11 years after
THE tragedy of 9/11 will forever be etched in the memories of billions of people all over the world. On the morning of September 11, 2001, news of passenger planes…
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For the love of books
To open a book is an act that could change lives. Among the early progenitors of the book were the Egyptians who decided to write on papyrus for ideas to…
On living generously
I WAS telling my close friend about his personal qualities. “I admire your intelligence, prayerfulness, and convivial nature,” I said. “But what I admire most about you is your genuine…
Will I have any problems if I go home for a vacation?
Dear Atty. Gurfinkel: I have a 10-year multiple B-1/B-2 visa. I entered the US, and was given six months by the Immigration Officer at the airport, but overstayed by only…
Leaps and bounds
ACCORDING to the World Economic Forum (WEF), out of the 144 countries that were surveyed from April to June, the Philippines has improved significantly in terms of competitiveness, moving up…
Metro Manila and Makati real estate market booming
I THOUGHT of sharing this information about my trip to the Philippines recently. I primarily stayed in the Metro Manila and the Makati Area for about a week. I did…
What if your request for consideration of DACA is granted or denied?
YOU filed on or after August 15, 2012, your From I-821D, consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) with Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, and Form I-765 WS…
Z-Pack and sudden death
The antibiotic azithromycin, which came in a Z-pack of 5 one-a-day pill for a five day treatment, has been linked to sudden death. Last year alone, 55.3 million prescriptions have…
Room for improvement
WITH a strong currency, an innovative and energetic economy, and an increase in remittances and tax revenues, the Philippines is keen in avoiding financial mistakes made in the past. With…
Overspending while in debt is a recipe for financial disaster
AS a bankruptcy attorney and financial recovery counselor, I see a lot of people who are spending way beyond their means. They are always struggling to make ends meet and…
The Peace Parade
To live in a country where peace reigns supreme is a dream for Filipinos who believe in its blessings. Reaching a state of complete peace may sound a bit too…
Do I really need an attorney for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)? – Pt. 2
(Part 2) In a previous article, I discussed some reasons why you should consider hiring an attorney in connection with preparing and submitting your DACA request. Here are some more…
Religion of the heart
A DEAR friend introduced me to the writings of Marianne Williamson, a spiritual writer, activist, author, lecturer and founder of The Peace Alliance. Two of her books, A Return to Love:…
Chicken and egg
FOR the past few days, social media was replete with feedback on two issues from opposite ends of the spectrum: Sec. Robredo’s untimely death, and Sen. Tito Sotto alleged commission…
DACA is here and ready
QUESTION: What is deferred action? Answer: Deferred action is a discretionary decision by DHS not to pursue enforcement against a person for a specific period. A grant of deferred action…
A Steadfast Passion
On August 31, 2012, Asia’s Nobel Prize, the Ramon Magsaysay Award, was presented to six Asians during the Presentation Ceremonies on at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City….
Market fears that this recovery is very short-term
ALMOST all economists and think tanks fear the same worst scenario for the US economy. I know we probably might think that the economy seems to be picking up steam….
Mark Antony on Jesse Robredo
What else can one say about the late Jesse Robredo that hasn’t already been said? What praise can one give that has not already been given? In a society where…
SVT: Abnormal heart rhythm
When you suddenly feel your heart is pounding and beating faster than usual, and you have an uncomfortable feeling within your chest, it could be SVT (Supraventricular Tachycardia), an abnormal…
IRS collection enforcement on unpaid taxes
The IRS has different ways of collecting unpaid taxes. After collection notices prove ineffective, more drastic collection enforcement – ranging from imposition of federal tax lien on personal and real…
Lady Justice
COMPLETING the Supreme Court of the Philippines as its 15th member, Filipinos welcome the entry of Justice Ma. Lourdes Sereno, as the country’s 24th Chief Justice. Sereno will preside over…
USCIS ramps up hiring for DACA processing
The USCIS has recently hired hundreds of extra workers throughout the country for immediate training and assignment in the processing of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applications. The USCIS…
Bouncing back
After a lackluster performance in the Olympics, torrential rains and flooding, and the passing of a beloved government official; the country’s gloom was quite lifted with the news of the…
USCIS Reaches Milestone for Third Straight Year: 10,000 U Visas Approved in Fiscal Year 2012
WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today marked a significant milestone in its efforts to provide relief to victims of crimes by approving the statutory maximum 10,000 petitions…
On staying in God’s presence
I have shared with friends on Facebook a profound dialogue I read in Paulo Coelho’s new book, Aleph: “But isn’t prayer a way of bringing us closer to God?” “Allow…
A WYSIWYG president
“What you see is what you get” or WYSIWYG may be an apt description of President Noynoy Aquino. The good part is that he says what he thinks. But it…
Teaching is His Life’s Mission
THERE comes a time in everyone’s life when you wonder about your purpose. What is your mission in life? Fil-Am Michael Vea recalls when this burning question creeped inside of…
How is annulment different from divorce?
A petition for nullity of a marriage is based on an allegation that an impediment existed at the time of the marriage that prevented the marriage from ever existing. Whereas…
Do I really need an attorney for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)?
(Part 1) On June 15, 2012, the Obama Administration announced a new policy of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which is now being referred to as “DACA.”Additional guidance, and a…
112,000 bacteria on our skin!
No, that is not a typo. Scientists in the new Human Microbiome Project at the National Institute of Health have sequenced genes from 20 skin sites of volunteers and “found…