Debt Relief Act helping struggling homeowners with tax breaks still up in the air
IF CONGRESS does not extend the Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2007 by the end of the year, homeowners will have to start paying income taxes on the portion…
Should Christmas displays be banned in public places?
ONE of the rituals many Fil-Am families enjoy doing during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is putting up a Christmas tree and decorations, for that early Christmas feeling. Our friends and…
How long must records be kept?
HOW long should you retain records? I have some clients who throw away everything instantly. Can’t stand records. I also have clients who keep records forever. Rat packs. There must…
Malacanang says passage of Sin Tax Bill is a vital step in expanding health safety nets for Filipinos
The move of the Senate to pass the Sin Tax Bill is a vital step forward in improving and expanding public health safety nets for all Filipinos, a Palace official…
"Give A Hand" to Families in Need This Holiday Season at McDonald's Restaurants
Through the annual “Give A Hand” in-restaurant fundraiser can help raise funds to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities® Oak Brook, Ill. (November, 10, 2012) – Today, McDonald’s® are celebrating McHappy…
Enjoy Thanksgiving Day Breakfast Buffet at Goldilocks
Get a head start on Thanksgiving Day festivities by treating your family and guests to Goldilocks’ special Thanksgiving Day Breakfast Buffet on Thursday, November 22, 2012 from 8-11am. The sumptuous…
Travelogues: Sagada
It’s just hard to imagine that this place was once submerged in water. Rocks that were once in the abyss of the ocean seemed to have risen as the waters…
Smoking damages DNA instantly
For cigarette smokers and those who may be tempted to start, here’s a bit of truly disturbing new information from the American Chemical Society. New research revealed that tobacco smoke…
Oktoberfest and significant October bashes
The month of October greets us with tons of excitement and brings us weeks loaded with grandiosely conceptualized events and pompously celebrated occasions that literally filled up our calendar, aside…
Gifts from Mother Nature
“The juveniles are fun to watch. The young males enjoy sparring, often in the shallow rocky areas off shore. That play, characteristic of male mammals of many species, humans included,…
Community-builder of Happy Pinoys
SOME people are content being average. There are also those who want to make a difference in the world they live in; who want to make their lives count — …
Pre-filing transfer of house to son fraudulent
LET’S assume that you lost your job and are no longer able to make the mortgage payments on your house, so you quitclaim the house to your son who takes…
What sets us apart?
CORA Oriel, the publisher of Asian Journal, shared with me an amazing story from New York Times regarding a devastation of recent Hurricane Sandy. This happened in Breezy Point in the New York…
Are your monthly expenses more than your income?
“HOW can I pay my creditors when my income is not even enough to cover my basic living expenses?’. This is a question that I hear everyday from people in…
Music: A universal fund raising source
Hurricane Sandy’s massive destruction last October 29 left a disheartening aftermath of numerous residential houses mercilessly splintered like matchsticks in unimaginable proportions. To date, there are still growing numbers of…
Music: A universal fund raising source
Hurricane Sandy’s massive destruction last October 29 left a disheartening aftermath of numerous residential houses mercilessly splintered like matchsticks in unimaginable proportions. To date, there are still growing numbers of…
Are we, humans, really civilized? (Or, are humans for the birds?)
I was driving to work one early morning in Munster, Indiana when I noticed a flock of Canada geese flying against a beautiful backdrop of a golden orange rising sun…
DACA Statistics: 308,935 people applied, but only 2,613 Filipinos!
Recently, the USCIS published statistics on DACA filings. I was quite surprised at the results, especially as it concerned Filipinos. It showed that as of November 15, 2012, 308,935 people…
Lasting alliance
A renewed pact is brewing between the Philippines and the United States. By next month, the two countries will sign the visiting forces agreement that will permit for another bilateral…
Moving beyond election blues and divisiveness
MANY Americans (including Fil-Ams) heavily invested in the recently concluded US Presidential elections. Some contributed cash for their candidates, others volunteered to help in their campaigns, and many were passionately…
Proud to be Filipino-American
After four elections in the United States, I can now say that I am proud to be a Filipino-American. From the sidelines as an observer, I immersed myself with the…
Retention Of Priority Dates For Certain Aged Out Derivative Beneficiaries
The wait time for immigrant petitions to become “current” under most family based preference categories often takes a long time. During this long waiting period, it is common for derivative…
ASEAN, interrupted
ALLIANCES are supposed to create new and stronger organizations. But history may show that sometimes, integrations may look good on paper but fall short of what is expected. From Nov….
Meeting the Higantes
IT is a clear day in Angono. The streets are filled with bystanders—residents and non-residents alike—who are eagerly waiting for the presence of something big. Looking above, the view of…
Are 'caregivers' or 'nannies' entitled to overtime pay?
Q: I WORK as a “caregiver” for a disabled senior at a private residence. In addition to caring for the senior, I also cook, clean the house, and do the…
Proposed provisional unlawful presence waivers
IN January of this year, we first wrote about this exciting topic, which was based on the January 6, 2012 announcement by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In the…
Fannie and Freddie approving short sale not in delinquent status
MANY homeowners are still left with a mortgage balance that worth more than the value of the property. With the economy still being badly affected by the possibility of a…
Election post-mortem blues
A WEEK after the contentious election, we heard back again from the two gentlemen who ran for the Presidency. President Obama in his press conference praised Gov. Mitt Romney and…
Head of household filing status
WHY would single or separated taxpayers file as Heads of Household? Let us count the ways: 1. You have a lower tax rate than a single or married person filing…
