I filed my own divorce but I can’t finish it
MANY people try to file and open their own divorce case without an attorney in an effort to save on legal fees. Often, the self-represented divorce litigant would seek…
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Knock off the self-destructive tweeting, Mr. President — You are sabotaging your own agenda!
“MY advice to President Trump about his incessant ‘Tweeting’ that undermines his ability to govern: knock it off,” was the message of Fil-Am Republican leader Rudy Asercion in the Facebook…
Keeping ‘the lines’ open to Paco Arespacochaga
BEFORE the emergence of boy bands and K-pop stars, the groups that were born in the 80s or 90s scream for solo artists and pop-rock band performers. One of them…
SIBLING REVELRY: How Adam and Arielle Jacobs Achieved Their Broadway Dream
In 2015, the stars aligned for Adam and Arielle Jacobs — he was playing the lead role in “Aladdin” and she was cast as Nessarose on “Wicked” — and for…
Debunking diet myths
IN today’s health-oriented world, the four major players – diet, exercise, smoking and alcohol abuse – are in the spotlight. Diet weighs heavily on this equation and has also been…
If you abandon your green card, you will abandon your family’s petition
DEAR Attorney Gurfinkel: I am a green card holder, and petitioned my wife and children. I know it will take a few years until the priority date on their petition…
Suddenly, it’s summer
“Summer time and the living is easy,” says Gershwin. It is more mellow than autumn, more tender than spring and away from the inhospitable glare of spring. Summer has officially…
Reporting requirements for US citizens abroad
U.S. citizens are generally taxed on their worldwide income regardless of where the income is earned or received. A U.S. citizen who earns income in a foreign country may also…
Bill that aims to repeal and replace Obamacare hangs in the balance (again) for lack of support
IT’S DÉJÁ VU all over again as the much-anticipated vote for another version of the health care bill—which President Donald Trump and the Republicans wish to pass to repeal and…
Numbers that matter
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has maintained excellent trust and approval ratings among top government officials in his first year in office. This is a feat considering how negatively he was portrayed…
Musikahan! with Maestro Ryan Cayabyab
Raving gratitude for Maestro from his students “I am not in awe of people per se, because we are all pilgrims, we are given everything. Why am I here? I…
The fast food of literature
Unlike the novelist, the poet nor a playwright, columnists are not performing center ring. They must be contented with their self-imposed role of being second-class citizens in the world of…
Should I apply for an E-2 or an L-1 business visa?
QUESTION: I have a business and want to either purchase or buy a business in the U.S. but do not know which one of the visas would be better. The…
Employees blowing the whistle on employer misconduct
Reporting kickbacks and irregularities are protected activities STEVEN Babyak worked as a regional sales manager for Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., a medical device manufacturer. Throughout his three years at the company, he…
Ex-businessman with commercial lease judgment of $100K seeks Chapter 7 relief Senior seeks Chapter 7 for discharge of $50K credit card debt
CLIENT is 50, divorced and used to own a business that had a commercial lease for retail space. He operated the business for 10 years. On the 11th year, sales…
Can bankruptcy end all your financial worries?
ARE you in debt and in a constant state of worrying about your financial situation? Perhaps like most people you live paycheck to paycheck and are barely surviving but you’ve…
10 general issues covered at IRS office audits
There are three basic types of IRS audits: correspondence, office, and field examinations. A. Correspondence audits are generally used for specific questions that can easily be verified. B. Office audits…
David Tupaz: Making waves in Las Vegas
“Fashion is the extension of our personalities. It dignifies our humanity just like art and music. I believe in capturing elegance; Fashion is the extension of our personalities. It dignifies…
The opportune nascence of The Dark Necessities
The boy bands’ cultural origins was believed to have emerged back in the late 19th century with its earliest forerunner as merely an a-cappella barbershop quartet and their act evolved…
The opportune nascence of The Dark Necessities
The boy bands’ cultural origins was believed to have emerged back in the late 19th century with its earliest forerunner as merely an a-cappella barbershop quartet and their act evolved…
Consultant’s unnecessary lies result in UNNECESSARY denial and fraud waiver
RECENTLY, a person came to my office for consultation after her adjustment of status application (based on marriage to a US citizen) was denied due to fraud. She had entered…
DAPA rescinded
ON November 20, 2014, President Barack Obama announced that its administration will stop deporting certain undocumented parents of U.S. citizens and parents of legal permanent residents. These individuals will also…
Metformin: The truth
One of the most popular and very useful medications today worldwide is Metformin (Glucophage). This drug, whose molecular formula, C4H11N5, was first synthesized in 1929 and clinically introduced in the…
LA, NYC Fil-Am chefs at the heart of ‘ULAM’
“I think ultimately the key to everyone’s heart is through their stomach.” —Filipino-American chef Alvin Cailan With the immense admiration that Filipino food has received over the last few years,…
The worship of style
At first, you might think it is the elegant figure, a matchless style, and mysterious allure. With or without makeup, she is always put together and utterly self confident, imbued…
You have not filed your income tax returns for years?
YOU have not filed your income tax returns for the current year and previous years because: 1) you decided you are not required to file? 2) You are a victim…
A big majority of Americans disapprove of Trump’s response to the Russia investigation
IF PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP truly wants to win the trust and support of most Americans, and not just his most loyal fan base, then he should listen to the voice…
One for Marawi
MILITARY operations against the Maute terror group in Marawi City continues to rage on. After four weeks of clashes, the conflict has claimed the lives of 59 soldiers, three policemen,…
Father knows best
My father is the kind of man I’ve always dreamed of: kind to the weak, fierce to the arrogant, generous to those who loved him, ruthless to those who will…
Exempt property in bankruptcy
ONE of the goals of bankruptcy is to allow debtor-filers to start anew. This means that after filing bankruptcy and getting a discharge of their debts, these debtors will be…