In an overall mood that was celebratory, California Democrats gathered on March 8, Saturday to celebrate their dominance in state politics and their prospects in this year’s election. In this most populous state, Democrats hold all statewide offices and large majorities in the legislature. Traditionally, the party holding its convention gets unfettered publicity while nominating…
“DO not worry about tomorrow, tomorrow will take care of itself.” These words of Jesus are wise and unburdening but they’re challenging. It’s because for many of us, it’s not easy not to worry about the future such as our next meal, the education of our children, or our retirement. It’s not easy not to…
As dramatic as it sounds, the 30-45 minutes that someone spends interviewing their potential immigration attorney may turn out to be the most important conversation of their lives. During the consultation, the immigrant must evaluate the attorney’s Expertise, Personality, and Responsiveness. If the consultation is properly utilized, the time spent will leave the immigrant with…
In today’s ever-changing world, a great number of women’s aspirations take various forms while other’s lofty dreams sometimes fail and hopes dwindle… but were able to rise and resume the challenge. They say men’s existence is easily felt and their roles are predictable but women constantly create encouraging challenges while sustaining precise strength and empowerment…
Presented by Toyota Please join us at Asian Business Association’s Annual Golf Tournament, supporting educational training programs and scholarships for the Asian business community in Southern California. ABA MISSION STATEMENT The Asian Business Association represents Asian American business owners and creates business opportunities for its members and their diverse communities. Event: Golf in a friendly atmosphere,…
11 March 2014 – Visitors to the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco on Friday, March 7, were greeted by personnel wearing purple flowers, in commemoration of International Women’s Day, which was celebrated on March 8. “International Women’s Day was initially established to remind us to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of women to global…
The April 2014 priority dates indicate that the F-2A priority date still remains at September 8, 2013, which is almost the same as being “current.” It is phenomenal news for spouses and minor children of green cardholders (Category F – 2A). That means that spouses and minor children of green cardholders would be eligible to file…
FORTY lovely Binibining Pilipinas 2014 candidates were presented to the media recently at the Luzon Ballroom of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel in Manila recently, and among the standouts is the pride of the Fil-Am community of Stockton, CA—Joy Antonette Diaz. “Jonette” to her family and friends, is candidate #9 in the final and official…
SAN Miguel Corp (SMC) has responsibly scuttled the 33-hectare-land-donation to self-proclaimed healing priest Fr. Fernando Suarez’s ambitious plan “to construct a P1Billion ‘mega shrine’ to Mother Mary in Alfonso, Cavite, because of serious concerns about the management and financial issues.” SMC has discovered the “healing priest” has obviously reneged on his vows of poverty and…
Everest Academy’s integral formation is secret to raising country’s future great leaders Bonifacio Global City, Philippines (March 8, 2014)—A premier school at the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig is attracting parents and educators alike. Everest Academy Manila (everestmanila.com), a Catholic international school present in over 20 countries worldwide, boasts not of its international curriculum, highly…
MYSTERY still surrounds the case of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which vanished into thin air (according to radar screens from ground control) while en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing over the weekend. In a latest development, Malaysian authorities said the plane might have changed its course. The Malaysian military has radar data showing the…
MANY of us probably felt guilty, after reading this warning. We think that we are helping stimulate our kids’ mental faculty when we allow them to watch TV or videos and play games via electronic gadgets. We believe we are helping them learn their ABCs and 123s and new languages. It is true, though, that…
FIRST of all, I am not the lawyer in question although I am able to speak fluent Thai and Russian after 3 bottles of beer and the last judge I bit on the leg for denying my motion to avoid 2nd trust deed had it coming to him anyway; having said that, student loans, generally…
The city of Makati is believed to be the busiest place in Metro Manila. However on weekends, the busy vibe of this city transforms into a peaceful and laid-back atmosphere. And when in Makati, there are always new things to try. So here’s one! Every Saturday morning, everyone looks forward to one of the city’s…
WITH the US House of Representatives showing zero initiative towards overhauling the nation’s immigrations laws, it appears that H-1B visas for FY 2015 will run out on April 1, 2014, six months before the fiscal year even begins. Last year, the annual H-1B quota (“H-1B Cap”) was reached within the first week of the filing…
SACRAMENTO – State Controller John Chiang today released his monthly report covering California’s cash balance, receipts and disbursements in February 2014. Revenues for the month totaled $5.6 billion, surpassing estimates in the 2014-15 Governor’s Budget by $968.9 million, or 20.9 percent. “Driven by strong retail sales and personal income tax withholdings, February receipts poured in at…
LOS ANGELES – Consul General Ma. Hellen Barber De La Vega is pleased and honored to announce the appointment by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Albert F. Del Rosario of the current Philippine Consul General in Chicago, Hon. Leo Herrera-Lim, a career diplomat as the new Philippine Consul General in Los Angeles with jurisdiction…
2 Filipina panelists participate SAN BERNARDINO – New America Media, in partnership with Harbage Consulting, held a roundtable discussion on Cal MediConnect on Thursday, March 6, at the Norman F. Feldheym Central Library in San Bernardino, CA. New America Media Executive Director Sandy Close initiated the roundtable discussion and introduced Filipina panelists, Carolyn Joyce, Ramona…
According to a famous novelist, life is that which pressingly, persistently, unfailingly and imperially interrupts. I measure my life through sentences pressed out, line by line, according to what poured from it — cascading, elastic, susceptible — into an inexact heart. My heart hopes, that out of this wet ink line of words, a visionary…
On February 28, 2014, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) issued its decision in Matter of Abdelghany, 26 I&N Dec. 254 (BIA 2014), which clarifies the scope of INA 212(c). This is the most recent decision in a long line of cases that has tried to define, limit or extend this relief. What’s interesting is…
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…
AS world leaders discuss options to de-escalate the growing tension between Russia and Ukraine, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made some controversial statements — comparing Putin’s recent move to issue Russian passports to Ukrainians with ties to Russia to Hitler’s efforts to resettle Germans in the late 1930s. “It’s what Hitler did back in…
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…
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…
ON April 27, 2007, Jessica Manosa hosted a party at a vacant residence owned by her parents. Manosa and most of the attendees of the party were under 21 years of age. She and some friends pooled money together to buy alcohol for the party, then charged people $3 to $5 to enter the party….
I KNOW we’ve never met. But there’s a common concern we all share. As a debt relief attorney, I hear it from people who consult with me everyday. It is this: The possibility of losing what we’ve worked hard for all our lives…our homes, our savings, our retirement money, our business, etc. Why is this…
LOS ANGELES – A Kickstarter campaign was recently launched for a documentary project. The project aims to tell the story of World War II veterans, who fought in the Philippines. The Valor Project: World War II Stories from the Philippines is a storytelling endeavor that presents narratives through different mediumst: a documentary film, photography, fiction inspired…
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors bid farewell to Consul General Maria Hellen Barber De La Vega with a presentation of a plaque in recognition of her dedication and leadership in strengthening ties between the Philippines and Southern California during her tenure. The plaque was presented during a Board Meeting held…
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…
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…
