How to support the older Filipino community while social distancing
As older individuals are considered at higher risk for the novel coronavirus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised them to stay at home and limit contact with others. Studies have shown that people 60 and older and those with severe chronic health conditions — such as heart disease, lung disease and…
Trump offers additional assistance to PH’s fight vs COVID-19 pandemic
United States President Donald Trump has offered more aid to the Philippines as it continues to grapple with the spread of the novel coronavirus, the U.S. Embassy in Manila said on Tuesday, April 21. “President Trump expressed his solidarity and offered additional assistance to the Philippines as it continues to battle the COVID-19 pandemic,” the…
Trump says he will temporarily suspend immigration during COVID-19 pandemic
As the coronavirus pandemic puts his administration under even more scrutiny, President Donald Trump took to Twitter this week to announce that he plans to “temporarily” terminate immigration to the United States. “In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT American Citizens,…
No recommendations of ‘total lockdown’ in Luzon – Palace
President Rodrigo Duterte is weighing whether to “maintain, relax or lift” the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon following his meeting with health officials, Malacañang said on Tuesday, April 21. At the beginning of the week, the president met with health experts and former heads of the Department of Health, during which there was no suggestion…
DFA repatriates 867 Filipinos from US
OVER 800 seafarers from the United States returned to the Philippines early this week, the Department of Foreign Affairs said on Monday, April 20. With the arrival of 867 more Filipinos from several Florida-based cruise ships, the agency has repatriated close to 18,000 overseas Filipino workers amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. “This is the third…
Should I create a will and living trust in preparation for the COVID-19 pandemic?
THE COVID-19 Pandemic is a scary reality which affects everyone globally and has shut down the global economy. Individuals over 60 years old and individual that are immune compromised are more at risk of having serious complications with this virus. Individuals are dying all over the world in exponential numbers. Although we cannot completely control…
Mindfulness as a survival skill in today’s tech crazy world
“Be present. It is the only thing that matters.” — Ways of the Peaceful Warrior I NEARLY had a vehicular accident three years ago. Operative word: Nearly. I was minding my business at a traffic stop when the vehicle before me decided to back up because her car was caught in the crosswalk. I then…
CDC director warns of deadlier second virus wave this winter as many GOP-led states open despite uptick in cases
WE are in a war against the coronavirus infection. After bragging he is a “wartime president,” we would think President Donald Trump would finally unite the country in leading us all, regardless of political affiliation, race, age, gender, income, and immigration status toward safety and to mitigate the spread of this pandemic. But instead, Trump…
Study: LA County may have more COVID-19 cases than previously reported
As public health officials everywhere are scrambling to find tangible solutions to the coronavirus pandemic, early results from a new study from the University of Southern California and Los Angeles County Public Health show that the infection may be more widespread than the actual confirmed case numbers suggest. The preliminary estimate means that the actual…
Newsom launches initiative for Californians to safely volunteer
With COVID-19 creating a critical need for community support and volunteers across the state, Governor Gavin Newsom on Tuesday, April 21 announced California Volunteers’ #CaliforniansForAll service initiative to connect Californians with safe volunteer opportunities and encourage those unable to physically volunteer to think creatively about ways to make a difference in their communities. “Across the…
COVID-19 Stimulus Package a Mixed Bag for Those in Greatest Need
By SUNITA SOHRABJI/EMS Contributor SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, signed into law last month, offers little relief to millions of vulnerable immigrants and low-wage workers, said panelists during a media briefing here April 9. The CARES Act was signed into law by President Donald Trump March 27. It…
Duterte, Trump discuss COVID-19 response
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte received a phone call from United States President Donald Trump on Sunday night, Malacañang revealed on Monday, April 20. “The call came in at 10:10 in the evening. It was initiated by the U.S. government. It lasted for about 18 minutes,” said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque during an online press briefing….
PH task force dismisses proposed ‘total lockdown’
THE Philippine Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases did not discuss the proposed “total lockdown” during its latest meeting, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Friday, April 17. “What would a total lockdown look like and will it be limited to Luzon only if ever? We are not talking about that,”…
Guide to federal extension filings
THIS article is lovingly dedicated to our fellow taxpayers who like to wait and wait and wait until the very last minute, then get excited on the very last day to file an extension. If you just happen to be one, save this article for future reference. Remember that extensions are for time to file,…
More Fil-Am restaurants feed health care workers, immigrant families in SoCal
More Filipino American restaurants in Southern California are joining the effort to feed local front-liners as well as families affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Filipino fusion restaurant Silog in Torrance — which temporarily closed its physical location in late March following safer at home orders — launched a $5,000 GoFundMe campaign this month to bring…
Palace considers selling Imelda gems for virus funds
Malacañang is considering auctioning off the jewelry confiscated from former first lady Imelda Marcos to raise funds for the government’s ongoing response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the country, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Thursday, April 16. According to him, selling part of the Marcoses’ collection of gems has been raised even before the pandemic swept…
US COVID-19 deaths hit record daily high as LA County expands same-day testing
Trump unveils new federal guidelines for states to re-open economy and society The United States broke the record for highest number of novel coronavirus-related deaths with a whopping 4,591 deaths in a single day on Friday, April 17, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of data from Johns Hopkins University. The new record —…
Family unification through family-based petitions
ANG family unification ay napakahalaga sa U.S. Immigration Law. Ang family-based immigrant category ay nagpapahintulot sa mga U.S. citizen (USC) at mga green card holder/lawful permanent resident (LPR) na mag-petition ng kanilang kapamilya para makarating sa U.S. na may immigrant visa. Kung ang mga kapamilya ay nasa U.S. na, maaaring silang makakuha ng green card…
CA to send up to $1,000 to undocumented households
As millions of Americans started receiving their stimulus payments from the federal government this week, one group was largely left out of the relief plan: undocumented immigrants. In light of this, California has announced a $125 million Disaster Relief Fund for the state’s undocumented workers, becoming the first in the nation to provide this type…
PH stands with WHO after US withdrawal of aid
THE Philippine government expressed its support for the World Health Organization (WHO) after United States President Donald Trump decided to withhold funding for the international body because of its supposed bias in favor of China. “It’s not for the Philippine president to tell other presidents what to do. But we support the WHO,” said Presidential…
P-A-S-C-U-A
THIS Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday. Let’s keep imploring God’s Mercy to end this coronavirus pandemic so that businesses, governments, schools, and churches can open. We’re all eagerly waiting to go back to our normal lives. These past five weeks of staying at home and social distancing have been painful and challenging. We learned many…
Delaying mortgage payments? What you need to know
FIVE of the country’s largest banks announced recently that they have agreed to temporarily suspend mortgage payments for homeowners affected by the virus. California has indeed suffered an unexpected economic devastation from the virus with more than 1 million Californians applying for unemployment benefits since March 13. So far, Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank, Citi, JP…
Can I get a green card if I had a previous marriage petition denied based on fraud?
DEAR Attorney Tan, I recently married a US Citizen, who is my second husband. He has filed an immigrant visa petition and green card application for me. My husband recently received from USCIS a Notice of Intent to Deny the petition that he filed on my behalf. The Notice indicated that the immigrant visa petition…
The hate virus: Protecting Asian Americans from discrimination due to COVID-19
AS of this writing, the new coronavirus (COVID-19) has infected over two million people globally, and more than 145,000 have died. The outbreak has understandably created worldwide anxiety since the first cases were reported in Wuhan, China in late 2019. But aside from the panic created, the pandemic has also exposed a deep-seated xenophobia, the symptom…
Should you use your retirement account for mortgage and expenses?
UNEMPLOYMENT claims nationwide have significantly spiked due to the lockdown which has resulted in the shutdown of the U.S. economy. Millions of people have lost their jobs because small businesses are not operating. The restaurant and travel industries, which are the two major employers provided by small business, have been knocked down by the virus….
Should I create a will and living trust in preparation for the pandemic?
THE Covid-19 pandemic is a scary reality which affects everyone globally and has shut down the global economy. Individuals over 60 years old and individual that are immune compromised are more at risk of having serious complications with this virus. Individuals are dying all over the world in exponential numbers. Although we cannot completely control…
On the throes of fear
IN some ways, getting older is an odd blessing because we have already faced some of our biggest fears and discovered that we’re actually bigger than our fears. Looking back, we see them knocked over and silent on the battle of life. But have we really? As we head for tomorrow, we’re confined to our…
Trump uses taxpayer-funded daily coronavirus briefing to rewrite history, attack political opponents and campaign for re-election
ENOUGH! President Donald Trump has been abusing the daily coronavirus briefings, which are paid for using taxpayers’ money in lieu of his campaign rallies he laments he cannot hold because of social distancing safety measures. The briefing is supposed to be the American people’s way of knowing all the facts, information, and guidance they need…