Should you or should you not co-sign for a relative or friend?
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-…
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Lorna Schofield, One of National Law Journal’s 50 Most Influential Minority Lawyers and Nominee for Federal District Court Judge, Southern District of NY
She’s been hailed as a Super Lawyer, referenced as one of the top trial attorneys in the nation, and the National Law Journal named her as one of the 50…
Do I have to wait for years to come to the US?
QUESTION: I have been waiting for many years to come to the United States from a petition from my sister. It has been 14 years. Must I still wait? Answer:…
Naturalization may delay reunification with your child
IN August 2004, Jade, a legal permanent resident, petitioned for her child, John. John was classified under the F2A category as an unmarried child of a legal permanent resident. When…
On abandoning one’s net
MANY times in the middle of the night I wonder how I’m able to fulfill my responsibilities as pastor of an inner-city and multicultural church that has a great deal…
Mariels Almeda Winhoffer, The first Pinay president of IBM Philippines
IN 2009, Mariels Almeda Winhoffer hit the headlines when she was awarded by the Asian American Business Development Center as one of the 50 Outstanding Asian Americans in Business —…
I don’t have to leave the US for the waiver of the 3/10 year bar?
QUESTION: I heard that there is some new law about the Waiver of the 3/10 year bar. What is it? Answer: It is not actually law yet, but it is…
Overcoming allegations of marriage fraud
MANNY and Mary worked together at the same healthcare facility. Despite a 20-year age difference, they became close friends and started dating. Within 5 months, Manny proposed. Due to financial…
Beyond a bishop’s fall from grace
MUCH has been said about Bishop Gabino Zavala’s fall from grace, his resignation as auxiliary bishop of the San Gabriel Region after admitting that he fathered two children, now in…
Unexplained muscle pains
What is myalgia? Myalgia means muscle aches and pains. There is a condition called Fibromyalgia, which is a disorder that causes achy pain, tenderness, spasm, and stiffness of the muscle,…
Corona-novela
FOR most Filipinos, telenovelas have proven more affective to regular households than the evening news. The recognition and relevance that the audience accords to the narratives from the characters they…
Of sin taxes, bishops and guns
THE guys at my favorite watering hole in Daly City are, as usual, confused about the state of affairs in the Philippines. And, as usual, they turn to me for…
2012 tax season starts January 17, ends April 17
INCOME taxes. For the lower income earner, it is a welcome relief as the government bestows tax credits and benefits. But for the medium to higher income earner, it’s usually…
I can stay in the US and submit my waiver!
QUESTION: I have heard that there is a new way that I can submit my Waiver of the 3/10 year bar. Is that true? Answer: Normally, you would have to…
An exciting development in the area of immigration waivers
AS WE begin this New Year, we hope that 2012 will be good for all of you, especially in the area of immigration law. Traditionally, immigration law has seen positive…
Small steps for bigger goals
TAKE small steps at a time. This has been a recurrent advice that we hear from people and read from magazines as we make our New Year’s resolutions. We can’t…
A ‘more fun’ strategy
ON January 6, the much-awaited and much-anticipated new tourism campaign was launched by the Department of Tourism (spearheaded by DOT Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr.) to dispel the nation’s disappointment over…
An insult to our physicians
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has shown vicious contempt and grave disrespect for the Filipino physicians and the healthcare in the Philippines when she and her husband decided the quality of medical…
Swimming and … staining?
When we notice someone with discolored teeth, we usually assume it’s due to smoking, a high consumption of staining foods and drinks, or some other common reason. There’s another cause…
Testament of faith
TO commemorate the Feast of the Black Nazarene Monday, Jan. 9, some brave volunteers tried to secure the image of the Black Nazarene throughout the procession, while seven million maroon-clad…
IRS warns public of tax preparer fraud
MORE and more taxpayers have been receiving it from the IRS….. the audit letter asking to substantiate tax deductible expenses claimed in a prior tax year. In fact, some taxpayers…
Permanent residency and divorce
WITH the New Year comes the opportunity to reflect on our lives and to set goals for ourselves during 2012. Many of these goals will revolve around health, work, and…
On taking on this journey of 2013
THE holidays are over and now we’re back to our normal routines. Like many of you, I think of the activities and the events that will unfold before me as…
Safety (and security) first
The New Year is a usual time for Filipinos abroad to visit their loved ones in the Philippines. But for most Pinoys in the Middle East, it was an involuntary…
Health capsules for 2012
Veggies protect the stomach Those taking NSAID drugs like ibuprofen, and other anti-arthritis pain medications regularly can be victims of stomach irritation which could result in ulcers and bleeding complication….
A fresh start
“LEARN from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”- Albert Einstein Forget the past and start anew. This is perhaps a trend now as the world economy begins a new…
Using caution with student loans
GOING to college is a good thing as it can open greater opportunities for employment and has the potential to transform someone to higher level of success. There are various…
Obtaining bond in immigration custody
AT LEAST once a week, someone comes into my office panicking because their spouse or other relative has been picked up and detained by immigration authorities. The relative was arrested…
The visit: The gift
MY best Christmas gift this year was not another gadget or a nice polo shirt or a sweater. It was not a gift card or a ticket to a concert….
Foods to avoid
Poorly cooked pork/seafood Unlike beef which could be eaten rare or medium, pork is safe only when fully cooked, especially in barbeque. Improperly cooked pork could lead to a micro…