“Fresh Start” Initiative for Payment Plans with the IRS
(Part 2 of 2) The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced a major expansion of its “Fresh Start” initiative to help struggling taxpayers by providing: Offer in Compromise (OIC) – more…
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Catholicism in the time of Pope Francis
THIS is an exciting time to be Catholic, especially for those who have had doubts and questions about the Catholic Church’s relevance in their spiritual and faithful journey. After the…
Reduce stress by reducing your debt
DO you dream of simplifying your life, reducing your stress and regaining control of your financial future? Everyone dreams of living a debt-free life and yet we know that today,…
Admission under ‘assumed’ is legal admission for subsequent adjustment of status
“ In making an application for adjustment of status, an applicant must also prove that he is not “inadmissible” to the US. Certain grounds of inadmissibility may be “waived” during…
Majestic waves
WITH the high bio-diversity and undiscovered riches in the country, the Philippines is without a doubt a tropical paradise. Its scenic attractions, various outdoor activities, interesting culture, rich history and…
Aggravated Felonies
Immigration law defines an aggravated felony, not by describing its common elements but by enumerating the specific offenses that fall under this category. Originally, the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988…
Marinduque Association of Southern California Grand Reunion
Marinduque Association of Southern California (MASC) , a tax-exempt organization, is celebrating its 34th Anniversary and is hosting 20th Anniversary (10th Biennial Grand Reunion) of Marinduque International, Inc. (MII) from…
To veil or unveil, a purely Muslim issue
MANILA, July 28 (PNA) — Prudence dictates that non-Muslim Filipino educators should leave alone Filipino Muslims and Muslim teachers decide when and where to unveil or expose their hair and…
The Asian Business Association Partners with the Los Angeles Business Journal for their annual Asian Business Awards
The Asian Business Association (ABA) is proud to once again partner with the Los Angeles Business Journal for their annual Asian Business Awards. This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize…
Christmas in July
Christmas comes only once a year. You cannot exaggerate it. You cannot overstate it. It is a rich festival that belongs to mothers, fathers and children. It is not the…
All shook up
TROUBLE in the Philippine Bureau of Customs has been brewing for months. In April, Pres. Benigno Aquino III sent feelers at a groundbreaking ceremony in Capiz. According to a report…
Oscars-like pageantry in the SONA
LAST Wednesday, I wrote a bit about Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago’s statement, where she lambasted lawmakers’ “obsession to bling,” and promised to file a resolution prescribing an official uniform for…
Debt problems? Think of Lot & his daughters
LAST week, we talked about the destruction of the cities of Sodom & Gomorrah by burning sulfur that rained from the heavens. If you go to Israel today, it is…
FAQ #2 – FBAR financial accounts
THE IRS issued new guidance requiring individuals with an interest in a “specified foreign financial asset” to attach a disclosure statement to their income tax return for any year in…
Short sale legal and tax implications
THE good news is that tax relief has been enacted for homeowners doing Short Sales. The Federal Mortgage Debt Relief Act of 2007 HR 3648 and Federal Bailout Legislation HR1424…
I only have $500,000: Can I still get the Green Card?
“ Congress created the EB-5 immigrant visa category in 1990 for immigrants seeking to enter to engage in a commercial enterprise that will benefit the US economy and create at…
Immigration status is not a bar to claiming unpaid wages
ALL workers are protected by California’s laws regulating wages and working conditions. The protection applies undocumented workers who are entitled to the following rights: – The prevailing minimum wage (currently…
Fil-Am comedian says he’s caught in middle of political feud
LOS ANGELES – Filipino-American comedian Edwin San Juan said he believes he’s been caught in the middle of a political feud between opponents of Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca….
LA Pinoys join global protest vs China’s aggression in West PH Sea
LOS ANGELES – On July 24, Filipinos in Los Angeles trooped to the Chinese Consulate offices in Shatto Place in Koreatown to protest the China’s aggression in the heated West…
SCE takes legal steps vs Mitsubishi over plant failure
Mitsubishi responds with stern statement LOS ANGELES – On Thursday, July 18, energy giant Southern California Edison (SCE) filed a formal notice of dispute against Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., and…
God and His mercy
GOD knows those of us who work so hard and who patiently fulfill our responsibilities and obligations. God knows our fidelity to him and our persistence to live and believe…
Philippine Fiesta in America’s ‘Araw ng Parangal’ scores a first; JC Fil-Am associations tender DCG a despedida cena
After attending countless events at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, it came as a surprise that its Grand Ballroom was “dressed” so differently last Sunday, July 21st when Philippine Fiesta in…
F2A visa category for spouses and children of permanent residents current in August 2013
Beginning August 2013, the visa availability for F2A category of family based petitions will be current. Historically, the wait for this category was 3-4 years. The F2A category consists of…
Philippine Fiesta in America’s ‘Araw ng Parangal’ scores a first; JC Fil-Am associations tenders DCG a despedida cena
After attending countless events at the Ramada Plaza Hotel, it came as a surprise that its Grand Ballroom was “dressed” so differently last Sunday, July 21st when Philippine Fiesta in…
Utility Bill Scams Continue to Target Southern California Edison Customers
ROSEMEAD, Calif., July 25, 2013 — Southern California Edison (SCE) is advising customers to be aware of a telephone scam that demands immediate payment for allegedly past due electricity bills….
US President Barack Obama heads the list of August birthday celebrants
His Excellency, the President of the United States Barack Obama heads the list of the roster of prominent personalities who will celebrating their birthdays this August. Barack Hussein Obama II,…
Four reasons why laughter and a confident smile are life changing
BECAUSE it usually happens spontaneously, we don’t often think about smiling or laughing. However, they both really do make us feel better—and, studies continue to reveal more of their many benefits….
DOS and DHS embrace Supreme Court’s DOMA ruling
Almost immediately after the US Supreme Court declared the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional, both Secretary of State John Kerry and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano, pledged their…
Elder abuse
Elder abuse or abuse of the elderly is a pandemic. It is much more common that we think. This savagery is shameful, disgusting, and against every rule on love, respect,…
Nelson Mandela’s virtue of forgiveness
Nelson Mandela forgave unconditionally. His life was a dimension of generosity and magnanimity, in both political defeat and victory. A multitude of adjectives describe him: statesman, magnanimous, dignified, patient and…