IRS says more early birds filing taxes
Barely three weeks after the start of this year’s tax filing season, the IRS had received 19 million tax returns, processed 16.8 million of them, and issued eight million refunds each averaging $1,963. The message – IRS Deputy Commissioner Kevin Moorehead told reporters on an Ethnic Media Services conference call last week – is file…
Finding a solution to your tax problems
Read this if you owe the IRS money and can’t pay. If you just received a letter from the IRS for a tax bill that you can’t pay, you’re probably wondering what will happen next if you don’t have the money to pay them. Or perhaps you already know that you owe the IRS but…
Era of ‘free’ COVID vaccines, test kits, and treatments is ending. Who will pay the tab now?
Time is running out for free-to-consumer COVID vaccines, at-home test kits, and even some treatments. The White House announced this month that the national public health emergency, first declared in early 2020 in response to the pandemic, is set to expire May 11. When it ends, so will many of the policies designed to combat the virus’s…
Manila set to host Rotary International convention in 2028, its largest and most multi-cultural gathering to date
EVANSTON, Ill. — Rotary International announced Manila, Philippines as the winner of the provisional bid to hold its annual international convention, 3-8 June 2028, which is set to be the largest and most multi-cultural gathering ever hosted in the country. More than 25,000 Rotary members and participants from around the world are expected to gather…
How courts determine child custody in California
One of the most emotional aspect of a marital dissolution case is dealing with Child custody issues. Sadly enough, this is an area where most parents play games with each other trying their best to deprive the other parents of their right to maintain relationship with their child. Child custody comes in two parts, 1)…
‘Iconic’: Megastar Sharon Cuneta, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez repeat concert, live at Pechanga Resort Casino March 19
BOWING to numerous requests, Philippine Megastar Sharon Cuneta and Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez will once again hold a back-to-back concert dubbed “Iconic,” on March 19 at 6 p.m., at Pechanga Resort Casino. Similar successful ‘Iconic’ performances were held in Manila in 2019 and the past year in other key states in America. And again, the Pechanga…
Sama tayo! Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour of the Philippines for Fil-Ams, family & friends in July
Los Angeles – The Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour is returning this year after a three-year hiatus. This year’s VIP Tour will take place from 16 to 24 July 2023 and will take participants to scenic sights in Manila, Iloilo, and Boracay. The tour package starts at US$1,968 for single occupancy, US$1,468.00 per person for…
The joy of watching the Philippine Ballet Theater
“Panta hypoménei. This means that love bears every trial with a positive attitude. It stands firm in hostile surroundings. This “endurance” involves not only the ability to tolerate certain aggravations, but something greater: a constant readiness to confront any challenge. It is a love that never gives up, even in the darkest hour. It shows…
The 10th anniversary celebration of the ‘Friends of FAPCCA’ was a huge success
The “FRIENDS OF FAPPCA” was founded in 2013 in pursuing the mission and success of the “FRIENDS OF FAPPCA”. This Club represents an impressive heritage of TEN years of talented and caring friends serving this community. Proceeds of this event will benefit the various projects of The FRIENDS OF FAPPCA, designed to provide opportunity for…
California homeless crisis looms as Governor Newsom eyes political future
SACRAMENTO — Driving through the industrial outskirts of Sacramento, a stretch of warehouses, wholesale suppliers, truck centers, and auto repair shops northeast of downtown, it’s hard to square California’s $18 billion investment in homeless services with the roadside misery. Tents and tarps, run-down RVs, and rusted boats repurposed as shelter line one side of the…
Newer COVID-19 strain XBB.1.5 emerges as dominant in LA County
A newer COVID-19 Omicron strain, XBB.1.5, has emerged as dominant in Los Angeles County, according to the most recent analysis of local COVID samples from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health). XBB.1.5 accounts for 32.8% of sequenced COVID-19 specimens in Los Angeles County for the week ending Jan. 21, outcompeting BQ.1.1,…
[COLUMN] How courts determine child custody in California
One of the most emotional aspect of a marital dissolution case is dealing with Child custody issues. Sadly enough, this is an area where most parents play games with each other trying their best to deprive the other parents of their right to maintain relationship with their child. Child custody comes in two parts, 1)…
[COLUMN] Are employee paystubs just a piece of paper?
Employer pays $58.5 Million settlement for wage-statement violations Like many other employees, you may usually just file away the pay stubs you receive from your employer, biweekly or twice a month, without even reviewing them. But there is much more to these pay stubs—or wage statements—than you may realize. California’s Labor Code requires that these…
[COLUMN] Writ of Mandamus relief for unreasonable delay in pending immigration filings
A common question that is asked by a person who has a pending immigration petition or application is “how much longer until USCIS makes a decision?” The question is understandable, in that an unreasonable delay in the USCIS’ adjudication of a petition or application can have adverse effects, including loss of employment and employment opportunities,…
[COLUMN] Disabled senior needs Chapter 7 relief from $50k credit cards
AT some point in your life, you will have to confront your own mortality as well as the mortality of your loved ones. When you’re 12, you’re in a hurry to become a teenager. When you’re a teenager, you’re in a hurry to become 21. In the meantime, before you turn 21, you’re in college…
Tourism Promotions Board and Department of Tourism wrap up ASEAN Tourism Forum 2023 with over ₱100M sales leads
The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines and the Department of Tourism (DOT) expect to welcome more foreign visitors to the Philippines after successfully generating over 100M Philippine pesos in sales leads and showcasing the country’s best offerings at the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) held from 02-05 February 2023 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The ATF is the…
Love Your Heart week of action promotes heart health with events, information & more
THIS year Love Your Heart events and no-cost blood pressure screenings will be available over the course of several days in locations throughout the county and Mexico. Knowing your blood pressure numbers is a vital first step toward heart health. Heart diseases are the leading cause of death in the United States, and the second leading cause…
San Diegans urged to ‘Think Blue’ and show love for clean water and clean beaches in February
Residents can join community cleanups and educational webinars to help create a more sustainable city SAN DIEGO – With Valentine’s Day approaching, Think Blue San Diego – the public education and engagement program of the city’s Stormwater Department – is encouraging San Diegans to show their love for clean water and clean beaches this month by participating…
San Diego County’s COVID-19 emergency declarations to end; Response continues
THE county’s Board of Supervisors accepted a COVID-19 update on Tuesday, February 7 stating the county’s nearly 3-year-old coronavirus local emergency and local health emergency will end Feb. 28, matching the ending date of the state of California’s previously announced plan. The update also stated the county will continue to provide all the services needed…
City of San Diego awarded $4.75M to creatively increase awareness of local issues
New program will support artists and cultural practitioners in San Diego, Imperial counties SAN DIEGO – The City of San Diego, through the Commission for Arts and Culture, was awarded $4.75 million to administer a new pilot California Creative Corps arts program. Through the city’s “Far South/Border North: Artists and Cultural Practitioners in Community” initiative,…
City of San Diego’s award-winning civic dance arts show ‘Collage’ returns to historic Casa Del Prado Theater
Professionally trained dancers of all ages perform diverse dance styles including tap, jazz, ballet and more SAN DIEGO – This month, the City of San Diego’s Civic Dance Arts has brought back its critically acclaimed dance show to the historic Casa del Prado Theater in Balboa Park. “Collage 2023: Dance Matters” made its victorious comeback recently and will continue on…
State declares citrus quarantine in Rancho Bernardo
THE California Department of Food and Agriculture has declared a new citrus quarantine in a 95 square-mile area of Rancho Bernardo after detecting a potentially threatening citrus tree disease during routine inspections. The bacterial disease, known as Huanglongbing (HLB), is a major threat to San Diego’s $115 million annual citrus crop. Trees infected with HLB can produce…
Introducing Broadway’s Smash Hit & Juliet’s Filipino American Cast Members
Musical reimagines a Shakespeare Classic AS Broadway fans, we are lucky to see one Filipino American cast member in a musical. We celebrate if we see more than one, like in the case of Miss Saigon, The King and I, Flower Drum Song, Aladdin, and just recently, Into the Woods. One of the hottest tickets…