US woman faces human trafficking charges after attempting to smuggle baby out of PH
THE Philipine National Bureau of Investigation has charged an American woman with human trafficking after she was caught attempting to fly a 6-day-old baby out of the country without proper documentation, officials said on Thursday, September 5. The woman in question is 43-year-old Jennifer Erin Talbot, who also faces child abuse and kidnapping with serious…
Fil-Am family among those unaccounted for in Santa Cruz Island boat fire
34 dead, names of 9 victims have been released SANTA Barbara County authorities on Friday, September 6 have identified 18 victims and released the names of nine who perished in the tragic boat fire in Santa Barbara County over Labor Day weekend. Those still unidentified and unaccounted for include a Filipino American family: Michael Quitasol,…
Wisconsin teacher accused of enslaving Filipina mother and son after bringing them to US
A HIGH school teacher from Milwaukee, Wisconsin has been accused of human trafficking and sexual assault after he allegedly forced a Filipina woman and her son into servitude after promising them a better life in the United States. Christian Mothershead, 46, made his initial court appearance on Tuesday, September 3. He faces two counts of…
Immigrants rights orgs, advocates join forces to fight Trump’s public charge rule
The controversial rule change that could affect to take effect Oct. 15 NEXT month, the Trump administration’s changes to the public charge rule will take effect but not before immigrant rights’ groups have a chance to challenge it. In August, the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized the changes made to the federal public charge…
Robredo pushes for gender equality: ‘We can do more’
PHILIPPINE Vice President Leni Robredo on Thursday, September 5, challenged the public to do more in terms of promoting gender equality, noting that there are still “subtle acts” of discrimination that should be focused on to achieve true equality. “Since the #MeToo Movement, and due to the watchfulness of the ‘woke’ generation, so many things…
Palace: ‘Bato’ dela Rosa to be investigated over freed convicts
Malacañang on Thursday, September 5, said newly-elected Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa will also face investigation for signing release papers of heinous crime convicts during his term as chief of the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor). In a press briefing on Wednesday night, September 4, President Rodrigo Duterte said he will have the other BuCor officials…
Part II: One mistake erases all the good one has done
A sad reality on being judgmental and unforgiving IN the last article, we discussed how people can be so unforgiving and judgmental beyond reason. Antonio made a big mistake by being too personal with a teener. He knew it was wrong and now he suffers the consequences of a mistake that never physically materialized. He…
Lawmakers send contested vaccine bill to CA governor
by Ana B. Ibarra CALIFORNIA lawmakers dropped this year’s most controversial public health bill into Gov. Gavin Newsom’s lap on Wednesday, but it’s not clear whether he will sign the measure, which would tighten the rules for exempting children from routine vaccinations. The state Senate voted 28-11 to approve SB-276 by state Sen. Richard Pan…
Starving seniors: How California’s aging are falling through the cracks
by Laura Ungar and Trudy Lieberman SAN JOSE, Calif. — In the neighborhoods around San Jose, more than 1 in 9 seniors struggle to get enough to eat. They are among the millions of seniors across the country who quietly go hungry as the safety net designed to catch them frays. Nearly 8% of Americans…
Do I need a premarital agreement before getting married?
IN the absence of a premarital agreement, the general community property presumption under California family code section 760 controls which provides “ ….all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in this state is community property.” Family Code 760. This becomes a problem if you…
Children’s book author Carmelita Suarez wants to help you
THERE in the Abrahamic religions exists story upon story about prophets, conduits to God who were chosen by the Big Man himself. The stories we learned about Abraham and Moses have taught us that there are gifted people chosen by the Lord to deliver his Word and to relay his wishes for humankind. Carmelita Suarez…
Selective service registration for naturalization
ANG isang lawful permanent resident (LPR) o green card holder na nasa pagitan ng 18 hanggang 26 taon gulang ay kailangan magrehistro para sa Selective Service at magpakita ng ebidensiya ng pagrehistro para sa kanyang N-400 Application for Naturalization. Ayon sa USCIS Policy Manual, ang isang aplikante para sa naturalization ay kailangang magpakita na siya…
Amid the growing gun violence in America, do you agree that the NRA is a ‘domestic terrorist’ organization?
TERRORISM, as defined by Britannica, is the systematic use of violence to create a general climate of fear in a population and thereby to bring about a particular political objective. The Federal Bureau of Investigation describes “domestic terrorism” as “perpetrated by individuals and/or groups inspired by or associated with primarily U.S.-based movements that espouse extremist…
Investing tips from Warren Buffett
Lesson No. 1: Be Frugal Warren Buffett is a multi-billionaire; yet, he lives simply. He still lives in the same modest house in Omaha, Nebraska that he bought 50 years ago. He drives his own car. His simple life affords him more to invest. He demands this same quality from managers. Buffett is wary of…
Becoming ‘all flame’!
THERE is a famous story taken from the writings of the Desert Fathers, which reads this way: “Abbot Lot went to see Abbot Joseph and said: ‘Father, according as I am able, I keep my little rule, and my little fast, my prayer, meditation and contemplative silence; and according as am able I strive to…
Best fall haircuts for men and women
THE start of a new season means different things to different people. But as a hair expert, it primarily means one thing for me: new season equals new haircut. As you embrace the arrival of fall, it’s the best time to hit up the salon and get your fall-season haircut. But before you do, check…
Who takes care of the caregivers?
IN private homes, we learn yet of another world — of quiet angels with gentle hearts, who, back home, used to be teachers, bank tellers, office workers, civil engineers, registered nurses, and or certified nurse aids; who handle with special acrobatic grace and cold arrogance, the fine dignity of their “clients” last moments. They try…
Removing the conditions of your permanent residence without your petitioning spouse’s participation
A PERSON who obtains his/her green card via marriage to a US citizen spouse, and who is married for less than 2 years has conditional permanent resident status. A conditional permanent resident has a green card that is valid for 2 years. In order to continue to have permanent resident status after 2 years, the…
Sex harassment creates a hostile work environment
CHASTITY Jones, is a 42-year-old single mother, who worked as a sales accountant Hologram USA and FilmOn.TV, companies owned by billionaire Alkiviades David. FilmOn.TV Networks is an online television service and Hologram USA operates a hologram theater in Hollywood that has produced holographic images of entertainers Billie Holiday, Jackie Wilson and Bernie Mac. Jones said…
What does a ‘fresh start’ after bankruptcy mean?
LET’S give bankruptcy a historical and legal perspective. Right now, when we say bankruptcy law, we refer to the federal law called the “Bankruptcy Code” of 2005. Creditors did a lot of lobbying in Congress to fashion the 2005 bankruptcy Code to enhance their interests. Thus, the 2005 Bankruptcy Code incorporates the “means test,” which…
The hazards of misreading the news
WHEN I read the post in social media that Senator-boxer Manny Pacquiao had proposed crucifixion as a method of imposing the death penalty, my automatic response was to suggest, “Crucify him!” I’m afraid I got carried away by someone else’s misinterpretation of Pacquiao’s proposal. As an aggressive proponent of the reimposition of the death penalty,…
Fil-Am dad, daughters presumed dead in Santa Cruz Island boat fire
A Filipino American family was among the dozens of people aboard a boat that erupted in flames near Santa Barbara, California over the Labor Day weekend. Twenty-five bodies have been located as of Wednesday, September 4, while nine are still unaccounted for, including Filipino Americans Michael Quitasol, his current wife Fernisa Sison, and Quitasol’s daughters…
FRESH FACE AT THE US OPEN: Filipina Alex Eala makes her US Open Juniors debut
Alexandra “Alex” Eala, the 14-year-old teen tennis star from the Philippines, made an impressive US Open Juniors Championship debut on Monday, dismissing her Australian opponent in straight sets with a commanding 6-1, 6-0 score. Eala made it to the main draw of Juniors Girls Singles as one of the eight qualifiers who had to win…
Ma-Yi theater company extends world premiere of ‘Felix Starro’ to September 21
First Filipino Musical Off-Broadway Opens Ma-Yi’s 30th Anniversary Season IN response to popular demand and critical acclaim, Ma-Yi Theater Company is pleased to extend the world premiere of Felix Starro, a new musical by Jessica Hagedorn and Fabian Obispo, to September 21. Based on a powerful short story by acclaimed writer Lysley Tenorio, Felix Starro, which opened on September 3, marks the first-time-ever a musical…
Duterte fires Faeldon for ‘disobeying’ order
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, September 4, fired Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) chief Nicanor Faeldon for disobeying his order not to release convicts supposedly eligible under the Good Conduct Time Allowance (GCTA) law. “Faeldon has to go because Faeldon disobeyed my order,” he said in a press briefing on Wednesday night. When asked if he…
Philippines Cultural Day comes to USC Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena, CA
On Sunday, September 8, the USC Pacific Asia Museum will have a full day of activities celebrating the cultures of the Philippines. Enjoy performances, art-making activities, a chef conversation, and storytime for kids. Free admission all day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. This event will present a collaboration of performing artists from Malaya Filipino…