WE often speak of “the bottom line” — the bottom line of a financial report, an educational program, or a political speech. In the grand perspective of life, however, a bottom line does not merely refer to a result or profit. Rather, it’s about the crux or the heart of the matter, the essence of…
After much thought and her staggering ‘virality,’ I have decided to put into writing the curiosity that’s been building up in me regarding this entertainer-turned-blogger-turned-government official Margaux ‘Mocha’ Uson. Yes, friends, it has come to this: that I dedicate a column for the purpose of analyzing what the fuss is and why this woman is…
“We only pass this stage of youth but once…and dreaming lofty dreams today is to be assured of a dazzling and secured tomorrow…” Millennials, (the demographic cohort following Gen X or the 13th Generation composed of people born in the 60s and 70s) according to Iconoclast, are made up of Gen Y or those born…
“We only pass this stage of youth but once…and dreaming lofty dreams today is to be assured of a dazzling and secured tomorrow…” Millennials, (the demographic cohort following Gen X or the 13th Generation composed of people born in the 60s and 70s) according to Iconoclast, are made up of Gen Y or those born…
THANKSGIVING is when people step back and reflect on all of the wonderful things and events to be grateful for, and to give thanks to those people who played such a key role in helping us achieve them. At this Thanksgiving, I would like to once again give thanks to all of the people who…
WHAT makes a non-citizen deportable? An alien or non-citizen, including a lawful permanent resident (“green card” holder) is deportable for having a conviction relating to controlled substances. Title 8 U.S.C. Section 1227(a)(2)(B)(i) states: “Any alien who at any time after admission has been convicted of a violation of . . . any law or regulation…
In this day and age, the best travel document in your hands would be a U.S. passport. Hence the sense of urgency among immigrants to become U.S citizens. International travel and the globalization drumbeat, among others, prompts members of the immigrant community to acquire the proper documentation to ease their entry and exit to…
(Part 1 of 2) As the year comes to a close, allow me to take you back in time to revisit some of the great moments in medical science which made possible the great strides man has made in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases that benefit all of us today. I had \ privilege in…
BEGINNING January 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…
HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY! Amid the stress at work and at home, preparing for a Thanksgiving feast, planning for Black Friday shipping, thinking about the Christmas holidays and gift-giving, our year-end review of goals met and those still pending, the bank, credit card, auto, rent and mortgage payments, tuition fees, money to be sent to help…
FILIPINO-AMERICAN interdisciplinary artist Francis Calimlim believes that you should always have conversations with yourself. Some may think it’s crazy, but from his experience, doing such can open the avenue to discover who you are and want to be. As an interdisciplinary artist, Calimlim’s practice focuses on “the process of making,” meaning he doesn’t categorize himself…
“So the lesson here is that you should never use your retirement accounts to pay off your debts.” THE clients are seniors. The wife is 67 and had just retired from a lifetime of being a registered nurse. She has social security benefits of $2,100. The husband is 67 and has social security of $700. So together, they…
You’re entitled to back wages Q: I WORK at a customer service company that deal with private information. To protect our clients’ privacy, we use a lot of technology to keep information safe. However, the use of these technology often require us to spend approximately 5 to 15 minutes every day preparing for work. For…
YOU own a successful business, as a sole proprietor, prior to marriage. You later meet the love of your life and decide to marry her. Years into the marriage, you decide to incorporate the business. A common question when the couple later divorces becomes 1) did your separate property business become community property by virtue…
HOW long do you have to keep tax records? How long can the IRS audit your tax returns? Let’s discuss tips on statute of limitations so you can clean your garage this weekend. 1. The general statute to audit you is three years after the return is filed. 2. The statute is extended to six…
THIS is one thing I hear from people all the time: “If you ask me, I really hate doing this but I feel I have no choice.” Of course, no one ever wakes up one morning and decides to just file bankruptcy without seriously thinking it over. Usually, people spend a lot of time going…
As a second-generation Filipina-American, I leap at every opportunity to travel to the Philippines, especially when the trip is centered on a place that is outside of Manila or the popular island destinations. Earlier this fall, I was invited to join a seven-day familiarization tour to Vigan, Ilocos Sur and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia with about…
WE’VE heard inspiring stories of men and women in our present time who have overcome their physical disabilities and live their lives to the fullest. The stories of men like Nick Vujicic, the Australian who was born without hands, feet, and legs, but goes around the world spreading hope and encouraging others to trust God…
I have caught wind of the latest update regarding Miss Universe 2017 that is happening on November 26 at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas. The Philippines’ representative to Miss Universe 2017, Rachel Peters, seems to be a crowd favorite in this early stage in the competition. She is now leading in the pageant’s Facebook poll with…
Filipinos are known to be adaptive and creative. Whenever we try to assimilate something, be it language or food, we are fond of reinventing and putting a fresh Filipino spin to it. Take the American time-honored Thanksgiving dinner, for example. Filipinos in the United States have had the opportunity to showcase their creative culinary flair…
F-1 and F-2B retrogress! THE December 2017 priority dates bring bad news for those Filipinos petitioned as adult single children of US citizens (F-1) or green card holders (F-2B). • For single adult children of US citizens (F-1), the priority date will retrogress (move backwards) approximately two years (from January 1, 2007 back to January…
CHANGES in adjudications of H-1B renewal petitions. On October 23, 2017, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that under updated policy guidance USCIS is instructing its officers to apply the same level of scrutiny to both initial petitions and extension requests for certain nonimmigrant visa categories. The updated policy guidance applies to nearly all…
What is Monkeypox? Monkeypox is a viral disease that is on the headlines today. It is characterized by pox lesions on the skin and is closely related to, but not as deadly as smallpox, which killed about half a million lives in the pandemic of 1870-1875, triggered by the Franco-Prussian War. Monkeypox was first detected…
“Arch. Relax. Have fun.” Sounds easy, right? Along with 14 other people — consisting of educators from the LA Unified School District and representatives from the Los Angeles Police Department and El Monte Police Department — I embarked on my most intense assignment yet: parachute jumping with the U.S. Army Golden Knights. The Golden Knights…
” If you cannot pay your tax liability in full, request for an installment agreement.” IF you cannot pay your tax liability in full, request for an installment agreement. Here are some tips when and when not an examiner is able to set-up an installment agreement. The examiners are authorized to set-up…
IT has been a little over a month since Stephen Paddock opened fire on the night of the Route 91 Country Music Festival in the Las Vegas Strip last October 1. The lone gunman killed 58 innocent people and injured more than 500. The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast “Balitang America’s” Nevada correspondent Bev Llorente, supported…
AS Thanksgiving Day approaches, many families in the U.S. have begun pulling out family recipes for apple pie, reserving holiday turkeys, and stocking up on staples like potatoes, gravy, and cranberry sauce for their upcoming family dinner. While the holiday isn’t really celebrated in the Philippines, Thanksgiving is something Filipino-American families have mastered and embraced…
IN a divorce proceeding, people sometimes have a misconception that the only assets or properties that have to disclose assets and properties situated in California. Even worst, sometimes parties even think that since an asset or property is situated in a different country or state, that property is not community property and not subject to…
Senior loses job, needs chapter 7 debt relief THE clients are 63 and 64. They are young seniors. Up to 65, you are a young senior in my book. You can get senior discounts at Golden Corral for a satisfying buffet. Last time I went there, half of the patrons looked like they were over…
A doctor’s note may save your job RUTH Featherstone worked for Southern California Permanente Medical Group. She suffered from a sinus condition that required surgery. After several weeks of disability leave, she returned to work without restrictions. A few days after returning to work, Ruth informed her supervisor that she was resigning effective immediately because…
