Discharging income taxes in bankruptcy: Part 2
LAST week, we established the fact that back due income taxes can be discharged in bankruptcy, despite the popular belief that this was not possible. We said that there are…
Read More
Parking employees receive $4.7M in class action settlement
LOS ANGELES – Thousands of parking lot attendants, cashiers and other employees received a whooping $4.7 million settlement after their class action lawsuit was settled. About 10,000 employees, some of…
Hawaii leaders introduce WWII Filvets family reunification bill
LOS ANGELES – A Hawaiian Senator and Congresswoman on Tuesday introduced legislation in both chambers that would reunite Filipino World War II veterans with their families. Senator Mazie K. Hirono…
Pinoy media lauded in 2013 NAM Awards Gala
PASADENA – Ethnic media practitioners in Southern California were recognized on Thursday night for excellence in journalism, and insightful coverage on ethnic community issues. Presented by New America Media (NAM),…
My close encounters with terrestrial stars, Part II
After a brief respite and heaps of social commitments that I had to cover, the continuation of my celebrity encounters resumes. Brace yourself for some more of my interesting nostalgic…
H-1B’s are almost ready to be filed. Don’t wait.
Question: I heard that H-1B’s are about to be able to be filed. What can I do? Answer: First, April 1, 2013, the doors open again and new H-1B’s can…
When chest pains hit you
In these days of health-consciousness, almost everyone is concerned about chest pains and possible heart attack, especially individuals who are 40 and older. While we hear of occasionally cases of…
Fixed and suspicious marriages
Everyone knows that one of the fastest and easiest ways to get a green card is thru a bona fide, good faith (love) marriage to a US citizen. However, one…
The youth as heroes of our heritage
The sense of sight, most of the time, reigns supreme in the order of the senses. It affirms the existence of the outside world. It confirms presence and assures that…
Until tomorrow comes
I can believe that good is manifested from every experience that comes into our lives. Cancer is not a death sentence and I’ve been battling it for seven years, six…
USCIS implements provisional waiver process March 4, 2013
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,…
Billionaire's club
TODAY, the world has 1,426 billionaires (people with personal wealth of $1 billion as of January) accounting to a total net worth of $5.4 trillion. 11 of them are Filipinos….
The solemn process of electing the next Pope
AFTER the Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation on February 28, the Roman Catholic Church may have a new leader before the beginning of Holy Week (on March 24, Palm Sunday). St….
Three Pinoys convicted of gun smuggling in the US
LOS ANGELES – A US federal jury on Monday convicted three Filipinos of smuggling high-powered military and assault weapons including rocket launchers, machine guns, and other deadly explosives from the…
Chapter 13 can be last hope for families facing foreclosure
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…
Immigration reform: Is it really coming?
QUESTION: I have heard that there is going to be immigration reform. Can you shed some light on the subject and what we might expect? Answer: Conservatives have tended to…
Dr. Francisca Tolete Velcek, Castle Connolly America Top Doctor and PH Presidential Pamana ng Pilipino Awardee
IF YOU search for the name of Dr. Francisca Tolete Velcek on the Internet, one of the most impressive things you will find is an icon of Castle Connolly. In…
Bad news for people who pled guilty
There are times when a person is arrested and charged with a crime. In some cases they may have actually committed the crime, or it could be that they are…
The aching impermanence of power: The fall of President Marcos
Something odd was happening. Faced with popular protest and revolt in the army, President Marcos left Malacañang Palace in a US Airforce Huey helicopter on the evening of February 25,…
Making sense amid immigration reform confusion
THE current influx of media attention on immigration issues is very exciting. One cannot help but be hopeful and optimistic that some type of immigration reform is on the horizon….
Me-Too’ evidence allowed in sex discrimination claim
Q: MY boss at work would slap or touch my buttocks, make comments about my breasts, or other parts of my body, and tell me to wear shorter skirts. He…
Two Fil-Ams vying for Cerritos City Council
CERRITOS – Two Filipino-Americans are vying for the City Council of Cerritos in the March 5 local election. Current City Planning Commissioner Frank Aurelio Yokoyama and retired Social Worker…
Fil-Ams, Asian Americans urged to vote in LA elections on March 5
LOS ANGELES – With at least two Filipino-Americans running for LA City Council seats, kababayans are highly encouraged to come out and vote in the coming LA City Primary…
Part B – Business
THIS fiscal cliff legislation includes lots of tax changes; accordingly, I summarized the provisions for simple reading. Last week’s Part A dealt with individuals while this week’s Part B deals…
Changes in loan modification programs for 2013
Homeowners Bill of Rights IN JULY, California enacted the major pieces of legislation, which were introduced by Attorney General Kamala Harris. These provision, which will take effect January 1, 2013,…
Your vote matters
ON TUESDAY, March 5, Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities are urged to exercise their right to vote for the 2013 Primary Municipal Elections in the City of…
Discharging income taxes in bankruptcy
MANY people have the mistaken belief that back due income taxes cannot be discharged in bankruptcy because a debt owed to the Federal and State government cannot be wiped out….
4 Asian Americans vying for LA City Council seats
LOS ANGELES – A historic four Asian Americans are vying for a seat in the LA City Council — a place they have not had representation since the mid-1980s and…
Redefined: Everyday female ‘Sheroes’
LONG BEACH – College students gathered from all corners of Southern California for the 6th annual SCPASA Summit conference held at California State University at Long Beach (CSULB), on Saturday….
The Church in ’Sede Vacante’
OUR Roman Catholic Church has entered a period called “sede vacante” (the empty chair) since Benedict XVI’s retirement last Thursday. The Pope Emeritus has taken refuge at Castel Gondolfo, the…