I CAN never quell stirs of fascination, dread and longing when the house lights dim and the curtain parts, but the enjoyment of an opera can begin, not with the rise of the curtains, but with the first bars of the overture. To understand and enjoy the opera is the recognition of certain irreconcilable differences…
RESPONDING to the clamor for Malacanang to explain why Nora Aunor was not given the honor of being recognized as Philippine national Artist, President Noynoy Aquino explained and let me quote him in full: “Iyong first of all, for the record, iyong tatay ko isa sa mga fans ni Nora Aunor at pati ako humahanga…
IN THE last two weeks, 3 clients with state court cases in their late stages based on complaints for very large amounts arising from business transactions sought bankruptcy relief. One already had a judgment for $4.0 million. The other had a tentative judgment after trial where debtor was not represented by counsel, for $800,000, and…
INA 237(a)(1)(H), commonly known as the fraud waiver, provides relief to lawful permanent residents (LPR) and battered spouse self-petitioners in removal proceedings. To understand this waiver, we must first examine some related provisions. Under INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i), an alien is inadmissible if he has previously obtained or attempted to obtain a visa, other documentation, admission or…
AS you know, cancellation of debt income can surface from the foreclosure of your residence or any other real property. Like adding salt to an open wound, you are then faced with debt forgiveness income from the cancellation of debt on the mortgage of your property that has just been foreclosed. The bank issues a…
CA Supreme Court issues an answer EARLY this year, we related the plight of an undocumented worker who was terminated by his employer because of his disability, and whose fate rested on the hands of the California Supreme Court: Vicente Salas started work for Sierra Chemical in 2003 as a seasonal worker in its production…
IN accordance with the US Supreme Court’s 2011 decision in Judulang v. Holder, the BIA issued a decision on February 28, 2014 that makes Section 212(c) relief available to thousands or immigrants who were ordered deported or are presently deportable for criminal convictions. The decision, Matter of Abdelghany, abolishes the so-called “comparable grounds” rule that…
Ramada Plaza Hotel’s multi-functional Crystal Ballroom was instantly transformed into one huge Disco Club vividly reminiscent of the glorious era of psychedelic prints, frivolous gangs, and funky music which were then regular fixtures at Silahis International Hotel’s Stargazer, Intercon’s Where Else?, Hyatt’s Isis, Philippine Plaza’s Lost Horizon, Manila Garden’s Another World, and other venues of…
On June 27, 2014, the USCIS published a Policy Memorandum (PM) which could provide new hope for children who may have been eligible for benefits under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), but missed the one-year “sought to acquire” deadline for pursuing a visa. If the child missed that filing deadline due to “extraordinary circumstances,”…
LOS ANGELES — The Filipino man from Culver City who went missing on July 1 has been found in Pasadena. Bernard Gomez, 45 years old, had reportedly gone missing on Tuesday, around 2 pm. A missing person poster circulated on the Internet, detailing Bernard’s appearance and clothing, including some unique characteristics — bipolar condition, psoriasis-afflicted…
LOS ANGELES – On Wednesday, July 2, the Los Angeles City Council confirmed Mayor Eric Garcetti’s appointment of another Filipino American to an LA city commission, further boosting the degree of representation of the Filipino community in city government. Dermatologist and community leader Dr. Mariedel Leviste was recently confirmed by the LA City Council to…
Fireworks are always a big hit on the Fourth of July, but the best way to enjoy them is by attending one of the many public shows conducted by professionals. The summer celebration includes grilling and fireworks, but can also include some potential electrical hazards. Fireworks, food and fun. Not much says Fourth of July better…
No road work ahead on projects throughout the county ORANGE – People traveling to celebrate Independence Day will enjoy easier commutes as construction closures throughout the county will be postponed for the holiday weekend. Ongoing freeway closures associated with the West County Connectors, I-5 South, O.C. Bridges, SR-91 and SR-57 projects will not take place…
IF you, or someone you care for spends six hours a week or more in a swimming pool, listen up! This is super important information to know. Prolonged pool water exposure can affect teeth Most swimmers are surprised to learn about the potentially corrosive effects pool water chemicals can have on teeth. When maintaining a pool it’s a…
THERE is a lot of buzz going around these past week after the one and only Superstar Nora “Ate Guy” Aunor was excluded from the list of National Artists this year. It was no less than Philippine President Benigno S. Aquino who chose to exclude Nora, and was the only reported nominee by the National…
How common is low back pain? Low back pain (LBP) is extremely common, is the second most frequent reason for patients to seek medical help, and the number one cause of disability for persons 45 years old and younger. LBP accounts for about 15% of all sick leave. Lifetime prevalence (chances of getting it during…
AS granted by the Constitution, anyone who is charged with a penal offense has the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. With the pile of evidence and charges against him, and public outrage for his alleged abuse of power, presumption of innocence is probably the only card left to play for Sen. Jinggoy…
I am neither a Noranian nor a Vilmanian, but I have high respect and admiration for these two veteran Filipino actresses. As a growing kid in the 70s, I have followed how these two artists evolved, from being sing-and-dance pa-“cute” entertainers packaged with their love teams, to becoming the serious and moving thespians that they…
WHAT should a very important politician, who is serving a life sentence for plunder, do with his time throughout his incarceration? I threw this question at the folks at my favorite watering hole in Daly City, Calif. According to them, the VIPs (Very Important Prisoners) should consult former Congressman Romeo Jalosjos. Jalosjos, a personal friend…
WHEN an obese person weighing 500 lbs. implements steps to lose 300 lbs. and actually succeeds, people take note and are happy for that person. The reality shows call this extreme makeover. Real estate TV shows call the new look of the property after improvements are made on it as extreme makeover. The kitchen cabinets…
A LOT of people who find themselves at the end of their financial rope wonder about how they could rebuild their finances again. Out of desperation and in an effort to avoid filing bankruptcy, they use up all their savings and deplete their retirement plans hoping to survive from month to month until “things get…
ONTARIO—Southern California Edison (SCE) customers will find that their electric bills this summer is a little more than what they usually get. As approved by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the SCE utility rate would increase by 8 percent. In a media briefing at the Ontario Senior Center on June 30, SCE director…
The great question that has never been answered, and which I have not yet been able to answer, despite my thirty years of research into the feminine soul, is “What does a woman want? – Sigmund Freud’s remark to Marie Bonaparte I grew up believing that all was possible for a girl or a woman. Certainly…
LOS ANGELES — A Filipino from San Diego, Calif. was sentenced to go to jail in connection to what is being called the “Godfather of Camp Pendleton” bribery case. According to a report by Balitang America, Bayani Yabut Abueg Jr., president of MBR Associates Inc., was sentenced to six months in prison and received around $366,000 in fines…
Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (RR/CC) Dean C. Logan announced certified results for the June 3, 2014 Statewide Direct Primary Election. A total of 824,070 ballots were processed and counted, with 17.08% of eligible registered voters casting ballots. For specific tallies, visit www.lavote.net. For updates, follow the RR/CC on Twitter @LACountyRRCC. On July 1, the L.A. County…
THE crusader for “Daang Matuwid” — President Benigno Aquino III — says he does not mind giving humanitarian considerations to one of the most high profile senators charged in connection to the pork barrel scandal — 90-year-old Senator and former Senate president Juan Ponce Enrile. PNoy says the Sandiganbayan would consider Enrile’s old age and frail…
And what they can do to fight back RONALD Shephard installed garage doors for Lowe’s, a home improvement retailer that operates nearly 100 stores in California. Lowe’s offers its customers installation services for products bought at its stores. In June 2012, Shephard sued Lowe’s in a class action for misclassification, reimbursement and denial of benefits. …
FOR most professional immigrants that seek long term immigration status in the US, the key to success is finding an employer who would petition them for an H-1b visa. The problem recently though is the reduction in the visa numbers for this classification that makes this visa unavailable most of the year after the cap…
LAST week, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Jeh Johnson announced that the USCIS is ready for the first round of applications for extensions of deferred action and work authorization under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. Effective immediately, USCIS will begin accepting renewal requests. USCIS will also continue to accept…
“If you have filed bankruptcy before, you may be wondering whether it’s possible to do it again. Generally, the answer is that you can file bankruptcy as often as needed BUT subject to some limitations.” I’VE been asked this question a few times lately so I decided to write an article on it. If you…
