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…
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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…
Crazy for coconut protein pancakes
(Bibingka inspired recipe courtesy of Fit Chef for Life Katrina Palana-Soledad) Minutes to Prepare: 10 Minutes to Cook: 5 Number of Servings: 4 Ingredients *Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Flour, .5 cup…
Ground turkey with potato-bell pepper ometlette topped with grilled organic eggplant
(Pork giniling & tortang talong inspired recipe courtesy of Fit Chef for Life Katrina Palana-Soledad) Ingredients: GROUND TURKEY BASE 1/2 cup Onions, diced 1 Tbsp, Garlic, minced 1 Tbsp Grapeseed Oil 16oz…
Sleep deprivation and power naps
“MOST American adults sleep poorly,” according to a study by the National Sleep Foundation. The findings from 1,506 adults are obviously applicable to most of us in general. The lack…
The power of tourism for Bicolandia
In Bicolandia, the renowned Mayon Volcano towers majestically at 8,000 feet from the base to its pointed tip, with its crater a mere 1,640 feet across. At dawn, mists bank…
Healthy alternatives to your favorite Filipino dishes
Meet Michelle Ibarrientos, a Fil-Am based in Southern California, who whips up healthy versions inspired by Filipino favorites. Before she was a self-proclaimed “health enthusiast,” Ibarrientos would feel bloated and…
A beginner’s guide to working out
Getting started on a workout routine may seem intimidating to beginners, but it’s certainly attainable. Longtime personal trainer and proud Fil-Am Joshua Hayes lends his tips to kick starting a…
On living well: Fit Chef for Life Katrina Palana-Soledad
For Katrina Palana-Soledad, living well has been a journey — one 12 years in the making. “Growing up in the Philippines, there’s no such thing as dieting,” she shared. When…
Do you support Donald Trump’s plan to ban immigration from the Philippines?
DONALD Trump has declared before that should he be elected President of the United States, he would ban immigration from countries identified to be a hub of terrorists so he…
Motivation
ONE can win races and break world records, but an Olympic medal is still the highest feat an athlete can accomplish. To conquer the Olympics is every athlete’s dream. On…
The anguish of a love gone wrong
Romanced by fantasies, terrible things are done in the name of love. And when love goes wrong, it could be the most intensifying and painful experience of a lifetime. Secrets,…
Devotion to the Black Nazarene now in Baldwin Park, CA
I ASKED a Filipino man who was participating in a ‘Traslacion’ procession of the Black Nazarene in the streets of Manila during my last trip to the Philippines why he…
Conditional green card holders can petition certain family members even while still a conditional resident
Dear Attorney Gurfinkel: I married a US citizen after my child’s 18th birthday and am now a conditional resident. I know my husband and I need to file a joint…
The USCIS expands the provisional waiver eligibility
On 7/29/16, the USCIS announced the release of the final rule on the “Expansion of Provisional Unlawful Presence Waivers of Inadmissibility”. This rule expands the class of individuals who may…
Top reasons to have a life insurance
” Singles or married alike must know that certain life insurance policies have valuable cash value. There is no restriction as to where you can use the cash value for….
Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (Fbar) reporting requirements
If you own a foreign bank account, brokerage account, mutual fund, or other financial account, you may be required to report the account annually to the government. Let’s get an…
Get the best care
“You as the family member have the right to give information, ask questions, participate in care plan meetings, offer suggestions, review care plan documents and accept or refuse offered care.”…
Fighting for pay equality at work
” California law prohibits an employer from paying any of its employees at wage rates less than the rates paid to employees of the opposite sex for substantially similar work,…