Advent: A yearning for solitude and peace
THERE are times when I need to be alone and to be quiet, away from the noises and the busyness of life. There are times when I prefer to stay…
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The Hawaiian Punch’s kick is still there
With the days leading up to Pacquiao-Marquez IV ( and hopefully this will resoundingly end) the boxing world saw another classy fight courtesy of Filipino-American and World Boxing Organization flyweight…
Republicans introduce limited immigration reform in House of Representatives
IN the wake of Mitt Romney’s devastating loss in the Presidential election, House Republicans will introduce a Bill to expand visa availability to foreign science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)…
Human rights in PH: An appraisal
On the third anniversary of the Maguindanao Massacre on November 23rd, we might as well remember all those who perished in the Philippines, as the continued human rights violations goes…
Readers’ feedback: Should Christmas displays be banned in public places?
LAST week, US District Judge Audrey B. Collins ruled against churches that tried to keep a 60-year Nativity tradition alive, “after atheists stole the show with anti-God messages.” She rejected…
Open for business
THE Philippines was ranked 87 out of 141 countries, in Forbes’ annual look at the Best Countries for Business. With a 3.7 percent GDP growth and inflation rate of 4.8…
Where’s my second mortgage debt forgiveness?
FOR about 150,000 homeowners with a second mortgage held by Bank of America, it seemed too good to be true. In the last couple of months, a lot of my…
Are you being paid for all your 'work time?'
EMPLOYEES who are “on the clock” know that the employer must pay for work performed during this time. However, there are situations where it is not quite clear whether a…
Debt Relief Act helping struggling homeowners with tax breaks still up in the air
IF CONGRESS does not extend the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 by the end of the year, homeowners will have to start paying income taxes on the portion…
Should Christmas displays be banned in public places?
ONE of the rituals many Fil-Am families enjoy doing during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is putting up a Christmas tree and decorations, for that early Christmas feeling. Our friends and…
How long must records be kept?
HOW long should you retain records? I have some clients who throw away everything instantly. Can’t stand records. I also have clients who keep records forever. Rat packs. There must…
Malacanang says passage of Sin Tax Bill is a vital step in expanding health safety nets for Filipinos
The move of the Senate to pass the Sin Tax Bill is a vital step forward in improving and expanding public health safety nets for all Filipinos, a Palace official…
"Give A Hand" to Families in Need This Holiday Season at McDonald's Restaurants
Through the annual “Give A Hand” in-restaurant fundraiser can help raise funds to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities® Oak Brook, Ill. (November, 10, 2012) – Today, McDonald’s® are celebrating McHappy…
Enjoy Thanksgiving Day Breakfast Buffet at Goldilocks
Get a head start on Thanksgiving Day festivities by treating your family and guests to Goldilocks’ special Thanksgiving Day Breakfast Buffet on Thursday, November 22, 2012 from 8-11am. The sumptuous…
Travelogues: Sagada
It’s just hard to imagine that this place was once submerged in water. Rocks that were once in the abyss of the ocean seemed to have risen as the waters…
Smoking damages DNA instantly
For cigarette smokers and those who may be tempted to start, here’s a bit of truly disturbing new information from the American Chemical Society. New research revealed that tobacco smoke…
Oktoberfest and significant October bashes
The month of October greets us with tons of excitement and brings us weeks loaded with grandiosely conceptualized events and pompously celebrated occasions that literally filled up our calendar, aside…
Gifts from Mother Nature
“The juveniles are fun to watch. The young males enjoy sparring, often in the shallow rocky areas off shore. That play, characteristic of male mammals of many species, humans included,…
Community-builder of Happy Pinoys
SOME people are content being average. There are also those who want to make a difference in the world they live in; who want to make their lives count — …
Pre-filing transfer of house to son fraudulent
LET’S assume that you lost your job and are no longer able to make the mortgage payments on your house, so you quitclaim the house to your son who takes…
What sets us apart?
CORA Oriel, the publisher of Asian Journal, shared with me an amazing story from New York Times regarding a devastation of recent Hurricane Sandy. This happened in Breezy Point in the New York…
Are your monthly expenses more than your income?
“HOW can I pay my creditors when my income is not even enough to cover my basic living expenses?’. This is a question that I hear everyday from people in…
Music: A universal fund raising source
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…
Music: A universal fund raising source
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…
Are we, humans, really civilized? (Or, are humans for the birds?)
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…
DACA Statistics: 308,935 people applied, but only 2,613 Filipinos!
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…
Lasting alliance
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…
Moving beyond election blues and divisiveness
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…
Proud to be Filipino-American
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…