[COLUMN] 4th COVID-19 shot?
OMICRON is super-contagious and skyrocketing across the nation, while the virus continues to replicate and mutate mostly in the bodies of those more than 50 million unvaccinated people in the U.S. who are “carriers/transmitters” causing the current massive surges (almost a million last week) in COVID-19 infections, 70,000 hospitalizations, and about 1,300 deaths daily. Indeed,…
[COLUMN] Remember the wonder
YEAR after year without fail at around this time, December days and nights seem to slip from our grasp like fine grains of sand. The hours seem to hurtle through the day as we complete a year’s cycle and move on to the next. Many of us try in earnest to mesh the unusually heavy…
3 Fil-Ams among commissioners to Biden’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
President Joe Biden on Monday, December 20 announced his intent to appoint three Filipino American leaders to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Amy Agbayani, Teresita Batayola and Luisa Blue are among the 23 community leaders who will be appointed to serve on the commission, the White House announced on Monday….
Simbang Gabi: A revered Filipino Christmas tradition
Contributed by Manny V. Ilagan SIMBANG Gabi, which literally means “evening or night Mass,” is a Filipino Christmas tradition. As a devotional practice in the tradition of the novena, it is a series of nine evening Masses usually celebrated during Advents from December 16-24, in preparation for Christmas Day. Simbang Gabi originated from the Missa…
Community leader Melissa Ramoso becomes first Filipina American mayor of Artesia, CA
THE city of Artesia, California now has its first Filipina American mayor. Melissa Ramoso ascended to the top post after the city council’s appointment during its meeting on Monday, December 13. Ramoso, a Fil-Am community leader working in state government, previously served as mayor pro tem. “It is incredible to think that there were people…
Staying safe for the holidays: California’s top health officer on celebrating the holidays responsibly amid COVID surge
IT’S no doubt that the upcoming Christmas and New Year celebration is the most highly anticipated holiday season in recent history. The coronavirus pandemic upended the last holiday season, which largely consisted of Zoom parties, limited in-person gatherings, and generally truncated celebrations governed by the safety protocols at the time. But amid the beginnings of…
[OBITUARY] Epifanio ‘Jun’ Capistrano
It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Epifanio ‘Jun’ Capistrano on Sunday, December 12th, 2021 at the age of 69. Jun will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 35 years, Marisa; and his children, Daryll, Charmaine, and Dale. He is the oldest of two brothers and two…
[COLUMN] Greetings!
WE’RE in the fourth week of Advent, and it will be Christmas next week! Are you prepared? Prepared to welcome the celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus? As I’ve said, the Advent liturgies have allowed us to see in greater depth the meaning of Christmas, the coming of Jesus, the Word-made flesh. For…
[COLUMN] Client files Chapter 13 for $400K unsecured debt
THIS is what I call a borderline Chapter 7 case with asset. Therefore, it is the better part of caution not to file Chapter 7 because the asset may be lost in Chapter 7, while Chapter 13 is safe enough because the Chapter 13 trustee, unlike the Chapter 7 trustee does not have the power…
[COLUMN] Defending discriminated co-workers is protected activity
IN 2016, Robert Fernandez, then 70 years old and disabled due to diabetes, was hired by Puente Hills Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. Even though he had trouble walking and standing for long periods, his employer accommodated his disability. He excelled at his job and was a top producing assistant sales manager. In August 2018, the…
[COLUMN] Why using your married child as a co-borrower to refinance your house is a bad idea
MANY parents who may have problems refinancing their house due to low income in retirement or due to low credit score sometimes resort to the idea of having their married child serve as a co-borrower to refinance their house As part of the refinancing process, the parents usually adds their adult children to the deed…
[COLUMN] Read this before hiring a debt settlement company
ARE you thinking of hiring a debt settlement company to help you solve your debt problems? Before you do, maybe you should read this article as it could save you a lot of money and frustration. One reason many consumers hire a debt settlement company is because their debt amounts have become simply unaffordable to…
Daniel Corpuz finds the sweet scent of success after ‘School of Chocolate’
LIKE many others in the food and hospitality industry, Filipino American Daniel Joseph Corpuz lost his job as the global pandemic began to wreak havoc last year. “Inisip ko kung ano ang puwede kong gawin, I can’t do nothing here at home,” the chocolatier and pastry chef told the Asian Journal. Corpuz played a lot…
Filipino Americans in Northeast US gather in Jersey City for Leni Robredo
By Manny Caballero DRIVEN by a common and united desire to help make VP Leni Robredo the next president of their native country, Fil-Ams from around the East Coast trooped to this city on Sunday, Dec. 12, and joined the much-anticipated Pink Caravan For Leni. Over 250 Pinoys rode in more than 100 cars decorated…
[COLUMN] Family petitioning family for employment-based green card
Many people believe the only way to bring a family member to the U.S. is through a family petition. Auntie Eva started as a caregiver when she first set foot on American soil. Through the years, she was able to put up her own six-bed facility, but desperately needed help. Eva’s niece, Russell, just finished…
[COLUMN] No interview required
ON December 13, 2021 the Department of State (DOS) published a temporary final rule (TFR) allowing consular officers the flexibility or discretion to waive the personal appearance (or interview) of certain repeat immigrant visa applicants: (a) who were previously approved for an immigrant visa in the same classification and on the same basis as their…
Filipino Young Leaders Program, Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. and Ayala Foundation Inc. extend partnership
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C. and the Ayala Foundation Inc. extend partnership for another three years through Dec. 31, 2025. On Dec. 6, 2021, Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez, President Louella Rose Cabalona, Ayala Foundation, Inc. (AFI) President Ruel Maranan and Senior…
New York imposes new indoor mask mandate
NEW York Gov. Kathy Hochul defended her position to impose a new mask mandate in the state to curb a surge in new COVID cases and hospitalizations. “The objective is to protect the health of New Yorkers and protect the economy,” Gov. Hochul said. “It is a short term measure. Given that we are in…
Cortez Masto introduces bipartisan bill to improve small business loan program
U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) to introduce the bipartisan Streamlining EIDL Act to improve the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) application process for small businesses and combat programmatic fraud. The legislation will require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide timely and helpful responses to small business…
ACDC hosts first inaugural InspirAsian Gala
The Asian Community Development Council’s first inaugural InspirAsian Gala was held on Friday, December 3rd at the Champagne Ballroom at the Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The event honored local Las Vegas Asian American Pacific Islander trailblazers who have been instrumental in leading our community. They include: 1. Angela Castro, RTC 2. Cheryl…
ConGen Ferrer graces 50th anniversary of first Fil-Am Lions Club in US
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO – Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Frank Ferrer joined the Fil-Am Lions Club of San Francisco, the first Lions Club of Filipino ancestry in the United States, in their milestone 50th anniversary banquet and ball at the Elks Lodge in South San Francisco on November 19. In his remarks during the…
Contra Costa County health advocates warn about tobacco, vaping products proximity to schools, youth and need for TRL policies
CONTRA Costa County officials and community advocates came together in a Zoom briefing to talk about the issues attached to tobacco retailers, vaping and e-cigarettes – specifically, the products’ proximity to schools and youth, as well as its well-heeled presence in underserved, minority communities. A panel of experts led the presentation and discussion with ethnic…
[COLUMN] Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu is new Miss Universe
MISS India Harnaaz Sandhu, a Bollywood actress and model, was crowned as the 70th Miss Universe Pageant winner in rites held in Eilat, Israel on Sunday, December 12. She becomes the third contestant from India to win the title, following Sushmita Sen (1994) and Lara Dutta (2000). Along with Sandhu, South Africa’s Lalela Mswane and…
California reinforces indoor mask mandate amid COVID surge
STARTING Wednesday, Dec. 15, California will require face masks and coverings while indoors following a sharp spike in coronavirus cases since Thanksgiving. While individual counties — like Los Angeles and Ventura — have their own mask mandates, the state is moving forward to ensure all Golden State counties comply with the effort to mitigate the…
Kevin Nadal breaks barriers, named Distinguished Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice
JOHN Jay College of Criminal Justice Professor Kevin Nadal is known in the Filipino American community as an educator, psychology expert, community organizer, historian, and supporter of the arts, among many other things. The City University of New York recently named Dr. Nadal to the title of Distinguished Professor in recognition of his exceptional contributions…