AAPI lawmakers meet with Biden, Harris to double down on solutions to combat anti-Asian violence
PRESIDENT Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met with members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus on Thursday, April 15 in the wake of recent anti-Asian attacks and other issues facing the community during the pandemic. The meeting at the White House came nearly a month after shootings at three Atlanta-area spas that…
Guapdad 4000, !IImind explore the cultural bridge between Filipino and American cultures in ‘1176’
Catching up with two of the most unique voices in the hip-hop and R&B space AMONG the album releases of 2021, none so far have taken listeners on a winding journey of self-reflection and clashes of culture more than “1176,” the latest collaboration album from Filipino Americans singer-rapper Guapdad 4000 and Grammy-winning producer !llmind. Named…
PH extends entry ban on foreign travelers until April 30
THE Philippines has extended its entry ban on foreign nationals until the end of April. Malacañang on Friday, April 16, announced that the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases approved “the extension of the temporary suspension of foreign nationals until April 30, 2021.” Last month, the National Task Force Against…
Fil-Am startup Plentina raises $2.2M to accelerate credit access in Southeast Asia
MANY startups have attempted to unlock financial services in Southeast Asian emerging markets, where credit card penetration is under 10%. Consumers in the Philippines have lost trust in a system rife with illegitimate and predatory lenders. A new FinTech startup, Plentina, is leveraging machine learning and retail partnerships to help rebuild that trust. Plentina closed…
[COLUMN] On expanding one’s heart for love and mercy
If you google the word, minimalism, you will learn that it is a lifestyle of simplicity and moderation. It’s living with less possession and tempering excessiveness and passion for more wealth, objects, and experience. So, minimalists have few pieces of furniture and less clutter in their house. They party and travel less. They avoid too…
[COLUMN] Tough financial times never last, but tough people do
You’re doing fine. You’re paying your bills on time and you have your debts under control. You’ve even managed to set aside a bit of savings in your bank account. You’re happy and life is good- at least for a moment. Then one day you find yourself in a big financial mess. You’ve used up…
[COLUMN] K-1 visa: Fiancé visa to marry US citizen
IN previous editions of this article, the process of obtaining permanent residence through marriage was explored. Discussion of that procedure began with the supposition that the couple was married, and continued with the various steps to ultimately gain permanent residence. In many cases, however, a problem exists in even getting to the point at which…
As school districts reopen, advocacy group urges schools to ensure well-being of AAPI students
AS school districts across the country prepare to return to in-person learning, the social advocacy group Stop AAPI Hate is urging K-12 institutions to take precautions and prioritize the well-being and safety of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) students. The threat of anti-Asian harassment and violence is still very much present among AAPI communities…
[COLUMN] IRS: Here are 12 ways to protect yourself from scammers
IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig described the combination of tax filing season, COVID, and work-from-home as hunting season for online thieves. Dark web scammers are the hunters and you are the game, unfortunately. Here are ways to protect yourself: • Install anti-virus software with a feature to stop malware. • Update your security software for both…
[OPINION] Enough of the wars! Let’s welcome our troops back home from Afghanistan on September 11, 2021
EVERY TIME we watch funerals and burials of our fallen soldiers, every time we see and hear the pain, the anguish, the indescribable sense of loss in the eyes and the tears and the trembling voice of their bereaved spouse, children, parents, friends and comrades, we cannot help but break down inside. After all, these…
[OPINION] Pragmatism vs ideology: Why rule of law should not be political
In 2016, I was a victim of crime. This came shortly after the passage of Prop 47 when certain violent and property crimes increased due to lighter sentencing. For me, the result was having my pickup truck stolen. Twelve days later, it would be found stripped apart in Compton, California. Sadly, this was a statistic…
4 distinguished University of the Philippines grads honored during the first alumni awards night
FOUR University of the Philippines alumni were honored at a recent virtual ceremony hosted by the UP Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA). Mario C. Ignacio, retired chief accounting employee of the L.A. Department of Water & Power; Marlon Saria, nurse specialist & nurse scientist; Elsa Matteo Gillham, past Rotary Club District Governor; and…
Eva Noblezada joins comedy film ‘Easter Sunday’
TWO-TIME Tony nominee Eva Noblezada has joined the cast of Amblin Partners family comedy “Easter Sunday.” Along with Noblezada is comedian and actor Brandon Wardell, known for his work on Comedy Central and appearances in “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Like and Subscribe,” according to Deadline. “Easter Sunday” will be based on the stand-up comedy and life…
[COLUMN] Employees’ right to sit down at work
EVA Sharp worked as a cashier for Safeway, a large American grocery chain with headquarters in California. She initially filed a class action case on behalf of cashiers and other employees, alleging that Safeway failed to provide employees with suitable seating while performing their work tasks. Sharp also filed the lawsuit on behalf of the…
More Filipino World War II veterans and their families honored during virtual Congressional Gold Medal Awards ceremony
OVER two dozen Filipino veterans of World War II were recently honored at a Congressional Gold Medal Award ceremony hosted by the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FILVETREP). The virtual ceremony was held on Sunday, April 11, to pay tribute to the Filipino American WWII soldiers who fought against the Japanese Imperial forces in…
Nevada to fully reopen by June 1
AFTER more than a year of COVID-19 restrictions, Nevada is looking to bounce back and fully reopen its economy by June. Governor Steve Sisolak this week announced the goal for all counties in the Silver State to reopen at 100% capacity for businesses and activities by June 1. “Nevada, we are closer to the end…
Boba ice cream debuts at Magnolia Ice Cream and Treats
FOR a limited time only, Magnolia Ice Cream and Treats is adding ube and mango boba ice cream to their menu. The exclusive menu item will be available in all Magnolia Ice Cream and Treats stores in Las Vegas, San Francisco and Honolulu starting April 16th. Magnolia’s two most popular ice cream flavors just got…
Fil-Am star Olivia Rodrigo announces debut album
FILIPINA American Disney actress and singer Olivia Rodrigo has revealed the details for her upcoming album out on May 21. The “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” breakout star on Tuesday, April 13, announced her highly-anticipated debut album titled “Sour.” She also shared the album artwork which features Rodrigo sticking out her tongue with…
Palace expects China to withdraw ships in West PH Sea soon
Malacañang expressed optimism that the Chinese vessels in the West Philippine Sea will leave “soon” due to the close friendship between the Philippines and China. “Inaasahan po natin na ‘yung malapit na pagkakaibigan natin, magiging dahilan kung bakit sila ay aalis ng maaga kaysa nang mas matagal (We expect that the close friendship will be…
San Jose pays tribute to Filipino farmworkers with Delano Manongs Park
A NEW park in San Jose, California is paying homage to the city’s Filipino American community and the manongs’ contributions to one of the most significant social justice movements in American history. Delano Manongs Park will be the name of the public space on Gimelli Way, near North Capitol Avenue, in East San Jose after…
H Mart announces SF opening on April 21, brings one-stop shopping with ‘Ktown Food Hall’
SAN FRANCISCO – H Mart will open its new 42,000-square-foot store in San Francisco, CA located at 3995 Alemany Blvd. at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April, 21. The location, which will be at the Ocean View Village Shopping Center, will be the first H Mart store in San Francisco. H Mart features a variety of…
How to bring family members to the US: This Sunday on Citizen Pinoy!
LEADING U.S. IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY MICHAEL J. GURFINKEL (TOP LEFT) ANSWERS MORE QUESTIONS FROM KAPAMILYA ABOUT THEIR IMMIGRATION CONCERNS ON A BRAND-NEW CITIZEN PINOY! Hazel from Virginia Beach, Virginia (bottom left) wants to know the best way to bring her sister to the U.S., when she was initially petitioned by her mother in 2010 as single,…
[COLUMN] No principal, no derivatives
WHEN a person is petitioned for a green card, they are called the “principal beneficiary.” In some cases, the petition includes their spouse and minor children, who are called “derivative beneficiaries.” The derivative beneficiaries can either “accompany” the principal beneficiary, or can later “follow to join.” Derivative beneficiaries cannot be issued their visas unless the…
Elderly Filipino man attacked in Oakland
AN elderly Filipino American man was reportedly the victim of a violent carjacking in Oakland, California earlier this month. The 65-year-old unnamed victim was allegedly attacked and carjacked at gunpoint on Thursday, April 8, outside an Oakland Food Maxx grocery store, according to a report from NBC Bay Area. The victim’s niece, Sara Guillermo, said…
Travel + Leisure names Pagudpud beach among ‘most beautiful’ in the world
A LOCAL beach in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte in the Philippines has been hailed as one of the world’s most beautiful by an internationally renowned travel magazine. New York-based Travel + Leisure on Monday, April 12, included Saud Beach in its “25 Most Beautiful Beaches in the World” list. It is the only Philippine beach to…
