LOS ANGELES – The phones haven’t stopped ringing at the Pilipino Workers Center, a week after Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation protecting domestic workers. The PWC is one of many organizations that spearheaded AB 241 The California Domestic Workers Bill of Rights. The legislation will require overtime pay for the nearly 200,000 domestic workers such…
LOS ANGELES – LA Councilman Mitch O’Farrell introduced a motion on Wednesday which seeks to preserve the identity of Historic Filipinotown (HiFi) while concurrently preparing for future growth in the neighborhood. In a statement on www.cd13.com, O’Farrell said that his motion “would establish long-range planning tools that will help absorb new growth, while preserving the…
WHEN President Benigno S. Aquino III (PNoy) dared the general public to file an impeachment case against him on Wednesday, “if they think it’s the right thing to do,” social media was inundated with mixed feedback. Some netizens were very vocal about their opinions in ousting the president; others opined that it’s the system that…
IT WAS a three-day visit to the Philippines I wish I never had to take. I had to come back to my homeland for a reason most Filipinos living abroad dread and fear the most — the death of a loved one. My younger brother David died unexpectedly on September 28, 2013 at the young…
TOO much debt becomes an enormous emotional problem for the debtor. I am reminded of my client 20 years ago who killed himself by shooting himself in the chest. By all accounts, he was a successful person. He had high income, $500,000 annually from his profession. But he was also involved in a business that…
1. YOU may claim exemptions for yourself, your spouse and your dependents. 2. Dependents must have a Social Security number (TIN is not good enough). 3. Exemption amount is $3,800 for 2012 for each exemption. 4. Exemptions reduce your taxable income and your income tax. 5. It could also produce credits such as child care…
Q: I WORKED in a company for more than 10 years. A new supervisor was recently transferred to my department. This person and I do not get along. Last week, our human resources director informed me that the company was letting me go and gave me my last paycheck. I don’t have any disciplinary record…
A JUDGMENT creditor in California obtains a final money judgment from a California court (state or federal) against a Philippine company or Philippine resident, and seeks recognition and enforcement of the foreign judgment in the Philippine court. A petition to recognize and enforce the California (state or federal) court’s judgment is filed with the Philippine…
“THERE is so much arrogance in this society,” my friend complained when the receptionists of the gym where she exercised regularly treated her rudely. On that day she didn’t know that her membership had expired, and so to her big surprise, the receptionists won’t let her in. “But I have been coming to this gym…
How long do you have to keep tax records? How long can the IRS audit your tax returns? Let’s discuss 10 tips on statute of limitations so you can clean your garage this weekend. Statute of limitations provides final dates after which neither you nor the IRS can be disturbed by the other. ? From…
You have probably heard a lot of ‘negative things’ about bankruptcy- how it may be the worst mistake you could ever make, that you will never be able to get credit again, that you will lose everything you have, etc. The list goes on and on. But don’t be misled. Most of what you’ve heard…
Once again, music was proven to be a universal language through the mounting of Cantares, the latest musical production presented by Philippine Pearl, a New York-based event production company. The event, held last Saturday, September 28 at the Philippine Center New York’s Kalayaan Hall, provided an evening of universally diversified culture unified through music. Cantares…
Once again, music was proven to be a universal language through the mounting of Cantares, the latest musical production presented by Philippine Pearl, a New York-based event production company. The event, held last Saturday, September 28 at the Philippine Center New York’s Kalayaan Hall, provided an evening of universally diversified culture unified through music. Cantares…
INTUITIVELY, you probably know that better posture is good for your back, neck, etc. But what you may not know is that better posture is good for your oral health too! It’s true. Proper posture promotes a healthy smile and can help prevent potential problems with your jaw and teeth. Poor posture can place harmful pressure on…
If you obtained a green card through a fake job, you may already want to consider seeking the advice and guidance of a reputable attorney, to see if there is either a way to repair the damage, or to already consider your options and defenses if you should ever receive the same type of notice…
THE Philippines finally captured the elusive Miss World title when its representative, 23-year-old Megan Young, won the crown in Bali, Indonesia during the finals last Sept. 28, 2013. Megan, a US-born actress and TV host, broke the urban legend that no Filipino will ever win the title. In the past, the Philippines has come close…
What is Restless Leg Syndrome? Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) is condition where the individual develops a strong, irresistible urge to move their legs whenever they sit or lie down. This may be accompanied by uncomfortable sensations in their legs, which RLS patients described as painful, tingling, crawling, pulling or creeping. This entity has been known…
In this highly competitive profession that requires courage upon entering what is still essentially a man’s world – newshens happily exploit every avenue that may lead to news, including those denied to male reporters. None of the latter has, for example, has danced yet with a President. First let me tell you about our organization’s…
LOS ANGELES, CA — PMX is once again bringing back our yearly dose of heart-pounding, show-stopping action as martial artists go head to head in this year’s Fifth Annual Filipino Martial Arts Tournament, “The Way of the Stick and the Blade”. Don’t miss this PMX attendee exclusive to witness each combatant shows their honed craft…
On Saturday, October 5, the California Republican Party will continue strengthening ties with California’s fastest growing ethnic group in it’s third Asian Pacific American Roundtable at the California Republican Party Convention. Spurred by the leadership of Board of Equalization Vice Chair Michelle Steel and California Republican Party Vice Chair Harmeet Dhillon, more than two dozen…
TIME may not yet be ripe for another US president to set foot on Philippine soil. Philippine Ambassador Jose Cuisia Jr. said that the consulate in Washington, DC has not been advised by the US State Department of any change in Obama’s state visit. But because of adverse effects of an extended closure of federal…
PLEASE allow me to deviate from my usual commentaries and discussions about current issues. I want to use this opportunity to pay homage to my younger brother, David Santos. He died unexpectedly on Saturday, September 28, at the young age of 44. I just came back from a short trip to Manila, to say goodbye…
FOR the first time since the Clinton Administration, the Federal Government began a partial shutdown on October 1, 2013, with the Senate and House of Representatives unable to reach an agreement on the budget before the commencement of the new fiscal year. The abrupt shutdown has placed perhaps one million Federal workers on unpaid…
With the cool season now in the country, never miss out a heartwarming bowl of hot Bulalo or beef shank soup especially when in Tagaytay, Cavite. It is an original Filipino beef stew cooked with beef shanks and marrow bones. With simple ingredients, the traditional Bulalo dish is definitely a great dish that’s easy to…
On Saturday, October 5, the California Republican Party will continue strengthening ties with California’s fastest growing ethnic group in it’s third Asian Pacific American Roundtable at the California Republican Party Convention. Spurred by the leadership of Board of Equalization Vice Chair Michelle Steel and California Republican Party Vice Chair Harmeet Dhillon, more than two dozen…
IF WE only knew fully what were getting into, perhaps we may not have taken a path or decided on a kind of life. It could be a marriage, a career, or a business. It could be as noble as the priesthood or the religious life. It could as grandiose as a decision to engage…
It’s been said that no people on earth are more fearful and anxious than the members of the press, when they are written about. Think about why doctors are known to be impossible patients and why pilots panic when they’re the passengers. Journalists spend their lifetime exacting information from people. When the tables are turned,…
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…
PCG-LA joins in the forum discussion SAN PEDRO – The Office of Advocacy from the US Small Business Administration initiated the roundtable discussion on Food Safety Act on September 24 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in San Pedro, CA. One of the participants in the forum event was the Philippine Consulate General from Los Angeles…
OPEN enrollment for Covered California begins on October 1st, with coverage beginning on January 1, 2014. Covered California is the state’s health insurance marketplace (created in congruence with the Affordable Care Act aka Obamacare, which was made into law in 2010), where Californians can shop around, compare and apply for health coverage plans. In its…
