[COLUMN] Reasonable accommodation for pregnancy-related disability
Q: I worked in healthcare in Los Angeles. Several months ago, I was pregnant. My doctor ordered me to take leave from work because my pregnancy was high-risk. My employer granted me leave. However, two weeks into my leave, I miscarried, and due to complications, I had to have surgery. My doctor advised me to…
City of LA celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with virtual ceremony
TO commemorate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Los Angeles on Thursday, May 6, recognized high-profile personalities, elected officials, community leaders and businesses who have contributed to the city and various industries. The virtual celebration and awards ceremony was organized and hosted by the 2021 Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Committee chaired by Councilmember John Lee,…
Nearly half of Asian Americans in California are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19
30 million vaccine doses administered in CA AS California prepares for a total reopening of the state, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) reported this week that hospitalizations and positive case rates for COVID-19 continue to decrease as vaccinations increase. In California (which is home to nearly 40 million people), more than 30 million…
[COLUMN] Mothers’ Day wish: Let’s all get vaccinated to attain herd immunity, save lives, and win the war against COVID-19
THIS piece is a tribute to all mothers as we celebrate Mothers’ Day this weekend. We all have been blessed with life because we have a mother who nurtured us in her womb and took care of us when we were so fragile and helpless, until we were able to stretch our wings and soar…
[COLUMN] IRS warns tax preparers of new email scam
SCAMMERS become more active during tax filing season — their hunting season. The prey: your own tax preparer who has troves of social security numbers, birthdays and bank account numbers. Thieves from the dark web have become more active again this 2021 tax filing season. The IRS warns tax pros not to respond to the…
[COLUMN] Debtor with $500K home equity seeks Chapter 7 relief for $420K lease liability
THE client is 50. He bought a restaurant in November of 2019. What’s the worst time to buy a restaurant in the history of the human race? November of 2019 sounds about right. He signed a five-year lease for the restaurant for $6,000 a month. That’s $72,000 a year. For five years, he’s on the…
[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 US Citizens sponsoring an alien for legal permanent residency execute an immigration form I-864 Affidavit of Support. This is an agreement between the US Government and the Sponsor to promise to support the immigrant beneficiary seeking admission to the US at a level…
[COLUMN] Maximizing recovery in personal injury cases
Dear Attorney Tan, I was driving home and was at a complete stop when another driver rear ended my car. I was not feeling well after the accident, as my back seemed very tight and stiff. I took some days off from work. After a week, I contacted the other driver’s insurance to report the…
Celebrate your mom this Mother’s Day, but protect her by keeping masks on
By Sunita Sohrabji / Ethnic Media Services Contributing Editor CARMELA Bernal vividly remembers “El Dia de la Madre” Mother’s Day celebrations of her childhood. “The whole family would get together in my uncle’s backyard: 20, 30 people and lots of kids,” said the fledgling artist, who grew up in San Bruno, California. “Uncle would bring…
Filipina teen wins New York Times’ STEM writing contest
A 16-year-old Filipina is among the 11 winners of The Learning Network’s second annual STEM Writing Contest organized by the New York Times. Natalia Araña, a Grade 11 student from the Philippine Science High School in Quezon City, won with her essay titled “Mycowood Violins: A Different Kind of Time Machine,” which focuses on scientist…
Rabiya Mateo apologizes for Filipinos’ racist comments directed at fellow Miss Universe candidates
MISS Universe Philippines Rabiya Mateo has apologized to Miss Universe Canada Nova Stevens and Miss Universe Thailand Amanda Obdam following some racist comments from Filipino fans. During a virtual press conference on Wednesday, May 5, Mateo addressed the hate directed towards her fellow competitors. “You know what, it makes me really sad. I saw the…
New Consul General Badajos meets with Vegas’ Fil-Am community during outreach mission
PHILIPPINE Consul General Edgar Badajos, who recently took the helm of the Consulate General in Los Angeles, led the team’s first outreach mission in Las Vegas at the beginning of May. From May 1-2, the outreach efforts held at Santa Fe Station Hotel rendered 609 consular services, including applications for passport renewal, dual citizenship, and…
LA County approves motion to address anti-Asian hate during AAPI Heritage Month
THE Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, May 4 unanimously approved a motion that will continue to address anti-Asian hate in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, starting with exploring the feasibility of making accessible bystander intervention training for county employees. The motion was authored by Chair Hilda L. Solis,…
Mayor Gloria appoints Fil-Am community leaders to Asian Pacific Islander Advisory Group
Mayor Todd Gloria announced on Tuesday, May 4 the formation of his administration’s Asian-Pacific Islander (API) Advisory Group as a part of his commitment to ensure more diversity, inclusion, and equity in the City of San Diego. “San Diego is home to a rich and diverse Asian and Pacific Islander community. Having a ‘San Diego…
Campaign seeks to have first US Navy ship named after Fil-Am
BERKELEY – In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and in keeping with this year’s theme of “Advancing Leaders through Purpose-Driven Service,” the USS Telesforo Trinidad Campaign (USSTTC) honors thousands of Filipinos and Americans of Filipino descent who have served faithfully in the U.S. Armed Forces since 1901, when President McKinley signed…
Panda Express reinforces its commitment to uplifting communities with a $10-M pledge to diversity, equity & inclusion
Panda Express®, the largest family-owned and operated Asian dining concept in the U.S., was built on a foundation of bridging cultures—and flavors— to bring people together. Having always had deep relationships in the diverse communities it serves, Panda is proud to launch the Panda CommUnity Fund — a $10 million community investment and response program…
Kiefer Ravena becomes first Filipino athlete signed with Jordan Brand
NLEX Road Warriors guard Kiefer Ravena has joined the iconic Jordan Brand. Ravena made the announcement on Tuesday, May 4, becoming the first Filipino athlete to become a member of the Jordan Brand family. “It’s an honor for me to be part of this basketball family. I’m both thankful and excited to be the first…
NYC sets July 1 reopening
After more than a year of shutdown, New York City is set to fully reopen starting July 1, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced last week. The city was shut down in March 2020 and later became the country’s epicenter for COVID-19 infections and deaths. “This is going to be the summer of New York City,”…
Advancing Justice-LA launches Bystander Intervention Initiative to combat anti-Asian harassment
Initiative includes PSA narrated by actor Ken Jeong, free training workshops LOS ANGELES – In response to the alarming surge in hate incidents targeting the Asian American community, Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles, a leading legal and civil rights organization, is launching its first-ever bystander intervention initiative. The effort includes the debut of a PSA…
Fil-Am siblings killed by driver fleeing police in San Jose
TWO Filipino American siblings were killed after a fleeing vehicle crashed into their car in San Jose, California last week. The Santa Clara County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as Precious Nievas, 25, and her brother Philip Nievas, 22, both of San Jose, according to a report from KTVU News. The siblings were on their…
PH grants EUA to Moderna’s COVID-19 jabs
THE Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the emergency use authorization (EUA) for Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine. “Today, after rigorous and thorough review by regulatory and medical experts using the currently available published and unpublished data, FDA is granting an emergency use authorization to Zuellig Pharma Corp. for the…COVID-19 vaccine Moderna,” FDA Director General…
SOMA Pilipinas celebrates 5 years of advocacy work at Kapwa Gardens in SF
SAN FRANCISCO – Trendsetting cultural district SOMA Pilipinas marked its fifth year of advocating for Filipino residents, businesses, heritage and culture/arts in the South of Market (SoMa) area as it hosted an event limited to 100 guests at the newly-opened Kapwa Gardens on Thursday, April 29. Led by executive director Raquel Redondiez, SOMA Pilipinas was the…
CA COVID-19 Rent Relief program provides free financial assistance to income eligible households for unpaid rent and utilities
Rent relief is now available for California landlords and their renters who are struggling to pay rent or utilities due to COVID-19. Income eligible renters can apply for help to pay rent and utilities, both for past due and future payments, provided they meet certain eligibility requirements. Renters and landlords can verify eligibility immediately by…
This Mother’s Day, Citizen Pinoy celebrates mothers who were champions in their family’s immigration journey
Leading U.S. Immigration Attorney Michael J. Gurfinkel also presents the latest in immigration news and analysis, and provides the latest highlights from his YouTube channel, US Immigration TV. Millet (bottom left) brought her two daughters, Ana and Yna, to the U.S., and they became undocumented. While they were growing up, Millet had to tell her…
[COLUMN] DOS provides update on immigrant visa prioritization
IT can be extremely frustrating for anyone outside the U.S. waiting for their immigrant visa interview, and for their family members in the U.S., anxiously awaiting their arrival. You have endured delays, interview cancellations, and uncertainty caused by the COVID-19 lockdowns and shutdowns, and by former Pres. Trump’s immigration ban. The main question on everyone’s…