[Opinion] Voting rights is the civil rights issue of our time
It’s the “civil rights issue of our time,” voting rights advocates say, but three different proposals to strengthen and create nationwide standards on voting are all stalled in Congress. “Democracy is facing challenges unlike any we have seen in modern time,” said Wade Henderson, CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, at…
Fil-Am candidate Arleen Rojas leads for Carson’s District 4 seat
FILIPINA American Arleen Rojas continues to lead the pack of candidates for a city council seat in Carson, California. The Los Angeles County Registrar’s Office released the semi-official results for the local and municipal elections in the county on Tuesday, November 2, which included measures in Inglewood, Commerce, and Alhambra and local offices in Carson….
City of LA starts cleanup of KTown hoarder home after Filipina neighbor sought action
After many letters to the city and a successful plea to the media spearheaded by neighbor Leticia Ruiz, the potential health hazard is finally getting under control FOR years, a Filipina resident of Los Angeles has lived next door to a hoarder whose accumulation of items and trash has become a health hazard for the…
LA City imposes vaccine proof mandate at most indoor locations starting Nov. 8
The city’s mandate expands on Los Angeles County’s separate vaccine mandate, which was enforced on Thursday, Nov. 4 STARTING on Monday, Nov. 8, anyone visiting most public businesses in the city of Los Angeles will be required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to enter, per a new city ordinance….
NCR eases to Alert Level 2
COVID-19 restrictions in Metro Manila have relaxed after Malacañang downgraded the country’s capital region to Alert Level 2 starting November 5. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque on Thursday, Nov. 4, announced that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) approved the de-escalation of the National Capital Region to Alert Level 2. “This shall take effect beginning tomorrow, November…
[COLUMN] Ahead of Thanksgiving: Jobs are up, unemployment rate down, vaccination rate now at 77%
“MAKE no mistake: An effective plan to beat the virus is the ultimate answer to how we get our economy back on track. So we should stop thinking of the health and economic responses as separate.” This was the prophetic message of then-Presidential candidate Joe Biden to the American people on April 12, 2020 as…
[COLUMN] Fr. John Cordero: Truth, light and God’s resonating words beyond the coronavirus pandemic
“Correct leadership is not a divine right, but a duty of service. We are known as Christians by our service. We have to remember our roles as servant leaders… to remember that the waters of truth are soft and gentle. It does not agitate, it does not incite, it does not flatter.” – Fr. John…
Ways to keep your child safe from COVID-19
Children 5 Years and older now eligible for vaccine Children and teens are catching and spreading COVID-19 at an increasingly high rate. Even if your child or teen has not yet contracted COVID-19, they are at risk, especially with the low number of vaccinated residents in certain states and the fact that children make up…
Schedule your child’s dental visit today
NOW that school is back in session and the holiday season is approaching, it’s time to schedule your child’s dental visit before the year ends and make sure you use your family’s yearly dental benefit. Remember that children and teens under 21 years old are able to have dental exams, teeth cleanings and fluoride varnish…
[COLUMN] The synod on synodality
SOME of you must have heard of Pope Francis’ call for a “synod on synodality.” And you might have asked what it’s all about. First of all, synod (from Greek synodos, assembly) is a local or provincial assembly of bishops and other church officials, and sometimes the laity in a diocese, meeting to resolve questions of discipline,…
[COLUMN] Can a divorcing couple agree to pay for their adult children’s college expenses in their divorce judgment?
Divorcing couples with children sometimes worry about who is going to pay for their children’s college education after the divorce once their children graduates high school. They want a guarantee that their soon to be ex-spouse will share in the college expenses of their children. This is specially the case when the other spouse has…
[COLUMN] What is a 100% plan in Chapter 13?
CLIENTS are husband and wife in their fifties. Their combined household income is a gross of $140,000 annually. They own a house with equity of $300,000 in LA. They have no dependents. At this point, I don’t see much of a financial problem because they’re grossing almost $12,000 a month. Even with a mortgage payment…
[COLUMN] Granting employees intermittent leave is reasonable accommodation
Q: I HAVE a heart condition that has become worse recently. I need to see my doctor periodically or when I feel dizzy or short of breath. This means I need to request a half-day off every now and then to see my doctor. I am afraid to tell my boss because I may get…
San Diego officials, community leaders address uptick in domestic violence in Fil-Am households
WITHIN the Filipino community, it’s considered taboo to talk about domestic violence because of a culture that taught people to keep family issues inside one’s household. Domestic violence happens when a person uses fear and intimidation to control another person. It is a form of abuse that could happen between husband and wife, partners, or…
COVID-19 vaccine for eligible children available Nov. 10 at Southern Nevada Health District’s main location
LAS VEGAS – Following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations, the Southern Nevada Health District will begin administering Pfizer’s pediatric COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 5 to 11 beginning Wednesday, November 10 at its main public health center at 280 S. Decatur, Las Vegas, NV, 89107. The vaccine is the best way to…
Pairing Filipino dishes with wine, according to Jhonel Faelnar, award-winning sommelier
Kinilaw with Chenin Blanc, Sparkling Wine with Sisig, Syrah with Lechon For someone who had almost zero knowledge about wine almost a decade ago, Jhonel Faelnar has gone a long way. Today, he is the award-winning wine director at Atomix, a Korean tasting menu restaurant in New York City with two Michelin stars. His impressive…
ConGen Ferrer meets civilian aide to US Army secretary
SAN FRANCISCO – Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Frank R. Ferrer received Civilian Aide to the U.S. Secretary of the Army (CASA) Mr. Mark Benton at the Consulate General on Sutter Street on Friday, October 29 where they discussed the Army’s objective to recruit more eligible people of various ethnicities and racial backgrounds….
South San Francisco community center renamed after Fil-Am leader Alice Peña Bulos
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO – Philippine Consul General Neil Frank R. Ferrer attended the rededication of the Westborough Recreation Center in South San Francisco City as the Alice Peña Bulos Community Center in ceremonies held on Saturday, October 23, two days after Peña Bulos’s fifth death anniversary. In the event hosted by South San Francisco City…
CDC endorses vaccines for children 5 to 11
CHILDREN as young as 5 years old in the United States can now get the COVID-19 vaccine as the country further expands its vaccination campaign. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday, November 2, endorsed its advisory committee’s recommendation to administer the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to children ages 5 to 11. “We know…
[COLUMN] Wendell Ramos’ advise to son, daughter on joining showbiz
RECENTLY, siblings Saviour and Tanya Ramos became contract artists of the GMA Artist Center (GMAAC). Unknown to their dad, actor/host/model Wendell Ramos, the two had auditioned, underwent the panel interviews and were some of the hopefuls who were offered contracts. According to a story on PEP.ph, the Ramos siblings said their dad was not at…
[COLUMN] Why is my case taking so long at USCIS?
IT can be extremely frustrating about how long USCIS takes to process petitions, extensions, work authorizations, adjustment of status, and applications. For example, at the California Service Center: It can take up to 32 months for USCIS to process an “immediate relative” (IR) petition by a U.S. citizen of their spouse, parent, or minor child….
[COLUMN] Niece petitions her aunt as housekeeper this Sunday, Nov. 7 on Citizen Pinoy
Many people believe the only way to bring relatives to the U.S. is through a family petition. This is not true. Family can petition other family members through an employment-based visa, which can be much faster and is perfectly legal. This is exactly what Ana (center) did when she petitioned her aunt Susan (left) as…
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy narrowly wins re-election
Phil Murphy narrowly defeated his GOP opponent Jack Ciattarelli, becoming the first Democratic governor to win reelection in New Jersey since 1977, according to a projection by The Associated Press on Wednesday evening, Nov. 3. AP said that ballots remaining to be counted included a significant number of votes from predominantly Democratic Essex County, along with…
‘Health Day sa Konsulado’ brings free medical services, education to Filipino community in SF
SAN FRANCISCO – The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco (PCGSF), in collaboration with the Philippine Medical Society of Northern California (PMSNC), successfully conducted the first ever “Health Day sa Konsulado” on Thursday, October 28 at the Philippine Center in San Francisco’s Kalayaan Hall. Almost 100 clients availed themselves of the program’s free health screenings,…