Republicans in Congress are pushing to block an Obama administration rule designed to protect the water quality in small streams, tributaries and wetlands before it goes into effect later this year. The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved legislation on Wednesday, June 10 that would force the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US…
In April, there were reportedly 5.4 million job openings in the US. That’s the highest number in 15 years. The record of monthly job openings has been tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics since December 2000. It’s a sign that the economy appears to be rebounding from its winter slowdown. “The surge this past…
Imagine this world (when) devoid of music and laughter… two of the paramount essentials of existence that free us from boredom while simultaneously injecting that proverbial dose of stimulant for idleness. If laughter has been proven to be an effective medicine (due to the health benefits derived from it as it releases endorphins, increases our…
AFTER trying and praying for another child, actress Judy Ann Santos is pregnant again! The news was confirmed by the actress’ husband, actor and host Ryan Agoncillo, during the noontime variety show, Eat Bulaga! last June 10. But prior to his announcement, the couple took to Instagram and posted a photo that simply says “positive.”…
THE July 2015 Visa Bulletin continues to provide disappointing news for Filipinos, as the priority dates in the employment based categories (EB-3 and Other Workers) retrogressed (moved backwards) yet again, and are now “unavailable”. This means all EB-3 and OW’s will no longer be eligible to adjust status or receive an immigrant visa, unless and…
IF you acquired permanent resident status through a marriage of less than two (2) years, you are a conditional permanent resident. You and your spouse must file a joint Petition to Remove Conditions within ninety (90) days before the 2nd year anniversary of the date of your adjustment or the date of your arrival in…
Did you know that email is the number 1 digital platform to generate qualified leads? For some, you might associate email with unwanted spam. Nobody wants unsolicited mail just like nobody wants unsolicited phone calls. However, if you have ever bought anything online and started receiving emails, chances are you are interested in what they…
NILDA MCKELLAR celebrated her birthday with a fun feast shared by friends and family at the Palms Hotel & Casino last Friday, June 5. McKellar, a zealous activist, passionate philanthropist and efficient entrepreneur, is considered a pillar in the Las Vegas Filipino-American community where she founded several organizations including the Philippine International Association of Nevada…
JAE Koo (Jerry) Chang left Korea for the United States in early 1980’s, seeking better economic opportunities for himself and his family. For the next 30 years he built a new life in Los Angeles, starting his own dry cleaning business and raising his two daughters with his wife. As a lawful permanent resident, Jerry’s…
What is insomnia? Insomnia is a condition where a person has difficulty falling asleep or in staying asleep, or has a disturbed sleep patterns causing inadequate sleep. The individual wakes up not rested and feeling tired. How prevalent is insomnia? Roughly 10% of the population suffers from insomnia, and 50% of these people have the…
You have likely heard many arguments from both sides of the debate concerning the passage of trade legislation and whether or not it is good for the country. As the National Deputy Director of the Minority Business Development Agency, I know that open and fair trade is an effective way for American businesses to sell…
FKEDUP NYC: Filipino History in 5 Courses is a pop-up dinner held in celebration of Philippine Independence Day, June 12, at Court Tree, 371 Court St 2nd Fl, Brooklyn at 7:30 pm. The five-course culinary tour of Philippine history features the various influences on the country’s cuisine including Malay sauces, Arabic spices, and Spanish techniques….
The Transportation Security Agency was under heavy fire after a new report revealed that a number of US airports had hired dozens of people with links to terrorism. The TSA is already reeling after a recent Department of Homeland Security report found that investigators could sneak fake bombs and weaponry easily through security with a…
SINGER Idina Menzel gave her Filipino fans a special treat during her concert Sunday, June 7, at the Mall of Asia Arena by singing “Let it Go” from the Disney film “Frozen,” with a few of the lines in Tagalog. “Bumitaw, bumitaw,” Menzel sang, at one point checking to ensure she had the words right…
All my life I’ve dealt with words. I live in a world of stories. Stories are not replicable because our lives are unique, which gives us value and meaning. Yet, as each story is told, we also learn what makes us similar, what connects us all, what helps us transcend that isolation—which authors say, separates…
JUNE 12 marks the celebration of Independence Day among Filipinos, a commemoration of the victory of our people against foreign intrusions and oppressors that denied Filipinos the freedom and liberties that are considered rights of any democratic nation. However, it seems the call to defend the freedom and liberties is an ongoing saga, especially in…
CHIPOTLE Mexican Grill announced it will extend some of the same benefits it provides to salaried employees to part-time and entry level workers, starting July 1, including sick pay, paid vacation time and tuition reimbursement. The company says the benefits are meant to attract qualified employees and will hopefully help in recruiting high school and…
WWDC, or the Worldwide Developers’ Conference, is a highlight of Apple’s yearly calendar, a huge annual get-together for the company’s software partners and the media to see Apple’ unveil a range of brand new products. During the keynote speech on Monday, June 8 by Apple CEO Tim Cook, the major tech company announced its newest…
China suspected culprit A CYBERHACK that may have compromised the data of up four million current and former federal employees may have also affected private citizens, sources said. Officials reported the incident on Thursday, June 4 and suspect the breach was committed by hackers based in China. Hackers broke into into computer networks of the…
A DIVERSE alliance of communities—including Los Angeles County’s third-largest city—is fighting California’s long-planned bullet train route going into San Fernando Valley, saying it would bring “irreparable harm” to their neighborhoods. The coordinated protest by residents and elected officials from suburban Santa Clarita, as well as blue-collar San Fernando, Pacioma and other neighboring communities, present a…
PUBLIC support for Obamacare hit its all-time low in a recent ABC News/Washington Post poll—even as most Americans say the Supreme Court should not block federal subsidies at the heart of the health care law. With the high court set to rule on the latest challenge to the Affordable Care Act, the survey reflects the…
CALIFORNIA court leaders voted unanimously on Monday, June 8 to a rule change allowing drivers to contest traffic violations without first paying for them. The rule, requested by Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, will bar local courts from charging drivers bail before they can challenge traffic tickets. The emergency rule, adopted by the state Judicial Council,…
PRESIDENT Barack Obama expressed his frustration on Monday, June 8 about the continued broken immigration system in the United States, and how federal court rulings have stalled his executive orders, vowing to keep pushing to fix the system. Speaking to reporters at the G7 summit in Krün, Germany with world leaders, Obama said that he…
THE Philippines is scheduled this week to submit a 300-year-old map to the international tribunal, which will bolster its case against China’s territorial claim of the South China Sea, the Malacanang said Monday, June 8. “China’s claim is about historical title,” said presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda in a press briefing. “This old map would certainly…
DEAR Atty. Gurfinkel: I am a US citizen (I got my green card through my US citizen husband), and I petitioned my mother. But she was denied at the Embassy because the consul said I am not her daughter. During her medical exam at St. Luke’s, the doctors were questioning her how I could be…
Good samaritan client seeks to discharge $2o,ooo lawsuit; Senior seeks solution for wrongful death $1.0M lawsuit “ Only 10% of California foreclosures are judicial. 90% of foreclosures are extrajudicial where there is no lawsuit and no court judgment is involved. Extra-judicially involves only a notice of default that is recorded with the county recorder’s office,…
DURING initial consultations, some debtors contemplating filing bankruptcy have expressed their personal preference of filing Chapter 7, instead of Chapter 13, for various reasons such as a shorter time frame to get a discharge under a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing. While a majority of bankruptcy filings may qualify for Chapter 7, some might not. One…
RECENTLY, I had a third year international college student do a consultation with me. She had married her US citizen boyfriend. She hired an “immigration consultant” referred to her by her aunt in Chinatown. This consultant helped her complete an I-130 petition, but failed to file a green card application. Additionally, he had filed an…
THERE are three basic types of audits: correspondence, office, and field examinations. Correspondence audits are the simplest ones – W2s, 1099s and other items that can be easily resolved by mail. Office audits are more complicated and involve small businesses and individuals with difficult issues. The exams are conducted at the IRS offices (not your…
Q: MY employer has been sued in a class action by another employee who is trying to collect unpaid wages. All the employees, including me, received a Notice from an Administrator saying that the attorneys who filed the class action want to obtain my name and contact information because I might be a member of…
