BMI Online Editor

Launching the Small Business Health Option Program Marketplace

Sep 272013

HHS ramps up outreach and education efforts to small employers (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Facebook Profile Picture) The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is ramping up its education and outreach efforts for America’s small businesses on the Affordable Care Act. In coordination with U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Small Business Majority, Main Street Alliance, Business Forward, and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the campaign will help small employers learn more about how to take advantage of the Small Business Health Option Program (SHOP), part of the Health Insurance Marketplace that opens October 1. SHOP is designed for small employers with 50 or fewer full-time employees. On their own or with the help of an agent, broker, or other assister, small employers will be able to compare price, coverage, and quality of plans in a way that is easy to understand. “In recent years, the number one concern for many small businesses has been the increasing cost of health insurance premiums,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “Many who would like to offer insurance to their employees have faced few choices, high administrative costs, and skyrocketing premiums when an employee gets sick.” “Since the passage of the health care law, Small Business Majority has been committed to working with policymakers, local chambers of commerce, business organizations and others to educate small business owners about the Affordable Care Act,” said Founder & CEO of Small Business Majority John Arensmeyer. “With open enrollment and full implementation right around Read More …

Director Erik Matti of the Cannes Selection Film “On the Job” pays courtesy call on Consul General De La Vega

Entertainment

Sep 272013

Director Erik Matti of the Cannes Selection Film “On the Job” pays courtesy call on Consul General De La Vega

Photo above shows (L-R) Deputy Consul General DanielEspiritu, Director Erik Matti, Consul General Ma. HellenBarber De La Vega and Mr. Vicente Perez. Los Angeles, 26 September 2013 – Director Erik Matti of the film “On The Job” paid a courtesy call on Consul General Ma. Hellen Barber De La Vega at the Philippine Consulate General on 25 September 2013. Director Erik Matti was one of those officially selected for the “Director’s Fortnight” at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival for his direction of “On the Job”. The Hollywood Reporter described the film as a “likably rough-edged hitmen-vs.-cops thriller”. Director Matti is in the U.S. to promote “On The Job”. Screening schedules for the movie can be seen on this link: http://wellgousa.com/theatrical/on-the-job. “On The Job” Movie Poster

Launch of Kababayan Today at the Philippine Consulate

Entertainment

Sep 262013

Launch of Kababayan Today at the Philippine Consulate

Ms. Jannelle So, host and producer of Kababayan Today The Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu wishes to invite the Filipino-American community in Hawaii to a reception celebrating the launch of KABABAYAN TODAY on KIKU-TV on 3 October 2013 (Thursday) at 6:00 pm at the Philippine Consulate. KABABAYAN TODAY is America’s first and only locally-produced talk show for and about the Filipinos. Kababayan Today (formerly Kababayan L.A.) celebrated its 7th anniversary in April 2013, making it the longest-running Filipino talk show outside the Philippines. It broadcasts over the air in Southern California, reaching 6.3 million households on LA 18, KSCI-TV. In May of this year, Kababayan Today began broadcasting daily on KIKU-TV in Hawaii. KIKU-TV broadcasts on Channel 20 and on Oceanic Cable Channel 9. Worldwide, it is available at www.youtube.com/kababayanla18. Ms. Jannelle So, host and producer of Kababayan Today, will be visiting Honolulu from 3 to 7 October 2013 to reach out to our kababayans in Hawaii, meet and establish relationships with the Filipino-American community, business organizations and media; film special interest stories and features around Hawaii; and ask for story submissions and pitches on what our kababayans want to see on the program. For inquiries and confirmation of attendance, please get in touch with Vice Consul Joyleen Santos at email address joyespinosa@gmail.com and/or Mr. Jeffrey de Mesa jeffovp@gmail.com at telephone numbers 808-595-6316 to 19.

Claudine’s drug use on video, claims Raymart

Entertainment

Sep 262013

Claudine’s drug use on video, claims Raymart

Claudine Barretto (MNS Photo) After merely denying the barrage of accusations of his estranged wife Claudine Barretto, Raymart Santiago on Tuesday took bold steps in revealing the actress’ alleged drug use which he said can be backed by evidence. The 40-year-old actor detailed this supposed drug use in a counter-affidavit he filed before the Marikina Regional Trial Court, in relation to cases lodged against him by the 34-year-old actress. Barretto is seeking to make permanent a temporary protection order (TPO) against Santiago, which stems from the alleged “physical, sexual, psychological and economic” abuse she had suffered from her husband. The “Mula sa Puso” actress detailed these abuses, which she said dates back to 2002, in a case filed late August against Santiago for his alleged violation of the Anti-Violence against Women and Their Children (VAWC) Act of 2004. Santiago and Barretto were married in March 2006. They have two children – an adopted daughter, Sabina, 9; and a biological son, Santino, 6. In his 30-page counter-affidavit, Santiago answered Barretto’s accusations point-by-point detailing over 40 accounts in his defense. Here, Santiago also alleged he was a victim of domestic violence. “Ayaw ko sana pag-usapan ‘yon, pero kinakailangan eh. Kinakailangan ko na sumagot. Siguro para na rin sa mga anak ko, to protect them,” Santiago said, adding his goal is to gain custody of his two children. The affidavit includes testimonies from Barretto’s three older siblings – Gretchen, Marjorie and JJ – who had been estranged from the actress and their parents Read More …

SSS fetes pioneer AlkanSSSya partners

Entertainment

Sep 262013

Photo shows SSS President and Chief Executive Officer Emilio de Quiros, Jr. (left), Social Security Commission Chairman Juan Santos (2nd from right) and SSS Executive Vice President Edgar Solilapsi (right) with (from left) TS Cruz Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association President Oliver Sabaulan; United Vendors of New Las Piñas Public Market President Meneses Pareja; Bureau of Jail Management and Penology – Quezon City Female Dormitory Working Detainees Wardress, Jail Chief Inspector Elena Rocamora; Quezon City Integrated Solid Waste Disposal Facility – Payatas Operations Group Head Jameel Jaymalin; and Payatas Alliance Recycling Exchange Multi-Purpose Cooperative Chairman Imelda Arilas. Also awarded was the Samahan ng mga Caddies sa Calatagan Golf Club, Inc. The Social Security System (SSS) bestowed the “Bilib Kami Sa’Yo” Special Award to five informal sector groups or “ISGs” that were the first in their respective industries to participate in the AlkanSSSya Program during ceremonies held at the SSS Corporate Headquarters in Quezon City on September 9. Their role as pioneer ISGs helped pave the way for social protection of tricycle operators and drivers, market vendors, jail inmates, golf club workers and garbage recyclers in other parts of the country. Also awarded was the Samahan ng mga Caddies sa Calatagan Golf Club, Inc.

Miss Mangatarem’s AlyssaVeloria Soto Was Crowned as Miss Pangasinan-USA

General

Sep 262013

Miss Mangatarem’s AlyssaVeloria Soto Was Crowned as Miss Pangasinan-USA

By Dan E. Nino Pangasinan beauties after the coronation. From left: Charisse Lim Maravilla (Miss Dagupan City/Miss Charity), Brittany Paula Khoo (Miss Bayambang/Miss Peace), crowned Miss Pangasinan-USA Alyssa Veloria Soto (Miss Mangatarem), Ilen Mandapat Estrada (Miss San Carlos City/Miss Unity) and Melissa Marie Caringal (Miss Urdaneta City/Miss Hope). Photo by Mike Mandapat Alyssa Lauren Veloria Soto, representing Assn. of Mangatarem Overseas Residents (AMOR) of Southern California was crowned as Miss Pangasinan-USA in a scintillating Beauty Pageant that coincided with Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA’s 35th Anniversary Foundation Gala Night at the Embassy Suites Anaheim-South near Disneyland. Miss Soto, 20, a junior Pre-Med student at California State University-San Marcos also won the Miss Photogenic category and Evening Gown competition. What most likely earned the judges’ nod was her straightforward and articulate response to a judge’s question: “With the standard of beauty being portrayed as fair or light skin in a Beauty Pageant like Miss Pangasinan-USA, what message would you convey to girls who don’t fit this standard?” Miss Soto’s instant reply was: “Throughout my childhood, I was constantly being bullied because I was either too short, my hair was too long and thick or too curly, my skin wasn’t clear, and yes I was either too dark or too light skinned. My message to girls that face this problem and to anyone for that matter is you should not be judged by the color of your skin. True beauty comes from within. What makes you beautiful is your ability to portray yourself in a positive light, the way you carry yourself as Read More …

SCE Recommends Solutions to Help With High Summer Bills

Entertainment

Sep 172013

(Southern California Edison Logo) ROSEMEAD, Calif., Sept. 10, 2013 — Southern California Edison (SCE) reached a new year-to-date peak power demand of 22,534 megawatts (enough to power about 14 million average Southern California homes at a point in time) last week. With the high heat expected to continue sporadically over the next few weeks, SCE is offering customers solutions to combat high electric bills. “We’re well aware of the higher-than-normal bills our customers may face after an especially hot month, when they’ve been using their air conditioning more than usual,” said Seth Kiner, SCE’s vice president of customer programs. “We want people to know that there are tools and incentives that can help them keep track of their energy spending, as well as payment solutions for those that may need assistance.” For example, more than 333,000 SCE customers have signed up for the Budget Assistant tool, which alerts them when they approach their set monthly spending goal. The My Account feature on SCE.com can also help customers monitor their energy usage, view their current bill and projected next month’s bill. Save Power Days reward customers with up to $100 a year in bill credits for conserving energy from 2-6 p.m. SCE customers may also make payment arrangements and/or see if they qualify for financial assistance programs. More details are available at www.sce.com/highbillhelper. Customers who don’t have air conditioning or don’t want to use it can also escape to cool centers, which offer respite from the heat. A call to 211 can help locate nearby locations. SCE recommends these easy ways to save: Set Read More …

SSS Medical Mission

Entertainment

Sep 172013

The attendees benefited from various services such as medical consultations and blood pressure check ups (top photo) as well as dental consultations and tooth extractions (bottom photo). Social Security System (SSS) doctors, dentists and nurses offered free health services to members and pensioners during the SSS Medical Mission at the Members Assistance Center of the SSS Diliman Branch in Quezon City on September 4. The attendees benefited from various services such as medical consultations and blood pressure check ups as well as dental consultations and tooth extractions. Other services offered include anemia screenings, cholesterol readings, glucose tests, electrocardiograms, bone scans and eye exams. The SSS also distributed free medicines and five hundred reading glasses on a first come, first served basis. Apart from SSS Diliman, other SSS branches simultaneously hosted their own SSS Medical Missions at ten other locations across the country for members and pensioners in their respective areas. The Medical Mission is part of SSS’ line up of activities to commemorate its 56th anniversary on September 1, 2013

Autism Speaks to Host Inclusion Events to Support Local Autism Community

Entertainment

Sep 172013

Autism Speaks to Host Inclusion Events to Support Local Autism Community

IRVINE, CA—To raise awareness for autism, Autism Speaks will host multiple disability-friendly events, including the 10th anniversary Orange County Walk Now for Autism Speaks on November 16 in Irvine. Upcoming events include: • Electronic Recycling Fundraiser for Autism Speaks September 21, 2013, 10am to 2:30pm Parking lot behind Bourbon Street, 114 E. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton Recycle Your City’s “E-Waste for Autism” program accepts items including cell phones, VCRs and computers, and a portion of each item donated will benefit Autism Speaks. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153255154740565&set=a.273769905564.316189.155649165564&type=1&theater • Orange County Walk Now for Autism Speaks Kick-Off September 21, 2013, 11am to 1:30pm Historic Fullerton Ballroom, 2nd Floor, 114 E. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton With a California surf theme, event speakers include: o Izzy Paskowitz, co-founder of Surfers Healing, father to a son with autism, and author of “Scratching the Horizon” o Brian Gutierrez, California State Councilmember for the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, will present a special recognition to Paskowitz, Executive Director of Southern California Autism Speaks Matthew Asner, Senior Director of Field Development for Autism Speaks Southern California Pam Eisenberg, and OC Autism Walk Publicist Jess Block, for their service to the autism community. Recognition from Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and a California Congressional Award will also be presented. o David Sharif, 16, with autism, whose speech on autism was created into “My Name is David,” a claymation video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_O0vRTkaaY. • 10th Anniversary Orange County Walk Now for Autism Speaks November 16, 2013, 9am Orange County Great Park, El Toro Field, 6990 Marine Read More …

LIFE AFTER BANKRUPTCY

Entertainment

Sep 172013

Atty. Paul Allen According to government statistics, 1.664,000 Americans filed for bankruptcy between September 2010 and September 2011. What does this mean? It means you are not alone! For many, bankruptcy provides a second financial chance. Although a bankruptcy filing will stay on your credit record for up to 10 years, it need not be the dire problem some people seem to think. First, there are laws that forbid discrimination against you if you have filed bankruptcy. Second, providing you show consistent employment history and financial responsibility, you can rebuild your credit. Our office has the expertise to show you how. Filing for bankruptcy is not hard, It’s the time leading up to that decision that is hard. You worry about what people may think. You worry about whether you can ever get credit again. Can you ever buy a car, or a house? Can you refinance your home? How do you begin to rebuild your credit so that you can move forward? You need credit to get credit but who will give you credit and trust you. Don’t worry, it’s not as difficult as you may think. While filing bankruptcy is initially considered a negative on your credit report, since it lowers your fico score, it can also help you secure new credit. How is that, you may ask? That is because a bankruptcy on your credit report also sends another message. It tells future creditors that you do not owe any more unsecured debt. Your risk of collections Read More …

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