Typhoon Koppu batters northern Philippines
Rising number of deaths, over 100,000 families affected Typhoon Koppu is sweeping slowly across the northern part of the Philippines, destroying provinces and forcing thousands to flee from their homes….
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Filipino WWII Veterans: Family reunification on the horizon
ON October 2, 2015, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) formally announced the upcoming implementation of a parole program that will help reunite certain family members of Filipino WWII Veterans. …
Client files chapter 13 to stop garnishment of social security
Abandoned wife files chapter 7 to discharge collection lawsuits for $20K Client no. 1 IS it even legally possible that your social security benefits can be garnished? If creditors can get…
Mediation on divorces
DIVORCES do not have to get costly and lengthy. Divorce can carry its own set of stresses that couples do not need. An alternative to a costly and lengthy divorce…
Racial and sexual harassment lead to wrongful termination of employee
IT is illegal to harass a worker because of that person’s race or sex. Racial harassment may be verbal or physical conduct targeting the worker’s race, skin color, or national…
10 excuses to abate penalties for late filing or paying taxes
IF you fail to file on time or pay on time, penalties kick in. Here are 10 reasonable causes to abate (forgive) penalties for late filing or late paying: 1….
5 questions to ask yourself if you’re considering bankruptcy
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,…
With certificate of candidacies filed, who is your presidential pick: Binay, Roxas, Poe or Santiago?
SORRY, supporters of Rodrigo Duterte, but the man you think would be the best president the Philippines could ever have at this time will perhaps just be the best President…
Wi Spa: an urban sanctuary in the heart of LA
Think of a spa and the immediate perception is an air of pretense and privilege that only a select few can indulge in, given the exorbitant prices. However, if you…
New martial arts drama series starring Asian Americans to premiere in November
A new AMC martial arts drama series starring Asian American actors Daniel Wu (“Tai Chi Zero,” 2012) and Aramis Knight (“The Dark Knight Rises,” 2012) is set to hit screens…
The consummate art of diplomacy at the Philippine Consulate
Emerging from their ink-stained asylum, LA-based media trooped to the Philippine Consulate General on Thursday, Oct. 8 for a briefing with Philippine Ambassador to the US Jose L. Cuisia Jr….
On self-absorption
ONE day I asked a friend, “Can you live an anonymous life?” He said, “Yes, I can.” A part of me did not believe him because I know that everyone…
Stronger El Niño coming to the West
California faces storms, drenching rain EL NIÑO is coming. The tropical storm phenomenon–caused by warming ocean waters in the equatorial Pacific–has been expected for a while, but now climate scientists…
PH militants post video of four hostages kidnapped in September
A RECENTLY posted video purportedly showing four hostages who were kidnapped in September by armed militants in the southern Philippines is still being verified but appears to be authentic, a…
Extreme hardship waiver guidance to be revised by USCIS
What’s new and what’s next ON October 7, 2015 USCIS released draft policy guidance regarding the “extreme hardship” threshold that Waiver of Inadmissibility applicants must reach. The draft guidance is…
All about foods
The clamor for a healthier lifestyle has transformed society into more conscious, more intelligent, and more discriminating consumers of food and food ingredients. Truth in food labeling is a law…
Showbiz personalities running in the 2016 Philippine elections
THERE is no doubt that being in the entertainment industry has its advantages. A star’s popularity makes him or her a household name, and name recall is one of the…
The November 2015 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…
Separated before conditional resident status expires
THE spouse of a US citizen will be granted permanent resident status after the US citizen files a petition for the spouse. If the spouses have not yet been married…
Roxas II spends P257 million on TV ads to boost ratings
Presidential candidate Manuel A. Roxas II spent P257 million on television ads from Aug. 15 to Sept. 15 to push up his ratings in the presidential preference polls undertaken by…
Las Vegas non-profit donates aid to PH through partnership with Pacquiao foundation
A Las Vegas-based non-profit organization that partnered with Manny Pacquiao’s foundation sent eight tons of humanitarian aid to the Philippines in late September for children in need. Another Joy Foundation,…
Do you need to be living in separate residences to be considered ‘Separated’ from your spouse under the California family law?
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…
Philippine politics, the movie
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…
Kababayans react to law allowing physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients
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…
An old love story
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…
Australia looking to send refugees to PH
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…
Automatic voter registration in California approved
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…
Asian Business Association honors leaders in business community
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…
Business owners seek bankruptcy relief
“ 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…