What’s with the Ice Bucket Challenge?
If you are active on social media or watch the news regularly, you must have already seen a lot of videos of people — ordinary folks and celebrities alike —…
When Pope Francis visits Tacloban
Being from Tacloban, I’m understandably excited about the forthcoming visit of Pope Francis to my hometown in January 2015. That’s the good news. The bad news is that, according to…
Client with wage garnishment files chapter 13 to save house from foreclosure
CLIENT is 60 years old and married. She has gross income of $3,000 as a caregiver. Husband is not employed and waiting for social security benefits, which is still two…
Delayed wages entitle employees to additional pay
JANIS McLean worked for the State of California as a deputy attorney general until she retired from service in 2010. She did not receive her final wages on her last…
OMG: Oh, Malung Gay!
Filipinos have a way to, intentionally or not, give things a “Pinoy” touch. The O! My Gulay Recipe Book, distributed by the Department of Agriculture—Bureau of Agricultural Research, features winning…
Going ‘wild’ in the most diverse city
Reprinted with permission from New American Media. Original news report by Ngoc Nguyen. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act, federal legislation that was signed into law…
Dance lovers
It is not the kind of column one usually pursues. There was no edge to it, no compelling plot, no dynamic of change. It’s about a lot of dance lovers with…
6.0 earthquake strikes Napa Valley area
A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Napa Valley/Solano County region of Northern California on Sunday, August 24, damaging homes and local wineries and collapsing structures. Thousands as far as 200…
Silver Lake Dog Park Sign Design Contest Seeks to Keep It Clean
SILVER LAKE — Fresh ideas are needed for a design contest geared toward promoting ‘keeping it clean’ and responsible dog park etiquette at one of the most popular parks in…
6.0 earthquake strikes Napa Valley area
A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Napa Valley/Solano County region of Northern California on Sunday, August 24, damaging homes and local wineries and collapsing structures. Thousands as far as 200…
A room for grace
AS a group of scholars in theology and veterans in seminary formation were preparing for a new school year, a discussion at a breakout session came about between two professors. …
NCCA Calls for Filipino Curators and Artists to submit Curatorial Proposals to participate at the 56th Venice Biennale 2015
The National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) has encouraged curators and artists to submit curatorial proposals to be chosen for the Philippines’ participation at the 56th Venice Biennale…
Friend or foe?
PRESIDENT Benigno Aquino III has appointed Solicitor General Francis Jardeleza as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court (SC), amidst allegations of the latter’s ‘disloyalty’ to the Philippines. Though he was…
Kababayans’ views: Free public eduction for undocumented kids in the US?
Federal laws say undocumented kids cannot be denied enrollment in public schools, and that they have the right to taxpayer-funded education in the United States just like US citizens and…
Frequently asked questions (FAQ) #1 – FBAR filing requirements
NEW Foreign bank account rules were designed to combat money laundering, terrorism, and tax evasion. Unfortunately, folks like you and me get snared in the process. We get penalized if…
How do you handle the bad financial times when they come?
YOU’RE doing fine. You’re paying your bills on time and you have your debts under control. You’ve even managed to set aside a bit of savings in your bank account….
Filipino suspect of al-Qaeda terror plot remains on trial
LOS ANGELES – A major case against four alleged terrorist suspects, one of them Filipino, from the Inland Empire, has begun its second week of trial. Ontario resident Ralph Deleon,…
Experience ‘Love on 5th Avenue’ with Raymond Lauchengco
Showbusiness has constantly been the microcosm of both society’s ideal and turbulent lifestyles. A great number of avidly idolized celebrity figures are treated like demi-gods by swooning fans while being…
Can the president achieve Immigration Reform on his own?
A few weeks ago, President Obama announced that due to Congress’ failure to come to an agreement on immigration reform that he would explore all available options for him to…
Fil-Am activist aids tear-gassed journalist in Ferguson protest
LOS ANGELES – A Filipino-American activist played a key role in the administration of first aid to a journalist who was caught in a cloud of tear gas while he…
Incoming president of largest teacher’s union aims to shake up public education system
LOS ANGELES – A former school cafeteria worker, turned teacher will take over the National Education Association (NEA) on Sept. 1, 2014. Lily Eskelsen García is the first Latina to…
Filipino suspect of al-Qaeda terror plot remains on trial
LOS ANGELES – A major case against four alleged terrorist suspects, one of them Filipino, from the Inland Empire, has begun its second week of trial. Ontario resident Ralph Deleon,…
Jose Antonio Vargas applies for deferred action
As part of ‘1 of 11 Million’ campaign LOS ANGELES — Pulitzer Prize-winning Filipino American journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, who is arguably the most visible undocumented immigrant in America right…
Megastar Sharon Cuneta, singer Janno Gibbs both battling depression
SINCE the death of Robin Williams, the talk about depression—especially by other artists—became more open to the public. Williams, who was one of the greatest comedians in the industry, with…
USCIS can use data mining to find out where you really live
Recently, I opened an online account at my pharmacy, so the doctor could already send the prescription(s) via internet. Within seconds of applying, the online application generated several multiple-choice questions,…
Date-rape drugs
What are date-rape drugs? Date-rape drugs, sometimes referred to as Party Drugs or simply Ecstasy, are medications that can be slipped into drinks and make a person unconscious for 15…
Pinay lesbian couple wed in California
Filipino lesbian couple Jay Mercado and Shirley Tan tied the knot on Tuesday, August 19, after years of fighting for marriage and immigration reform for the LGBT community. The pair…
Tagalog learner’s e-book now available
Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) chief is co-creator LOS ANGELES – An e-book that helps readers learn Tagalog is now available on iTunes, and it is co-created by the executive director…