Asian Journal News

Direct relief and FedEx join together to provide 50 tons of essential medications and supplies to those affected by Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda

LOS ANGELES – Direct Relief, a leading medical relief organization based in Santa Barbara, Southern California, conducted its largest emergency supplies to people affected by Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda. The emergency relief medical items were delivered on a wide-bodied cargo aircraft flight arranged and donated by FedEx that arrived in Cebu on November 25. 250,000 persons are…

Covered CA highlights outreach efforts to Asian communities

LOS ANGELES – Covered California highlighted the marketing efforts on promoting healthcare insurance through Asian-language advertising and discussed healthcare coverage enrollment on November 26 at the Covered California branch office in Los Angeles. Covered California began its marketing campaign in October with television and radio advertisements. Asian language advertising also became a trend, through billboards…

Immigration Columnists

Reinstating a deceased petitioner’s family based petition

IT is very common for beneficiaries of family based petition to wait many years before their petition’s priority date becomes current. This is usually the case with US Citizen parent petitions to adult son or daughter. This is also common among petition’s between Siblings. What happens when the Petitioner dies? Are all those years of…

Consumer Columnists

Debt problems: Don’t wait until all savings and assets are gone

Like most people, you’ve worked hard and have done your best to pay all your bills on time. But in life, at one time or another, all of us get into a situation where debt can be overwhelming. Money problems can easily overlap into other areas of our lives. Many people feel hopeless and powerless…

Unmasking the pedagogues

Recently, members of the world’s noblest profession suddenly came out and created a whole new world of their own in a carefree but still professional way at last Saturday’s Association of Filipino Teachers in America, Inc.’s (AFTA) grand Christmas Masquerade Ball held at the Loving Life Learning Center in Manhattan, New York City. Guests were…

Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks

Thanksgiving is when people take a step back and reflect on all of the wonderful things and events to be grateful for, and to give thanks to those people who played such a key role in helping us achieve them. At this Thanksgiving, I would like to once again give thanks to all of the…

Filipinos celebrate Thanksgiving Day with family and loved ones

FILIPINOS in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving Day (or Araw ng Pasasalamat) in their own special way, reflecting on the blessings they have received from the Lord as the year 2013 is about to end. The day also serves as the kick off and preparation for the holiday season. Those who recently arrived in the…

Unmasking the pedagogues

Recently, members of the world’s noblest profession suddenly came out and created a whole new world of their own in a carefree but still professional way at last Saturday’s Association of Filipino Teachers in America, Inc.’s (AFTA) grand Christmas Masquerade Ball held at the Loving Life Learning Center in Manhattan, New York City. Guests were…

Opinion & Editorial Columnists

The big comeback

WITH his explosive punches and dynamic movements, Manny Pacquiao has proven once again that when it comes to boxing, he is still one to beat. “I’m so happy,” Pacquiao said after winning against Brandon Rios in a 12-round bout for a welterweight boxing title in Macau. “This is still my time. My time is not…

When giving thanks is hard to do

THE Thanksgiving tradition of coming together as one family, praying together while holding hands in a circle of faith before enjoying a sumptuous holiday dinner can be a sad and difficult time for many people, who feel there is not much to be thankful for. Understandably so, especially for those who lost a loved one,…

Immigration Columnists

Relief for widows of deceased petitioners

SINCE 1938, US immigration regulations have provided for the automatic revocation of the approved visa petition upon the death of the Petitioner. However, immigration regulations since 2006 provided that automatic revocation provisions does not apply to a spousal immediate relative petition if the deceased petitioner and the alien widower had been married at least two…

Getting what you deserve from your attorney in 2014

IN THE coming New Year, we can expect some improvement in overall economic conditions in the US and throughout the World, however, there will continue to be turbulence and volatility as the World struggles to dig its way out of the financial morass that began in 2008. Most people have adjusted their spending habits and…

Global Pinoy Pride

Great news brings joy and hope to the Filipino community as Nonito Donaire Jr. and Ariella Arida share their victories to fellow countrymen. These wins have greatly shown the Filipinos’ admirable spirit and competence in the global stage. Boxing Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. wins against Armenian Vic “The Raging Bull” Darchinyan in a…

Extradition charges against Grande dropped

LOS ANGELES – Grace Grande, a former mistress of a Philippine party-list representative, now has a reason to celebrate Thanksgiving. According to initial statements by community groups, the Philippine government has officially rescinded its request for the extradition of Grande. The case sought to bring Grande back to Manila to face extortion charges filed by…

Moskowitz Foundation donates $100k for Yolanda relief efforts

HAWAIIAN GARDENS – One of America’s biggest donors in humanitarian efforts, The Irving I. Moskowitz Foundation, made a generous donation on Thursday, November 21 to the American Red Cross for the victims of Typhoon Yolanda. Sal Flores, a representative from the foundation, presented a check amounting to $100,000 Donya Webb, Director of Development for the…

People’s Core Launches Sagip Tuluy-Tuloy Tulong Pilipinas (STP), 2013

Los Angeles–The Los Angeles-based non-profit organization, People’s Community Organization for Reform and Empowerment (People’s CORE) along with Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), KmB / Pro-People Youth, and The Park’s Finest are calling on the community to respond to the recent tragedy in the Philippines caused by Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda, the strongest typhoon ever recorded to…

Consumer Columnists

5th Case Report of California Certified PA (Public Insurance Adjuster) Jae Park; Apartment Complex Sustained Fire Damage & Co-Insurance Penalty

5th Case Report of California Certified PA (Public Insurance Adjuster) Jae Park; Apartment Complex Sustained Fire Damage & Co-Insurance Penalty. In the spring of 2012, a fire broke out in a 15-unit rental apartment (the insurance company’s estimated value was approximately $2 million) located near Korea Town, in Los Angeles. Among the 15 units, three…

Four years of bruised souls

Yards and yards of written papers spilled into violent paragraphs. There were pitiless accusations and vehement invectives that tried to open the eyes of those who do not want to see, unplug the ears of those who do not want to listen and ignite the thoughts of those who do not want to think. It…

Immigration relief is here for US military families and for some affected by Typhoon Haiyan

THE US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) provided an early holiday gift this year for immigrants by making two separate important announcements: 1) Immediate relatives of US service members in the US illegally will be allowed to stay, and in some cases, apply for permanent residence; and 2) Filipinos in the US may be eligible…

Opinion & Editorial Columnists

Not forgotten

IT HAS been four years since the massacre of 58 individuals (32 of whom were journalists) happened in Ampatuan, Maguindanao province in Mindanao. Yet, justice still has not been served. Quezon City Rep. Jose Christopher Belmonte has filed a resolution which seeks to direct executive agencies to accomplish two things: “speed up the prosecution and…

Temporary Protected Status for PH gains support in US Senate

THE relentless push of the Fil-Am organization Migrant Heritage Commission (MHC) and other immigrant advocates for the Obama administration to grant the Philippines the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is gaining more support in Washington. In a bipartisan move, 20 US Senators have now joined in the call to accord TPS status to the Philippines, in…

Consumer Columnists

Discharging income taxes in bankruptcy

MANY people have the mistaken belief that back due income taxes cannot be discharged in bankruptcy because a debt owed to the Federal and State government cannot be wiped out. That belief is wrong. Since 1966, bankruptcy law allows the discharge of debt to the IRS. However, there are rules that must be followed to…

IRS warns of scams relating to relief for Typhoon Haiyan victims

THE Internal Revenue Service issued an alert about scams relating to Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda in the Philippines). As you may have seen at CNN, Asian Journal, and other media, Haiyan is the strongest typhoon (hurricane in the US) in recorded history. It caused thousands of fatalities and rendered millions homeless from high winds and storm…

Consumer Columnists

Employee awarded $749,000 for age and disability discrimination claims

SHARON Warehime worked as a claims adjuster for Farmers Insurance for four years. In June 2006, at the age of 61, she was terminated after coming back from a medical leave of absence due to work-related stress. She sued Farmers for discrimination and retaliation. A Fresno jury awarded her $749,000 in damages. When Ms. Warehime…

What evidence do you need for the EB-5 Visa?

QUESTION: I have the $1,000,000 to invest in the EBp-5 Visa, but I don’t know exactly what evidence is needed. Can you describe? Answer: There are many requirements needed to show and provide evidence. Question: What about the actual business or the commercial enterprise? Answer: First, you have to show that it is a valid…

Lifestyle Columnists

A reflection on the Philippine tragedy

WE’VE all heard the urging of the Holy Spirit to help victims of Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda in the Philippines. We’ve all been moved with compassion and kindness as we saw pictures of this ferocious storm sweeping away houses, cities and villages, and killing thousands of people. We’ve seen faces of orphaned children and hungry people waiting…

Lynda Johnson, Victor Manalo win elective posts

CERRITOS – As expected by political pundits in the ABC school district, Lynda Johnson, a paralegal by profession, cruised to an easy victory when she topped the recent ABC School Board election in the field of five candidates. Another Fil-Am candidate, re-electionist and former mayor Victor Manalo came in second in the field of six…

Bishop Solis celebrates special mass for Typhoon Haiyan victims

LONG BEACH – Bishop Oscar Azarcon Solis held a special mass celebration for Typhoon Haiyan(Yolanda) victims in the Philippines on November 20 at St. Mary Medical Center Chapel in Long Beach, CA. The solemn mass was attended by nurses and other healthcare workers to remember victims of Typhoon Haiyan, which struck the Philippines on November…

Little Tokyo Market Place: Bringing you the best in Asian specialty items and organic products in LA

LOS ANGELES—In spite of being surrounded by many competing grocery chains in its area, the Little Tokyo Market Place proves to be the only place to find the best in premium Asian specialty items and organic products for your daily needs. According to store manager Steve Oh, the Market Place puts high priority in carrying…

Car giants rev up at LA Auto Show

LOS ANGELES—The LA Auto Show is upon us again, and this year’s iteration of the car expo promises to be a big one. Environment-friendly cars, concept models, and innovative technologies will take center stage at the annual car exhibit held at the LA Convention Center this weekend, Nov. 22 to 24. General Motors Although GM…