Landlords seek chapter 13 relief
TWO different clients both landlords because they both own rental properties came to see me last week with different problems. The conventional wisdom why people buy rental properties has two…
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Fil-Am labor leader Larry Itliong: An inspiration in the fight for lawful wages
ON June 30, 2015, the California Governor signed into law designating October 25 every year from hereon as Larry Itliong Day. Who is Larry Itliong and why does he matter?…
Revised procedures in determining visa availability
AS you may be aware, the USCIS, in coordination of the Department of State (DOS), announced last September 2015, announced revisions as to the procedures for determining visa availability for…
Is a financial advisor spouse’s contingent bonus, based on bringing a book of business, community property in a divorce?
IN many professions, bonus is a material part of a professional’s compensation. It is often a challenge characterizing bonuses in the context of a divorce case especially if the bonus…
12 tips in submitting offers in compromise (OIC) to the IRS
AN offer in compromise (OIC) allows you to settle assessments for tax, penalties, and interests at less than the assessed amounts. You can apply for an OIC if there is…
When credit card debt leads to financial stress
CREDIT cards can be convenient and handy especially in times of financial emergencies but when the accumulated debt gets out of control, it can lead to long-term financial stress. Some…
Should Manny Pacquiao be disqualified from the senatorial race because of absenteeism?
SOLID fans who adore not only the Pambansang Kamao in Manny Pacquiao but everything else about him will surely not like this question. But this is exactly what the Commission…
A tale of four boxers
CARSON, California—Every fight promotion takes on its character and you discover that there is more to the “who did what to whom.” What makes the fight world so intriguing is…
Tender mercy
“DO I want to be fully seen by Jesus? Do I want to be known by him?” Henry Nouwen asks in his book, Discernment. These questions are intriguing because they…
Study: Eldest children are smarter than younger siblings
It appears that the eldest children tend to be the smartest among their siblings. A new study from the University of Leipzig in Germany found that each successive child after…
Brown vetoes bill aimed at disaggregating AAPI data
EARLIER this year, Fil-Am Assemblyman Rob Bonta introduced a bill that would roll out new guidelines to collect disaggregated demographic data about California’s diverse Asian Pacific Islander (API) population. The…
House Republicans abandon debt-limit bill
GOP leaders in the House of Representatives backed away from a tentative plan to vote on raising the debt limit with a package of conservative reforms, leaving them without a…
Joint Congress resolution urges recognition of Filipino American History Month
OCTOBER marks Filipino American History Month, celebrating and recognizing Filipino-American heritage and the growing culture in the United States. Starting in 1991, the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) has…
Biden won’t run for president in 2016
VICE President Joe Biden has announced that he will not run for president in the 2016 election. “Unfortunately, I believe we’re out of time, the time necessary to mount a…
Many Filipinos working in the US are overqualified for their jobs
REMITTANCE FIRM SURVEY REVEALS MOST Filipino workers living in the United States are overqualified for the jobs they do, according to respondents of a survey conducted by international money transfer…
Fil-Am History Month celebrated at LA City Hall
COINCIDING with the 50th anniversary of the Delano Grape Strike and Boycott, a celebration of Filipino American History Month at Los Angeles City Hall on Friday, Oct. 23, included the…
An unforgettably most cherished European escapade
(Part 1 of 2) In the company of an all-nurse practitioner, I was persuaded to break out of my shell to embrace new culture, enjoy life like never before, and…
Fil-Am History Month celebrated at LA City Hall
COINCIDING with the 50th anniversary of the Delano Grape Strike and Boycott, a celebration of Filipino American History Month at Los Angeles City Hall on Friday, Oct. 23, included the…
More stars in politics: Artists who intend to run in next year’s elections
LAST week yours truly wrote about some of the showbiz personalities running in next year’s Philippine elections. Since the deadline to submit Certificates of Candidacies (COC) was last Friday, October…
Be prepared for dental emergencies
INJURIES always seem to happen when we least expect them. Picture yourself at an outdoor gathering, having fun, when suddenly a crying child runs up to you, knocked-out tooth in…
USCIS publishes draft policy manual on ‘extreme hardship’
IF a person commits certain immigration violations (such as fraud, or overstaying in the US for over six months and then departing, etc.), the person may not be eligible to…
Provisional unlawful presence waiver
UNDER current immigration laws, there is a bar to admissibility to the United States for foreign nationals who are “unlawfully present” in the United States. An unlawfully present foreign national…
Rice, obesity, and diabetes
Is water from refilling stations safe? It all depends on the station that you choose. A recent report shows that seven out of ten (441 out of 630) refilling stations…
Being Filipino American in the GOP
Dr. Jose Rizal, a national hero of the Philippines, placed a high value on civic involvement wherever he was, whether it be the Philippines or travelling around the world. He…
American Cancer Society recommends women undergo mammograms later and less frequently
The American Cancer Society on Tuesday, Oct. 20, announced new guidelines for mammograms, recommending that women with an average risk of breast cancer begin getting mammograms annually at age 45….
Model from Nueva Vizcaya crowned Miss World Philippines 2015
A Filipino-Chinese model and children’s health advocate from Nueva Vizcaya was crowned Miss World Philippines 2015 during a pageant held at the Solaire Resort Casino in Paranaque City on Sunday,…
Insights from a small town politician
ON my recent visit to the Philippines, I found myself sharing a case of beer with the vice-mayor of a small provincial town, along with some of his ward leaders….
Fil-Ams can help decide who will be the next Philippine president
IT is very heartwarming to see and hear how very engaged kababayans in America have increasingly been when it comes to what is going on in the Philippines. Despite the…
Chosen one
AFTER the five-day filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs), from October 12-16, the Commission on Election (Comelec) reportedly received 130 applications from Filipino presidential aspirants. As granted by the law,…
Amazon suing over 1,000 people for fake reviews
AMAZON has filed a lawsuit against more than 1,000 individuals who have allegedly posted bogus reviews of products online. The online retail giant is targeting account holders on Fiverr.com, which…