Jonas Gaffud on making beauty queens
Behind every strong woman is herself, but it doesn’t hurt to receive expert guidance from someone who has proved to produce success. For beauty queens of the Philippines, that someone…
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Simbang Gabi offering: How to help Filipino priests help and serve Kababayans back home
CHRISTMAS is less than two weeks from now, and this wonderful season is just opening the hearts of people to give more, in gratitude to all the blessings we have…
SF’s first Asian American mayor, Ed Lee, passes at 65
PRAISED as a trailblazer and voice for civil rights, Ed Lee, mayor of San Francisco and friend of the city’s Filipino-American community, passed away on Tuesday, December 12, at the…
When am I considered separated from my spouse in a divorce case?
THE date of separation is one of the most important facts to determine in a divorce case because it defines when the community interest ends and when separate property interest…
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…
Sexual harassment can happen in any workplace: How to recognize the signs
BETH Silverman worked as a Deputy District Attorney for the County of Los Angeles since 1994. In 2006, she joined the Major Crimes Division (MCD), an elite trial unit in…
IRS moves to revoke passports for unpaid taxes
1. CONGRESS created a new code section called “Revocation or Denial of Passport in Case of Certain Tax Delinquencies.” The idea of this new law is to use travel to enforce…
Bankruptcy: Forget the past to move forward
IF you are up to your neck in debt, you may feel that you have no choice but to file for bankruptcy. But perhaps you’re dreading to make that decision…
Not from a treaty country? Try the L-1 and then the multinational visa petition
QUESTION: I wanted to start my own business in the U.S. and in fact, have sufficient money. However, I was told that I am not able to do so because…
Preempting a looming power crisis
It is said that if hindsight is a perfect science, that makes scientists of our country’s national leaders and bureaucrats. In administration after administration, the would’ve-could’ve-should’ve syndrome has been a…
TIME Magazine’s Person of the Year: Not Trump but the ‘silence breakers’
Vindicated. Empowered. This is how I feel on behalf of my fellow women, and men who want to do what is right in honor of their mothers, wives, sisters, friends….
In these painful times of Christmas season
“Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths.” – Mark 1:3 MANY residents of Southern California may not feel like celebrating Christmas this year. It’s because of the series…
Triumphs and tragedies of 2017
TODAY I woke up with a smile on my face. Christmas is 18 days away, as of this writing! The sound of Christmas music and the cold winter breeze brushing…
Stevenson Van C. Derodar: a leader at heart with entrepreneurial skills
“Inspiration feeds the human soul…and Icons of Impact hopes to serve as a motivation for the young to challenge personal results and expectations…” – SVD The fourth among 6 siblings,…
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…
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…