WORDS are mere grace notes, all my life I’ve dealt with words. They are adequate for many of our purposes, even indispensable for most. They can (of course) be immeasurably beautiful and graceful. But they can’t do everything. Testimonial to the power of the photograph to present a tapestry of history, told to the eyes…
SOME of our politicians have been threatening to leave the United Nations or one of its bodies, the UN Human Rights Commission. Such remarks should normally be dismissed as mumblings of politicians in search of public attention. In the case of Senate President Tito Sotto, I think he just wants to proclaim his loyalty to…
One of the perks of living in LA is that you are likely to spot a celebrity at some point. Since the Hollywood studios are here, a lot of celebrities live around Southern California. Not to mention, we have our SoCal beaches where they usually (try to) hide out or when they (try to) be…
KABABAYANS, I hear you. Some of you say President Donald Trump’s tirades against the four women representatives in Congress were not racist. You contend that this is just part of his fight against illegal immigration, and you elected and support him for that. I get it. I understand how strongly you feel about this issue….
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…
by Rachel Bluth THE House Energy and Commerce Committee on Wednesda, July 17, approved its version of legislation to curb surprise medical bills. Though this step was an important advance, there’s still a long way forward before Congress agrees on a legislative solution to this high-profile consumer concern. These bills, the unexpected and often high…
CHELSEA Hamilton and Alyssa Hernandez worked for Wal-Mart at its Fulfillment Center in Chino, California for several years. These employees sued their employer in a class action for, among other things, unpaid overtime and minimum wages. The employees claimed that Wal-Mart required employees to go through mandatory off-the-clock security checks during each meal period and…
ONE traditional way of obtaining permanent residency for most immigrants is through a petition by a US citizen spouse. As a spouse of a US Citizen, an alien is considered an immediate relative and entitled to immediately apply for a green card inside the United States. This is usually done by simultaneously filing an I-130…
ANG green card na tinatawag din na permanent resident card ang patunay na ang isang indibidwal ay may lawful permanent resident (LPR) status sa US. Subalit ang LPR status ay hindi talagang permanente sapagkat maaaring magkaroon ng determinasyon na ang LPR ay nag-abandona na ng kanyang LPR status sa US. Ang abandonment ay maaaring maging…
THE client is 60, while his wife is 58. He issued his check to pay rent of $1,200 but the check was dishonored for insufficient funds. The landlord called him to tell him that his rent check bounced. The client was surprised that his check bounced because he had at least $5,000 in the checking…
I’M merely in my third week of serving as pastor of Incarnation Church, and I love it. The people are warm, and the neighborhood is serene. I know that as time goes by, I will be busy with many ministerial and administrative duties. But I like to take my time now, slowly getting into the…
The 18th edition of the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) ran from June 28 to July 14, and film buffs in New York had an opportunity to watch some of the most exciting action, comedy, drama, thriller, romance, horror, and art-house films from East Asia. This year’s batch included a couple of films from…
“The past is prologue.” —Shakespeare IF you’re a woman who believes in secret in such things as love-at-first sight and happily-ever-afters, TAKE HEART. Even during this cynical, jaded Age of Information when nothing seems sacred or mysterious any more, there are still countless women (and maybe some men) the world over just like you, who…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, July 17, has called on the United States to invoke its Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) with the Philippines amid the maritime tension in the disputed West Philippine Sea. “I’m calling now America. I’m invoking the RP-U.S. pact. I would like America to gather all their 7th Fleet in front of…
Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs David Stilwell on Tuesday, July 16, said the United States is committed to working with the Philippines on “evidence-based” approaches to reducing drug demand, as both countries face the same challenge of illicit drug use. “We remain committed to working together on evidence-based approaches to…
Sharing the power of storytelling and the importance of representation CARRYING his passion to create stories and present them to others who may not have the opportunity to feel or go through certain experiences in life, Filipino American Jeffrey Lo takes on directing “The Language Archive” for TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s 50th season. Written by Julia…
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…
Life is not possible without the sun, but it could also be our nemesis, if we are not wise and careful. Make the sun our friend. Summer is a sun-filled and fun-filled time of the year, with friends and/or family. But behind the façade of the celebration starting from the summer solstice, lurks various health…
Malacañang on Tuesday, July 16, said that President Rodrigo Duterte will be the first to follow the recently signed “Bawal Bastos” law, which penalizes catcalling and other gender-based harassment in public spaces and online. According to presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo, Duterte recognized the need to prevent gender-based sexual harassment when he signed Republic Act 11313…
by Nestor Burgos Jr THE inter-agency task force managing the rehabilitation of Boracay Island appealed to tourists and residents on Wednesday, July 17, to give the rehabilitation more time after flash floods brought by heavy pour hit the island on Tuesday, July 16. “We are appealing to tourists … until the middle of next year,…
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…
Fil-Am Romar De Claro plays lead role in this favorite family musical THE Tri-Valley Repertory is proud to present “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” this July and August at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore. The play is an irresistible family musical about the trials and triumphs of Joseph, Israel’s favorite son. Told entirely through…
FILIPINO exhibition series Pulo Project is back until August with a new set of art, design and fashion from Filipino and Filipino American creatives. Born as a “passion project” by Filipina American curator and designer Michelle Aquino, Pulo Project popped up at the downtown Los Angeles flagship of luxury retail store Please Do Not Enter,…
No signs of massive raids in Los Angeles, other major cities Over the weekend, the Trump administration said that federal immigration officials have begun a nationwide operation targeting undocumented immigrants in 10 cities who have been given a court order to be deported. According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials, targeted operations were planned…
The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday, July 15, declared a national dengue alert after 450 people, including infants and a centenarian, died in the first six months of the year due to rapidly increasing cases of dengue in several regions. “This is the first time we’re declaring a national alert because the objective is…
Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Tuesday, July 16, said the Philippines will remain in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) despite the Council’s approval of a resolution calling for an international review of the country’s war on illegal drugs. “UNHRC vote is a small and harmless matter,” Locsin said on Twitter. “We’re…
