San Diego Fil-Am pleads not guilty to murder in wife’s stabbing
A FILIPINO American man accused of stabbing his wife to death at their home in San Diego, California pleaded not guilty to murder on Tuesday, April 27. Jay Barcelon, 31,…
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Maria Ressa to receive UNESCO World Press Freedom Prize
RAPPLER co-founder and chief executive officer Maria Ressa is set to be awarded the prestigious press freedom prize from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Ressa has…
[WATCH] ‘Gold’ by Ella Jay Basco, featuring rapper Ruby Ibarra, embraces culture, self-love
An anthem for the Asian American community ACTRESS and singer-songwriter Ella Jay Basco released the music video for her single “Gold,” a song of empowerment featuring Bay Area rapper Ruby…
Filipino family of 18 targeted in attempted robbery in SF Fisherman’s Wharf
A FILIPINO American family from Wisconsin was targeted in an attempted robbery while visiting Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco earlier this April. Patrick Elliott, his Filipina wife, and 16 other…
Beyond a hashtag: AAPI women, allies urge community to speak up
INFLUENTIAL celebrities banded together on Wednesday, April 21 for an evening of solidarity to support the Asian American and Pacific Islander community (AAPI) in fighting against anti-Asian hate and bigotry….
[OPINION] Potential pork crisis looming in California
AS advocacy-oriented organizations of community, faith-based, and nonprofit leaders working collectively to empower underserved communities, the National Asian American Coalition and the National Diversity Coalition have been intensely focused on…
99 Ranch Market announces new location at Westfield Oakridge shopping center in San Jose
LOCAL residents in San Jose will soon have a new location to shop for their favorite groceries. 99 Ranch Market, the leading Asian grocery chain, is planning to open its…
NAAC presented with an FHLBank San Francisco-matched grant by Mechanics Bank
DALY CITY – True to its commitment, Mechanics Bank recently presented The National Asian American Coalition (NAAC) with two checks of $5,000 for a total of $10,000. The NAAC has…
Can a person use a tourist visa to come to the US while waiting for a pending petition?
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…
[COLUMN] COVID-19 data capsules
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…
[COLUMN] The May 2021 priority dates
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…
One and only Philippine cinema Superstar Nora Aunor turns 68 on May 21
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,…
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…
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….
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
[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…
[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…
[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…
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…
‘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…
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…