WE are facing challenging times brought about by the coronavirus. Since March of last year, millions of people have lost their jobs. A lot of business owners have been forced to shut down. Surprisingly, bankruptcy filings have been down with so many people still waiting to see what happens in the next several months. Unfortunately,…
SINCE 1990, the United States government has recognized the entire month of May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM) as a way to honor the nearly 24 million Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) living in the United States. For many AAPIs, this year’s APAHM is especially poignant. Following 14 months of the coronavirus…
CALIFORNIA Gov. Gavin Newsom announced a proposal on Monday, May 10 to send more direct payments to state residents, including middle-class taxpayers. The proposal stemmed from California’s budget surplus of $75.7 billion from tax revenues, and an additional $26 billion from the federal government, allowing for $600 for each qualified taxpayer and an extra $500…
TWO-TIME Grammy Award winner Tia Carrere, along with Golden Globe nominee Lou Diamond Phillips, have joined the cast of Amblin Partners family comedy “Easter Sunday.” “Easter Sunday” will be based on the stand-up comedy and life experiences of comedy star Jo Koy, who is part Filipino, and is set around a family gathering to celebrate…
FILIPINO American Remy Martin has declared for the 2021 NBA Draft, following his four-year stint with the Arizona State Sun Devils. In a video posted on the Sun Devils’ Instagram account on May 6, the 6-foot point guard announced his intention to apply for the NBA Draft. “I just want to let you guys know…
Brothers Lucio Tan III, president and COO, and Kyle Tan, executive vice president, who are now at the helm of Tanduay’s new leadership, are eyeing a share in the country’s lucrative gin market through Ginto. Gin aged in oak barrels, this new product will be the first of its kind in the Philippines. “Gin continues…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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 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…
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®, 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…
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…
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,”…
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…
