The Court of Appeals (CA) this week upheld its earlier decision dismissing a petition filed by a human rights group seeking an about $2 billion worth of compensation to human rights victims during the term of late strongman Ferdinand Marcos. The CA’s former Twelfth Division on Wednesday, January 3 said it has denied the motion…
PHILIPPINE Vice President Maria “Leni” Leonor Robredo has asked the Supreme Court (SC) to allow both her camp and that of former Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. to witness the inventory and transport of ballot boxes in connection with their electoral case. In a resolution dated December 5, 2017, the SC, sitting as Presidential Electoral…
Fil-Ams react to new rules AS of Monday, January 1, Californians were officially allowed to participate in the recreational use of marijuana without the need of a medical marijuana card. Proposition 64 — which was passed back in November 2016 by a 15-percent margin — has come into effect, making California the sixth and largest…
Lawsuit puts a spotlight on forced servitude, anti-trafficking advocates call for further awareness on the issue A FILIPINA immigrant, who for nearly three years was allegedly forced into involuntary servitude and suffered unfair wages and extreme verbal abuse, has led a lawsuit against her host family in a case that highlights modern slavery and human trafficking….
A FEW days before Christmas, I asked my niece, Ann, to suggest to me another phrase for “having a deep sense of awe” that I can use in my preaching. She answered, “It’s living the moment, Uncle.” I took her suggestion as I preached this theme to people during the Simbang Gabi Masses, and, indeed,…
First of all, Happy New Year to everyone. When the year ends, another one begins. As we bid adieu to 2017, it is good to look forward to what 2018 has in store for us. Here’s a list to get us started in that direction. Society and politics One thing I realized when it comes…
What’s in a song? Is it the singer or the song, itself? What’s the key element that entices the listeners: the lyrics or the melody? Could it be the dynamics of its poetic composition or the narrative content that moves emotions and make listeners relate to the message? What makes a song catapult to the…
The administration of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte maintained that the rich and the poor would “both benefit” from the newly enacted Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act. This is in contrast to IBON Foundation’s recent claim that TRAIN is “scourge, not a gift” to Filipino people. While admitting that the effects of exercising…
PRESIDENT Trump wants to eliminate “chain migration,” which allows people to petition extended family members, such as brothers and sisters, married children, adult (over 21) children, and even parents. The only family-based petitions that would remain would be for spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens or green card holders. The president further wants to…
What is food poisoning? Food poisoning is a variety of illnesses caused by eating food contaminated with bacteria, toxins or chemicals. This is more common during holidays and summertime. The symptoms usually include diarrhea, abdominal pains and vomiting. Diarrhea and vomiting could be so severe as to cause extreme dehydration, which, if untreated and unabated,…
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A look back at Filipino newsmakers, successes and heritage The year 2017 was an interesting and exciting year for Filipinos and Filipino-Americans alike. Apart from the negativity we read and hear in the media, there are stories that celebrate Filipino heritage and culture. Here are some of the top stories that made it to the…
United States President Donald Trump is the second most favorable world leader for Filipinos next to Pope Francis, according to the Gallup International Association’s (GIA) 41st Annual Global End of Year Survey. Results of the survey showed that 72 percent of seven out of 10 Filipinos have a “favorable” opinion on the U.S. leader, while…
A CLIENT wants Chapter 7, but can he avoid the presumption of abuse? The client is 55, married with a son and daughter who have just entered college. His income is $5,600 gross a month. The wife’s income is $5,500 gross a month. So, the combined gross of his household of four is $11,100 a…
2017 versus 2018 tax rates: individual income tax rates in 2017 in percentage are 10, 15, 25, 28, 33, 35, and 39.6. The 2018 temporary tax rates percentage are 10, 12, 22, 24, 32, 35, and 37 and will expire on 2025, under H.R.1 “The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”. Your income tax return is…
Filipino-American human rights advocates and community leaders wrote a letter to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte citing their concerns about the growing number of deaths in the hands of law enforcers in Duterte’s bloody war on drugs. They cited Amnesty International, which recently published reports about “the extrajudicial killings of over 7,000 persons suspected of dealing…
The City of Carson, along with the Philippine Consulate General Los Angeles, the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Monument Movement (JPRMM), Kalayaan Incorporated, and the Knights of Rizal, all came together on Friday, December 29 in commemoration of the 5th Annual Rizal Day and 121st Martyrdom Anniversary of Philippine national hero Jose P. Rizal at the…
THIS is our yearly wrap-up of some of the new laws that were created or that took effect in California in 2017 to continue to protect employees: California Prohibits On-Duty and On-Call Rest Breaks The high court ruled that an off-duty rest break means a time during which an employee is relieved from all work-related…
THE Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was recently enacted into law, impact various issues in a divorce case. These changes are effective beginning 2018 through 2025. Spousal upport. pousal Support will no longer be deductible by the paying spouse and will not be taxable income to the supported spouse for post 2017 divorce judgments and support…
OUR recommendations of tax moves before year-end is a little different because of President Trump’s major tax overhaul and the time – or lack of it – to implement tax savings ideas in just before 12/31/17. Tax rates are going down, standard deductions are going up, and property taxes and state taxes are capped; therefore,…
ARE you seriously in debt and thinking of filing bankruptcy as a last resort? Individuals who have accumulated excessive debt are often left to ponder whether bankruptcy is their only realistic way to get out of debt. However, they hesitate to do so because of all the negative things they’ve heard about bankruptcy. Sometimes, these…
I was planning on writing something inspirational to close this year but the recent headlines in the Philippines have made a lot of Filipinos — not only in the Philippines, but here in the United States and elsewhere in the world — unsettled. ABS-CBN News reported on Thursday, December 28: “Two people died while two…
Interns came from PH, other Asian countries An upscale Southern California oceanfront resort has been accused of human trafficking violations and exploiting its foreign interns, a majority of whom are from the Philippines and other Asian countries. On Friday, December 22, hospitality labor union Unite Here Local 11 (Unite Here), filed a complaint with the…
TWO heads are better than one — but three would make the best combo in promoting self-development and perseverance. Celebrity aesthetician and known leader in face and body treatment Olivia Quido-Co (aka Ms. O), owner of O Skin Med Spa, opened her clinic to host the book launch of two of the most influential personalities…
Petula Clark sustains seven decades of musical supremacy and iconic status Boxing Day, following Christmas, became even more significant not only because of the exciting gifts I received but for the rare opportunity to watch one of my favorite recording artists of the 60s, Petula Clark, when she mounted a sold-out holiday concert in one…
AN important part of Christmas and New Year is buying gifts for loved ones and making resolutions for the coming year. Filipinos are busy filling their balikbayan boxes with pasalubong, to send to their families “back home.” The pasalubong may consist of clothes, food items, electronics, or other useful items, given as a way of…
Q: What is Holiday Heart Syndrome? Prevalent during holidays, this symptom complex is mainly characterized by cardiac arrhythmias (heart rhythm irregularity), mostly due to alcoholic binges. The excitement brought on by the festivities and ingestion of a lot of caffeine (coffee, chocolate, cola drinks) during the holidays could also play a role in this syndrome….
By: Statepoint When it comes to busy families, things have a habit of becoming scattered quickly. Here are five ways to keep everything and everyone organized, all the time. 1. Centralize information. Hang an erasable calendar or family to-do list in a high-traffic area of the home where everyone can see it, so that everyone…
By: Statepoint Nationwide, 30 million children and adults have diabetes, and 86 million are prediabetic, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA). A leading risk factor for Type 2 diabetes is being overweight. But the good news is, according to the ADA, losing just 7 percent of your body weight can decrease that risk by…
By: Statepoint After the hectic holidays, it’s no surprise that many people commit to getting better organized in the new year. There are plenty of reasons why people obsess over organization and resolve to master it year after year. Household items become easier to find. Rooms all of a sudden seem bigger and more welcoming….
By: Statepoint Want to make resolutions you’ll keep this new year? Think simple, sustainable changes. Follow these four steps for a healthier you, inside and out. Stick to your workout After the holidays, the gym is filled with people who have resolved to incorporate exercise routines into their lives. Come February, the novelty of the…
