Romantic comedies and that thing called love (Part 1 of 2)
“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…
Duterte invokes defense treaty with US
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…
US committed to help PH in ‘evidence-based’ drug war
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…
Jeffrey Lo, director of ‘The Language Archive’
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…
August 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…
Sun: Friend or foe?
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…
‘Duterte will be the first one to obey ‘Bawal Bastos’ law’
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…
Boracay flash flood shows more time needed for rehab
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,…
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…
Tri-Valley Repertory presents: ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’
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…
From skin-colored ternos to Philippine-inspired scents: Pulo Project rolls out second wave of art and design installations in LA
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,…
ICE raids targeting 2,000 quietly go underway
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…
DOH declares national dengue alert
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…
PH won’t withdraw from UNHRC – Locsin
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…
Duterte signs bill that punishes ‘sexist’ remarks
‘Anti-bastos’ bill seeks to prevent sexual harassment, including catcalling President Rodrigo Duterte has signed into law the anti-bastos bill, which seeks to prevent gender-based sexual harassment from occurring in streets, public places, online workplaces, and educational and training institutions. Senator Risa Hontiveros, one of the law’s principal authors, said in late May that the bill…
Team Philippines participates in this year’s World Championships of Performing Arts
A TEAM of Filipino talent is back again to compete in this year’s World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Long Beach, California. Considered the “Talent Olympics,” WCOPA has over a week of competitions and activities for contestants hailing from 70 countries. On Sunday, July 14 at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center Plaza, attendees…
Dear Filipino Americans: When are you going to call out President Trump for racism and discrimination?
MGA KABABAYAN, many of you are Republicans, holding onto conservative principles, especially those anchored on our Christian faith which is very important to us. This is one of the reasons why many Filipinos support the Republican Party and Republican President Donald J. Trump. But where and when do we draw the line between our support…
Filipino industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue launches Star Wars furniture
Staunch Star Wars fans can now design their living rooms to look like a galaxy far, far away with high-end themed furniture and home accessories. Filipino industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue — named Designer of the Year at Maison & Objet, a prestigious French furniture convention — was tapped by Disney and Lucas Films to create…
PH population to double by 2058
The Philippines’ population is predicted to grow twice its size by 2058, according to Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia. Since the last census conducted in 2015, the country’s population rate has already slowed down at 1.76 a year. “Under this growth rate, our population, which is now 108.1 million, is expected to double in 39…
Suspect arrested in broad daylight killing of 70-year-old Filipino man in LA
The suspect in the deadly attack of a 70-year-old Filipino man was arrested on Thursday, July 11 after being detained in downtown Los Angeles. Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) authorities said that Gerson Carrillo Torres, 22, has been booked on suspicion of murder with his bail set at $2 million following his arrest around 3rd…
PH rejects UN resolution to investigate drug war
The Philippines on Thursday, July 11 rejected a United Nations resolution that mandates a “comprehensive” international review of the drug war that has been ongoing since President Rodrigo Duterte took office three years ago. The United Nations Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) resolution seeks an investigation into the rising death toll, which has been disputed, ranging…
Pacquiao remains confident ahead of July 20 fight against Thurman
With less than 10 days to go until Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao’s fight with Keith “One Time” Thurman, Pacquiao assured that he was feeling good and finishing training camp strong. “They’re very excited. It’s the biggest challenge they’ve had in a long time,” said Pacquiao’s longtime publicist, Fred Sternberg, on Thursday, July 11. Having spent nearly…
Rent control bill advances in California Senate
AB 1482 guarantees and expands rent control to more rental units CALIFORNIA is now closer to having statewide rent control after the California Senate Judiciary Committee approved AB 1482 on the evening of Tuesday, July 9. AB 1482 is an “anti-rent gouging bill” that would make it illegal for property owners to raise rents higher…
Q&A for beginners in the stock market
MORE than half of Americans have stocks in their portfolio. If you don’t, you are missing out. Actually, you have been missing out big time. Conservative people keep their money in Certificates Of Deposit (CD). Conservatism is noble but earning 1% – 2% in a savings account is kind of silly when stock investors earn…
Mayor Isko Moreno steps in and Manila is never the same again
MOVE over, law-breaks and loiterers! There’s a new mayor in Manila – and he means business! Like a superhero (I’m thinking, “The Mighty Thor”), he came just a week shy of being elected as mayor of Manila, with a sledgehammer in hand whacking gambling machines and throwing the first few blows at what he said…