Rizal on redux
AS celebrations to Jose Rizal’s sesquicentennial came to a close on his 151st birthday last June 19, another chapter opens on his revered status as the National Hero of the…
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Small things matter
AT TIMES, we become blind to the enormous graces that are around us. It’s because we tend to measure grace according to the vain values of the world, particularly popularity,…
The new HARP 2 program
For qualified borrowers who might not have any equity to Refinance ASK about the the NEW FHA Streamline started June 11, 2012 with much lower PMI and almost 0 MIP….
Pacquiao-Bradley winners and losers
MANNY Pacquiao didn’t lose to Timothy Bradley. That much is clear, no matter what Bradley says. Like a recently impeached midnight appointee, Bradley has to rationalize wearing his corona. But…
Discharge in bankruptcy
A DEBTOR who gets a discharge in a bankruptcy petition is no longer personally liable for most of the debts listed in the petition. This means that creditors of the…
FAQ’s on ‘Deferred Action’
OVER the past three years, this Administration has undertaken an unprecedented effort to transform the immigration enforcement system into one that focuses on public safety, border security and the integrity…
DHS announces work authorization and “Deferred Action” for “DREAM’ers”
On June 15, 2012, the Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, announced that, effective immediately, those who were brought to the U.S. as young children and who meet certain eligibility…
Eye-opener
SATURDAY’S outcome of the Pacquiao-Bradley fight came as a shocker, not only to Filipinos across the globe, but even to former boxing champs, fierce critics and former Pacquiao opponents, boxing…
9th Circuit to revisit ‘CSPA’ priority date retention
“ The decision, which had held that an “aged out” derivative beneficiary of a family or employment-based petition for immigrant status cannot benefit from the original priority date assigned to…
Gokongweis’ Tenth Commandment – There can only be one boss
THE tenth and most important rule is that “there can only be one boss.” Lance explained that this rule is related to succession. The role of the family and owners…
Still, the People’s Champ
So it has happened. After an impressive streak of 15 wins in 7 years, the taste of a loss does not only linger in Manny Pacquiao’s mouth, but to ours…
How is the federal gov’t helping homeowners reduce mortgage payments?
THE key and only answer is because they are keeping lending rates at all time lows. I suggest you better stop, listen and act on this. Why? Because if you…
Business as usual
Now it’s time for some serious business. President Benigno Aquino III, who is now holding meetings with the dignitaries of the United States, has accumulated for the country a whopping…
The Ties That Bind
ON TUESDAY, the US Senate unanimously passed a resolution”calling for increased defense and security cooperation with the Philippines.” The US Senate said that “Washington is fully committed to honoring its…
The First Elected Filipina and Woman of Color in the Manitoba Legislative Assembly
IN THE 2007 elections in Canada, Flor Marcelino, a Filipina businesswoman, made history as the first woman of color and first Filipina elected to the Manitoba Legislative Assembly for the…
Miriam Offensor-Santiago
How is Miriam Defensor-Santiago regarded by her colleagues in the Senate? No more than a sick joke. This was obvious in the way they were chuckling and exchanging mischievous whispers…
Overseas waiver requests to be filed in the US
Starting June 4, 2012, people applying for immigrant visas at the Embassy, but have been found ineligible (or inadmissible) by a US consular officer, will nowfile their waiver requests in…
I am a victim of crime. Can I get a visa?
Question: I was raped years ago. I heard there is some type of visa. Can I get this visa? Answer: You may be eligible for a U nonimmigrant visa. If…
Brugada Syndrome
Brugada Syndrome is a baffling condition where a person, who appears to be healthy, unexpectedly develops cardiac arrest, for no apparent reason. Most victims do not survive the episode. This…
What happens if you did not file a Tax Return?
By this time most of you must have filed your 2011 tax returns already, as the filing deadline on April 17 had long passed. But if you are among those…
Justice delayed
AFTER 44 days of trial, the world witnessed the guilty verdict passed for Chief Justice Renato Corona, who is now impeached. Although it took five months to deliver, the conclusion…
Stateside waiver program to be implemented by end of 2012
THE USCIS has announced that its Stateside Provisional Waiver process to allow immigrant visa applicants to overcome the 3 and ten year “unlawful presence” bars should be in full force…
Public Comment period ends for proposed rule to create a Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver Process
WASHINGTON — Today the formal public comment period closes for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) Provisional Unlawful Presence Waivers of Inadmissibility for Certain Immediate Relatives rule. The proposed rule,…
Corona teleserye II
With a vote of 20 to 3, impeached Chief Justice Renato C. Corona, the unconstitutional midnight appointee of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, was forcefully kicked out of his office as head magistrate…
Paradigm shift
AS THE convoluted chapter called the impeachment trial of now ex-Chief Justice Renato Corona comes to a close, yet another one opens — and with a lot at stake. The…
Can I appeal this horrible decision?
QUESTION: I lost at the immigration Court level. Can I appeal? Answer: Yes, you can appeal. You can appeal it to the Board of Immigration Appeals in Virginia. Question: When…
Appeals processing from immigration court decisions
EACH year, I consult with hundreds of individuals who have been ordered to leave the US by Immigration Judges. In the vast majority of these cases, the person had applied…
Who is benefiting from the foreclosure markets?
IN MY opinion there is a big bad wolf that is always winning over any market we are in. It’s not the rich guy you here about buying up rental…
Going Above and Beyond
FIL-AM Shella Condino’s philosophy in teaching is similar to how she lives her life: Dream big, work hard and be the best that you can be, because as she says:…