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…
Staying safe through California’s storms
WHILE California is known for its sunny days, it is hard not to notice the recent storms that have flooded the state. As the Filipino community is very much a large presence within California and with family as a core center of tculthe ure, the storms and their impact have left many of us wondering…
Bishop Solis celebrates Sto. Niño Mass in Gardena on January 27
Most Reverend Bishop Oscar A. Solis of Salt Lake City, Utah, will be the main celebrant of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for the Feast of the Infant Jesus of Prague (Sto.Nino) at Maria Regina Church located at 2150 W. 135th St., Gardena, CA 90249 It will be held on Friday, Jan.27, 2023 at…
Biden administration rolls out ‘first- ever’ extensive AAPI advancement plan
The national multi-agency strategy is designed to better serve Asian American and Pacific Islander communities THE Biden administration this week unveiled a comprehensive plan that broadly assists federal government agencies and bureaus to better serve the vast Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. The National Strategy to Advance Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian…
Art Hearts Fashion: Celebrating 10 years of changing lives through fashion
There is more to fashion than what meets the eyes. At Art Hearts Fashion, Erik Rosete heads the company with a passion that truly allows one to see how much heart and art lie within the realm of fashion. The Asian Journal had the chance to sit down with Rosete, whose words emphasized the heart…
[COLUMN] On the call to discipleship
THIS Sunday’s (January 22) Gospel presents Jesus’ intimate but challenging way of following him as his disciples. As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Peter and Andrew, casting their nets into the sea, for they were fishermen. He told them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of…
[COLUMN] Employees’ right to bereavement leave now guaranteed under new law
A new law in California has guaranteed bereavement leave to all California employees. California’s Assembly Bill 1949 (A.B. 1949) went into effect this year, and makes it unlawful for an employer “to refuse to grant a request by any employee to take up to five days of bereavement leave upon the death of a family…
[COLUMN] How to solve IRS 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…
[COLUMN] Happy New Year of the ‘Wabbit’ 2023!
THIS Sunday, January 22 is, as most people know, Chinese New Year of the Rabbit for 2023. The New Year is also using the element of water; therefore, it’s the year of the water rabbit, which Elmer Fudd calls “Wabbit”. Elmer Fudd is a cartoon character, who’s mostly involved with “Bugs Bunny” and Fudd calls him…
California has a lot to offer storm victims
By Mark Hedin/Ethnic Media Services During a calm between storms, officials from the California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and the state departments of Public Health, Social Services and Insurance gathered to discuss efforts to help Californians recover from the “atmospheric rivers” that have deluged the West Coast. The Jan. 17 media briefing, “Staying Alert…
A success story for crewmen!: Overstayed crew-member obtains immigrant visa in Manila, through Obama-era provisional waiver regulation, on CITIZEN PINOY this Sunday, Jan. 15
Julie 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”…
R’Bonney Gabriel makes history as first Fil-Am Miss Universe
THE Philippines may not have secured its fifth Miss Universe crown but Filipinos in the United States and around the world are still celebrating as a Filipina American has been crowned in this year’s competition. Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel, 28, secured the title on Saturday, January 14, beating out 83 other women from around the…
City of San Diego announces selection of long-time resident as new poet laureate
Poet Jason Magabo Perez set to energize expansive literary arts scene for the next two years SAN DIEGO – Prior to his first public appearance at Mayor Todd Gloria’s 2023 State of the City Address, local poet Jason Magabo Perez, Ph.D., was appointed as the City of San Diego 2023-2024 Poet Laureate. During the recent State of the City address, Perez…
AAPI community leader honored in Las Vegas
January 18, 2023 has officially been recognized as Vida Lin Day in Las Vegas, Nevada by Mayor Goodman and the City Council of Las Vegas. Vida Lin is the founder and president of the Asian Community Development Council (ACDC), which began in 2015. ACDC is a 501(c)3 non-profit Qcommunity organization established to educate, connect and…
Vegas PBS receives American Rescue Plan grant for workforce development
$1,070,000 from Clark County and the City of Las Vegas to help job seekers and businesses LAS VEGAS, NV – As part of the American Rescue Plan, Vegas PBS has received a collective grant of $1,070,000 from Clark County and the City of Las Vegas to bolster Southern Nevada’s workforce by helping students and under/unemployed…
NaFFAA LV hosts Sinulog 2023 celebration
Palm Mortuary and Ed Balecha, together with NaFFAA and Filipino Community joined the wonderful celebration of the Sinulog Festival. “I am amazed with our community. How quickly we can come together as a community of one, together in prayer and keep a Filipino tradition alive even if we are far far away from the Philippines…
45th annual L.A. Chinatown Firecracker sent on February 18-19
Celebrating 45 years, the L.A. Chinatown Firecracker is one of the largest and oldest running races in the U.S. with its upcoming Lunar New Year run, walk, cycling, Kiddie Run and dog walk events held over the weekend of February 18-19, 2023, at the historic Los Angeles Chinatown Plaza. Lunar New Year is a celebration…
Despite doctors’ concerns, University of California renews ties with religious affiliates
by Annie Sciacca, Kaiser Health News As the University of California’s health system renews contracts with hundreds of outside hospitals and clinics — many with religious affiliations — some of its doctors and faculty want stronger language to ensure that physicians can perform the treatments they deem appropriate, including abortions for women or hysterectomies for…