AS you may be aware, the USCIS has started implementation last June 2016 the Filipino World War II Veterans Parole Program (“FWVP”). The program allows certain family members of Filipino World War II veterans (“FWV”) who are beneficiaries of an approved I-130 Petition to apply for parole with the USCIS so they can come to…
Q: I AM a salaried employee exempt from overtime. I often work more than 40 hours per week. However, there are days when I work less than 8 hours per day. For example, last week, due to a personal emergency, I was able to work for 6 hours only. When I work less than 8…
MOST couples that want out of a marriage in California usually file for Divorce. There are circumstances though that allow a couple to have their marriage “voided” rather than “dissolved.” There is a big difference between the two concepts. With a voided marriage, it restores the couple to status of unmarried person as if they…
SHOULD you operate as a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, LLC, or LLP? Which entity is most beneficial for you? Choosing the wrong form could cause unnecessary taxes, increased liability, and unnecessary exposure to lawsuits. What you should not do is listen to your neighbor or friend because each one has a different set of circumstances…
HAVE your credit card debts become larger than you have ever expected? Are you struggling to even keep up with the minimum payments required every month? If you are in this situation, maybe you’ve wondered about what the legal repercussions might be once you get to the point where you can no longer continue paying…
As an American of Filipino descent living in the traditionally conservative state of Arkansas, I have a unique viewpoint that many of my fellow Filipino-Americans on the West and East Coasts have not experienced. I know what it feels like to look different and be treated as an outsider, although I was born and raised…
AS the global debate continues about Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s all-out war against drugs, the newly organized advocacy group of Filipinos in America called “U.S. Pinoys for Real Change in the Philippines” (USPRCP) will hold a vigil rally in front of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. on September 11 to declare full support for…
How strange, this demented feeling gives me when I realize that I have spent agonizing days before a pen and a notebook, with nothing better to do but jot down notes at random. I rap out sentences and it does not help me think, but only eases my crabbed heart. I wish a notebook could…
Robin Williams (rest his soul) once said, “Comedy can be a cathartic way to deal with personal trauma.” Some people second that notion with quotes like ‘happy people are truly the saddest people.’ I don’t necessarily equate my jovial personality to my frustrations (or depressing moments) but it makes sense to say that the happiest…
Under the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, foreign investors can apply for a green card if they 1) invest in a company in the United States and 2) plan to create ten permanent full-time jobs for qualified US workers. There are two options for an EB-5 investment: 1) direct investment or 2) regional center investment. While…
WE TRUST that President Rodrigo Duterte, the consummate lover, will know how to play this geopoliticalménage à trois among China, the United States and the Philippines. With the fair Philippines as the object of the escalating rivalry between China (a neighbor since the earth came to be) and the US (a latter-day colonizer that came…
As the 2016 U.S. presidential election draws closer, I believe that my political ideology as a Republican resonates with the Filipino culture, which includes family, faith, self-determination through entrepreneurship and my desire to serve the Nevada community. My parents passed down to me the importance of countless Filipino traditions while I was growing up. Family…
With less than 100 days until Election Day, Nevada voters will soon be asked to make an incredibly important decision: determining who will be our nation’s next president. That decision will be between someone who wants to use fear to unravel our progress, and a proven leader who values diversity and will continue knitting our…
MULTI-awarded actor Jericho Rosales heads list of September birthday celebrants Jericho Vibar Rosales, also known as Echo to his fans and friends, will celebrate his 37th birthday on Thursday, September 22, with his wife, model Kim Jones. Other prominent celebrities celebrating their birthdays this month of September are: September 1 – Singer/actor Ariel Rivera, senior…
A CORNERSTONE of Donald Trump’s “solution” to our immigration issues is to deport the approximate 11 million undocumented immigrants, “and let the good come back in.” I’m not quite sure if he’s talking about some form of “provisional waiver,” which is currently in effect, where certain people have to leave the US and apply for…
PANCREATIC cancer is one of the deadliest and fastest killers in our society today. Because of the deeper anatomical location of the pancreas, cancer of this organ is most often diagnosed after it has already spread, rendering the condition beyond cure and practically hopeless. In view of this “stealth” nature of this cancer, it is…
Not only did August’s jobs report reveal that the American economy added 255,000 jobs in July, it marked an even more important milestone for our country’s economy. Our job growth in July means that over the past 77 months, the private sector has added 15 million jobs to the economy. This marks the longest streak…
Las Vegas’ new Asian Culture Center celebrated its grand opening ceremony on Monday, August 29. The festivities began at 3pm, with honorable mayor of the City of Las Vegas, Carolyn Goodman, cutting the ceremonial ribbon. Hosted by Emmy-Award winner Steve Schorr, more than 300 business, political, and community leaders graced the special occasion, including the…
(Part 2) FORM 1098-T from an eligible educational institution is REQUIRED for 2016 TO CLAIM the American Opportunity Tax Credit AOTC (previously Hope Scholarship Credit), Lifetime Learning Credit LLC, and Tuition and Fees deduction. Here are some tax tips to benefit from these credits in 2016 • Additional criteria must be satisfied for these refundable…
EVEN U.S. President Barack Obama has raised concern about the recent statements of Philippine Pres. Rodrigo Duterte and his war on drugs, which has already claimed the lives of more than 1,800 people since Duterte took office. Obama is set to meet with Duterte in Laos next week to talk about the alleged issue of…
ARTICLE III Section 4 of the Philippine Constitution states that “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.” This is recognized to give people a conducive environment for participation and…
TODAY, more women are writing columns than before. But as the women’s movement took hold, traditional limitations on them began to dissolve, and they’re now writing about politics, government, finance, health or international affairs; in addition to family matters and personal concerns. They’ve stretched the boundaries of the form by creating columns that combine personal…
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…
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…
“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…
Seniors choose Chapter 7 to discharge $30K and $10K credit cards CLIENT is 47, single and a registered nurse. Her income is good at $80K a year. She has no dependents except her mom who lives with her. Despite her good income, she has a default on her mortgage for $50K. She had an affair…
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…
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…
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…
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…
