Petitioning children of your spouse from a previous marriage
A STEPPARENT may file an immigrant petition for a stepchild even without the stepparent having to legally adopt the stepchild. However, before a stepparent may be able to file an…
Read More
Are fruit juices unhealthy?
The average annual consumption of fruit juices in the United States is about 30.3 liters per person. I suspect the ratio would be almost proportional to the amount of “fruit…
Disruption
Hosting the APEC meeting in a crowded and disorganized metropolis like Manila is very likely a bad idea. The disruption will impose costs on everyone, costs far beyond the few…
Pinoy-British singer eliminated from ‘X Factor’ UK
A 24-year-old Filipino-British contestant on “The X Factor UK” was sent home Sunday, Nov. 8, following a double-elimination round on the televised talent competition. “It’s been an incredible journey,” contestant…
What’s the end game in the US-China face-off over the Spratleys?
REMEMBER our boyhood days when a bully would place a chip on his shoulder and dare anyone to knock it off? If someone did, the bully had to fight the…
What to do when you get victimized by the ‘laglag bala’ scam at NAIA
MY husband and I are visiting the Philippines this December, as many kababayans plan to do as well, but the excitement of this year’s trip is dampened by the “laglag…
Laughingstock
WITH the rising number of alleged victims of the notorious “tanim bala” (bullet planting) scam at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), it is no surprise that this peculiar security…
A question of choice
IT is said that choice is destiny’s soulmate. It is not pre-destined; you have a choice to accept or refuse one turn down the crossroads to the future or another….
The US ranks among top happiest and richest countries in the world
THE Legatum Institute based in London released its annual global prosperity index, a universal survey that ranks what it calls the “most prosperous countries” in the world, and the United…
Cool storm to bring chilly rains to LA
RAIN, lightning and snow hit parts of Northern California on Monday, Nov. 9, and a cold, wet storm was expected to bring chilly temperatures and scattered showers to Southern California….
Abu Sayyaf releases Malaysian hostage
A MALAYSIAN woman held captive for nearly six months by Muslim militant group Abu Sayyaf was released by captors, authorities said Monday, Nov. 9. Militants freed Thien Nyuk Fun, 50,…
Two Filipinos charged with child trafficking, pornography
Over 100 photos seized in US THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) identified two Filipinos responsible for providing more than 100 nude photos of children to a man arrested at…
2016 tax planning strategies for individuals
FOR 2015 INCOME TAX RETURN IT’S the last quarter of 2015 and in a few months during income tax season, you would want to minimize any income tax dues as…
Client seeks to remove judgment liens on residence
Senior seeks discharge of $40K credit card debt CLIENT no. 1 is 55 years old. She is now divorced and living by herself. The divorce judgment gave her the marital…
Disabled employee is entitled to ‘reasonable accommodation’
Q: I HAD to take a few weeks of medical leave from work because I had to undergo a heart procedure. I gave my employer my doctors’ notes. When I…
CSPA late filings and extraordinary circumstances
AN alien who seeks to be classified as a “child” or as a derivative beneficiary under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and who is under 21 years of age…
Modifying child and spousal support obligation after a divorce
DIVORCED parties are sometimes ordered to pay child support and spousal support in the divorce judgment. The support orders are generally based on the parties’ financial situation and custody arrangements…
How should you hold title to real estate?
WHEN buying real estate, there is always that inevitable question: how do you hold title? Remember that your choice can have dramatic impact on estate taxes, liability protection, heirs, family…
Bankruptcy can provide immediate debt relief when you need it
IF you are facing the prospect of filing bankruptcy for the first time in your life, this could be a frightening process. You probably have a thousand questions going through…
Anonymous group hacks Yaya Dub’s social media accounts
The Twitter account of Filipina actress Maine Mendoza, who is popularly known as Yaya Dub on afternoon variety show “Eat Bulaga!,” was hacked by a group of “hacktivists” known as…
Fil-Ams paranoid about the ‘Laglag Bala’ scam in the Philippines propose solution
YOU can see and feel the “paranoia” among travelers even in the terminals here in the United States. On flights coming from the Philippines, luggage is plastic wrapped and locked…
Dr. Christian Paquet: A splendid surgeon
He wore his scrubs as though they were a black tie and tails. One would think that he was born with a gold chain instead of an umbilical cord. Wherever…
The promise of God
“THE jar of flour shall not go empty, nor the jug of oil run dry, until the day when the Lord sends rain upon the earth.” 1 Kings 17:14 These…
Growing up with a dog linked to reduced risk of asthma, study says
Having a dog in the home and contact with farm animals during a child’s earlier years can reduce their risk of asthma, according to new research. The study, published in…
FDA approves new drug to treat HIV
THE Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday, Nov. 5, approved a new drug to treat HIV in patients 12 years of age and older. The drug, Genvoya, is a…
Garcetti announces initial endorsement of Clinton ‘in error’ but stands by backing
LOS ANGELES Mayor Eric Garcetti endorsed Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Thursday, Nov. 5. “I’m proud to endorse Hillary Clinton for president because I know that she understands the…
Obama rejects construction of Keystone XL pipeline
PRESIDENT Barack Obama rejected the contentious Keystone XL pipeline project on Friday, Nov. 6, saying it would not make a meaningful long-term contribution to America’s economy, lower gas prices, or…
Behind the ‘model minority’ myth: the Asian disadvantage
WITH stereotypes like “The Model Minority” and the “most successful race,” Asian Americans are facing increasing pressure in society. Studies show Asian Americans are the most educated race, with over…
2 years later, PH slowly rebuilding after Haiyan
TWO years after super typhoon Haiyan devastated the Philippines, killing thousands and leaving destroyed homes and separated families in its wake, the country is still left picking up the pieces….
Abu Sayyaf demands $21 million for each of 3 kidnapped foreigners
PHILIPPINE militants from US-listed terrorist group Abu Sayyaf are demanding more than $60 million for the release of three foreigners who were kidnapped in the southern region of the country…