Sen. Binay: It’s time for Boracay to have a ‘reboot’
Sen. Nancy Binay today said the recommendation of the Task Force Boracay to revoke and suspend all Environmental Compliance Certificates (ECCs) and business permits of establishments operating in Boracay may be necessary but government must make sure that re-applications will have guidelines that are clear, simple, practical and the procedures are efficient, transparent and corruption-free….
Ringstar CEO and Boxing Promoter Scott Farrell Wants to Co-Promote Pacquiao’s Next Fight, If Pacquiao is Willing
26 JULY 2018 – SINGAPORE: Ringstar Boxing, Asia’s fastest growing sports media property, headed by its Founder & CEO Scott Farrell, has just announced his intention to co-produce Manny Pacquiao’s next bout in Manila, Philippines, early next year. If it happens, this can be an event which can see the boxing champ defend his recently…
GACCE’s “Allegories”: Staying true to the story through the arts
Exhibit runs until September 14 A PICTURE or a painting may be inanimate, but it can always tell a whole story. Even the most abstract painting can be interpreted in so many ways — either by the artist, or by the people who see it. With its objective to show the audience the use of…
MILF welcomes ratification of Bangsamoro law
AL-HAJ Murad Ebrahim, Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chairman, celebrated the impending signing of the Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL), after it was ratified by the Philippine House of Representatives on Tuesday, July 24. “We really thank the new leadership of the House. We want to extend our appreciation. We are hoping that this is key…
Philippines ranked Asia’s most dangerous country for environment defenders
International non-government organization The Global Witness said 48 environmental campaigners were murdered in the Philippines last year — making the country the most dangerous for environmental defenders in Asia. It’s a 71 percent increase from the 28 killings in the country in 2016. Based on Global Witness’ 2017 report, 207 land and environmental activists were…
Senators slam Arroyo’s election as Speaker
FORMER President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s election as Speaker of the House of representatives was slammed by her critics on Tuesday, July 24, as they claimed it might be part of a plan to put her back at the top as prime minister. The coup that Arroyo and her allies pulled on Monday, July 23, to topple…
USCIS officers given greater authority to deny immigration applications
SHORTLY after issuing a policy memorandum that significantly expands its authority to issue Notices to Appear (NTAs) referring individuals to immigration court for deportation proceedings, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a new policy memorandum giving USCIS adjudicators greater discretion to deny applications for immigration benefits. The policy memorandum issued on July 13,…
You could face deportation/removal if your case or extension is denied
In a previous article, I wrote about USCIS issuing a Policy Memorandum (PM) about the various categories of cases where a person could face deportation/removal if USCIS denied their petition, application, or other immigration benefit. Here are some possible real-life situations where people could face deportation/removal: 1. A person enters the U.S. as a visitor…
The departure lounge
LAST year, my wife, Farida, and I were out to lunch with some friends, the youngest ones in their early 70s. During our conversation, a surgical colleague, UP Class ’57, who was in his mid-80s — sharp, brilliant, and witty as ever — said in a serious tone of total surrender as he clasped his…
New Tourism Board head urges young travelers to explore PH
Newly-appointed Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) head Arnold Gonzales has reached out to young Filipinos urging them to travel around the Philippines. He also added that the country still has a lot of attractions for them to discover. “Discovering the Philippines is a rewarding experience as it allow us to deeply understand our culture and reconnect…
LA activist groups hold ‘People’s State of the Union’ rally ahead of Duterte’s yearly address
AHEAD of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s yearly State of the Nation (SONA), Filipino-American activist groups in Los Angeles, on Sunday, July 22, held their yearly People’s State of the Nation Address (PSONA) denouncing Duterte’s policies and voicing the concerns of working-class Filipinos and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). More than 80 people gathered in front of…
Hundreds of migrant parents may have been deported without their children
US government has until July 26 to meet reunification deadline U.S. Justice Department attorneys said in a court filing Monday, July 23, that over 460 migrant parents separated from their children under the government’s “zero-tolerance” policy may have already been deported without their kids. The report comes just days ahead of a deadline to reunite over…
Calif. sanctuary policies still dividing state leaders
No other issue has embattled voters more than immigration. In California, which is home to the largest undocumented immigrant population in the country, that issue has divided the state’s leaders along party lines, especially with the battle of SB 54, also known as the California Values Act which serves as the state’s “sanctuary” law. Generally,…
The bucket list – God has a list too
(Ninth of a series) ”Sister, do you speak Italian? Can I talk to you? I am angry with God.” I turned my head and it was a beautiful lady, elegantly dressed. I thought, “She has tortured eyes.” I AM suspending my idea series for a Bucket To-Do List for the time being to share a story told to…
Resident, nonresident alien status tax wise – Part 2
(Part 2) 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 alien and nonresident alien are taxed, 2) when is income considered U.S. sourced, 3) withholding requirement and employee issues. Taxation and…
Client seeks Chapter 13 relief for massive default on mortgage
THE client is 55 and single. He appears to have no problems to worry about. He is self-employed and makes about $5,000 monthly teaching people a special skill. He has no dependents. He owns a house that has no equity. The house is worth $400,000 but he owes $420,000 for it. He has not paid the…
Disclosure and characterization of overseas assets in divorce
IN a divorce proceeding, people sometimes have a misconception that the only assets or properties that have to disclose assets and properties situated in California. Even worst, sometimes parties even think that since an asset or property is situated in a different country or state, that property is not community property and not subject to…
Decades after starring role as “Annie,” Lea Salonga returns to Hollywood Bowl staging of musical
YEARS before Lea Salonga portrayed Kim in the West End and Broadway productions of “Miss Saigon,” she started as a child stage actor with Repertory Philippines. The theater company’s 1980 production of “Annie,” wherein she played the spunky, optimistic orphan, is a part she’ll never forget to this day as it was a jumping board…
Billy Kidd on being a female, Filipina, magician
Filipina-Polish magician stars on CW hit show, ‘Masters of Illusion’ FILIPINA-Polish magician Billy Kidd once again starred in the CW hit television show “Masters of Illusion” on Friday, July 13 — joining the lineup for the second year in a row. Since starting her career in magic, Kidd has performed at numerous events and venues…
PLDT, Smart cited as PH’s fastest in Ookla Speedtest Awards
PLDT group wins twin country awards for top mobile and fixed network PLDT and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have been cited for being the country’s fastest fixed and mobile networks for Q1-Q2 2018, respectively, by Ookla®, the global leader in internet testing and analysis. Ookla said Smart achieved a Speed ScoreTM of 14.98, with…
Trump revises his ‘version of truth,’ tweets that Russia pushes to help Democrats win in the 2018 Midterm Elections
PRESIDENT Donald Trump has yet again outdone himself in the past week in sowing contradictions, conspiracy theories and chaos in the United States. It’s a gift that keeps on giving to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who according to the findings of U.S. intelligence agencies, aims to sow chaos and discord among the people of the…
Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone, the New Business and Investment Hotspot in the Philippines
Investment opportunities in the Philippines’ “alternative city” mapped out Manila, July 2018 – Plans to position the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone as a regional business and investment hub were mapped out in interviews conducted by Oxford Business Group’s online broadcasting channel, Global Platform, with Udenna Group of Companies President and CEO Dennis Uy…
Eight Philippine Lifestyle Companies Join France’s Major Interior Design Fair in September
Eight Philippine export companies belonging to the fashion, furniture and furnishings sectors are joining Maison & Objet, considered the sourcing event for interior design and related industries, happening on 07-11 September 2018 at the Parc Des Expositions, Paris-Nord Villepinte, France. This participation is organized by the Philippines’ Department of Trade and Industry – Center for…
Binge on Shonda Drama This August on Sony Channel
Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal lead this season’s line up PHILIPPINES (July 24, 2018) – Shonda Rhimes’ drama series return on Sony Channel with new seasons of Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal this August. Grey’s Anatomy Season 11 Seattle Grace Hospital doctors continue their professional and personal travails in its most gripping season yet. This season places…
Valuable insights on international trade opportunities
ONE of the purposes of the upcoming “Multi-City Travel,Trade & Consumer Roadshow” on Saturday, August 4 and Sunday, August 5, at the Southbay Pavilion in Carson, CA — spearheaded by the Asian Journal — is to educate the general public not only about the many amazing products that the Philippines has to offer, but also…
‘BuyBust’ makes its sold out world premiere in New York
“BUYBUST,” director Erik Matti’s latest film had its successful sold out world premiere in New York on Sunday, July 15 as the closing film of the 17th New York Asian Film Festival. The film was sold out as of Saturday morning and by 6:00 pm on Sunday, a line has formed outside the SVA Theater…
Sea dispute biggest challenge to PH
ACCORDING to the Cabinet’s security cluster, the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) dispute is the biggest concern with regards to the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The assessment was made as the security cluster unveiled the Duterte government’s National Security Policy during the pre-State of the Nation Address (SONA) conference on Wednesday, July 18,…