THE National Day of Prayer is neither a political rally nor a spiritual event. With the theme “One Nation in Prayer,” last Monday’s gathering went beyond political separation and religious beliefs. It called on Filipinos to pause for a moment of prayer for guidance and protection, regardless of religion. The National Day of Prayer’s intent…
(Part 1 of 2) WE may have heard of some horrific stories of abuse committed by a few Filipino nurses, but I hope we do not lose sight of the big picture. It is important for us to appreciate the very big role our kababayan nurses play in the economic, social and cultural system of …
THE US House of Representatives has ignored a call to pass immigration reform over the past two years, opting instead to politicize the issue. As a result, the Boehner-led House has done absolutely NOTHING, even as the Senate passed its Comprehensive Reform Bill, S. 744, last year. In the meantime, the Obama Administration has taken…
Among the iconic elements that depict the rich culture and history of Manila are the ancient churches. These stunning creations dating back the early 16th century have become the country’s prominent treasures. One of the historical churches in Manila that exudes great beauty and architecture is located in Quiapo, Manila. The light blue-green basilica that…
I STILL think fondly about my enjoyable trip to Guatemala and El Salvador. I think not so much about the places that I visited but the warm encounters that I had with the people there. I remember the times that I sat at dinner table with some families and friends and engaged in joyous conversations…
Remember, Rebuild and Sustain: Walang Iwanan is the theme of the gala benefit event and concert for the victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which was organized by the Scripps College Music Department and Joint Music Program and will be held on February 2 at the Garrison Theater, Scripps Performing Arts Center in Claremont. The event will come…
WHEN Labor Rosalinda Baldoz announced on January 12 that the government is “liberalizing the labor market and allowing entry of foreign workers with the required skills so we can fill up those hard to fill occupations due to shortage,” netizens expressed their anger in social media. The need was based on a study conducted by…
THE nursing profession is a field that Filipinos are known to excel in. Patients credit and are most thankful for Pinoy nurses’ high level of knowledge, strong work ethic and remarkable degree of compassion. However, we also hear stories of abuse being committed by a few, which may taint or affect the image and reputation…
DUE to the extended damage caused by Typhoon Haiyan (“Yolanda”), USCIS has extended certain immigration relief available to Filipino nationals. On January 14, 2014, USCIS reminds that it will continue to accommodate requests such as: -Change or extension of nonimmigrant status for individuals currently in the United States, even when the request is filed after…
THE legal question that is posed is whether or not an inherited IRA is exempt in bankruptcy. For instance, your father died two years ago. You inherited his IRA of $250,000. You owe $100,000 of credit card debt which you can no longer pay. You file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy relief to discharge your credit…
(Part 1 of 2) MINIMUM Wage: Minimum wage increases to $9 per hour effective July 1, 2014. Identity Theft, Internet Online Tracking – Identity theft: State agencies and businesses are required to notify people when security information is hacked. – Tracking software: Website operators are required to inform users if their online activities are being…
LAST week, we wrote about the California Family Rights Act (CFRA) which entitles qualified employees 12 weeks of leave from work when they have to care for their seriously ill child, parent or spouse, for birth of and bonding with a newborn, or for the adoption or foster care a child. In the absence of…
ON December 17, 2013, the Hon. Mark C. Kim, Presiding Judge of Department 20 of the Long Beach Superior Court, ordered that the felony conviction of a Filipino client of the Author under Penal Code Section 475 for forgery on July 28, 1998, be reduced to a misdemeanor, under Penal Code Section 17(b)(3). The Author…
THE most important advice I can give to a person seeking legal advice is that the first opinion they obtain is not necessarily the best opinion. Often, as an attorney I am obligated to explain to a potential client that they are facing bad news. This is not something I enjoy, but the client’s right…
DID you know that “failing to maintain status” is not the same thing as being “out of status” and that the government can still try to Deport (Remove) you, even if you are in a “Period of Stay Authorized by the Attorney General”? Why is it that some people that overstay their I-94 for years…
PER the regulations of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), all non-machine readable passports may no longer be extended beyond October 31, 2015 and must be completely phased out by November 24, 2015. All Filipino nationals holding Machine Readable-Ready Passports (MRRP; green passports) and…
WALK 4 FREEDOM LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles is considered as one of the top three points of entry for human trafficking to the United States. It is also home to over 600,000 Filipinos. According to nonprofit Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking (CAST), human trafficking is a serious and growing problem in neighborhoods throughout…
THE cool and refreshing wind of Naga caresses my face and reminds me of my youthful days in the minor seminary. I remember those days vividly, particularly those times when I would walk around the grounds of the seminary on a stormy morning, singing psalms of praise and writing poems to God. They were fresh…
The New Year, as it has always been, sets people’s mind into trying to take a different life pattern that would lead to a more productive status. People look forward to New Year as another chance for a fresh start and a new turn of event, where they could possibly re-align their preferences and focus…
Filing Chapter 13 bankruptcy is often a last resort for people in foreclosure when no other options exist. A lot of homeowners usually put off making this decision for a long time until they find themselves backed into a corner with no way out. Most of the time they’ll attempt to do a loan modification…
The purpose of spousal support is not defined by the legislature in that its purpose varies according to the facts and circumstances of each case. The facts and circumstances of a particular case may be such which call for no spousal support, or for support for a very limited period of time, with the purpose…
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – In a unanimous decision, the California Public Utilities Commission voted today to expand California’s Lifeline Program, which provides affordable telephone service to low-income consumers, to include wireless carriers. “This is a landmark decision,” said Greenlining Institute Energy and Telecommunications Policy Director Stephanie Chen. “More and more Californians are using wireless as…
ONE of my great mentors in the seminary taught me and my peers not only to be holy but also to be prudent, not in the sense of acquiring a great deal of knowledge on theology but in having practical wisdom of dealing with personal matters and pastoral ministry. For example, whereas the general norm…
If you are being petitioned by an American spouse, and are in the US but desperately want to go home to visit your family, or if you are a US citizen petitioning a spouse who is in the Philippines, USCIS is now “proactively” or actively going through their Filipino cases in order to expedite immediate…
THERE is no shortage of talents in the Philippines that is why it is not surprising that our local artists are recognized not only in their own backyard, but also internationally. Just recently, teleserye star and GMA 7 Kapuso talent Marian Rivera was named Best Foreign Artist of the Year by Face of the Year…
San Diego’s largest Asian games pit now features two new games (SAN DIEGO) January 15, 2014 – Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Barona Resort & Casino with traditional festivities, exciting new games and over $200,000 in cash giveaways! Don’t miss the traditional Lion and Dragon dances at 8 p.m. followed by exciting drawings for five $8,888…
Are you a Wells Fargo mortgage customer facing mortgage payment challenges? If so, we invite you to get the answers you need at a free workshop being held right in your community. Marriott Anaheim – Marquis Ballroom 700 W Convention Way Anaheim, CA 92802 Tuesday, February 11, 2014 9 AM – 7 PM Free…
The lumpy or mini-dimpled appearance of the skin especially among 80 to 90 percent of women in their thirties and older which replaces the smooth, firm, gorgeous-looking complexion in the thighs, buttocks and abdomen of younger ladies, is called cellulite. This disfiguring change in the skin tone and look, which affects more women than men,…
BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA – California and the nation face a growing crisis of unemployment and underemployment among boys and men of color, but the rapid growth of the health services sector – with an urgent need for more health care workers – presents an unprecedented opportunity to address this problem, a new report from The Greenlining…
Love Blossoms at Spiral It is the season for flowers and with love, the scent of romance blooms. The Master Chefs at Spiral brings to you the magic of flowers as a labor of love and have interpreted it in countless ways whether it’s lavender, rose, and courgette flowers. Let the seduction begin as French…
