PHILIPPINE Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez made a brief visit to the Bay Area on Tuesday, May 22 to witness the opening of the Spark447 Workspace, the launch of the Spark*Connect*Empower and Spark447 websites, and attend a reception in his honor at the Philippine Center Building in San Francisco. Ambassador Romualdez had…
Decades after his accomplishments in the labor movement were largely ignored by history books, the Filipino leader behind the West Coast agriculture labor movement Larry Itliong as been formally recognized as one of history’s most pivotal figures in labor activism. On Thursday, May 17, the Labor’s International Hall of Fame honored the legacy and memory…
What is passive smoking? Secondhand smoke is the fume that one involuntarily inhales after someone who smokes exhales it (called mainstream smoke), or the fume that goes directly to the atmosphere from the burning tobacco (cigarette, pipe or cigar) called side stream smoke. When non-smokers breathe in these smokes or fumes from other people’s cigarettes,…
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) has suspended its recognition of all fraternities and sororities and similar organizations in the institution for the next academic year, eight months after law student Horacio “Atio” Castillo III died from apparent hazing. UST’s school paper, The Varsitarian, tweeted a copy of the memorandum on Tuesday night, May 22, that…
From ‘Fresh Off The Boat’, to ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ and beyond: The State of Asian American Representation in Film and TV WHEN the first trailer for the upcoming summer flick “Crazy Rich Asians” dropped on April 23, 2018, Twitter’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community went bananas. Based off the 2013 novel by Kevin Kwan,…
The Philippines is not abandoning its traditional alliance with the United States, Malacañang said on Monday, May 21. Leading the Filipino delegation was Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, who met U.S. Admiral Harry Harris Jr., chief of the U.S. Pacific Command (Pacom), in Honolulu, Hawaii on Friday, May 18. Malacañang said the meeting between Philippine officials and…
Senator Vicente Sotto III became the 29th Senate President on Monday, May 21, after Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III stepped down. Sotto serves as the second Senate president of the 17th Congress, after 15 majority bloc senators last week agreed to move for the change of Senate leadership. Pimentel, who resigned on early Monday…
(Last of 4 parts) (Continued from last week …) “All God’s angels come to us disguised.”–James Russell Lowell AN angel is an invisible presence that must be acknowledged to become ever stronger. God sends angels to keep watch over human beings and help them in every human challenge. There is, however, the element of free…
According to House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez, the eight Supreme Court justices who voted to grant the quo warranto petition to invalidate the 2012 appointment of Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno cannot be impeached. “I don’t think so, in exercise of kasiseparation of powers ehthey acted within their powers as provided for by the Constitution,” Alvarez said. Alvarez…
The Philippines has “serious concern” over the Chinese bomber planes that landed on an island along the disputed South China Sea, said the country’s presidential spokesman. He added that the Philippines’ foreign ministry had taken “appropriate diplomatic action” but did not give specifics. The statements come after the Chinese air force landed long-range bombers on…
A 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court decision reached Monday, May 21 made it so that businesses can now forbid their workers from banding together in class action lawsuits, and instead require individual arbitration. This comes despite roughly 25 million American workers not having union protections. Justice Neil Gorsuch, in writing for the conservative majority, said…
California’s children’s hospitals say they’re struggling to keep up with advances in medical care and a growing demand for their services, and they’re asking taxpayers to help — again. The California Children’s Hospital Association wants voters to pass a $1.5 billion bond measure to upgrade infrastructure and equipment at the state’s 13 children’s hospitals. It…
Measure would create a standard process for applying for “Doe status” SACRAMENTO — Legislation authored by Assemblymember David Chiu (D-San Francisco) to protect the identities of immigrants and crime victims in California courts passed the Assembly Monday, May 21. Assembly Bill 2185 would create a standardized process for receiving anonymous status in court proceedings and…
THE date of separation is one of the most important facts to determine in a divorce case because it defines when the community interest ends and when separate property interest commences in a marriage. All property acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in the State of California is community property (Family…
IN February 2018, the IRS will start certification of individuals with delinquent tax debt to the State Department. How will the IRS certification impacts you? • Upon receipt of certification. The State Department will either deny application or revoke current passport or both. • You are overseas. Limited validity passport for direct return to the…
WITH May as Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (APAHM), Southern California Edison (SCE) held its annual celebration on Friday, May 11 in Garden Grove, California, wherein the company highlighted the contributions of the APA community and business partners. In 1978, former President Jimmy Carter signed a joint resolution designating an annual week-long celebration, and in…
With a population of over 21 million, Asian Americans are growing faster than any other ethnic racial group in the United States. In California alone, the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) population size is over 6.5 million — increasing at a 52 percent growth rate. Yet, when it comes to voter turnout, experts think much…
Five-day event is part of Los Angeles Times’ month-long Food Bowl NEED plans this weekend in Los Angeles? If you’re looking for something food-related, check out the Night Market in downtown’s Grand Park. It’s part of the second annual Los Angeles Times Food Bowl, a month-long food festival happening around the city. The Night Market…
Malacañang has responded to former Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno’s claims that accused President Rodrigo Duterte was behind her removal, calling for him to resign. According to Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque, the Palace “refrained from commenting” about Sereno’s call but said the ousted chief justice has been engaging in political grandstanding. “The former top magistrate…
IRVINE, CA — The Asian Business Association of Orange County (ABAOC), held its annual Small Business Development Day (SBDD) on Thursday, May 10 at the Delta Hotels By Marriott in Garden Grove, CA. The event was sponsored by US Bank, and more than 125 attendees participated in this half-day event. Roger Cheng, ABAOC board member…
IF you are a US citizen (or dual citizen) residing outside the U.S. but do not report your foreign accounts, you may be subject to harsh penalties—penalties that are more severe than you expect, penalties that can even exceed balances in your accounts. It is therefore critical that you learn the new rules for FBAR…
President clarifies his comments were directed toward MS-13 gang members IN A roundtable meeting with California leaders on sanctuary state policies on Wednesday, May 16, President Donald Trump sparked outrage when he supposedly called some immigrants coming to the United States “animals.” While railing against California’s sanctuary state law — which prohibits the state officials…
“And they all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim.” Acts 2:11 WE celebrate Pentecost this Sunday, the birthday of the Christian Church. Pentecost comes from the Greek word pentekoste, which means fiftieth. Hence, we celebrate it on Sunday 50 days after Easter….
“Upon arrival in the US, the fiancé(e) can immediately apply for authorization to work in the US. He/she does not have to wait until marriage to apply for work authorization.” SEVERAL options exist for a US citizen to bring his/her foreign-national fiancé(e) to the United States. One popular option is to marry the fiancé(e) in…
TERMINATIONS can be difficult situations, particularly where employees see the firing as unfair. The following are some helpful guidelines in navigating this difficult time: First: Make sure that the employment relationship has ended and there is no misunderstanding about this. Employment may end by resignation, lay-off, or discharge. “Discharge” includes involuntary termination (being fired). Second:…
IT can happen to anybody. At one time or another in life, we may be faced with financial and debt issues that seem impossible to overcome. A lot of people end up filing bankruptcy when they get to the point of feeling hopeless about their financial problems. Despite what others may think, there is no…
THE date of separation is one of the most important facts to determine in a divorce case because it defines when the community interest ends and when separate property interest commences in a marriage. All property acquired by a married person during the marriage while domiciled in the State of California is community property (Family…
When in love or brokenhearted, who would not want to hear the voice of Raymond Lauchengco? His hits are the “hugot” songs of the 80’s. They will either make you cry, reminisce, or fall in love all over again. His big hits include, “So it’s you,” “I need you back,” “Kapag puso’y sinugatan,” “Saan Darating…
I used to ask myself, “Is there really somebody out there for everyone?” Then I got to know one of the most inspiring couples, Luis and Rosemarie Mendez. I met Luis and Rosemarie in the early 90s while I was doing Reflections in Hyatt Regency Hotel. Rosemarie was still single at the time. One time, she introduced me to her…
“I have emphasized the importance of face-to-face experience of the stranger as we form and nurture democratic habits of the heart. While experience can change the way we look at the world, the converse is also true: the way we look at the world can change the meaning of our experience.” – Parker J. Palmer,…
