The Jennifer Laude Story Made Into Documentary Film
‘Call Her Ganda’ makes its world premiere at Tribeca Film Festival Fil-Am director PJ Raval was invited to the Philippines in December 2014 to screen the two documentaries he has done – Trinidad and Before You Know It – for the QC Pink LGBTQ+ Film Festival. Little did he know, he’d find there – his…
4 new ways you can avoid fines for not having health insurance
There are already more than a dozen reasons people can use to avoid paying the penalty for not having health insurance. Now the federal government has added four more “hardship exemptions” that let people off the hook if they can’t find a marketplace plan that meets not only their coverage needs but also reflects their…
Duterte declares state of calamity in Boracay
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has placed Boracay under state of calamity on Thursday, April 26, the same day when the island’s six-month closure begun. Duterte has signed Proclamation No. 475, declaring barangays Balabag, Manoc-Manoc, and Yapak in Malay town under a state of calamity “until lifted by the president, notwithstanding the lapse of the six-month…
Palace: New law passers ‘most welcome’ to join gov’t
Following the release of the 2017 Bar Examinations, Malacañang on Thursday, April 26, congratulated law graduates who passed one of the country’s hardest licensure exams. Malacañang also encouraged new lawyers to pursue a career in the government, as their “idealism, integrity and competence are most welcome” under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte. “We’d like…
Renz Mareon Fernando: Gold mined from far-flung Tawi-Tawi Islands
GARNERING four medals in a highly contested international talent competition such as the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) was one feat hard to duplicate but for a determined risk-taker and an indomitable dreamer like Renz Mareon Florendo Amirul, simply identified as Renz Fernando in the entertainment arena, it was the outcome of long-range preparation,…
Palace downplays PH’s drop in World Press Freedom Index ranking
THE recently released 2018 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontiéres, RSF) has ranked the Philippines 133 out of 180 countries on the list, citing a “growing animosity” towards journalists in the country. But Palace Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. downplayed the report, saying that the media watchdog also expressed alarm over…
You should consider finding a US employer for your spouse back home if you can’t get legal status
Dear Attorney Gurfinkel: I came to the U.S. many years ago, and am out of status. I have now been away from my spouse and children for many years, and have been desperately looking for ways I can bring them to the U.S. because we miss each other so much. I have an employer willing…
President Duterte in Singapore for the 32nd ASEAN Summit
SINGAPORE — President Rodrigo Duterte arrived in Singapore Thursday, April 26, for the biannual summit of the 10 Southeast Asian leaders. Upon arrival at the Changi International Airport, President Duterte, accompanied by a lean delegation, was welcomed by Philippine Ambassador to Singapore Joseph Del Mar Yap and Sam Tan Chin Siong, Minister of State in…
President Duterte to champion plight of migrant workers during ASEAN Summit
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on Thursday, April 26, pledged to advance the plight of migrant workers during the 32nd Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Singapore. In his departure statement at the Davao International Airport, President Duterte said he and his fellow leaders will continue to work towards the realization of ASEAN Vision…
Palace: Boracay closure to push through despite petitions in SC
Malacañang on Thursday, April 26, said while the Palace respects the rights of individuals to sue and the independence of the judiciary, it is confident that the petitions filed in the Supreme Court to stop the closure of Boracay will not be given merit. Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. in a Palace press briefing said…
Tourists enjoy Boracay prior to shutdown
Local and foreign tourists enjoyed their vacations in Boracay a day before the world-famous island’s closure started on Thursday, April 26. The island is set to be closed to tourists for six months upon the order of President Rodrigo Duterte to rehabilitate the island. However, tourists who have bookings beyond April 26 will still be…
Federal judge ruling: US must continue DACA
Judge John D. Bates joins other federal judges in support of the Obama-era program that provides benefits to undocumented youth The Trump administration has been dealt with yet another blow in its mission to terminate a program which grants work authorization and protection from deportation to undocumented youth. Judge John D. Bates of the Federal…
Duterte vows to pass BBL before May ends
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday, April 25, has reiterated his promise to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) this year. During a speech in Buluan, Maguindanao, Duterte assured the Moro people anew of his commitment to pass the BBL, hopefully by the end of May. “So let us fast-track the BBL. I promised that…
BI orders Sister Fox to leave PH
The Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) has ordered Australian Catholic missionary Patricia Fox to leave the country after it forfeited her missionary visa for engaging in “partisan political activities.” The BI issued its one-page order on Fox on Monday, April 23. Fox was directed to leave the Philippines within 30 days from receipt of the…
Visa applicants may soon be required to submit social media details
“Applicants for diplomatic or official visas will be exempt from the proposed revised questions.” ON March 30, 2018, the Department of State published in the Federal Register its proposed new requirements which will affect immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants alike. There is a 60-day comment period for public comment on the proposed new…
Consider finding a US employer for your spouse back home if you can’t get legal status
DEAR Attorney Gurfinkel: I came to the U.S. many years ago, and am out of status. I have now been away from my spouse and children for many years, and have been desperately looking for ways I can bring them to the U.S. because we miss each other so much. I have an employer willing…
Health info capsules
Restaurant menus Following the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rule introduced in 2012, restaurant menus today in about two-thirds of the largest restaurant chains have eliminated the highest caloric food items on their menus. In these 66 chains, higher calorie sandwiches, which have 52 to 71 more calories than their average items, were dropped….
‘She, Who Can See’ film debut at CAAMFest 36
Riveting new dance film by Alleluia Panis celebrates Filipino culture Acclaimed choreographer and stage director Alleluia Panis’ film “She, Who Can See (SWCS)” is more than dance and music. It is, for her, a metaphor in the search for one’s authentic self. “…It’s a reflection of our experiences as Pilipino-Americans, as Americans of color, who…
Other Filipino-interest films at CAAMFest 36
• “Aswang Next Door” directed by Bernard Badion Shorts/2017/6 mins/ English May 11, 10 p.m. / AMC Kabuki 8, San Francisco • “Bitter Melon” directed by H.P. Mendoza Narrative/2017/110 mins/English/World Premiere May 12, 6:50 p.m./AMC Kabuki 8, San Franciso May 19, 7:30 p.m./Roxie Theatre, San Francisco May…
TEDxUST challenges youth to have firm conviction despite life’s detours
The University of Santo Tomas Central Student Council (UST-CSC), in coordination with the UST Medical Technology Society and the Office of Public Affairs, hosted “TEDxUST,” an independently-organized conference licensed from popular non-profit media organization TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) held on March 10, 2018 at the UST Central Laboratory Auditorium. TED’s main conference series, commonly known…
“The Business Of Football – Philippines” Set For May 18 At New World Hotel In Makati
AFC, La Liga and Dentsu headlining the first 1-Day Football Business Conference in the Philippines 26 APRIL 2018 – MANILA: Riding on the heels of the historic Asian Cup 2019 qualification the Philippine Men’s National Team, more popularly known as The Azkals, the Philippines is set as the perfect venue for the upcoming “The Business of…
Schneider Electric Introduces Galaxy Easy UPS 3S, Making Business Continuity Easy For Small And Medium Businesses
Offers optimized footprint design, advanced product features, and competitive specifications Easy to install, use, and service quickly Addresses customer needs in a wide-range of industries and environments Elevates industry standards for 10-to-40kVA UPS with efficiency up to 96 percent in double conversion mode, up to 99 percent in ECO Mode Schneider Electric also launches Easy…
30 athletes arrive to win the ‘World’s Strongest Man’ crown
MANILA – The countdown begins for the thrilling battle of human strength and will power, as 30 athletes from across the globe arrive here to compete in the 41st World Strongest Man (WSM) to be staged in various Philippine tourist destinations. The Department of Tourism (DOT), which facilitated the country’s hosting of WSM, said the popular sports television…
Duterte Cabinet to work ‘double time’ after drop in ratings
The administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte will double its efforts to improve the plight of Filipinos, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said on Sunday, April 22. After seeing a drop from in the satisfaction ratings of Duterte’s Cabinet, Malacañang assured that the executive branch will continue to serve the “best interest” of the public…