Jestoni Alarcon and his journey to success
Reconnecting with my friends in the Philippines is always such a wonderful opportunity. I was so happy when Jestoni Alarcon and his wife Lizette invited me over for a dinner…
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PACCAL turns 25, honors Silver Jubilarians, avows unremitting advocacy
After two decades and 5 years since its inception in 1992, PACCAL, (the Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc.), has productively carried out its advocacy and successfully achieved its…
PACCAL turns 25, honors Silver Jubilarians, avows unremitting advocacy
After two decades and 5 years since its inception in 1992, PACCAL, (the Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc.), has productively carried out its advocacy and successfully achieved its…
You don’t need a Philippine annulment to get married in the U.S.
DEAR Attorney Gurfinkel: I have been out of status in the U.S. since 2010. I’ve been separated from my husband since 2003, and he already has another family in the…
Petitioning children of your spouse from a previous marriage
“ Instead of marrying the biological parent, the U.S. citizen petitioner can just file a fiancé petition for the biological parent.” A STEPPARENT may file an immigrant petition for a stepchild even…
Medical journal updates
Today, about 1.25 billion people smoke cigarettes, and one billion deaths from tobacco-related illness are expected, ten times more compared to the toll in the 20th century. The deadly habit…
Penalty relief: How to establish reasonable cause
PENALTY could still be relived even if you fail to file your tax returns and pay taxes owed if you have reasonable cause. How to establish reasonable cause • Facts….
Avoid the bondage of debt, especially seniors
ACCUMULATING debt is the easiest thing you can do in America. Even your dog can get credit cards with a fake social security number. If you are an immigrant and…
The Filipino Channel’s ‘Balitang America’ turns 15
Documentary airs on November 12 “BALITANG AMERICA” (BA), the daily newscast of ABS-CBN International’s The Filipino Channel, is celebrating its 15th year and has become the leading source for Filipinos…
Safety first
“Generally, it is safe to work, study, do business, and travel in the Philippines.” This was what newly appointed Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque assured foreign embassies following the fresh travel…
The Stripboys (Almost) Bare All on Asia’s Got Talent
MANILA (November 3, 2017) Season 2 of Asia’s Got Talent is revealing even more talent from the Philippines! Meet this group of cheeky dancers who calls themselves ‘The Stripboys’. They…
SoCal Edison to increase carbon-free resources to local, disadvantaged communities
One of the nation’s largest electric utilities, Southern California Edison (SCE), released on Tuesday, October 31, a strategic framework to help California meet climate and air quality goals by 2030….
When employer gives dishonest reasons to cover up discriminatory firing
CESAR Astorga worked as a maintenance supervisor at Snap-On Logistics Co., a power tools manufacturer. In 2002, while working, Cesar’s knees were injured when he fell from a scissor lift….
Disclosure and characterization of overseas assets in divorce
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…
Should you form a Limited Liability Company (LLC)?
YOU have seen businesses with “LLC” after their names. That LLC refers to Limited Liability Company which is a hybrid that combines the pass-through attributes of a partnership with the…
What scares people about bankruptcy?
JUST a mention of the word “bankruptcy” is enough to scare some people to death. Their minds are immediately filled with horror pictures of creditors taking away their home, business,…
Despite ‘lies’, poll reveals: A majority of Americans approve of Trump-Russia probe, almost half think Trump committed a crime
WE hear this a lot: Just keep repeating a lie, over and over, and people will believe it. A falsehood being told, people will still believe the lie if it’s…
Our deep longing
IN the midst of the hype of the Dodgers games this past week, I felt a deep longing for my parents’ presence. Perhaps it’s because it’s that time of the…
Binibining Pilipinas 2017 winners ready for winning streak at international pageants
It’s GAME ON for the remaining Binibining Pilipinas winners who are set to compete for their respective titles. With Philippine candidate Elizabeth Clenci being the first to fly off to…
Travelogue: Western Europe escapade (Part 3 of 3)
THE remaining days of our Western Europe tour seemed numbered after having covered vast areas in Spain and Portugal but enthusiasm grew even enormously zestful every passing day after having…
Travelogue: Western Europe escapade (Part 3 of 3)
THE remaining days of our Western Europe tour seemed numbered after having covered vast areas in Spain and Portugal but enthusiasm grew even enormously zestful every passing day after having…
Extension requests to be thoroughly reviewed, despite prior petition approval
SINCE about 2004, USCIS had a policy that if an initial H-1B petition was approved, and the alien later applied for an extension, the officer adjudicating the extension was to…
New USCIS policy: Adjustment interview for Employment-Based petitions
IN the past few months, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that, beginning October 1, 2017, it will expand in-person interviews for employment-based adjustment of status (“AOS”…
Antibiotic stewardship
At the 103rd Annual Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) last week in San Diego, California, I met several surgeons from the Philippines who flew in to…
OIC Basics: Series 2
IN series 1 we talked about the factors you need to consider before you decide choosing OIC, and meeting the compliance requirements before proceeding. If your offer is accepted, congratulations!…
Russia collusion case vs Trump campaign moves forward with indictments and a guilty plea
THE TRUMP administration has claimed that the independent probe by Special Counsel Robert Mueller on the alleged collusion between Russia and the Trump campaign to interfere in the 2016 U.S….
Asian allies
The Philippine economy is booming. With more foreign players starting to invest in the country, there is no better time to harness the good prospect of doing business in the…
‘The Girl Who Sees’: Fil-Ams design new video game on Filipino culture and mythology
GIVEN the lack of Filipino representation in the international gaming industry, a group of Filipino-Americans is seeking to change that with the development of a Filipino fantasy video game. Set…
Larry Itliong Day and the continuing struggle of immigrant workers for just wages
IT was the spring of 1965, and in Coachella Valley, California, grape season was starting. Many of the workers in the grape fields were Filipinos, who had just discovered that…
Client with bank account levied seeks Chapter 7 relief
THE client is 60 & his wife is 58. He issued his check to pay rent of $1,200 but the check was dishonored for insufficient funds. The landlord called him…