Japan Tourism Awards hails PDOT for Boracay Rehab
OSAKA, JAPAN – The Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) continues to reap accolades for its beefed up drive to promote sustainable tourism practices in its destinations. Philippine Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat personally received the Excellent Partner Award from the prestigious Japan Tourism Awards (JTA) in recognition of the role of the PDOT in the temporary closure of…
The Filipino School of New York & New Jersey: 10 Years and Counting
Providing educational resource for the community remains a top priority IT all started a decade or so ago with ideas and a few questions about how young Filipino American children should grow up knowing about their history and heritage and the need for a place to do just that. That idea became The Filipino School…
Peralta named as new PH Chief Justice
ASSOCIATE Justice Diosdado Peralta on Wednesday, October 23, was named as the new chief justice by President Rodrigo Duterte, replacing Chief Justice Lucas Bersamin who retired from the tribunal on Oct. 18. “We are certain that with Chief Justice Peralta at the helm of the Supreme Court, the Judiciary will continue to be well-managed as…
Duterte just needs rest – Palace
Malacañang on Thursday, October 24, said President Rodrigo Duterte was advised by his doctor to take a rest after he underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and medical evaluation on Wednesday, Oct. 23. “He was diagnosed to be having muscle spasms causing what he described to be an unbearable pain at the pelvic and spinal…
Fil-Am musical drama ‘Yellow Rose’ picked up by Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions
Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA) announced on Thursday, October 24 that it has acquired all worldwide rights, excluding the Philippines, to the film “Yellow Rose,” directed by Filipina American Diane Paragas in her narrative feature debut. “Yellow Rose” is a timely story about a Filipino teen from a small Texas town who fights to pursue…
Preparing for the ‘what ifs’
(Part 1 of 2) WITHOUT any doubt, crafting a Family Constitution or a Charter is one major step to every founder’s dream and aspiration of ensuring that his blood, sweat and tears (legacy) is cemented for generations to come. The objective therefore in any governance undertaking is to anticipate the “what ifs,” create harmony, and…
Playing the waiting game: Processing delays at USCIS
Case example: I-751 applications In her article entitled “Agency Delays Enact the Administration’s Immigration Agenda” Sandra Feist examines the processing delays currently plaguing one particular application: the Removal of Conditions on Permanent Residence. She begins with a brief history of how the “conditional permanent resident status” came about: “In 1986, as part of President Reagan’s…
Slimming teas?
What are slimming teas? Slimming teas was a term designed by unscrupulous manufacturers who claim that drinking them would lead to loss of weight. These teas are marketed as a diet aid for weight control and some even vendors even say they are good for the skin. How did this all start? These same unsupported…
RELIEF Act could expedite family petitions
ON October 16, 2019, a bill (or proposal) was introduced in the Senate called the “Resolving Extended Limbo for Immigrant Employees and Families Act,” or RELIEF Act (SB 2603). If it is enacted (or becomes law), it could cut the waiting time for family and employment petitions to five years. This could include brothers and…
Gov’t targets to lift 1-M Filipinos out of poverty every year — Palace
The government has targeted to lift 1 million Filipinos out of poverty every year, Malacañang said Tuesday, October 22. Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo issued the statement after the latest Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey showed fewer Filipino families labeled themselves poor. The survey showed 42 percent or some 10.3 million Filipino families consider themselves poor…
Lagman files bill seeking to repeal ‘archaic’ crime of blasphemy
A bill that seeks to repeal the crime of offending religious feelings, of which the late artist and activist Carlos Celdran was found guilty of, has been filed by Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman. If passed into law, House Bill (HB) No. 5170 — which would repeal Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code…
NV Dems, AAPI Caucus host Kamayan lunch in celebration of Filipino American History Month
OVER the weekend, NV Dems and the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Democratic Caucus hosted a traditional Kamayan feast in celebration of Filipino American History Month joined by Congresswoman Dina Titus, Congressman Steven Horsford, Senator Chris Brooks and Nevada State Democratic Party Chair William McCurdy II. Nevada is home to one of the fastest-growing AAPI…
Penang International Travel Exchange 2019 Returns for the Second Year
Penang, Malaysia: The Penang International Travel Exchange (PITE), a programme owned by Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB) opened today at the Setia SPICE Convention Centre. With the 2-day B2B sessions and half-day forums happening at Setia SPICE Convention Centre and gala events held across Penang’s attractions, PITE this year welcomes 80 buyers from a…
US official denounces China’s action on SCS
CHINA’S repeated provocative actions in the South China Sea (SCS or West Philippine Sea) inhibit Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, including the Philippines, from accessing over $2.5 trillion in energy reserves and have contributed to instability in the region. United States Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell…
Japanese real estate developer Nomura brings its expertise to the Philippines
The Philippine real estate industry continues to enjoy steady growth attributed to, among other things, an equally steady increase in demand in the residential condominium segment and the number of individuals in the United States looking to sell their home and move to the Philippines. As the income of the middle to upper-middle class grows,…
Russia to help PH develop its own defense industry
Russia Ambassador to the Philippines Igor Khovaev on Tuesday, October 22, said Russia wants to build a long-term strategic cooperation with the Philippines, with defense and security as a key area of cooperation both countries wish to expand. “We are ready to supply our sophisticated technologies in order to help your country develop your own…
Following court injunctions, immigration experts weigh in on the future of public charge
Five judges impose injunctions, delaying implementation of the new rule that would expand the definition of public charge in immigration After multiple judges halted the Trump administration’s proposed changes to the public charge rule, immigration experts and attorneys are assessing the impact of public charge in immigration law and the next steps. As previously reported…
Duterte to disclose result of medical consultation – Palace
Malacañang on Wednesday, October 23, vowed that President Rodrigo Duterte will disclose to the public the result of his medical consultation after concerns were raised due to the chief executive’s motorcycle accident last week and an abbreviated trip to Japan. Duterte’s visit to Japan was cut short on Tuesday, October 22, because of an “unbearable”…
Asian Community Development Council and OCA Las Vegas host the 2nd Annual Asian Night Market
LAS VEGAS — Last weekend, the Asian Community Development Council (ACDC) and OCA Las Vegas hosted the 2nd Annual Asian Night Market at St. Rose Dominican Hospital – San Martin Campus. The event drew over 9,000 people to experience a variety of Asian cuisine from 26 local food vendors, such as Brew Tea Bar, Matcha…
‘Long Distance’: A podcast capturing stories from the Filipino diaspora returns for a second season
Like most “1.5 generation” Filipino Americans, Paola Mardo learned about American life through pop culture, particularly by watching teen movies and romantic comedies. Though she was born in Los Angeles, she lived and grew up in Manila and Kuala Lumpur before moving to the Bay Area suburb of San Ramon at the age of 15,…
Trump’s actions impeach himself with his betrayal of presidential oath and defiance of the Constitution
KABABAYANS who are loyal fans of President Donald J. Trump have been contending that the launching of an impeachment inquiry into him is doing the country a disservice because it takes away valuable time and resources from Congress that should otherwise be spent in writing legislation that will help the life of ordinary hardworking Americans….
PH retirement system among worst in the world
A recent study revealed that the retirement or pension system of the Philippines is the 4th lowest out of 36 countries. According to the 2019 Melbourne Mercer Global Pension Index — which takes into consideration the pension system’s sustainability, adequacy, and integrity — the Philippines had an overall index value of 43.7, placing it above…
Forum with BSP governor spotlights PH economy’s resilience
WASHINGTON, D.C.— “The Philippines has come a long way but it is now recognized globally as among the fastest growing and most resilient economies in the world. Its future prospects are bright. However, the transformation was a product of a long list of structural reforms. It did not happen overnight,” declared Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas…
UN body: PH the country with fastest growing epidemic of HIV
A study conducted by the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) found that the Philippines has the “fastest growing epidemic” of the sexually transmitted disease, with a 203 percent rise in new HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infections from 2010 to 2018. Worldwide HIV cases, on the other hand, declined by at least 18 percent. Only…
HHS awards $16-M to help primary care practices address patients’ unhealthy alcohol use
THE U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), announced on Tuesday, October 22, a $16 million initiative to help primary care practices increase efforts to address patients’ unhealthy alcohol use. Excessive alcohol use, which affects almost a third of adults, is the nation’s third leading cause…
TPB mounts biggest international travel trade event in the Philippines for 2019
The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), is set to boost tourism in the Philippines as it simultaneously mounts the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) and MICE Buyers Invitational (MICECONnect) 2019 on October 20 to 27 to promote the Philippines as a prime tourist destination for…