FOR Myrla Baldonado, daily walks outside have provided some solace during the pandemic lockdown. But in addition to being vigilant about COVID-19 every time she steps out of her door, she is hyper-aware of her surroundings, knowing that older Filipino Americans around her age have been targeted across the country. “I need to get my…
RENTERS in the City of Los Angeles have until the end of April to apply for the second round of rental assistance. LA, in partnership with the federal government and the State of California, has created a new emergency rental assistance program to assist low-income renters who have been unable to pay their rent due…
CALIFORNIA plans to move away from its color-coded tier system and fully reopen its economy by June 15, depending on vaccine and hospitalization numbers remaining stable. Governor Gavin Newsom announced the target data on Tuesday, April 6 and said the state must meet the criteria of sufficient vaccine supply for residents over the age of…
EXTENDING the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and four nearby provinces beyond April 11 has been ruled out by Malacañang in favor of the more lenient modified ECQ (MECQ) to curb the spike in COVID-19 cases in the country. “I don’t think ECQ for a third week is actually a possibility,” Presidential Spokesperson…
by Ethnic Media Services DR. Dali Fan, Health Science Clinical Professor at UC Davis, is also a volunteer vaccinator at a clinic on the California Northstate University campus in Elk Grove, California. In this FAQ, Dr. Fan addresses the most common questions asked by his patients regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. Three brands of the vaccine…
FILIPINO American Ron Harper Jr., son of NBA champion Ron Harper, has declared for the NBA Rookie Draft. Harper Jr., who has been with Rutgers University (RU) for three seasons, announced his intention on Saturday, April 3, in an Instagram post. “I will be entering my name into the 2021 NBA Draft while maintaining my…
DEMOCRACY is the government of the people, by the people, for the people. The laws of the land, therefore, are meant to protect the governed, and not the governor; the citizens and not the public officials who only have the power and the public trust accorded to their office by the citizens. The will of…
“Be present. It is the only thing that matters.” — Ways of the Peaceful Warrior I nearly had a vehicular accident. Operative word: Nearly. I was minding my business at a traffic stop when the vehicle before me decided to back up because her car was caught in the crosswalk. I then noticed that her…
In 2001, First 5 California debuted its informative and resource-packed Kit for New Parents to millions of families and caregivers throughout the state. However, many parents of young children, especially families from under-resourced neighborhoods, are not aware of this free and valuable tool. “Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, parents of children under the age of…
ANDRE Cadiz was having lunch outside of Dollar Hits in Los Angeles’ Historic Filipinotown on Saturday, April 3 when he heard a man yelling incoherently. The 26-year-old Filipino American graphic designer, who was sitting facing the restaurant with his back toward the strip mall’s parking lot, chose to ignore the remarks and kept eating. Then,…
POLICE are asking the public for help in its search for a man suspected of attacking a Filipina American medical worker in Los Gatos, California on March 30. The incident occurred on Tuesday, March 30, around 5 p.m. near Los Gatos Boulevard and Garden Lane, according to the Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Police Department. The 40-year-old…
In celebration of its 60th year, Ayala Foundation has kicked off “Magiting+,” a YouTube video series that shows various facets of kagitingan—valor or courage—throughout Philippine History. Featuring selections from the Ayala Museum’s beloved “Dioramas of Philippine History” and the Filipinas Heritage Library’s Retrato Collection of vintage photographs, “Magiting+” takes a close look at key events…
AMID the surge in racial violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) across the United States, Los Angeles Catholic leaders held an outdoor candlelight prayer vigil in solidarity with the affected communities. LA Archbishop José H. Gomez on Wednesday, March 31, reminded attendees that Asian American families belong to the oldest communities that arrived…
CALIFORNIANS over the age of 50 are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as the state continues its mass vaccination campaign. The expansion took effect on Thursday, April 1 to include those 50 years and older who previously did not qualify to be inoculated under one of the eligible categories. Health care workers, long-term…
Parishioners of Incarnation Catholic Church in Glendale, California observed a Eucharistic celebration of 500 Years of Christianity in the Philippines last Sunday, March 21. The event started with praying the rosary. The image of Our Lady of Solitude of Porta Vaga, Patroness of Cavite, was placed at the altar while rosary was said. Immediately after…
FILIPINA American Disney star and singer Olivia Rodrigo has returned with a follow-up to her debut smash hit “Drivers License.” Rodrigo on Thursday, April 1, released “Deja Vu” from her upcoming and highly-anticipated debut album out on May 21. In an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, the star of “The High School Musical: The…
by Michael Milan I was born in Los Angeles to immigrant parents from the Philippines. My father served in the U.S. Navy and my mother was a registered nurse who traveled across the country and finally landed in California. After my parents divorced, my sister and I stayed with our mother who raised us as…
PHILIPPINE Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. has condemned the recent brutal attack against an elderly Filipina American in New York City, saying it will influence the country’s foreign policy with the United States. “This is gravely noted and will influence Philippine foreign policy. I might as well say it, so no one on the other…
AS the COVID-19 pandemic continues, government agencies have issued guidance on how to reduce transmission of the illness. On March 4, 2021, California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) updated its guidelines regarding frequently asked questions (FAQs) on keeping workplaces safe while continuing to uphold civil and employment rights. Below are examples of FAQs…
IF Good Friday is here, can Easter be far behind? This is a rhetorical question that takes on a different meaning during these challenging times as we continue to fight the war against COVID-19, especially when we think about our loved ones in the Philippines. Every day, we read messages asking for urgent prayers as…
TWO instances of unprovoked attacks on elderly Asian women were featured on network TV in March — one in New York and the other incident, in San Francisco. The New York attack was so brutal. I’ve only seen that kind of cruelty in movies, inflicted by Nazis on prisoners of war (POWs). The 65-year-old Filipino…
HAS your income been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic? If you are currently unemployed and have no resources to pay creditors, filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy to wipe out your debts and start fresh may be the clear and only option. To file Chapter 7, you generally need to be able to show zero disposable…
Thieves’ new target: Mobile phones. People are vigilant in protecting their computers but not their cell phones; accordingly, scammers are feasting on mobile phones. The IRS FBI FTC have issued warnings about protecting phones especially when shopping. Make sure that your phones and tablets are just as secure as your computers. Federal and state agencies…
YOU and your spouse may have gone through a lengthy and contentious divorce proceeding. This is usually the most difficult period of a person’s life. Finally, time heals all pain. You and your spouse get tired of bickering and being mean to one another that you both decide to compromise on each other’s positions and…
On this Easter Sunday, I reaffirm our relentless spirit as Catholic Christians, which is evident in the ongoing worship and services worldwide amid the pandemic, whether in-person gathering or live-streamed. As I’ve always said, no pandemic or financial crisis could ever stop us from practicing and living our faith! We have a strong Church, built…
IS Chapter 7 better than Chapter 13? I would say generally speaking if you have accumulated debt that is too burdensome for you, Chapter 7 is better for you than Chapter 13 because, in Chapter 7, all your debts are wiped out, giving you a fresh start in life so you can be productive again….
FUN, fellowship, and friendship awaits all U.P. alumni in the 5th Annual Spring Fling get-together of the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA) scheduled on Saturday, April 24, 2021 from 2-5 p.m. PST via Zoom. Spring Fling is open to all U.P. alumni (UPAAGLA members and non-members) from Kern County…
FILIPINA singer Claire dela Fuente has passed away a week after testing positive for COVID-19. She was 62 years old. Her son, Gigo de Guzman, confirmed in an Instagram video that she died due to cardiac arrest on Tuesday, March 30, at around 7 a.m., adding that his mother had suffered from anxiety after contracting…
