ON NOVEMBER 26, Saturday, NASA launched the biggest and best-equipped robot ever sent to explore another planet from the Kennedy Space Centre. Dubbed Mars Curiosity but more formally called the Mars Science Laboratory, it is expected to reach Mars by August 2012. If all goes according to plan, the rover will be abseiling down from…
HOW much of their home office expenses can be deducted is one of the most misjudged tax questions faced by home workers. The reality of home office expense deductibility is much more complex than the common perception. When can home office expenses be deducted? The costs associated with maintaining a home office can be deducted…
“THINK BIG”, I shared the other day in a meeting with a group volunteers. Big: not in the sense of property or material wealth, but “big” in the sense of dreams and visions. We can’t afford to be limited in our expectations; otherwise we become faint and lackluster. With big dreams and visions, we become…
Autopsy findings on “healthy” children, as young as four and five, who were victims of accidents, already showed evidences of arteriosclerosis (hardening of their arteries), a condition we expect to see only in adults. There must be something we, parents, and society are doing wrong. When we prepare to bring forth a child into this…
Autopsy findings on “healthy” children, as young as four and five, who were victims of accidents, already showed evidences of arteriosclerosis (hardening of their arteries), a condition we expect to see only in adults. There must be something we, parents, and society are doing wrong. When we prepare to bring forth a child into this…
DESPITE her rigid efforts in bringing the Philippine justice system to a reputable form, Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Leila De Lima is now in hot water – with the possibility of losing her license as a lawyer. In a nine-page complaint filed on Monday, in perhaps a form retaliation from Former President Gloria Macapagal…
57 INDIVIDUALS (32 of whom were journalists) perished on November 23, 2009 in Ampatuan, Maguindanao province in Mindanao. A 58th victim, journalist Reynaldo Momay remains missing. Now, two years after the gruesome incident, for the victims’ families and friends the pain lingers on — the thirst for justice remains unquenched. Amid the threat of explosives…
Jason Day, Fil-Australian PGA Top Golfer and Number 8 in World Golf Rankings He’s 9th in the money leaders list in the Professional Golf Association (PGA) Tour with nearly $4 million in winnings this year. He’s finished in the top five, with two second place finishes – one at the Masters and another in the…
TOO many times, taxpayers receive a surprise letter from the IRS, and even the Franchise Tax Board, on taxes owed from a cancelled debt acquired through debt settlement or debt consolidation. The general notion that once a debt has been reduced by a lender, the debtor is absolved of any other financial obligation has kept…
IT’S A beautiful and solemn season. As a nation we pause and gather as families and friends on Thanksgiving Day to express our gratitude to God. This weekend, we start the First Sunday of Advent in preparation for Christmas, the birthday of our Savior, Jesus Christ. For us Filipino Catholics, the season is filled with…
Amid the much-publicized conflict between the camp of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the incumbent administration, President Benigno Aquino III still managed to meet up with South Korea’s President, Lee Myung Bak, to further strengthen bilateral ties. Coming straight from the Association of Southeast Asian Nation (ASEAN) summit in Bali, Indonesia, the South Korean President…
Q: My blood pressure has been normal for more than 6 months, do I have to continue taking my blood pressure pills? A: There are some exceptions where high blood pressure has turned normal after low-salt diet and exercise, but in general, once a hypertensive, always a hypertensive, meaning high blood pressure is for life….
THE aftermath of last week’s political disarray only serves to illustrate the materializating of the country that President Benigno Aquino III imagines he’s creating — and the one that actually exists. Assigned into office on a message of frugal economy and honest government, Aquino who still continues to pitch the ideal of a “new era”…
“TWO groups play the game. Each side has five members: four guards and a captain. The game is played on the court. The objective of the game is for one group to walk or run through the court from one to the other and return without being caught by the defending group who keep guard…
A FEW years ago, a joint resolution of the 13th Congress of the Philippines created the Congressional Commission on Science and Technology and Engineering (COMSTE) to create, amend, or repeal laws and propose budgets that will make the Philippines competitive in science and technology. The country could not have chosen a better man to be…
“I’VE never felt so vulnerable about this disease until now”, I told my neurologist in an unusually poignant voice. Diagnosed with systemic lupus erythematosus (simply called lupus) in September 2007, I have managed to conquer the physical and emotional odds of having the rare, chronic and debilitating disease and I have a great family support…
“TRANSFORMING the Church involves partnership and participation.” I shared this reflection with some priest-delegates of the First National Assembly of Filipino Priests serving the Roman Catholic Church in the United States of America during a workshop I conducted on cultural integration in ministry. What an astonishing way was this manifested during this historic assembly as…
The controversy about the increased risk of brain cancer and other health concerns among avid users of cellular phone is upon us once again. The internet is flooded with claims and counterclaims, and some misinformation. Earlier, we wrote about the possible adverse health effects of the frequent and prolonged use of cellular phone. Following are…
WHILE we approach the last quarter of the year, this serves as a reminder that it’s neither too early nor too late to plan and strategize your income taxes for 2011. New year brings new tax laws. Plan now, not later because when the year is over, there is not much you can do anymore….
I’VE been talking to many people these days about the importance of having prudence in managing one’s life. It’s an attitude that calls for cautiousness and intelligence, not in theories or knowledge but in practical matters. Having prudence saves one from tensions, heartaches, and disappointments. It’s a conscious regard for actualities of people’s states of…
About a year ago, an international vendor of herbal products denounced the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for launching what it described as “a campaign of terror against companies selling natural cures for cancer.” This allegation was obviously worded to mislead and anger the consumers and pit them against the Federal Trade Commission. The…
Felling a little listless today? why not perk yourself up, by pouring 15 teaspoons of sugar in your mouth? You probably laughed at the above suggestion, but if you’re a fan of energy drinks, that’s the approximate amount of sugar you’ll ingest if you indulge in a 16-ounce serving! Colas are another source of sugar…
SHAMCEY Supsup, the Philippines’ representative to the recent Miss Universe pageant, heralded a strong message of empowerment to Filipinas, when she placed third runner-up. On November 6, two more Filipinas echoed her achievement when Philippines was once again distinguished as one of the best in the glittering world of pageantry. Looks like the country is…
In the year 2014 to 2020, half of the world is expected to be filled up with seniors nearing their retirement age. This was affirmed by the Executive Director of HealthCore Philippines, Joyce Socao-Alumno, who also said that the aging generation of baby boomers could also be seen as an advantage for Filipinos practicing in…
From years 2014 to 2020, half of the world’s population will be seniors nearing retirement age. This was affirmed by Joyce Socao-Alumno, Executive Director of HealthCore Philippines, saying that a market of now aging generation of baby boomers would be an advantage for Filipinos in the medical field, both in the Philippines and abroad. Envisioned…
In the heart of Historic Filipinotown I’ve discovered a little slice of heaven. For pesco-vegans like me – people who eat fish but no other meat – the Filipino-owned and operated Tribal Café is paradise. On the corner of Temple Street and Belmont, this funky hole in the wall café has a casual and inviting…
Couples have different spending habits and different philosophy in handling marital finances. Some spouses are conservative in managing their finances and stick with a budget while other spouses do not even set budgets. What is your exposure if your spouse is a shop-a-holic and runs though his/her credit card like there is no tomorrow? What…
THE United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public alert on May 1, 2009, warning consumers to “stop using Hydroxycut Products, dietary supplements used for weight loss as fat burners, as energy-enhancers, as low carb diet aids, and for water loss under the Lovate and MuscleTech brand names.” The FDA reported that “thus far…
AS WE commemorate the day of the dearly departed, the world also recognizes another milestone for humanity, with the birth of the 7 billionth baby. Baby Danica May Camacho, born in the Philippines on Monday, is the United Nations’ chosen symbolic seven billionth baby. Humankind didn’t hit the 1 billionth threshold until the 19th century….
THE leader and president of the California Public Utilities Commission is being criticized by groups that are indifferent to the plight of our state’s six million Asian Americans and 600,000 Asian American-owned businesses. Our great friend in California, Governor Brown, is in a unique position to address these criticisms since CPUC President Mike Peevey has…
