IN the inclusive rider era of Hollywood, it’s almost become a pedestrian party line to pledge support for diversity but the actual outturns thus far of that proclamation still leaves more to the imagination. But the world of animation — a space governed by entertainment bigwigs, Disney, Pixar and Dreamworks — is a space where…
The foreign spouses and dependents of Filipino citizens will need visas to enter the Philippines, the country’s Bureau of Immigration recently announced. The new requirement took effect on August 9. “Foreign spouses of Filipinos must now secure entry visas from our Consulates abroad before traveling to the Philippines. Otherwise, they will be denied entry by…
The Philippine government has run out of funds to help those directly affected by the coronavirus pandemic in the country, President Rodrigo Duterte admitted on Monday, August 10. This comes after medical front-liners have called on the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until the end of the month. However, the president said the government would…
FIVE more Filipinos injured during last week’s explosion in Beirut, Lebanon have been identified by the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), bringing the tally to 47. “We are still thankful that the injuries sustained by our kababayans (countrymen) are not life-threatening. We also thank our Embassy personnel for taking prompt action,” said Undersecretary Sarah…
Victoria S. Clamor is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine licensed to practice in California. A majority of her patients at Trinity Medical Clinic in Ontario are on health care programs, such as Medicaid, the need-based health insurance program for low-income people, and Medicare. Understanding that funding for these public health care services uses…
by Rachel Bluth California lawmakers are barreling toward an end-of-month deadline to pass or kill bills amid the biggest public health crisis the state has faced in a century. Yet even in a year consumed by sickness, they’re considering significant — sometimes controversial — health policy measures that aren’t directly related to COVID-19. Much of…
Small business owners in Los Angeles’ 13th council district can apply for a grant program starting this week. Led by Councilmember Mitch O’Farrell and the city’s Economic and Workforce Development Department, $1 million of discretionary funding has been allocated to help small businesses pay bills while the safer at home orders continue to be in…
“… Oh, to go back to the comforts of the past, pre- pandemic, To breathe freely, sans the mask… Back to the touchy feely hum of life Never again will I take it for granted …” —MAM OH 2020!!! I wish I saw you coming. But could we have taken evasive action? Could we have…
YES, BIDEN-HARRIS 2020! “I have the great honor to announce that I’ve picked @KamalaHarris — a fearless fighter for the little guy, and one of the country’s finest public servants — as my running mate,” former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee, announced on Twitter on Tuesday, August 11. This personally excited me…
Harris becomes the first Black woman and Asian American person on a major party ticket SEVERAL Filipino American elected officials and community leaders on Tuesday, August 11 reacted to the selection of California Senator Kamala Harris as former Vice President Joe Biden’s running mate. “Fierce, endlessly-talented, values-based, and Oakland-born, [Kamala] will not back down as…
The United States is urging its citizens to reconsider traveling to the Philippines due to the coronavirus pandemic. The appeal came after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a level 3 Travel Health Notice for the country. “Reconsider travel to the Philippines due to COVID-19. Additionally, exercise increased caution in the Philippines…
All passengers traveling on Philippine Airlines will be required to wear face shields, on top of the mandatory face masks, starting August 15. The new measure is in compliance with the latest guidelines that the Philippine Department of Transportation set for the public transport sector. “Passengers are required to wear masks and face shields during…
In light of this year’s COVID-19 pandemic and movements addressing racial injustice in the United States, The Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) in Seattle, Washington has announced the theme of this year’s Fil-Am History Month to be “The History of Filipino American Activism.” This October will be a reflection on how the Fil-Am community…
SUSANA Reyes was recently elected to serve as vice president of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP)’s board of commissioners. “This is a tremendous honor and responsibility and a boost for [Asian American and Pacific Islander] representation,” Reyes wrote in a Facebook post. Reyes, a 32-year veteran of the city, became the…
PHILIPPINE fast food giant Jollibee Foods Corporation (JFC) is the latest brand to feel the impact of the coronavirus pandemic after it suffered financial losses due to enforced lockdowns in the country. In a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange, the fast-food giant reported a net loss of P10.171 billion from April to June, reversing…
After nearly five months, the U.S. State Department lifted its blanket global Level 4 Health Advisory that advised U.S. citizens to avoid all international travel due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and returned to issuing its warnings to individual countries. “With health and safety conditions improving in some countries and potentially deteriorating in…
Those traveling out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) now have access to personal protective equipment (PPE), such as hand sanitizer, face coverings and gloves via convenient vending machines located in the ticketing areas of most terminals. “Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) is setting new standards for how the airport industry can help keep passengers…
As the Philippines this week became the country in Southeast Asia with the most coronavirus cases, the government said the increased number is due to its ramped-up testing capacity. On Thursday, August 6, the country surpassed Indonesia’s 118,753 cases after the Department of Health recorded 3,561 additional COVID-19 cases, bringing the national count to 119,460….
THE United States’ policy shift on maritime disputes in the South China Sea was recently discussed by the top diplomats of Manila and Washington during a phone call. Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo also talked about the “U.S. support for Southeast Asian coastal states upholding their…
NOONG isang linggo ay aking tinalakay ang Removal of Conditions on Green Card. Sinabi ko na kapag ang green card ay nakuha sa pamamagitan ng kasal sa isang U.S. citizen (USC) at ang kasal ay wala pang 2 taon noong naaprubahan ng USCIS ang green card, ang green card na makukuha ng dayuhan ay conditional…
A PERSON who obtains his/her green card via marriage to a U.S. citizen spouse, and who is married for less than 2 years has conditional permanent resident status. A conditional permanent resident has a green card that is valid for 2 years. In order to continue to have permanent resident status after 2 years, the…
1. THE failure-to-file penalty is generally more than the failure-to-pay penalty. If you cannot pay all the taxes you owe, file anyway to prevent the more costly failure-to-file penalty. 2. The failure-to-file penalty is 5% per month of the unpaid taxes, not to exceed 25%. 3. The failure-to-pay penalty is only ½% per month, not…
Your work and your right to political expression Q: I CARE about today’s issues of social justice – from racial inequality to voting rights suppression to fighting for decent wages. I want to participate in peaceful demonstrations, but wanted to know its effect on my job. Can I be terminated from work if I join…
WE have another fascinating Gospel Reading (Matthew 14:-36) this Sunday. As the disciples were on a boat in the midst of fierce winds and waves, Jesus showed himself to them by walking on the water. Then the disciples shouted saying, “It is a ghost!” Jesus responded, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”…
IF you’re in debt and are considering bankruptcy as an option for you to get needed relief, perhaps just hearing the word “bankruptcy” makes you extremely nervous. Maybe the word conjures up images in your mind of losing everything you have and not having a financial future. Relax. It’s not what you think. Regardless of…
THE client is 53. He is married and owns a house. He used to have a business, which was a DBA sole proprietorship. “DBA” means “doing business as.” Sole proprietorship means that an individual conducts a business in his personal capacity, without a corporation, or other kind of business entity. Other business entities used to…
COUPLES get divorced for various reasons. California is a no fault state. The reasons why a couple is getting divorced are often irrelevant to the issues of the family law case. Divorce is often a difficult and negative experience for most families. However, getting divorce may have some unintended benefits in the immigration law arena….
THREE MONTHS until the 2020 presidential election and amid the rising death toll and infected COVID-19 cases in the United States, we are bombarded with even more mixed messages on social media that confuse us more than answer our questions. Unfortunately, there are people in power who capitalize on our despair as this pandemic has…
I ACTUALLY survived reading the online transcription of the recent SONA delivered by President Rodrigo Duterte before a joint session of Congress last July 27. I noted that it was remarkably substantive. Too bad, the Malacanang speech writers mixed up the key points, in a rambling and disjointed speech, much like pinakbet or chop suey….
