The perks of being Liza Soberano
SOME people just have it all—beauty, brains and personality—plus the fame and fortune that come with having all three. But if the bearer of “all things beautiful” is as lovely…
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K-1 Visa: The fiancé visa for spouses of US citizens
Congratulations! You have just been engaged to the man or woman of your dreams, who happens to live in another country. As a United States (“U.S.”) citizen, you are now…
The three-day 18th Fiesta in America celebration through the lens
…And then suddenly, it was over! After months of conscientious preparation and inflexible planning, the annual three-day festivity that celebrates the custom and tradition of the Filipinos this side of…
Sam Milby finds new love through social media
Sam Milby is sporting a new smile these days and it’s because of a girl. The handsome actor’s newfound love is Japanese-British model-blogger Mari Jasmine. He met her through the…
USCIS clarifies certain naturalization eligibility requirements
THE USCIS recently updated its Policy Manual on when a lawful permanent resident (LPR) is eligible to file for naturalization. The significant change is defining when the person is considered …
Minor children may be able to immigrate faster as derivative beneficiaries
THE minor children of beneficiaries petitioned by their US citizen parents, siblings or employers may be able to immigrate with the principal beneficiaries once the priority dates of their immigrant…
Metabolic syndrome
THE epidemic of childhood obesity, which obviously parallels the incidence among adults, have contributed to the explosion of metabolic syndrome, the most common cause of major illnesses our society faces…
The delicate dance of a publisher and an advertiser
“…That if all Printers were determin’d not to print any thing till they were sure it would offend no body, there would be very little printed. I consider the Variety…
Education tax credits
THE American Opportunity Tax Credit AOTC and Lifetime Learning Credit can reduce your tax liability if you pay for college in 2016 even if you are studying outside of the…
Why the South China Sea could be the key to winning in swing states
QUICK, what do Vietnamese and Filipino Americans have in common? If you said that both communities hail from Southeast Asia, you’d be right. But the commonalities don’t stop there. Both…
A majority of Filipinos in America agree with Marcos’s burial in the Libingan ng mga Bayani
MUST a Filipino be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani just because he was a president and/or a soldier? Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte believes so, contending that this is…
Dexter Grey: Rebellious audacity and improvisations highlight latest concert
There was nothing in Dexter’s Grey ancestry, background or environment to suggest he would become the greatest living interpreter of the work of Frederic Chopin. It was all there, when…
Natalie Duran: the First Pinay American Ninja Warrior competitor!
If you missed “Kababayan Today’s” airing last Friday, August 12, we featured Natalie Duran. Natalie Duran is a 25-year-old second-generation Filipina living in Los Angeles. Natalie choose the medical route and is a scientist! She…
To bloom where we are planted
IN my 8th year of priesthood, I was asked to be part of a dating game. Not the dating game that we see today on television like The Bachelor or the dating service called Christian…
DHS expands provisional waiver program
ON July 29, 2016, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the expansion of the provisional waiver program. It is estimated that approximately 100,000 more individuals will be eligible to apply…
Senior seeks chapter 7 relief for $60K credit cards but what is the status of residence?
Another senior seeks chapter 13 relief for $50K credit cards CLIENT is 57 and recently divorced with two children, one in high school the other in college. She makes $40K yearly…
Are companies liable when their ‘independent contractors’ injure consumers?
(Why misclassification of workers is a social justice issue) ON September 10, 2013, 53-year-old Faustino Solorio was a pedestrian standing on the shoulder of the road behind the tailgate of a…
What immigration benefits are available to same-sex marriages post DOMA?
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…
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) #1 – FBAR bank accounts
Q. AM I required to report bank accounts in a foreign country? A. Yes, if you have more than $10,000 at any time outside the U.S. Q. Am I exempted…
Warning: Think twice before co-signing for anyone
“ The cosigner is fully legally responsible for the entire debt, just as the main borrower is.” IT is not uncommon for banks and other financial institutions to require a…
Fil-Am Republicans defend Donald Trump on his plan to ban immigration of Filipinos to America
SOME U.S. politicians have spoken up in support of Filipinos against Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump’s plan to temporarily ban immigration from what he called “terrorist nations” to keep America…
Hair and beauty solutions for all occasions
My beauty-related articles are among the most popular ones, based on the reactions I have received from my readers. I try to pick up the most common questions to help…
Green cards for thousands ‘out-of-status’ by waiver
A landmark change has been achieved in U.S. immigration law for thousands of “TNT” Filipinos and other foreign nationals. Recent expansion of the Stateside Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver Program –…
The glitterati of the 2016 People’s Ball
An event, no matter how meticulously conceptualized, painstakingly rehearsed, and smoothly presented, will still fail to achieve the utmost standard of grandiosity when lacking of interesting personalities and glitterati that…
Filipinos among 6,000 new citizens in Los Angeles
MANY of those reciting the pledge of allegiance for the first time as American citizens on Thursday, August 11 arrived hours before security began allowing people into the West Hall…
James Yap says he is thrilled to be a father again
Philippine cager James Yap can’t contain his happiness and excitement about being a father again! Last Tuesday, August 9, James’ girlfriend, Italian Michela Cazzola gave birth to a healthy baby…
Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo
Born in Kidapawan, Cotabato on November 4, 1952. Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree from Saint Theresa’s College in Quezon City. Teo started…
The September 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…
When your green card expires: what next?
WHAT happens when my green card expires? Lawful Permanent Resident status is not affected by the expiration of the Form I-551, or the “green card.” A person does not lose…
Gluten-free chocolate protein porridge
(Champurrado inspired recipe courtesy of Fit Chef for Life Katrina Palana-Soledad) Ingredients 1 cup boiling water 1/3 cup steel cut oats*complex carbs 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder 1 tsp coconut…