CAN real love exist in a community where people are related not by blood but by common faith and beliefs? Can neighbors genuinely care for one another without sacrificing privacy? Can strangers become instant friends? Can a friendship of two persons endure despite a long absence from each other? To all these questions, I say…
LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles City Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was recognized on April 24 by nonprofit organization Peace Over Violence (POV) on Wednesday for his efforts in raising awareness about issues surrounding sexual assault and abuse. Villaraigosa was the first city mayor to declare Denim Day in any city, and went on to preside over…
SOMETIMES parents put their children’s names on title to their residence even if the parents intend to keep the residence as their own as they continue to pay all expenses connected to their residence. The usual reason is for estate planning purposes of the parents. A major problem arises when the residence has a lot…
THE Beverly Hills Country Club was the perfect venue. It’s where tradition, elegance and memories met in a night of music, accolade, drama, dancing and the much-vaunted “celebrity roast” of prominent members of the community, who came for a charity roast to support the Fil-American Press Club of California. Rapid repartees, quick comeback, stinging barbs…
DID the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) miss out on an opportunity to prevent the Boston Marathon terror attack from happening? This was the question raised by CBS, when it broke the news that the FBI was able to interview Tamerlan Tsarnaev (one of the two bombing suspects, the other is his brother, Dzhokhar A….
THE scheduled week-long investment roadshow by a topnotch business delegation from the Philippines has officially begun. The 2nd Investment Roadshow was organized by the Philippine Embassy with the Philippine Consulates General in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York (sponsored by the Phil. Trade and Investment Center, in cooperation with the Council on Trade and Investment…
ON MARCH 4, 2013, CNN reported the incredible news that a baby was cured of HIV, as announced at the 2013 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Atlanta. The baby girl from Mississippi is the first child to be “functionally cured” of HIV. Filipinos the world over will be proud to know that a…
On April 17, 2013, a bipartisan group of senators filed the “Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act” bill in the U.S. Senate in an effort to start the process of reforming the nation’s immigration system. The bill’s broad scope and sensible approach are impressive. However, since the bill is a compromise proposal that…
Multi-awarded Nora Aunor, now residing in Los Angeles, will celebrate her 60th birthday on Tuesday, May 21. La Aunor, internationally known as the one and only Superstar of the Philippine entertainment industry, was born in Iriga, Camarines Sur. She was the grand champion of the Darigold Jamboree Singing Contest at that time. She represented her…
The head of the SBA, Karen Mills, has announced her resignation. During her four years in office, the 98% of Asian American-owned businesses that are small received very few loans and close to zero technical assistance. President Obama, however, has a unique opportunity to ensure that the SBA is truly a small business agency that…
An I-94, or information about a person’s arrival in the US can be very important in connection with future immigration benefits, such as extension of status, adjustment of status, or the like. Whenever a non-immigrant arrives in the US by air or sea, he or she usually fills out a white arrival/departure record, called a…
To dream of Quezon is to have a dream of coconut trees, their outlines swaying as they get bathed by the sunshine. There is something liquid and moist in that dream, like the clouds that ominously surround Mt. Banahaw—that majestic mountain whose penchant for myths and oft-ridiculous stories fill up conversations and speculations as one…
Did you know that most people whose medical conditions, including cancer, when detected and treated early, would survive? Next to the best strategy, which is prevention, early diagnosis of any condition offers the best chances for either a cure or reduction in the morbidity (complications) and mortality (death). This is the rationale for the popular…
THE princes of the CBCP should be happy with the results of the SWS survey on whether Catholics have thought about leaving the Church. In fact, I’m surprised that only 9.2 percent of respondents “agreed” that the notion has occurred to them. You see, whether on purpose or through plain incompetence, SWS framed the premise…
ON April 15, three people were killed and more than 200 were wounded, when two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon, allegedly perpetrated by two young immigrant brothers from Russia. The older brother, 26-year-old Tamerlan Tsarnaev, died after a shootout with police early Friday. The younger brother, 19-year-old Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, was…
THE Philippines is enjoying a steady economic momentum and has been branded as the next Asian tiger economy. Last week, the United Nations Economic and Social Survey of Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) said in its latest survey that the local economy is expected to grow by 6.2 percent this year. The currency has been…
LOS ANGELES – Nine Filipino-American authors were given their time in the spotlight on Friday night in an intimate event organized by the Philippine Expressions Bookshop at the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) in Los Angeles. Philippine Expressions Bookshop magnate Linda Nietes emphasized the importance of Filipino literature in helping Fil-Am youth in learning…
YOUR debt problems may be undeniable. You know they are there and they will not go away until you do something about them. Perhaps at some point, you took the first step towards a resolution but failed to follow through. This week, I received a frantic call from a woman who found out that her…
IN THE wake of the senseless bombing at the Boston Marathon, the Bipartisan “Gang of Eight” introduced The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, S.744, in the US Senate. The measure, which had been in the works for many weeks, was brought forward and Congressional hearings continue, notwithstanding opponents’ attempts to use the…
It is the art of entertaining oneself with the brains of other men. I dedicate a considerable portion of my time with other people — reading their thoughts and their hearts, dreaming away my life in others’ speculations, as I lose myself in another man’s mind. When I cannot think, books think for me. I…
IN OUR Roman Catholic Church tradition, viaticum (Eucharist) is the giving of communion to a person who is dying as part of the last rites. This practice assures the dying person that instead of dying alone he or she dies with Christ who promises him or her eternal life. Thus, as the dying person receives…
LOS ANGELES – The Overseas Voting for the May 13, 2013 elections will run from April 13 at 9am Los Angeles time to May 13, 2013 at 4am Los Angeles time. Generally, the ballot will be mailed to the registered address of the Overseas Voter (OV). Kindly accomplish the ballot by following the enclosed instructions…
LOS ANGELES – Immigration advocates and leaders are urging members of the community (who have family or will possibly benefit from the proposed comprehensive immigration reform bill) to start preparing documents and saving money, to file the necessary paperwork. They also advised that the community be cautious of “unscrupulous” groups or people who may ask…
LOS ANGELES – When the so-called ‘Gang of Eight’ Senators unveiled their proposed immigration reform bill, mainstream media and netizens were abuzz with reactions and statements. A host of immigration advocates, policymakers and think tanks gave their feedback on its provisions. While some of these groups are still in the process of doing a thorough…
To clear citizenship backlog but would eliminate family-based petitions for siblings and married children above 31 LOS ANGELES – Filipino immigration leaders say that nearly one million Filipinos (perhaps even more) will benefit from the proposed bi-partisan comprehensive immigration reform bill that was introduced by US senators (known as The Gang of Eight) on Tuesday….
The recent weekend has given us the chance to socialize and take time out from the monotonous grind of daily living with three events to attend: the PIDCI Grand Marshal Gala, NAFA’s Grand Coronation and recognition ceremonies, and jeweler-community leader Virgie Mayo’s birthday bash. PIDCI grand marshal gala If the heavy turnout of attendees was…
MANY clients tell me that they cannot sleep and suffering much because their creditors are hounding them day and night. The IRS has garnished their wages. They are being sued and their bank accounts levied upon. If you are in this situation, think of the sufferings that Job went through. Who is Job? He was…
LET’S enjoy some of Murphy’s Laws as we recover from tax season stress. Law of the alibi If you tell the boss you were late for work because of a flat tire, you will have a flat tire the very next morning. Law of the bath The probability of your telephone ringing is directly proportional…
ELDER abuse is the neglect, exploitation or “painful or harmful” mistreatment of anyone who is 65 years or older or any disabled dependent adult aged 18 to 64. It may take the form of physical violence, psychological abuse, isolation or neglect by a caregiver. It may also involve financial abuse such as identity theft, or…
THAT is an excellent question, ever since the mortgage meltdown occurred and I started getting calls from distressed homeowners. I have always insisted for homeowners to see beyond 2-3 years but go deeper into about 5-8 years from the time of hardship. Why? Because when your property values drops 40-60% it won’t be a quick…
