As one of the most disaster-prone areas in Southeast Asia, the Philippines’ efforts in disaster risk reduction (DRR) did not go unnoticed. The country has recently caught the attention of the United Nations (UN) for having an advanced climate change adaptation (CCA). Margareta Wahlstrom, UN Secretary General for Disaster Risk Reduction, recently led a program…
I STILL think fondly of the intimate Mass I celebrated last Saturday with my family on my ailing father’s 80th birthday. It was a moment filled with depth, intimacy, laughter, gratitude, and grace. My younger sister thought that it was “priceless,” especially in seeing her little kids and another practice as altar servers. For me,…
I had a bad dream. I dreamed that the Chinese invaded the Philippines after the confrontation at West Philippine Sea finally exploded into an all-out war. I dreamed that while Philippine officials were meeting with the US State Department in Washington DC, China attacked the Philippines in a manner reminiscent of Pearl Harbor. The AFP…
Mother’s Day is a time when everyone should reflect on all the wonderful things and the sacrifices their mothers have made for them. It is also the time when Mothers feel blessed with the gift of motherhood, and feel the indescribable joy of being surrounded by their children. Unfortunately, for some mothers who are in…
If you think that by brushing and flossing your teeth every day, you’re fulfilling your daily dental obligations, you’re halfway right. The other half involves using the correct techniques, and protecting your teeth and gums from external factors. Many of us grew up thinking that if brushing is a good way to clean our teeth,…
ONE can win races and break world records, but an Olympic gold medal is still the biggest feat an athlete can accomplish. To conquer the Olympics is every athlete’s dream. The Olympic dream has remained a dream for the Philippines since Onyok Velasco’s performance fell short of a gold medal finish in the 1996 Atlanta…
THE USCIS Service Centers have recently received guidance and new instructions for their adjudicators relating to the timing of creating new jobs and explaining the meaning of “full-time” for positions created through the “EB-5” investor program investment. In apparent response to some unwarranted shifts in adjudicatory processes and the Service Center’s imposition of more stringent…
TIME flies so fast. I can’t believe it was in 1991 (21 years ago) that I got a call from Freddie Garcia about ABS-CBN’s plan to enter the US market in earnest. Since it launched The Filipino Channel in 1994, ABS-CBN International (as the Kapamilya Channel) has established a firm foothold in America, as well as in Europe, the…
THERE’S an old saying that may be wiser today than ever: “East is east, and west is west; and never the twain shall meet.” This holds true in the case of the 5th Gokongwei Commandment: Personal assets should be kept separate from company assets. Lance Gokongwei, president of JG Summit Group, said that personal expenses…
The recent news of the inclusion of Fort Santiago and Intramuros to the top 10 list of the Global Heritage Fund’s most endangered historical sites can be a little alarming not just for the cultural warriors, Manilenos, but to all Filipinos. Other places include Autthaya (Thailand), Kashgar (China), Mahasthangarh (Bangladesh), Mes Aynak (Afghanistan), Myauk-U (Myanmar),…
QUESTION: My father petitioned me 15 years ago and it was just about current, but he just died. Now, what happens and can I still come to the US? Answer: Normally, when the petitioner dies so does the petition. Thus, when you would receive a packet from the National Visa Center stating that the visa…
In a global survey of media independence (conducted by Washington-based Freedom House) the Philippines was able to raise its ranking — from a previous standing of 93, it is now currently ranked at 88 (with zero being the most free, and 100 being the least free). The Philippines has been rated “partly free,” along with…
Apr 25,2012 His Excellency Benigno S Aquino III President of Philippines Subject: Bring Home our Elderly and Disabled Abroad Dear Mr. President: While you are focused in the economic development of the Philippines (PH), there is a huge economic opportunity that is being overlooked and awaiting to be tapped. This is an opportune time and…
SHORT selling your home is such an important and stressful step in your life and it’s the springboard into your future so you wont have anymore sleepless nights. It is critical you interview and choose the right agent working for you not themselves. Never choose agent out of obligation just because you might be related…
Moving America Through Martial Arts For his extensive work preserving and promoting Filipino Martial Arts in the United States, Luis Rafael ‘Louelle’ Lledo, Jr. received an unexpected award from one of the most powerful men in the free world. President Barack Obama awarded the Arnis master (who is more commonly referred to as Mataw Guro…
THIS is a common question among people contemplating divorce in California when the other spouse does not live in the state. The California Courts has the power to grant a divorce, annulment, or legal separation if either party is domiciled in the state. Domicile is where a person lives and intends to remain. However, there…
Dear Atty. Gurfinkel: I have a 10-year multiple B-1/B-2 visa. Recently, I went to the US for a vacation, and was given 6 months to stay in the US by the Immigration Officer at the airport. I applied for an extension, and was granted another 6 months. I returned to the Philippines about 3 months…
IT’S NOT a secret – US Catholic schools are struggling with low enrollment. Years ago, some children would even be on “waiting list” of acceptance, hoping to get in a parochial school. Now administrators, principals, pastors, and bishops are anxiously thinking of and implementing ways to fill empty seats in classrooms. Last Wednesday’s Educational Summit…
Dear Atty. Gurfinkel: I have a 10-year multiple B-1/B-2 visa. Recently, I went to the US for a vacation, and was given 6 months to stay in the US by the Immigration Officer at the airport. I applied for an extension, and was granted another 6 months. I returned to the Philippines about 3 months…
The mind-boggling advances in wireless technology have ushered in great wonders to the world. Like any good discoveries that are benefiting humanity as a whole, some of these inventions, in the hands of crooks, could be used to victimize unsuspecting people. The criminal act could be so subtle and surreptitious that unless we are aware…
ON April 16, 2012, the US Immigration & Customs Enforcement (USICE) released key statistics regarding its prosecutorial discretion initiative that began last year. Since November 2011, USICE has been reviewing some 300,000 cases pending in the US Immigration Courts, to improve that agency’s efficiency and preserve limited resources. The USICE’s policy to exercise its “prosecutorial…
The Pasig River is a flowing bed of memories. Rivers are known to be carvers of culture and prosperity and the Pasig has been a benevolent entity to countless generations of Filipinos; as the term Tagalog means Taga-Ilog (Tagalog), which was a term for the Europ eans for people living in the Philippines. Even our…
Dear Ken, WE ARE thinking about walking away from our home. We purchased our home in 2005 for $457,000. In December of 2006 we got a 2nd mortgage HELOC of $85,000. Maxed that on credit card debt and medical bills. In January of 2010 I lost 10% of my pay because of the recession and…
QUESTION: I have an employer willing to sponsor me. What is a ‘specialty occupation’ and can I get an H-1B? Answer: The job must meet one of the following criteria to qualify as a specialty occupation: Bachelor’s or higher degree or its equivalent is normally the minimum entry requirement for the position. The degree requirement…
THE largest umbrella organization for school leaders in America, the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) is made up of more than 16,000 school leaders. One of ACSA’s priorities is to ensure that school leaders are recognized for their excellence. Thus, each year, a handful of educators are honored for outstanding job performance based on…
MY parish, Immaculate Heart of Mary, has a lot to celebrate nowadays! Besides celebrating a successful and well-attended celebration of its centennial year, St. Anthony Messenger, a national Catholic magazine, has dubbed our elementary school as LA’s Little School that Could. The popular magazine put on its cover story of April issue our children’s choir,…
THE current standoff with the Chinese over the Spratleys at Panatag Shoal will get worse before it gets better. What are we to do as a country and as a people? Scanning my commentaries over the years on situations like this, I came upon a piece I wrote in June 1997 about China bullying us…
“TO set aside one’s prejudices, one’s present needs, and one’s own self interest in making a decision as a director for a company is an intellectual exercise that takes constant practice. In short, intellectual honesty is a journey and not a destination.” – Mervyn King At the heart of a family business is family relationships….
As far back as he could remember, Doogie wanted to grow up to be a doctor. Upon his graduation from college his family immigrated to the United States. However, instead of pursuing his medical studies, he immediately began working as a cashier at a restaurant and eventually was promoted to manager. As the years passed,…
PICTURESQUE beaches. Teeming diverse marine life in and around the Philippine waters. Marvelous dive sites. A perfect getaway, more reasons to consider why “It’s more fun in the Philippines.” While we stay tuned at the disputed Scarborough Shoal (now on its second week of standoff), the Philippines veers away from the tension after being awarded…
