Live the moment
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….
Read More
What’s IN and OUT in 2018
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…
Timeless and iconic: ‘Unchained Melody’ et al
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…
Palace: Both rich, poor to benefit from TRAIN
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…
Filing family petitions before Trump ends “Chain Migration”
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…
Food contamination
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…
SF Magazine’s top 10 covers for 2017
[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…
Poll: Trump 2nd most favorable world leader for Filipinos
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…
A client wants Chapter 7, but can he avoid the presumption of abuse?
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…
Federal tax update for 2017 tax returns
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,…
Kababayans react to Fil-Am leaders’ challenge to President Rodrigo Duterte
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…
City of Carson celebrates life of Rizal and becomes sister city of Parañaque
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…
Employment protections strengthened under new laws in 2017
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…
2018 tax changes that affect divorcing couples
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…
Year-end tax moves by December 31, 2017
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…
Is bankruptcy the only realistic way for you to get out of debt?
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…
New Year’s Eve challenge to President Rodrigo Duterte
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,…
Luxury SoCal beachside resort accused of human trafficking, exploiting interns
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…
Boy Abunda and Jonas Gaffud launch books in Southern California
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…
Close encounter with ‘Downtown’ icon
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…
A wonderful year end gift for your family
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,…
Queries from readers
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…
Tips for keeping your busy family organized
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….
Easy ways to cut back on sugar
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…
5 rules for a more organized home
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…
4 steps to a healthier you this new year
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…
Revisit 2017 with ‘Balitang America’
As we bid farewell to 2017 and greet the new year 2018, join me and the whole team of “Balitang America” (BA) in revisiting the stories of 2017 that made…
Tips to finally achieving your goals in 2018
The year 2017 is coming to an end with 2018 coming in full force. With Christmas over, it seems that all there’s left to do is plan for New Year’s…
A wonderful year end gift for your family
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…
Successful settlement of $700,000 judgment for $25,000 without bankruptcy
THE clients are husband and wife and they are still young. When I say young, this means anyone who is 65 and younger up to 17. The World Health Organization…