WHILE every life is a cause for celebration, taking care of the next generation by keeping tabs on the population is a daunting challenge. Stabilizing the population — to not outstrip economic growth and the country’s resources — is a more challenging task. Environmental stress, biodiversity loss, climate change and pressure on natural resources signal…
DO we seriously think writing is all joy? It is also half pain. Sometimes, it is pain that makes us write. Think about the atrocious solitude of a room that gradually becomes a prison, like a torture chamber. The fear of the blank page that stares at you mockingly, the torment of the word you…
MACY’S will close 36 of its 770 stores following “disappointing” sales and earnings last year and weak holiday sales, as part of its plan to shut down 40 locations across the country. The move is part of its plan to shut down 40 locations across the country as part of a restructuring plan to address…
Silent Muslim protester removed from campaign rally GOP frontrunner Donald Trump said Syrian refugees are “probably” ISIS during a campaign rally in South Carolina that was quickly disrupted by protesters, including a Muslim woman wearing a traditional head covering. Refugees from Syria “could be ISIS … and by the way, it is turning out that…
CALIFORNIA Governor Jerry Brown announced a $170.6 billion spending plan for the state, covering funding for schools, climate change programs, and services for the poor, elderly and disabled. At a Capitol news conference on Wednesday, Jan. 6, Brown, in his fourth term as California governor amid a crippling recession, repeatedly warned of the possibility of…
LAST year, for the first time in over a decade, all categories of crime rose across Los Angeles, according to data from the Los Angeles Police Department. As law enforcement has struggled to take control, violent crime in LA climbed 19.9 percent, and property crime increased 10.3 percent through Dec. 26, compared with the same…
THE Philippine Supreme Court on Tuesday, Jan. 12, upheld the constitutionality of an executive agreement between the Philippines and the United States that permits increased rotational presence of US military troops in the country. In a 10-4-1 vote, the top court ruled in favor of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), which was signed by…
“OUR life is what our thoughts make it.” That’s a powerful quote by Marcus Aurelius. According to writer Alyssa Sparacino, New Year’s resolutions are a bit like babies: They’re fun to make but extremely difficult to maintain. But I want to resonate the eight powerful words above that might just change your life forever. And…
PIA Wurtzbach, the newly crowned Miss Universe, the latest pride of the Philippines, has become a celebrity with her interviews on almost every television channel here in the US. Her physical beauty and grace, of course, has impressed the world, but what has impressed me more is her strong determination to succeed in life. She’s…
THERE are 140,000 employment-based immigrant visas available yearly and these employment-based immigrant visa are divided into five preference categories: Priority Workers (E1); Professionals Holding Advanced Degrees and Persons of Exceptional Ability (E-2); Skilled Workers, Professionals, and Unskilled Workers (Other Workers) (E-3); Certain Special Immigrants (E-4); and Immigrant Investors (E-5). There are several steps for employment-based…
CLIENT is a specialty food retailer that started operations in a commercial center two years ago. Five partners invested $50K each for a total of $250K for a food business that sells a specialty product that everyone likes to eat. The problem with a business that’s based on a retail outlet in a commercial center…
Q. WHAT is the new minimum wage? A. Effective January 1, 2016, the minimum wage in California will be $10.00 per hour. Most employees in California are entitled to be paid at least the minimum wage. This new rate also affects overtime pay. Employees who are paid minimum wage and work overtime must be paid…
IF you have offshore bank accounts, should you report the accounts to the US government? Yes, if the aggregate balances exceed $10,000 at any time during the year. What if you had the accounts before you left for the US? Yes, you should. There are reasons why our government wants to know: combat money laundering,…
IF you are experiencing debt problems, you may find it difficult to talk to other people about it to the point that you are not getting the help that you need to find a solution. I understand. Debt is a very personal matter so most people don’t feel comfortable discussing it with anyone. So they…
Examining the slate of presidential candidates for the upcoming Philippine election, l believe that Vice-president Jejomar Binay is the most qualified among all the candidates. Please take pause and consider that we will be electing someone to the highest position in the land. This person will not only be managing the affairs of the nation…
LOS ANGELES—We had big excitements in our neighborhood at the Historic Filipinotown last Sunday, Jan. 4. There were predictable enthusiasm, pleasant surprises and enterprising constancy. Most astonishingly, what we learned was savoir-faire. There were names so cumbersome in all the special guest, supporters, friends as they grandly slip on the seat of honor assigned to…
“FROM that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:23) Many of us are deeply concerned about the things that are going on in the world today. Our generation has seen enormous violence, war, and poverty and destructions of societies. Our generation has not only…
THE auto industry closed 2015 with an all-time high of 17.47 million vehicles sold, surpassing the 2000 record of 17.35 million by 5.7 percent. Given the average national price of gasoline at around $2 per gallon, along with abundant credit and lower interest rates, automakers are predicting that demand for SUVs and higher-margin pickup trucks…
NOT getting enough deep sleep could set the stage for Alzheimer’s, according to a Jan. 4 report from National Public Radio (NPR). During sleep in animals, the brain seems to purge toxins linked to Alzheimer’s, brain scientist Jeffrey Iliff from Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland told NPR. But for sleep-deprived animals, toxins…
A COMPANY supplying Wal-Mart with meat is recalling about 90,000 pounds of product due to potential contamination from extraneous wood material, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Monday, Jan. 4. Huisken Meat Company is recalling Sam’s Choice Black Angus beef patties with 19 percent Vidalia Onion that were produced between Nov. 19, 2015 to…
MILLENNIALS, who constitute one-third of America’s population, hold less favorable view of news media and religion compared to older generations, according to a Pew Research Center survey. The report, published Monday, Jan. 4, also indicates that the younger generation tends to have a more positive perspective when it comes to labor unions, large corporations, small…
ONE year ago, California’s Assembly Bill 60 (the Safe and Responsible Driver Act) was implemented statewide, granting eligible immigrants legal driver’s licenses regardless of status. Over 600,000 undocumented Californians have benefited from the historic law, swiftly passing identification and residency requirements, and both the written and behind-the-wheel tests to obtain lawful permits. “The Department of…
THE last in a powerful series of storms from tropical El Niño hit the California coast this week, stirring heavy waves that flooded some low-lying streets and crept toward ocean-front homes in Malibu. The high surf was forecast to bring 15- to 20-foot waves, with some up to 25 feet, to the central California coast,…
The FBI has not yet accounted for where two shooters were during the 18 minutes after the Dec. 2 massacre at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California. Officials appealed to the public on Tuesday, Jan. 5 for information to fill that gap. After spraying bullets into a conference room where San Bernardino county…
From the Sankskrit root “yuj” which means “to yoke,” yoga is an ancient practice and philosophy promoting inner peace by joining the spirit and physical body together. The physical postures or asanas done in yoga are used to purify the body and control the chatter or fluctuations of the mind. Among the many benefits of…
EVEN before the advent of reality talent show competitions on TV, we had capably established and stamped our distinct mark, as Filipinos, in the international music scene. The unprecedented record of the Filipinos’ unrivaled supremacy in the field of vocal competition more than proved our inherent love and irresistible adherence to music. There were already…
An estimated 260,000 Filipino soldiers fought alongside American troops during World War II, helping us win one of our most important victories. In recognition of their bravery and sacrifice, they were promised citizenship by the United States government and to give them the same benefits that all of our veterans deserve. Despite this promise, Filipino…
IT’S the start of the year and again, we set goals for ourselves hoping that we get to religiously do them. Just like us, showbiz personalities have their own list of resolutions that they intend to achieve. Here are some of the celebrities who have shared their plans on how to live their life…
ON January 4, 2016, the USCIS announced that people should NOT submit original documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, divorce decrees, photographs, naturalization certificates, etc.) to USCIS with any application or petition unless: • the instructions for that form require you to submit original documents at the time of filing; or • after you…
FOREIGN professionals wishing to immigrate to the US (as permanent residents) may do so under 3 general classifications: • 1st Preference (EB1) – extraordinary ability foreign professionals; outstanding researchers and professors; and multinational executives and managers known as “priority workers” • 2nd Preference (EB2) – foreign professionals with advanced degrees and professionals of exceptional ability…
