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…
Filipino father killed in San Jose mass shooting
By Ritchel Mendiola and Caroline Giovanie A FILIPINO father was among the nine employees killed at a San Jose rail yard on Wednesday, May 26, marking California’s deadliest mass shooting this year. Paul Delacruz Megia and eight other Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) workers were fatally shot by a disgruntled colleague on Wednesday. The…
Poll: More Americans find anti-Asian hate increasing
A MAJORITY of Americans across racial and ethnic groups believe that discrimination against Asian Americans has worsened over the past year, according to a new poll. A poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research released on Wednesday, May 26 highlights the increase in anti-Asian hate and violence as a result of the…
Biden signs executive order to establish White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders
President Joe Biden signed an executive order establishing the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) on Friday, May 28 as AANHPI Heritage Month comes to a close. The initiative — which is intended to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for the AANHPI communities — will prioritize the response to the…
AANHPI Heritage Month exhibit at White House features several historic artifacts, including shoes from Filipina ballet dancer Stella Abrera
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, in coordination with the White House and U.S. Department of Education, is honoring Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month by installing a physical display of artifacts into the White House’s East Wing. The exhibit, which began on May 12, will tentatively last through June 7….
Panelo: Duterte may consider running for vice president in 2022
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte may run for the second-highest post in the country in the 2022 elections if there is a public “clamor,” according to Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo. “Si presidente, tatakbo lang ‘yan pag nakita niya may clamor, ‘pag malakas ang clamor (The president will only run if he sees that there…
LV nurses honored during Asian Pacific American History Month
WRAPPING up Asian Pacific American History Month with a bang, the National Federation of Filipino American Association-Nevada (NaFFAA-NV) joined forces with Bamboo Bridges and SEIU Local 1107 to honor our local nurses this National Nurses Month. Rep. Dina Titus of Nevada’s 1st congressional district attended and gave kudos to these community heroes. She also announced…
[OPINION] Health care is a right, and the Nevada Public Option gets us there
by Carlo Miciano, R.N. Everyone should have access to adequate health care regardless of their ability to pay or socioeconomic status; however, this is not the case in Nevada and similarly across the nation. Most individuals and families are not sufficiently insured or lack insurance, which prevents them from addressing basic health needs, such as…
‘An Asian American story of intergenerational courage’: One family’s fight against anti-Asian racism
WITH the current rise in anti-Asian hate and discrimination across the country, Asian Americans have been opening up about their family histories and personal experiences with racial bias. Though there’s national attention on the community’s current plight, Asian Americans note that this moment isn’t new — but the pandemic has brought the issues back to…
Netflix’s anime series ‘Trese’ features all-star Filipino cast
NETFLIX has announced the complete English and Filipino language voice cast for its highly-anticipated original anime series “Trese.” The streaming giant on Friday, May 21, revealed that Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger, “The Good Place” star Manny Jacinto, and award-winning actor Darren Criss are among the Hollywood celebrities with Filipino blood to join the series….
Movement to name a US Navy warship after Filipino American Telesforo Trinidad gains traction
MORE than a century after Telesforo Trinidad heroically rescued a couple of his fellow crew members in a boiler room fire aboard USS San Diego and earned him a U.S. Navy medal of honor, advocates are urging the Navy secretary to name a Navy warship in his honor. Over the weekend, Filipino and Asian Pacific…
[COLUMN] The June 2021 priority dates
THE June 2021 priority dates, continue to provide great news for workers in the EB-3 (skilled/professional) and “other worker” (unskilled workers like caregivers). The priority dates for all countries (except India and China) are CURRENT! This includes the Philippines! This means visas are available, regardless of the person’s priority date. If a person is being…