Man can neither be judged by merely based on his failures nor through the vast wealth accumulated but by the macadamized roads he traveled from where his journey commenced. The same way when we try to fathom the disheartening pain every time we fall: the barometer for evaluation shouldn’t be based on the intensity of…
I WAS one of the most severe critics of Rodrigo Duterte as a presidential candidate. But now that he has assumed the presidency, I believe he should be given every chance and every reasonable support to succeed. And, boy, will he need a lot of support! In my own limited way, I’ve faced the challenges…
OUR congratulations in advance to actress and host Toni Gonzaga and her husband, director Paul Soriano for their upcoming baby boy! The baby’s gender was revealed in an interview with TV talk show host Boy Abunda last Tuesday, June 30. “It’s a boy! It’s going to be a mini-Paul,” the soon-to-be father excitedly shared. He…
IN most cases, in order for a person to adjust status (obtain a green card) in the U.S., the person must prove he or she was “inspected and admitted” by an immigration officer at the airport or border (port of entry). This means that the person presented himself to an immigration officer who reviewed his…
OFTEN, many immigrants have kept pushing back their decision to apply for US citizenship. Many of them have also failed to keep track of the validity of their permanent resident cards such that when they are now ready to apply for naturalization, they discover that their permanent resident cards have either expired or are about…
Acid reducers and their side-effects Preliminary studies suspect Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) and H2 Blockers, which reduce the secretion of stomach acid used by millions to treat gastro-esophageal reflux “heartburns,” may also have adverse effects on the kidneys when used regularly. Presently known side-effects of PPI and the H2 Blocker drugs, popular before the PPI…
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced in October 2015 that it is creating the “Filipino WWII Veterans Parole Program” to enable some family members of these veterans to come to the United States and be with their veteran-petitioners even if their visas are not yet available for processing. The program is part of…
Client files chapter 7 for $40K credit cards CLIENTS are seniors. Husband is 72. Wife is 71. Both are retired and receiving combined social security and pension total of $4,015/mo. Husband is still in good spirits although he is not in good health. He has been on dialysis for three years. He had hypertension when…
A RECENT “Balitang America” online viewer poll revealed that a large majority of Filipinos in America are feeling very hopeful under the Duterte presidency. Eighty-seven percent of kababayans who voted in The Filipino Channel’s daily newscast opinion poll feel the Philippines will be better off with newly sworn-in President Rodrigo Duterte stirring the country toward…
“TODAY, we continue the long journey toward an America and a world where liberty and equality are not reserved for some, but extended to all. Across the globe, including right here at home, millions of men, women, and children are victims of human trafficking and modern-day slavery. We remain committed to abolishing slavery in all…
Las Vegas’ McCarran Airport was crowded with people determined to get an early start on the long weekend rush. Las Vegas is already hot — it is 103 degrees in the shade, a desert steamy heat that promised long sultry days. Bikinied bodies, oiled and gleaming, laid in various stages of undress, abound in hotel…
“ We need more priests in this critical time when we need to imbue the world with the values of the Gospel.” “THE harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” — Luke 10: 2 It was a busy month for us…
THE 16th president of the Philippines — Rodrigo Duterte — has finally taken the oath of office on June 30, after a highly contro- versial campaign and election season. Many Filipinos in America who started out as not even knowing much about the former Davao City mayor, and those who were doubtful and even scared…
THIS column has often stressed the general rule that most employees should be paid overtime rate if they work more than 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week. However, there may be exceptions in the case of some who work in certain industries. It is in this instance that the employers’ classification…
I HAVE had many clients and prospective clients who would inquire how much is an “uncontested divorce.” Of course, I would ask some questions to determine whether their divorce is “uncontested” such as if both spouses have agreed to all issues of custody, support, property, etc. Unfortunately, many divorces are not as simple as…
ON June 26, 2013, the US Supreme Court struck down section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as unconstitutional in the landmark case US. V. Windsor. The BIA shortly thereafter issued a decision in Matter of Zeleniak holding that DOMA is no longer an impediment in recognizing same-sex couples under the immigration and…
AFTER an audit of your tax returns by the IRS, you have a choice of either ending your misery by paying up or by continuing to fight at the Appeals Office. The appeals process is an administrative means to resolve your problems without resorting to legal action. It’s a good way to resolve disputes. It…
IN spite of the negative things that you may have heard about it, bankruptcy relief still remains to be the best option to many individuals who need help in recovering financially. There is nothing “illegal” or “criminal” about filing for bankruptcy. As a matter of fact, obtaining relief from debt under federal law is an…
I was writing this piece when I heard that it was officially the summer season. And boy, that couldn’t have been any more precise these past couple of days (hello, 109 degrees!). Speaking of summer, I am pretty sure everybody’s got their summer trips planned — some even saved up through the whole year for…
They are daughters of dramatic journeys and fantastic tales. Proudly carrying their heritage and stories like treasures, they came to America amid colonial romance, hope, despair and misfortune. But they were led by hope. As they laid down shadows of stunning proportions — shaped both by the drama of the past and sparkle of the…
“For destiny is untold…unmeasured…uncertain… and even the sun in its tireless wander might find a way to caress the moon…yet your fate is nobody’s and your own destiny will always find a way since it was meant to be…there are no coincidences in life…everything was born with you…” – From Echoes of Frustration. Whether or…
99 RANCH Market’s Las Vegas location on S. Maryland Pkwy. held the Agro-Fisheries Trade (AT) Korean Show on June 25 and 26 to spread the word about the Korean items they sell. The food show was intended to “promote product awareness,” which will “go hand-in-hand in assisting a boosting sales of Korean items,” the market…
MINI robot retriever In the United States alone, more than 3,500 persons accidentally swallow button batteries, which are used in toys, watches and hearing aids. In most cases, they are passed out with stools but in some cases, the battery is lodged in the esophagus or stomach. This usually requires an endoscopy, where a tube…
In 2008, Wall Street recklessness causes the financial crisis that left eight million Americans unemployed and millions more with mortgages and retirement savings run into the ground. Businesses shut their doors and new graduates faced uneasy, unrelenting unemployment. In 2010, we passed reforms to make sure that Wall Street could never crash our economy again….
Susan Roces, the original Queen of Philippine Movies, heads the list of July birthday celebrants. “Inday Susan,” as she is called by family and close friends, will celebrate her 76th natal day on Thursday, July 28. She is also the widow of the late undisputed King of Philippine Movies, Fernando Poe Jr. Other July birthday…
ORDINARILY, there is no appeal process for visa refusals. Under the doctrine of “consular non- reviewability”, a person cannot even sue or appeal their visa refusals in US federal courts. The US Supreme Court ruled last year that the Embassy is not even required to provide a “detailed explanation” of the reason for the visa…
INDIVIDUALS may be put in removal (deportation) proceedings for a number of reasons. Some of them may have been put in removal proceedings for committing certain crimes. Others are in removal proceedings because they may have filed applications with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and have had their applications denied by the…
1. DON’T be late. Always remember first good impression will get your audit off on the right foot. 2. Don’t walk in without records. Be prepared with complete and organized records. 3. Don’t dump a paper bag in the auditor’s face. Do not have the auditor sort through paper bags of cluttered documents. A happy…
[Editor’s note: This column is one in a series written by University of California President Janet Napolitano as part of a partnership with New America Media, whose members include this publication.] EARLIER this summer, University of California campuses granted bachelor’s and advanced degrees to 67,000 individuals, each with stories of personal aspiration and accomplishment. For…
IF there is a singular issue that makes many kababayans gravitate toward the Republican Party, it’s the issue of the right of women to have an abortion — a right traditionally fought for by Democrats and opposed by Republicans. On Monday, June 27, the Supreme Court (SC) upheld such right of women by striking down…
