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…
CONSIDERING our close relationship ties, it is most likely that at least once in your life you’d be asked to co-sign for a loan for a family or a friend- whether it’s for a vehicle, a mortgage, credit card, or a student loan. While it may be tempting to help someone in “dire” need, you…
“Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a strong predictor of death from all causes and of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure in men with cardiovascular disease (CVD),” according to a German study, published in the Circulation, a journal of the American Heart Association. Men who have CVD and inability to have effective erection, compared to men…
THE decision to terminate one’s marriage typically brings to the forefront many issues all at once. Issues pertaining to property, support, and child custody need to be addressed in a divorce proceeding. In a long term marriage especially, these issues are often heavily litigated between the spouses, and can take a significant amount of time…
YOU’RE probably one of those employees wanting to tap your 401(k), 403(b), or other retirement accounts to get you through dire financial need. With unemployment rate hovering at more than 12% and consumer spend- ing continuously increasing, your choices must have been exhaust- ed so you’re left with no choice. You assume withdrawing your retirement…
“SO WHAT did you talk about?” I asked a Catholic School teacher who came from a whole day of Religious Education seminar. “We talked about unity,” she answered. “Unity? What’s that got to do with teaching Religion,” I responded sarcastically, intrigued by her answer. “Well, we learned that it is important to work together with…
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. It’s the time of the year when many couples get engaged or married. If you are an American citizen who intends to marry your foreign fiancé in the United States you must first obtain a “K-1” fiancé visa. This article will cover general requirements and processing procedures for…
H-1B season is around the corner. On April 1, 2010, the United States Citizenship & Immigration Service (USCIS) will accept H-1B filings for the Fiscal Year 2011. The start date that can be requested for such petitions will be October 1, 2010 (first day of Fiscal Year 2011). H-1B “Cap Filings” do not include filings…
In a previous article, we covered eligibility requirements for EB-2 advanced degree and exceptional ability aliens, and EB-3 skilled and professional workers. The third preference category of employment-based immigration (EB-3) is divided into two sub-categories: “professional/skilled workers” and “other (unskilled) workers.” This article will discuss general application procedures and requirements regarding the “other worker” category….
Each year the immigration regulations provide a minimum of 140,000 employment-based immigrant visas which are divided into five preference categories. While some categories have a backlog of several years, others have a much shorter wait time. The most common are the EB-2 and the EB-3 categories. This article will cover general questions regarding the requirements,…
Congress established the employment based fifth preference (EB-5) immigrant visa category under the U.S. Immigration Act of 1990 (IMMACT90) in the hopes of attracting foreign capital to the U.S. and creating jobs for American workers in the process. IMMACT90 allows the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) to issue up to 10,000 immigrant visas annually…
World events and political changes over the past couple of years have exposed the different faces of the American people. As a whole, American patriotism has become more visible. But this wave of patriotism has also diluted some of the founding principals upon which our country stands. Like the pilgrimage of past generations, immigrants today…
The World Health Organization observes “World No Tobacco Day” on May 31st each year to remind people around the globe about the deadly effects on smoking and to inspire smokers to quit the habit as a part of a healthy lifestyle. The smokers and their family and other people around them are impacted directly and…
A FEW weeks ago, the Board of Directors of Nestlé S.A, the largest food company in the world, appointed Filipino American Wan Ling Martello to succeed Jim Singh when he retires on March 31, 2012 as Executive Vice President (EVP) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Nestlé. The appointment of Wan Ling Martello, a company…
WHEN someone dies without a Living Trust, the decedent’s estate is subject to a probate. Probate simply means “to prove the will”. The process is designed to prove that the decedent actually had died and that the will presented for “proving” is actually the valid will. Today, it probably is best to describe probate as…
I LIKE how a fellow-priest interpreted the Parable of the Wedding Banquet of this Sunday’s Gospel. Initially, he didn’t find anything worst about the people who refused the king’s invitation to come to his son’s wedding banquet. In fact he found them to be good people: they took care of their families, worked hard to…
THE furor over the assertion of US Ambassador to the Philippines Harry Thomas that 40% of male foreign visitors are sex tourists reminds me of the newspaper headline that declared, “50% of the people in Congress are crooks.” Expectedly, the honorable solons reacted violently to that dishonorable accusation and demanded a retraction. The newspaper, forthwith,…
THE Pinoys’ plight to travel towards the “straight path” might serve them well in the long run, according to a recent study made by a Singapore-based financial service group. In its research entitled Asia 2020, the Development Bank of Singapore (DBS) said that the Aquino government’s campaign on curbing corruption could mean more foreign direct investments for the country as it…
This is one request every physician dreads to hear from a patient. No matter how hopelessly ill a person may be, even one dying from terminal cancer which has spread all over the body causing unabated pain and suffering, such a plea for mercy and final relief for the physician to prescribe higher dosage of…
