Thousands of NYC nurses stage strike for fair contract, safe staffing
The nurses strike in New York City continued for the third day on Wednesday, Jan. 11 as hundreds of nurses gathered outside Mount Sinai Main and Montefiore Bronx, with no contract agreement yet between the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) and the two hospitals. More than 7,000 nurses at the two major hospitals walked…
A success story for crewmen: Overstayed crew member obtains immigrant visa in Manila through Obama-era provisional waiver regulation, on Citizen Pinoy this Sunday
ULIE came to the U.S. as a crew member in 2004 and overstayed, leaving her eight-year-old daughter, Jolina, back in the Philippines. The years of separation broke Julie’s heart, but she believed her sacrifice would help build a better future for her daughter. Julie had been watching “Citizen Pinoy” and she knew that the “Attorney-of-Last-Hope”…
Philippine Airlines holds Christmas Party in San Francisco Bay Area
Philippine Airlines, the national carrier of the Philippines, held a holiday party last December at the Crowne Plaza hotels’ ballroom in Foster City. During the night’s festivities, PAL officers headed by Area Manager Dell Merano presided over a raffle where prizes included roundtrip tickets to the Philippines and other destinations. Top photo shows current and…
ConGen Ferrer hopes to work with Knights of Rizal in establishing Rizal Monument in Bay Area
SAN FRANCISCO – Philippine Consul General Neil Ferrer led the commemoration of the 126th anniversary of the martyrdom of Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal in a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the Sentro Rizal of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco on December 30, 2022. Retired U.S. Army Major Ramon Sumicbay, KCR, LM of the…
[COLUMN] Coffee: Benefits and Risks
COFFEE, the waker-upper for 75 percent of adults in America, has been shown to have health benefits and also a risk among those who have severe hypertension for those who drink more than one cup (180cc) a day. It is a popular drink around the globe. Finland is the world’s highest consumer of coffee; Finns…
Back to the future with COVID-19
COVID-19 vaccines, testing, and treatments will no longer be free once the Public Health Emergency (PHE) expires on Jan. 11, even as the U.S. faces down a more infectious new subvariant XBB 1.5. The new subvariant accounts for 75% of new infections on the East Coast and 40% of new cases in the country overall….
Rob Bonta sworn in as California Attorney General
Bonta shares plans for 2023 CALIFORNIA Attorney General Rob Bonta was sworn in as the state’s top prosecutor at the California Museum in Sacramento, marking the start of a full four-year term. In his inaugural address on Friday, Jan. 6, Bonta — the first Filipino American to hold the position — honored the diverse leaders…
California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA sworn in for second term
SAN FRANCISCO – California State Treasurer Fiona Ma, CPA was today sworn in to her second term leading the world’s fourth-largest economy as the state’s primary banker. She was officially sworn in at a family ceremony with her father, Dr. William Ma, by her side in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Judge Lillian Sing, the first Asian-American…
In California, a long and pivotal history of interracial marriage
AS interracial marriage becomes more accepted and common nationally, California stands out. According to PEW, the state exceeds the national average of 17% of newlyweds being interracial couples, while the number of cross-cultural couples is also steadily growing, especially among Hispanics and Asians. What explains these trends? California is notably diverse: It’s no coincidence that…
UERM-MAASC resumes humanitarian medical missions
With most of the COVID travel restrictions lifted, the UERM~Medical Alumni Association of Southern California decided to resume their annual humanitarian endeavors. The recent earthquakes affecting Northern Luzon, specifically the province of Abra as the epicenter, helped the group decide to go to City of Bangued, its capital, and resume their medical mission and feeding and gift giving programs. Current consul General…
LA County residents returning to school, work urged to test for COVID, mask up
As schools prepare to reopen after winter break and more people go back to work, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (Public Health) is recommending that returning students and workers test for COVID-19 and wear a mask for at least 10 days to prevent a spike in transmission. Public Health officials are asking…
Many families with unaffordable employer coverage now eligible for Covered California subsidies
If having the family on your employer-sponsored health plan has been a financial hardship, or outright impossible to afford, help may be on the way. The federal government recently fixed a controversial Treasury Department rule tied to the Affordable Care Act that denied assistance to many families whose workplace coverage busted their budgets. Because of…
[COLUMN] Can I obtain a divorce if my spouse refuse to sign?
There seems to be a misconception in the general public that you can only obtain a divorce in California if your spouse will sign the divorce papers. I get this question a lot from our family law clients. The fact is that California is a no fault state and you do not need your spouse’s…
[COLUMN] Good news for business owners: Loss of business income due to COVID-19 may be covered by insurance
THE COVID-19 pandemic caused significant business disruptions. However, numerous businesses have been denied insurance relief for the losses they incurred. Some have turned to the courts for help only to again be denied. But in a recent victory for the insured, the California Court of Appeals found that a popular San Francisco restaurant, John’s Grill,…
[COLUMN] Debt problems? Know your options before things get worse
When people are going through financial difficulty and are unable to pay their bills, their first reaction is often to ignore their debts and avoid contact with creditors. They think that by doing this, somehow the creditors will simply give up and go away. Then one day they get a summons delivered to their home…
[COLUMN] Is there a right timing to file chapter 7?
What is timing? In life, as we all know, there’s such a thing called timing. Like the timing is right. Or, the timing is wrong. If the timing is right, then good consequences flow from the decision made. If the timing is wrong, then bad consequences flow from the decision made. Let’s say you just…
What to do if your online order never arrives
We’ve all been there. During the holidays you order something online and anxiously await its arrival. But then your package doesn’t come when the seller said it would. And worse, you hear nothing. Your happy anticipation is turning to anger and frustration. So now what? If you didn’t get your stuff: First, contact the seller. Most…
Public health agencies try to restore trust as they fight misinformation
By Lauren Sausser, Kaiser Health News OKLAHOMA CITY — By the summer of 2021, Phil Maytubby, deputy CEO of the health department here, was concerned to see the numbers of people getting vaccinated against COVID-19 slipping after an initially robust response. With doubt, fear, and misinformation running rampant nationwide — both online and offline —…
Resolve to give yourself the gift of health in 2023
THE County Health and Human Services Agency is encouraging San Diegans to resolve to be healthy in 2023 and get vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu. Both viruses are circulating at high levels this winter. Vaccinations offer the best protection against getting ill and both the COVID-19 vaccines and bivalent boosters, as well as the flu…
Get important tools that could save someone’s life
KNOWING how to perform CPR and how to locate and use an AED, automated external defibrillator, can help someone when seconds are critical. The collapse of Buffalo Bills player Damar Hamlin during an NFL Monday Night Football game was a heart-wrenching sight. Medical professionals provided immediate support on the field, and it’s a vital reminder that you…
Commissioner Ricardo Lara alerts Californians about coverage for floods and mudslides caused by wildfires
Issues Notice to insurance companies that damage is covered if caused by a wildfire LOS ANGELES — With powerful winter storms increasing the threat of mudslides, especially for people in wildfire burn areas who are even more vulnerable, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued a formal Notice to insurance companies reminding them of their legal duty to cover damage from any future…
Bark in the mew year with pet adoption
WHY not start out 2023 with more love and companionship in your life? The San Diego County Department of Animal Services is offering a name your price adoption special for animals from Jan. 1-8 only. Many dogs, cats, tortoises, rabbits, chickens and pigs are looking for new homes and families. “This is the time of…
[COLUMN] Atty. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions from Kapamilya in San Diego on part 1 of Citizen Pinoy’s ‘Your Tanong, My Sagot’
LEADING U.S. Immigration Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel visited San Diego, where he answered questions of Kapamilya from the “America’s Finest City” and neighboring areas. In Part 1 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot,” viewers will hear answers to the following immigration concerns: Kathy, of Mira Mesa, wants to know if a person can visit the U.S….