Beefing up

THE United States and the Philippines have expressed alarm over China’s recent move. On Wednesday, China announced a 12.2 percent increase in its military spending, amounting to $132 billion — “likely a considerable underestimate of actual spending, but still far less than the $600.4 billion the US spent last year,” reports the Associated Press. US…

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The (not so) permanent resident

GETTING your green card is a wonderful accomplishment.  When we represent a client at their adjustment of status interview, the room is filled with smiles and happy tears when their application is approved and the officer shakes the client’s hand and says “Congratulations, welcome to America.”  It feels great to know you can finally travel…

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10 tips in deducting charitable contributions

1. YOU may deduct donations to qualified organizations.  Qualified organizations have tax-exempt status from the IRS. These include corporations or foundations organized in the U.S. for religious, charitable, educational, scientific, literary, or prevention of cruelty to children and animals. 2. You cannot deduct contributions made to specific individuals – priests, nuns, victims, and political organizations…

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First debate forum for CA Secretary of State candidates

LOS ANGELES – Six aspiring candidates for the California Secretary of State position shared their platforms in the first California Secretary of State candidate forum on Monday night, March 3, at The California Endowment headquarters in Downtown Los Angeles. Six contenders – Democratic candidates Derek Cressman, Alex Padilla and CA State Senator Leland Yee, Republican…

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Martinez is back on the ice

Receives hero’s welcome in LAX LOS ANGELES – Arriving in Southern California on March 1, Filipino figure skater and Olympian Christian Martinez is now back on the ice. After a hectic and grueling month (beginning in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia) of making numerous public appearances, attending hero’s parades and making trips to…

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Ascesis for Lent

ASCESIS is another term for self-discipline. It comes from the Greek word, askesis, which literally means exercise. During this Lenten season, God calls us to a period of ascesis. The term can make us fearful or hesitant because it calls us to give up our appetites for pleasure and material things. It calls us to curb…

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B-1/B-2 visa holders and adjustment of status

Many individuals entering the United States on a visitor’s visa wonder whether they can adjust status on the basis of a petition from an immediate family member (spouse, parent, child).  This is an area of immigration law that is a source of significant confusion, which we will demystify in this article. As many B-1/B-2 visa…

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How is annulment different from divorce?

A petition for nullity of a marriage is based on an allegation that an impediment existed at the time of the marriage that prevented the marriage from ever existing.  Whereas a petition for dissolution of a marriage typically alleges that some issue arose during the marriage that precludes it from continuing further (i.e. “irreconcilable differences”),…

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ZALORA to Launch Marketplace

The online fashion retailer to offer independent fashion designers and sellers access to their millions of customers  ZALORA, Asia’s leading online fashion destination, has announced it will be launching ZALORA Marketplace in the first half of this year. With over 15 million visits per month to ZALORA, Marketplace will give independent fashion designers and sellers…

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Mango now at ZALORA Philippines

The much-loved Spanish fashion brand makes its debut at ZALORA ZALORA, Asia’s leading online fashion destination, has expanded its assortment with the addition of international fashion brand Mango. ZALORA will make it easier than ever to access the popular and well-loved brand with 3 – 5 day delivery time, free and easy returns within 30 days, and multiple…

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Questions to ask yourself about brushing

BRUSHING: It’s the foundation for keeping your mouth clean and healthy. In fact, it’s so basic that most people don’t think about it very much—they just do it. If you’re brushing twice a day that’s wonderful! It makes our job (helping keep your smile beautiful and healthy) a lot easier! But all of us can…

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TV’s bad impact on children

Unless otherwise disciplined, children in general would be glued on television hours on end.  This is a part of their natural curiosity and playful instinct.  If allowed, they would lose their interest in all other things, including eating and school work. The negative impact of undisciplined and unsupervised television viewing by children has been an…

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Celebrating women

MARCH is International Women’s Month. It has been designated to acknowledge and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of women around the world. With the theme: “Celebrating Women of Character, Courage, and Commitment,”  people are encouraged to examine the changing cultural perceptions of women in society, and to honor their contributions to all aspects of…

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Reinventing Mar

OVER a week ago, Kit Tatad, in his column in Manila Standard Today, wrote about the newly launched program of Malacañang to repair the 2016 presidential bandwagon of Mar Roxas which had experienced engine trouble on Noynoy Aquino’s Daang Baku-Baku. According to Tatad, no less than Aquino himself is heading a special task force whose…

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Northern Cebu: Paradise in the making

CEBU, hailed as the Queen City of the South, is among the country’s most visited places. The main draw of this vibrant city is the harmonious co-existence of the vibrant urban lifestyle, and rich cultural heritage. However, Cebu isn’t just about the historic Magellan’s Cross or the lip-smacking lechon, but it is also a perfect…

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Bill Lets Taxpayers Know If Tax-Exempt Hospitals Earn Their Tax Breaks

AB 503 Creates Transparency, Accountability; Inspired by Greenlining Institute Report Contact: Bruce Mirken, Greenlining Institute Media Relations Director, 510-926-4022; 415-846-7758 (cell) SACRAMENTO – Inspired in part by a report issued last year by The Greenlining Institute, Assembly members  Bob Wieckowski (D-Fremont) and Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) have renewed their effort to ensure that the public knows how not-for-profit hospitals…

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PCG commemorates 28th EDSA People Power Revolution

LOS ANGELES  – The Philippine Consulate General commemorated the 28th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution with the theme “Kapit Bisig Tungo Sa Pagbangon” with a Mass and feature presentation on the Peace Project held at the Community Hall of the Consulate General on February  25, 2014. Consul General Maria Hellen Barber De La…

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The Oscars: A metaphor for success

CELEBRATING the Academy Awards (nicknamed The Oscars) is as old as a man’s knowledge of entertainment, music, laughter and despair. It is as fresh as a child’s first taste of make-believe — the magic splendor of filmmaking has always been a part of our lives. The movie industry matters because it measures more than just…

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Record-breaking

WHEN it comes to contending for world records in the Guinness Book of World Records, the Philippines is always game. Recently, the country (through the Polytechnic University of the Philippines or PUP) broke India’s record for the most number of organ donation pledges in an hour in a single site, the Department of Health (DOH)…

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