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…
Read More
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,…
Provisional waiver of unlawful presence bar expanded to cover more immigrants
The USCIS announced the final rule expanding the existing provisional waiver to allow certain family members of US Citizens and lawful permanent residents to apply for the provisional waiver of…
Senior loses job and converts chapter 13 to chapter 7
Fights to keep house “Nowadays, the correct value of the residence is critical to keeping the house safe from the clutches of the Chapter 7 trustee, because house values are…
Should you deplete all your savings to pay debts?
Like most people, you’ve worked hard and have done your best to pay all your bills on time. But in life, at one time or another, all of us get…
A majority of Fil-Ams think Trump should apologize for slamming family of fallen Muslim American soldier
Did Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump go too far when he defamed the parents of a Muslim American hero who was killed in the line of duty in Baghdad in…
Palawan: the most beautiful island in the world
I’ve been to so many places. Stories about my international exploits occupy a significant amount of coverage in my column. Traveling soothes my soul and makes me appreciate life. It…
To win, Hillary should speak a little Tagalog
IF all politics is local, then candidate Hillary Clinton may very well need to speak a little Korean and Tagalog in order to win the 2016 presidential election. Why? In…
The Great Gatsby’s influence on the Roaring 20s Era & The People’s Ball
That fashion is a reflection of the social, economic, political, and cultural changes is indubitably factual and that while it mirrors the changing trends of our daily life, it simultaneously…
An open letter to President Rodrigo Duterte
Many years ago, in May of 1986, our family — my husband and three children — decided to leave our country when weexperienced too much chaos and violence after the…
14th annual Plate by Plate tasting benefit brings together over 40 culinary geniuses
LOS ANGELES — Project by Project has announced premier restaurants and beverage purveyors for the 14th Annual Plate by Plate Tasting Benefit. The non-profit’s signature event brings together over 40…
The next Miss Universe pageant will be in the Philippines
Surely, Filipinos back home — and all over the world — are dancing with pride and joy now that it has been confirmed that the Miss Universe 2016 pageant will…
Expanded provisional waiver of unlawful presence
On July 29, 2016, USCIS announced it is expanding the existing provisional waiver process to allow certain family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (“LPRs”), to apply for…
Coffee and diabetes
WHAT we eat and drink affects our health. The relevance of this association is even more significant among those who have pre-diabetes and those who actually have diabetes. Soft drinks—diet…
Coping with the new forms of journalism
On blogs, cable news and radio, they take aim at the print. They provide people with social media tools to gauge the trustworthiness of specific news outlets and individual stories,…
Do you owe taxes and cannot pay now?
The IRS announced a major expansion of its “Fresh Start” initiative to help struggling taxpayers by providing: • Payment plans – more taxpayers can apply without financial statements. • Offer…
Could this be the beginning of the end of Trump’s sprint to the White House?
Donald Trump’s millions of loyal ardent followers, many of whom are Filipinos in America, would even question the title of this piece as they believe in their hearts that he…
Turnaround
AMID President Rodrigo Duterte’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs, the Philippine National Police (PNP) proudly reported that the country has also seen a downward trend in crime in the first…
Hermilando Mandanas: the people’s governor
LOS ANGELES – On a recent evening, summoned by invitation, about 20 or so distinguished guests arrived at the palatial home of Rupert and Grace Mercado, a haven that flattered…
As we grow older
Summer is a time of reunions with families, friends, and former classmates. In these gatherings, the conversations are not just about memories of years long past but also about the…
DHS finally publishes ‘final’ expanded provisional waiver rule for 3/10 year bar!
On July 29, 2016, the USCIS finally published their FINAL rule expanding eligibility for a provisional waiver of the 3\10 year bar. The rule will go into effect on Aug….
L Visa: Come to the US by expanding your business
Filipinos can acquire visas by expanding their business to the United States. The L-1 visa enables United States employers to transfer existing executives, managers, or employees with specialized knowledge from…
The problem with family caregiving
” It is a wonderful thing that we and try to keep our parents, grandparents, and other family members at home as long as possible. When my grandfather had a…
Can we videotape police activity in public?
“The new California law clearly states that a person who takes a photograph or makes an audio or video recording of a police officer (or any public officer), while the…
Penalties for noncompliant US citizens residing abroad
If you are a U.S. citizen (or dual citizen) residing outside the U.S. but do not report your foreign accounts, you may be subject to harsh penalties—penalties that are more…
Caregivers are presumptively disqualified to be named as beneficiary in a patient’s will or trust with ‘certain exceptions’
Caregivers are presumptively disqualified from being named as beneficiary of a patient’s Will or Trust. Probate Code Section 21350, subdivision (a) provides: “Except as provided in Section 21351, no provision,…
Clients choose Chapter 13 to avoid risk of losing house
Senior wants to wipe out $22k credit card debt “The chance of winning power ball is 1 in 292 million. You have a better chance of getting hit by lightning,…
When an unpaid credit card debt turns into a lawsuit
Have your credit card debts become so large that you can’t even afford the minimum payments? Or perhaps you’re already behind and your accounts have been turned over to collections?…
Experience a unique take on food at Tacolipino
Diners looking for a unique twist on the flavors of the Philippines can satisfy their craving for something both familiar and fun at Tacolipino, a Filipino-Mexican fusion restaurant in Carson,…