Remembering Tita Cory
FILIPINOS, who are old enough to remember the Marcos regime, would clearly understand what kind of impact Corazon Cojuangco Aquino made in freeing the Philippines from the clutches of oppression…
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Deferred action for Dreamers: Thousands preparing to file
WITH the August 15, 2012 start date for the filing of Deferred Action Status (DAS) and work authorization for otherwise “DREAM ACT” eligible people, thousands of applicants are preparing to…
Why have a Family Advisory Board?
(Part 2) THE composition of the board should complement the knowledge and skill set of the owners. Good advisory boards will have at least one member with strong financial skills,…
These lovely shores
THERE is a moving painting hanging in our memory. It is filled with hues of blue and green. The masterstrokes glibly flowing as the waves carry the music that bellows…
Deferred Removal Action for undocumented youth: Obama’s policy change short of the DREAM Act
ON JUNE 15, 2012, Pres. Obama announced from the White House Rose Garden that the Department of Homeland Security will grant deferred removal action for undocumented youth who meet strict…
Home invasion robbery punishable as felony (3-6-9 years) state prison
ON OR about March 21, 2012, in South Gate, California, the crime of home invasion robbery, in violation of Penal Code Section 211, a felony, was committed by four individuals,…
Fed by the Eucharist, a testament of faith
“WHERE can we buy enough food for them to eat?,” Jesus asked Philip, one the disciples, as he saw a vast crowd of about five thousand in number following them….
The waiting game
AT HIS third State of the Nation Address, President Benigno Aquino III mentioned four priority measures, one of which is the controversial Reproductive Health Bill (which he referred to indirectly…
Going for Gold
ELEVEN Pinoy athletes will try to achieve what no other Filipino Olympian has ever done before – bring the Philippines that elusive gold medal. All eyes will be in London…
Are lenders finally reducing loan balances on Loan Modifications?
CALLER: My neighbor has a loan modification package that reduced their loan balance by about $200,000; this reduced their payments about $600-700 per month. I have a very similar situation…
Eliminating tax debts through bankruptcy
Another weapon in the taxpayer’s arsenal that stops the IRS in its tracks is bankruptcy. The filing of a bankruptcy petition will generally stop the IRS from collecting your tax…
Presenting a compelling case for prosecutorial discretion
WITH the USICE Prosecutorial Discretion program under way, thousands of cases pending before the US Immigration Courts and Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) are ripe for review to determine whether…
Bankruptcy: Your past doesn’t have to be your future
IN MY work as a Bankruptcy Attorney, I usually have the privilege of meeting all kinds of people from all walks of life. Some are poor, some are rich. Some…
The London Eleven
The greatest show on Earth will happen again from July 27 to August 12 at the London Olympics. It will be another spectacle and the stage is set for this…
On spending some Me time
A MAN who goes to the gym, where I work out , would flaunt a t-shirt with bold lettering, IT’S ALL ABOUT ME. “Hmmm,” I would often muse, “what message…
Confusion in the mortgage rescue package by Gov. Brown might spell trouble
DUAL Tracking is the practice of negotiating with clients to modify a mortgage so that payments become more affordable while simultaneously pursuing foreclosure. What most of the calls I am…
A Life for Others
FILIPINO-American George Samson has dedicated his life to helping the poor, the sick and the needy, but has never sought fame and honor for his work as the President of…
DHS urges potentially eligible ‘Dreamers’ to gather evidence
BOTH the President and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have recently issued statements urging people who may qualify for deferred action status and work authorization under the DREAM Policy…
Take control of your finances and your life
YOU’VE probably heard the saying, “The failure to plan is a plan to fail”. And yet so many of us don’t realize how we so easily neglect to plan for…
High School Student almost misses graduation because she was illegal
Recently, there was a story making national news, about a high school student who got stuck in Mexico while applying for her immigrant visa. Shewould not only miss her high…
Sonny’s stuff of legend
The symbolic significance of the number seven goes way back in the Creation Story when God created the world in seven days and took a breather on the seventh day….
From packing bagels to handling million-dollar ad campaigns
A MULTICULTURAL advertising agency in Toronto owned by two Filipino women recently won the top award for print in the annual Summit International Awards, highlighting the two immigrants’ incredible journey…
Equipping our children with trust and power of God
JOINING the Goliaths of the world choirs! That’s what I thought as our children’s choir sung in front of the international judges of the World Choir Games in Cincinnati, Ohio…
Why you need to escape the debt trap
IF YOU are buried in debt, you may be feeling trapped at the moment with no way out. You realize you need help but don’t know where to go for…
Loan modification companies might be a thing of the past!
CALIFORNIA would prohibit the charging of advance fees to homeowners in connection with a loan modification, and require anyone who wishes to charge a fee for loan modification services (after…
The August 2012 Priority Dates – Single children of US citizens (F-1) retrogresses!
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…
Countdown to the perfect wedding smile
Every bride dreams of walking down the aisle, stunning white dress cascading behind her, beaming groom waiting to take her hand. But wait – are the smiles photographer-ready, all set…
A true King
In the game of chess, the game is over when the king falls or is checkmated. It is a representation of accepting defeat, but what it signifies is that when…
DREAM Policy to be implemented by August 15, 2012
ON June 15, 2012, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano announced that the DHS would consider granting Deferred Action Status (DAS) to many young people in the…
Common fears about bankruptcy are false
IF you are struggling with serious debt problems and the idea of filing for bankruptcy has crossed your mind, like most people, you may have some “fears” about bankruptcy that…