A YEAR after Maria Quiban Whitesell’s husband Sean died of glioblastoma, a friend mailed her a book containing all the email updates she sent during the 18 months he battled the aggressive form of brain cancer. “It spurred the memory and promise that Sean and I made to each other, which was to write the…
Ang kuwentong ito ay bahagi ng isang pana-panahong serye sa mahahalagang kapakinabangan sa komunidad na nagmumula sa pagtugon sa 2020 Senso. Nakatira ka man sa isang malaking lungsod o sa isang maliit na sangandaan, sa mga suburb, o sa isang bangkang naglalayag sa bawat puerto, ang pagsagot sa 2020 Senso ay kritikal para sa iyong…
PRO-LIFE. Anti-abortion. Anti-illegal immigration. Rule of law. Conservatism. Christian faith and values. Lower taxes. Fiscal responsibility. These are the core issues close to our hearts as Filipinos in America, making many kababayans lean Republican instead of the pro-choice, more inclusive, more tolerant and progressive Democratic Party. In the many presidential debates I moderated for The Filipino…
THE Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Sunday, June 7, honored Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) through a music video in celebration of Migrant Workers’ Day. “We honor today the selfless sacrifice of our over 10 million kababayans abroad and their contribution to our national development,” said Undersecretary for Migrant Workers’ Affairs Sarah Lou Y….
2020 has proven to be a year when the primordial demand for human connection and empathy is at an all-time high. Even though recent divisive events and brutalities upset efforts to reach unity in the era of physical distancing, communities like the Filipino American community aim to bridge cultural gaps, particularly in the world of…
FRIDAY, June 12 marks the 122nd Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence. Instead of the annual in-person commemorations, from parades to galas in Filipino American communities across the United States, celebrations of “Araw ng Kalayaan” are going virtual this year due to the pandemic. This year’s Independence Day celebration, bearing the theme “Kalayaan 2020:…
As protests continue to draw large crowds of individuals across Los Angeles County, officials are urging participants to get tested for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. “We’re still in the midst of a pandemic,” county public health director Barbara Ferrer said on Monday, June 8. “COVID-19 remains easy to transmit… Every single…
A copy of the controversial anti-terrorism bill has been sent to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, Malacañang confirmed on Tuesday, June 9. Earlier that day, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said that he and Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano have already signed the proposed bill. “[Cayetano] signed last night. Sending it to PRRD [President Rodrigo Duterte] this…
THOUSANDS of fake accounts that clone the profiles of students from the top universities in the Philippines surfaced on Facebook over the weekend. The University of the Philippines urged its students, alumni, and faculty members to check Facebook for profiles made without their consent. “The University of the Philippines System has received reports that fake…
Since footage emerged of a white police officer killing George Floyd, a 46-year-old unarmed black man from Minneapolis, protests have grown not only throughout the U.S., but throughout the world, demanding justice for the hundreds of black people who have died as a result from police brutality and discrimination. As marches continue, so have discussions…
UNDOCUMENTED Filipino immigrants in California are encouraged to apply for the state’s disaster relief fund that grants up to $1,000 per household. Governor Gavin Newsom in April announced the Disaster Relief Assistance for Immigrants (DRAI) program, a one-time fund of undocumented adults impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic who are not eligible for other forms of…
Among the many brands who showed up for the #BlackOutTuesday trend meant to highlight the gravity of police brutality and anti-blackness in the United States, the popular fashion brand Revolve was among the last to participate, posting its black square on Wednesday, June 3. But Revolve’s participation in the social media campaign raised eyebrows as…
LOS Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that he was not going forward with his plan to increase the Los Angeles Police Department budget for the 2020-21 fiscal year. “We need to make sure that black Americans see an end to the days of murder in broad daylight and of traffic stops simply because of the…
Over 123,000 Californians have enrolled for health care coverage through Covered California since the COVID-19 pandemic crisis began in March. Erik Wolford enrolled in early-April, and he got covered just in time. Wolford, 49, is a cinematographer in Hollywood, enrolled right after coming back from filming a documentary in Africa. A few days after his…
HUMAN rights abuses in the Philippines have reportedly worsened due to President Rodrigo Duterte’s war against illegal drugs, killing tens of thousands of Filipinos in the process, a new report from the United Nations Human Rights Office found. “A heavy-handed focus on countering national security threats and illegal drugs has resulted in serious human rights…
THE Philippines’ Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 will undergo additional review from the country’s Department of Justice before it is signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte. The DOJ on Friday, June 5 announced that it will scrutinize and comment on the proposed anti-terrorism law (House Bill 6875). “Whenever an enrolled bill is submitted to the…
“BLACKOUT TUESDAY” was an initiative to post a black picture on social media, reflect on recent events, and stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement by sharing information about the cause. Last Tuesday, June 2, my children posted a black picture on social media and posted unequivocal demand for the demand for equity…
ON Monday, June 1 at 12 p.m., Pechanga Resort Casino, located just outside of Temecula, CA, reopened to the public. The West Coast’s largest casino/resort closed March 16 after a decision by Pechanga Tribal leaders was made to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Pechanga Resort Casino opened with limited operations as the facility opens…
The Philippines has welcomed home over 35,000 overseas Filipinos since the coronavirus outbreak, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Friday, June 5. At least 13,566 land-based OFs have been repatriated while 21,829 are cruise ship crews, the agency reported. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said that more repatriates from Japan, France, Dubai, Abu…
The megahit Filipino action-drama TV series, “FPJ’s Ang Probinsiyano,” and a host of beloved television characters and programs from the media company ABS-CBN Corporation are finally returning to TFC this June. Some of ABS-CBN’s most-watched Filipino teleseryes are making their much-awaited return to TFC. Subscribers can now watch again TV icon Cardo Dalisay’s adventures in…
I would, especially if I’m retired. Would you consider moving from high-tax California or New York to tax-free Nevada or Florida? You could. But then, there are other considerations; but for now, let’s just talk about taxes… and a related issue of audits by your former state, the one you’re moving from. Let’s discuss the…
Interactive process in the COVID-19 era Q: MY work required me to interact with a lot of people. I became infected with COVID-19. I was hospitalized and went on disability leave. After 8 weeks of quarantine and after being relieved of symptoms, my doctor ordered another test, which came back negative. I was then cleared…
OUR country has a dire and urgent need for prayers, my friends. Not only has it suffered tremendously from the coronavirus pandemic, but it’s also undergoing unrest civic and political unrest. The unjust death of George Floyd in the hands of the several policemen in Minneapolis has triggered demonstrations and unacceptable violence, looting, and burning…
SA panahon ngayon ng pandemic at dahil sa madaming lockdown order sa buong mundo, marami ang nagtatrabaho mula sa bahay. Marami rin ang bumabaling sa social media upang magbahagi ng impormasyon, balita at kanilang mga sentimiento. Dapat malaman ng U.S. visa applicants na sila ay kailangang mag-submit ng impormasyon tungkol sa mga social media account…
THE client’s company filed for Chapter 7 relief as it was bankrupt. It had two warehouses and rent for one was $15,000 a month, while the other was $20,000 a month. The original business started 12 years ago when client had a partner. They imported merchandise from Asia and distributed them here in the USA….
Dear Attorney Tan, I was driving home and was at a complete stop when another driver rear ended my car. I was not feeling well after the accident, as my back seemed very tight and stiff. I took some days off from work. After a week, I contacted the other driver’s insurance to report the…
A postnuptial agreement is a contract between you and your spouse entered into after you get married resolving issues in your marriage. It is similar to a prenuptial agreement except it occurs after your marriage. For couples that get married without a prenuptial agreement, it is not too late to have an agreement dealing with…
“In the final analysis, a riot is the language of the unheard. And what is it that America has failed to hear?” – Martin Luther King, Jr. All over social media, especially Facebook, folks are posting media stories and pictures of protests, vandalism, looting, and police violence in response. Looking through these postings and the…
Despite growing criticism over the proposed Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, President Rodrigo Duterte will run a “final review” before signing it into law to ensure that it complies with the 1987 Constitution. “Alam niyo, bagamat it’s certified urgent, hindi naman po automatic na pipirmahan yan ng presidente (You know, even if it was certified urgent,…
PHILIPPINE President Rodrigo Duterte has not changed his decision to terminate the country’s Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) with the United States, despite the suspension this week. “Ang nangyari lang po, nasuspinde ang termination. Hindi pa po niya sinasabi na hindi na tuloy ang termination, so wala pong nagbago sa pag-iisip ng ating pangulo (What happened…
