GoFundMe created for Fil-Am man killed in Monterey Park shooting
THE family of a Filipino American man killed during a Lunar New Year shooting in Monterey Park, California has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral costs. Valentino Alvero, 68, was one of 11 individuals killed during the mass shooting at Star Ballroom Dance Studio on Saturday night, Jan. 21 as the Asian American…
Economic crash or soft landing ahead?
The child tax credit and extended unemployment insurance program are long gone and experts don’t expect new family-friendly legislation this year. Recession or no recession? That is the central question about the economy as we enter the new year. “We really do not know whether there will be a recession in 2023 or not,” says…
[COLUMN] Removing the conditions of your permanent residence without your petitioning spouse’s participation
A person who obtains his/her green card via marriage to a U.S. citizen spouse, and who is married for less than 2 years has conditional permanent resident status. A conditional permanent resident has a green card that is valid for 2 years. In order to continue to have permanent resident status after 2 years, the…
[COLUMN] Clients fit into classic Chapter 7 profile & eligibility for honest debtors
w clients have different financial and asset situations, which make them start thinking about getting rid of accumulated debt. Nobody starts with borrowing money with the intention of defaulting and not being able to pay back. Certainly, in my over 30 years of practice in bankruptcy law, I have seen potential clients, not many actually,…
[COLUMN] How Chapter 13 can reduce your debt and make your monthly payments affordable
Are you struggling every month to pay your debts, especially your credit card bills? Are you always worried about not having enough left over for your mortgage, rent, food and other basic living expenses after you make your monthly debt payments? Do you want your credit card payments to be more affordable and manageable? One…
Event showcases businesses, community leaders, chambers of commerce and entertainment
San Gabriel Valley Megamix Schedule for February 2 Existing and innovative new businesses in the San Gabriel Valley will be featured at the Second Annual San Gabriel Valley MegaMix Expo Thursday, February 2, 2023, from 3:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the Hilton Los Angeles/San Gabriel Valley. “Following the success of our first event, we…
[COLUMN] New minimum wage law requires upward adjustments for some salaried employees
Some salaried employees in California, including a category of relatively higher-paid workers, may be entitled to pay increases because of minimum-wage increases that went into effect this year. In 2017, the California Legislature enacted a new minimum-wage law aimed at raising the statutorily-mandated minimum wage from $10 per hour to $15 per hour. The increase…
GMA Network Strengthens Enforcement Efforts by Joining World’s Leading Anti-Piracy Coalition, the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE)
MANILA, Philippines – Leading broadcast company GMA Network today announced it has strengthened its anti-piracy capabilities by partnering with the Alliance for Creativity & Entertainment (ACE). Widely regarded as the world’s largest and most effective anti-piracy coalition, ACE currently has over 50 global members, with GMA as its first member from the Philippines. Attending a…
California’s resolve questioned after it grants Medi-Cal contract concessions
by Bernard J. Wolfson and Samantha Young, Kaiser Health News California’s decision last month to cancel the results of a long-planned bidding competition among commercial health plans in its Medicaid program has some industry insiders and consumer advocates wondering whether the state can stand up to insurers and force improvements in care for millions of…
San Diego County Board of Supervisors paves way for taxation of cannabis businesses in the unincorporated area
THE County Board of Supervisors voted on Tuesday, January 24 to set taxation rates for existing cannabis businesses in the unincorporated area. Tuesday’s action only applies to the unincorporated area of the county, where five licensed cannabis businesses currently exist. The new tax will apply to both medical and recreational operations and will be assessed…
Eligible San Diegans urged to join the 540,000 already protected with bivalent COVID-19 booster
MORE than 540,000 San Diegans have protected themselves, their family and friends by getting a bivalent COVID-19 booster since it became available in September 2022. County health officials are urging more to do the same as we start the new year. The COVID-19 virus is still widespread in our neighborhoods and county. County public health…
[COLUMN] News Capsules
SWEETENERS dilemma Artificial sugars or sweeteners are very popular. Questions about their safety with long-term use still float around. The claim that Saccharin caused cancer years ago was debunked. From trusted scientific sources: “While sucralose itself and other non-nutritive sweeteners have not been shown to raise blood sugar, maltodextrin, which is found in Splenda and…
[COLUMN] On being a humble servant-leader
“It’s a given,” I told someone last week. “It’s a given that when you’re a leader, you’re bound to suffer.” “Then why should I be a leader?” this person remarked. “Well, if you want to make a difference in people’s lives, if you want to make positive changes in the society or the community, then…
Sinulog: Praise dance worship
Los Angeles – Holy Name of Mary Parish (724 E. Bonita Avenue, San Dimas, CA) celebrated the Feast of Santo Nino last Sunday, January 22nd, 2023. The Eucharistic celebration was presided by newly-ordained priest, Fr. Eric Cruz, SS.CC. This year’s celebration marks the 65th Anniversary of the Parish. Catholic faithful from various parishes participated in…
Youth transitioning out of foster care to see increased support
THE San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday, January 24 to accept recommendations from Child Welfare Services (CWS) to increase funding to support foster youth for up to three years as they transition out of care. The vote provided $2.7 million in state funding over the next three fiscal years for housing and wraparound services for young adults 18…
Steven Raga sworn in as New York’s first Filipino American State Assemblymember
Filipino American community leader Steven Raga officially took his oath of office as State Assemblymember representing New York’s 30th Assembly District as administered by United States Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer on Sunday, Jan. 15 in Queens. Raga became the first-ever Filipino American to be elected to any public office in the state of New…
[COLUMN] Atty. Gurfinkel answers immigration questions from Kapamilya during part 2 of the San Diego leg 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 based locally, and even from some coming from out-of-town. In Part 2 of “Your Tanong, My Sagot,” viewers will hear answers to the following immigration concerns: Salvie, of National City, wants to know if there is a way to…
Officials exhort US-based Filipinos to visit PH
AFTER an almost three-year hiatus brought about by the pandemic, the Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour is back. Consul General Senen Mangalile, in one of his first public events as the new consul general, welcomed the media and travel industry leaders at the New York launch of the VIP Tour 2023 held at the Philippine…
Sky River Casino celebrates Lunar New Year with big money for Swipe & Win
SKY River Casino is excited to celebrate the Lunar New Year with a Swipe & Win*! For a limited time on January 29, 2023 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., all Sky River Rewards Members can earn 88 Tier Credits by playing their favorite slots and table games! Then simply swipe their Sky River Rewards…
Filipino American family mourns the loss of 68-year-old Monterey Park shooting victim
Monterey Park massacre shortly followed by Half Moon Bay shooting — the second California mass shooting in recent days Following the tragic mass shooting that took place in Monterey Park on Saturday, Jan. 21, a Filipino family has confirmed that one of their relatives was among the 11 confirmed victims who were killed. The family…
US-based Filipinos encouraged to visit the Philippines during upcoming tour
LOS ANGELES — Filipinos living in the United States are invited to travel back to the Philippines this summer. The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles officially launched the Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour 2023 with special packages and affordable rates for a nine-day travel itinerary to Manila-Iloilo-Boracay. In his opening remarks during the launching…
[COLUMN] How important is it to have a living trust?
Thinking about one’s demise is not something people want to spend time thinking about. However reality is that we all have to face this one day. It is just a matter of whether you depart this world prepared or unprepared. If you pass away with at least $184,500 in gross assets and you do not…
[COLUMN] Income tax updates and non-profit orgs deadlines
JANUARY is the start of income tax filing once again. It is due on or before April 15, 2023. However, due to the natural disaster caused by the so-called atmospheric-river storm that battered California, the Internal Revenue Service just announced that your tax filing can be extended to May 15 for counties covered by a…
The long, overlooked history of Lunar New Year in the US
Around the world, Lunar New Year is celebrated in many unique ways: as Spring Festival in China, Tet Nguyên Ðán in Vietnam, Seollal in Korea, Losar in Tibet, Tsagaan Sar in Mongolia, not to mention diaspora communities across the globe. While ancient traditions are frequently discussed, the more recent history of these celebrations is less…
San Gabriel Valley Mega Mix Expo brings business community together
Calling all entrepreneurs, business leaders and consumers! The San Gabriel Valley Mega Mix Expo is back this Thursday, February 2 from 3 to 8:30 p.m. for you to buy, shop, support and invest in the local business community. “We are confident that your business would gain a lot of value again as we partner with…