Cruising through history, culture and grandeur: My first Mediterranean cruise
Have you ever been in one of those cruises that just took your breath away? If not, I highly encourage you to try it at least once in your life….
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Farewells never need to be rackety, just heartfelt
LOS ANGELES — Farewells are always both sad and bright like after the rain. June has been a string of goodbye parties for LA Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim Out of…
US citizenship – the gift my parents gave me
I COULD list off the ways I’ve been lucky in life, but it all stems from my parents’ decision to leave home and become American citizens. The Vietnam War had…
Wellness, cooking show and franchising at Fiesta In America
The east coast’s biggest Filipino and multicultural indoor expo will revolve around a Total Wellness theme, according to Nanding Mendez, Fiesta In America’s President. Fiesta In America will celebrate its…
Pachada Band’s frontman Chad Baluran’s tumultuous journey
Man can neither be judged by merely based on his failures nor through the vast wealth accumulated but by the macadamized roads he traveled from where his journey commenced. The…
If Duterte fails, we all lose
I WAS one of the most severe critics of Rodrigo Duterte as a presidential candidate. But now that he has assumed the presidency, I believe he should be given every…
Actress Toni Gonzaga is having a baby boy!
OUR congratulations in advance to actress and host Toni Gonzaga and her husband, director Paul Soriano for their upcoming baby boy! The baby’s gender was revealed in an interview with…
Being waved across the border could constitute ‘inspection’ for adjustment of status
IN most cases, in order for a person to adjust status (obtain a green card) in the U.S., the person must prove he or she was “inspected and admitted” by…
Applying for naturalization with expired green cards
OFTEN, many immigrants have kept pushing back their decision to apply for US citizenship. Many of them have also failed to keep track of the validity of their permanent resident…
Electromagnetic risks
Acid reducers and their side-effects Preliminary studies suspect Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) and H2 Blockers, which reduce the secretion of stomach acid used by millions to treat gastro-esophageal reflux “heartburns,”…
Fil-Am WWII veterans: The long wait is over
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced in October 2015 that it is creating the “Filipino WWII Veterans Parole Program” to enable some family members of these veterans to…
Seniors file chapter 13 to rescue house and handle tax liens
Client files chapter 7 for $40K credit cards CLIENTS are seniors. Husband is 72. Wife is 71. Both are retired and receiving combined social security and pension total of $4,015/mo….
Fil-Ams hopeful about Duterte presidency and the plight of overseas Filipinos
A RECENT “Balitang America” online viewer poll revealed that a large majority of Filipinos in America are feeling very hopeful under the Duterte presidency. Eighty-seven percent of kababayans who voted…
Still in danger
“TODAY, we continue the long journey toward an America and a world where liberty and equality are not reserved for some, but extended to all. Across the globe, including right…
Summertime in Las Vegas
Las Vegas’ McCarran Airport was crowded with people determined to get an early start on the long weekend rush. Las Vegas is already hot — it is 103 degrees in…
When God pursues
“ We need more priests in this critical time when we need to imbue the world with the values of the Gospel.” “THE harvest is abundant but the laborers are…
Poll result: Fil-Ams optimistic about Duterte presidency
THE 16th president of the Philippines — Rodrigo Duterte — has finally taken the oath of office on June 30, after a highly contro- versial campaign and election season. Many…
Misclassification of workers is a form of wage theft
THIS column has often stressed the general rule that most employees should be paid overtime rate if they work more than 8 hours per day or 40 hours per week….
Uncontested divorces
I HAVE had many clients and prospective clients who would inquire how much is an “uncontested divorce.” Of course, I would ask some questions to determine whether their divorce is…
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…
12 basics of IRS appeals process
AFTER an audit of your tax returns by the IRS, you have a choice of either ending your misery by paying up or by continuing to fight at the Appeals…
When does filing bankruptcy work to your advantage?
IN spite of the negative things that you may have heard about it, bankruptcy relief still remains to be the best option to many individuals who need help in recovering…
Amazing Southern California road trip destinations to try this summer
I was writing this piece when I heard that it was officially the summer season. And boy, that couldn’t have been any more precise these past couple of days (hello,…
In praise of the Los Angeles Philippine Women’s Club
They are daughters of dramatic journeys and fantastic tales. Proudly carrying their heritage and stories like treasures, they came to America amid colonial romance, hope, despair and misfortune. But they…
Matthias Rhoads defies perilous paths rummaging for his true destiny
“For destiny is untold…unmeasured…uncertain… and even the sun in its tireless wander might find a way to caress the moon…yet your fate is nobody’s and your own destiny will always…
99 Ranch Las Vegas promotes Korean products
99 RANCH Market’s Las Vegas location on S. Maryland Pkwy. held the Agro-Fisheries Trade (AT) Korean Show on June 25 and 26 to spread the word about the Korean items…
Health news capsules
MINI robot retriever In the United States alone, more than 3,500 persons accidentally swallow button batteries, which are used in toys, watches and hearing aids. In most cases, they are…
Preventing unnecessary risky financial practices
In 2008, Wall Street recklessness causes the financial crisis that left eight million Americans unemployed and millions more with mortgages and retirement savings run into the ground. Businesses shut their…
Legendary movie queen Susan Roces heads list of glorious July celebrity birthday celebrants
Susan Roces, the original Queen of Philippine Movies, heads the list of July birthday celebrants. “Inday Susan,” as she is called by family and close friends, will celebrate her 76th…
Appealing a visa denial
ORDINARILY, there is no appeal process for visa refusals. Under the doctrine of “consular non- reviewability”, a person cannot even sue or appeal their visa refusals in US federal courts….