WE probably won’t live long enough to see it, but there could yet be a feature film on Philippine politics, in the tradition that has apparently been established by the film, Heneral Luna, which depicts Philippine history’s most prominent personalities as transactional, self-serving and self-preserving individuals. Heroes with feet of clay. But unlike the biopic about…
CALIFORNIA has joined Oregon, Washington, Montana and Vermont when Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill into law that legalizes assisted suicide for terminally ill patients. Beginning January 1, doctors can prescribe medication to end a patient’s life if two doctors agree the person has only six months to live and is mentally competent to make…
MILITARY superpower China is not afraid to flex its muscles as it once again asserted sovereignty over its reclaimed islands in the South China Sea. It warned any country against taking “risky and provocative action” by attempting to come within 12 nautical miles of the islands. “We ask relevant parties to speak and act discreetly,…
Once upon a time, when life has been short on happily ever afters, they counted on love. But it is said that love is a spell so exquisite that everything conspires to break it. There was an interesting humanity in their small, simple, love tale. They were not married, but in spite of the vow’s…
WITH asylum seekers from remote Pacific islands attempting to reach Australia illegally by boat, the country has engaged in talks with the Philippines for their possible relocation, Australia’s immigration minister said Friday, Oct. 9. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop and Immigration Minister Peter Dutton declined to release details of the deal, but a report from…
Set of bills to change voting processes, improve turnout WITH record-low turnouts in one of the most populous states in the nation, California is making it even easier for people to become active registered voters. Governor Jerry Brown signed a measure on Saturday, Oct. 10 that would eventually allow Californians to be automatically registered to…
Hundreds of professionals, business owners and community leaders gathered on Tuesday, Oct. 6 for the Asian Business Association’s (ABA) 39th Annual Awards Banquet. Held at the Globe Theater at Universal Studios Hollywood, the evening recognized five individuals and businesses that have contributed to the growth of the Asian business community in Los Angeles and beyond….
“ You owe it to yourself and your family to put yourself in firm financial footing now for future prosperity by getting rid of accumulated debt now.” Client 1: Garment factory CLIENT presents himself as a businessperson, who has been in the garment business since 2002. He has a factory with ten employees where he…
Q: I AM a single mom and I have worked for this company for several years. Recently, while talking with another newly hired male co-worker whose responsibilities are similar to mine, I discovered he was making as much as 50 cents more per hour than I am. I asked my branch manager why the difference…
IF you have not filed your income tax returns by the end of March, chances are you do not expect a refund, your tax records are a mess, or you simply do not want to break tradition. Just remember that filing extensions is not exactly a nice habit. Besides prolonging your worries, it also extends…
AS part of President Obama’s continuing executive actions on immigration, the White House issued last July 2015 a report called “Modernizing and Streamlining Our Legal Immigration System for the 21st century” (the “Report”). This report was issued pursuant to the 11/21/2014 Presidential Memorandum which directed heads of the executive departments to develop recommendations to improve…
I HEAR this all the time. People who are in debt are barely making it by living paycheck to paycheck so how can they even think about saving for the future? Are you in this situation right now? If so, you need to do something about it or you will never be able to get…
WHAT would you do if you are very sick, suffering from excruciating pain because of an illness that has no cure? What would you do if your days are numbered and you would just rely on pain medication to manage the severe pain, which would just make you sleep…and sleep… and sleep…only to wake up…
HOLLYWOOD – The human splendor of medicine and its myriad of varied arenas call for a clear mind, a kind heart and a dedication not only to science but also to humanity. What is it like to be sick, to be cured, to lose or to triumph? One wonders if the whole spectrum of human…
(For my article this week, I’m presenting a weekday homily I gave to our seminarians at St. John’s which can give you some insight on how we prepare seminarians to the priesthood. It’s based on the Gospel passage, “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit.” Matthew…
CALIFORNIA Gov. Jerry Brown on Saturday, Oct. 3, signed into law a measure aimed at eliminating racial and identity profiling in law enforcement. AB953 enacts the Racial and Identity Profiling Act of 2015, which requires that law enforcement officials gather and release data on all stops made, that they abide by a revised definition of…
THE mass shooting which occurred last week at Oregon’s Umpqua Community College was just one of a drastically rising number of school shootings that have occurred recently in the US. Everytownresearch.org, an initiative within the pro-gun Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, published a report on Saturday, Oct. 3 documenting every reported single school shooting…
CALIFORNIA Democrats are losing faith in Hillary Clinton. According to a new Field Poll, the former first lady and secretary of state’s support has dramatically plummeted in the Golden State. Clinton has dropped 19 points since May, and 26 points since February, reported the San Jose Mercury News. In contrast, Clinton’s closest rival Bernie Sanders…
CALIFORNIA Governor Jerry Brown made a landmark decision toward closing the longstanding wage gap between men and women by signing one of the toughest pay equity laws in the nation on Tuesday, Oct. 6, The California Fair Pay Act, first introduced and authored by Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), was the response to a report…
A PHILIPPINE native who operated a large car dealership in Glendora, California before fleeing the United States nearly 30 years ago pleaded guilty Monday, Oct. 5, to federal charges for bank fraud and lying to banks, according to the US Attorney’s Office. Eminiano “Jun” Reodica Jr., 71, entered his plea a day before he was…
(Part 2) After having successfully attained the vocation they had long ambitioned aside from being on the top of their craft, there’s a great number of flourishing and accomplished men and women who could still find time to be actively involved in various worthwhile community activities while altruistically contributing their proficiency to the growth and…
As required by law, US Citizenship and Immigration Services will deny immigration petitions and applications for adjustment of status where they believe that fraud is involved. Marriage-Based Green Card interviews may also result in findings of fraud by immigration officers. In Marriage-Based Green Card interviews, which are conducted in USCIS District and Field Offices, Adjudications…
Los Angeles is the third-best startup city in the world according to recent studies, as areas like ‘Silicon Beach’ and downtown have become home to thriving technology ventures. In 2014 alone, $3.04 billion in investments were made to city-based startups. Over $4 billion is projected to be invested by the end of the year; already,…
Even in the past, the entertainment industry has played a big role in Philippine politics. Apart from the artists that perform during the campaign season and the one who actually won (actor Joseph “Erap” Estrada who became a mayor, senator, vice president and then president—and is now again the mayor of Manila; and many more),…
HAVE you ever wondered why it’s so important to see us every six months? From oral health maintenance to serious disease prevention, there are a lot of reasons to keep your semi-annual visits on your calendar. Open wide and say “aahhh” So what do we look for when we examine your pearly whites? During typical checkups we examine the overall…
DEAR Attorney Gurfinkel: I was petitioned by my US citizen father, and after waiting for over 15 years, I was finally interviewed and just received my immigrant visa, which was delivered by the Embassy’s courier. The immigrant visa is valid for several months. Would there be a problem if I remain in the Philippines for…
IT was a crisp October evening and Gilbert went out with his friends for a Halloween pub crawl. They drank, ate candy and cookies, and had an amazing time. The following morning, Gilbert woke up in holding cell. He finds out that he is being charged with “trespassing” and being “under the influence of a…
Don’t top off. Don’t bother topping off when filling your car’s gas tank. Any additional gas is just going to slop around or seep out. Why waste your money paying for gas your car won’t use? Stop pumping at the first indication that your tank is full when the automatic nozzle clicks off. Tighten up…
SPEAKING before the United Nations General Assembly, Pope Francis challenged the international organization to bring peace and environmental justice, placing blame on “a selfish and boundless thirst for power and material prosperity.” At the same time, the Pope endorsed the efforts of the United Nations to reach a global compact to fight poverty and climate…
BENEFICIARY spouse of marriage based immigrant petition’s where the marriage was less than 2 years old at the time of the immigrant visa or status was approved are issued a 2 year conditional green card. In order for these immigrants to obtain their permanent green card, the immigrant has to either file a joint petition…
