DESPITE having only limited knowledge or understanding of immigration laws, some people attempt to strategize and handle their immigration case on their own. They follow the advice of friends or relatives or listen to gossip or rumors they hear on the streets or at parties. Partial or incomplete information about immigration law and benefits can…
WHEN a legal permanent resident files for citizenship, one of the questions being asked of the applicant is whether the applicant has ever been convicted or charged with a crime. Depending on the nature of the crime committed, a criminal conviction may result in a permanent bar to an applicant for citizenship. If an applicant…
To celebrate the opening of the new Seafood Department in 99 Ranch Market’s Alhambra location, the store held an “Asian Food Festival” on June 11 and 12. The new Seafood Department itself “not only provides fresh seafood, but also allows customers to choose fish, lobsters, crabs, and other live seafood right in front of the…
THE glutathione craze seems to have spread to various countries, including the Philippines, inspired mostly by women’s desire for a fairer complexion and people’s quest for the fountain of health and youth. Knowing that any substance or drug we use, including “simple” aspirin, is associated with possible adverse side-effects, the concern about the safety of…
FILIPINO HERITAGE NIGHT. The Los Angeles Dodgers held its seventh annual Filipino Heritage Night on Friday, June 17 at Dodger Stadium. Apl.de.ap of the Black Eyed Peas threw the ceremonial first pitch, while Broadway star Joan Almedilla sang the national anthem. U.S. Navy Petty Officer Second Class Keith Guiang was honored as a Military Hero of the Game. Dodger Stadium also offered a Filipino Night t-shirt and a special Pinoy Dog — a quarter-pound all-beef hot dog with diced Spam, pineapple, onions and chicharrones. The Dodgers went up against the Milwaukee Brewers, winning 3-2. Photos by Andy Tecson
DURING and after the recession, many borrowers who were financially distressed lost their homes and had their loans cancelled. It was a relief to have their debts reduced or forgiven, but the same debt relief also triggered tax consequences that they were not aware of. Some homeowners were in disbelief when they learn that they…
IT may be less than a month away from the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, but the respective presumptive nominees for parties — Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton — have sharpened their attacks against each other. Polls suggest that Hillary Clinton is winning in the match-up this early. According to a CNN/ORC poll released on…
THERE has seemingly been a string of criminal incidents where police officers have instantly shot suspected drug peddlers and pushers upon encounter. Is change really coming to address criminality and the growing illegal drug trade in the Philippines? Or is this a ploy to clean up their ranks? It is unpleasant to see officers you…
Jessica Sanchez’s latest single “Stronger Together” was a hit at this year’s Democratic National Convention, so much so that the song has become the unofficial anthem of Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s campaign. Legendary songwriters Carole Bayer Sager, Bruce Roberts and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds wrote the song and asked the half-Filipina, half-Mexican popstar to record…
At the level of daily life, we learn by experience, how to protect ourselves by learning many strategies. Perla Santos, the mother of MOTHER, or the Movement to Help End Rape and Other Child Abuses, inimitably took the center stage and received the support and partnership of arnis aficionado Master Allan Fami, founder of Kalahi…
On 28 June 2016 at the Grand Ballroom of the Solaire Resort and Casino along Aseana Avenue, Parañaque City with incoming Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III as guest of honor and speaker. This was announced by Paranaque City Mayor Edwin L. Olivarez who describes the landmark book published by Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. as “a fitting celebration of our rich…
“THUS says the Lord: I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and petition…” Zechariah 12:10 Have you ever prayed hard to God, asking him to listen to your petition? Have you asked people to pray for you? I’m sure that you made these…
Traveling on an air- line you haven’t been on before is an adventure in itself. During an overseas flight that spans more than 10 hours, you desire that level of comfort where you can extend your limbs and catch some sleep. in the hours you find yourself awake staring at the in-flight map and wondering ‘are…
FAMILY based petitions and some employment-based petitions (where a relative owns a 5% interest in the petitioning company) require the petitioner to submit an affidavit of support (Form I – 864) in order for the beneficiary to adjust status or obtain an immigrant visa. The petitioner must be domiciled (or living) in the US to…
Clinton beats trump to become first woman president of America CLIENT is 50. This is his financial picture: He has been working as a truck driver for a furniture company for 15 years. Before that, he worked in the warehouse of that company for 5 years. He is married with a 10-year-old son and a…
FAMILY Code 760 provides that all property acquired by the spouse during the marriage is community property. That means each spouse has a half interest on any assets that are acquired during the marriage, with certain exceptions, since it is generally characterized as community property. On the same token, Family Code 771(a) provides that earnings…
Why non-discriminatory conduct can still be illegal retaliation FOR about 19 years, Maria Montoya worked as a police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department. In November 2011, while on vacation, she suffered a back injury. On Nov. 28, 2011, she sent her employer her doctor’s note, stating that she needed to be on leave…
• YOU may claim exemptions for yourself, your spouse and your dependents. • Dependents must have a Social Security number (TIN is not good enough). • Exemption amount is $4,000 for 2015 for each exemption. • Exemptions reduce your taxable income and your income tax. • It could also produce credits such as child care…
ARE you being harassed by your creditors day and night due to unpaid bills? If you are, you know that this is a pretty unpleasant experience. You may feel scared, angry or embarrassed about your situation. The prospect of debt relief through bankruptcy may sound appealing to you but you are not quite sure if…
THE Los Angeles City Council approved settlement fees for two cases involving homeless people, together totaling $950,000, according to a Los Angeles Times report. Deliberated in a closed meeting, lawmakers agreed to a payout of $822,000 in a case in which homeless people collectively sued the city for seizing and destroying their property, the Times…
It would have been like any other Sunday morning on June 12 — one where I wake up knowing that life is good and that everything is exactly how it should be. Only, it wasn’t. Because that morning, evil took over and life will never be the same again. I say this with a broken…
My father is the kind of man I’ve always dreamed of: kind to the weak, fierce to the arrogant, generous to those who loved him, ruthless to those who will order him around. Today as a whole nation of sons and daughters pause to remember their fathers, I thought of how little I really know…
After being cleverly introduced, she elegantly sashayed her way on to the stage as the spotlights fully revealed her anonymity from behind the velvet curtain. Simple but tastefully garbed in a body-hugging silk taffeta floor-length evening gown that revealed her fleshy limbs courtesy of a generous slit, she repositioned herself after breathing gently upon the…
Los Angeles, California: You Eat Now! is collaborating with Makossa Cookout and The POT Bar to kickoff this summer’s party season on Saturday, June 18 at 3:30pm at The Line Hotel. Last summer, Makossa brought their legendary soiree of great food, good music, cold drinks, and happy people to the “backyard boogie” setting of Los…
The new Miss Philippines Earth 2016 has been crowned last Saturday, June 11 at UP Theater in Diliman, Quezon City. Standing out amongst 45 other candidates from all over the Philippines—and the world, was Imelda Schweighart from Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The 21-year-old lass is also a veteran of beauty pageants. She joined Bb. Pilipinas in…
FAMILY based petitions and some employment-based petitions (where a relative owns a 5% interest in the petitioning company) require the petitioner to submit an affidavit of support (Form I – 864) in order for the beneficiary to adjust status or obtain an immigrant visa. The petitioner must be domiciled (or living) in the US to…
ALL we need is love, says a love song. Love will keep us alive, says another. Unfortunately, real life is not a three-and-a-half minute power-ballad love song. Love and marriage in the real world involves trying to put order in the chaos of work, maintaining a home, and raising a family all the while maintaining…
About 50 billion plastic water bottles are consumed around the world each year. This does not include the billions of other plastic materials littering the globe, chocking our environment in more ways than one. In the United States alone, which is less than 5 percent of the over 7.4 billion population, about 30 billion bottles…
(Publisher/Editor’s/OpEd Editor’s note: The following is part of the statement released by the author about her acceptance of the offer from President-elect Rody Duterte to make her Secretary of Education. She is the lead convenor of Social Watch Philippines.) 1. All my life I have been exposed to the challenges of education in the Philippines….
Celebrities have a busy life — shooting schedules, appearances, concerts, red carpet premieres — that people assume they have no time to go to a regular school. But there are some who managed to continue their education and even finish with honors. Here are some artists who shuffled their time between work and school and…
