Fil-Am teen fatally shot at Seattle home
A FILIPINO American teen was shot and killed when he answered the door of his Seattle home last week. According to police, officers were dispatched to a home in the 9200 block of Waters Avenue South in the Rainier Beach area just before 11 p.m. on Friday, April 23, after someone reported a shooting. Witnesses…
Biden urges House to pass bill expediting review of anti-Asian hate crimes
President touts pandemic recovery, reforms in first 100 days DURING his first address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, April 28, President Joe Biden called on the House of Representatives to pass the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act approved by the Senate last week. Biden thanked the Senate, which showed bipartisan support with a…
Sen. Rosen invites Las Vegas Fil-Am restaurant owner as guest to joint session of Congress
SENATOR Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) invited a Filipina American small business owner, who benefited from COVID-19 relief, as her virtual guest to President Joe Biden’s first address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, April 28. Magnolia Magat, who owns Truffles N Bacon in Regal Plaza along S. Eastern Avenue in Las Vegas, spoke with…
Modified enhanced community quarantine extended in Metro Manila, surrounding areas
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte has extended the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR) Plus until the middle of May. In his weekly public address on Wednesday, April 28, Duterte announced that Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal will remain under the second strictest quarantine classification until May 14. Santiago…
San Diego Fil-Am pleads not guilty to murder in wife’s stabbing
A FILIPINO American man accused of stabbing his wife to death at their home in San Diego, California pleaded not guilty to murder on Tuesday, April 27. Jay Barcelon, 31, is accused in the killing of Rhona Fantone, 30, at their home at 2200 Dain Court, Lemon Grove on April 16. According to the San…
Maria Ressa to receive UNESCO World Press Freedom Prize
RAPPLER co-founder and chief executive officer Maria Ressa is set to be awarded the prestigious press freedom prize from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Ressa has been named as the 2021 laureate of the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize, following the recommendation of an international jury of media professionals, the…
[WATCH] ‘Gold’ by Ella Jay Basco, featuring rapper Ruby Ibarra, embraces culture, self-love
An anthem for the Asian American community ACTRESS and singer-songwriter Ella Jay Basco released the music video for her single “Gold,” a song of empowerment featuring Bay Area rapper Ruby Ibarra, on Thursday, April 29. Known for her role as Cassandra Cain in “Birds of Prey,” the Filipina and Korean American breakout star is also…
Filipino family of 18 targeted in attempted robbery in SF Fisherman’s Wharf
A FILIPINO American family from Wisconsin was targeted in an attempted robbery while visiting Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco earlier this April. Patrick Elliott, his Filipina wife, and 16 other family members who are all from the Philippines, were on a California road trip on Monday, April 19, when they made their last stop in…
Beyond a hashtag: AAPI women, allies urge community to speak up
INFLUENTIAL celebrities banded together on Wednesday, April 21 for an evening of solidarity to support the Asian American and Pacific Islander community (AAPI) in fighting against anti-Asian hate and bigotry. Through a virtual fundraiser hosted by Public Wise and Onward Together, proceeds of the efforts will be donated to support the National Asian Pacific Women’s…
[OPINION] Potential pork crisis looming in California
AS advocacy-oriented organizations of community, faith-based, and nonprofit leaders working collectively to empower underserved communities, the National Asian American Coalition and the National Diversity Coalition have been intensely focused on providing support to those in need during the pandemic. Hopeful that the worst is behind us, we are now looking to the future. Yet, alarmingly,…
99 Ranch Market announces new location at Westfield Oakridge shopping center in San Jose
LOCAL residents in San Jose will soon have a new location to shop for their favorite groceries. 99 Ranch Market, the leading Asian grocery chain, is planning to open its second branch in San Jose later this summer. The new store will be located at 925 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose, anchoring the Westfield Oakridge…
NAAC presented with an FHLBank San Francisco-matched grant by Mechanics Bank
DALY CITY – True to its commitment, Mechanics Bank recently presented The National Asian American Coalition (NAAC) with two checks of $5,000 for a total of $10,000. The NAAC has been serving the low-to-moderate income communities across the State of California for almost 17 years, increasing sustainable homeownership and providing technical assistance to small businesses….
Can a person use a tourist visa to come to the US while waiting for a pending petition?
LEADING U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel provides the latest immigration developments and information, as featured on his YouTube channel, “US Immigration TV.” He also answers another round of questions from Kapamilyas regarding their immigration concerns. Jimmy from Fyffe, Alabama, has an approved petition for his parents. However, due to COVID, his parents have not…
[COLUMN] COVID-19 data capsules
INDIA, with a population of 1.38 billion, second to China (1.439 billion), is today’s hotbed of the COVID-19 pandemic. In three days, it saw one million new cases, with an official tally of 17.21 million infections and more than 196,000 deaths. Last week, almost 353,000 persons were infected in 24 hours. The hospitals are fully…
[COLUMN] The May 2021 priority dates
The May 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…
One and only Philippine cinema Superstar Nora Aunor turns 68 on May 21
SUPERSTAR Nora Aunor, who starred in GMA Network’s teleserye “Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit” that recently concluded its run, will celebrate her 68th birthday on Friday, May 21. La Aunor, internationally known as the one and only Superstar of the Philippine silver screen, was born in Iriga, Camarines Sur. She was the grand champion of…
DIR and California Labor Commissioner’s Office launch web-based COVID-19 paid sick leave tool
The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) and its California Labor Commissioner’s Office have launched a web-based tool in English that offers key information on the new 2021 COVID-19 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave law, Senate Bill No. 95, signed by Governor Newsom on March 19. “The 2021 Supplemental Paid Sick Leave law provides workers up to…
Supplemental security income benefits for children with disabilities
By Annie Walters/Social Security Public Affairs Specialist in Nevada Social Security’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program provides cash payments to children with disabilities whose families have limited income and resources. A child must meet the following medical requirements to be considered disabled under Social Security rules: • The child must have a medical condition, or…
Mia Manansala’s ‘Arsenic and Adobo’ puts Filipino food and family at the center of a cozy mystery
“MY name is Lila Macapagal and my life has become a rom-com cliché.” The opening lines of “Arsenic and Adobo,” the debut novel from Chicago-based author Mia P. Manansala, read like a typical romantic comedy. The leading lady, who this time happens to be a Filipina American named Lila Macapagal, moves back to her suburban…
Fil-Am personalities, community leaders sound off on what fighting anti-Asian discrimination means
ASIAN Americans, including the Filipino American community, have been experiencing an increase in reports of violent attacks against their members since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last year. From an elderly Filipino man getting his face slashed from cheek to cheek while riding the subway, to a teenager getting shot in the face at…
Consul General Edgar Badajos discusses anti-Asian hate, vaccine distribution to PH
The veteran diplomat will helm the Consul General role that presides over 1.2 million Filipinos EDGAR Badajos, the new Consul General of the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles, recently met with Filipino American media representatives to discuss a wide range of topics, including his plans to lead and streamline consular services for the region that…
PH hits 1M COVID-19 cases
THE Philippines has now recorded over 1 million COVID-19 cases, becoming the second country in Southeast Asia to reach this grim milestone. The Philippine Department of Health (DOH) on Monday, April 26, logged 8,929 new infections, bringing the official tally to 1,006,428 — of which 74,623 are active cases. Of the active cases, 95.4% are…
CDC relaxes outdoor mask guidance for fully vaccinated people
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidance on Tuesday, April 27, easing outdoor mask use for fully vaccinated individuals. Fully vaccinated people no longer need to wear a mask while engaging in outdoor activities except in certain crowded settings and venues. “If you are fully vaccinated and want to attend…
DILG urges community pantry organizers to work with LGUs, police
THE Philippine Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is urging community pantry organizers to coordinate with local government units (LGUs) and police to ensure the proper observance of health and safety protocols. “You may have given food, but this may lead to a (COVID-19) surge, outbreak or transmission, and you defeat the purpose,”…
CA Gov. Newsom to face recall election as petition gains enough signatures
THE effort to remove Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom from office has gained enough valid signatures to trigger a recall election this year, the California Secretary of State’s office announced on Monday, April 26. The announcement is huge for supporters of the effort to unseat Newsom but this doesn’t mean that a recall election will immediately…