When would marriage hurt my petition?
(Part 1) Dear Atty. Gurfinkel: I am single and under petition. I have a common-law spouse, whom I would like to marry, but I am receiving conflicting advice and information…
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Prevailing catastrophes, apocalyptic prognostication?
The recent catastrophic devastation of hurricane Sandy and the down-the-drain aftermath that emotionally impacted and economically ravaged even the strongest of heart were all but parts of life’s never-ending challenges…
Beauty advice for a flawless bride
Anyone who has ever been a bride, a bridesmaid, mother of the bride, a debutante, or someone who has dolled up for a special occasion, shares an unguarded secret about…
Lorli Villanueva: The diva who refuses to sing her swan song
It was a seeming reflexive reaction the moment news about Lorli Villanueva’s concert at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in New York reached her fans and even those…
Celebrating the Filipino Filmmakers at Tribeca Film Festival
It is that time of the year again, when filmmakers and film-lovers from around the globe converge in New York City to attend the much-awaited Tribeca Film Festival. This year…
Food and arthritis
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA), commonly known as arthritis, which causes the usual aches and pains in the various joints in the body, especially among the elderly, affected about 47.8 million people…
Dental care from (before) Day 1
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…
Vitamin E and Stroke
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…
Renewed partnership
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…
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…
The sum of all fears
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…
I don’t need $1,000,000 for the Green Card?
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…
Can employers demand access to your Facebook account?
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…
Dr. Belinda Aquino, Renowned Filipino Academic and first Dr. Jose Rizal Award for Peace recipient – Putting PH on the Intellectual Map
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…
Not everyone with a law degree is a lawyer
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…
Who has been enjoying lower interest rates from refinancing?
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…
Sexual harassment damages not dischargeable in bankruptcy
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….
Greetings from the Holy Land
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…
Sick man no more
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…
'Prosecutorial discretion' also available for gay and lesbian partners
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…
Deferred Action (DREAM) application process available beginning August 15, 2012
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…
Weight gain/weight loss foods
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…
9th Circuit holds that aged-out beneficiaries retain original priority dates under CSPA!
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….
Peace and all good for the Azkals
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….
How to know it’s time to consider bankruptcy
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,…
Of faith and action
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…
Perception
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…
The high costs of employer retaliation
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…
Don’t let debt ruin your financial future
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…