Catch the First Installment of Citizen Pinoy’s Very First Virtual Q&A on U.S. Immigration – AXG: Abunda and Gurfinkel
Asia’s King of Talk, Boy Abunda, and leading U.S. immigration attorney, Michael J. Gurfinkel, lead the discussion in the first virtual forum where Atty. Gurfinkel provides answers and relevant information to viewers’ immigration questions. Elaine, from Fairfield, California, wants to know if her sister’s family can be interviewed on an expedited basis. She is worried…
[OBITUARY] Engr. Antonio Santos, 90
Antonio G. Santos – July 4, 1930 to May 13, 2021 ENGINEER Antonio G. Santos passed away on May 13, 2021. He was 90. Antonio was the fourth son among eight siblings from the marital union of Maria Belen Galang and Vicente T. Santos. Growing up in their ancestral house in Ipil St. in Tayabas, a…
Together again after months apart: A perspective
AS CDC guidelines ease, Holy Name of Mary Parish in San Dimas, California re-opened its door to parishioners last Sunday, May 23 at masses held in various times. It was held at the Feast of Pentecost, commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus. This represents the birth…
Filipino American-led ‘We Heart L.A. Parks’ celebrates the rich history of Los Angeles parks and the diverse communities that uplift them
Filipina American publisher Teena Apeles details the activity book’s complicated conception and creation during quarantine Los Angeles is known for many things. It’s the birthplace of modern entertainment, it’s the capital of celebrity and all things glamour, and it’s home to a pastiche of communities that make LA a one-of-a-kind global city. But what people…
Fil-Am boxer Nonito Donaire makes history with KO win over Oubaali
FILIPINO American boxer Nonito Donaire on Saturday, May 29 cemented his Hall of Fame credentials after knocking out Nordine Oubaali for the World Boxing Council bantamweight title in Carson, California. The 38-year-old “Filipino Flash” scored two knockdowns during the third round and delivered the final blow at the 1:52 mark of the fourth round, dealing…
Duterte urged to run for VP in 2022
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte’s next role: vice president? The Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan’s (PDP-Laban) national council has adopted a resolution urging Duterte to run for the country’s second-highest office in the 2022 elections. Adopted during a National Council Assembly in Cebu City, the resolution also urged Duterte to name his running mate for president in…
NCR Plus to remain under GCQ ‘with restrictions’ until June 15
THE Philippines’ National Capital Region (NCR) Plus will remain under the general community quarantine (GCQ) “with restrictions” from June 1 to 15. President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, May 31, extended the GCQ status in the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal following the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of…
Fil-Am man photographed with ‘walis tambo’ arrested for participation in US Capitol riot
THE man who was photographed carrying a “walis tambo” (broom) during the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol has been arrested in Norfolk, Virginia. Kene Brian Lazo was arrested on Friday, May 28, by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents over charges related to the U.S. Capitol breach. On Jan. 6, supporters of…
Hesitancy and lack of access contribute to low rates of kids vaccinated
By Jenny Manrique/Ethnic Media Services Vaccinating 12 to 17 year olds will be one of the great milestones in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S., experts speaking on an Ethnic Media Services news briefing agreed. As many as 22 million children and adolescents, 5 to 17 years, have been infected in the US since…
[OPINION] Dear Filipinos in America: It is time we save the democracy of the United States from members of the Republican Party who fail to live up to their oath to defend the Constitution
JANUARY 6, 2021 will forever be etched in our history as the day in our history when the august chambers of the nation’s Capitol was attacked by die-hard fanatics of then President Donald Trump to stop the Constitutionally mandated electoral college vote count that would officially confirm President-Elect Joe Biden’s victory. This fatal breach tragically…
[COLUMN] Scam-proofing basics 101
YEARS ago, I came across an email message from a legitimate contact telling me of a sad story and asking for emergency money in a far-off land. I searched some phrases and sure enough, it was a scam. Out it went with the spam trash. My take on this: my contact’s email was breached and…
DOT-TPB resumes 50% RT-PCR test subsidy for qualified domestic tourists
The Department of Tourism (DOT) announced on Tuesday (June 2) that it would resume subsidizing the 50 percent RT-PCR testing for qualified domestic tourists, through the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing and promotions arm of DOT, following the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to…
Red Roses for St. Jude: A live virtual benefit concert with AJ Rafael and friends
Help end childhood cancer by supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on June 7 on Twitch ON Monday, June 7, from 7-9 p.m. PDT, leading musician and artist AJ Rafael will host a special benefit concert on Twitch to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of his “Red Roses” album and to raise awareness and support the…
Give your child the Mapúa education back home even outside the Philippines with fully online undergraduate programs
Many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have established their careers and flourished as engineers and information technology (IT) professionals abroad with the help of their excellent academic training in the Philippines. Such success has also enabled a good number of them to have their own families on foreign soil. With their attainment of professional and personal…
Fil-Am comedian Jo Koy to star in ABC sitcom ‘Josep’
FILIPINO American stand-up comedian Jo Koy is set to star in and executive produce an upcoming sitcom for U.S. media network ABC. “Josep” is described as a “single-camera sitcom based on the life of a hardworking Filipino American nurse” as he “navigates dating, fatherhood and his mother moving in with him.” Variety reported that the…
PWC’s Team and Changes program helps Filipinos pay for phone, internet and utility bills during pandemic
THE Pilipino Workers Center, through its Team and Changes Program, is finding ways to provide resources and financial aid to Filipino individuals and families struggling to pay their bills during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are many programs available that could help lower down phone, internet, and utility bills for those who qualify. One such program…
Vaccinated Californians could win up to $1.5-M in new incentive program
CALIFORNIANS could win up to $1.5 million in a new effort to get more residents vaccinated leading up to the state’s reopening on June 15. Governor Gavin Newsom on Thursday, May 27 launched the “Vax for the Win” incentive program with a $116.5 million price tag — which will include $100 million in $50 prepaid…
California AG Rob Bonta sounds off on issues since taking office — from hate crimes to int’l Ponzi scheme targeting elderly Filipinos
‘My goal is to protect Californians who are hurt’ AS Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) comes to a close, the vast Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community continues to reflect on its history and the current seismic cultural shift in the wake of countless attacks against the community. In California, home to nearly…
Philippine Airlines’ transfer to new LAX gate deferred to June 15
PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) will transfer to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)’s newly built facility on June 15, two weeks after the previously announced date. In an advisory dated Friday, May 28, the flag carrier updated passengers that the transfer to the Midfield Satellite Concourse (MSC), which is known as the West Gates at the Tom…
Los Angeles launches ‘LA for All’ in Tagalog, other languages
CITY leaders and local artists launched “LA for All,” a multilingual PSA campaign led by the Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department (LA Civil Rights) to share resources for reporting hate crimes and hate incidents, as well as celebrate diversity, belonging and inclusion in Los Angeles. The campaign was officially launched on Wednesday, May…
[COLUMN] How many more words before we can all breathe?
LAST summer around this time, America’s psyche was traumatized when Derek Chauvin, a white policeman in uniform, knelt on the neck of an African American man named George Floyd, for what we thought was 8 minutes and 46 seconds. It was not. Based on the testimony a year later of brave 17-year-old Darnella Frazier, it…
[COLUMN] Part I: To stay or say goodbye? Women facing a crossroads in the journey to forever love in marriage
THE coronavirus pandemic has not only disrupted life as we knew it before March 2020, it has been a painful catalyst agent that has forced us to look deep inside our hearts and come to terms with who we really are, what we stand for, and what truly matters to us. With the realization of…
Emmy Award-winning host and activist Jeannie Mai joins Owl’s Brew as chief brand officer
Jeannie Mai, an Asian American Emmy Award-winning host and anti-trafficking activist, has a new role up her sleeve. Mai was recently announced as the chief brand officer of Owl’s Brew, the leader in tea-based spiked and sparkling beverages, and will be assisting with new product innovations and overall brand strategy. The hard tea seltzer features…
[COLUMN] Should you be paid for work before you clock-in?
Q: I WORK as a “team member” in the service industry in Los Angeles. Before we clock-in for our shift, we are required to attend a “huddle,” or a meeting where we discuss events during prior shifts, our assignments, etc. These “huddles” last 15 to 20 minutes every day. Should we be paid for these…
[COLUMN] How all will know that we are Jesus’ disciples
“Together in prayer for peace and unity.” It was the theme of our prayer vigil and peace walk last weekend. We demonstrated through prayer and action our ardent desire for peace and unity in our country, world, and communities. It’s the earnest desire of Jesus that we become united in mind and heart and live…
[COLUMN] Couple wonders how to tackle debt relief for wife
LET me give you the background on this case. The husband is 81 but still looks active. He is slim and sprightly. The wife is 79 and looks nervous. Normally, spouses are on the same track and agree with what has to be done. But in this case, I’m not sure what is going on….
[COLUMN] Can I enforce a form I-864 Affidavit of Support in divorce proceedings?
THE Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 requires that U.S. Citizens sponsoring an alien for legal permanent residency execute an immigration form I-864 Affidavit of Support. This is an agreement between the U.S. Government and the Sponsor to promise to support the immigrant beneficiary seeking admission to the U.S. at a level…
[COLUMN] How to reduce your chances of IRS audit in 2021
THE IRS was underfunded under the Trump Administration. It didn’t have enough personnel to accomplish its goal. With skeleton force, audit rate declined to only 1/2 percent (less than half the returns they audited in 2010). Even with super low rates, you may still be a target if your tax return contains red flags. Let’s discuss…