Emmy hosts call out Hollywood’s diversity problem: “Why no Filipino nurses on ER?”
We are living through the most impactful push towards minority representation in entertainment, so it’s not surprising that jabs at Hollywood’s lack of diversity made it to this year’s Emmy Awards monologue on Monday, Sept 17. During their monologue, co-hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che of Saturday Night Live made a point about the oddly…
Newly-installed “Floating Docks” in El Nido Now Ready for Tourists
The installation of modular floating docks in El Nido is a pioneering project of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) in El Nido, Palawan aimed at providing better and safer tourist experience. “We want tourists to be safe wherever they go and this is the start.” TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Pocholo Paragas said…
One long ride through history
The evolution of the automobile in the United States IF one would imagine a time when there were no cars to take people places, one would have to travel way back in time to be able to fully perceive what it is like. The invention of the automobile has been a game-changer throughout the course…
How to choose the right vehicle for you
BUYING a car is a huge decision. Next to a home, it’s probably the second most important purchase anyone can make. But with the influx of new car models and designs being constantly introduced on the market, how do you pick the right one? When choosing a car, the one you want isn’t necessarily the…
Haggling your way for the best car price
Tips and hacks on how to negotiate when buying a car ACQUIRING an automobile to take you places can be a necessity, luxury or privilege. It could even be all of the above. Through the years the automobile industry has been creating ways to provide convenience to transport people from one place to another. However,…
Divorce and legal separation as a form of asset protection from your spouse’s creditors
COUPLES have different spending habits and different philosophy in handling marital finances. Some spouses are conservative in managing their finances and stick with a budget while other spouses do not even set budgets. What is your exposure if your spouse is a shop-a-holic and runs though his/her credit card like there is no tomorrow? What…
The bucket list: Ask for help
”Don’t be shy about asking for help. It doesn’t mean you’re weak, it only means you’re wise.” — Anonymous (15th of a series) WE live in the Age of Information. You could say it is both a blessing and a curse to live during what could very well be “the best of times, the…
Do you have enough withholding?
THE new tax law could have an impact on how much your employer should withhold from your paycheck. Too little withholding from your paycheck could mean large unexpected tax bill as you file your tax return in 2019 for Tax Year 2018. If you have not done so, it is time to have a paycheck…
Admiral John McCain and the unprecedented PH Dollar Remittance Program (Part 2)
(Part 2 of 3) Our original plan anticipated the exponential growth of the job market and the dollar remittances from overseas Filipinos. We tinkered with the formula and expanded its scope. We raised the national target to $300 million a year in remittances and sent then President Ferdinand Marcos an urgent memorandum explaining the ambitious…
Gov. Brown signs sidewalk vending bill
California Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill on Monday, September 17 that prohibits criminal penalties for sidewalk vending and treating vendors like other businesses in the state. The Safe Sidewalk Vending Act (Senate Bill 946) — introduced by state Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) in February — allows municipalities to establish permit programs for vendors,…
Kavanaugh vote cancelled after sexual misconduct allegations emerge
Senate postpones Kavanaugh vote after Palo Alto University professor alleges Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her when they were both in high school Trigger warning: this story contains mild details of an alleged attempted rape. On Sunday, Sept. 16, a psychology professor at Palo Alto University Christine Blasey Ford went public with her allegation that Brett Kavanaugh, a nominee…
LA County Sheriff highlights department reform transparency in re-election campaign
Up for re-election as LA County Sheriff, McDonnell shares achievements in fighting human trafficking, ensuring public safety and public trust on immigration front In the decade of #BlackLivesMatter and zero-tolerance immigration policies under President Trump, trust in law enforcement has never been more contentious. Finding a balance between achieving public safety and ensuring public trust has…
Number of people in Philippines affected by Typhoon Ompong reaches over 800,000
THE number of people in the Philippines reported to be affected by the recent Typhoon Ompong — known internationally as Typhoon Mangkhut — has reached over 800,000, according to the latest National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) report released Tuesday morning, September 18. According to Philippine National Police numbers, the death toll reached…
New Census data shows more than four million Filipinos in the US
Foreign-born population increases The U.S. Census Bureau this week released its latest American Community Survey (ACS) data, showing that there are an estimated 4,037,564 Filipinos in the United States. The ACS estimates, made public on Thursday, September 13, are based on data collected from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017. The data show statistics…
Fil-Am nurse sentenced for $1-M Ponzi scheme
A Filipina-American nurse from Dallas, Texas was sentenced last week for orchestrating a Ponzi scheme that cost victims — many of whom were also Filipino nurses — over $1 million. Nemelee Liwanag Jiao on Wednesday, September 5, was sentenced by a federal judge to eight years and a month, plus three years of supervised release…
Nickelodeon reboots “Blue’s Clues” with new name and Fil-Am host
“Aladdin” alum Joshua Dela Cruz makes his leading TV debut on the Nick Jr. classic NICKELODEON is reviving the beloved children’s program “Blue’s Clues” with a new name — “Blue’s Clues & You” — and a new host, Filipino-American Broadway star Joshua Dela Cruz, The Hollywood Reporter reported on Thursday, Sept. 13. Millennials who were…
Is going to an unethical tax preparer dangerous?
YES, it can be. Going to a tax preparer who increases your refunds with phantom deductions is dangerous. You may have to return that nice refund … and more, sometimes much more. A tax preparer who is incompetent can spell trouble for you. Grande problema. If the IRS audits a return prepared by an unethical…
Taking leave from work to care for sick family members is protected by law
Q:I HAVE been working for 5 years in a Los Angeles company with 52 employees. I requested a leave of absence from work to care for my sick 21 year-old daughter. My boss denied the request and said my position will be given to someone else if I take off. Is this legal? A: No,…
To people who know they need to file bankruptcy but are afraid to do so
“If you own a home and have assets that may be at risk if you were sued by your creditors, it is in your best interest to find out how you can protect what you have from creditors who are trying to collect from you.” A LOTof people who are contemplating bankruptcy as a solution…
How does the bankruptcy means test work?
WHAT is the means test in bankruptcy? It’s a method for calculating what your household income is for the purpose of determining if you qualify for Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 of the bankruptcy code. By household income, we mean the combined income of husband and wife, if the debtor is married, unless they are…
Maximizing recovery in personal injury cases
“ Loss of earnings are often a significant part of an injured person’s claim for economic damages. Damages are recoverable for both past and future lost earnings.” UNDER Howell v. Hamilton Meats & Provisions (2011) 52 C.4th 541, the California Supreme Court ruled that persons who are injured and who are pursuing a personal injury…
4 ways filing for divorce can benefit your immigration case
“You only need to provide your spouse notice that you filed a divorce by personally serving your spouse the divorce petition and summons.” COUPLES get divorced for various reasons. California is a no fault state. The reasons why a couple is getting divorced are often irrelevant to the issues of the family law case. Divorce…
The life force that surrounds you — the aura
(Part I of III) AS in the past columns, we’ve tackled negative energies and how it affects us and how to make our surroundings charged with positive energies. Now let’s talk about your aura. Is there such a thing as the aura? Doesn’t it sound too new age? Yes, the aura is real. It is…
Be brave! Be faithful!
“The boat may be sinking, our doubts may be lurking, but should we not stand firm to save our church?” ONE day, as Jesus was walking toward the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ”Who do people say that I am?” They responded, “John the Baptist, others say Elijah, still others say one…
The Maestro and the magic piano of Holly Mont Castle
PEERLESS on its grace and splendor with changes subtle and grand, noble and patriotic, this unending testimony of class, tradition and old-world elegance has left even the most eloquent of connoisseurs bereft of words. A mix of restored pieces, paintings, chandeliers of the most skillful Murano, glassblowers, and its mirrors and fireplaces are the enduring…
Tracy Lachica Buenavista’s charisma and commitment towards revolutionary mentoring and servant leadership
“All good teachers understand that the essence of teaching centers on human interactions, especially between teachers and students, but most college professors struggle with how to do this. Here’s one thing that Tracy [Buenavista] does each semester that amazes us. In the first class session, she has all students introduce themselves to her and their…
Filipino veterans of World War II honored in New York
NEW YORK — Fifteen (15) Filipino World War II veterans were honored in a ceremony organized by the Philippine Consulate General headed by Consul General Claro S. Cristobal and the Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP) led by General Antonio Taguba (ret.) held at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center on September 8….