LA County treasurer and tax collector not accepting in-person property tax payments
THE Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector will not be accepting in-person payments or providing in-person tax or business license services until further notice, following the closure of all County buildings to the public beginning Monday, March 16. The facilities that are now closed include the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration, where the department’s…
Cold temperatures expected in parts of Los Angeles County
Los Angeles – The Los Angeles County Health Officer is issuing a Cold Weather Alert due to the National Weather Service’s forecast for low temperatures. Wind chill temperatures are expected to be below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Affected areas include: • Antelope Valley – Monday, March 16 through Thursday, March 19 • Los Angeles County Mountain…
Southern California Edison responds to COVID-19 emergency, suspends service disconnections
ROSEMEAD, Calif. — Southern California Edison announced that it is suspending service disconnections for nonpayment and waiving late fees, effective immediately, for residential and business customers impacted by the COVID-19 emergency. “We know this is a difficult time for our communities, and we want SCE’s customers and employees to know we are here for them,”…
The US is now nearing the tipping point in the coronavirus outbreak: Social distancing, obedience and cooperation may save your life!
Experts monitoring the coronavirus outbreak warn that if we, as a nation and as a people, do not implement and follow drastic measures and preparations for the inevitable surge in the number of those infected by the disease, then we may very well be on track to experience the chaos and tragedy that Italians are…
How Fil-Am businesses in LA County are navigating impact of virus outbreak
EVENT cancellations, work from home, no dining in restaurants, doors shuttering — these are a few ramifications of the coronavirus pandemic that businesses across the country are facing. Here in Southern California, new guidelines have caused Filipino American business owners to change the way they operate or even, close temporarily. Following California Governor Gavin Newsom’s…
New York is now the center of outbreak in the US as coronavirus infections continue to spike
THE number of coronavirus cases in New York State continues to double almost daily that it is now reaching a critical point, according to Governor Andrew Cuomo who said the outbreak spread is “accelerating like a bullet train.” The state has registered the highest and the greatest rate of infection and death toll is now…
Over 400 Filipinos on quarantined Grand Princess ship return home
A total of 444 Filipinos aboard the virus-stricken MV Grand Princess have arrived in the Philippines, the country’s Department of Foreign Affairs said on Monday, March 16. The 438 crew members and six passengers underwent health screenings by the United States Department of Health and Human Services before boarding a chartered flight that brought them…
Duterte places Luzon under enhanced community quarantine as virus cases rise
Luzon has been placed on an enhanced community quarantine to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte announced on Monday, March 16. “I have come to the conclusion that stricter measures are necessary. For this reason, pursuant to my powers as President under the constitution and RA…
LA mayor announces restrictions on restaurants, bars, other businesses to slow virus spread
LOS ANGELES Mayor Eric Garcetti on Sunday night, March 15 issued an emergency order in response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), placing temporary restrictions on restaurants, bars, and other establishments in the city. The order, which took effect at midnight, includes the temporary closure of bars and nightclubs that do not serve food, movie theaters…
Declaration of self-sufficiency
SIMULA noong Pebrero 24, 2020, may bagong form, ang Form I-944 Declaration of Self-Sufficiency na kailangang i-file kasabay ng I-485 Adjustment of Status Application. Ang Form I-944 ay maaari ring hilingin ng USCIS sa Request for Evidence (RFE) para sa mga application for extension of status o change of status. Ang layunin ng Form I-944…
Metro Manila placed on ‘community quarantine’ as 52 virus cases now in PH
International flights to and from Manila not covered Metro Manila has been placed on a community quarantine for the next 30 days in response to the growing number of cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte announced on Thursday, March 12. The president’s orders — which will begin on Sunday,…
Trump declares national emergency in response to coronavirus pandemic
Weeks after the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) went international and began spreading exponentially, U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday, March 13 officially declared a national emergency, which will funnel more federal aid to states and municipalities to treat patients and combat the spread of disease. In a press conference on the White House Rose Garden, the…
Filipina human trafficking victim reunites with family after 65 years
LOS ANGELES — An 83-year-old Filipina human trafficking victim reunited with three family members this week after 65 years apart. In an emotional reunion, Fedelina Lugasan — fondly known as “Nanay Fedelina” — was surprised by her older sister Eunila Cinco on Monday, March 9 after securing a visa to come to the United States….
EU leaders rip Trump’s travel ban as virus advances internationally
The temporary travel ban from the United States to European countries for 30 days took effect on midnight, Friday, March 13, in an effort “to keep new cases” of the novel coronavirus “from entering our shores,” President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday, March 11. From the Oval Office, Trump addressed the American public in an…
LAX implements nighttime closure policy
Terminals, parking structures and areas within central terminal area closed to public between midnight and 5 a.m. DUE to heavy overnight construction, limited early morning flight activity, terminal cleaning and sanitizing protocols and a priority to keep all guests and employees at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) safe and healthy, LAX’s Central Terminal Area (CTA)…
LA public schools to close for two weeks starting Monday
THE Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), the second-largest school district in the United States, will close for the next two weeks in light of the growing coronavirus (CoVID-19) pandemic. Starting Monday, March 16, all public schools in the district will be closed for the coming two weeks, “while we evaluate the appropriate path forward,”…
Fil-Am community kicks off census week of action in LA County
As households across the country begin to receive invitations to participate in the 2020 Census, Filipino American organizations and leaders in Los Angeles County are holding a week of action to encourage community members to fill out the questionnaire. Between March 12-20, individuals will receive a letter in the mail with instructions on how to…
Princess Cruises to suspend all voyages over virus concerns
6 Filipinos on MV Grand Princess test positive Princess Cruises announced on Thursday, March 12 that it will suspend all operations of its 18 cruise ships for 60 days after two of its ships carried passengers, including six Filipinos, who were diagnosed with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The move is a “proactive response to the…
Wills vs. trusts
WHEN a person passes away, the decedent’s assets could be divided in several ways: intestate succession (decedent left behind no will), testate succession (the decedent left a will), or through a trust instrument. Certain assets, such as bank accounts or qualified assets, could also be transferred through the use of beneficiary designations. Probate Court When…
Batangas City Group donates $12,000 for relief aid for the Taal Evacuees
“Pinalitaw ng Panginoong Diyos ang magandang ugali, magandang kabihasnan, magandang pagsa- samahan ng mga Batangueno. Salamat. Kahit kayo ay taga-ibang lugar, kahit kayo ay hindi Batangueno at tumutulong sa nagdurusa, sa mga nahihirapan dito sa Batangas, ipahintulot nyong sabihin ko ito sa inyo—kayo rin ay Batangueno! May pag-asa tayo,” said Cardinal Emeritus Gaudencio Rosales This…
Team Mabuhay participates in Susan G. Komen’s ‘More Than Pink’ Walk
A GROUP of Filipina Americans were among the 6,000 breast cancer survivors, thrivers, and supporters who turned out for the Susan G. Komen Los Angeles County’s MORE THAN PINK Walk™ at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, February 29. Team Mabuhay was led by Weny Khan and supported by UP Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA)…
After downplaying coronavirus outbreak, Trump declares a national emergency as Pelosi announces bipartisan deal reached with White House to help victims
THE only thing worse than incompetence in governing is to have a president who is being driven by selfish, greedy, malicious intentions. This has been proven time and time again under the leadership of the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. The coronavirus health emergency just highlights the failure in his leadership…
On keeping faith in these troubled times
“ Let’s take this Lent as a time of purification. Let Jesus purify our minds and hearts to what is essential in life.” ON this third Sunday of Lent, we hear from the Gospel of John, The Woman at the Well (John 4:5-42). It’s a compelling story that speaks of Jesus, offering himself as the…
IRS releases new simple tax form for seniors
HERE is a welcome new for seniors like me. Probably you too. We hate filling out tax forms with small words crammed into small boxes. Fear not, support is on the way with a new simpler 1040 SR. It displays bigger fonts for elderly eyes. Here are 10 things about this new simple form 1040…
If I could interview Jesus Christ
LENT is a season of Christ’s teachings, which are presented in a thousand pulpits across the nation — self- righteously, mournfully, nasally, coldly, feebly, flamboyantly, blandly, and violently. If I were asked about the rationale of my faith, I’d say: First, I believe in a grand universal order and meaning and in a power that…
A virus in the White House?
There’s a new epidemic being posted on social media: moronavirus. The root word is “moron,” as in idiot, stupid or nincompoop. A more charitable synonym is “incompetent.” An indication of moronavirus is the assertion by U.S. President Donald Trump that people could go to work despite showing symptoms of coronavirus or being actually infected. Said…
Employees’ rights and the coronavirus (Part 1)
Q: I am a working parent with a school-age child, who has been sent home due to fears of infection from the coronavirus. My work entails interacting with people throughout the day. I want to take precautions, practice social distancing, and self-quarantine if necessary. However, I am worried about my job. What are my rights…
How important is it to have a living trust?
“ The assets held in your living trust will be managed by the trustee and distributed according to your directions without court supervision and involvement when you pass away.” THINKING about one’s demise is not something people want to spend time thinking about. However reality is that we all have to face this one day. …