The healing and liberating power of forgiveness

IN these turbulent times when the world is replete with hatred, violence, and killings, Paramount Pictures and MGM’s remake of the classic film, “Ben-Hur,” makes a relevant point: forgiveness heals and liberates. A fictional movie, it’s a story about a Jewish nobleman, Judah Ben-Hur, and his adopted Roman brother, Messala, whose happy family life ends…

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Duterte-isms

ANYONE with a relatively good grasp of current events can tell you who said this: “Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country.” Or this: “We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” The first one was John F. Kennedy’s classic statement during his inauguration as…

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POLL: A big majority of Filipinos in America support Duterte’s controversial war on drugs

“YOU can’t stop me,” declared Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, despite the criticism from international organizations like the United Nations and the Human Rights Watch, as well as by major international news organizations, for the drug war-related deaths since he took office. They call the killings a violation of human rights and due process, however, Duterte…

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How to save on auto insurance

KNOWING how to save on auto insurance is important. Over time, the savings could be a lot of money. Here are some good tips on how to save on auto insurance: #1 Have appropriate coverage Common sense would tell you to minimize coverage to save money. But of course, you should not be overly minimizing…

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The rights of temporary workers

Q: I WORK for a temp agency with headquarters outside California. As a condition of work, I agree to report to a location anywhere in Southern California assigned by the agency and I have to wait to be given work. Often, I report to a location and I am assigned work only after 3 or…

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Should you be organized or messy when you face an IRS auditor?

THERE are two different approaches to prepare for an audit: organized and shoebox. Organized means systematically arranging your records. Shoebox means simply being you—naturally disorganized. Let’s discuss each method so you can determine which one is best for your next audit. Why You Should be Organized: 1. This methodical approach of presenting data in a…

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Face debt problems now to avoid pain later

WHEN people are going through financial difficulty and are unable to pay their bills, their first reaction is often to ignore their debts and avoid contact with creditors. They think that by doing this, somehow the creditors will simply give up and go away.  Bad news: This rarely works. Then one day they get a…

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Of healers and scribblers

Everyone pretty much agrees that if you exercise, eat right and don’t smoke or drink, you’ll never die.  I have been told that by my internist, cardiologist, psychiatrist and all of their nurses, receptionists and building custodians. Over the weekend, I was invited for cocktails by a group of excruciatingly charming and renowned surgeons.  Nothing…

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‘Scripted in Heaven’ screening night 

The trailer of “Scripted in Heaven,” the movie inspired by Lou Baron’s book, premiered during a red carpet screening event at the Wilshire Screening Room in Beverly Hills, California on Saturday, August 20. Many investors, media and guests attended the highly-anticipated event during which the team presented the concept and trailer of the movie. It…

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Make it easy to import the right way

Long Beach, Calif. – As a continuing public service, E.C. Ferrer Custom House Broker, Inc. is sponsoring another half-day seminar for importers, entrepreneurs, distributors, wholesalers and retailers on Oct.  26 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.  at the Long Beach Marriott Hotel on 4700 Airport Plaza Drive. Complimentary breakfast will be available and served upon…

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Matteo Guidicelli on marriage: No plans yet

Actor Matteo Guidicelli dismissed rumors that he and girlfriend, Pop Princess Sarah Geronimo, are planning to get married.  He explained that getting married is a serious matter and thinks that they shouldn’t pressure themselves. Even the discussion of marriage has not been ventured to, Matteo said during a press conference last Friday, August. “Hindi pa…

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Conditional green card: What it is and what to do

JAMES had just finished with his Adjustment of Status interview based on the immigrant petition of his wife, Kimberly.  At the end of the interview, they were given a piece of paper entitled “Removal of Conditional Status” and the Immigration Officer made them both sign.  A year-and-a-half later, Kimberly filed for divorce and left James. …

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Weight and premature death

A CLINICAL study of 3.9 million adults in 189 countries, published in the medical journal Lancet, revealed that our risk for illness (like hypertension, diabetes, heart diseases, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and cancer) and premature death is impacted by our weight. Overweight and obese individuals have the highest risk. Obesity is actually second to smoking as the…

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On retirement and preparing for your ‘nest egg’

NO career lasts forever. However dedicated individuals might be their professions, health and other concerns will eventually limit their ability to work. When that time comes, it is unlikely that seniors will be able to rely on their Social Security pension to live comfortably in retirement. The Social Security Administration (SSA) estimates that the average…

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Impasse

HISTORY will tell that the Philippines has one of the world’s most celebrated democracies today. On Sept. 21, 1972, former Philippine Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos declared martial law. For today’s Filipinos, 42 years may seem like another lifetime—a bygone period with sketchy details of what martial law entailed for the people who had to endure…

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We belong to Him

MY favorite time of the day is the early morning after I arise from bed and take a shower.  I would quietly sit by the window of my living room, take some deep breaths, and feel God’s presence. I would do this exercise for 20 to 30 minutes and then proceed to the prayer hall…

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ) #2: Financial accounts

THE IRS issued new guidance requiring individuals with an interest in a “specified foreign financial asset” to attach a disclosure statement to your income tax return for any year in which the aggregate value of all such assets exceeds $50,000. Use new form Form 8938 (Statement of Specified Foreign Financial Assets) starting in 2011. Q….

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Duterte’s eulogy for Marcos

WILL it be a test of will between President Rodrigo Duterte and those who protest the burial of the remains of President Ferdinand Marcos in the Libingan ng mga Bayani? It will require an irresistible force to make a seemingly immovable object budge. Do the protestors have the dogged determination to become that irresistible force?…

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NOSTALGIA Beatles: Let it be

I AM one of those who freely and ungrudgingly takes great interest in my friends’ pleasures, in what they relish and what they become anxious about in the world of Western mass culture (and borrowings). We reveal ourselves (like any westerner), with our grasp of the latest fashion and catch phrases, or the hottest dances….

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