Help! I overstayed my visa!
WHEN the term “illegal immigrant” is used, some assume that the discussion is about someone who entered the United States without presenting themselves for inspection at the air, sea or…
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Now is the time for all good men
TAGALOGS have a term for approaching or solving a problem:santong dasalan or the soft, diplomatic way (dasal meaning prayer) and santong paspasan or the direct, tough way. We now know what approach President Rodrigo…
‘Let us join hands’
The Filipino Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) is a world unto itself. Last Friday, as the energy levels started going up, members gathered talking, laughing and thinking. The brain power…
IRS consumer alert tips – the IRS at your door
HOW do you determine if the person visiting you either at your business or at home or calling you are not an IRS imposter? Look for two forms of credentials….
Client seeks chapter 13 relief for mortgage default, credit cards Senior seeks chapter 7 for relief for 40K credit cards
“ If you are saddled with debt, now is the time to get them discharged.Better now than later.” CLIENT is 48, married and has a good job paying him $100K…
Joint exploration in South China Sea: Proposal for third silk route
In Beijing, we said we were honoured to be asked to speak before the great Beijing Forum, for we subscribe to the founding principle of President Xi Jin Ping’s historic…
Duterte’s martial law in Mindanao: The pros and cons sides among Filipinos in America
AFTER the escalating conflict and attack by the terror group Maute in Marawi City, President Rodrigo Duterte has declared the much dreaded martial law in the whole of Mindanao to…
On critiquing our Christian faith
“Worshiped, but they doubted.” “DOUBT isn’t the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith…Sometimes I think it is my mission to bring faith to the faithless, and doubt…
Friendly dialogue between Duterte and Xi
President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent “friendly exchange” with Chinese President Xi Jinping over rights to exploit the natural resources of certain areas of the South China Sea (AKA West Philippine Sea)…
Fil-Ams protest against Duterte’s martial law declaration in Mindanao
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte may have had the best intentions in declaring martial law in Mindanao following the escalating violence in Marawi City in Mindanao, but many Filipinos in America continue…
Martin Nievera: The man who would be ‘king’
He followed the footsteps of his father who sang for the group S.O.S. (A Society of Seven) in Hawaii. He went back to his birthplace in 1982 to pursue his…
A dissertation on the ‘sunset’ in the life of senior citizens
They say growing old is one exceptional privilege not granted to many as it is the crown of a full life… the final act in one’s role play on earth….
Fashion Design Graduate Crowned the Winner of Sony Channel’s The Apartment: Rising Stars Edition
Aleksandra Flasz out-designed her competitors to walk away with the grand prize of $100,000 PHILIPPINES (May 25, 2017) – Without any professional background in interior design, Aleksandra Flasz, a Polish…
What is “extreme hardship?”
IF a person commits certain immigration violations (such as fraud, or overstaying in the US for over six months and then departs, etc.), the person may not be eligible to…
Facts about coconut water
Coconut water (buko juice) is a popular drink in Asia and South America. The top ten countries on the list of world-leading coconut producers according to volume are: Indonesia, Philippines,…
Shanna Mendiola: NBC4’s Emmy Award-winning meteorologist on hard work and success
While most individuals are deep in their slumber at 2 a.m., Shanna Mendiola’s day is already beginning. By 2:30 a.m., like clockwork, she arrives at NBC4 Southern California, where she…
The girls he left behind
Thirty three years ago, my husband left me. He died. Leaving a house filled of daughters, young and adorable, innocent, with the world on their side. In the face of…
IRS consumer alert tips – identity theft
Someone uses your social security number to file a fraudulent tax return to claim a refund or get a job. An employer’s tax identification is stolen to create a false…
Is real estate property purchased prior to marriage considered community propery in a divorce?
GENERALLY, in California, property acquired by a spouse prior to marriage is considered separate property under family code section 770 while those acquired after marriage are considered community assets under…
Rediscovering and strengthening our faith through the Marian Shrine Pilgrimage Tour
I WAS out of the country for close to a month to join my husband as he fulfilled a promise: to take his parents to the faith-based Marian Pilgrimage Tour…
High alert
THE Philippines extends its condolences to the victims’ families and voiced solidarity with Britain in the fight against extremism following the deadly terror attack in Manchester, United Kingdom that left…
We preach Christ, not ourselves
THE rooms of the dormitories are now clean and empty, and the seminary is quiet, for the academic year has ended and the seminarians have left for summer vacation. Some…
Trump’s White House lawyers are now researching impeachment proceedings
ON THE DAY President Donald Trump embarked on his first trip abroad, White House lawyers have reportedly been researching impeachment proceedings in preparation for what is now becoming more of…
Our fascination with the Bible
“IT ain’t those parts of the Bible that I can’t understand that bother me, it is the parts that I do understand.” — Mark Twain It is the time I…
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…
Should employees who “volunteer” to work off-the-clock be paid?
Q:I WORK as a nurse at a hospital that has a strict policy of no unapproved overtime, and no going on breaks unless we are relieved by another nurse. We…
Is real estate property purchased prior to marriage considered community property in a divorce?
GENERALLY, in California, property acquired by a spouse prior to marriage is considered separate property under family code section 770 while those acquired after marriage are considered community assets under…
How to avoid IRS audits: Deduction issues
BE conservative with deductions if you want to avoid audits. Be aggressive and you increase your risk of IRS scrutiny. Play the odds and you invite an audit. The question…
10 debt danger signs: Ignore them or suffer later
“ Let me get one thing straight, just because you can pay your minimum monthly payments each month doesn’t necessarily mean that you do not have a debt problem” WHILE…
The Trump administration on sanctuary cities
Generally, a sanctuary city is viewed as a place where individuals without lawful immigration status may reside without undue fear of targeted raids, harassment and mass deportation. So-called sanctuary cities…