Maniolas

By Atty. Henry Moyal Q. I was born in Canada and want to sponsor a woman from the Philippines that I met online. We married last year in Las Vegas. I have never sponsored anyone before and do not know what to do. What do I need to know so this goes smoothly? A. Assuming you are eligible to sponsor, the next issue is to determine if you will be successful. There is a big difference between eligibility and ultimate outcome. You may be eligible but it does not mean you will be successful. Immigration officer must determine that the marriage is genuine. Meeting online is common place in today’s tech world but visa officers may also be suspicious of such relationships especially if there are age gaps, cultural differences etc…It is therefore important to document the file as much as possible to support the relationship. Conversely, even if the marriage is genuine, a sponsor may be ineligible for several reasons. For example: Sponsors cannot sponsor if: 1. They are permanent residents subject to a removal order – this includes stayed orders, departure orders, exclusion orders and deportation orders. 2. They are detained in any penitentiary, jail, reformatory or prison 3. They are convicted of a sexual offence under the Criminal Code (against anyone); or an offence (against the person) under the Criminal Code against a family member  Sponsors or co-signers convicted of either of these offences where five years have not passed since the completion of the sentence imposed 4. They are in default Read More …

The Filipino American community notably in the Los Angeles area never had it so good this month for having been blessed to enjoy the artistry of great Filipino artists especially this month which coincides with the celebration of  Filipino American Heritage Month. What a more opportune time to showcase the natural gifts  of world class ambassadors of music for people to see and enjoy in this part the world. (October was established as Filipino American History Month to acknowledge the first landing of Filipinos on October 18, 1587 in Morro Bay, California.) For a memorable starter for this month, Ballet Philippines basked in admiration for a standing ovation performance last October 4 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium to kick off a month-long U.S. tour after a 15-year hiatus since its last performance in the America. Now comes this gathering of talented musical artists who will enthrall their crowd in the Los Angeles area with their gifts in “support struggling Christian ministers around the world”. Leading this virtuousos of gifted performers is no other than world renowned multi-awarded pianist, Raul Sunico, whose litany of award attest to his prodigy and “unusual gifts of lyricism” in his favorite instrument. “An Evening with Raul Sunico” will be held for one night only on October 25 at the First United Methodist Church of Pasadena. Along with Sunico, the benefit concert will also feature a variety of brilliant performers, which include Soprano Annie Nepomuceno, the Harana Men’s Chorus, and the Soriano Strings Duet. Raul Sunico, concert pianist: Read More …

Vice President Jejomar Binay as he receives the Ninoy Aquino Medal of Valor from Ninoy Aquino Movement Chairman Heherson Alvarez during the 31st death anniversary of the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on Thursday (August 21, 2014) in Pasay City. (MNS photo) MANILA, Oct 9 (Mabuhay) – The allegations against Vice President Jejomar Binay have caught the “interest” of the Department of Justice (DOJ), which is now considering investigating the issues being hurled against him, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said on Thursday. De Lima said the DOJ, through the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), its investigating arm, could conduct its own inquiry. “Pero sa ngayon wala pang basehan for preliminary investigation. Kailangan muna may resulta muna ang imbestigasyon from our investigative arm which is the NBI,” she told reporters after attending a budget hearing at the Senate. (But as of now, there is no basis for a preliminary investigation. What we need are results from the investigation by our investigative arm, which is the NBI.) She said the DOJ was also waiting for an official request from the blue ribbon sub-committee for assistance in the investigation. The investigation of the sub-committee into the alleged overpriced parking building in Makati City involving the Vice President has expanded to other issues, such as his alleged unexplained wealth. But with or without the official request by the committee, De Lima said she could discuss with the NBI for a separate investigation into all Read More …

Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay seen here with a guest at Noypitz Bar & Grill in Glendale, California in 2011 during a fundraising concert organized by members of Filipino-American media for typhoon Sendong victims. Photo: Benny Uy MANILA (Mabuhay) – Cavite Gov. Jonvic Remulla on Thursday said Makati Mayor Junjun Binay, son of Vice-President Jejomar Binay, does not breed horses as claimed by former Makati Vice-Mayor Ernesto Mercado. Remulla said the younger Binay breeds dogs for the Makati police. “He breeds dogs. That’s his passion. He breeds dogs for the Makati police for the bomb disposal unit,” he said. Mercado earlier claimed before the Senate Blue Ribbon subcommittee that the younger Binay owns a horse ranch inside a 350-hectare estate in Rosario, Batangas. He claimed Binay is into breeding horses along with Makati Administrator Jun Mendoza and a Makati councilor. In the interview, Remulla denied Mercado’s claim that the Binays own the entire agricultural estate. Instead, he confirmed that the Binays are leasing 9 hectares of the property since 1994. The spokesman admitted that air coolers were installed in the Binay piggery not because Dra. Elenita Binay did not like the smell of pigs but because the lower temperature would increase the size of the pigs. “If you look at the modern piggeries now, they are not airconditioned, they have air coolers. They lower the temperature because it aids the growth of the hogs but it is not an airconditioned facility and it is not meant to keep the flies Read More …