IT is a feat for a country that is infamous for its “dirty politics.” Within two days, ballots were in and results are almost complete in the Philippines’ second automated polls. Others were declared as runaway winners while some emerged after a neck-and-neck race, to fill the 18,000 positions in contest—from national legislators to local…
THE news is out. Our virtues shine through. Filipinos are a forgiving people. Yes, we abhor erring politicians. We even oust them from office. But time heals all wounds. We forgive and forget. People from other countries have taken notice. Americans, who follow politics in the Philippines, have been saying that had the popular Noynoy…
WE should be relieved that the Boston marathon bombing didn’t happen in Manila. Otherwise, we would have the officials and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation throwing up their hands in helplessness and admitting the “difficulty” of tracking down the terrorists, as did Reynaldo Esmeralda, NBI Deputy Director for Intelligence Services. Here’s how the…
On that big production (called Mother’s Day), we laid gifts of love and honor at the treasured feet of our mothers. They do not crave attention, but they glory in it. For some, it involved but a short journey, perhaps just around the corner, or merely into another room. For others, it was a telephone…
CHAPTER 13 is the section of the US Bankruptcy Code that allows individuals in the United States to reorganize their finances. If you are having difficulty paying your debts (credit cards, medical bills, personal loans, taxes, late mortgage payments and property taxes- all kinds of debts) due to insufficient income, don’t despair. Chapter 13 may…
ALTHOUGH the Bipartisan “Gang of Eight” Senators has introduced The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act, S.744, the Bill is still undergoing considerable “mark-ups” as it is debated in the Senate. Once this process is complete, the entire Senate will vote on the Bill, and only if the Bill also passes in the…
Question: I am married to a U.S. Citizen and I want to adjust to that of a Lawful Permanent Resident. What can I do? Answer: Are you inside the U.S.? 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?…
We’re continuing our discussions on the interesting proposals under the bipartisan senate bill on immigration reform, S.744, entitled the “Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act”. Last time, we examined the legalization provisions of the bill. Now, we’ll discuss some new grounds for inadmissibility and changes in waivers of inadmissibility. A criminal conviction could…
LOS ANGELES – The Overseas Voting for the May 2013 elections will terminate on May 13 at 4am Los Angeles time. Overseas Voters (OV) who have not yet received their mailed ballots may proceed to the Philippine Consulate General and be provided with ballots to be able to vote. Pursuant to the COV Guideline No….
To prevent infant death due to unsafe sleep practices LOS ANGELES – In Los Angeles County, approximately one baby dies every 5 days due to suffocation from bed-sharing and unsafe sleep practices, representatives from Inter-Agency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect (ICAN) and the Los Angeles County said on Wednesday. At a press conference held…
IN DISTRICT WHERE HISTORIC FILIPINOTOWN IS LOCATED LOS ANGELES – Candidates for City Council District 13 (CD 13) locked horns in a candidates’ forum on Wednesday night at the St. Garabed Armenian Church, and discussed a wide range of issues that are important to the communities that they are seeking to represent. More than a…
Applying for food assistance won’t hurt immigration status LOS ANGELES – LA County Department of Public Social Services (DPSS) Director, Sheryl L. Spiller, on May 8 joined federal and state officials to dispel misinformation that applying for “CalFresh,” the federally-funded supplemental nutrition food benefit, will negatively impact one’s immigrant status or opportunity to become a…
LOS ANGELES – A fund has been set up to help support the family of the victims and the survivors of the deadly limousine fire that occurred along the San Mateo Bridge in the Bay Area on May 4. Donations can be made to the San Mateo Bridge Angels Fund Account at any Bank of…
THE University of Massachusetts (UMass) Dartmouth, a low-profile university in Massachusetts, was put in the spotlight several weeks ago, when it was discovered that the accused suspect in the Boston Marathon bombing, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, was one of its students. What would interest Filipinos around the world is that a few days before the Boston Marathon…
On Monday, May 13, the election season will come full circle. As expected, it has become a proverbial non-stop fiesta, an ostentatious display of abundant motorcades, with flurries of campaign colors. But what is a Philippine election without a bit of drama? From disputes over the liquor and money bans, to memes of preferred (and…
ON MAY 4, what was supposed to be an evening of celebration for newly-wed Filipina nurse, Neriza Fojas and her eight best friends (who were also mostly nurses) turned into a horrific tragedy. Enroute to Crowne Plaza Hotel in Foster City for her bridal party, the stretch limousine they were riding suddenly burst into flames…
“ As already explained, there is no question that the debtor subjectively intended to cause injury to INB’s interest in the residence. The debtor admitted to being involved in removing property from the residence and directing what she unconvincingly characterized as a remodeling project,” the court said.” SECTION 523(a)(6) of the bankruptcy code states that…
A LIMITED Liability Company (LLC) is a new form of hybrid business association that combines the advantages of a corporation with the flexibility of a partnership. Let’s explore the advantages & disadvantages of this popular entity. Advantages of LLCs 1. Liabilities are limited to the equity invested by each member. 2. It gives some form…
ACCIDENTS that result in serious injuries affect the injured person and his/her family in significant ways. Rights to medical treatments, including who should pay for past and future medical expenses, and loss of earnings, may become issues. Physical pains may be accompanied by emotional suffering as the person feels helpless and isolated, unable to pursue…
The art of diplomacy is a blend of fact, fiction and poetry, with its peculiar commerce of hints and harmonious overtures. Like life, it is about the important, the unimportant, the tragic, the smug, the amusing and the humane. In a wealth of light-hearted knowledge about how the foreign services actually work (from a cloistered…
Fr. James B. Reuter, SJ, a Jesuit beloved by generations of Paulinians from St. Paul Manila, has been immortalized in an oil portrait by award winning Filipina painter, Pamela Isabel Echevarria. Father passed away in Our Lady of Peace Hospital on 31 December 2012 at the age of 96. Ms. Echevarria, who spent her grade…
Today’s women, aside from being smart and career-oriented, have amazingly transcended the boundaries of multi-tasking. They impressive juggle varying roles and accomplish much with such panache. Despite having their hands in full grasp of any given situation still they could afford to alot considerable time to serve and give back to the community. A quintessential…
Roughly 1 in 72 or 1.39 per cent of women born today will have cancer of the ovary in their lifetime. The American Cancer Society had estimates that about 21,990 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer and about 15,460 will die from it. Ovarian cancer is the ninth most common malignancy among females and…
The top dancers of the Philippine Elite Dancers of New York represented the Philippines at the 2013 Multinational Cultural Festival. The festival was sponsored by the Asian-American Cultural Circle of Unity whose mission is to foster awareness and appreciation of the many different groups represented here in the United States. The event which was held…
The decision to terminate one’s marriage typically brings to the forefront many issues all at once. Issues pertaining to property, support, and child custody need to be addressed in a divorce proceeding. In a long term marriage especially, these issues are often heavily litigated between the spouses, and can take a significant amount of time…
Today’s women, aside from being smart and career-oriented, have amazingly transcended the boundaries of multi-tasking. They impressive juggle varying roles and accomplish much with such panache. Despite having their hands in full grasp of any given situation still they could afford to alot considerable time to serve and give back to the community. A quintessential…
AS the second semester ends this school year, I can’t help but thank God for the the privilege and the blessing of teaching seminarians at St. John’s Seminary in Camarillo, California. I never thought that I would be coming to this institution to teach after twenty-two years of parish ministry. Although this was a temporary…
IRWINDALE – Celebrating the diversity in business and community partnerships, the Southern California Edison (SCE) got together with company executives and managers, community organizations, and business leaders on Friday, May 3, to celebrate SCE’s eighth Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month Celebration. Held at the SCE Energy Education Center in Irwindale, the AAPI Heritage…
Whether it’s a sports injury, a slip and fall, or perhaps a confrontation with a boxing wannabe, you or someone in your company may suffer the bad luck of having a permanent tooth knocked out or loose. From oral irritations to dental disasters, your dentist is your best source of information on how to best…
In an unpublished opinion, the Administrative Appeals Office (AAO) stated that the hardship suffered by an “applicant’s domestic partner of 17 years” could be taken into account when evaluating “extreme hardship” in connection with a fraud waiver. In that particular case, the applicant was petitioned by his US citizen mother, but his adjustment of status…
