Each month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A priority date is a person’s “place in line” for a visa, meaning that immigrant visas (or green cards) would be available for persons whose priority…
Angelee Claudett delos Reyes was crowned as the new Miss Philippines Earth 2013 last Sunday, May 19, during the grand coronation night held at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City. The 25-year-old marketing head from Olongapo City, Zambales stood out among the other 46 candidates for the title. The pageant mission to promote the…
You may be thinking, “hmm… another health/wellness company. Who cares?” and you wouldn’t be the only on thinking that. When we started VG Wellness, we asked ourselves that exact question, Who Cares? The answer to this question is the foundation on which we built our company. We Care. We care about providing the best nutrition…
The heat still hovers around the metro. It makes itself known to everyone with its imposing presence. Some may find it a bit irritating as it becomes a source of displeasure. This fever-pitch position on the temperature scale has a direct connection with the rise of electric bills due to high consumption by electric fans…
“THE government’s wrongdoing should not be shouldered by innocent people,” read a placard held by a young Taiwanese, during a rally on May 19, to support the plight of Filipinos in Taiwan. As the diplomatic spat between the Philippines and Taiwan (over the slained Taiwanese fisherman in the disputed waters of the coast of Bataan)…
WOULD you have both of your breasts removed if you find out you are genetically predisposed to have breast cancer, even if you do not have signs you have cancer at the moment? That was exactly what famous actress Angelina Jolie chose to do, as she disclosed via an op-ed article in The New York…
It is said that choice is destiny’s soulmate. You have a choice to accept or refuse, to take one turning down the crossroads to the future or another. By not choosing, we allow others to decide for us. If you didn’t make the choice, you cannot blame someone else for your unhappiness. As you retrace…
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…
LOS ANGELES – On May 17, LA City mayoral candidate Eric Garcetti endorsed Mitch O’Farrell, to succeed him as the Councilmember representing the 13th Council District. “Mitch O’Farrell is the best choice to carry on the work I’ve been doing in the 13th District. He deserves your vote,” Garcetti said. “John Choi is a fine…
AS OF March 4, 2013 certain immigrant visa applicants who are the spouses, children and parents of US citizens (“immediate relatives”), who have been unlawfully present in the United States, can start applying for provisional unlawful presence waivers through a new, Stateside “Provisional Waiver” process. The new provisional waiver process is for certain individuals who…
With all the trouble immigrants go through to obtain their lawful permanent residence (LPR), you would be surprised to find out that some immigrants abandon their LPR status, in most cases, unintentionally. Typically, this happens when an LPR visits his home country and stays abroad for too long. Upon his return to the U.S., a…
LOS ANGELES – Capping off a three-month campaign to educate the Asian American community in the City of Los Angeles about the upcoming municipal general election, the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) urges voters to get to the polls on May 21 to elect a new mayor, city attorney, city controller, some city councilmembers,…
LOS ANGELES – The Philippine Consulate General closed the overseas voting period at 4am on May 13 and immediately thereafter counted the votes. The Consulate activated nine (9) election precincts which counted 3,628 ballots that it received at the end of the voting period. The unofficial results showed the top 12 as follows: Escudero –…
LOS ANGELES – A 75-year-old Filipino caregiver earlier this week won an undisclosed amount of back wages owed to her by an employment agency, according to the Filipino Migrant Center (FMC). Elydia Sarmiento, who worked as a private caregiver for an elderly woman, claimed for four years the employment agency (which was not disclosed) paid…
For Outreach and Education on Obamacare LOS ANGELES – On Tuesday, independent state government arm Covered California announced that 48 lead organizations will be receiving a total of $37 million in grants, which will be used to deliver information on new health coverage options that will be starting in 2014 to millions of individuals and…
LOS ANGELES – With Asian American Heritage Month in full swing, the Republican Party sought to take advantage of the momentum of the cultural event and reach out to the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community of Los Angeles. On Wednesday, Republican National Convention Chairman Reince Preibus spoke to the AAPI politicians and personalities…
LOS ANGELES – With only a few days left until the LA General Filipino community advocate and Council District 13 (CD13) stakeholder Joel Jacinto made a bold move and expressed his endorsement for candidate John Choi. “I believe that there is only one choice for the Filipino community, and that is John Choi,” Jacinto said…
For Outreach and Education on Obamacare LOS ANGELES – On Tuesday, independent state government arm Covered California announced that 48 lead organizations will be receiving a total of $37 million in grants, which will be used to deliver information on new health coverage options that will be starting in 2014 to millions of individuals and…
Move over Cleveland hero Charles Ramsey. The Filipino-American community has their own hero in Nida Arjona Tapel, who helped thwart a kidnapping attempt on December 19, 2011. Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey presented the “Courageous Citizen Award” to Tapel and three other heroes during a luncheon held at the City Club on April…
AS OF press time, nine senatorial candidates have been proclaimed by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) as winners of the 2013 midterm polls. The first six who were proclaimed earlier include Grace Poe Llamanzares, Loren Legarda, Alan Peter Cayetano, Francis “Chiz” Escudero, Nancy Binay and Juan Edgardo Angara. Another three were proclaimed by COMELEC on…
FIL-AMS and kababayans back home may share the same love for Filipino food and follow the same teleseryes on The Filipino Channel, but when it comes to their discernment process when voting for candidates in elections – they seem to live in different worlds. Take the recently concluded midterm elections in the Philippines as an…
May 15, 2013 Dear Editor: California lawmakers are actively considering state legislation that could severely impact a wide array of Asian-owned and operated businesses throughout the state. The legislation, which is known as Senate Bill 622, was introduced by State Senator Bill Monning of Monterey, CA and is quickly moving its way through the California…
DEBTS are a big headache for many people. In my last article, I suggested that if you had problems with debt you should rely on Psalm 23 for comfort. It says that you should rely on the Lord for He will guide you to the right path. Then what is the right path to get…
CALLER: Hi Ken, I have been following your columns for many years and they are very informative and delightful. I am turning 60 and want to buy a home again. I am retiring in a couple more years and would like your opinion on this subject. I sold my house in 2006 because I read…
Background A LIMITED Liability Company is referred to as “LLC.” A husband and wife can form an LLC for their real estate properties. You can choose the type of entity for tax purposes by “checking the box” for either partnership, corporation, or disregarded entity. A formal partnership has to file a separate partnership tax return….
WHEN insurance companies issue a policy, they promise that they will take care of their policyholders when they suffer a serious loss to their home, their car, or their health. Life insurers promise that beneficiaries will be provided the benefits when they die. Disability insurers promise that payments will be made in the event of…
We saw what joy looked like on the “Day of Tribute to all Mothers” last weekend. It touched us to the core , bringing back tenderly the true meaning of and reverence for the life-long role of motherhood. It was a whole day affair that made one laugh, cry and snuggle up to warm, wonderful…
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — LA’s new consul-general, Ambassador Ma. Hellen Barber-de la Vega, last Saturday, May 11, inducted into office the 2013-14 officers of United Bicolandia Los Angeles (UBLA) at the Radisson Hotel in this city. Heading the line-up of the newly inducted officers were Board Chairman Zenaida “Zeny” P. Sabocor and President Antonia “Nanie”…
Finally, Jersey City’s voting populace has spoken and they did it with passion by electing Steven Fulop! Voters saw that somebody with well-schemed measures and innovative maneuvers will come to change the face of this diversely populated community. That is why the May 14 election made Fulop the messiah of change. Fulop gives out that…
Question: I am married to a US Citizen and I want to adjust to that of a Lawful Permanent Resident. What can I do? Answer: Are you inside the US? Question: Yes. Answer: Did you enter illegally? Question: Yes? Answer: Did you commit any crimes, any fraud or have you been issued any deportation orders?…
