NOONG huli kong artikulo, aking tinalakay ang Form I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status na ginagamit para palawigin o baguhin ang status ng aplikanteng nandito sa US sa ilalim ng nonimmigrant visa category na B1/B2 (bisita), F1 (estudyante); J1 (exchange visitor) or kaya H4, E2 o L2 (mga dependent ng H1 [temporary worker], E1 [investor]…
ARTISTS are those whose gifts set them apart as their talent, wisdom and integrity are superior. They make beauty, unlock mysteries, serve the truth, create life out of the matter of their visions – between pokes of arrogance and humility, between failure and triumph. They walk alone, listened to voices unheard by others. They have…
Filipino Bishop-elect Alex Aclan to lead service on Sunday, April 28 THE beloved parish of St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church in Reseda is celebrating 70 years of service to the community by doing what it does best: giving back. This weekend, the church is hosting several fun activities for its diverse group of regular…
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III on Thursday, April 11, said the Philippines is set to become an ‘upper-middle-income’ economy this year with the assistance of the World Bank (WB). According to him, the generous support of the World Bank for the Philippines’ sustainable development programs is a “key factor” in achieving its goal of becoming…
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…
“He who must travel happily must travel light.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupery (Sixteenth of a series) TRAVEL is a pure metaphor for our life’s journey. There are two choices in the way we can travel. We can travel light or we can load up on stuff and literally become a beast of burden. The reality…
NDRRMC warns public of circulating text hoax about ‘the big one’ Another tectonic earthquake with a 4.7 magnitude hit the Philippines at 11:43 a.m. Wednesday, April 24, in the Mindanao region specifically in Banganga, Davao Oriental as reported by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). The seismology agency said that the epicenter was…
CARLOS is a married child petitioned by his U.S. citizen father. His priority date is October 30, 1992 and it’s just a matter of months before his visa becomes available. Unfortunately, his father who is 87 years old, suffered a heart attack after Christmas and is now in a care facility. He applied for a…
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Tuesday, April 23, said the Philippines is expecting to seal at least $10 billion worth of investment and trade deals when President Rodrigo Duterte concludes his visit to China this week. Duterte arrived in Beijing on Wednesday, April 24, to attend the second Belt and Road Forum…
THE current resurgence of measles in the United States is alarming. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that as of April 11, 2019, there were 555 new cases in 20 states, 359 of which were in New York. This is the second highest (667 cases in 2014) since it was “eradicated” in…
A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck parts of the Visayas at 1:37 pm on Tuesday, April 23, following the 6.1 magnitude tectonic earthquake in Luzon at 5:11 pm on Monday, April 22. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvocs) said that the epicenter in the region was located in San Julian, Eastern Samar. Philvocs Director…
Notes from the 2019 Filipino Mental Health and Wellness Summit ON Saturday, April 13, the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, Special Service for Groups and Filipino American Service Group, Inc. hosted the 2019 Filipino Mental Health and Wellness Summit, an all-day, all-encompassing conference focussed on the past, present and future of mental health…
President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday, April 21, said the United States knows a war against China over the Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal is “not worth it,” stressing that the Philippines’ longtime ally was unreliable during the country’s 2012 standoff with China. He recalled how the U.S. brokered a deal between the Philippines and China, asking them…
Author and publisher Christine L. Villa brings ‘Zoobooloo’ with Filipino translation as a tool to teach Fil-Am children the language WHEN author and publisher Christine L. Villa started her small business, Purple Cotton Candy Arts, she was just aiming to explore her love for arts and crafts. Since then, she has done more than selling…
News chiefs Maria Ressa of Rappler and Ellen Tordesillas of Vera Files on Monday, April 22, slammed Malacañang after the release of a matrix linking them and other journalists to an alleged plot to oust President Rodrigo Duterte. Malacañang revealed that the“Oust-Duterte” matrix, which contained a web-like matrix implicating journalists and lawyers, was based on…
by Anna Gorman and Harriet Rowan A RECORD number of homeless people — 918 last year alone — are dying across Los Angeles County, on bus benches, hillsides, railroad tracks and sidewalks. Deaths have jumped 76% in the past five years, outpacing the growth of the homeless population, according to a KHN analysis of the…
If you need a straw while dining in Los Angeles, you’ll need to ask for one, thanks to a new ordinance aimed at reducing single-use plastic waste. The ‘Plastic Straws on Request’ ordinance, which requires businesses to withhold plastic beverage straws unless a customer requests them, went into effect on Monday, April 22 for sit-down…
THE Los Angeles Philippine Women’s Club on Friday, April 12 hosted a meet and greet with Jessica Caloza, the new LA Board of Public Works Commissioner, who is the first Pinay to hold this position. Caloza, who was previously the director of scheduling for Mayor Eric Garcetti, is now a part of the five-member, full-time executive…
SPECIAL COUNSEL Robert Mueller’s redacted 448-page report has been made public. In excruciating details, it paints how the 45th president abused his power with corrupt intent through his campaign’s unethical and immoral communication with Russia to win the 2016 presidential election, and how he himself obstructed justice to defend himself, his campaign and his family…
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Tuesday, April 23 nominated a Filipina American public servant to join the city’s Board of Water and Power Commission. Susana Reyes, who has been in public service for 32 years, was picked to replace outgoing commissioner Aura Vasquez, who stepped down earlier this month. Reyes previously served as the…
City’s rating upgraded for strong fiscal management LOS ANGELES — Mayor Eric Garcetti unveiled on Wednesday, April 17, his $10.6 billion spending plan which strengthens the City’s finances and includes record spending to end homelessness and improve Los Angeles’ infrastructure. “Through a sound budget, we achieve a strong bottom line and strengthen Los Angeles from…
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion by Supervisor Kathryn Barger to offer a $20,000 reward for information leading to the apprehension and/or conviction of the suspect(s) responsible for the heinous murder of Chyong Jen Tsai, a 76-year-old Arcadia woman. On Tuesday April 9, at approximately 7:00 a.m., Arcadia Police Department…
When a person is convicted of a crime, in addition to serving time in jail or prison, they often face fines, fees, and penalties. These fees are incurred at nearly every stage of the criminal justice system, and are used to generate revenue for various criminal justice agencies. Advocates say that these fines and fees…
by Shefali Luthra and Anna Maria Barry-Jester PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Trump administration is pushing ahead with its reproductive health agenda. It has rolled out changes to the Title X program, which funds family planning services for low-income people, that are designed to have a chilling effect on organizations that provide abortions or include this…
