PREGNANCY and its related hormonal changes exaggerate the effects from plaque irritants. And as you know, the acids in plaque can lead to tooth decay, gum tissue inflammation and, if neglected, eventual tooth loss. A healthy diet, daily tooth brushing and flossing, and a continued – even increased – schedule of regular dental hygiene visits…
Until about the latter part of 2004 vitamin E, a fat soluble vitamin was a most popular anti-oxidant that was believed to protect the body from harmful unstable substances known as free radicals. People were popping vitamin E gel caps with gusto in the past, hoping to slow down aging, prevent dementia, heart and liver…
REALIZING that it is outmatched militarily with China, the US has responded to the country’s call for a defense modernization program and has agreed to help equip and train its military. By Western standards, the Philippines’ military capability has yet to prove itself. An example is its lack of sufficient transport aircraft capable of supporting…
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 disappeared; a mountain is born. This lovely place located in Mountain Province—Sagada—now exhales, after a billion years, cool and crisp air to visitors who come…
THE first day of filing for Certificates of Candidacy (COCs) at the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) may have been rambunctious enough for COMELEC Chairman Sixto Brillantes to deem it “a circus.” Yet, it pales in comparison to the decibels raised (and are still being raised) by outraged netizens over some controversial provisions in the enacted…
QUESTION: I heard that there is a type of visa whereby I don’t need to invest $1,000,000 to get the Green Card, but rather can use my business knowledge and business. Is this true? Answer: Yes, it is the much less known Multinational Manager Visa. This is where you have 2 companies in 2 different…
ROBERT Collins had applied for an officer’s position with the Maryland Department of Public Safety. Collins narrated that during the job interview, the human resources personnel interviewing him asked for his Facebook username and password. He was told that it was being done to verify that Collins, who was applying to be a state trooper,…
Dr. Belinda Aquino further cements her place in Filipino academic history. The first-ever awardee of the prestigious Dr. Jose Rizal Award for Peace and receiver of the University of the Philippines (UP) Alumni Association Lifetime Distinguished Achievement Award, Aquino is one of the most distinguished and renowned Filipino academics and experts of her time. Aquino…
RECENTLY, I was approached by a lawyer who inquired if I was advising eligible applicants to file for Deferred Action. When I responded yes, of course, this same lawyer told me that she is doing the opposite. That she is advising clients not to file because of concern with a potential change of administration. Meaning: If…
EVERYONE knows that the mortgage rates are really at its Historic Lows, we are talking about 3.25%- 3.5% for your 30 years fixed rate mortgages. I noticed that these are really helping homeowners who already had 4% six to eight months ago, now able to refinance again to a 3.25% – 3.5% rates with absolutely…
LET’S say that you’re a man who loves women and you own a business distributing lingerie. You require all your women employees to wear the company’s products in the office. Every time a female employee enters your office, you do not have sex with them the way Pres. Clinton did. Last week, all of your…
AS I write this article early in the morning of Thursday, the 4th of October, on the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, I remember the strong and honest words of our guide as he welcomed us last night, after two days of visiting the holy sights of Jordan: “Keep in mind always that…
In a recent conference held in Washington, Finance Secretary Cesar V. Purisima shed some light on what took the Philippine government to achieve its current state, as one of the fastest growing economies in Asia. Owing much to the continuous pursuit of good governance, Purisima confidently said that the Philippines is now on its way…
In June 2011, John Morton, the Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a memo on “prosecutorial discretion”, whereby ICE would refrain from going after, or removing\deporting, certain people who did not really pose a risk or threat to the US, even if they were here illegally. This policy applied to people who were…
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…
THE average adult gains one pound (0.45 Kilos) a year. Packing an additional 20 pounds (9 Kilos) a year multiplies the health risks of every one of us. The question is: Can we do anything to prevent this annual weight gain? Harvard physicians have a strategy that goes beyond the popular advise that says “eat…
THE filing of candidacy for the 2013 midterm elections officially began. With 18,053 elective positions at stake, the country (especially its qualified voters) is in the throes of election fever. On a national scale, Filipino voters will declare who to fill the 12 senatorial and 80 party-list representations seats. The local elections involve voters to…
THE US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit last week joined the US Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit and reversed its previous decision in De Osorio et. al v. Holder (De Osorio I), which had held that an “aged out” derivative beneficiary of a family or employment-based petition for immigrant status cannot…
Another feel-good moment is added to the highlight clips of Philippine Sports with the Azkals winning the Philippine Football Peace Cup crown that was held last September 25 to 27. For football players and fans, it means so much more for it has nearly been a century, 99 years to be exact, since we last…
ARE you being harassed by your creditors day and night due to unpaid bills? If you are, you know that this is a pretty unpleasant experience. You may feel scared, angry or embarrassed about your situation. The prospect of debt relief through bankruptcy may sound appealing to you but you are not quite sure if…
YEARS ago, a parishioner was complaining to me that our church was not doing enough work to alleviate the sufferings of the poor in our neighborhood. Being the new pastor of the parish, I listened attentively to this person and made assurance that we will be organizing outreach ministries to the poor and needy. A…
TODAY, more Filipinos are tightening their belts to sustain themselves not only through the rainy days, but for as long as the prices of commodities continue to rise. Despite the tough economy, however, fewer Pinoys are labeling themselves as “poor,” according to a recent nationwide survey. A non-government social and research institution, the Social Weather…
A FEDERAL jury in Los Angeles recently awarded a former supervisor of the United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS) more than $18 million in damages after he was fired for filing a claim for unpaid wages against UPS. It all began when Marlo filed a class action wage-and-hour lawsuit in 2003. However, after years of litigation,…
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 mail and he never said NO to any of them. Buy now and pay later, why not? As long as they allow you to pay…
OBVIOUSLY, the easiest way in stopping the IRS from seizing your property or rights to property is by paying the taxes you owe. In today’s economy, however, it is not surprising if taxpayers could not afford to fully pay outstanding tax liabilities. In its notices, the IRS aggressively demands that taxes owed are paid in…
Many people, desiring to save money, try to handle their immigration matters on their own. They may have a relative in the Philippines being processed for an immigrant visa, and when they have any questions, they call or email the National Visa Center (NVC) for advice and guidance on what to do and how to…
The abuse of alcohol is the leading risk factor for disability and premature death in the world. Alcohol-related deaths claim almost 80,000 lives each year in the United States alone. Worldwide, it kills 2.5 million annually. Besides the health and psychological impairment among drinkers, the abuse impacts negatively on the family members and society in…
EACH year, I consult with hundreds of individuals who have been ordered to leave the US by Immigration Judges. In the vast majority of these cases, the person had applied for some form of relief from removal, such as asylum, and the Immigration Judge denied the claim and either granted the person voluntary departure or…
Once again, they had their chances. Pitted against the competition, they fought it out, and the outcome was somehow satisfactory. With the afterglow of its successful golden campaign in the Jones Cup, they were poised to give opposing teams a run for their money. The recent fourth place finish of our Smart-Gilas National Team in…
IF YOU’VE ever been in a situation in your life where you had to file bankruptcy as a last resort in order to get out of debt, you know exactly what I am talking about. After having counseled thousands of people with debt problems over the years, I have learned that unresolved debt problems can…
