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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
“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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,”…
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…
As much as one might be prepared for the death of a dear friend or a close relative, we are never ready to receive such news. Over the weekend, I received a Viber message from a family friend that read, “Hi Eric, just to inform you that Rod (not his real name) passed away due…
THERE are no shortcuts in arriving at a decision to live a simple life. Sometimes, one has to go through a personal hell experiencing an inner fatigue and helplessness over the never-ending chase for the almighty dollar and quality of life in order to come to a conclusion that there has to be a better…
IF you have been fully vaccinated, you don’t have to wear a mask outdoors when you take a walk, go to the park, enjoy picnics and barbecues with family and friends, bike or eat outside at restaurants, as long you are not with a big crowd. This is what the Centers for Disease Control and…
GINA Ortiz Jones, a Filipina American Iraq War veteran who ran for U.S. Congress twice, will be President Joe Biden’s nominee for undersecretary of the Air Force. Jones, who is openly gay, is tapped to be the No. 2 in command in the military branch where she served as an intelligence officer during the “Don’t…
R&B singer-songwriter H.E.R. has earned her first Oscar for her song “Fight For You” from “Judas and the Black Messiah.” The 23-year-old artist, who is Black and Filipina, took home the Oscar for Best Original Song at the 93rd Academy Awards on Sunday, April 25. The song beat out fellow nominees “Husavik” from “Eurovision Song…
AAPI groups call on more community-centered policies WITH overwhelming bipartisan support, the United States Senate on Thursday, April 22 approved a hate crimes bill in response to the recent surge in violence and discrimination against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a 94-1 vote, the COVID-19 Hate Crimes…
A FILIPINO American group is urging the U.S. government to expedite the release of three million doses of the Moderna vaccine purchased by the Philippines. The Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), a group of young Fil-Am professionals, on Thursday, April 22, launched the #ModernaVax2PH campaign, urging the community to join in adding pressure on U.S….
Fil-Am public servant previously served as deputy mayor for budget and innovation THE Los Angeles City Council on Wednesday, April 21 confirmed a Filipino American public servant to lead the city’s Bureau of Street Lighting. Miguel Sangalang is the new director of the bureau that oversees the maintenance and improvement of LA’s 220,000 street lighting…
THE board of directors of the Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture, also known as “FilAm Arts,” has named Giselle Töngi-Walters as the organization’s Executive Director — only its third-ever in its near quarter of a century history. FilAm Arts is a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles with a mission…
Opportunistic scammers are exploiting COVID to steal from you. IRS warns that dark web thieves are targeting tax preparers and taxpayers. These dirty criminals constantly mutate like the virus. These filthy scammers have been busy targeting economic stimulus payment. Here are some basic security guidance for individual taxpayers, business taxpayers and tax professionals. Protect personal…
OUR image of Jesus may often be the nice and sweet person who does not cause troubles in our lives. That’s far from the totality of Jesus that we hear in the Scriptures. He was not always nice and sweet. He didn’t keep quiet when he saw things in disorder. He didn’t always appease people….
Q: I WAS diagnosed with a spine compression fracture and severe depression. I want to request leave but want to keep my privacy at work. Do I need to tell my employer about my medical or psychological condition? A: No. The employee is not required to disclose the nature of the employee’s medical condition or…
THIS is one thing I hear from people all the time: “If you ask me, I really hate doing this, but I feel I have no choice.” Of course, no one ever wakes up one morning and decide to just file bankruptcy without seriously thinking it over. Usually, people spend a lot of time going…
