Permanent residence for crewmen
DEAR Attorney Tan, I entered the US in 1998 as a crewman. I have recently married a US citizen and would like to get a green card. However, I have heard that since I entered as a crewman, I cannot adjust my status to a permanent resident. Is this true? –Lost on Land Dear Lost…
Are women paid lower wages?
“One contributing factor to the gender wage gap is pay secrecy.” Q: I AM a single mom and I have worked for my employer for several years. While talking with another newly hired male co-worker whose responsibilities are similar to mine, I discovered he was making 50 cents more per hour than I am. I…
Can I enforce a form I-864 affidavit of support in divorce proceedings?
THE Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 requires that US Citizens sponsoring an alien for legal permanent residency execute an immigration form I-864 Affidavit of Support. This is an agreement between the US Government and the Sponsor to promise to support the immigrant beneficiary seeking admission to the US at a level…
Seniors need Chapter 13 as they retire
THE seniors are husband and wife aged 70 and 65. The wife is a young and healthy 65, while the husband is a healthy 70 who still looks strong. Both are still working with good income. The husband grosses about $100,000 a year and the wife grosses about $70,000 a year. With $170,000 gross for…
Let it go and let God
I”LL say, let the seed flow from your hand into the welcoming soil and allow God’s nature to take its course. Trust that the seed will break in due time and will gradually bring out life. A branch, a leaf will suddenly appear. Wait for several more days and you’ll see it becomes a small…
Thinking of filing bankruptcy? Five questions to ask yourself
ARE you constantly worried about your finances because of debts that you can no longer afford to pay? If you are in more debt that you can repay, you may be overwhelmed and don’t know what to do. If you’ve tried to solve your debt problems on your own but nothing has worked up to…
The problem with undocumented workers’ use of each other’s social security
SOME undocumented workers use other people’s Social Security numbers (SSN). That creates a problem. Then they use another number to file their income tax returns – their own Individual Identification Numbers (TIN). Using two numbers creates another problem, actually two problems: 1. To the IRS system – Unmatched W-2s, 1099s and 1040 tax returns take…
KYBELLA: Bid your ‘double chin’ goodbye!
As humans, our body parts — such as our eyes, ears, arms (to name a few) — come in pairs as they are made to function on both sides of our face and body. However, there’s no known function, nor a reason, to keep a “double chin.” Today, we will talk about how to bid…
Fil-Am actors discuss their start in acting, the impact of fighting for representation
Fourth annual FilAm Creative Hollywood Actors Panel featured prominent television, stage actors It seems that every few years, Hollywood picks up a new social cause. In tandem with the rise of #MeToo and awareness for the overwhelming prevalence of sexual harassment and assault, minority representation and diversity has also been a hot topic circulating the…
Finding peace this Father’s Day
“PEACE is not the product of terror or fear. Peace is not the silence of cemeteries. Peace is not the silent result of violent repression. Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all. Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity. It is right and it is duty.” – Bishop Oscar Romero…
How do you continue living when the one you love takes his own life?
The deaths of celebrities Anthony Bourdain and Kate Spade have once again put the spotlight on the issue of suicide, and many people wonder how people as famous, talented, rich as them could have taken their own lives. We could all talk about it in the medical, philosophical or spiritual or emotional realms, but we…
Mercito Gesta captures NABO lightweight title via majority decision victory
Filipino boxer Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta (32-2-2, 17 KOs) on Thursday, June 14 captured the North American Boxing Organization (NABO) lightweight title against Roberto “Tito” Manzanarez (35-2, 28 KOs) via 10-round majority decision victory in the main event of the Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California. One judge scored the…
Elderly woman goes on racist rant against Bay Area Fil-Am and family
Video of elderly woman harassing a Filipino and Mexican-American family goes viral, Daly City mayor responds An elderly white woman last week harassed a Filipino- and Mexican-American family, going on a racist, xenophobic rant while waiting behind the family in the line of a Daly City, California grocery store. Last week Filipina-American Jenny Vela posted…
Fake news is a serious issue of concern for a majority of Filipinos, survey finds
As internet usage rises among adults in the Philippines, a large majority of Filipinos are viewing the issue of fake news and false information as a serious concern, revealed a Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey released this week. Looking at results from two surveys conducted from December 8-16, 2017, and March 23-27, 2018, SWS found…
AG Sessions restricts domestic abuse, gang violence victims from gaining asylum
Attorney General Jeff Sessions this week has left thousands of domestic abuse and gang violence victims at a near dead end by invalidating asylum protections they relied on for entering the United States, describing the acts of violence as “private violence.” A Salvadoran woman who was sexually and physically abused by her husband for 15…
Californians will vote on proposal to split California in 3 states
‘Cal 3’ will appear on the November ballot A measure that would divide California into three separate states was qualified on Tuesday, June 12 to appear on the ballot for the November general election, the CA Secretary of State’s office confirmed. Proposed by Silicon Valley venture capitalist, Tim Draper, the initiative — informally called “Cal…
PH expresses hopes for denuclearization following US-North Korea summit
The Philippines has commended the historic meeting of President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un while affirming support for peace, stability, security, and denuclearization in the region. Acknowledging the remaining challenges, Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Tuesday, June 12 said the meeting between Trump and Kim underscored the “importance and…
‘Mindanao: The Legend of Tabunaway, Mamalu and Their Descendants’ at La Mama Theater in NYC
FOR their 25th anniversary year, Kinding Sindaw Heritage Foundation, Inc. will premiere Mindanao: The Legend of Tabunaway, Mamalu and Their Descendants at La MaMa E.T.C from June 21 to June 24, 2018, with concept, choreography and direction by Potri Ranka Manis. Mindanao The Legend will focus on the resilience of the indigenous peoples and the…
‘Unang Handog’: an impressive assemblage of Filipino artistry in the Bay Area
A seemingly colossal assemblage of Filipino artists mobilizes in full force to collectively showcase nothing but only the paramount magnum opus from among their masterpieces that best represent their innate creative aptitudes and idiosyncratic personalities. Traditionally mounted for the art pieces to meet an audience (and possibly potential art collectors and buyers) an art exhibit…
Philippine graduation in New York: Honoring the accomplishments of Filipino, Fil-Am graduates
The Philippine Consulate General in New York (PCGNY) hosted the 6th Annual Philippine Graduation (PGRAD) last June 9 at the Philippine Center’s Kalayaan Hall. The PGRAD is one of the PCGNY’s legacy projects for the Filipino-American youth. Thirty one graduates of bachelors and masters degrees were part of PGRAD Class of 2018, finishing various programs…
President Duterte celebrates Eid’l Fitr with Muslim Filipinos; Vows passage of BBL
DAVAO CITY—President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Saturday, June 16, joined the Filipino Muslims in celebrating Eid’l Fitr or the end of Ramadan, as he vowed anew for the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) and the need to shift to a federal type of government. In his speech during the celebration of the 2018…
DOT reiterates suspension of Buhay Carinderia
The Department of Tourism (DOT) has reiterated the suspension of all projects of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) responding to the reported staging of Buhay Carinderia North Luzon Roadshow. In a Memorandum dated 18 May 2018, DOT Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat instructed the “suspension of the implementation of all ongoing TPB projects…subject to the review of…
Flyweight title picture hangs in the balance for Danny Kingad in Macau
ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER in Macau, China on June 23 is one of the deepest cards from top to bottom offered by ONE Championship for its 24-event calendar this 2018. From the preliminary portion to the main card of ONE: PINNACLE OF POWER, there are plenty of bouts with championship and ranking implications, including the…
Together, on June 16th, media, artists, citizens and organisations decided to write a new story for our world
Six years ago, Sparknews launched the Impact Journalism Day, the first international alliance of twenty newspapers around the world. Today, this alliance has grown: more than 50 newspapers take their pen every year to write the stories of unknown women and men who innovate to find local solutions to global issues. Together, on June 16th,…