WE’VE all been in situations where we’ve wished we had a toothbrush—but didn’t. Perhaps it was on a recent camping trip. Perhaps it was right after lunch, on a day when you were headed into an important business meeting. Regardless of when it was, you knew that a fresh, sparkling smile would bring the comfort and/or confidence you needed. Certain…
According to news reports, President Obama is considering executive action to let millions of undocumented immigrants obtain work permits and allow them to stay in the US “legally,” without threat or fear of removal/deportation. The announcement of a large-scale action will most likely take place in September 2014. Since the GOP-controlled Congress failed to pass…
AARP Community Ambassador General Tony Taguba to speak at upcoming FANHS and NaFFAA events in San Diego SAN DIEGO—AARP is proud to sponsor the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) Conference on July 31 to August 2 and the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) Empowerment Conference on August 7 -10 in San Diego….
REEL and real life lovebirds Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, both GMA 7 Kapuso talents, are celebrating their birthdays this month. Marian is adding another year on August 12, while her boyfriend, Dingdong, is turning 34 on August 2. Marian was born in Madrid, Spain to father Francisco Javier Gracia Alonso, a Spaniard and her…
Is ballroom dancing good for everyone? For the majority of people who love to dance, ballroom dancing is one of the best exercises for cardiovascular fitness. Only those with medical or physical impairment that disable them to dance will not benefit from it. While walking on the treadmill or doing rowing exercises makes one feel…
THE rap artist Andrew E. gave people, at an early age, a picture of what Malate is in his song Banyo Queen—a place where one can have fun with an unacquaintance, then lose his or her money. All they needed was a little more awareness to learn that the song even suggests that Malate is…
ON Sunday, July 27, I lost my hero — my father, my pillar of strength. I am grateful for the opportunity to have visited the Philippines last June — that turned out to be the last time I would see, kiss and hug my Daddy alive. He died peacefully at 4 pm, after I said…
IN his past State of the Nation Address (SONA), Pres. Benigno Aquino III enjoyed endless applause. He has been commended by his political peers and foreign observers for his ingenuity in restoring the Filipinos’ faith in the government. It is not just an annual tradition. It is mandated by law for a Philippine president to…
ACCORDING to reports, Walgreens, the drug retail chain, was sued by its California employees for, among other things, failure to provide employees the required meal and rest breaks and for failing to pay employees for their spent at work undergoing security searches. The case is on behalf of Walgreens’ hourly managers or assistant store managers…
LAWFUL Permanent Resident (LPR) status in the US is a privilege, and the status can be abandoned, even involuntarily. Abandonment of permanent residence (also known as the “green card”) occurs when the resident fails to maintain the status by not residing in the US. Many Lawful Permanent Residents returning to the US each month are…
IF YOU are buried in debt, you may be feeling trapped at the moment with no way out. You realize you need help but don’t know where to go for help. You may even be embarrassed about your situation that you find it uncomfortable to turn to family and friends for help. So you try…
AS the US Congress continues to mire itself in a tiresome partisan war over every issue that crosses its path, States have begun to answer the call and do the right thing for their own citizens. In California, for example, Governor Brown signed legislation late last year to enhance school, workplace and civil protections for…
BEFORE his State of the Nation Address on Monday, July 28, President Benigno Aquino III faces the most challenging time of his Presidency. The first two cases wanted to oust him from office for allegedly betraying the public trust and violating the 1987 Constitution over his administration’s implementation of the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP). The…
HAVING a consistent population count for years, the Philippines should now expect a new census update. Recent reports say that the Philippines is bound to have at least 100 million people this year, and depending on one’s perspective, it may sound either good or bad. Based on the national census of population in 2010, the…
YouTube sensations David and Andrew Fung, known as The Fung Brothers, were special guests at a McDonald’s-sponsored education workshop held in San Francisco last July 12. The Fung Brothers talked about their experiences going to college and answered questions from students and parents alike, as well as mingled with their fans during the event which…
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A 20-year-old man died Sunday after lightning struck or rattled 13 people at a popular Los Angeles beach and a golfer on Catalina Island during summer thunderstorms that swept through Southern California, authorities said. The man was taken from Venice Beach and pronounced dead at ahospital Sunday afternoon, Los Angeles County coroner’s…
Interviews come in many ways. Some regard it as a battle, a delightful minuet. Others call it theater piece. That is why I am reluctant to write about fashion, showbiz, celebrities, which tend to elicit more entertainment, not information—a contempt shown, however, only by those who clearly would be considered as “newspeople.” People reportage is…
All of LA County’s sufferings come through the doors of the emergency room. Accidents, shootings, heart attacks, beatings, rapes, suicides—just as gory and heart stopping when I was covering the police beat for People’s Tonight of The Journal Group, before I defected to Hollywood. Stories that would make you clasp your chest and spit out your coffee over breakfast…
In life, for those who already have experience and some wisdom, there is such a thing as getting the right advice at the right time. In fact, the right advice at the right time can result in losing a fortune or keeping a fortune. The problem is that most people have an ego problem. They…
THE drama in Claudine Barretto’s life continues—and lately it has become more controversial. A week after people thought the actress and her estranged husband actor Raymart Santiago have decided to have a ceasefire for the sake of their children; Claudine dropped a “bomb” that made tongues wagging once again. Just last July 18, Claudine…
“BY and large the world is a good place,” claims Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, author of Sacred Fire: A Vision for a Deeper Human and Christian Maturity. “But among all those good people, only a select few stand out as truly exceptional in both their humanity and other virtue. Many of us are good, few among…
DETROIT—Vice President Joe Biden told protesters Thursday he shared their concern about the deportations of immigrants who have entered the US illegally. Biden was interrupted by protesters shouting, “Stop deporting our families,” during a speech at Netroots Nation, a major annual meeting of liberal activists. The vice president said, “I respect your view and I…
WASHINGTON—Out of a seemingly hollow recovery from the Great Recession, a more durable if still slow-growing U.S. economy has emerged. That conclusion, one held by a growing number of economists, might surprise many people. After all, in the five years since the recession officially ended, Americans’ pay has basically stagnated. Millions remain unemployed or have…
WASHINGTON—Out of a seemingly hollow recovery from the Great Recession, a more durable if still slow-growing U.S. economy has emerged. That conclusion, one held by a growing number of economists, might surprise many people. After all, in the five years since the recession officially ended, Americans’ pay has basically stagnated. Millions remain unemployed or have…
Dear Atty. Gurfinkel: Years ago, I was petitioned by my US citizen father. The priority date is current, but our family has not received any papers in connection with processing my visa. During the many years I was waiting for the visa, my father and I moved, and we are no longer living at the…
THE battle lines have been drawn. On one side, high caliber apologists have been harnessed to justify the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) of Noynoy Aquino and Butch Abad, in the face of the Supreme Court decision decreeing it unconstitutional. On the other side are a mixture of well-meaning individuals, sharp legal minds, political enemies, Aquino…
WHEN I emceed the Peoples’ Ball, celebrating Philippine Independence with more than 1000 kababayans in Washington DC last June, I had the privilege of being serenaded by amazaing vocal talents singing classic arias and love songs. They were among the performers of Noli Me Tangere the Opera. It premiered in New York City and is…
THE Philippines joins the international community in extending its sympathies to the families of the passengers on board Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 that crashed in Ukraine on Thursday, July 17. “At this difficult time, we stand with them in solidarity as one people and one country,” Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte. The Philippine government is…
THIS article, a continuation of last week’s, was originally intended for outdoor activities during the rainy season in the Philippines. However, with the present condition, it would be nonsensical and insensitive to suggest items on how people can try to enjoy the heavy downpour outside their houses—when, really, people should take necessary precautions. Therefore, let…
LOS ANGELES – The Philippines yet again won big at the world’s stage by snatching a grandslam win by taking home the top two awards at the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA). On Friday, July 18, 11-year old Lloyd Montebon of Davao and the Xtreme Dancers duo of Raymark Alminasa (22) and Eddie Melody…
