[OPINION] Celebrating Labor Day and a call to action
By Gloria T. Caoile, Director of Civic Engagement / Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance NV THIS Labor Day is unlike what we have experienced in our lifetimes. While the COVID-19 pandemic has eliminated our time-honored tradition of parades and picnics, it has not dissuaded Asian Pacific American workers from celebrating Labor Day and reflecting on…
[OPINION] This Labor Day, honor workers not just with words, but with action
By Rep. Dina Titus LABOR Day is a time to celebrate the industriousness, talent, and perseverance of the American workforce. This year, we have seen these qualities on display more than ever. Our frontline workers have donned scrubs and saved lives. Some of them have put on gloves and bagged groceries. Others have equipped themselves…
California issues flex alert for Labor Day holiday
By Caroline Aoyagi-Stom / Energized by Edison Editor On the heels of a record-breaking, week-long heat wave, SoCal residents will need to brace for more high temperatures this weekend and early next week in time for the Labor Day holiday. The California Independent System Operator has issued a Flex Alert for this Saturday, September 5…
PH House OKs Marcos Day bill
A MEASURE seeking to declare September 11 as a special non-working holiday in Ilocos Norte to commemorate the birth anniversary of former Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, has been approved on its 3rd and final reading by the House of Representatives. HB 7137, authored by Ilocos Norte 1st District Rep. Ria Fariñas, Ilocos Norte 2nd District…
BuCor suspends release of convicted US Marine in killing of transgender Filipina
THE early release of convicted U.S. Marine Joseph Scott Pemberton was put on hold on Thursday, September 3 following a motion for reconsideration filed by the victim’s family. The American serviceman was convicted of homicide on December 1, 2015, for killing transgender Jennifer Laude in 2014. He was sentenced to up to 10 years imprisonment….
Pinay scientist and rapper Ruby Ibarra’s 2020 mission: Help develop a COVID vaccine, release a sophomore album
For Filipina American rapper Ruby Ibarra, 2020 was slated to be more of this balancing act as in the past few years — juggling live performances after work and on the weekends, while fine-tuning her sophomore album. Before COVID-19 hit California, the 29-year-old did two sold-out shows at the Getty Center in Los Angeles in…
How the Spyros Bros awed and impressed America’s Got Talent judges
Filipino talents across the diaspora have graced the stage of NBC’s America’s Got Talent (AGT). Marcelito Pomoy wowed the judges and the audience for AGT: The Champions last season and Angelica Hale made history as the first contestant to earn Golden Buzzer wins in the two seasons she joined. The all-male hip-hop dance group called…
Stepping out of his mother’s shadow Hilda Koronel’s son creates a path of his own
Sebastian Reid, born and raised in Manila, is the youngest child of award-winning actress Hilda Koronel. He is the man behind Sébre Studio. Reid went to Xavier School in San Juan and moved to the South Bay in California at the age of 14. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Game Art from Full Sail University…
Angeline Quinto goes back to her simple ways
MONTHS into the quarantine, Angeline Quinto has found herself musing about her journey, going back to how she was when she started in showbiz, and bonding with her Mama Bob, her adoptive mom. “My goal back then was simple: I just wanted to have a regular job, so I could help Mama Bob and provide…
Palace sees wisdom in Lacson’s ‘designated survivor’ bill
MALACAÑANG on Wednesday, September 2, admitted that there is wisdom behind Senator Panfilo Lacson’s bill authorizing “designated survivors,” should the top four leaders of the Philippine government perish in any occasion wherein they’re all present. “Well, you know, I think it’s based on a TV series ‘Designated Survivor.’ And while the series is based on fiction…
Liquid candy vs water
WATER is life. Without it, there would be no life on Planet Earth. The normal lean adult body is made up of about 70% water (50% intracellular, 15% interstitial, and 5% in the blood plasma) and only 30% solid mass. This is an amazing fact which many of us don’t realize. Drinking at least 8…
Why did you wait so long?
DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel, I was petitioned by my sister in 1990, and immigrated to the U.S. in 2013. Unfortunately, I had to leave behind my eldest child because she had aged out. I have been hoping and praying something could be done for her. Could she be covered by the Child Status Protection Act? Is…
Ted Failon leaves ABS-CBN, ‘TV Patrol’
MULTI-AWARDED broadcast journalist Ted Failon on Monday, August 31, made his final appearance on ABS-CBN’s shows “TV Patrol” and “Failon Ngayon sa TeleRadyo.” The network on Sunday, Aug. 30, confirmed that the journalist was leaving after working there for 30 years. “The closure of ABS-CBN’s radio broadcast operations led to his painful decision and we…
Self-care in each sip: Pinay-founded Droplet enters the wellness industry with functional beverages
FIVE years ago, Celeste Perez launched Well Fed, a design studio that has celebrity restaurateurs and hospitality groups among its clientele. The downsides of a bustling business for Perez, however, were heart palpitations, being unable to sleep at night, and developing poor eating habits. The effects of burnout caught up to her as it eventually…
Duterte honors COVID-19 frontliners
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, August 31, paid tribute to Filipino front-line workers fighting against the novel coronavirus pandemic as the country commemorated National Heroes’ Day. “Today, we honor not only the valor of our forebears who fought for our mother land’s freedom, but also the heroism of those who risked their lives, fighting…
Known as a mother figure, 62-year-old Filipina dies of COVID-19 in Southern California
Fondly called “Mama Teng,” Maria Teresa Banson was revered as a mother figure to students and colleagues. Before migrating to Southern California in April 2005, she taught computer science and other subjects at St. Paul University, Iloilo City, Philippines. “Mama extended her motherly figure to her students at St Paul. She would guide and inspire…
Census, COVID-19 testing pop-up event comes to Historic Filipinotown
With less than 30 days until the 2020 census response deadline, an upcoming event in Los Angeles’ Historic Filipinotown neighborhood is part of the final push to have community members counted in the decennial enumeration. A drive-thru/walk-up census event will be held on Saturday, September 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at LA Downtown…
Mutual fund basics
“Don’t look for the needle in the haystack. Just buy the haystack.” —John C. Bogle Founder, Vanguard YEARS ago, I was searching for something to place a small amount of money that can yield a little growth if left alone for some time. A bank certificate of deposit, perhaps, I thought. But the yield was…
CA begins final push for 2020 census responses
COMMUNITIES across California are still urged to fill out their 2020 U.S. Census forms as the deadline approaches at the end of September. The decennial count, which can be done by phone, online or mail, enumerates where individuals live as of April 1. “Fundamentally, our message is clear: time is running out to make an impact on…
Metro Manila placed under GCQ until end of September
METRO Manila will remain under general community quarantine (GCQ) for the entire month of September, President Rodrigo Duterte announced Monday, August 31. The provinces of Bulacan and Batangas, as well as the cities of Tacloban and Bacolod, will also be under GCQ until Sept. 30. Iligan City will be under the stricter modified enhanced community…
[OPINION] Part II: Ethnic studies builds stronger ties among communities
In a previous essay, I wrote that the passage of AB 1460 and its signing into law by California Governor Gavin Newsom provided a measure of protection against certain forms of censorship, such as the statewide ban in Arizona schools against ethnic studies classes. There are actually more nuanced forms of censorship in California’s public…
Ahead of Labor Day weekend, LA County officials warn against large gatherings
AMID the public’s frustration over lockdown measures, Los Angeles County officials are advising the public against Labor Day weekend celebrations outside of the home in order to avoid another increase in COVID-19 cases and deaths. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the county has recorded 242,521 positive cases and 5,829 deaths as of Tuesday, Aug….
[OPINION] Law and order president? The chaos and violence Trump wants you to be fearful and hateful of is happening now under his watch
DOOMSDAY in America is what President Donald Trump has been scaring people about in his campaign. He warns that if his opponent, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden, wins in November, then people will not be safe with all the chaos, violence, and killing happening in the country. He claims only he can fix this and…
Duterte appoints Cascolan as new PNP chief
PHILIPPINE Interior Secretary Eduardo Año announced on Tuesday, September 1, that Lt. Gen. Camilo Pancratius Cascolan has been appointed as the new chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) by President Rodrigo Duterte. “Lt. Gen. Cascolan is the new Chief PNP, PRRD signed the paper of appointment,” he told the Philippine News Agency. “That’s the…
Part of Route 35 in Daly City, California to be named after Filipina American activist Alice Bulos
The route known as Skyline Boulevard will bear the name of community leader and activist Alice Pena Bulos A portion of California State Highway 35 in Daly City will be named after the late Filipina American activist and community leader Alice Pena Bulos, according to a resolution passed in the state Legislature on Friday, August…