Saving documents is critical to your case
FOR almost all immigration benefits, you should save and preserve documents to establish eligibility for that particular benefit. Many people state that, for one reason or another, they no longer…
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Love, marriage, and (California) divorce
THE holidays are upon us, and soon, we’ll all be thinking about “New Year’s resolutions.” Amid the festivities, many people take this time to look at their lives and decide…
Coffee and longevity
Twelve years ago, we wrote that drinking coffee reduced the risk for type II diabetes, based on a new study then (involving 42,000 healthy men and 84,000 health women from…
Staying safe on the road
Everyone seems hyped up for the holidays, hurrying to wrap up their shopping and head on to parties and get-togethers. This holiday season, chances are, you will be spending much…
Deliquent tax debt could mean revocation of your passport
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….
Do I need a premarital agreement before getting married?
IN the absence of a premarital agreement, the general community property presumption under California family code section 760 controls which provides “ ….all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired…
Trump endorses an alleged child molester for senator in Alabama: ‘He denied it!’
PRESIDENT Donald Trump gave his full support behind the candidacy of Roy Moore, a former judge who is running for senator in a special election in Alabama on December 12….
Driver’s license and car registration 101
When I first learned how to drive, I was baffled with how much paperwork is actually involved. However, it turned out to not be as scary and complicated as I…
Arnel Pineda electrifies Los Angeles crowd with sold-out solo concert
Arnel Pineda, the lead singer of the internationally acclaimed rock band Journey, brought down Palace Theater in Los Angeles as he sang to a sold-out crowd of over 1,000 attendees…
I’M TIRED and just want to give up and go back home!
MANY Filipinos consult with me saying they are sad, lonely, and depressed over their immigration situation, and just want to give up, and go back to the Philippines. Many of…
Do I need a premarital agreement before getting married?
IN the absence of a premarital agreement, the general community property presumption under California family code section 760 controls which provides “ ….all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired…
Does Godzilla live in your house?
THE Japanese created Godzilla a long time ago. It’s a gigantic T-Rex on steroids that destroys Tokyo and the rest of Japan until someone comes to the rescue and kills…
What does it mean to be “off-duty” during lunch breaks?
Q: I work in a hospital on 12-hour shifts. During my meal break, I sometimes go to our break lounge to take a nap. My supervisor told me sleeping is…
15 dont’s during an IRS office audit
1. DON’T volunteer information. A typical agent is a low-key, friendly agent. They get your guard down by playing a nice guy role. Don’t be deceived by it. Remember that…
I don’t have a sponsor? Try the Extraordinary Alien Petition
QUESTION: I have lots of years of experience and lots of publications and awards. However, I don’t have an employer to sponsor me. Is there any other option? Answer: There…
Is bankruptcy a good idea for you?
IF you are struggling with debt and have done everything you can to no avail, bankruptcy may be the only way for you to wipe the slate clean on your…
The browning of America
ADVERTISING is one indicator of changes in lifestyle, social mores, fashion and language. One such development that has become apparent in U.S. television commercials is the use of mixed race…
Kababayans share arguments against the Republican tax bill
PRESIDENT Donald Trump has been in office for almost a year now but has yet to score a legislative victory. This is why he has been so adamant in getting…
The call of Advent: Wake up!
“YES, O Lord, you are our father; we are the clay, and you are the potter: we are the work of your hands” (Is 64:7). These are beautiful words the…
Winter beauty guide
DURING the winter, our hair experiences dehydration because of unavoidable exposure. We need to be proactive about maintaining moisture in our hair. For the entire winter months, we want to…
History: cardiac surgery p2
(Part 2 – conclusion) LAST week, we took our readers in a journey back to year 1628, almost 400 years ago, when blood circulation, as we know it today, was…
California divorce frequently asked questions
I JUST moved to California last month, and I’d like to file for divorce. Can I file now? To file for divorce in the State of California, the person filing…
History: cardiac surgery
(Conclusion) Last week, we took our readers in a journey back to year 1628, almost 400 years ago, when blood circulation, as we know it today, was “discovered,” understood, and…
Dr. Ime Cruz-Banting: Living ecstatically a medical and musical life
Music is therapy. It moves people…soothes pain and longing. It can boost memory and sets mood. Its healing power is as effectual as the curative control of a medical dosage….
OIC Basics: Series 3
SERIES 1 we talked about the factors you need to consider before you decide choosing OIC, and meeting the compliance requirements before proceeding. Series 2 we explored on what you…
Trump’s tax bill: Good for the richest, bad for the middle class and the US
PRESIDENT Donald Trump has been touting that he will be giving Americans a great Christmas gift when he signs the Republican tax bill into law before the holidays. What is…
Filipino filmmakers Allan Ibanez, Dexter Hemedez deliver laughs and tears in ‘1st Sem’
Coming-of-age story explores complex family dynamics between a single mother and her eldest son The coming-of-age story has become a staple in independent cinema, beautifully and artistically told from filmmakers…
Senior needs bankruptcy relief. But Chapter 7 or 13?
THE client is 74. Her husband passed away two years ago. Her only source of income is social security of $2,000 a month, which was her husband’s social security. Her…
What to do with conditional green card status in troubled marriages
MARRIAGE for many persons is the culmination of one’s life. Getting married signifies the beginning of a new phase in life, both socially and economically. For those persons who lack…
Remedies for victims of human labor trafficking
Q. MY employer brought me o merica o ork as live-in nanny for their youngest child. I would be paid $1,000 per month with weekends off. When we arrived in Los Angeles, my employer…