Bongbong considers returning to Malacañang as president
In an interview with London-based newspaper Financial Times, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. expressed his desire to run for presidency and return to Malacañang after President Rodrigo Duterte’s term ends. “My career is politics, and, in fact, you aspire to as excessive a stature inside your chosen area as you can possibly obtain—and that might be…
Celebrating Ilocano food and culture in NYC
Inabrao, pinapaitan, tupig. Dinardaraan, igado, dinakdakan. These are just a few of the distinctly Ilocano dishes that guests sampled and devoured at the Ilocano Food Tasting event held last week at the Philippine Center. Sponsored by the Ilocano American Association, Inc., the event aimed to spotlight cuisine from the northern part of the Philippines along…
Ariel Layug: A chef fulfills his potential with dream job at Cirque du Soleil
When he was a young boy growing up in the Philippines, Ariel Layug would look at his school’s atlas and collection of encyclopedias and wonder in general about life in other parts of the globe. “I never really thought back then that I would leave the Philippines, that I would travel the world. And now,…
Depression and its alarming consequences
THE persistent feeling of wretchedness, despondency, and loss of interest in regular activities are indubitably alarming signs of depressive mood and unusual behavioral pattern that are unquestionably signs of depression. “Major Depressive Disorder” or “Major Depression” is characterized by a combination of both symptoms that interfere with a person’s ability to work, sleep, study, eat,…
President Duterte assures equal distribution of budget under his administration
ILOILO CITY—President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Wednesday, June 20, assured that funds for public projects are equally distributed across the nation under his administration. The President also assured that he is continuing the projects started by his predecessors. “In the scheme of things now, if you are just worried about the distribution of the wealth…
Trump signs executive order to keep migrant families together
President reverses highly criticized practice in his ‘zero-tolerance policy’ AFTER weeks of heart-rendering coverage of children being separated from their parents at the border, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday, June 20 to remove that practice from standard border protection procedure. Trump previously argued that he had no authority to stop the…
PH embassy defends Independence Day party at Trump hotel
The decision to hold the 120th Philippine Independence Day celebration at the Trump International Hotel was defended by the Philippine embassy in Washington on Tuesday, June 19. In a statement, the embassy said, “Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez deemed it fitting to hold the Philippine Embassy’s 120th Philippine Independence Day celebration at the Trump International Hotel,…
Duterte insists peace talks should be in PH
President Rodrigo Duterte, on Tuesday, June 19, insisted that peace talks should be in the Philippines despite exiled Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria “Joma” Sison saying that talks would be doomed if they would be held in Manila. “Why should I talk outside? I’m talking about our country, my country, their…
Palace: ‘Anti-tambay’ order won’t lead to martial law declaration
President Rodrigo Duterte’s “anti-tambay” order will not lead to a declaration of nationwide martial law, Malacañang assured on Tuesday, June 19. At a press briefing in Cotabato City, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said, “the president’s statement [was] very clear that ‘martial law in the entire Philippines [would] become very complicated.’” Roque also added that “He…
Cellphone-cancer debate
The controversy about the increased risk of brain cancer and other health concerns among avid users of cellular phone is upon us once again. The Internet is flooded with claims and counterclaims, and some misinformation. In this column in May 2000, we wrote about the “possible” adverse health effects of the frequent and prolonged use…
Attorney general sessions getting tougher on asylum applicants
In a recent ruling, Attorney General Jeff Sessions ruled that women who were victims of domestic violence, and people fleeing gang violence in their home country, are not eligible for asylum in the U.S. This ruling is now binding on both immigration courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). This decision could also have…
California divorce: Frequently Asked Questions
I just moved to California last month, and I’d like to file for divorce. Can I file now? To file for divorce in the State of California, the person filing (called the “Petitioner”) must first meet the jurisdictional requirements: (i) residence in the state of California from the past 6 months; and (ii) residence in…
Trump administration separating families at the border, more than 2,000 children detained
President lied about enforcing existing federal policy predating his administration that mandates family separation In McAllen, Texas, immigrant children at the U.S.-Mexico are being detained in 30’ x 30’ chain link enclosures inside a warehouse. These children, who were trying to gain entry into the United States from various Central American countries, were seen sleeping on mattresses…
PH hopes for full Dengvaxia refund as study confirms its effects
A NEW study confirmed that the world’s first dengue vaccine, which was given to over 800,000 school children in the Philippines, poses risks of hospitalization and severe sickness in those who have not been infected by the virus before getting vaccinated. Now, the Philippine government hopes the new study will help amplify its demand for…
Condos from Top Developers Perform Well in the Resale Market – RE/MAX
Manila, June 20, 2018: If you plan to buy an investment condo anytime soon, better choose one from the country’s top property developers and those located in prime locations to ensure good high resale value years from now. This is according to data gathered by global real estate brokerage RE/MAX Philippines during their business roundtable…
LA gains new Filipino spot with Charles Olalia’s Ma’am Sir
Palabok-inspired deviled eggs. Sea urchin on top of lumpia Shanghai. Lobster inihaw. Yellowtail sinuglaw. These are some of the dishes you can find on the menu of Ma’am Sir, the latest restaurant by Filipino chef Charles Olalia, which opened its doors for dinner on June 13. The fine dining chef — whose first venture entirely…
Sen. Richard Lara, education leaders praise investments in legal help for immigrant students
SACRAMENTO – Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Bell Gardens) joined education leaders to praise budget investments that support immigrant students in California’s public colleges and universities. The budget includes $21 million in funding for the University of California, California State University, and the California Community Colleges to provide legal services for undocumented and immigrant students. “California has…
Calif. Exchange Chief Sees No Rate Impact From Latest Trump Challenge To ACA
By Barbara Feder Ostrov / California Healthline Covered California’s premiums are expected to rise significantly next year, but the head of the state’s insurance exchange said the Trump administration’s legal bid to dismantle protections for people with preexisting medical conditions will likely not contribute to the increases. Health plans will only be “pricing for the changes…
Two Filipinos captured over 2012 stabbing of US Marine in PH
Two Filipino fugitives have been re-arrested for killing a U.S. Marine in the Philippines five years ago, announced the Philippines’ National Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. embassy in the Philippines on Monday, June 18. Another was arrested for obstruction of justice. “The U.S. embassy in the Philippines welcomes the arrests of Galicano Datu III…
Trump has the power to reverse his policy that separates families but uses kids as pawns for his wall
IF you are a parent like I am, would you do everything humanely possible to bring your children out of danger, famine, threats, oppression — just like what the Europeans did when they sought refuge and asylum and settled in the land of the American Indians that we now call the United States of America?…
The bucket list: Pamper yourself with a massage
(Fourth of a series) “I have a massage when I want to relax. I love being pampered. I love island massages when you’re outside in the fresh air. —Angie Stone [Select a handful of those things in your bucket list that have the highest chance of coming to fruition given your time frame. In…
Solar energy credit for residential property
A SOLAR electric residential property to be qualified for the credit must meet the following requirements: 1. Costs paid must be for qualified for solar electric property. 2. Qualified solar electric property costs: These costs must be for use of solar energy to generate electricity. You may rely on the manufacturer’s certification in writing that…