LOS ANGELES – Three Los Angeles City Council members proposed a motion that directs the city to study the economic impact of a $15.37/ hour living wage for employees in big hotels. On Tuesday morning, LA Council members Nury Martinez (CD 6), Curren Price (CD 9), and Mike Bonin (CD 11) introduced the measure on…
JORGE Vasquez worked as a maintenance technician for Franklin Management Real Estate Fund, Inc. He was paid $10 per hour for 40 hours per week. Jorge’s supervisors regularly instructed him to drive his own truck for work-related errands, such as going to the hardware store to buy items needed for apartments managed by his employer….
LOS ANGELES – On February 20, the Filipino-American community in LA saw the unveiling of the latest infrastructure improvements to Historic Filipinotown (HiFi), which included elements that improve pedestrian safety, promote a clean and healthy environment and strengthen the neighborhood’s sense of identity. LA City Council member Mitch O’Farrell (CD 13), and US Congressman Xavier…
LOS ANGELES – Consul General Ma. Hellen Barber De La Vega swears in Ms. Ethel Mercado as the Philippine Honorary Consul to Dallas, TX at the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles on February 12. Ms. Mercado will cover the entire State of Texas under the supervision of the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles…
Love’s vistas are inexhaustible. But for all the ardency of love’s idealism and romance, it can only be taken as an act of faith. To be ruled under the spell of love is to be ruled by the possibilities of the unknown. Each encounter provides us with the opportunity to remake the past — it…
IN HIS homily on Valentine’s Day, Pope Francis reminded all that love is “not a mere emotion, a psycho-physical state…it is a relationship, a growing reality.” May I also say that one’s heart can be filled with overflowing love for someone, but it can also bleed, not because it is not willing to forgive and…
“Should we stay or should we say goodbye Walk away or give it one more try What a waste to let our dreams just fly And as the days go by, we’ll always wonder why…” “Was it pride that made us drift away Hurting words we should not even say Hold my hand and look…
Due to the significantly shorter processing times than other categories, the EB-2 classification is highly sought after by talented immigrants. In comparison to the EB-3 immigrant category, which currently takes about seven years for Filipinos, the EB-2 category is now current for processing and the Green Card can typically be obtained in about one year…
THERE’S a big difference between a real smile and a fake smile. And while a polite smile can help smooth over some social situations, a sincere, honest, from-the-heart smile can completely turn the day around. What is “The Duchenne Smile?” The Duchenne Smile was named after 17th century French researcher Duchenne de Bologne. He…
In previous articles, I wrote about the possibility of Filipinos being granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS), as a result of the devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda. Although the Philippines has not yet been designated for TPS, I would like to update you on developments. By way of background, TPS is available for people who are…
IT’S still the love month, and although Valentine’s Day has passed, we want to feel love not just during February but also throughout the year. We also welcome new beginnings – the start of a new chapter in one’s life. One couple that is celebrating a milestone is band member Mark Escueta and actress Jolina…
What are wrinkles? Also known as rhytides, wrinkles are folds or creases in the skin, resulting from loss of elasticity and skin turgor associated with aging and with years of daily exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Another factor is lack of skin care and insufficient moisture for the skin, especially of the…
Notice is hereby given that under Republic Act No. 9189, otherwise known as “The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003”, as amended by Republic Act No. 10590, all citizens of the Philippines abroad, who are not otherwise disqualified by law, at least eighteen (18) years of age on the day of the elections, and who…
SINCE its introduction to Filipinos in 1994, the Internet has provided boundless channels for people to exercise their right to know, express and be heard. Article III Section 4 of the Philippine Constitution states that “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of…
17-YEAR-old Michael Christian Martinez has put the Philippines in the spotlight during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia — ranking 19th in the figure skating competition during his Olympic debut. Michael was also the only figure skater who made it to the Top 5 most talked about Olympic athletes on Facebook during the first…
WHEN debtor filed his Chapter 7 petition, he had $10,000 in his checking account which was used to cover checks issued before bankruptcy was filed. On schedule C, debtor claimed that $1,000 in his checking account was exempt. The trustee demands that debtor deliver the difference between $10,000 and $1,000, or $9,000 to the trustee…
IN November 2013, Typhoon Haiyan tore across the Philippines, resulting in at least 6,000 confirmed deaths and the displacement of at least 4 million people. While the Philippine Government continues to struggle to recover from the mass destruction, the Whitehouse has ignored repeated requests from US Congressmen and the Philippine Government itself to grant Temporary…
His flexibility, artistic moves, and incredible stunts (rarely performed by other figure skaters) captivated the whole world. At age 17, he has just established his presence in the prestigious Olympic Games. Lone Filipino figure skater, Michael Christian Martinez, proudly represented the Philippines at the men’s figure skating at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia….
SAN FRANCISCO—Philippine Development Foundation (PhilDev) is hosting an international symposium with the aim of further developing the nation’s economy through the advancement of science and technological innovation. The conference is funded through a large and prestigious grant from the United States Agency for International Development Philippines (USAID/P). These monies have helped create a project called…
I admire a contented mind — one that reveres enlightenment of simple things. Yet, in quiet meditation, the one emotion that’s hardest to fight against is a longing for all things past. The moon prods, as one spends nights wondering alone or with someone, viewing the moon, from a sick bed. The surprise splendor of…
IN the midst of debates about the Obama administration’s policy to grant federal benefits, protection and services to all married same-sex couples in America (equal to those accorded to their heterosexual counterparts), multi-talented actress and singer Aiza Seguerra just proposed marriage to the love of her life, model-actress Liza Diño in the Philippines. Filipinos are…
Michael Christian Martinez’s may not be bringing a medal home, but in the eyes of his kababayans, he has already achieved a milestone — being the first Filipino-born, the first Southeast Asian and the youngest figure skater to compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics. The 17-year-old Martinez is nothing short of a miracle worker —…
LOS ANGELES – Another Filipino has been named to the California Volunteers Commission. On Monday, February 10, Ted Benito was appointed to the California Volunteers Commission by Gov. Edmund G. Brown, Jr. “I am looking forward with eagerness and earnest to serve the State of California as one of Governor Jerry Brown’s appointees to the…
LOS ANGELES- Philippine Consulate General Los Angeles (PCG-LA) launched the 9th Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTDT) to the Philippines on Thursday, February 13. The launching event began with a welcome address by Consul General Maria Hellen Barber-De La Vega, followed by a media presentation on the tour. Philippine Department of Tourism –…
2014 SCPASA Summit in UCR RIVERSIDE—Hundreds of college students from different Filipino-American organizations participated in the seventh annual Southern California Pilipino American Student Alliance Summit last Saturday, February 8, at University of California-Riverside (UCR). The UCR Katipunan cabinet said in a media conference that the 2014 SCPASA Summit theme “Tomorrow in Retrospect” tells about how…
ARE you involved in a vehicular accident in which the “at fault” other driver is uninsured, or is unidentified as in a hit-and-run collision, or does not have enough insurance coverage? If so, you have an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim under California tort law based on fault, if you have uninsured motorist (U.M.) coverage…
YOU may deduct medical expenses only to the extent that expenses for doctors, drugs, insurance, etc. exceed 10 percent of your adjusted gross income. This means that you lose the first 10%. Only the excess is deductible. This is called for budget deficit reduction, folks. 1. Only prescribed drugs are deductible. Over-the-counter drugs are not,…
“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…
