Ensuring an affordable health care
Since President Johnson signed them into law on July 30, 1965, Medicare and Medicaid have helped millions of people receive necessary health care services. These programs are some of the…
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Sonata for fatherless daughters
He left me a houseful of daughters — very young, and adorable, with the world on their side. In the face of adversity, we are not permitted to ask “why…
When is the right time to appeal?
IF you do not agree of the IRS results of examination, your options are: request a meeting or telephone conference. If after the meeting or conference you still do not…
Race and law enforcement: A new escalation
The killing of Dallas police officers by sniper fire marks a new escalation of race wars here in America and signals a higher level of frustration with the unabated killing…
Post-convention match-up: Clinton vs Trump – electing a president in the era of fear and hate
THEIR political opponents from their respective parties might have conceded defeat following a long contentious primary season, but Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump would remain to be called as presumptive…
Aboard a floating carnival
The most notable about one’s time during an ocean voyage is that it is so purely relative. We sailed in the lightness of an early summer, the sky a fresh roseate, the…
On choosing the better part
MY sister and I sat in my family house’s backyard porch last night to enjoy a home-cooked meal and a nice cool evening breeze. As we ate, we chatted about…
Homeowner files last minute Chapter 13 without credit counseling 13 as load mod is denied
Senior files Chp 7 to discharge $35K credit cards CLIENT is 59 and single. He has a decent job where he makes $4K a month gross. He doesn’t owe any…
Home health aides and other household employees are entitled to overtime
Q: I AM a registered nurse in the Philippines but I have not yet obtained a license in California. However, I am working as a ‘private nurse’ to a bed-ridden…
Do I need a premarital agreement before getting married?
IN the absence of a premarital agreement, the general community property presumption under California family code section 760 controls which provides “ ….all property, real or personal, wherever situated, acquired…
Community property
MANY people have misconceptions or are misinformed about family law here in the United States, specifically, in the State of California. They tend to not know their rights that deal…
10 Tips to prepare for IRS appeals conference
YOU are still upset from losing an IRS audit. You can either pay or fight. If you choose peace and quiet—pay. If you choose to fight—go to appeals. Let me…
Financial stress can affect your health, experts say
ARE your debt problems keeping you up at night? Stressed out and worried about your financial future? According to a recent article written by a doctor, this can affect your…
After the UN tribunal legal victory, should the PH negotiate with China on the West Philippine Sea?
THE Philippines may have scored a moral and legal victory after the United Nations (UN)tribunal in The Hague ruled that China has no historical basis in claiming the resources-rich West…
Summer fashion trends
Oh yes, it’s summertime. As the temperatures warm up, we are inspired by the season’s hottest trends. Whether it’s patterned party dresses or bold printed shorts, these summer fashion trends…
Fiesta in America turns 18, People’s Ball celebrates 8th year
The undiminished manifestations of the Filipinos’ intellectual achievements and unprecedented global status has consistently been the boosting power in their unsurpassed competence to uphold and commemorate habituated century-old tradition even…
2016 Miss World America Audra Mari is part Filipina
The new 2016 Miss World America is a Fil-Am from North Dakota! Twenty-year-old Audra Mari, a dean’s lister at the North Dakota State University taking up Public Relations and Communications,…
The August 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…
A DUI can get you deported or have your visa revoked and other friendly reminders for the summer
SUMMER is here, and it’s time for summer barbecues and bonfires by the beach! Before partaking in summer fun, however, know where you stand: If you are a non-U.S. citizen,…
Gluten, junk foods, etc.
What is gluten? Gluten is protein substance found in cereal grains, barley, rye, and triticale, especially wheat, which is responsible for the elastic texture of dough, an ingredient that “glues”…
Top 5 things overseas Filipinos send back to the Philippines
AS of 2014, there were around 10.5 million overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), a number that is only increasing. Many Filipinos living abroad ship their families back home balikbayan boxes, large…
Basics of IRS appeals process
AFTER an audit of your tax returns by the IRS and you disagree with the determination, you have the option to either accept the assessment and settle the tax you…
Fil-Am leaders speak up on the Philippines’ victory over China in UN tribunal decision
KUDOS to former Philippine Pres. Benigno Aquino III, former DFA Sec. Albert del Rosario and the whole team which, on behalf of the Filipino people, filed, argued, and won the…
War on drugs
A FORMER agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported that the illegal drug trade in the country is thriving, and has become a P200-billion “industry.” An even more…
A night at Dodgers Stadium
It was one of those Padres-Dodgers slugfests — where 43,588 people in a wave of blue collectively sent out ear splitting displays of offensive chants throughout that evening at Dodgers…
The nearness and concreteness of love
Twenty-five years of service in the priesthood! It’s a significant number of years in ministry. How fast the years went by! It seemed like yesterday when I was just a…
Business owner chooses Chapter 7 for $250k personal guaranties on business loans
Senior files same for $55k credit cards “Do not sign personal guaranties for business loans because you will be on the hook if the business cannot pay the loans. If…
Remedies for employees who blow the whistle on employers
Ninoos Benjamin worked as a Director of Economic Division of the City of Los Angeles’ Community Development Department (CDD). According to several news outlets, Benjamin sued the city claiming retaliation…
Should you go to IRS appeals?
After losing an audit to the IRS, you have the option of paying or appealing. Pay if you are happy with the results or don’t want to extend the agony…