LOS Angeles County health officials are continuing to monitor coronavirus variants as highly transmissible strains have been detected in the region. To date, the most dominant variant continues to be the delta variant, while the Mu variant is being closely monitored. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has identified 167 Mu variants in…
IF you were able to enjoy the last days of summer during the long Labor Day weekend with your family, consider yourself blessed. In many places around the United States, from coast to coast, there are people who are mourning the sudden and unexpected death of loved ones; the destruction of homes, farms, businesses and…
By Christopher M. Lapinig and Emily Ann Ramos ON September 14, California voters will decide whether to recall Governor Gavin Newsom. County registrars have already begun to send mail-in ballots to voters. We share our support for Governor Gavin Newsom and urge Filipino American voters to vote no on the recall. Governor Newsom has proven…
While appearances may deceive, more often than not, what you are is reflected on the outside. Becoming your own style icon does not mean maxing out your credit cards just to follow the latest fashion trends. Don’t do it. It’s a fool’s errand. You can never get caught up with it anyway. Fashion, like technology,…
MOST debt problems don’t go away and solve themselves. They are there when you go to bed at night, and they’re still there when you get up in the morning. They can cause a lot of ulcers, sleepless nights, stress and even physical sickness. As a bankruptcy attorney for the last 22 years, I have…
National public health officials urge unvaccinated people to stay home during Labor Day weekend AS the reported summer surge of the COVID-19 delta variant rages on, officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continue to recommend that eligible people get vaccinated and urge caution to those who are still unvaccinated. Ahead of…
Even though the public has more or less resumed public life, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the country’s most vulnerable communities, including undocumented essential workers who deserve a pathway to citizenship, immigrant advocates are arguing. Now that California seems to be gradually heading toward a post-pandemic normalcy, immigrant workers and advocates are calling on…
SOME members of the Filipino American community were among those affected by the flash floods caused by the remnants of Hurricane Ida in New York and nearby areas, according to the Philippine Consulate General in New York. In a statement posted on Facebook on Thursday, September 2, the consulate said: “The Philippine Consulate General in…
WITH a little over a month to go, a global community of Iskos and Iskas will gather the 21st Grand Reunion and Convention (GRC). Hosted by the University of the Philippines Alumni Association in America (UPAAA) and co-hosted with the UP Alumni Association of Nevada (UPAAN), the GRC will be the first-ever virtual and global event from October 22-24,…
THE Pfizer vaccine was recently granted full approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration, but if you are among one-third of the American population with lingering questions about the safety of the vaccines before you decide to get the life-saving shots, then read on, especially when time is of the essence with the…
Here are some ways to prepare for Biden’s tax increases: Accelerate 2022 income into 2021 to avail of lower tax rates in 2021. Defer 2021 deductions into 2022 when you need it more to counter higher rates in 2022. Sell long-term capital gain assets in 2021to take advantage of lower rates. Realize capital gains on…
Marriage for many persons is the culmination of one’s life. Getting married signifies the beginning of a new phase in life, both socially and economically. For those persons who lack permanent residency in the United States and have married a United States citizen, marriage also presents an opportunity to obtain permanent residency. However, although the…
THE client owns a restaurant that survived the pandemic with take-outs. The commercial lease for the restaurant is in the name of the client. The client is the sole proprietor of the restaurant, and obtained PPP loans of $80,000, and credit card debt of $120,000. All these debts were used to keep the restaurant afloat….
I WORK for a company that shorts us on pay, nothing big, like 15 minutes of overtime two to three time per week and breaks that are not provided once or twice a week. Many of my coworkers experience the same thing but shrug it off saying the back wages are too small to sue…
THIS Sunday’s First Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah (35:4-7) strikes a chord in many of us: “Thus says the Lord: Say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not!” We have heard these words echoed many times in the pulpit and in our interactions with family members and friends. Still,…
Do you have questions about REAL ID? The DMV has answers! Changes to the deadline, limited-time fee waivers, and a simplified application process have all been recently announced. Read below for details on how to get your REAL ID. Q: I paid the fee to renew my driver’s license online last year, but offices were…
A columnist will never run out of bad news to comment on — from acts of terrorism to hurricanes, floods, droughts or firestorms, and from the cruelty of men to fellow humans, to the scourge of nature and a deadly pandemic. But, this time, I would rather write about acts of human kindness and concern,…
DISNEY star and singer Olivia Rodrigo has opened up about being a role model for young Filipina American girls. In an interview with Bowen Yang for V magazine, the 18-year-old star of “The High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” shared her experience as a Fil-Am pop star. “I sometimes get DMs from little girls…
THE Philippines will keep its mandatory requirement of wearing a face shield outdoors unless the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a different policy, Malacañang said Thursday, September 2. “Sa ngayon po, wala (As of now, there is none),” said presidential spokesperson Harry Roque when asked if the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging…
LAUGHTER is the best medicine! That is why Pechanga Resort Casino welcomes the comeback of multi-faceted Filipino actor, comedian, TV host and stage performer Vice Ganda for the upcoming live performance dubbed “Vax Ganda, A Dose of Laughter” on October 15 (9 p.m.) and 16 (6 p.m.) at the halls of the Pechanga Summit, in Temecula,…
Zeena Hernandez, a New York-based Filipino American physical therapist became viral in 2019 when she and her wife Lisa Yang lifted a 253-pound barbell together after exchanging vows on their wedding day. In the local community recently, she became known when Olympic golden girl Hidilyn Diaz made a shoutout and thanked her for her guidance…
Despite California’s progress against COVID-19, we’re not out of the woods yet – too many folks in our communities remain unvaccinated, putting themselves and others who can’t get the vaccine at risk. Now, we’re facing the more contagious Delta variant. It’s more important than ever to get vaccinated – it’s how we end this pandemic….
SHOWBIZ is sometimes fleeting – you can be hugely popular at one time, and then considered a has-been the next. Or worse, a flash in the pan that no one remembers. Surviving the entertainment landscape means having to adapt, loving what you do and showing your skillset and natural talent continuously. For some actors, aging…
THERE are 321 countries and territories affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The total global number of cases as of 7:20 AM (CST), Tuesday, August 31,2021, was 218,180,175, and a death toll of 4,528,029. The COVID-19 cases in the United States, predominantly caused by the Delta variant, have surged the past few weeks. The top five…
DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: I was petitioned as “single” by my immigrant (green card) parent in 2011. The priority date is now current, and I am getting paperwork and forms from the NVC to fill out. I have a live-in partner, and we have a child together. Although we never married, we put a date of…
Mike (2nd from left) was petitioned as “single” by his mother and wanted to bring his children with him to the U.S., but his mother said, “leave the kids behind,” since their birth certificates had a date of marriage. Unfortunately, that decision resulted in many years of separation for Mike and his children. Leading U.S….
