IN ONE month, the H-1B visa category opens again. Will you be one of the lucky ones who will receive a three year H-1B visa for this fiscal year? In the last fiscal year, the H-1B non immigrant visa quota did not reach its cap until January 26, 2011. But previously in years prior, the…
ACCORDING to presidential deputy spokesperson Abigail Valte, PNoy was not on the warpath when he made admonitions to the Marcoses during the celebration of the 25th anniversary of EDSA 1 last week. He was simply “trying to set the record straight regarding the events which toppled the Marcos dictatorship and installed his late mother Pres….
It was definitely one of those special moments, when I had the energy to work for a week straight. No doubt, when you do the things you love, you never measure the time you spend working. A couple of Sundays ago, I was invited by my good friend, Giselle Tongi, to be the costume designer…
THIS year, the commemoration of EDSA 1 holds more meaning, not just for celebrating its 25th year, but also because of its special significance to the global community at large – particularly in Middle Eastern countries, where citizens are presently fighting against a tyrannical rule, to rightfully claim their democracies. In the Philippines, key personalities…
Last Saturday night, February 19, Filipinos who gathered to support the “Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire, at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, left the building with proud smiles on their faces as they recall how their kababayan, Donaire, sent the Mexican fighter, Fernando Montiel, crumpling on the canvas via a powerful knockout….
IN THE midst of the unfolding drama among the living (known as military corruption), the dead have their own sub-plot of brewing conflict. It’s enough to make former AFP Chief of Staff Angie Reyes stir in his grave. After all, it was his controversial hero’s burial, replete with full military honors, which revived another disputable…
THERE is a natural tendency among divorcing parties to hide their assets from their spouse. This is a common problem that I have observed from practicing law for many years. A common question I hear from clients is “my spouse doesn’t know I have an account in this bank, do I have to let him/…
A LONG term partner of the Philippines especially when it comes to financial support, the World Bank continues to assist local government agencies and dynamic sectors with hopes in improving the lives of the Filipino citizens and help in bringing fiscal stability to the country, among others. As a part of their commitment, the World…
What does a father do if mom does not allow dad to visit his child? This situation becomes more difficult in situations where the father is not married to the mother such as in a boyfriend/ girlfriend relationship where girlfriend gets pregnant and the relationship breaks up prior to the birth of the child. It…
“TIME is a great healer. Through the years, the burning flame has subsided into embers that glow bright every time they are fanned by the winds of poignant memories. We learn to live with our hurt and try to make the most of what is with us. Life must go on.” – Quote on Purificacion…
Triggered by the contentious plea bargain agreement made between ex-Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) comptroller Carlos Garcia and the Office of the Special Prosecutor, and the series of investigations which ensued after — involving former high-ranking officers in the AFP and their alleged send-off monies and kickbacks — yet another brave soul emerges to…
Following the bungled rescue operations of last year’s hostage taking that killed 8 Hong Kong tourists, local journalists in Calamba, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon (CALABARZON) recently signed last Feb. 1 the protocol on crisis coverage set by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the area. Samuel Pagdillao, CALABARZON police director and Chief Superintendent, said in…
As Filipinos, we are all undoubtedly aware to a certain extent of the procedures and avenues by which one can obtain permanent residence. After obtaining permanent residence status, many green card holders desire to take that next step—becoming a United States citizen. As a United States citizen, one is afforded many privileges that are not…
2011 appears to be a robust year for the Philippines. As 2011 began, the country is poised for its strongest year of economic growth in 24 years. Signs of economic growth have been evident in the past year and the beginning of this year. The Philippine economy grew at its fastest pace since the 1986…
FTER speculations circulated that he has gone into hiding, former military comptroller Carlos Garcia made an appearance at the House of Representatives on January 25 for a congressional inquiry to investigate the controversial plea bargain agreement made between Garcia and the Office of the Special Prosecutor. However, Ombudsman Merceditas Gutierrez was a no-show at the…
INFURIATING it is, indeed. While the dust on the Vizconde massacre case is still far from settling and Lauro Vizconde is still battling the system for his share of justice, yet another spate of heinous crimes surfaced once again. The murders of car traders, Emerson Lozano and Venson Evangelista cause on outrage among anti-crime crusaders,…
RECENT reports said that one of World Bank’s funding agency, the International Finance Corp. (IFC), plans to invest in key Philippine banks that need to increase their core capital to meet stricter global capital adequacy requirements. Jesse Ang, representative of IFC to the Philippines, said in an interview that the need of the local banks…
THE diversification of skills of the Filipino migrant workers and of the labor market caused the country to achieve a remittances growth at robust pace in 2010. In a recent report by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), remittances from overseas Filipinos (Ofs) coursed through banks surged by 15.5% percent year-on-year to reach $1.6 billion…
BANGKO Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) recently reported that OFW remittances surged by 11 percent in November 2010 — from the $1.5 billion recorded in November 2009 to $1.6 billion in 2010. Cumulative remittances amounted to $17 billion from January to November, up year-on-year by 8.2 percent from $15.8 billion. BSP Gov. Amando Tetangco Jr. credits…
There is no question at all that physical exercise, no matter how minimally strenuous, at least 5 times a week for those who are medically fit, helps ward off diseases, from metabolic, cardiovascular, and even from many forms of cancer. For individuals already with essential hypertension (high blood pressure) and/or diabetes, hypercholesterolemia (elevated cholesterol in…
IN a Christian country like the Philippines, the birth of Jesus Christ is not only the most celebrated event as come January 1, thousands of devotees of the Black Jesus of Nazarene also greets the new year with a procession of the holy image along the streets of Quiapo in Manila. The devotees that recently…
WHEN suspected criminals are caught, they take mug shots and stand in front of a judge. But before justice is sought, the suspect must first be found. In an endeavor that has been brewing for a year now, the Philippine government headed by Pres. Benigno Aquino III and Justice Secretary Leila De Lima have turned…
IN HIS New Year’s message for the country, President Aquino said that there was much to be done but the ‘light of hope had shone’ on the Philippines because Pinoys have chosen to walk the straight path. He asked for unity and continued support from his kababayans, vowing to make his administration’s efforts in improving…
Tempus fugit, in aeternum. Time flees, forever. As we bid farewell to 2010, let us remember to relish the good and learn from the bad – and the lessons we gleaned from both. Admittedly, regardless whether it was a good or bad year, 2010 proved to be interesting, both for Pinoys here in the US…
THE year 2010 came out as another difficult and challenging year for the Philippines, but Filipinos pulled through. The year is days away from its end, but before everyone celebrates the coming year, every Filipino is now responsible to ponder on the 12 months that have passed. It is the time where Filipinos should understand…
IT might be sheer coincidence, it may be because being we are known to be a very forgiving race, especially since Christmas is only a few days away. For the past couple of weeks, freedom seems to be the operative word in the judicial system, and like a proverbial Christmas baratillo, there seems to be…
ON JUNE 30, 1991, a most gruesome incident occured in Lauro Vizconde’s household while he was in the United States on a business trip. His wife, Estrellita, 47 and daughters Carmela, 18 and Jennifer, 7 and were all stabbed to death. Findings also revealed that Carmela was raped before she was killed. The multiple homicide…
With the intention to avoid further conflict with China, the Philippine government has decided to forego in this year’s Nobel Prize awarding ceremonies in Norway, which honored Chinese democracy activist Lu Xiabao the Nobel Peace Prize for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in his country. The Philippines, known to be one…
PHILIPPINE tourism almost stands alone worldwide as a place that still has tremendous potential. Although affected by recent controversies mainly because of issues in security, the Philippines is well on its way to establishing itself as a major player in the tourism industry. The hostage-taking incident that happened on Aug. 23 is still a serious…
ACCORDING to Renaud Meyer, UNDP Country Director to the Philippines, the country’s performance in meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) remains “generally low,” with barely five years into the deadline. “Accelerating progress to attain the MDGs requires increased resources to deliver what has been promised to those for whom the MDGs are not a reality,”…
