Ceasefire?
AFTER a 10-day convoluted tirade between Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago, the two senators finally called a “ceasefire” on what has become a bitter (and possibly,…
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NEW HARP refi for owner occupied or rental property that are upside down
THE Home Affordable Refinance Program expansion helps today’s historically low rates become available to customers who have an existing mortgage loan owned by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. There is…
How do you solve a problem like NAIA?
THE Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) has been named by an interactive travel website as “the worst airport in Asia.” But many Filipinos back home are still forgiving, even defensive…
Income tax refunds is property of bankruptcy estate unless exempt
LET’S say that you decide to file for Chapter 7 relief this month to discharge $100,000 of hospital bills and credit card debt. You anticipate that you will have an…
Champion and ‘Tatay’ to Filipino-Canadians
IT HAS been said that out of the most severe trials come the greatest triumphs. We could either become victims of circumstances, or we can turn those difficulties into stepping…
When sickness and death become gifts
THE circumstances, consequences, and services of my father’s death and all the gatherings and prayers of families and friends are still vividly present in my mind. I’m sure that it’s…
Apportionment of retirement benefits in divorce cases
One of the major assets a divorcing couple usually has, other than real estate property, are retirement benefits such as company pensions, 401k, and other deferred compensation. The problem in…
The Prime of Steven Fulop
Changing the face of a diverse community takes several well-schemed measures and innovative maneuvers. It takes a whole lot of persuasive power to influence people to embrace the principle they…
The Prime of Steven Fulop
Changing the face of a diverse community takes several well-schemed measures and innovative maneuvers. It takes a whole lot of persuasive power to influence people to embrace the principle they…
Male problems
Diminished or ineffective erection in man causing inability to have a successful intercourse 75 percent of the time is medically termed erectile dysfunction or ED for short. This condition affects…
Smart snacking helps you keep that beautiful smile
DOES FREQUENT SNACKING PRESENT PROBLEMS FOR OUR TEETH? Well, it depends. Every time we eat, our mouths go to work cleaning things up and restoring “balance”. Having three meals a…
Protecting the home court
IN the spate of news filled with violence and other unwanted events, a little bit of the good comes to us. The Philippines was recently awarded by FIBA, the official…
How President Obama Can Ensure Justice for Asian Americans
Next week, we will celebrate Martin Luther King Day and Dr. King’s extraordinary contributions to the civil and economic rights of more than 120 million people of color in the…
New immigration ruling on provisional waivers: Beware of scams
AFTER the announcement of Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Nepolitano on a new ruling (which will give immediate family members of US citizens unlawfully staying in the United States…
Deferred Action for DREAMers-the rules
ON Friday, August 3, 2012 the USCIS issued new guidelines and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to clarify the rules and requirements for “Childhood Arrivals” to the US who may benefit…
Debt can lead to being broke at the end of your life
A CLIENT of mine said he never saw it coming. Everything he ever wanted in life, he always purchased on credit. The “pre-approved” credit cards just kept coming in the…
Important Things to Remember about the New I-601A Waiver Process
The details of the DHS Final Rule on Provisional Unlawful Presence Waivers of Inadmissibility for Certain Immediate Relatives, which was published on January 3, 2013 and which take effect on…
Can employees challenge employment documents they signed?
THE common belief is that signing an agreement binds an employee to all the terms in the document. But what if the agreement is illegal or a violation of public…
New California laws for 2013: Part A tax, employment and education
NEW Income Tax and Sales Tax Laws Income tax California’s maximum income tax rate increases from 9.3% to 12.3% for taxpayers with taxable income of more than $250,000. The rate…
2013: The final year of the short sale
I SERIOUSLY thought that our short sale days are really numbered, but base on what analyst and realtors are saying this year we would be flooded with short sale. I…
Readers’ feedback: The need for stricter gun control laws
THE debate continues following the massacre of 20 first graders and six adults in Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut — the tipping point after many other deadly shootings…
Is defalcation by fiduciary dischargeable in bankruptcy?
DEFALCATION is an act of misappropriating funds that were entrusted to a person. The person who is entrusted with the funds is called the fiduciary. For instance, your friend wins…
A Master of All Trades
THEY say if you’re a jack-of-all-trades, you’re a master of none. But Fil-Am Rafael Kayanan is definitely one to dispute that belief. The youthful-looking, 50-year-old Kayanan is a master of…
On grieving the loss of my father
ALTHOUGH my father’s death was inevitable and imminent because of hospice care, it still has been a very difficult and depressing time for us, his children. It’s true what many…
The Efficacy of the Devotion to the Black Nazarene of Quiapo
The Filipinos as Roman Catholic devotees are known to be overly zealous and extremely fanatic. They believe that their intentions will be eventually be answered and rewarded. Being a nation…
The Efficacy of the Devotion to the Black Nazarene of Quiapo
The Filipinos as Roman Catholic devotees are known to be overly zealous and extremely fanatic. They believe that their intentions will be eventually be answered and rewarded. Being a nation…
Jewelry jeopardy
THERE are two oral fashions causing concern for dentists these days: The prevalence of oral piercing, and the application of dental “grills.” Oral piercing, because of the millions of bacteria…
Boni’s 150
As we welcome the birth sesquicentennial of Andres Bonifacio, we will honor a man whose place in our shrine of heroes can come close to that of Jose Rizal (who…