Navigating the new year and new decade: A day at a time
HAPPY NEW YEAR! We are just starting the new year 2020 and the new decade, and yet we already feel the heavyweight of what is going on in our life, in our country, in our world. Maybe you are battling sickness, or are mourning the death of someone dear to you. Perhaps you have a…
Fecal bacteria in California’s waterways increases with homeless crisis
By Anna Almendrala President Donald Trump, a self-described germophobe, has made no secret of his disgust with California’s growing homeless problem, which he has called a “disgrace” and “inappropriate” and equated to “living in hell.” “We should all work together to clean up these hazardous waste and homeless sites before the whole city rots away,”…
Filipinos in US ‘not covered’ in PH visa requirement plan – Palace
FILIPINOS in the United States would not be covered by the Duterte administration’s proposed plan requiring American citizens to obtain visas before entering the Philippines, Malacañang clarified this week. This comes after presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo previously said that President Rodrigo Duterte would order American citizens, “including Filipino Americans,” to get a visa before traveling…
Third US senator says Duterte ‘sorely mistaken’ for imposing travel ban to PH
A third American senator has been subjected to a travel ban to the Philippines for his reported support of denying Philippine government officials entry into the U.S. if they were involved in Senator Leila De Lima’s arrest and detention. Massachusetts Senator Edward Markey on Thursday said that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration had confirmed he…
Palace: Duterte won’t meddle with ABS-CBN franchise renewal
President Rodrigo Duterte will not interfere with the franchise renewal of major television network ABS-CBN, Malacañang said on Friday, January 3. This is because Congress has the prerogative to grant the network’s franchise, according to Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo. “The president will not interfere with that prerogative unless there is an evident and brazen grave…
DTI, SEIPI to engage in trade and investment promotion for electronics in the US
The Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in partnership with the Semiconductor and Electronics Industries in the Philippines Foundation, Inc. (SEIPI), the largest organization of foreign and Filipino electronics companies in the Philippines, will present the Philippine electronic capabilities during the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show (CES). CES 2020 will run from January 7-10 in…
San Manuel Casino opens newest high-end gaming and dining experiences
The new High Limit Gaming and Asian-Inspired Eatery offer opulent entertainment experiences; plus, the launch of a $10,000 cocktail SAN Manuel Casino recently announced the opening of its newest high limit gaming space – High Limit Tables and High Limit Slots – plus its newest culinary experience – Hong Bao Kitchen, an Asian-inspired eatery with…
Did your ITIN expire last December 31, 2019?
INDIVIDUAL Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITIN) are used by people who should file income tax returns but are not eligible for Social Security numbers. A vast number of ITINs expired at the end of 2019. IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig distributed information materials in multiple languages including English, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Russian, Vietnamese, Korean and Haitian on…
As we make our journeys
AS we celebrate the New Year, let’s remember the famous words of Dag Hammarskjold, the Swedish diplomat and second Secretary-General of the United Nations: “For all that has been, thank you. For all that is to come, yes!” These words imply two great attitudes: gratitude and openness to God’s will. We’re thankful to God for…
Meet Tina Shih, renowned modeling teacher joining Asia Pacific Fashion Week
THE special week celebrating APA fashion designers is currently recruiting models to participate Contrary to popular belief, it’s not easy being a model. Also contrary to popular belief, the beauty of a model is beyond skin-deep. Tina Shih knows this. The former model, educator and pageant coach understands the importance of personal presentation; it’s more…
New law alert: longer paid family leave to take effect
THE California Family Rights Act (CFRA) entitles employees who work in businesses of 50 or more employees, 12 weeks of leave from work. This benefit is provided when they have to care for their seriously ill child, parent or spouse, for birth of and bonding with a newborn, or for the adoption or foster care…
Newsom signs new laws addressing housing, health care, gun safety
ON Wednesday, January 1 California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law hundreds of bills that address a bevy of progressive policies that range from renter protection laws to an individual mandate law that requires all Californians to have health insurance. In total, 1,200 laws were signed on the first day of 2020, but some will…
FACCGLA gala on January 12 features performing artists and entrepreneurs
THE ballroom will be decked in shining, shimmering splendor as guests are invited to come in their dazzling best to the annual fundraiser of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater LA (FACCGLA) on Sunday, January 12. The “Shining Shimmering Splendid Gala” will be held at the Hilton Woodland Hills, beginning at 6 p.m….
The Feast of Santo Niño on January 19 in Los Angeles
SANTO Niño Cruzada USA is inviting all devotees of Santo Niño to come and join us in the 33rd year anniversary mass celebration of the Feast of Santo Nino, the Divine Infant Jesus, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, on Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 3:30 p.m. The principal celebrant is Bishop…
Relief for denied Naturalization Application
KAPAG ang USCIS ay nag-deny ng application for naturalization, ang USCIS ay magbibigay ng Notice of Denial na nagsasaad ng legal at factual na dahilan nito. Maaaring tanggapin ng aplikante ang denial decision; maaari ring ang aplikante ay hindi sumang-ayon sa denial decision at siya ay mag-file ng Form N-336 Request for Hearing on…
American TNTs in the Philippines?
The term ‘Tago Nang Tago’ (TNT) refers to Pinoys in the U.S. who are hiding from immigration officials because of their illegal status. This year, TNT may also mean U.S. citizens hiding from Philippine immigration officials because they are in the country illegally. In this regard, U.S. Senators Patrick Leahy and Richard Durbin should not…
GANAP Singers entertain on January 4 in North Hollywood
Underprivileged singers find a life of purpose inspite of hardships through performing arts FILAM Arts and Philippine Patrons of the Arts USA present “Music and More! with the GANAP Singers” at the Community Auditorium of the Church of Scientology of the Valley on Saturday, January 4 at 5 p.m. The presenters embarked to showcase this…
Reports of patients’ deaths linked to heart devices lurk below radar
by Christina Jewett The Food and Drug Administration continues to file thousands of reports of patients’ deaths related to medical devices through a reporting system that keeps the safety data out of the public eye. The system is similar to a vast program exposed earlier this year by KHN that kept device-injury reports effectively hidden…
Trump compromises on vaping, FDA bans most e-cig flavors
A WEEK after the Trump administration announced the ban of tobacco sales to anyone under the age of 21, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a policy that bans the sale of most flavors of cartridge e-cigarettes. The compromise announced on Thursday, January 2 was designed to quell the concerns of public health officials…
Here comes another year
The old year has passed and we commemorate it while invoking the illumination of the year’s days of authentic indulgence, simplicities, celebration and closure. As we welcome the new year, we need to put the old years unfinished business — mistakes, regrets, shortcomings and disappointment behind us, bad memories as well. We will make some…
Ampatuan massacre convicts appeal verdict
THE Maguindanao massacre convicts have started to file their motions for reconsideration against the Dec. 19, 2019 ruling that found them guilty. Former Datu Unsay Mayor Andal “Unsay” Ampatuan, Jr., Anwar Ampatuan Sr., as well as his two sons, Anwar “Datu Ipi” Ampatuan, Jr. and Anwar Sajid “Datu Ulo” Ampatuan filed their notice of appeal…
Five benefits of establishing a revocable living trust
THERE is never the perfect time to think about who you would like to inherit from your estate in case you pass away or at least who among your closest friends (BFFs) and family members are even deserving of inheriting from your estate. In doing so, you should also think about which vehicle you plan…
Seniors need CHP 13 as they retire; senior’s business needs CHP 7 while she needs CHP 13
SENIORS are husband and wife aged 70 and 65 – wife is a young and healthy 65; husband is a healthy 70 and still looks strong. Both are still working with good income. The husband grosses about $100K a year. The wife grosses about $70K a year. With $170K gross for the household, there should…
Permanent residence based on same sex marriage
“ A civil union or domestic partnership cannot be the basis for a same-sex, marriage-based immigrant petition.” IN United States vs. Windsor, 570 U.S. 744 (2013), the Supreme Court held that Federal restrictions of the terms “marriage,” and “spouse” to marriages between a man and a woman were unconstitutional. The Court invalidated Section 3 of…
