THE relationship between government and religion has always been a complicated matter in the Philippines, one that is both a desensitized and hardly discussed issue. As a predominantly Catholic nation, where 86 percent of its population is Roman Catholic, it has become a Filipino’s moral obligation to live by the Church’s teachings—or at least respect…
After everything has been said—or was not said—and done, we choose to look at the bright side. We choose to see beneath the surface, avoid the negativity and focus on what really matters: the kingdom, not the ‘crown.’ Some of you may be surprised to know that I am one of the few who predicted…
“ Share your bread with the hungry; shelter the oppressed and the homeless; clothe naked when you see them, and do not turn your back on your own. Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your wound shall quickly be healed; your vindication shall go before you, and the glory of the Lord…
A FAREWELL mass was held on Wednesday, February 1 at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles, in honor of Bishop Oscar Solis, who was recently appointed as bishop of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, Utah by Pope Francis. Solis will be installed on Tuesday, March 7, making him the…
SINCE President Trump’s inauguration last January 20, 2017, the President has issued three (3) executive actions on immigration, namely, (1) Executive Order 13769, “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States” issued on January 27, 2017; (2) Executive Order 13768 ,“Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States” issued on…
THE current political environment has disturbed many immigrants. The administration has touted that immigration laws will strictly be enforced, with tough talk on rounding up immigrants for deportation. This has sowed fear and confusion among immigrants, especially the undocumented. Immigrant workers are especially vulnerable to threats as many employers exploit immigrant workers for cheap labor….
QUESTION: I have been put into deportation proceedings. Do I really need an Immigration Attorney? Answer: Hiring an Immigration Attorney is critical to the successful outcome of your case. Immigration Law is changing all the time, especially with the new President Trump. What used to be the law is no longer the law. What once…
PRESIDENT Trump appears to be executing on his “America First” agenda by executing executive orders in record pace with the intent of securing American interest. However, these executive orders has affected certain rights of legal permanent residents and aliens residing in the United States. As a green card holder, you are still considered an Alien…
REPUBLICAN president-elect Donald Trump unveiled a new framework for his revised tax plan. Basically, his plan simplifies the tax code – reduce tax rates, simplify provisions, and reform business taxation. His fellow Republicans control both the House and Senate so he’ll probably deliver on most of promised tax reforms that we have not seen since…
ONE thing certain about debt problems is that most of them don’t just go away by themselves. They’re there when you go to bed at night and they’re still there when you get up in the morning. It’s almost impossible to have peace of mind when you’re in debt because you are constantly worrying about…
DONALD TRUMP claims he wanted to make America safe and so last week, he hastily issued an executive order banning the Syrian refugees into the United States, and revoked the visas of at least 60,000 nationals from seven Muslim-dominated countries. The countries in question are Iran, Iraq, Syria, Sudan, Somalia, Libya and Yemen. This move…
In private homes, we learn yet of another world—of quiet angels with gentle hearts. Back home, they used to be teachers, bank tellers, office workers, engineers, or registered nurses who handle with special grace the dignity of their “clients’” last moments. They help not to torment these people with meaningless chemical assaults in their last…
Just like keys and padlocks which are manufactured with precise duplicates, some singers, no matter how distinct their voices are, could limitlessly have exacting vocal replicas…even with almost similar physical features. Take Karen Carpenter (as an example) of The Carpenters tandem. Karen’s vocal resonance was divergently rich and full bodied innately equipped with such distinct…
ON January 27, 2017, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) on “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States.” Among the EO’s more controversial provisions are: • a 120-day hold on allowing refugees into the country; • an indefinite ban on refugees from Syria; and • a 90-day bar on citizens…
The US-FDA has issued warning on the use of tanning beds at home and at tanning salons: tanning increases the risk for melanoma, a deadly skin cancer, up to 59 percent! More than 2.5 million teens, mostly girls, use tanning booths each year in the United States. Just like with poison, the more exposure, the…
The US will be undergoing some interesting times with the assumption of the presidency by Donald J. Trump. A legend in his own mind, Trump could well have written the dictionary definition of his surname: “Trump – To outrank or defeat someone or something, often in a highly public way… In the card game bridge, the…
SUPPORTERS of President Donald Trump chastise his critics and non-supporters for not being on board the “Trump train” even after he won the majority vote of the Electoral College, which catapulted him to the United States’ highest office. Even as they hail him for churning executive orders one after another to build the border wall,…
IN recent months, when the Philippine government ushered in a new leadership under President Rodrigo Duterte, members of the police seemed to be invincible. Because they’re the government’s first line of defense—and offense—against the war it waged on illegal drugs and criminality, the police managed to remain unscathed, despite mounting poor public perception and criticisms…
My first knowledge of the world and about life came to me through my senses. They were directed by my mother. She was the first one I saw, felt and depended on, on the day I was born Everything made me wail desperately — hunger, light and anger. The memory of my mother and her…
In recent years, ice cream has gone beyond your typical vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. Think, fried chicken and waffles, peking duck, foie gras PB&J or whiskey Lucky Charms. At Coolhaus, a Los Angeles-based artisanal ice cream sandwich company, these are just some of the inventive, indulgent flavors customers can expect. The concept arose some nine…
February is approaching once again and you know what they say about it being the love month. I am aware that not everyone is in a relationship – or that they don’t have a date on Valentine’s. So, this piece is not just for the hashtag #alreadyhitched but also for the happily single. And since…
I SPENT three weeks after Christmas traveling to the Philippines and China. In the Philippines, I joined my high school seminary classmates in the celebration of our 40th year anniversary of graduation. In China, I honored an overdue invitation of a long-time friend to visit the American school that he has been running successfully, Qingdao…
A photo essay by Rick Rocamora, with an introduction by Rene Ciria-Cruz Quiapo is a photo essay by award-winning photojournalist Rick Rocamora. Quiapo, is actually two interrelated photo essays, in one book. The first story is about the people who live in and about Quiapo, a commercial district in the heart of Manila, many of…
As the administration of President Donald Trump begins to take action, the White House has begun filling out its staff to serve the president for the next four years. One of the newest members of the White House Office of the Press Secretary includes Ninio Fetalvo, a 23-year-old Filipino American, who will serve as an…
ARE your “golden years” golden? Not so for more and more Americans age 65 and older. The rate of personal bankruptcy filings among those ages 65 or older soared by 150% from 1991 to 2007, according to AARP. The biggest jump in bankruptcy filings occurred among people aged 75 to 84; their rate skyrocketed 433%….
Formerly rich seniors need Chapter 7 relief “ We have strength for all things in Christ who empowers us – He infuses us with inner strength and we are self sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency!” CLIENT is 65. She still works middle management and earns $37K yearly. Although she is married, I would say that she…
Q: I HAVE been working five years for a company (with over 200 employees) in Los Angeles. My wife just gave birth to our first child. Being a new father, I want to be there and bond with my new baby. When I asked my boss about parental leave, he laughed at me. But when…
QUESTION: I have just received my Green Card. It took years of waiting and I’m so happy. I have heard about getting a Living Trust, but I really don’t see the point. I have my Green Card and all is well. What do you think? Answer: Actually, this could not be further from the truth….
1. TAX Day is April 18, 2017: While we are accustomed to a filing tax deadline of April 15, this day falls on a Saturday so the deadline is moved to Monday April 17, but the District of Columbia observes this day as Emancipation Day, so this year’s tax deadline is pushed further back to…
