OF ALL the universal themes in life, “family” is one that is closest to our hearts. It one of the “favorite things” that we can talk about and one that can either bring a great deal of joy or anguish to anyone of us. On holidays like Christmas and New Year, we long to be…
MICHELLE Robinson Obama, the First Lady of the United States, heads the list of January birthday celebrants. She will be celebrating her lucky 50th birthday on Friday, January 17, with her husband, President Barack Obama and their daughters Malia and Natasha. Mrs. Obama is the First Lady of the United States after former First Lady…
In a previous article, I wrote about the possibility of Filipinos obtaining Temporary Protected Status (TPS) as a result of the devastation caused by Typhoon Yolanda. TPS is available for people who are already in the US, but conditions in their home country (such as armed conflict, hurricanes, earthquakes, or typhoons), make it difficult for…
Maligayang Pasko po sa inyong lahat! I hope you are having a great time creating wonderful moments and memories with the people that matter most in your life, despite the hardship and challenges of our present time. Indeed, 2013 has gone by so fast, and as we celebrate Christmas, we are reminded once again that…
THE Philippines has the longest Christmas season in the world, beginning from December 16 (the start of the Simbang Gabi) until the first Sunday after New Year’s Day, also known as Three Kings’ Day. During these times, it is easy to get caught in the hoopla of advertisements on making this holiday more grand and…
LOS ANGELES—Immigrant groups urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) last Dec. 19 to take swift action and grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to the Philippines before Christmas. The immigrant groups, who attended a press briefing in front of the LA Federal Building, represented Relief to Recovery—a national public campaign advocating for the granting of…
Is there an illness called Christmas Disease? Yes, there is, but it has nothing to do with the Christmas season. Christmas Disease is a blood disease, also known as Hemophilia B or factor IX hemophilia. It is a hereditary bleeding disorder due to deficiency in coagulation factor IX. This condition is X-linked recessive inheritance, affecting…
Long before a symphonic conductor appears before an audience to impress his qualities on his listeners (who maybe critical or otherwise), he has already made the impression that eventually determines the extent of this success: a complex mix of motivations. It is not merely his authority, beat or his knowledge of score or willpower —…
It is definitely the most wonderful time of the year, especially when you’re spending it in the Philippines. This festive season is the longest and most-celebrated in the country with families and friends reuniting, sharing blessings and upholding traditions. The Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are the busiest and most exciting days of the holiday…
(Part 2 of 2) APPLICANTS that have been denied an Immigrant Visa at an embassy or consulate abroad face either a soft refusal or a hard bar to future immigration. A soft refusal, which comes in the form of a Section 221(g) letter, means that the consular officer either requires further evidence to continue processing…
LOS ANGELES – Mayor Jim Dear and Councilmembers of the City of Carson presented check of US$ 15,000 to ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. for Typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan Relief at the margins of a City Council meeting on December 17, 2013. Filipino-American Mayor Pro Temp Elito Santarina led the fundraising event, who called on local businesses and community…
LOS ANGELES – Philippine Consul General Ma. Hellen Barber De La Vega attended the annual Parol (star lantern) Parade/Contest and Christmas Chorale Competition held at the Silverlake Medical Center in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles on December 14. The 6th Annual Parol Parade and Contest was organized by the Historic Filipinotown Neighborhood Council (HiFi) participated by…
A benefit concert for Typhoon Haiyan victims in Orange County LOS ANGELES – Volunteers from the Viet Love Foundation, Premiere Production and Vietnamese Artists Overseas came together to organize and to host a benefit concert for Typhoon Haiyan victims entitled Viet Love for the Philippines & Vietnam on December 15. The proceeds of the concert will be…
LOS ANGELES – Filipino community and immigrant rights groups gathered outside the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Los Angeles on Tuesday, December 10, for a candlelight vigil, to commemorate International Human Rights Day by remembering the Typhoon Haiyan victims and appealing for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for undocumented Filipino immigrants. Community members and leaders held…
CARSON – According to a resolution passed by the Carson City Council in October, the Larry Itliong Day will now be celebrated on October 25 every year within the city’s borders. October 25, 2013 would have been Larry Itliong’s 100th birthday. He passed away in 1977, at the age of 63 in Delano, California. The…
MALIBU – On December 15, a glorious sunset glowed over Malibu — setting the stage for the SPAN Philippines Relief fundraiser at the Malibu West Beach Club. With over 200 in attendance (including many celebrities, VIP and community members), people came to support the Typhoon Haiyan fundraiser and to remember the life of Fast and Furious actor,…
LOS ANGELES – Immigrant groups urged the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Thursday to take swift action and grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to the Philippines before Christmas. The immigrant groups, who attended a press briefing in front of the LA Federal Building on Thursday, represented Relief to Recovery — a national public campaign…
WITH Christmas and the new year only a few days away, the overall mood should be festive and celebratory. But with the spate of killings involving journalists and most recently, Zamboanga Del Sur Mayor Ukol Talumpa and his family members, and the close-range shooting of Caroline Fortun (Atty. Raymond Fortun’s wife, who luckily survived the…
JUST a few days before Christmas, Filipinos in America (who may have expired visas) are hoping to be permitted to work in the US and travel to the Philippines through the Temporary Protected Status (TPS). In the wake of Super Typhoon Yolanda and with the support of immigrant advocates they hope the Obama administration will…
PEOPLE in the Christian countries celebrate advent and the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ as Christmas. The birth of our Savior is the most significant fact in the history of mankind. It is truly a joyous occasion for all mankind. Although the exact date of the nativity of our Lord is not known, what…
WHAT to do immediately -Gather family members. Plan, organize, delegate. Agree on main contact person. -Prepare lists of records to gather, tasks to do, people to contact. Establish responsibilities. -Establish dates & locations of -Viewing -Interment -Reception Who to inform – Family members – Close friends – Employer – Trustee, executor – Pastor, minister, priest,…
ALFREDO Villacorta, a Filipino mechanical engineer, worked as a maintenance planner at Cemex Cement, Inc., a large cement production company with a plant in Victorville. Villacorta transferred to Victorville from Cemex’s plant in the Philippines where he worked for 15 years. Villacorta was laid off from Cemex on February 22, 2008. At that time, he…
QUESTION: I have some friends who are applying for different kinds of waivers, but I don’t know if they qualify. I heard that they are supposed to have somebody that will suffer extreme hardship if they will be denied the waiver. Can you explain? Answer: First, you have to understand what is a waiver. There…
ONCE again, the Simbang Gabi Masses in our parish have been filled with excitement, joy and faith. Each early morning has been a period of reflection, heartfelt songs and prayer. Each homily has been engaging, humorous, and meaningful. Thanks to our visiting preacher from Butuan, Philippines, Fr. Randy Odchigue. But each Simbang Gabi Mass and homily should bring deep…
If actors are born actors, singers are also born singers. Kay Habana, another promising Filipina, is on her way to the top following the dictates of her heart and passion for music that lead her to where she’s truly destined. Kay, without doubt, is fame-bound. The sultry singer believes she was born to sing. When…
Not all debts are bad debts. While it is true that too much of any debt may be detrimental to your financial health, it doesn’t mean that all debt is ill-advised. There are “good debts” and “bad debts”, in my opinion. Knowing the difference between the two can be the difference between having a life…
ENCINO—The Green Environmental Group helps with all improvements needs for both residential and commercial areas. The rodent control company provides professional specialists who are highly skilled and educated to find solutions for a complete and permanent rodent removal from homes and buildings in a neat and efficient way. Rodent infestation causes serious damages in houses…
If actors are born actors, singers are also born singers. Kay Habana, another promising Filipina, is on her way to the top following the dictates of her heart and passion for music that lead her to where she’s truly destined. Kay, without doubt, is fame-bound. The sultry singer believes she was born to sing. When…
WHEN the cold and flu season strikes, your teeth are probably the last thing you’re thinking about as you reach for another tissue! But there ARE some things related to that cold or flu that can affect your oral health. Be conscious of these three things: Tip 1: Avoid dry mouth by staying hydrated Dry mouth…
THE January 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…
