October 2019 priority dates
EACH month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority date…
Master artist and puppeteer Carlito Camahalan Amalla: Creating an instrument for societal change
Kularts’ Puppetry Workshop to be held on September 24 & 25 ANY form of art can be a powerful tool of communication. It relays information, educates, inspires and moves people to decide on an important issue. We are mostly familiar to art forms that are frequently practiced by artists like paintings, illustration, dance, music, sculpture…
Scam-proofing basics 101
“Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking.” —Marcus Aurelius YEARS ago, I came across an email message from a legitimate contact telling a sad story and asking for emergency money in a far-off land. I searched some phrases and sure enough, it was…
UVC kills bugs at home
One of the great advances in medical science is the discovery that Ultraviolet C (UVC) rays effectively kill bacteria, and neutralize viruses, fungi and molds. This has led to the introduction of UVC lamps for cleaning and sterilization of medical/dental instruments and accessories. The expanded use was approved by the US-FDA to include sterilizing food…
Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan visits Las Vegas on Biden campaign trail
WHILE presidential candidates prepped for the third Democratic primary debate, Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan traveled to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas to meet with students and register voters as part of her campaign for presidential candidate Joe Biden. “It’s right around the corner,” Kwan told the Asian Journal on Thursday, September 12, referring…
All the small things: Issues that come up in divorce when there are minor children
Recently, I was asked if we here at Chua Tinsay & Vega, APLC handle divorce cases. Yes, we do! We handle divorce cases here in California, including Division of Community Assets and Debts, Child Custody, Child Support, Spousal Support, with special handling of issues relating to Military Divorces. Divorce, especially in the beginning stages, is…
As McDonald’s delivery business builds global momentum, the company hosts third annual McDelivery event across 50 countries and six continents
Global ‘McDelivery Night In’ includes ‘Staying In’ clothing line dropping Sept. 19 Chicago — McDonald’s now delivers to more than one million customers around the world every day. To honor this milestone, on September 19th McDonald’s and Uber Eats are encouraging customers to enjoy a “Global McDelivery Night In” – one night dedicated to enjoying…
Filipina American’s vegan ice cream brand turns family stories into pint-sized memories
IT’S often said that food is a form of storytelling with its dimensions of narrating our culture, identity, relationships, memories, decisions we make and much more. For Christy Cunanan, one of her fondest childhood memories was listening to her grandparents’ stories about their lives in the Philippines and the culture, which has shaped her identity…
Anti-human trafficking summit highlights scope of trafficking within Filipino community
“Nanay” Fedelina Lugasan recounts a life of modern slavery AFTER decades of enslavement, Fedelina Lugasan can finally breathe. This past July, the 83-year-old Filipina domestic worker was rescued in Northridge, California after more than 30 years of domestic servitude with meager pay and no days off. Born in Leyte, Philippines, Lugasan was 16 years old…
PH Senate conducts ‘historic’ hearing on divorce bill
The Senate on Tuesday, September 17, conducted its first ever hearing on the proposed divorce law in the Philippines. Presiding over the hearing is Senate committee on Women, Children, Family Relations and Gender Equality chairperson Sen. Risa Hontiveros, who called this first deliberation on the divorce bill “historic.” “This is history in the making,” she…
Duterte meets with officials of Communist Party of China
Malacañang on Monday night, September 16, said President Rodrigo Duterte met with Chongqing party chief Chen Min’er and other members of Communist Party of China (CPC) in a courtesy call at the Palace’s Music Room. In a press statement, Malacañang described Chen as “a protégé of Chinese President Xi Jinping,” and that he “is seen…
DND concerned about AFP deal with China-backed telco
The Department of National Defense (DND) on Monday, September 16, said it has a concern over the agreement between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Chinese-linked telco firm Dito Telecommunity Corp. “Nothing unusual, just that when somebody puts something up inside camp, we have to look into this always,” said DND spokesperson Director…
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs executive order to confront youth vaping epidemic
SACRAMENTO – On Monday, September 16, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order to confront the growing youth epidemic and health risks linked to vaping. The executive order directs the Department of Public Health (CDPH) to launch a $20 million statewide digital and social media public awareness campaign to educate youth, young adults and…
What we need to know about suicide, the 10th cause of death in the US
SUICIDE — the act of taking one’s own life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that in 2017, the 10th cause of death in the United States was suicide. Worse, suicide is the second leading cause of death for adolescents 10 to 19 years old. Suicide follows heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries,…
‘Trick Mirror’ by Fil-Am author Jia Tolentino launches at Skylight Books in Los Angeles
by Thelma Sugay THE room was beaming with indescribable frenzy as though awaiting the arrival of royalty. The audience crossed all barriers — age, color and interest. Already, a sign that whoever was about to appear had managed to attract a diverse crowd because of some significant accomplishment or discovery. Finally, the event’s moderator at Skylight Bookstore…
Fil-Am Bailey Munoz wins ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ Season 16
A FILIPINO American emerged as the best dancer of them all! On Monday, September 16, Fil-Am Bailey “Bailrok” Munoz was hailed the champion of the 16th season of “So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD).” The 19-year-old succeeds Filipina American Hannahlei Cabanilla who won the previous season last year. Aside from being named “America’s Favorite…
Japan House Los Angeles extends “Bakeru” exhibition until October 20 due to popular demand
JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles is pleased to announce the “BAKERU: Transforming Spirits” exhibition extension, due to its popularity since the world debut on July 17, until October 20. The complimentary interactive exhibition, inviting visitors to step into the supernatural world of Japanese folk traditions from the northern region of Tohoku, Japan, through the use of…
Largest University of PH alumni gathering in LA hits fundraising goals, welcomes VP Leni Robredo
LOS ANGELES, California – It was an epic night on Saturday, September 7 for the University of the Philippines Alumni Association of Greater Los Angeles (UPAAGLA) as one of U.P.’s most notable alumnae, Vice President Leni Robredo, was the keynote speaker. With over 330 guests in attendance and more than P1.2M ($25,000.00) raised, the recently…
Fil-Am Democrats turn out as 3 presidential candidates participate in AAPI forum
Democratic presidential hopefuls flew down to Southern California last weekend to participate in what was billed as the first-ever Democratic national forum for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Making it to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, California on Sunday, September 8 were tech entrepreneur Andrew Yang, U.S. Representative…
Palace: Duterte not abandoning arbitral ruling with PH-China joint exploration plan
Malacañang on Thursday, September 12, assured the public that President Rodrigo Duterte is not abandoning the 2016 arbitral court ruling after he revealed that China and the Philippines are looking into joint oil and gas exploration in the disputed West Philippine Sea (South China Sea). The clarification comes after the president said both countries have…
Fall in love with these fall makeup trends
SOME weeks ago we welcomed the fall season with an article on hairstyles. Today, we tackle another one of my fortes – and a sought-after subject for women – the latest makeup trends. I can describe this season’s makeup peg in two words: fresh and minimal. With that image in mind, I invite you to experience “Valentine’s…
Former Philippine corrections deputy chief reveals more ‘money-making’ scams
More “money-making” schemes are occurring within the Philippine Bureau of Corrections and the New Bilibid Prison, a former deputy chief of the agency has revealed. BuCor deputy chief Rafael Ragos on Thursday, September 12 alleged that several scams are taking place within the prison and agency than previously uncovered, one of which is the hiring…
Janet Napoles remains in custody despite inclusion in good conduct list
The Philippine Department of Justice said plunder convict Janet Lim Napoles remains in a correctional facility despite being included in a list of inmates eligible for early release under the good conduct time allowance (GCTA) law. Justice Undersecretary Mark Perete, spokesperson for the department, on Thursday, September 12, stressed that she “remains at the Correctional…
Readers react to proposal to bring back life skills classes
KABABAYANS are fired up after reading my article pushing for the government, in the Philippines and the United States, to bring back life skills subjects that have unfortunately been taken off the curriculum because of budget constraints. They strongly agree that subjects that used to be mandatory like home economics, practical/industrial arts/home repairs and gardening…
An old love story
GOOD news and bad news, examination and treatments, even death happened in full view of everyone; as you are admitted at the triage of LAC-USC Medical Center. It was an extraordinary experience of a community. As a story unfolded, I was there — when a young woman was brought in comatose, having taken a massive…
Checklist – If immigration officers (ICE) knock on your door
RECENTLY, our office has noticed growing concern in the community about the possibility of immigration (ICE) agents unexpectedly knocking on the door of your home. Our office has received a lot of inquiry as to what to do in such a situation. It is important to realize that all people living in the United…