[COLUMN] Permanent residence for crewmen
A common issue for which persons have consulted with me is whether any avenues towards permanent residence exist for a person who entered as a “crewman.” Under INA Section 245(c)(1), a person who enters the US as a “crewman” is generally barred from adjusting his status to permanent residence. Analysis of this issue must begin…
[COLUMN] Are employees legally required to sign a ‘release’ after a firing or resignation?
Q: I WAS fired from work last week and another co-worker also quit at around the same time. Our employer told us both to sign an “exit form” and a “release.” We were told that we would not get our final paycheck if we do not sign these documents. Is this legal? A: If an…
[COLUMN] Bankruptcy: When you’ve done everything you can but it’s still not good enough
WHEN debts become unmanageable, bankruptcy can become an invaluable financial recovery in helping regain control over your finances. Without the “fresh start” that bankruptcy provides, it would be impossible for a lot of people to ever pay back what they owe, and they will simply remain stuck in debt with nowhere to go. If you’ve…
[COLUMN] Should I create a will and a living trust during this pandemic?
THE COVID-19 pandemic is a scary reality which affects everyone globally and has shut down the global economy. Individuals over 60 years old and individual that are immune compromised are more at risk of having serious complications with this virus. Individuals are dying all over the world in exponential numbers. Although we cannot completely control…
[COLUMN] Clients with failed businesses using credit cards & business loans need debt relief
FIRST client is 34. She is recently married and now has a one-year old son. She used to be employed making a gross of $50K yearly. At the same time, she was doing a home-based business using credit cards to finance the purchase of goods for people who had no credit. She would use her…
[COLUMN] Once upon a time series: Meet Elaine, The Rock
Stories have the power and influence to touch the heart that a cut and dried essay or a report does not have. Somehow the lessons and insights we learn from stories have a longer shelf life. They stick. Along the way, I have met many whose stories seem like the stuff of fiction. Other stories…
Martha Millan grabs the spotlight as an undocumented Filipino character in ‘The Cleaning Lady’
MEET Martha Millan, a Filipino actress who recently made a splash in the barrier-breaking and history-setting Fox series “The Cleaning Lady” as Fiona de la Rosa, an undocumented immigrant in America. The Cleaning Lady’s diverse cast is led by French-Cambodian Elodie Yung who fans might recognize as Elektra on the Netflix series Daredevil. The show…
[OPINION] The ‘pink wave’ springs forward in the Philippines as Filipino activism blooms with Leni-Kiko
MARCH 20 marked the eve of the changing of seasons. Winter gave way to spring as activism and volunteerism saw a renaissance in the growing number of Filipinos now invested in the campaign of Leni Robredo for president and Kiko Pangilinan for vice president. From the Peoples’ Rally and caravan that kicked off the campaign…
Can K-6 grade children safely return to school without masks?
By Sunita Sohrabji/Ethnic Media Services CHILDREN ages 5-11 have one of the lowest vaccination rates of any group but are now returning to elementary schools which have no masking requirements and do not require them to stay at home if a classmate is infected. “2022 could well be the worst year of the pandemic for…
With gradual increase of new variant in Los Angeles County, layering of safety protections critical for residents
AS multiple COVID metrics continue to decline, the state is lifting the requirements for vaccine and test verification at indoor mega events starting April 1. LA County will align with the state and post an updated Health Officer Order later this week. While we’re encouraged with the progress made, as the BA.2 subvariant gradually increases…
[Obituary] Remembering Susan Dilkes, 1949-2022
Susan Espiritu Dilkes died on March 2, at her home, surrounded by family and friends. She was 72 years old. She was a mother, a wife, a grandmother, and a community leader; she had struggled with metastatic colon cancer for seven years. Susan was born in 1949, in Cebu City, in the Philippines. Later, the…
Marco Polo Plaza, Cebu Completes Premier Rooms and Suites Refurbishment
Marco Polo Plaza, Cebu today announced the completion of its renovation of 60 Premier category rooms and suites at a total investment of PHP 100 million (nearly US$ 2 million). Owned by Cathay International Resources Corporation, the hotel is popular with business and leisure travellers visiting Cebu City and part of the corporation’s continued investment…
New survey: LA County AAPI residents fear racial attacks
The Asian American and Pacific Islander community in Los Angeles County holds deep fears of racial attacks, according to a new survey released by the Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at Cal State LA and the California Community Foundation. Nearly a quarter of the 1,500 AAPI residents who were surveyed reported being a victim…
First of its kind, a new digital bank caters to the financial needs of growing Filipino American population in US
FILIPINO Americans can now sign up for the first-ever digital bank built with their cross-border financial responsibilities in mind. BayaniPay has tied up with California-based East West Bank to launch a pioneering neobank that will cater to the banking needs of more than 4 million Filipinos based in the United States. A neobank, also referred…
County safer at work program saves LA businesses millions
In Los Angeles County, programs that have already saved small businesses millions during the COVID-19 pandemic are looking for ways to expand their outreach into underserved communities. Safer At Work Los Angeles (saferatwork.la), working with partners such as PPE Unite, have provided basic support, such as communication assets for business store fronts, personal protective equipment…
[COLUMN] Save your small business without filing bankruptcy
Running a small business can have its perks although it’s often an all-consuming endeavor. The owner often has to wear many hats – from being a marketer, manager, and yes, including the often most dreaded role of all – managing the finances of the business. The sad fact is that many businesses struggle, no matter…
[OPINION] Bongbong Marcos professes he is running for president to ‘serve’ amid his tax evasion conviction and the Marcos family’s ill-gotten wealth and P203 billion unpaid estate tax
ARGUING in favor of keeping family dynasties alive and kicking in Philippine politics, the son and namesake of the deposed dictator Ferdinand Marcos says he wants to “serve”, sister Imee wants to “serve”, his son Sandro also wants to “serve” and is “very qualified” to run for Congress. It seems the word “serve” has been…
[COLUMN] Thoughts on today’s issues
NOWADAYS, people would tell me, “The world has so many problems, Father.” “That’s right,” I would respond, “We’re living in a challenging and distressing time — the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, the gas prices, the deep division in politics and society, and the secularism affecting our faith life.” Then, I reflect on what to…
[COLUMN] What are your options if you can’t pay your debts?
IF you’re traveling east on the 10 freeway from Los Angeles, eventually you will end up somewhere in Florida. It’s a long drive to cover about 2,800 miles, but that’s where the 10 freeway will bring you. I know it’s expensive right now to make this road trip because gas prices are very high, between…
[COLUMN] Frequently asked questions about California’s laws on breaks
Q: I HAVE just entered the work force and I work in the service industry on 12-hour shifts. My supervisor says I am entitled to one 30-minute lunch break and two rest breaks of 10 minutes each. A co-worker said it should actually be two lunch breaks and three rest breaks because we work 12…
[COLUMN] Do I have a community property interest in a house which my spouse acquired before our marriage?
Generally, in California, property acquired by a spouse prior to marriage is considered separate property under family code section 770 while those acquired after marriage are considered community assets under family code section 760. How do you characterize real property purchased prior to marriage but with the mortgage principal paid down using community income or…
