Everyday: A pentecost moment
THERE can be moments of depth in our everyday lives–times when God reveals something to us or makes us feel his quiet presence. These moments do not have to be…
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7th commandment: Being family is no guarantee of employment
Even if your family business is a model of harmony, it’s a good idea to think about how you’ll deal with conflicts before they arise. “There comes a time when…
Don’t delay entering the US with your immigrant visa
Dear Attorney Gurfinkel: I was petitioned by my US citizen father, and after waiting for over 15 years, I was finally interviewed and just received my immigrant visa, which was…
Aphrodisiacs for arousal
What are aphrodisiacs? Aphrodisiacs are prosexual drugs or substances that will heighten libido (sexual desire), orgasm (ecstasy and pleasure) and performance in males and females, not partner specific. Are these…
Prosecutorial discretion
On June 17, 2011, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director John Morton issued a Memorandum to provide guidance on the exercise of prosecutorial discretion (the Morton Memo). “Prosecutorial discretion”…
What constitutes lawful admission to the US?
THE Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) has restored its prior ruling that “admission” for the purposes of a later adjustment of status means a procedurally regular admission, and not an…
4th commandment: ‘No work, no pay’
DOING business with family and friends can be very rewarding. It can also be very complicated and difficult. Anyway, doing business with loved ones has never been a neutral topic. …
Jessica’s moment
This week proves to be the homestretch for Filipino-Mexican-American Jessica Sanchez as American Idol Season 11 comes to a close. This is it and she’s in it to win it….
USCIS Launches Online Immigration System, USCIS ELIS
WASHINGTON — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) today launched the first phase of its electronic immigration benefits system, known as USCIS ELIS. The system has been created to modernize…
Can I become a US citizen?
QUESTION: I would like to become a US Citizen. What can I do and what are the basic requirements? Answer: These are the basic requirements: Be 18 or older; Be…
Loan modification: Still showing signs of failure
THE worsening housing sector due to homes being underwater still has a great effect of our economies recovery, why are you not hearing this topic more often being resolve than…
Willy Santos, First Filipino-American Pioneer of Skateboarding
HE IS considered the Manny Pacquiao of the skateboarding industry, although Willy Santos has been doing it a lot longer in his sport than the Filipino boxing champ. Unfortunately, Santos…
Eric Cruz, Internationally Acclaimed and Multi-awarded Advertising Creative Director
In the world of advertising, creativity and out-of-the-box thinking is key. There are a lot of excellent copywriters and art directors in the industry, but the creative director strikes the…
Going home during pending green card applications
AS AN immigration officer, I had many emotional experiences and one of my most difficult experiences was when an Iranian applicant came to the Service and requested an advanced parole…
He’s coming back soon!
“PADRE, Jesus regresara pronto, verdad?”, a mentally challenged Korean man asked me in heavily accented Spanish at our church patio. “Si,” I responded without thinking much. Then I mused about…
Dental home care
YOUR personal home care plays an important role in maintaining healthy smile. Your personal home care starts by eating balanced meals, reducing the number of snacks you eat, and correctly using the…
The June 2012 Priority Dates
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…
Dr. Google and Cyberchondriacs
The advent of the computer and cyberspace technology has led to the explosion of, and instant access to, seemingly endless volumes of information in the various fields of human endeavor,…
Tipping point
“WE are proud of the progress we have made, but we are not satisfied with just this. We Filipinos know just how much potential this country has and we are…
H-1B cap update for FY 2013
THE H-1B visa quota for FY 2013 officially opened up on Sunday, April 1, 2012, making 65,000 new H-1B regular visa numbers available for new employment beginning on October 1,…
Pay must be commensurate to productivity
THE Sixth Commandment is “pay must be based on contribution to the business”. Lance Gokongwei said that in order for the family member to live and think independently, the family…
A floral procession for everyone
It is May again and it bursts with the fresh spunk of festivals. Shining among the festivities of this month is the observation of the Flores De Mayo. This tradition…
Home prices finally hitting rock bottom: Is this the time to buy?
ZILLOW’S first-quarter home value report found that home values posted their biggest monthly gain since 2006 last month, rising 0.5% nationwide. The data show that 19 of the 30 largest…
Preaching preventive measures
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…
On speaking with authority
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,…
Ang Mamatay Nang Dahil Sa Iyo
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…
A Mother’s Day greeting
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…
Tooth enamel damage control
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…
The elusive gold
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….
EB-5 Investor Visa program developments
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…