I AM tossed between my usual practical beliefs and a survival situation that is very common with retired homeowners. A lot of homeowners rent out rooms to make their mortgage payments, these homeowners usually are retired couples or a retired individual living on their own. The particular homeowner owns a house that has 2-4 extra…
The Ramos Years Covering the Philippine President becomes a great deal of patriotic sacrifice when it means having to ride on an ancient a propeller driven Fokker 26 whose faded turbo-prop must be at least 30 years old and is in a dire state of disrepair. Add to that, being extremely agitated, grumbling and complaining about missing an event, while reporting on a…
Show business has always been regarded as a very glamorous and sophisticated job. But for others, especially those who have been victims of inevitable harshness and unfounded accusations, it is one of the most ungrateful professions the world has ever known. It is ironic that the movie going public who support screen celebrities and propel…
Show business has always been regarded as a very glamorous and sophisticated job. But for others, especially those who have been victims of inevitable harshness and unfounded accusations, it is one of the most ungrateful professions the world has ever known. It is ironic that the movie going public who support screen celebrities and propel…
A BIT of good news was recently announced by actress/singer and host Jolina Magdangal, when she happily admitted that she is two months on the way with husband Mark Escueta. Jolens, as she is fondly called by her friends and fans, shared that she and Mark were ecstatic when her pregnancy was confirmed. However, although she…
In a previous article, I discussed that commencing August 1, 2013, the priority date for F- 2A petitions (spouses and minor children of green card holders) will be current. This means that spouses and minor children of green card holders would be eligible to file for adjustment of status and work authorization regardless of their…
In an effort to crack down drug abuse and drug trafficking in the government, the Philippine Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) starting August 2004 implemented random drug testing among government employees, beginning with the members of the House of Representatives and their staff. Knowing the ravaging effects of substance abuse, the ill-health it causes, and the…
AMID the intensifying maritime impasse with China, the Philippines sought the intervention of neutral experts to help resolve the tension in the disputed South China/West Philippine Sea. The arbitration process was backed by the European Union, United States and Japan, who all support peaceful resolution to any international conflict. Through an aggressive stance, China strongly…
“NOT guilty.” Many of those who have been following the Trayvon Martin-George Zimmerman case could not believe the verdict. They could not accept nor understand that a 17-year-old was killed when he was just walking back home in Florida, and that the man who shot him was acquitted. The closing argument of the prosecutors resonated…
Twenty seven years after the 1986 People Power Revolution, former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos’ drawing power and energy have not diminished one bit. And it was evident in his two-day visit to Los Angeles. I should know. In those two days in June, I was able to cover the former President on three separate occasions. On the first…
IT IS not difficult to get into credit card debt. If you are used to buying things on credit, perhaps you don’t even realize how much your borrowing is really costing you. Unless you can pay the bill in full when you get it, in most cases you are paying a lot more than the…
THE processing times for some applications pending at the US Citizenship & Immigration Services (“USCIS”) are longer than ever before. The USCIS holds a monopoly over all immigrants applying for green cards, citizenship and other applications, since the USCIS is the only agency authorized to adjudicate requests for immigration benefits. The USCIS cannot, however, force…
The official start of Ramadhan varies throughout the world since it is traditionally determined upon the sighting of the new moon. This year, the month-long celebration of Ramadhan in the Philippines started on July 10. For years, Filipino citizens have shown unity and respect during the Holy Month of Ramadhan. What is Ramadhan? In observance…
In February 2012, a flood occurred in the luxury house (with an estimated value of at least 1 million dollars) located in Tustin Valley, L.A. County. The homeowner, a male in his fifties, had forgotten about the water running in the kitchen’s island sink while he spent an hour washing his car on the driveway…
LOS ANGELES – Over the weekend, a tanker truck carrying 8,500 gallons of gasoline flipped over at the 2 and 5 freeways, spilling gasoline that erupted into flames along portions of the freeways and a segment of the Los Angeles River that runs in the area. Firefighters were quick to respond on the scene. They…
LOS ANGELES – Filipino-American World War II veteran supporters are saddened by the sexual harassment allegations against San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, a once staunch supporter of their plight. Eric Lachica, executive director of the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, Inc., said he wishes Filner well and hopes the 70-year-old mayor will get the help…
All of LA County’s sufferings come through the doors of the emergency room. Accidents, shootings, heart attacks, beatings, rapes, suicides—just as gory and exciting when I was covering the police beat for People’s Tonight of The Journal Group, before I defected to Hollywood. Stories that would make you clasp your chest and spit out your…
Despite their right to live and work in the U.S. permanently, lawful permanent resident (LPR) aliens may be removed from the U.S. due to criminal behavior or prohibited conduct. During removal proceedings, LPRs may avoid removal by applying for relief, which include cancellation of removal. Both LPRs and non-LPR aliens may apply for cancellation of…
POPE Francis’ homilies are getting popular nowadays. One of the reasons is that they’re simple, clear, practical, down-to-earth, honest, direct to the point, and devoid of highfalutin theological discourse. For example, some months ago when he preached at a Mass with Vatican medical staff and office of Vatican City government, he reflected on the destructive…
WHILE President Benigno S. Aquino III still strongly opposes amending the Constitution, advocates of Charter change (Cha-cha) are making their move. Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte Jr. filed House Resolution No. 1 which seeks “to amend restrictive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution through the regular legislative route in the Senate and the House of…
The news about the crash landing of Asiana Airlines Flight 214 at San Francisco International Airport on July 6 made many people re-think how safe it is to fly. This is a very serious issue for many kababayans, who have no other alternative to visit the Philippines with the motherland being almost 7,000 miles away…
“ The LORD said to Hosea, “Go, take to yourself a wife of harlotry and have children of harlotry; for the land commits flagrant harlotry, forsaking the LORD.” IF YOU are troubled by debt, think of Hosea. Hosea was a prophet of the one true God, my God, the God of Moses and Israel, whose…
YES. Some are. Let’s discuss taxes, penalties, and interest that are not dischargeable in a Chapter 13 filing. The Chief Counsel of the IRS examined which tax claims are nondischargeable in Chapter 13 bankruptcy cases filed on or after Oct. 17, 2005 (the effective date of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of…
The story of a Saudi Princess and her 5 maids THE Los Angeles Times, NBC, CNN and other major news outlets report that on July 10, a woman identified as a Saudi princess, was arrested on suspicion of human trafficking and keeping slaves in her home in Orange County. Meshael Alayban, 42, reported to be one…
STILL dealing with the burden of owning a house that is underwater at this stage of the late stage mortgage meltdown we had has got to be much more frustrating than ever. It’s almost like you are the only once left hanging by a string and everyone else has escape tragedy or has gotten bailed…
CERRITOS – On Monday, July 8, The Cerritos City Council appointed Tatiana Yokoyama to the city’s five-member planning commission. The city council unanimously voted in favor to appoint Yokoyama, a long-time Cerritos resident, to a two-year term on the commission. Mayor Pro-Tem Mark Pulido nominated Yokoyama to the position. “She represents the next generation of…
SAN DIEGO – San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, a long-time champion of Filipino American World War II veterans, on Thursday issued an apology to the residents of San Diego for his behavior after being accused of sexually harassing employees. “I have diminished the office to which you elected me,” said Filner in a DVD given…
ICE still determining if 4 Pinoys are human trafficking victims ORANGE COUNTY – Four Filipino domestic servants were found in the home of a Saudi Arabian princess, who is accused of human trafficking a Kenyan woman into the United States, according to authorities. Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas on Wednesday charged Meshael Alayban, 42,…
Fritz Friedman appointed to Cal Humanities Board SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. on July 11 announced the following appointments. Cynthia Cotharn, 56, of Playa Vista, has been appointed to the Cal Humanities Board. Cotharn has been a private physician since 2002. She was a medical director in the Substance Abuse Division at the Watts…
PALO ALTO – New America Media recently held a Journalism Fellowship Program in Palliative Care at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. The goal of the program is to educate journalists in the emerging medical field of Palliative Care so that in turn, journalists can educate their readers and viewers. According to experts at the…
