States with the lowest and highest tax rates
Individuals and businesses in all 50 states pay federal income tax. Residents in 41 states also pay state income tax while nine states have no state income taxes. Here are…
Read More
Bankruptcy: Why suffer needlessly if you seriously need help?
“ The legislative intent of Congress in passing our bankruptcy laws is to allow a fresh start to those honest individuals who have found it impossible to cope with debt…
Charles Simbulan: living a life of inspiration
With a firm hand he shakes my hand, his face seasoned by storm and values. Charles Simbulan smiles kindly, almost trying to disguise shyness. His voice is light hearted, his…
Travelogue: Israel sojourn, the Holy Land Diary
(Part 3 of 3) Knowing that our days were numbered and the overwhelming thrill would soon subside, we struggled to make the most out of every single moment and enjoyed…
Zsa Zsa Padilla and Conrad Onglao back in each other’s arms
Barely five months after they broke up, the Divine Diva Zsa Zsa Padilla and architect Conrad Onglao are together again. People were taken aback when the news came out that…
United States citizenship
Mario, was admitted to the United States as a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) when he was 18 years old. Now he wants to apply for citizenship, but the…
Exercise lowers health risks
Is exercise really essential to health? Yes, very much so, especially in lowering the risk for diseases, as shown in the recently published studies discussed below. To illustrate a point,…
Fil-Am voters in Nevada face two very different visions for our future
By: Luisa Blue, BSN As a nurse, I have had the privilege to care for patients and help them get better. Few things are more rewarding, which is why so many…
Should US workers abroad pay self-employment tax?
You may be liable for U.S. self-employment taxes if you have become an independent contractor either for a new employer or a foreign employer with no ties to the U.S….
The Philippine political circus
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey should add a new act to its circus lineup, considering how Cirque de Soleil appears to have outdone the veteran big top masters in…
Watch The Filipino Channel’s ‘The Fil-Am Vote 2016’ on Oct. 30 before choosing the next president of the US
IN less than three weeks, on November 8, the American people will elect the 45th President of the United States, along with the VP and other public officials. Filipinos in…
Reciprocated
ON Monday, Oct. 17, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported that money sent home by Filipinos living and working abroad reached $2.319 billion—growing at its fastest pace in over…
Ryan Cayabyab’s life journey to music
(Part 1 of 2 ) “THE alphabet of grace is full of sibilants (hissing) —sounds that can’t be shouted but only whispered: the sounds of bumblebees and wind and lovers…
New York, my favorite city
New York is full of fragmented people — from those who talk to themselves and move jerkily, to those whose faces are set in hostility or negation. But others live…
The treasure of persistent faith
A PRIEST flew thousands of miles to spend a month with the community of Mother Teresa in Calcutta, India. He was in a stage of discernment for God’s further purpose…
Trump loses ground after lewd comments bragging about the entitlement of sexually assaulting women
REPUBLICAN Party presidential nominee Donald Trump shrugs his statements of groping women by their genitals, making sexual advances without their consent, and being able to do what he wants with…
Beloved seafood & prime rib buffet at Cafe Sierra continues to live up to standard
If you haven’t dined at Cafe Sierra located inside the Hilton Universal City in a while, you will be in for a surprise. Earlier this year, the famed buffet unveiled…
The largest Fil-Am History Month celebration hits Echo Park Lake
Hordes of Filipino Americans flocked to Echo Park Lake in Los Angeles for the 25th anniversary of the Festival of Philippine Arts and Culture (FPAC) on Saturday, October 8. FPAC…
Clients choose Chapter 13 to avoid risk of losing house to Chapter 7 trustee on steriods
Senior wants Chapter 7 to wipe out $22K credit card debt “ Some credit cards specialize in giving credit to people who have come out of Chapter 7. Chapter 7 is…
Should I tell my employer about my medical condition to accommodate my disability?
Q: I WAS diagnosed with herniated disc and severe anxiety. I want to request leave but want to keep my privacy at work. Do I need to tell my employer…
10 tips on penalties for late filing/paying your taxes
1. THE failure-to-file penalty is generally more than the failure-to-pay penalty. If you cannot pay all the taxes you owe, file to prevent that more costly failure-to-file penalty. 2. The…
Here are the early signs of debt trouble you shouldn’t ignore
HOW much debt is too much? Are you worried that you have accumulated more debt than you can afford to pay back? Are you feeling depressed, frustrated, hopeless or maybe…
Historic Filipinotown to mark 2nd annual Larry Itliong Day on Oct. 22
LOS ANGELES -— Honoring the life and work of labor and civil rights leader Larry Itliong, the City of Los Angeles, Pilipino Workers Center, Larry Itliong Day Committee, FilAm Arts and the…
The most famous speech in literature
“Be Cheerful sir, “ cried Prospero, “our revels are now ended…” – Parable of the Tempest (Shakespeare) It is said that the wind that scattered the Spanish Armada blew English literature….
Catching up with Krista Kleiner
Krista is a jack – rather queen – of all trades. Aside from winning the Binibining Pilipinas-International title in 2010, she has made a name for herself in the Philippines…
The November 2016 Priority Dates
Each month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A…
Travelogue: Israel sojourn, the Holy Land Diary
(Part 2 of 3) If you thought the first three days of our pilgrimage were exhaustingly draining enough, think again… for the following days were earmarked for much challenging trudges,…
Naturalization – Becoming a United States Citizen
If you are a United States legal permanent resident (“LPR” or “green card holder”), you may be eligible to become a United States citizen. United States (“U.S.”) citizenship opens the…
Kris Aquino and her controversial necklace
After being provoked by a false allegation on social media about a necklace that was suggested as once owned by Imelda Marcos, the Queen of All Media Kris Aquino broke…
False claims about unlawful voting
THERE have been many people who claim non-citizens are registering to vote in the upcoming elections, and their votes could affect the ultimate outcome of the Presidential election. These claims…