Hurricane Sandy’s massive destruction last October 29 left a disheartening aftermath of numerous residential houses mercilessly splintered like matchsticks in unimaginable proportions. To date, there are still growing numbers of displaced families. Since then, countless disaster relief operations have been launched and millions of funds were released to benefit the mounting number of flood victims…
Hurricane Sandy’s massive destruction last October 29 left a disheartening aftermath of numerous residential houses mercilessly splintered like matchsticks in unimaginable proportions. To date, there are still growing numbers of displaced families. Since then, countless disaster relief operations have been launched and millions of funds were released to benefit the mounting number of flood victims…
I was driving to work one early morning in Munster, Indiana when I noticed a flock of Canada geese flying against a beautiful backdrop of a golden orange rising sun that was slowly and eagerly peering over the clear horizon. The picturesque scene was even more poignant as I observed that the geese were flying…
Recently, the USCIS published statistics on DACA filings. I was quite surprised at the results, especially as it concerned Filipinos. It showed that as of November 15, 2012, 308,935 people applied, and 53,273 applications have already been approved. However, out of the 308,935 people who applied, only 2,613 were Filipinos! Don’t tell me that there…
A renewed pact is brewing between the Philippines and the United States. By next month, the two countries will sign the visiting forces agreement that will permit for another bilateral military exercises, to take place in the Philippines. Done yearly, the exercises are expected to further strengthen the diplomatic ties and defense system of both…
MANY Americans (including Fil-Ams) heavily invested in the recently concluded US Presidential elections. Some contributed cash for their candidates, others volunteered to help in their campaigns, and many were passionately engaged in the presidential debates, to persuade others to vote for the candidate which they thought was the better choice to lead this country. On…
After four elections in the United States, I can now say that I am proud to be a Filipino-American. From the sidelines as an observer, I immersed myself with the elections starting with the elections of 2000 with then vice president Al Gore against Texas Governor George W. Bush. In the 2000 elections, we led…
The wait time for immigrant petitions to become “current” under most family based preference categories often takes a long time. During this long waiting period, it is common for derivative beneficiaries to end up aging out and unable to obtain their green cards along with the principal beneficiary (the parents). Aging out occurs when the…
ALLIANCES are supposed to create new and stronger organizations. But history may show that sometimes, integrations may look good on paper but fall short of what is expected. From Nov. 15 until 20, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gathered the region’s heads of states and dignitaries for the 21st Asean Summit and Related…
IT is a clear day in Angono. The streets are filled with bystanders—residents and non-residents alike—who are eagerly waiting for the presence of something big. Looking above, the view of the sky is adorned by an assemblage of colorful banderitas. The sun slips in a little of its light upon these strips of color and…
Q: I WORK as a “caregiver” for a disabled senior at a private residence. In addition to caring for the senior, I also cook, clean the house, and do the laundry. I work 5 to 6 days a week, at least 12 hours per day and as much as 14 hours per day. My employer…
IN January of this year, we first wrote about this exciting topic, which was based on the January 6, 2012 announcement by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In the announcement, USCIS indicated its intent to amend the regulations pertaining to waivers for certain immediate relatives of United States citizens who are applying for visas…
MANY homeowners are still left with a mortgage balance that worth more than the value of the property. With the economy still being badly affected by the possibility of a fiscal cliff and the European crisis. A lot of homeowners are still uncertain with their homes or properties underwater. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s new…
A WEEK after the contentious election, we heard back again from the two gentlemen who ran for the Presidency. President Obama in his press conference praised Gov. Mitt Romney and expressed how he looks forward to talking with him and hear how he may be able to help the country with his ideas in the…
WHY would single or separated taxpayers file as Heads of Household? Let us count the ways: 1. You have a lower tax rate than a single or married person filing separately. 2. You receive a higher standard deduction ($8,500 versus $5,800 for single and separate filers). 3. You may be entitled to childcare credit, 4….
DHS current policy is to focus its enforcement resources on the removal of individuals who pose a danger to national security or a risk to public safety, including individuals convicted of crimes with particular emphasis on violent criminals, felons, and repeat offenders, DHS will exercise prosecutorial discretion as appropriate to ensure that enforcement resources are…
SEN. Pia Cayetano is tired of all the bickering and delays in the Senate, over the Reproductive Health (RH) Bill. Outspoken Sen. Miriam Santiago is getting as equally impatient, saying that the Senate “cannot be held hostage by the fact that one senator is not ready with his interpellation (she was referring to Senate President…
A LONG-time and well-respected Filipino diplomat continues to rise through international ranks. Esteban Conejos Jr., the former Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs, has recently been named as a member of the legal advisory board of the World Trade Organization, the DFA announced earlier this week. Conejos will serve a two-year…
THE bankruptcy petition must be as accurate as possible, otherwise, debtor may have to go to jail for bankruptcy fraud. I cannot overemphasize the fact that the bankruptcy petition must provide an accurate picture of the financial transactions of the debtor as of the date of filing of the petition. Debtor has the opportunity of…
THE Scripture readings this Sunday are filled with positive images. Mark’s Gospel might distress us with images of the darkening of the sun and the moon and the falling of stars, but it dominantly reflects triumphant pictures of “the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory”; of angels coming down…
For the first time in American history, presidential candidates actually considered courting and including Asian Americans in their agendas for the future. But, in large measure, 18 million Asian Americans were overlooked. It is our expectation that this will never occur again if all Asian American communities put aside their small differences and unite on…
Thinking about one’s demise is not something people want to spend time thinking about. However reality is that we all have to face this one day. It is just a matter of whether you depart this world prepared or unprepared. If you pass away with at least $100,000 in gross assets and you do not…
Strategy development is a question-based process: Where are we now? Where would we like to go? How do we get there? Strategic planning—for both business and family—can help to strengthen the family enterprise and extend its lifespan. Strategic planning for family-owned businesses differs from planning for other types of companies largely because the family firm…
In order to be the best, a team must have the best. Perhaps such idea was running through the minds of the Philippine Amateur Baseball Association officials who wanted to make America’s most loved game a favorite sport in the country too. Noting how foreign-based Filipino players were recruited to play for the Philippine football…
Thanksgiving is when people take a step back and reflect on all of the wonderful things and events to be grateful for, and to give thanks to those people who played such a key role in helping us achieve them. At this Thanksgiving, I would like to once again give thanks to all of the…
Could the secret to perpetual youth be found in your smile (wink, wink)? Well, that’s probably a bit of an exaggeration! But as you know, here at our practice, we obsess over our patients’ smiles. We know that a confident smile can be life changing. But what does your smile have to do with aging?…
Smoking kills. It is that plain and simple. There is no doubt today that tobacco (cigarette smoking) is the predominant cause of lung cancer, besides other malignancies and cardiovascular diseases that maim, kill men and women and hurt our society, especially our children. In the United States alone, almost half a million die each year…
THIS week, we glorify the heroism and gallantry displayed by American and Filipino World War II veterans. This celebration encourages those of us who are now enjoying freedom, to pay tribute to all these freedom fighters — those who survived and perished when world peace was compromised. Former President Franklin Roosevelt vowed that Filipino soldiers…
THE Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program was introduced in June 2012 and was implemented August 15, 2012. Within just one month of the program’s start date, the USCIS had reported that it had received more than 75,000 applications for deferred action status (DAS) and work authorization under DACA. Although experts had predicted that…
CONTRARY to what some kababayans opine, President Barack Obama won the election NOT just because of race, nor by the force of the 47 percent of the American people, who according to Gov. Mitt Romney, “are with him (Obama), who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe that government has a responsibility…
