AS the pandemic continues, individuals are advised to stay vigilant against the COVID-related scams currently spreading — from websites peddling fraudulent virus cures to calls pretending to be contract tracers to generous aid promising to clear debt. To date, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission has received over 206,000 consumer complaints, and recorded some $146 million…
by Philip Lim Nulud and Mari Bandoma Callado Former President Dwight Eisenhower once said, “[t]he future of this republic is in the hands of the American voter.” This is especially poignant as we approach the 2020 General Election in November. While the focus of the election is on who will be president, there is much…
Unpacking the history of social justice and revolution in the Filipino American community and cultivating a more inclusive, informed future EARLIER this year, Filipino Americans from all walks of life took to the streets in protest of racial injustice and systemic discrimination following the high-profile murders of Black Americans. Filipino Americans all across the country…
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte’s performance rating climbed to 91% as the country continues to grapple with the coronavirus pandemic, a Pulse Asia survey revealed on Monday, October 5. The pollster’s Ulat ng Bayan Nationwide Survey, conducted from September 14 to 20, reported that 91% of Filipinos approved of Duterte’s performance. Meanwhile, 5% said disapproved and…
STARTING this week, 5.6 million registered voters in Los Angeles County will begin to receive their vote by mail ballots for the November 3 presidential general election. Following an order by Governor Gavin Newsom, vote by mail ballots will be automatically sent to every active registered voter in California to help slow the spread of…
PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) plans to lay off 35% of its workforce, the company announced on Monday, October 5. Around 2,700 workers out of its total 7,800 workforce will be affected in the “first stage” of its downsizing initiative. The national flag carrier also called on employees to apply for “voluntary separation.” “The retrenchment is part…
NEWLY-hired Filipino health care workers with signed contracts as of August 31, 2020 may now leave the country to work overseas, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) announced Tuesday, October 6. “The cut-off date was extended from March 8 to August 31 upon the recommendation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging…
PRESIDENT Donald Trump told Americans to not “be afraid” of COVID-19 as he returned to the White House on Monday night, October 5 after a three-day stay at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The 74-year-old president arrived on the White House’s South Lawn after a 10-minute flight on Marine One and made his way up…
OVER 200,000 overseas Filipinos have returned to the Philippines since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the country’s Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Sunday, October 4. A total of 204,481 overseas Filipinos have been repatriated, of which 135,004 (66.02%) are land-based and 69,477 (33.98%) are sea-based. “For September alone, the DFA repatriated 41,892…
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…
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of my heavenly father.” — Jesus Christ Matthew 18:10 DO you believe in angels? I do. Most people do. The strong presence of angels in the various books of…
PRESIDENT Donald Trump tweeted on Monday, October 5: ”I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M. Feeling really good!” Trump sent this tweet to his followers shortly before making a dramatic exit through the front doors of the hospital, pumping his fist to cameras, NBC News reported. He said,…
FilAm ARTS (The Association for the Advancement of Filipino American Arts and Culture) announced the return of its popular Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC), the City of Los Angeles’ official Filipino festival and the longest-running Filipino cultural celebration in Southern California. FPAC 27 will take place virtually October 23, 24, and 25 from…
“UNDISCOVERED X,” a two-day gathering of Filipino/a/x entrepreneurs, creatives and thought leaders will be mounted online from October 17-18. With four virtual stages, four streaming hub cities, over 60 key guests and 50+ sponsor & vendor expo booths, “UNDISCOVERED X,” will showcase a range of Fil-Am stories, art, music, panel discussions and more. The virtual…
#GoldOpen, the community movement created by Gold House that successfully catapulted “Parasite,” “The Farewell,” “Crazy Rich Asians,” “Just Mercy,” and nearly two dozen multicultural films to box office success, is hosting a nationwide weekend of #GoldOpen support for Sony Pictures’ “Yellow Rose” ahead of its theatrical release on October 9. Yellow Rose portrays a timely…
For the past several months, hundreds of companies continue to be on the defense because of the influx of unforgiving adversities presented by the pandemic. As most businesses know by now, the lack of preparation and foresight, in a time when massive changes are happening rapidly, can bring a swift yet painful death. Even if…
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte has extended his well wishes to United States President Donald Trump and first lady Melania after they both tested positive for COVID-19, Malacañang said on Monday, October 5. “Malapit na magkaibigan ang ating Presidente at si President Trump. Ang mensahe po ng Presidente (The President and President Trump are close friends….
AMONG the upcoming events to mark Filipino American History Month is a virtual benefit for one of the oldest and longest-running non-profit organizations serving Fil-Ams in Los Angeles. Historic Filipinotown’s Search to Involve Pilipino Americans (SIPA) on Saturday, October 10 will be hosting its 48th annual benefit, entitled “Vision for Tomorrow.” Joining entertainers such as…
A FEDERAL judge ordered that the 2020 Census counting efforts must continue through the end of the month, not October 5. This comes after the Census Bureau was found violating a previous order that had moved the decennial enumeration through the end of October 31. U.S. District Judge Lucy Koh in Northern California, in an…
THE Philippines is among the top 20 countries with the most number of novel coronavirus infections in the world after the Department of Health logged 2,415 additional cases on Thursday, October 1. The new cases bring the official tally to 314,079, making the Philippines still the country with the most number of infections in Southeast…
THIRTY-FIVE visitors flew to Boracay Island after the famous tourist spot reopened its doors to domestic tourists on Thursday, Philippine Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo–Puyat said on Friday, October 2. “There were actually 35 tourists who came to Boracay yesterday by air, land and sea,” she said. “Of course there were people from Aklan, also some…
THE United States may have been testing Chinese forces when a U.S. Air Force surveillance plane disguised as a Philippine aircraft flew over the Yellow Sea last week, Philippine National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr. said on Thursday, October 1. “The pilots are probably trying to test the reaction that would come from China and…
By Martin Santiago This is the last quarter of 2020. Despite some challenges, the real estate market has boomed nationwide during the pandemic as people have found themselves spending more time at home and reevaluating their living spaces. Record-low mortgage rates and shortage of inventory has kept the housing market strong with respect to buyer…
IN an unexpected move, California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Wednesday, Sept. 30 vetoed a bill that would have required ethnic studies to be taught in all high schools. Earlier this year, the California Legislature passed Assembly Bill 331, which would require public high school students to take an ethnic studies course in order to graduate….
ON October 1, 2020, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it will propose new rules making “it easier to hold immigrant sponsors accountable for failing to meet the obligations of contracts they sign with the federal government.” In other words, if a person signs an affidavit of support (Form I-864), DHS wants to make…
1. DON’T go to your appointment unprepared. 2. Don’t be late for the appointment. 3. Don’t volunteer information. 4. Don’t bully IRS personnel. And if they bully you back? 5. Don’t fight the auditor. This is the agent’s business assignment, not a personal attack against you. 6. Don’t insist on indefensible positions. You’ll lose it…
KAPAG ang petitioner ng approved I-130 Petition ay namatay bago makuha ng principal beneficiary ang kanyang immigrant visa o green card, ang I-130 Petition ay automatically revoked. May mga sitwasyon na maaaring humingi ang principal beneficiary ng humanitarian reinstatement sa USCIS. Ang humanitarian reinstatement relief ay hindi maibibigay kung ang petitioner ay namatay bago maaprubahan…
A COMMON question that is asked by a person who has a pending immigration petition or application is “how much longer until USCIS makes a decision?” The question is understandable, in that an unreasonable delay in the USCIS’ adjudication of a petition or application can have adverse effects, including loss of employment and employment opportunities,…
Lauren Scricca worked as a Clinical Nurse for the University of California Irvine Medical Center (UCI) and was assigned to the Acute Rehab Unit. Throughout the 10 years she worked for UCI, she was commended for her performance and had several promotions. She was fired in 2018. The Daily Journal reports the following: Lauren has…
