16-year-old Filipino American triple threat – she’s an actress, singer, and dancer prodigy. The young star plays the role of Lucy in the new Netflix feature adaptation of Broadway’s “13: The Musical,” streaming on Netflix starting this Friday, August 12. “I am so honored and blessed to be playing Lucy Hallman…