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…
[COLUMN] Death by COVID-19
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…
[COLUMN] Money and the simple life
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…
[COLUMN] Being fully vaccinated ushers us back faster and safely toward the ‘normal’ life we have been missing because of COVID-19
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…
Biden nominates Fil-Am veteran Gina Ortiz Jones as Air Force undersecretary
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…
‘Message to all the young Black and Filipino girls’: H.E.R. wins Oscar for Best Original Song
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…
Senate in ‘historic, bipartisan vote’ passes bill addressing surge in anti-Asian hate crimes
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…
Fil-Am group calls on US to expedite vaccine delivery to PH
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….
Miguel Sangalang confirmed as City of LA’s Bureau of Street Lighting director
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…
Giselle Töngi-Walters named FilAm Arts’ new executive director
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…
[COLUMN] IRS warning: Fraudsters exploit COVID to steal your identity
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…
[COLUMN] On being like Jesus, the Good Shepherd
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….
[COLUMN] Should I tell my boss about my medical condition?
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…
[COLUMN] Is filing bankruptcy your best option?
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…
[COLUMN] How to obtain custody and visitation rights for unmarried dads
Establishing parentage rights for Moms is a lot easier than establishing one for unmarried Dads. Moms can establish this by simply showing proof of her having given birth to the child. Family Code §7610. Establishing parentage rights, including custody and visitation rights, becomes more problematic with unmarried Dads because proving yourself as the biological father…
[COLUMN] Are income taxes owed to IRS dischargeable in bankruptcy?
ARE income taxes owed to the IRS dischargeable in bankruptcy? What do you think? Of course, they are dischargeable. There are certain conditions that have to be met but they areindeed dischargeable. Are you kidding me, you ask? No kidding, they are dischargeable. Client is in his 50s. He migrated by himself first to America,…
[COLUMN] Community pantries for hungry kababayans garner global attention as the Philippine government lags behind in pandemic aid
A COMMUNITY pantry is definitely NOT the “Communist Party.” Some people with ill intentions are linking the grassroots initiative to “communism” and creating fear and doubt among people instead of hailing the community spirit among Filipinos, that even people in other countries are now talking about. As a Bloomberg report stated: “Dozens of makeshift stalls…
‘I am healing each day’: Filipina senior attacked in NY shares road to recovery
FILIPINA American Vilma Kari is on the path of recovery nearly a month after she was brutally attacked in New York City. In an interview with ABC7 New York, 65-year-old Kari talked about the incident that left her with serious injuries, including a fractured pelvis and forehead contusions. “It’s so surreal watching that incident and…
‘Solidarity has never been more important’: Fil-Ams reflect on Derek Chauvin verdict, transforming police standards
ON Tuesday, April 20, when the guilty verdict was called in the case of George Floyd’s murder by former Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin, millions of Americans cheered for what many believed was a long-awaited serving of justice in cases involving police brutality against unarmed individuals. The jury in the highly publicized case found Chauvin guilty…