Continuing on the theme of supporting local and small ventures, here are several one-of-a-kind gift ideas that highlight Filipino/a talent — from scented candles to unique jewelry pieces. Statement jewelry handmade by Filipina artisans If you’re looking to gift a jewelry piece for someone on your list, check out MAAARI, a “uniquely Filipina” modern accessories…
THE damage done by the coronavirus pandemic on the Philippine economy will take a long time to repair, according to Oxford Economics. In its recent report entitled “Calibrating long-COVID vulnerabilities in 162 economies,” the UK-based research firm estimated overall long-term economic scarring will be slightly higher in emerging markets (EMs) than in advanced economies (AEs)….
OVERSEAS Filipinos may now register to vote online for the 2022 Philippine elections. The Philippine Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) iRehistro, which has been operational since December 1, is accepting applications for new registrants, transfer and reactivation of voter records, the change of name or correction of entries on record, and inclusion of records in the…
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte is prepared to receive the COVID-19 vaccine to assure the public it is safe and effective to use. “Ang Presidente po ay hindi na makapaghintay (The president can’t wait),” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque told reporters on Monday, December 7. “Gusto niyang turukan na siya nang mapakita sa buong bayan na ligtas…
EIGHTEEN additional cases of the coronavirus among overseas Filipinos were recorded by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday, December 7, bringing the total number of infections to 11,692. The agency also logged 12 new recoveries, raising the official number of recovered and discharged patients to 7,577. The death toll likewise increased with…
RAPPLER co-founder and veteran journalist Maria Ressa is among 2020’s Bloomberg 50, an annual list of influential leaders, icons, and innovators who helped define the year. She is only the second Filipino to land on the list, following Ramon Ang of San Miguel Corp., who was honored in last year’s line-up. Ressa, a vocal critic…
NDE: Near Death Experience “ Unless a grain of wheat shall fall upon the ground and die, It remains but a single grain with no life.” — From a hymn composed by Bernadette Farrell EMMA looked down at the busy huddle in the operating room. She was floating, hovering above the doctors and nurses in…
AS coronavirus cases continue to climb and ICU capacities reach critical lows, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced on Monday, Dec. 7 that Southern California — along with the San Joaquin Valley — is on modified lockdown per the regional stay-at-home order announced last week. The plan originally stated that any of the five regions in the…
NEW set images confirmed that Filipina American actress Hailee Steinfeld has joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Kate Bishop in the upcoming “Hawkeye” TV series. The new show, which will focus on the titular Marvel Comic character, will be arriving on streaming platform Disney+. Before becoming Hawkeye’s archery protégé, Bishop is the daughter of a…
By Mark Hedin, Ethnic Media Services Los Angeles County offers an array of programs to help renters stay in place and help homeowners avoid foreclosure despite the economic hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. At a news conference on Dec. 7, four county officials described some of these and shared fears for the future if…
GLOBAL investment banking giant Goldman Sachs has laid out a promising economic outlook for the Philippines next year. In their November report entitled “ASEAN 2021 Outlook: Vaccine Critical to Regional Recovery,” Goldman Sachs economists Andrew Tilton, Danny Suwanapruti, and Jonathan Sequeira said they expect growth to “rebound the most in the Philippines (9.4%) and Malaysia…
PHILIPPINE Senator Manny Pacquiao on Wednesday, December 2, was sworn in as the new president of the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Laban ng Bayan (PDP-Laban), the political party of current President Rodrigo Duterte. Meanwhile, House Speaker Lord Allan Velasco took his oath as the party’s new executive vice president during a “hybrid” fellowship night at Las Casas…
FOR the first time in three years, the program that has protected young undocumented immigrants from deportation will accept new applications. Judge Nicholas Garaufis of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York on Friday, December 4 ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program will be restored to its…
by Joseph Peralta and Klarize Medenilla CALIFORNIA Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new coronavirus order on Thursday, December 3 which is intended to address the surging COVID-19 cases in the state. The new order — which goes into effect on Saturday, Dec. 5 — divides California into five regions and will be triggered when a…
LOS ANGELES County launched a new COVID-19 home test collection program this week, which allows certain county residents to do free testing from the comfort of their own homes. The home test collection program will run through January 15, 2021. It aims to help address the current surge in demand for testing and reduce the…
ARE your growing debts starting to worry you and cause you sleepless nights? Are you trying hard to pay what you can every month but feel like you’re just running on a treadmill and not getting anywhere? Do you dread getting those credit card statements every month knowing that you don’t have the money to…
AMERICAN Income Life Insurance Co. sells insurance policies in California. It hires agents that it pays on commission. David Hamilton, Bridget Smith, and David Joh worked for American Income as agents. They each believed that they would be a salaried worker when they first applied, but later found that they would be paid in commission…
KAPAG ang USCIS ay nag-deny ng application for naturalization, ang USCIS ay magbibigay ng Notice of Denial na nagsasaad ng legal at factual na dahilan nito. Maaaring tanggapin ng aplikante ang denial decision; maaari ring ang aplikante ay hindi sumang-ayon sa denial decision at siya ay mag-file ng Form N-336 Request for Hearing on a…
Charles Péguy (1873-1914), a French poet and philosopher, described Hope as a little girl walking hand in hand with her two big sisters, Faith and Love. One gets amazed at seeing Little Hope walk with her sisters. While the two older sisters seem to guide her, Little Hope appears to be the one pulling them…
SURE, there are alternatives to bankruptcy. But bankruptcy is the only solution that provides viable debt relief for those who are unable to repay their debts. Some people sign up for debt settlement and find out after having paid into the pot that they have been sued by several creditors despite attempts by the debt…
THE purpose of spousal support is not defined by the legislature in that its purpose varies according to the facts and circumstances of each case. The facts and circumstances of a particular case may be such which call for no spousal support, or for support for a very limited period of time, with the purpose…
WORKPLACE comedy “Superstore” is set to close up shop after its current sixth season. NBC announced on Thursday, December 3 that the show will return for its final season of 11 episodes on January 14 next year. “‘Superstore’…has never failed to make us laugh while also thoughtfully examining important issues people care deeply about,” said…
PRESIDENT Donald Trump tweeted on June 8, 2018: “As has been stated by numerous legal scholars, I have the absolute right to PARDON myself, but why would I do that when I have done nothing wrong? In the meantime, the never ending Witch Hunt, led by 13 very Angry and Conflicted Democrats (& others) continues…
Multiple homes destroyed as some evacuation orders are lifted despite red flag warnings for several neighborhoods AS of Friday, Dec. 4, firefighters continue to battle a wind-caused wildfire in Silverado Canyon in Orange County, California that has so far burned through 6,400 acres, forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate. According to Orange County…
By Mark Hedin, Ethnic Media Services With one out of 200 LA County residents infected by COVID 19, county officials are mobilizing to provide an array of services and resources to meet pandemic-related needs head-on. In the second of a series of briefings for ethnic media on Dec. 3 to raise awareness of its programs,…
by William Wong AS both a health care patient and former restaurant owner, I was relieved to hear positive news about three different COVID-19 vaccines in the late stages of their clinical trials. It’s wonderful to know that effectiveness may exceed 90 percent and emergency use authorizations could mean inoculations start reaching our communities by…
A NEW social media analysis revealed that the Philippines has spent the most time on social media platforms than any other country in the world. According to social media marketplace Twicsy.com, Filipinos spend an average of 102,054 hours or 4,252 days on social media during their lifetime, which puts the Philippines at the top of…
CALIFORNIA Governor Gavin Newsom announced a new coronavirus order on Thursday, December 3 which is intended to address the surging COVID-19 cases in the state. The new order divides California into five regions and will be triggered when a region’s intensive care unit (ICU) capacity drops below 15%. Under the new sweeping order, the state…
