Is stockbroker’s forgiveable loan bonus dischargeable?
YOU know what a stockbroker is and what he does for a living, right? A stockbroker recommends what stocks to buy and sell to his client, and he makes a…
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Jesus’ desire for us
WHAT do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked Bartimaeus, the blind man in this Sunday’s Gospel. Wasn’t this the same question he raised to James and John,…
Passport and green card returned to Filipino youth in deferred inspection
AN 18-year old Filipino male was granted lawful permanent resident status on or about June 3, 2010. He has been residing with his parents in Glendale, California, since May 23,…
Average debt up again for new college grads
It’s the latest snapshot of the growing burden of student debt and it’s another discouraging one: Two-thirds of the national college class of 2011 finished school with loan debt,…
The November 2012 Priority Dates
Each month, the Visa Office of the State Department publishes, in the Visa Bulletin, the priority dates for that particular month, for the various family and employment based categories. A…
Voter guide on key California initiatives for November 6: How Asian Americans can finally make a difference
The National Asian American Coalition (NAAC) is a nonprofit bi-partisan organization. It is offering its suggestions and advice on the four most crucial California ballot measures (propositions) before the voters…
Come to our Sweet Swap Post-Halloween party!
IF this Halloween proves to be too much candy for your children’s teeth, then come join us at Millbrae Smile Center on November 2nd for a Sweet Swap Post-Halloween party…
Probiotics and health
Probiotics are live microorganisms which, when ingested, confer a health benefits. The most common types of microbes used as probiotics are lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria, but some yeasts…
Abandonment of US residence
Jon and Kate own and operate a successful real estate business in California. In addition to owning a beautiful home, they had acquired several homes and apartment buildings which they…
A United Heritage
October marks a month’s worth of observing Filipino-American history in the United States. With a population of a million and growing, this is an appropriate action in understanding our deep…
Bankruptcy: Debt forgiveness for honest debtors
CONTRARY to what others may think, the majority of people who file for bankruptcy are honest, hard working people who simply need to get a fresh financial start. Because life…
Are you being paid the correct overtime rate?
Q: AS an employee for a service provider company, I am paid an hourly rate and an additional piece rate if I respond to customer calls after hours. I often…
Advocating for Active Participation among Fil-Ams
WHEN the Director of the Census Bureau appointed Ditas Katague to a new national advisory committee, it was just another milestone accomplishment for one of the highest-ranking Filipino-American officials in…
DOMA declared unconstitutional (Will same-sex petitions be possible?)
ON October 18, 2012, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in New York declared that the Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”) was unconstitutional, to the extent the law attempted to…
Bank of America second lien mortgage debt extinguishment: Q&A
FROM my article last week, I got a few more homeowners calling about the same scenario, I thought of researching more of how you can research and find out if…
Ocean View apartment not reasonably necessary for Chapter 7 debtor
SCHEDULE J of the bankruptcy petition shows the actual monthly expenses of the debtor. This is different from the means test which specifies the allowable deductions of debtor using IRS…
Can you get a Green Card even if you’re over 21 years old?
Question: My auntie petitioned my mother when I was 3 years old. However, the visa process is so slow that it took 22 years for the visa number to become…
Tito Sotto and Damian Sotto
I frankly think that the protests and demonstrations over the Cybercrime Prevention Act are an overreaction. In the first place, the Philippine justice system has never been famous for enforcing…
Concerned citizens (abroad)
Sharing common hopes of a progressive country, more migrant Filipinos abroad are expressing their interests in participating in the coming 2013 elections. Although enthusiastic about casting their votes, Filipinos overseas…
New hope for children who 'aged-out'
Recently, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that, under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), children who “aged–out” from under their parent’s petition, may retain/recycle/reuse their parent’s priority date,…
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…
House valuation for lien strip excludes foreclosure sales
CHAPTER 13 debtors are able to “strip” junior liens on their residences if there is no equity supporting the lien. To illustrate, debtor owes $100,000 of credit card debt, owns…
New hope for aged-out victims
LAST month, 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…
A saintly life
A SAINT may come in different shapes, forms and religion. “I would like to hope that after his canonization, Saint Pedro Calungsod would become not only an exemplary role model…
The face of heroism
The hero as a part of the human race portrays the ideals and excellence that man strives to reach. It is the society that defines the hero, and (s)he gives…
Bankruptcy is not always your fault
IF YOU have serious debt problems, you may feel depressed and alone. It may seem like the end of the world. Your self-esteem may have suffered. You may feel angry,…
‘English Only’ policy may be workplace discrimination
IN 2006, Filipino nurses at the Delano Regional Medical Center in Delano, California were called to a meeting and told they were not allowed to use their native language at…