“INVOLUNTARY job loss is a stressful event, creating a variety of problems immediately, and long periods of unemployment can compound those problems,” states The Urban Institute, in a report it prepared for the Rockefeller Foundation entitled Consequences of Long-Term Unemployment. As employment attorneys, we are only too familiar with the sad realities of being fired. …
US RESIDENTS IN THE PHILIPPINES 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…
FOR many people there is no concern more pressing than that of their immigration status. People come to our office every day extremely worried and stressed about any number of immigration concerns and how they can properly take care of such an important matter. Ranging from citizenship, adjustment of status, to more complicated immigration matters…
On a recent Sunday, an enchanting concert with a profusion of unique talents of a superb ensemble of musical world of choirs (weeping violins, classics and folklore) settled briefly at the Garrison Theater, Scripps Performing Arts Center in Claremont. It was also a gala benefit event and concert for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan. Behind…
A POOR man asked a priest, “Why am a poor? The priest answered, “Because you have not learned to give? “What can I give, I don’t have anything,” the poor man responded. “You have a few things, “ the priest told him. “You have a face that can smile, lips that can speak words of…
Many factors lead to financial problems and bankruptcy. While there are things that are simply beyond your control (example: sickness, disability, unemployment, etc.), a lot of bankruptcies are also a result of poor financial management. A lot of people are embarrassed to admit this but it’s true. When it comes to handling money, there are…
Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status in the U.S. 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…
The current social strata has enormously influenced and generously accorded the new breed of young adults with limitless possibilities of expression while offering potentially diverse opportunities and intellectual growth. The media, in particular, has increasingly affected the youth, especially teenage girls, on their views about personal image, career standards, fashion sense, and related stuffs. In…
Feeling a little listless today? Why not perk yourself up by pouring 15 teaspoons of sugar in your mouth? You probably laughed at the above suggestion, but if you’re a fan of energy drinks, that is the approximate amount of sugar you’ll ingest if you indulge in a 16-ounce serving. Colas are another source of sugar…
The March 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…
AS this is Valentine’s Day weekend, I took the opportunity to write about the real-life sweethearts in Philippine showbiz today. In the entertainment business, relationships need more than love because of the gossips and intrigues that may hound couples. Still, the following are some of the real-life love teams that seem to have endured the…
Water is life. Without it, there would be no life on Planet Earth. Without soft drinks, which is toxic to our organs, life would go on, and more people, especially children, would even be healthier. The normal lean adult body is made up of about 70 percent water (50 percent intracellular; 15 percent interstitial; and,…
San Francisco—On Tuesday, February 11, on the 3-month mark of Super-Typhoon Haiyan hitting the Philippines, San Francisco legislators along with dozens of Bay Area residents and organizations mobilized on City Hall to call for Temporary Protected Status for the Philippines (TPS). The action culminated with a unanimous vote, amongst the eleven Board of Supervisors, to…
THE world’s population didn’t hit the 1 billionth threshold until the 19th century. Today, the numbers have since been growing by giant, exponential leaps. The world population has already breached the 7 billionth mark. In the UN World Population Fund’s (UNFPA) list of the world’s most populous countries, the Philippines ranks 12th. The nation’s population…
Last Monday, US Attorney General Eric Holder released a memo which accords the same federal benefits, protection and services to all same-sex couples across the nation — even in the 34 states that have not yet legalized gay marriage. To clarify, the memo does NOT mandate that these states officiate or solemnize same-sex marriages, since…
“If the alien’s failure to appear was caused by ‘exceptional circumstances,’ the Motion to Reopen must be filed within 180 days of the order. ‘Exceptional circumstances’ is defined as INCLUDING serious illness of the alien or death of a close relative, but not including ‘less compelling’ circumstances.” FOR the better part of the past…
Scientific Name: Athyrium Esculentum Fiddlehead fern, locally called pako in the Philippines, is a vegetable fern. It is often listed among the several kinds of edible ferns mostly found in India, North America, China, Japan, Hawaii and Indonesia. Fiddlehead or furled fronds of young leaves are collected as vegetables and cultivated in a few countries….
LOS ANGELES – Consul General Ma. Hellen Barber De La Vega co-hosted the opening of the “Triumph of Philippine Art” held at the University of Southern California (USC) Fisher Museum of Art on 05 February 2014. The USC Museum of Art will run this exhibition from February 6 to April 13. The exhibition “Triumph of…
SACRAMENTO – State Controller John Chiang today released his monthly report covering California’s cash balance, receipts and disbursements in January 2014. Revenues for the month totaled $12.2 billion, surpassing estimates in the 2014-15 Governor’s Budget by $387.7 million, or 3.3 percent. “Strong revenues for the month of January confirm California is continuing its slow climb…
Eligibility for immigration relief sometimes depends on whether an alien was admitted into the US or the lapse of time since admission. Thus, it becomes necessary to determine whether or not an alien was admitted. In some instances, the date of adjustment of status is considered the date of admission. The Board of Immigration Appeals…
ROSEMEAD, Calif., Feb. 7, 2014 — Valentine’s Day is a day full of sweet sentiments, but Southern California Edison (SCE) reminds customers of a situation that can turn things sour fast: floating Mylar balloons. Helium-filled Mylar balloons, often given as Valentine’s gifts, can float into power lines and cause power outages or even downed power…
LOS ANGELES – The University of Southern California (USC) Fisher Museum of Art recently launched an art exhibit that showcases Filipino art in all its glory. Entitled The Triumph of Philippine Art, the exhibit features artworks that depict the Philippines’ political story during the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos. The showcased artworks are inspired by the…
I saw a movie the other night that reminded me of the Philippines. Elysium, starring Matt Damon and Jodie Foster, is set in the year 2154. It’s about a man-made space station in which the very wealthy live. Gleaming buildings, lush parks, manicured lawns, beautiful homes and even more beautiful people populate the enclave. The…
IF you are still hoping immigration reform will pass this 2014, you may be in for a big disappointment. In a 180-degree turn from his more optimistic tone in January, House Speaker John Boehner now says that is not likely to happen this year, all because of President Barack Obama. Speaker Boehner said his colleagues…
SEVERAL developments in immigration occurred this week, beginning with the possibility of raising the cost of acquiring US citizenship, if immigration reform pushes through. The current cost of filing for naturalization (or US citizenship) is $680. But according to a report from the Associated Press (AP), immigration reform could push the cost to spike up…
LET’S review a few rules on federal, state, and local taxes: 1. California State Income Taxes in box 24 of your W2 are deductible. So are quarterly estimates paid by self-employed and subcontractor taxpayers. TIP: Time the payment of your estimates in the year with the higher income and higher tax. 2. Real Estate Taxes…
Courts look at several factors to determine whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. The most important factor is the employer’s right to control the worker’s manner and means of performing the job. KEEPING labor costs down by taking unlawful shortcuts does not pay. One of these illegal shortcuts is to classify…
One of these great new benefits is the expansion of ‘Parole in Place’ to include the families of United States military veterans. ‘Parole in Place’has traditionally allowed the immediate relatives of active military to be paroled into the United States. WHILE we have had high hopes for change to our immigration system under the…
EVERY day, I meet with a lot of people who are sick and tired of being in a financial mess but they are unwilling to pay the price of being debt-free. What do I mean by this? In this week’s article, I will tell you exactly what needs to change in order for you to…
LOS ANGELES – Consul General Maria Hellen Barber De La Vega pays farewell to US Department of State, Office of Foreign Mission Assistant Regional Director Richard McCurry. Consul General De La Vega will be assuming her new position at the Department of Foreign Affairs, Manila as Senior Special Assistant to the Undersecretary for Policy. The…
