Customs eases rules on balikbayan boxes
THE Bureau of Customs (BoC) has eased the guidelines for qualified Filipinos availing themselves of the duty- and tax-free privilege of consolidated balikbayan boxes. Customs Memorandum Order (CMO) No. 18-2018, issued on Oct. 11, 2018, reduced the documentary requirements needed to obtain the duty- and tax-free privilege for balikbayan boxes. It supersedes CMO 04-2017. Under…
Fish oil and vitamin D pills no guard against cancer or serious heart trouble
by Liz Szabo A widely anticipated study has concluded that neither vitamin D nor fish oil supplements prevent cancer or serious heart-related problems in healthy older people, according to research presented Saturday at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions. Researchers defined serious heart problems as the combined rate of heart attacks, stroke and heart-related deaths….
Thanksgiving is all rolled up with this dish!
IF you don’t feel like roasting a big turkey for Thanksgiving, or want to try a great dish for holiday entertaining, you might want to try my Stuffed Turkey Rolls. I pack these turkey cutlets with my Savory Stuffing, roll them up, and secure them with kitchen twine. The finished rolls are sliced and fanned out…
Americans elected Democrats to lead the House as a message to Trump: You are not above the law
OUR Founding Fathers had the foresight to protect the democracy of the new union they just built when they were drafting the Constitution of the United States. They knew then that with the power vested upon elected and appointed officials, there could be some who would try to abuse this power for their personal gain…
Cycling to the end game
“Nothing is important than THIS DAY!” – Goethe HOW has 2018, which is about to come to a close, treated you thus far? Has it been smooth sailing? Or has there been an unfair volume of challenges, glitches and bumps that tend to overwhelm and capsize that little boat you are navigating in the sea of life?…
Resident, nonresident alien status tax wise (Part 5)
IN part 1: we defined 1) who are resident aliens, nonresident aliens or both, 2) who are exempt individuals, and 3) closer connection exception. In part 2: we defined 1) how resident aliens and nonresident aliens are taxed, 2) when is income considered U.S. sourced, 3) withholding requirement and employee issues. In part 3: we…
Thanksgiving traditions that stay
FOR most Americans, Thanksgiving is associated with gathering around a table with family and devouring a hearty meal with the turkey at the center. Though families across the country who celebrate the holiday may have developed their own traditions — whether going on a yearly family vacation during Thanksgiving week or scrapping home cooking altogether…
What we eat: Favorite staples on your Thanksgiving dinner and how they’re changing
FOR years, no Thanksgiving dinner spread has been complete without the centerpiece turkey, sides of mashed potatoes, green beans, gravy, and cranberry sauce, and the assortment of pumpkin, apple, and pecan pies. But while Thanksgiving dishes have stayed the same at the core, it’s natural that they’ve picked up some changes and influences throughout the…
Covered California pops and locks into enrollment season
by Ana B. Ibarra SACRAMENTO — What do hip-hop dancing and health insurance have in common? For one, you sure do hope that the break dancer busting backflips is covered. Beyond that, Covered California, the state’s Obamacare health insurance exchange, is betting that one will bring attention to the other. So, on a stage designed…
BE Grand Resort in Bohol announced as Southeast Asia’s hidden gem
BE Grand Resort in Bohol, a 5.0-hectare resort situated on a clifftop and naturally surrounded by lush vegetation has been awarded as Southeast Asia’s hidden gem by receiving the award for excellence for Luxury Hideaway Resort by the 2018 World Luxury Hotel Awards. The award was given during the ceremony and gala event at Ayana…
Are there leaders with integrity left in America? (Part II of women can change America series)
“This ‘one nation, indivisible’ is deeply divided along political, economic, racial and religious lines. And despite our historic dream of being “a light unto the nations,” the gaps between us and our global neighbors continue to grow more deadly. The conflicts and contradictions of twenty–first century life are breaking the American heart and threatening to…
To people who are facing debt problems for the first time
MOST people who are struggling with debt problems for the first time are often confused and don’t know what to do. They’ve never been in this situation before. They have always paid their bills on time. For the first time in their life, they are finding it difficult to fulfill their debt obligations. Bill collectors…
Understanding child custody and support in divorce cases
INDIVIDUALS who are in the process of getting a divorce often have questions and concerns about how judges make child custody and support decisions. In today’s column, we will provide basic information on these issues and address factors that influence child custody and support determinations. Keep in mind that the information below is not a substitute for legal advice. For advice about your…
CES Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas
CES (Consumer Electronics Show) is the largest trade fair for consumer electronics. It’s presented by Consumer Technology Association (CTA) annually in Las Vegas. It has been our tech bell weather for more than 50 years. CES features the latest products from 4,500 exhibiting companies from around the world. CES gives us a glimpse of the…
God’s heart
THE Scripture readings this Sunday present stories about two widows. The first one is from the Book of Kings. Thirsty and hungry after a long trip to the city of Zarephath, Elijah the prophet asked a widow he met for a cupful of water. The woman immediately responded to Elijah’s plea. Then Elijah asked the…
Client needs bankruptcy to get rid of accumulated debt from failed business
THE client is 53. He is married and owns a house. He used to have a business, which was a DBA sole proprietorship. “DBA” means doing business as. Sole proprietorship means that an individual conducts a business in his personal capacity, without a corporation, or any other kind of business entity. Other business entities used…
Employees working in and out of California: Are they protected by CA law?
A GROUP of flight attendants from Virgin America, Inc. sued the company for unpaid wages and missed breaks. The employees alleged that Virgin did not pay them for the following: hours worked before, after, and between flights; time spent completing incident reports; time spent in training; time spent taking mandatory drug tests The employees also…
Rico J. Puno: Remembering the ‘legend’
HE was known throughout the Philippines as the larger-than-life “total entertainer.” His charm, which seeps through his hit songs earned him the moniker, “Macho Gwapito.” He was loved by many, adored by his fans and respected by his constituents in Makati as their beloved councilor for nine years. He is Enrico De Jesus Puno –…
Maestro Bob and his magic baton glowing like Excalibur
I can never quell a stir of fascination, dread and longing, when the house lights dim and the curtain parts in every Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO)’s gentle riot. It is spellbound. “Enjoy whatever music floats the boat, never question your own taste. There is a world of music out there both old and new,…
Fil-Am chef introduces menu inspired by travels, global cultures at Montage Beverly Hills
IT’S no secret that Filipino-American chefs have made their marks on restaurants across Southern California. The latest discovery (for me) is The Restaurant at the Montage Beverly Hills, where Fil-Am Monica Olaes has been chef de cuisine since the summer. As an avid traveler, it may be easy to gloss over a hotel restaurant in…
Trump loses control of the House in the midterm elections, unleashes his wrath against the free press
PRESIDENT Donald Trump held an explosive press conference a day after the midterm elections, claiming tremendous victory for the Republican majority in the Senate and some gubernatorial races. He congratulated himself for the victory of the candidates who won and berated those Republican candidates who lost because he said they did not embrace him. When…
Sandiganbayan finds former first lady Imelda Marcos guilty of graft
FORMER Philippine first lady and current Ilocos Norte Representative Imelda Marcos on Friday, November 9 has been found guilty on several graft offenses that occurred during her husband’s regime. The Sandiganbayan Fifth Division issued its decision and sentenced the Marcos matriarch to imprisonment of six years and one month to 11 years for each count…
Miss Earth 2018 bets accuse Filipino sponsor of sexual harassment
THREE contestants from Miss Earth have come forward about the sexual harassment they allegedly experienced in the Philippines throughout the competition. Miss Earth bets Jaime VandenBerg of Canada, Abbey-Anne Gyles-Brown of England, and Emma Sheedy of Guam recently took to Instagram to share how excited they were to compete, but the experience was tarnished when…
Palace: Yolanda rehabilitation on track
FIVE years after super typhoon Yolanda destroyed parts of the Philippines, Malacañang assured that the rehabilitation and recovery efforts are being fast-tracked. To date, P146.156 billion in funds have already been released for the rebuilding, according to the current administration. Presidential spokesperson and chief presidential legal counsel Salvador Panelo cited the National Housing Authority (NHA)’s…
California dreamin’? With Newsom’s win, single-payer unlikely to follow anytime soon
by Samantha Young Californians on Tuesday, November 6, elected a governor who campaigned for a complete overhaul of how people get their health coverage — but they shouldn’t hold their breath. Rather, as Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom and the Democratic-controlled legislature take steps to provide more people with health insurance, they’ll likely approach it piecemeal over…
How did the AAPI community vote in the midterm elections?
Democrats capture 72 percent of AAPI vote; job growth, health care cost and immigration reform listed as top concerns for AAPI electorate The midterm election wasn’t blue wave that Democrats hoped it would be, but it garnered historic civic engagement Though the exact number of votes isn’t official yet it will take the state a…
Trump administration faces another legal setback on DACA termination
A panel of federal judges in California on Thursday, Nov. 9 halted the Trump administration’s termination of an Obama-era program that granted benefits to certain eligible undocumented youth including protection from deportation. The three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is to…
Fil-Am mail bombing suspect indicted on 30 counts, faces life in prison
A federal grand jury in New York has indicted Cesar Sayoc on 30 charges on Friday, November 9, after he was suspected of mailing over a dozen pipe bombs to high-profile Democrats last month. Cesar Sayoc, Jr., who is half-Filipino and half-Italian, faces life imprisonment following the charges, which include the use of a weapon…