US CITIZENSHIP PILOT EXAM Q & A

If the coming increased fees for US citizenship has you scrambling to file that application, also remember to set time to review for the citizenship test. Many fail this test because they think they can pass without studying. Well, good luck with that.

Anyway, late last year, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) released 144 questions and answers for the pilot test of a new naturalization exam.

USCIS included new questions that focus on the concepts of democracy and the rights and responsibilities of citizenship. It will refine the exam before it is fully implemented nationwide in the spring of 2008.

Here's Part 1 - the first 25 questions. I'll post the others within the week.

Pilot Exam Questions and Answers
1. Name one important idea found in the Declaration of Independence.
A: People are born with natural rights.
A: The power of government comes from the people
A: The people can change their government if it hurts their natural rights.
A: All people are created equal.

2. What is the supreme law of the land?
A: The Constitution

3. What does the Constitution do?
A: It sets up the government.
A: It protects basic rights of Americans.

4. What does “We the People” mean in the Constitution?
A: The power of government comes from the people.

5. What do we call changes to the Constitution?
A: Amendments

6. What is an amendment?
A: It is a change to the Constitution.

7. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
A: The Bill of Rights

8. Name one right or freedom from the First Amendment.
Speech, Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition the government

9. How many amendments does the Constitution have?
A: Twenty-seven (27)

10. What did the Declaration of Independence do?
A: Announce the independence of the United States from Great Britain
A: Say that the U.S. is free from Great Britain

11. What does freedom of religion mean?
A: You can practice any religion you want, or not practice at all.

12. What type of economic system does the U.S. have?
A: Capitalist economy
A: Free market
A: Market economy

13. What are the three branches or parts of the government?
A: Executive, legislative, and judicial
A: Congress, the President, the courts

14. Name one branch or part of the government.
Congress, Legislative, President, Executive, The courts, Judicial

15. Who is in charge of the executive branch?
A: The President

16. Who makes federal laws?
A: Congress
A: The Senate and House (of Representatives)
A: The (U.S. or national) legislature

17. What are the two parts of the United States Congress?
A: The Senate and House (of Representatives)

18. How many United States Senators are there?
A: 100

19. We elect a U.S. Senator for how many years?
A: Six (6)

20. Name your state’s two U.S. Senators.
A: Answers will vary - check online. [For District of Columbia residents and residents of U.S. territories, the answer is that DC (or the territory where the applicant lives) has no U.S. Senators.]

21. How many U.S. Senators does each state have?
A: Two (2)

22. The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
A: 435

23. We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
A: Two (2)

24. Name your U.S. Representative.
A: Answers will vary. [Residents of territories with nonvoting delegates or resident commissioners may provide the name of that representative or commissioner. Also acceptable is any statement that the territory has no (voting) representatives in Congress.]

25. Who does a U.S. Senator represent?
A: All citizens in that Senator’s state

U.S. CITIZENSHIP FEES JUMPING TO $675

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the agency that processes immigration-related applications and petitions will dramatically increase fees on applications effective July 30, 2007.

The naturalization application for citizenship will become $675. It is currently set at $400 ($330 filing fee plus $70 “biometrics” fee), almost a 70% increase.

Other fee increases:
Green card renewals ($370), petitions to immigrate family members ($355), appeals of citizenship denials ($605), and green card applications ($1,010, which also covers employment authorization and advance parole). To see a list of the final fees, go to www.uscis.gov.

The Asian Pacific American Legal Center is encouraging immigrants who are qualified for citizenship now to file their applications as soon as possible rather than waiting until July 30. APALC will continue to offer free citizenship application workshops throughout the year for Los Angeles County residents who need assistance with the application. Applicants are required to make an appointment by calling APALC’s Immigration and Citizenship Project at (213)977-7500, ext. 217 or ext. 247.

CHECK YOUR BEEF: Some Albertsons and Save-A-Lot beef might be contaminated

If you have some Moran's ground beef in 1- to 5-pound varieties in your fridge, be sure to check the label. Some may be contaminated with E. coli and are being recalled.

News reports say that the affected products had sell-by dates from April 20 through May 7.

The UPC numbers of the recalled products are: 34779 60501, 34779 60000, 34779 96000, 34779 91000, 34779 60010, 34779 96194, 34779 21117.

Also recalled was Albertsons 90/10 Sirloin fresh hamburger patties.

HE-HE-HE: PINOY HUMOR

(Someone forwarded this to me. If you happened to receive humorous Pinoy e-mails, send them over to: ybchavez@gmail.com, and I'll print the funniest ones.)

Nag-aaral ako sa La Salle.

Ang dami kong kaklaseng Intsik. Apelyidong Uy, Lim,Tan, Co, Go, Chua,Chi, Sy, Wy, at kung anu-ano pa.

Pero sa kanilanglahat kay Gilbert Goako naging malapit. Mayaman si Gilbert kaya mangyari pa, madalas siya ang taya sa tuwing gigimik ang barkada.

Isang araw na-ospital ang kanyang ama. Sinamahan ko siya sa pagdalaw. Nasa ICU na noon ang kanyang ama dahil sa stroke. Naron din ang ilan sa kanyang malalapit na kamag-anak.Nag-usap sila. Intsik ang kanilang usapan.... hindi komaintindihan.

Pagkatapos ng ilang minutong usap-usap, nagkayayaan nang umuwi. Maiwan daw muna ako at pakibantayan ang kanyang ama habang inihahatid nya ang kanyang mga kamag-anak palabas ng ospital.

Lumipat ako sa gawing kaliwa ng kama ng kanyang ama para ilapag ang mga iniwan nilang mga gamit na kakailanganin ng magbabantay sa ospital.

Nang akmang ilalapag ko na ay biglang nangisay angmatanda. Hinahabol nya ang kanyang hininga... Kinuyom nya angkanyang palad at paulit-ulit siyang nagsalita ng wikang intsik na hindi ko maintindihan.

"Di ta guae yong khee"..... "Di ta guae yong khee"..."Di ta guae yongkhee".. paulit-ulit nya itong binigkas bago siya malagutan ng hininga.

Pagbalik ni Gilbert ay patay na ang kanyang ama. Ikinagulat nya ang pangyayari ngunit marahil ay tanggap na rin nya napapanaw na ang kanyang ama. Walang tinig na namutawi sa kanyang bibig. Ngunit iyon na yata ang pinakamasidhing pagluha na nasaksihan ko.

Nagpa-alam muna ako, dahil siguradong magdadatingan uli ang kanyang mga kamag-anak. Sumakay ako ng taksi pauwi. Habang nasa taksi, tinawagan ko ang iba pa naming kabarkada. Una kong tinawagan si Noel Chua.

Dahil marunong si Noel mag-intsik, tinanong ko muna kung ano ang ibig sabihin ng "Di ta guae yongkhee".

"Huwag mong apakan ang oxygen. "

Nyikes !

INGAT PO TAYO:CANCER KILLING ASIANS

Cancer rates in Asian nations are expected to raise over the next decade.

The culprit: adopting bad Western habits that greatly increase the risk of the disease.

Smoking, drinking and eating unhealthy foods will lead to Asian cancer rates to go up 60 percent by 2020.

Unlike in wealthy countries where good medical care can be accessed, prevention or treatment available to people from many Asian countries is a problem.

Increases in cases of stomach, lung and colon cancers in Asian countries are feared if people don't improve their current lifestyles.

According to the World Health Organization, almost 40 percent of cancers worldwide can be prevented by exercise, eating healthy foods and not using tobacco.

SWEET!

Libre Alert, mga kababayan: It's Free Doughnut Day at Krispy Kreme today.

FALLEN FIL-AM SOLDIERTO BE LAID TO REST

Corporal Mark Ryan Climaco Caguioa, who died serving in the Iraq war, will be laid to rest Saturday afternoon at the San Francisco National Cemetery.

News reports have indicated that the 21-year-old soldier died after receiving a wrong blood transfusion in Iraq in the course of receiving medical treatment due to the injuries he suffered from an improvised explosive device in Baghdad on May 4.

"Mark found his calling, he loved to be a soldier... I wasn't angry with Bush. It was the choice of my son [to serve]. [However,] I did not approve of the Iraq war," Mark's mother, Maria Lourdes Climaco, said at his memorial service.

President George W. Bush met with Mark's family at the Bethesda Naval Medical Center the day after Mark died.

===============================================

Photo: Mother Maria Lourdes Climaco & sister Connie Climaco hold Cpl. Mark Ryan Caguiao's photos after his memorial service, Bethesda Naval Medical Center, May 26, 2007.

PHOTO/INFORMATION from:
ERIC LACHICA, Executive Director American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, Inc.

NEWS BRIEFS

YAAAH!

The world's first martial arts musem to open in Santa Clarita, Calif. in June. One of its main draws will be the history of Filipino martial arts. Might be cool - if they're going to have wax figures of Rey Malonzo and Ramon Zamora wielding nunchucks.



IMMUNITY FOR RALSTON?

The Washington Post has a piece about Susan Ralston, Jack Abramoff's former assistant and the highest-ranking Filipino American in the administration. She is reportedly requesting immunity to testify before Democratic Rep. Henry Waxman's investigating committee.

A MIRACLE FOR MERALY

Brave Mangyan Girl Desperately Needs Help and Heart Surgery

By Yong B. Chavez
FilipinOnline.com
ybchavez@gmail.com

Like most children her age, Meraly Garcia Mariano is a fun-loving bundle of energy. The 6-year-old girl is a lovable spotlight hog who enjoys singing her heart out at school programs.

A stranger might say that her contagious joy must have come from having an easy life and a solid family background.

Unfortunately, that is not the case for Meraly.

At an early age, Meraly has already survived an unspeakable heartbreak: A few years ago, she witnessed her mother commit suicide.

On top of that devastating trauma, every single day, this brave little girl also deals with the pain of having, literally, a broken heart.

Meraly, who belongs to Occidental Mindoro's Mangyan-Iraya tribe, is suffering from a rare heart condition called pentalogy of Fallot.

"Her heart has two holes, one hole is bigger, and there are three other parts (in her heart) that needs correction," said Criselda Malicdem, a Filipino social worker from Teknotropheo Missions, a Philippine mission group that helps tribal children.

Meraly needs an expensive open-heart surgery which her caregivers couldn't afford.

Without it, doctors say that Meraly would be lucky if she can survive till her 16th birthday.

Currently, she already looks much smaller and thinner than her classmates. Malicdem says that doctors attribute Meraly's growth problem to her heart ailment.

"She also easily gets sick because of her very low immune system," Malicdem adds.

Teknotropheo and the Nangka Mangyan Tribal Community in Mindoro have been taking care of Meraly ever since she was brought to their community center by her family in 2005.

Meraly's family was worried about her frequent fainting spells.

She was brought many times to a government hospital but Meraly never received a complete diagnosis from them.

She became weaker. On several occasions, she lost consciousness.

Malicdem then brought her to a private doctor who immediately diagnosed her congenital heart disease. She was prescribed medications to help with her symptoms.

"Since then we have been taking care of Meraly and everything she needs including her food and medicines. But we could not afford her surgery," Malicdem said. "That is why we have been asking help from others."

Malicdem's organization, which helps many other Mangyan children, has very limited funds. They couldn't even afford a regular doctor for Meraly.

"Her doctor changes every check up because they are resident doctors in the outpatient department of the Philippine Heart Center," Malicdem said.

In her quest for a miracle for Meraly, Malicdem has found an ally in Jude Tiner, a New Jersey native and a Vietnam veteran who traveled to the Philippines last year on a personal goodwill mission.

The good Samaritan is a member of City Chapel where he first learned about the plight of Filipino children in need in some areas in the Philippines through its Filipino parishioners.

Tiner, who works as a longshoreman in New Jersey, is currently coordinating efforts to find donors in the U.S. for Meraly's surgery.

He also sits as a board member of Bishop Amigo Foundation, a non-profit organization. Its vision, according to its website, is "to provide a holistic development program to children and youth living under specially difficult, harmful and risky conditions in the Philippines."

Although Tiner and Malicdem have been tirelessly working to find sponsors for Meraly, they have yet to find enough people and organizations to help her.

With so many other organizations all over the world asking for help for so many people in need, getting donations, even for someone with a serious condition like Meraly, is not an easy task.

In the meantime, they are growing increasingly worried because Meraly's condition, if left untreated, could easily take a turn for the worse. Her very low immune system is a constant concern.

As it is, Meraly's growth is already somewhat stunted. She is shorter and weighs less than other kids her age.

But this does not dampen their belief that with the surgery, Meraly can make a full recovery.

"She is able to walk, she's not bedridden anymore. She's allowed to play also, although it's limited because if she gets too tired she might collapse," Malicdem said.

Her physical limitations notwithstanding, Meraly inspires everyone who meets her with her indomitable spirit.

The eldest of two girls, Meraly was born into a household where family members considered themselves lucky if they ate their meal of mostly just cassava and root crops twice in a day.

When Meraly was younger, his father was unable to adequately provide for the family, sources say. He was a farmer who grew crops on a very small piece of land in the mountains.

Meraly's mother took the brunt of the family responsibilities. When it all became unbearable for her, the Mariano family's life took a turn for the worse when she hung herself.

Meraly's mother apparently suffered from an undiagnosed post-partum depression, a social worker who interviewed family members later said.

A few months after the tragedy, Meraly's health problems grew more serious.

And yet despite the hard hits that life has dealt her, this spunky girl, all of 35 pounds, is undeterred in her active fight to live, and to be as happy as she can be.

"She's so different from other Mangyan kids who, by nature, are timid and quiet. Meraly is not shy and could connect easily, even to strangers," Malicdem said. "She's also a leader. She leads other kids when they play."

Meraly is aware of her serious health problems. Finding joy even in unlikely places, she looks forward to her trips to Manila, her greatest luxury, for her check-ups. She follows her doctors' instructions to the letter.

Meraly is audacious in her hope that one day soon, her dream of being treated by the best doctors in the U.S. can come true.

“Punta ako America, dun ako magpapa-opera para gumaling ako,” she said.

Meraly's supporters are hoping that kindhearted Filipinos can help make her dream come true.

===========================================================

Anyone who wants to help Meraly can send donations to pay for her immediate surgery, either in the Philippines or in the U.S.

The Philippine Heart Center has asked for at least $8,500 to schedule her surgery.

Donations can be sent through bank transfer. Make sure to indicate that it is for "Meraly's Surgery":

Bank: PHILIPPINE NATIONAL BANK

Branch: SSS EAST AVE.QUEZON CITY

Branch Account Name : TEKNOTROPHEO

Account No.: 260-8303270

Donors should inform Criselda Malicdem of the donated amount and the date it was sent to the bank. They could e-mail her at crismalicdem@yahoo.com or text/call text her at 639175211150 or 639106338405 or call landline no. 6329242023.

U.S.-based donors can also contact Jude Tiner at 201-7799426; address: 546 Kennedy Blvd., Bayonne, NJ 07002; e-mail: jude173@optonline.net

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Update: Several individuals and organizations have come together to find a miracle for Meraly. The Bayonne Rotary Club has taken up the cause to ensure that her surgery will take place in the U.S. Her airfare will be shouldered by Knightsbridge International . Jude Tiner will be hosting Meraly and her gurdian when they arrive for the operation. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 226 will be hosting a fundraising dinner for Meraly to cover other expenses. Additional funding is still very much needed.]

LEYTE HOSPITALS RECEIVE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT

The Leyte Provincial Hospital located in Palo, Leyte received medical equipment and supplies from Knightsbridge International and Worlds Apart-One Heart Inc. of North Carolina, USA.

The much needed medical equipment which had an estimated value of $200,000 were turned over on March 30, 2007 in Palo. On hand to receive the equipment were Doctor Linda Teresa Astorga, Provincial Health Officer, and Doctor Josenilo Bunado, Leyte Provincial Hospital Director. The Carigara District Hospital was also a recipient of the donated medical equipment. The equipment were donated by Dr. Patrick Ballen, Naomi Ballen, Moses Cone Health System and various individuals. Rene Cone and Ms. Hankins collected the equipment and facilitated their transfer. Tom and Rene Cone’s family paid for the shipping of the equipment to Manila.

Knightsbridge is a non-profit organization located in Los Angeles, California providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief worldwide. Under the auspices of Sir Ed Artis, the organization extended help to the recent calamities in Southern Leyte and the Bicol region, and in Southern Mindanao.

Leyte Provincial Governor Carlos “Icot” Petilla expressed gratitude for the donation and welcomed the generosity of Filipino Americans, who want to help improve the health services in the province.

The turnover was facilitated with the support of Mr. Orlando Uy of the Leyte Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Mr. Alfredo Pacho from Pricon Microelectronics Inc.

Ms. Hankins who hails from Carigara, Leyte is committed to giving medical assistance to Leyte after her sister died in 1999 from pneumonia without receiving any medical help. Sadly, she could not afford antibiotics that resulted in her untimely death.

Ms. Hankins’ visit to Leyte from March 26 thru April 10 included a two-day medical mission which provided surgery and treatment to many patients from Carigara. Doctors, nurses, and one dentist from Leyte and Samar volunteered for the mission, in addition to nurses and parademic from North Carolina. Brad Cone, son of Rene and Tom Cone shouldered most of the expenses on a major operation of one patient. Ms. Hankins also donated books to a library and computers to schools.

PRESS RELEASE

A QUESTION O F PATRIOTISM : WHEN NATIONAL SECURITY & CIVIL RIGHTS COLLIDE

The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County presents this panel discussion that promises a compelling and thought-provoking examination of the intersection between race and national security, the treatment of Asian Americans caught up in the justice system due to alleged security breaches, the government's attitude towards U.S. permanent residents/citizens who are natives of Asian countries that are at odds with the U.S., the government's interests and perspectives on security issues, free speech and military justice, and what role a vigilant public can play to ensure that justice is served even in times of war.

CONFIRMED PANELISTS:
ARIF ALIKHAN - L.A. Deputy Mayor, Homeland Security
RANJANA NATARAJAN - Staff Attorney, ACLU of So. Cal.
ERIC SEITZ - former Attorney for U.S. Army Lt. Ehren Watada
BRIAN SUN - Attorney for Wen Ho Lee, Noshir Gowadia, and former FBI Agent James Smith
CHAPLAIN JAMES YUSUF YEE - former U.S. Army Capt. & Muslim Chaplain at Guantanamo

• Thursday, May 31, 2007 - Registration - 5:30 pm Program - 6:30 pm
• Japanese American National Museum, 369 E. First Street Los Angeles, California 90012
• RSVP BY MAY 25, 2007 — president@apabala.org
• FREE ADMISSION — MCLE credit available at no charge for APABA members and $10 for non-APABA members.

Light dinner will be available for purchase before the program. No host reception will follow the program.

BUHAY AMERICA TIPS: HELLO! TAO PO!How to reach a human when calling customer service

Inis na inis na ba kayo dahil pag tumawag kayo sa customer service ay laging automated na boses ang sumasagot sa inyo?

Para hindi kayo abutin ng siyam-siyam bago may makausap na tao, i-click ninyo ang website link na ito at malalaman ninyo ang pinakamadaling steps para makakonekta kayo.

Gethuman.com was created by a dissatisfied customer who compiled a list of phone numbers and the codes that you need to get out of voicemail and get a human voice on the other end of your line.

They have practically every company and government agency phone number, but here are two examples from the site:
US Citizenship & Immigration - 800‑375‑5283 - Select language; press 2; press 4; at prompt press 0.

Verizon Wireless - 800-922-0204 - Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages.

US-Based Company Expands Operations in the Philippines

Texas Instruments to Expand Operations in the Philippines
Will Employ 3,000 Pinoys

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - Texas Instruments (TI), a Dallas, Texas-based company that has manufacturing, design or sales operations in more than 25 countries, announced recently that it will expand its assembly/test operations in the Philippines with a new site that aims to be the most environmentally efficient assembly/test site in the world.

At 77,000 square meters in size, the site within the Clark Freeport Zone is expected to eventually employ about 3,000 workers and will double the capacity that TI has in the Philippines. The announcement was made at a ceremony with officials from the Philippines government and senior TI representatives.

PRESS RELEASE

FILIPINO CAMERAMAN INJURED IN L.A. MAY DAY MELEE

By Yong B. Chavez

FilipinOnline

ybchavez@gmail.com

[UPDATE: In a press conference, LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa discussed accountability measures taken by LAPD following the May Day clash. He said: "We are not going to shift responsibility down the chain of command. Accountability begins at the top. What happened on May 1 was wrong, and we are taking immediate action to address it."

Also, LAPD chief William Bratton reassigned two high-ranking police commanders for their role in overseeing the violent police response to the rally.]

Ricky Morales, a Los Angeles-based Filipino freelance videographer for various media companies (including The Filipino Channel), was among those hurt during the recent immigration rally clash in Los Angeles.

Morales said that, without any provocation, he was pushed and hit by policemen as he was shooting footage for a news report.

The May 1 rally was organized by immigration reform proponents who are mostly Latinos but which also included Filipino groups such as Alliance (AJLPP), People's CORE, Pilipino Workers Center, GABRIELA Network, Samahang Pilipino, Pesante-USA, Ecumenical Fellowship, United Health Workers-West, and Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV).

According to Art Garcia, People's Core coordinator, "there were at least 100 of us who joined the march from Historic Filipinotown to MacArhur Park" where the event occurred.

Los Angeles Police Department Chief William Bratton has apologized for the policemen's actions after the rally turned into a melee which left several reporters and rally attendees injured.

The Metropolitan Division officers could be seen on videos attacking attendees - even reporters in so-called safety zones - with batons and foam bullets.

The clash at MacArthur Park started when the police tried to disperse demonstrators and several people at the rally threw rocks and bottles at officers.

But it does not excuse the subsequent attacks done by the police, said Bratton.

He had ordered about 60 officers "off the streets" while the case is being investigated.

As to why the incident occurred at all, Garcia has a theory.

"I believe that anti-immigrant reactionary forces are trying to discourage immigrant rights mobilization," he said.

(Photo courtesy of Ricky Morales and Art Garcia)

BALITANG FILIPINO ONLINE

HOODWINKED?
A report says that US insurance companies have used improper hard-sell tactics to persuade Medicare recipients to sign up for private health plans that are not all that good as they were made up to be.

PINOY HOSTAGES' FATE IN NIGERIA STILL UNCLEAR
Sadly, over the weekend, negotiations for release of Filipino hostages in Nigeria has failed again. The Pinoys, together with three South Koreans, were kidnapped several days ago in Nigeria. They are employees of Daewoo Engineering and Construction Co. In January, 24 Filipino seafarers were also taken hostage by Nigerian militants. Another Filipino, instrumentation engineer, Winston Helera, was abducted February 6 and was released a month later.

THIS NEWS STINGS
By now, you must have heard that bubuyogs are mysteriously disappearing. One report asks if it's because of cell phones.

MALABON KIDS

This photo of Filipino kids living in a garbage dump in Malabon was featured in Yahoo's "This Week in Photos" segment over the weekend.

Their smiles, unbroken by extreme poverty, are heartbreakingly hopeful.

NEED A PHILIPPINE BIRTH CERTIFICATE?Have lots of patience, a balikbayan says

THERE'S NO EASY WAY TO GET A PHILIPPINE BIRTH CERTIFICATE

By Art Pacho
Special to FilipinOnline

These days, anyone wanting to deal with Social Security must present an original birth certificate. This is very important to those who are about to retire or in need of Social Security benefits, including medicare. The change was recently adopted by Social Security as a response to homeland security issues and the hard line posture on immigration by the current U.S. administration.

How does one get a birth certificate if one is now a Filipino-American but was born in the Philippines?

It is not a simple and easy task as one would think.

In April 2007, I was in Manila for a visit. One of the things I had to do was to get birth certificates from three places for my wife, sister, brother, two brothers in-law and one sister in-law.

The assignment sounded really simple: go to a city or municipal hall and apply for the certificate.

Not so fast, buddy.

First, I was advised to start with the National Statistics Office (NSO) where I stood in line and paid 125 pesos for each application. You have to stand in line four times for four steps of the process (interview, application, payment, and release of document).

The NSO centralized all the civil registry services with the aim of automating all personal records (birth, marriage and death) in the country.

Someone advised me to go early to a provincial NSO where the lines are somewhat shorter so I went to the NSO in Tacloban where I was also visiting.

However, all I got from the NSO was a document telling me that they had no records for all the applications I made, including the two who were born in that city.

This all I got after they took my payment and my afternoon.

One is supposed to go to your own municipal or city hall, get supporting documents, and return to NSO to apply for delayed registration.

This means you have to deliver to NSO the very information that they are expected to have or should have gotten in the first place from all over the Philippines.

The next step was to go to each city hall of the birth places of the people needing the birth certificates.

Since I was in Tacloban that week I first applied for the certificate of my brother and sister at the civil registry in city hall (cost: 50 pesos per certificate).

They asked me to return in a week and since I did not have enough time, I asked my cousin to do that. My cousin later sent me the documents to Manila via a courier service.

Before that, I also went to our hometown parish church and got the baptismal certificates. Fortunately, this was easily available through the church records (cost: 100 pesos). I am hoping that these church documents would be sufficient for SSS purposes because Tacloban eventually told me they did not have the original records.

As for the other applications, I went to the City Hall of Quezon City where people were waiting in long lines, a chaotic and cramped place with some applicants sitting on broken benches.

It took me three days and three visits to Quezon City to get the certificates (cost: 40 pesos per certificate). Fortunately, the people at the counter were very cordial and helpful despite working in a crowded and almost squalid office.

I also went to the City Hall of Manila. There, the lines are a lot longer than at Quezon City but at least you are in an air conditioned place with nice and clean benches with polite attendants herding people in line, and the office looking orderly.

However, I waited for almost two hours there only to be told that I could not get what I came for because I needed authorization letters from my in-laws.

Frustrated, that same day I had an alternative, following the advice of my brother.

He said, go see the Secretary to the Manila City Mayor who is a good friend of my brother and request him for constituent help. Through his kindness he sent a note verifying my request and seeking for consideration. I went to Manila three times trying to get the certificates. The cost in Manila was 110 pesos for 1 certificate. Of course, I also spent for transportation.

I got the certificates I needed which were authenticated or certified from the original by a local government agency. The NSO certificate would have looked original since it is not a certified copy of the birth certificate.

At no time did I offer anyone extra to expedite the process (meaning no bribe). I did not hire anyone from outside to get the documents. As a tidbit, in Quiapo I spoke to someone who claimed he could get a birth certificate from NSO for 500 pesos in 1 week, just like at the fake document alley in the Alvarado area in Los Angeles.

The certificates I got in the Philippines did not cost that much in dollar terms. But you certainly have to suffer through long lines waiting to be served and returning to pick up the documents when eventually found and completed.

One person I spoke to at the Manila City Hall told me he missed his overseas job because he could not complete the birth certificate requirement on time due to an error in the form he received.

People have to suffer just to get a piece of paper: traveling from their barrios or towns to NSO or city hall, waiting in line, looking for supporting documents, and paying for the certificate.

There is no reason to require applicants to go to NSO in the first place when the documents are right in your own municipal or city hall. NSO is an extra bureaucratic layer and an attempt to centralize a local service and create a massive automated data base at the people’s expense. It is also a form of added taxation on the very people that the government has to serve.

At the local civil registry offices, searches are still done by hand shifting through dusty old records and log books.

Fees and requirements differ in each civil registry.

Here are my tips from this experience:

- Bring the right information as to the correct full name, date of birth, name of father and mother, municipality or city of birth, and exact place where born (name of hospital or home address if delivered at home).

- Remember to send a letter of authorization if requesting someone else to secure the certificate for you.

- Mention the purpose of the birth certificate, for example for retirement, claim benefits, securing a loan or whatever.

- Have a lot of free time and patience.

- For an extra fee, one can also apply online from NSO but there is no guarantee you can get the information or the certificate you need since the reply may be "no record available." You will still have to go to the local civil registrar for verification of records and endorsement of the records to NSO.

In parting, I have to ask our kababayans: How can the quality of service be improved for the Philippine civil registry? Let me hear from others their experiences and suggestions.

About the author:
Arturo Pacho just retired from the LAPD as a civilian adjutant in the Hollenbeck Area. He lives in Glendale, California with his family. He has a keen interest in public policy and administrative issues. Art recently returned from a visit to the Philippines to fulfill some errands, such as acquiring birth certificates. He does not think it is amusing that many Filipinos have to endure the indignities of going through a tangled bureaucracy just to get a piece of paper, although a very important one. Despite this experience, he firmly believes that there is a promising future for the country despite all the shortcomings at this time.

To contact Art, please e-mail yourkababayan@gmail.com and put ART PACHO on the subject line.

PINOY HOLLYWOOD: David Magdael

In this Los Angeles Times special report, Filipino American publicist David Magdael talks about his passion for movies.

Magdael heads the L.A.-based firm, David Magdael and Associates, which focuses on campaigns for documentaries and independent films. One of his most succesful projects was representing Morgan Spurlock's Oscar-nominated (and McDonald's-slamming) documentary "Supersize Me."

In the article he talks about connecting Asian American filmmakers and films with Asian American filmgoers. He is the co-director of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, or VC Filmfest which runs till May 10.

(Magdael and Spurlock's photo from indiewire)

4 FILIPINOS DEAD IN IRAQ ROCKET ATTACK

By Yong B. Chavez
FilipinOnline.com
ybchavez@gmail.com

Four Filipino contractors working for the American government were killed when a rocket attack hit Iraq's Green Zone on May 2.

The identities of those killed have not yet been released.

According to a report, the extremists' attacks started three days before the deaths.

The U.S. embassy in Baghdad has been quoted as saying that Wednesday's attack left it "with a profound sense of sadness and regret'' over the loss of Filipinos who "were integral members of our embassy community.''

The Green Zone, also called the International Zone, home to the U.S. and British embassies, American troops and major US consulting companies, is a heavily guarded area of closed-off streets in central Baghdad. It is also where the main palaces of former President Saddam Hussein can be found.

It has numerous armed checkpoints, coils of razor wire, chain link fences, and is surrounded by reinforced and blast-proof concrete slabs.

But according to a report, two Americans were killed in late March in the Green Zone also due to a rocket attack. In the same week, two suicide vests were found unexploded in the area.

The embassy statement did not provide other details about this recent attack.

Philippine president Gloria Arroyo expressed her sadness over the tragedy and ordered the country's Department of Foreign Affairs to repatriate the remains of the victims.

No data was immediately available as to how many Filipinos have died since the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq started.

In 2004, Rodrigo Reyes, a 52-year-old truck driver was the first Philippine casualty in Iraq. He was killed in an ambush in northern Iraq while working for a U.S. firm.

The same year, the Philippines banned deployment of workers to Iraq after extremists abducted another Filipino truck driver, Angelo de la Cruz.

His captors demanded for early withdrawal of a small Philippine peacekeeping contingent from Iraq. Arroyo granted the kidnappers' demand to save his life which earned the ire of Washington officials.

Robert Tarongoy, a Filipino accountant, was also abducted by Iraqi militants and held captive for almost eight months.

There are about 5,000 to 6,000 Filipinos who are employed in U.S. military camps across Iraq, according to reports.

Despite the Arroyo government's Iraq deployment ban, many Filipino workers slip into Iraq through neighboring countries such as Jordan.

(Photo courtesy of Wikipedia)

Mixed Emotions for Filipino Virginia Tech Student

By Yong B. Chavez
FilipinOnline.com
ybchavez@gmail.com

The day that 32 of his schoolmates were murdered, Romeo E. Capuno, Jr. overslept and narrowly missed what could have been the most tragic day of his life.

Due to a tiring night spent cooking Filipino food for an international food fair, Capuno, president of one of Virginia Tech's Filipino student associations, had a late start Monday morning, April 16, thus avoiding any chance encounter with Seung-Hui Cho and his murderous rampage.

"On my way to class, I always go by Norris Hall so any other day I could have been there," he said. "I really feel fortunate that I didn't go that morning. But at the same time, I feel so sad for the victims and their families. I still find it hard to accept that this happened at my school."

The April 16 massacre in West Ambler Johnston Hall and Norris Hall at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia which claimed the lives of 33 people, including the shooter, happened a mere five minutes away from where Capuno lives.

Cho, an American of South Korean descent, was a mentally ill Virginia Tech student who was able to easily purchase guns and ammunitions.

The tragedy shook its students' lives. Days after, they were still shaking.

"We became fearful. Every time we hear any unusual sounds… It was difficult." Capuno said.

Capuno, who's been going to Virginia Tech's graduate school for two years now, learned of the attacks through television and the Internet like the rest of America and the world. Because information from the school took a while to get to the students, some of them were among the last to know even though they lived near the university.

"We were shocked. We knew about the bomb threat the week before [the tragedy] but we got an e-mail Friday night that classes would resume Monday so we thought it was safe," he said.

The fact that the students were not informed immediately after the first attack disappoints him.

When the police learned of Cho's second and much bloodier attack, officers patrolled the area around the university and announced on loudspeakers that all students should not leave their buildings.

This was a warning that came much too late for 32 innocent, young lives.

"There's so much pain and sorrow," Capuno said. He knew some of those who were killed.

When the gunman wasn't identified yet and the media just identified him as "an Asian male," the thought that the perpetrator could be Filipino bothered Capuno a little.

He also worried if there were Filipino victims.

Before he called his mother in the Philippines to let her know he was safe, he called every Filipino student whose numbers he knew to make sure that they were.

But the relief that he felt in knowing that his fellow Pinoys were okay was tempered with a great sense of sadness when he saw the victims' families and friends. Their faces were broken with grief.

What are the odds that on one seemingly normal Monday morning, their lives could be permanently altered, Capuno wondered.

Though not as directly hit as them, he said that the events changed him too.

"I learned that everyday you should be prepared," he said. "I now pray a lot. I thank God for saving us."

(Picture of Filipino Virginia Tech students, courtesy of Virginia Tech, through Romeo Capuno, Jr.; picture of candlelight vigil, from Wikipedia)

PINOY HOLLYWOOD: JACLYN NGAN

If you watched "Freedom Writers," the inspiring Hilary Swank film that told the real-life story of a teacher and her students at a Long Beach school, then you've seen how talented Jaclyn Ngan is.

In the movie, the 18-year-old actress memorably played Sindy, a hardened Cambodian student, but Jaclyn is actually of Filipino, Chinese and Spanish descent. "Freedom Writers" was her first professional acting job.

Her newest project is “Not All Lost,” a play written by a 15-year-old playwright, Michelle Yoon.

The play will have a world premiere at Greenway Court Theatre in Hollywood, on Friday, April 27, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.; Saturdays, April 28, May 5 and May 13, 2007 at 3:00 p.m.; Sundays, April 29 and May 6, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. and Fridays, May 4 and May 11, 2007 at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. General Admission is Pay-What-You-Can and the show is free for Students.

FO FYI: FREE CITIZENSHIP APPLICATION WORKSHOP

The Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC) will host a free citizenship application assistance workshop for many Los Angeles County residents on Wednesday, April 18, 2007. The event, which begins at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 9:30 p.m., will be held at Alhambra Adult School, 101 S. Second Street , Room D-101, Alhambra , CA 91801 . Appointments are required; interested applicants should call APALC at (213)977-7500 x217 (Cantonese, English, Spanish).

“Immigrants work hard to support their families, learn English, and contribute to our communities,” said Yoshida. “We are concerned the proposed fee increases may prevent qualified immigrants from achieving the highlight of their immigration experience.”

APALC citizenship outreach coordinator, Cevadne Lee, added, “We suggest that immigrants who are qualified for citizenship now to consider applying sooner rather than later,” this is because USCIS said the fee increases may go into effect in June. “The workshop is a great place to get help with applying for citizenship.”

CONTACT:
Cevadne Lee, Citizenship Outreach CoordinatorImmigration & Citizenship Project
(213)977-7500, ext. 217

Mark Yoshida, Project DirectorImmigration & Citizenship Project
(213)977-7500, ext. 247

ASK A KABABAYAN:"I am very much interested in starting an import-export business in the Philippines. Where can I get information about this?"

For all Fil Am would-be negosyantes out there, a wealth of information can be obtained from the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) website: http://www.business.gov.ph/.

From there, you will find out that depending on the business structure, a business will register either with the DTI for single proprietorship or with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for corporation and partnerships (http://www.sec.gov.ph/). The registration forms are downloadable in their respective websites.

I am also happy to share the following helpful info which I got straight from Nini Alvero, trade commissioner of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Silicon Valley.

1. What do US-based Filipino potential business owners have to do first?

As in any other business ventures, US-based potential business owners before embarking on a business have to do diligence work. They must determine the business they want to enter in based on their background, experience, interest and network. Next, they have to find out if market potential and business opportunities exist for such products or services in the Philippines by consulting the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) website or its representative offices in San Francisco, Chicago, New York or Washington, DC, which are the Philippine Trade and Investment Centers.

2. Which businesses are doing well or which Philippine products are in demand for exporting nowadays?

DTI has identified the following 10 revenue streams which has the greatest potentials for growth in export and investments. These are: food; giftware and holiday decor; home furnishing; organic, herbal and natural products; wearables/fashion; construction materials, electronics; IT and IT-enabled services; marine products; motor vehicle.

Other areas of potential growth are logistics services; health and wellness; mining/mineral products.

3. Are US citizen-Pinoys allowed to start a business there, or do they need to get dual citizenship?

There are limitations in the ownership for certain businesses according to the Foreign Investment Act of 1991. For those who prefer to enter the retail business, which is the most common or usually the easiest business to run, Filipino-Americans are advised to acquire dual citizenship.

4. What are the common difficulties encountered by US-based Filipino business owners?

The most common difficulty is financing. US-based Filipino businesses do not have ready access to loans from the Philippine financial institutions. The next common problem is getting bad advice and falling into the hands of unscrupulous partners.

5. Any recent success stories?

Two examples of recent successes:

Mr. Ceasar Aguilar, President of Global Support Services, Inc. Mr. Aguilar is from Colton, CA who set up an engineering and architectural service company in the Philippines where his US company outsourced some of its requirements to the Philippine operation.

Ms. Arlette Adams, owner, Etteniotna Handicrafts collection is from the Bay Area who set up her business here but sources her products in the Philippines.

For more information, contact Nini Alvero at:

Philippine Trade and Investment Center-Silicon Valley

5201 Great America Parkway, Suite 356
Santa Clara, CA 95054

Tel: 415-773-2336 / 408-980-9637 5201

ptic-sv@philippinecentersf.com

About the photo:

I found it from retailer giant Target's online catalog. This Philippine-made Capiz tray retails for $29.00. I've also found several Made in the Philippines products from other big US stores like Pottery Barn and Ralph's. It certainly is looking like it's boom time for Philippine-made products and services in the U.S.

FO NEWS:Pinoy Vets Hold Protest Outside White House

Visiting leaders of the American Coalition for Filipino Veterans from Hawaii, California, Texas and Washington, Maryland and Virginia protested outside the White House on April 12.

They called on President Bush to support their two bills in the U.S. congress by singing "Old Soldiers Never Die." The leaders are planning a Corregidor Action Day on May 7 at Department of Veterans Affairs offices in various cities to protest the Bush Administration opposition to their bills.

Text and Photo by:

ERIC LACHICA

Executive Director, American Coalition for Filipino Veterans, Inc.

FO FYI: A Teacher Conference focusing on Infusing Filipino and Filipino American Content in the Curriculum to be held in June

A Multicultural Conference for K-12 Educators
KAPWA: You and I are One
Infusing Filipino and Filipino American Content in the Curriculum
Sonoma State University
June 15-16, 2007

The North Bay International Studies Project (NBISP) is pleased to announce a two-day Conference on Filipino history and culture. Academic materials and tools will be provided for teachers to successfully integrate the Filipino American experience into their K-12 classes. The conference will include an evening performance (6/15/07) of Filipino dance and music. The Filipino American Curriculum will emphasize historical content, cultural connections, critical thinking, and community activism.

The Filipino American Curriculum will emphasize ethnic pride, cultural connections, critical thinking, and community activism.
Topics:

1. Filipino American Educational Issues
2. Philippine History and Culture
3. Colonialism and Revolution
4. Filipino American History

Keynote Speaker:
Father Alberto Alejo - Ateneo de Davao University


Fee Structure:
Individual sessions registration:
· Friday, June 15 (10 AM - 4 PM): All day program includes morning coffee/muffins and box lunch - $20
· Friday, June 15 (7 PM - 9:30 PM): Performance and Keynote Address - $10
· Saturday, June 16 (9 AM - 4 PM): All day program includes morning coffee/muffins and box lunch - $25

Special Rate for attending ALL sessions:

* Early Registration: $40 for all sessions.
* Onsite Registration: $50 for all sessions.
* Early Registration deadline: June 1, 2007.

To Register:
Fill out and print the Registration form, then mail it in with your registration fee.
"KAPWA: You and I are One" Conference Registration Form
Sent Registration Checks to:
North Bay International Studies Project
Carson 10A
1801 E. Cotati Ave.
Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Make Checks payable to: North Bay International Studies Project

There is one SSU academic unit available for teachers who attend both days at an additional cost. Sign up for the unit on June 15, 2007.

Contact NBISP at Sonoma State University for further information.
Phone (707) 664-2409, or e-mail at filamcurconf@gmail.com.

FO NEWS: American Aid Worker Reported Missing In the Philippines

Per CNN, a U.S. aid worker has been reported missing for nearly a week in the northern Philippines.

Julia Campbell, a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer, was last seen on Easter Sunday in Ifugao province, according to the U.S. embassy in Manila.

The report also mentions that the New People's Army (NPA) has a strong presence in the area.

U.S. Embassy security officials are working with local Peace Corps and pulis authorities to find Campbell.

Campbell is a former journalist and has served as a college teacher in Legazpi. She has been serving in the Peace Corps in the Philippines since March 2005.

Campbell, 40, has blonde hair, wears eyeglasses, is 5'7" and weighs 58 kilograms.

The public is encouraged to relay any information about Campbell to John Borja, safety and security officer of the Peace Corps in the Philippines, at 00 (63) 0920-900-5270, or the U.S. Embassy in Manila, at 00 (63) 02 528-6300.

FilipinOnline NEWS: Family of deceased Purple Heart awardee needs help for burial expenses

This morning, I had the great honor of witnessing the meeting of two real-life heroes: Col. Edwin Ramsey, an American leader of Philippine guerrillas during World War II, and Bataan Death March survivor and veterans' rights leader Peping Baclig.

What dampened the spirit of this historic meeting was the sad story that Mang Peping recounted on his taped testimony for the upcoming Senate Veterans Affairs hearing.

Two days earlier, his fellow veteran, Felizardo Ticao, died after struggling with Alzheimer's disease. The Purple Heart awardee was 83 years old.

Ticao's body is at the Armstrong Mortuary in Los Angeles, and at this time, Mang Peping said, they don't even know when they could bury him.

"His wife, who only works part-time, doesn't have any funds for the burial so we are trying to find any way to help her," he said. "It's very difficult."

Ticao moved to the U.S. as a WW II veteran in 1995. Hearing nothing but good things about the country he thought that life here was easy.

"Land of milk and honey kasi kaya akala n'ya puro ginhawa dito," Baclig said. Instead, in short order, Ticao found himself homeless. Luckily, Ticao found help from the Filipino American Sevice Group, Inc's (Fasgi). They were able to help him eventually find his own apartment which he shared with his then new bride. The Ticaos were not blessed with children but they were happy together - until Alzheimer's claimed his body and mind. He stayed at a convalescent home until his death.

Unfortunately, this wasn't the first time - and most sadly, probably not the last - that I've seen Mang Peping agonizing over what to do with a fellow veteran's remains. A few months ago, while shooting a news story at Fasgi where he coordinates its veterans' center, I saw him having a somber meeting with other manongs.

When I asked why they were so sad, he pointed at a nondescript vase sitting on the edge of his desk. It contained the ashes of another fallen comrade.

They had to be the ones to claim the remains because the dead veteran had no family in the U.S. and no one else - not even the Philippine consulate, because the deceased was a U.S. citizen, Mang Peping said - could claim him.

And now, 85-year-old Mang Peping is once again taking care of another veteran's death.

To find out how to help Felizardo Ticao's family, please contact Mang Peping or Susan Dilkes, Fasgi's executive director and tireless champion of Filipino veterans. Their number is (213)487-9804. E-mail address fasgi@fasgi.org.

FO NEWS: Yahoo! might cause you to say "Yehey!" in May

Here's a piece of good news for Yahoo! e-mail users:

In celebration of its 10-year anniversary, magbibigay na ang Yahoo! Mail ng unlimited email storage starting in May 2007. Yahooooo! talaga.

The hugely popular e-mail service began in 1997. They were the first to offer what was then considered as huge storage capability - 4 MB per user. Nowadays, ga-tinga'ng e-mail lang ang matatanggap mo sa 4MB.

With the unlimited storage come May, Yahoo! Mailers will never have to erase any e-mail ever again.

PINOY HOLLYWOOD: Cheryl Burke

She's Dancing With The Stars' two-time champ, and now, Cheryl Burke is TV Guide's newest celebrity blogger. Here's what she says about tonight's show:


"This week we're dancing the quickstep and I really think people are going to be impressed by Ian's moves. He's really working it this week. I'd tell you what our song is, but I'm going to let that be a big surprise."

Cheryl Burke Trivia:

Birth date: May 1984 in Northern California.

Height: 5' 4"

Cheryl is a middle child. She has an older sister and a younger sister.

Her mom, Sherri Bautista Burke, was from Nueva Ecija.

She finished high school in 2002.

Unfinished Business: "I want to go back to school. I wanna take up something that will help me in my career in the long run, like business management or finance. My mom's best advice to me is 'Follow your heart, follow your dream, but never forget your education.'"

She is currently dating Matthew Lawrence, the younger brother of her former dance partner, Drew. She tells People magazine: "He's a great, smart, wonderful guy. We started dating at the end of December while I was on the (Dancing with the Stars) tour (with his older brother, Joey Lawrence) and we're having a lot of fun."

Despite going through physically exhausting dance competitions for more than 17 years, she has not had any injuries. "Thank God."

She considers being away from home as the hardest part of being a professional dancer. "Sometimes I wish I could just stay home for a whole month and just be with my family and friends, maybe read a book. It's hard living out of your suitcase," she says. "But it's okay."
She still sees more dance lessons in her future. "I'm still learning. I have loads to learn. I have years and years to go."

Her motto: "Live your dream to the fullest."

FilipinOnline NEWS: Filipinos cause high TB rates, U.S. official says

A U.S. government official is blaming Filipino immigrants for a Northern California county's high incidence of tuberculosis cases.

Solano County's Vallejo, home to many Fil Ams, is one of the nation's top 20 hot spots for TB.

Ron Chapman, the county's public health officer, said to a newspaper that one of the chief reasons for Vallejo's high ranking is due to its large number of Filipino immigrants.

Per Contra Costa Times: "He noted that the Philippines has the sixth-highest number of TB cases in the world. He added that the Filipino government works closely with the local health department to identify arrivals who suffer from the illness."

Tuberculosis cases statewide dropped to their lowest point since 1985. But from 2005 to 2006, there were more cases in 20 counties.

California has 10 of the nation's top big cities with TB cases, including San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego, Los Angeles, Stockton, Oakland, Sacramento, Ventura and Fresno.

The number of TB cases in California is at an all-time low but some drug-resistant strains have health officials worried.

The falling national TB rates is alarming cities with high immigrant population because they fear funding cuts.

FO FYI:BALITANG HEALTH INSURANCE

Blue Cross, California's largest health insurance provider, is facing a $1 million fine.

Investigators found that the company systematically dropped policyholders after they became sick or pregnant. Tsk.

Kung may problema kayo sa health insurance ninyo, visit the Department of Managed Health Care's website for information on how to get help.

The website also offers the following tips when you encounter problems:

1. If you are told that you cannot get the care you need, ask for the reason in writing.
2. Talk to your doctor about your problem.
3. When you make a phone call, take notes. Write down the date of your call, the name of the person you talk to, and what the person says.
4. Have someone with you for extra support.
5. Act soon. If you wait longer than 6 months, you may lose the right to file a complaint, ask for an IMR, or take other action against your health plan.

FilipinOnline NEWS: Government program leads to charges against 9 men accused of child exploitation crimes

The United States Attorney's office announced today that they have brought charges to 9 men accused of child exploitation crimes.

According to Thom Mrozek, public affairs officer of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Los Angeles, "the government’s efforts to protect children from sexual predators, now organized under the Justice Department’s Project Safe Childhood initiative, continue to bring results, with nine men being charged over the past week in this district with child exploitation crimes. Most of the men were charged with possession of child pornography, a crime seen with increasing frequency due to technological advances such as the Internet.

Today’s announcement of the eight criminal cases comes on the same day federal officials roll out a public service advertising (PSA) campaign designed to educate teenage girls about the potential dangers of posting and sharing personal information online."

One of those indicted this week used the Google Hello program to send child pornography images.

To report cases of child sexual exploitation, you can visit the CyberTipline website. This site also has a section for teens where they can learn how to better protect themselves from online sexual predators.

PINOY HOLLYWOOD: Filipino film will premiere at Tribeca Filmfest

A short film made by Pinay auteur Debbie Formoso is having a world premiere at Tribeca Filmfest.

"Pretend" (Nagpapanggap) was filmed entirely in the Philippines - in Quezon City and Tanauan, Batangas. It was set against the turbulent backdrop of a country on the edge of rebellion.

Nagpapanggap is the story of one woman's struggle to preserve her own sense of self as her husband's political power escalates. It stars Thelma Sugay, Abe Pagtama, and Kristine Sabella. Dialogue is in Tagalog with English subtitles.

Nagpapanggap has already won for Formoso the best screenplay award at the Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television’s Film Outside the Frame Festival.

The NY-based Tribeca Film Festival was founded in 2002 by Robert De Niro and partners as a response to the attacks on the World Trade Center.This year, runs from April 25 to May 06.

Screening Schedule:
Thursday, April 26, 4:00 pm, A34-11
Friday, April 27, 4:30 pm, AKB-14
Saturday, April 28, 8:30 pm, AKB-12
Tuesday, May 1, 4:00 pm, RG-11 Sunday, May 6, 4:00 pm, AKB-15

SCREENING VENUES:
AMC 34th Street (A34) 312 W. 34th Street (between 8 th and 9 th Avenues) NY, NY 10001
AMC Kips Bay (AKB) 570 Second Avenue (at 32nd St.) New York, NY 10016
Regal Cinemas Battery Park Cinemas 11 (RG) 102 North End Avenue (at Vesey Street) NY York, NY 10281

FO NEWS: PACMAN INSISTS: "Nasa kondisyon ako"

By: Yong B. Chavez

www.filipinonline.com

Can Manny Pacquiao manage a Roach-less victory?

The most famous Filipino athlete's longtime coach Freddie Roach wasn't at the presscon held Wednesday in Los Angeles but his name came up several times before the event was finished.

Roach is currently out of the country, training Oscar de la Hoya for his ring date with Floyd Mayweather.

"He will not be training me but he will be in my corner during the fight," Pacquiao said. "Di naman ako worried. Nandyan naman si Justin Fortune. Freddie entrusted him with my training."

Fortune, an Aussie who looks like a nicer version of Prison Break's Bellick, is Roach’s trusted assistant and has been Pacquiao's conditioning coach in his other fights.

Will Fortune be able to keep a distraction-prone Pacman in line? Everyone will see on April 14 when Pacman and Jorge Solis face each other in Texas.

Manny insists that he is training hard, and that he is in great shape.

"Nasa kondisyon ako. Mas mahirap pa nga ang training ko sa Pilipinas kasi sobrang init doon," he said.

At the presscon, he refused to talk about his political plans.

"Basta dyan, no comment muna ako. Boxing na lang ang pag-usapan natin," he said, before breaking into his characteristic boyish grin. "I'm focused on my training."

He also dismissed some people's notion that he is not taking his opponent seriously.

Solis, who was unable to make it to the presscon which is their supposed first meeting, is an undefeated ring warrior from Guadalajara, Mexico and a former Mexican super bantamweight champion. He has vowed to end Pacquiao’s dominance over Mexican boxers.

"He's good. He's taller than me and he has longer arms. Alam kong magaling siya kaya naghahanda talaga ako," he said.

FO FYI:130 PAID SUMMER INTERNSHIPS IN THE ARTS AVAILABLE IN L.A. COUNTY

PRESS RELEASE:
LOS ANGELES COUNTY FUNDS 130 SUMMER INTERNSHIPS
AT 90 ARTS ORGANIZATIONS

Los Angeles County , through its Arts Commission, has given grants totaling $530,000 to 90 performing, literary, media and municipal arts organizations throughout Los Angeles County to support paid internships for college undergraduates in summer 2007.

Descriptions of and contacts for the 130 internship positions are posted on the Arts Commission’s web site. Here's the link.

Interested undergraduates should apply directly to the organization offering the internship, not the Arts Commission.

College undergraduates either resident in or attending school in Los Angeles County are eligible for the internships. Interns are paid $350 per week for ten weeks and take part in educational and arts networking activities.

Through the program, interns gain a deeper understanding of the work involved in nonprofit arts administration and the role of the arts in a community, and develop business skills that can be put to use in their future careers. Internship host organizations help mold and shape potential new workers in the arts field who may go on to arts leadership positions on staffs, boards or as volunteers.

Contacts:
Linda Chiavaroli, Dir. of Communications, 323 871-4554 (office), 323 810-9240 (cell), lchiavaroli@lacountyarts.org
Andrew Campbell, Dir. of Organizational Development, 213 974-1343, acampbell@lacountyarts.org

BUHAY AMERICA TIPS:TAX FILING TIPS

Nakapag-file ka na ba ng tax return mo? Kung hindi pa, don't fret - hindi ka nag-iisa.



According to the IRS, as of March 10, halos kalahati pa lang ng American taxpayers ang naka-pag-submit na.



Here are some interesting tax returns data culled from this report:

• The average refund this year is at $2,548.
• IRS has issued 50.5 million refunds out of the 60.9 million returns received as of March 10.
• They expect to process about 136 million individual tax returns in 2007.
• More than 13.3 million e-filed from their personal computers. Those who file electronically can usually have their refund deposited directly into their bank accounts in two weeks or less. (Sidebar: Proven ko ito. I received my refund last year in less than 2 weeks because I e-filed.)

Kung namamahalan kayo sa singil ng tax preparer ninyo, you can avail of the FREE TAX FILING program available through the IRS. Here's the link to that site.

The Free File program is a free federal tax preparation and electronic filing program for eligible taxpayers. It allows taxpayers with an Adjusted Gross Income of $52,000 or less to e-file their federal tax returns for free. Fees for state tax returns may apply.

But before you file, make sure that you avoid making some costly goofs. This article lists 10 common tax mistakes that we can sidestep.

Eto yung mga pagkakamali na kalimitang napapansin ng IRS sa mga tax returns:

1. Claiming the wrong filing status. Maaaring hindi kayo maging eligible sa child tax credit, earned-income credit at exemptions for dependents kung mali ang inilagay ninyong status.
2. Omitting or using wrong Social Security numbers. In 2003, my tax preparer accidentally wrote the wrong Social Security number for my daughter and my refund was delayed because of this.
3. Make sure your handwriting is legible.
4. Failing to use correct forms and schedules.
5. Failing to sign and date the return. If you don't sign the return, you haven't filed. Both spouses must sign a joint return.
6. Claiming ineligible dependents
7. Misusing -- or not using -- the earned-income credit
8. Failing to report domestic workers. Kung sosi kayo at may katulong sa bahay, siguraduhing na-i-report ninyo ang payroll taxes ni Lagring (o kung anuman ang pangalan ng kasama ninyo sa bahay.)
9. Failing to report all income
10. Failing to check for the alternative minimum tax. Here's a link to get help in determining if you are affected by AMT. AMT has been projected to hit about 19 million families in 2007, including 64% of households earning $100,000 to $200,000.

FO FYI: FREE CITIZENSHIP APPLICATION WORKSHOP

NEWS RELEASE FROM APALC:

Los Angeles – The Los Angeles County Naturalization Coalition (LACNC) will host a free citizenship application assistance workshop for many Los Angeles County residents on Saturday, March 24, 2007.

The event, which begins at 9:00 a.m. and ends at 2:00 p.m., will be held at 9372 Telstar Ave , El Monte , CA 91731 .

Appointments are required; interested applicants should call Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County, (800)433-6251 x257, Asian Pacific American Legal Center, (213)977-7500 x217 or Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, (213)640-3918

At the workshop, attendees will receive assistance with their citizenship forms from staff and volunteers of LACNC members which include: Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC), International Rescue Committee (IRC), Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA), and Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles County (NLS).

Applicants will be given study guides to help them prepare for their interviews. LACNC then files the papers with USCIS on behalf of the applicants.

Due to restrictions imposed by the state, only those individuals who live in the Los Angeles County area may attend the workshop.

Although the application assistance is provided at no charge, applicants must pay the required application and “biometrics” fees (total $400; applicants 75 years of age or older pay $330). Personal checks or money orders should be made payable to “U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services”; cash will not be accepted. Applicants must also bring two identical passport-style photos.

Before making an appointment, applicants should make sure they are eligible for citizenship by visiting the USCIS website at “uscis.gov”, and clicking “Services and Benefits”, “Citizenship”, and “Naturalization Information.” They may also get the information from any adult school citizenship class or by calling LACNC members.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently proposed a fee increase for citizenship applications. The citizenship application fee, currently set at $330, would jump to $595.

The “biometrics” or fingerprinting fee (required of applicants under 75 years of age) would increase to $80, making the total cost to most citizenship applicants $675. The new fee, if implemented, would effectively prevent many immigrants from reaching their dream of citizenship, explained Mark Yoshida, staff attorney with APALC.

“Immigrants work hard to support their families, learn English, and contribute to our communities,” said Yoshida. “We are concerned the proposed fee increases may prevent qualified immigrants from achieving the highlight of their immigration experience.”

APALC citizenship outreach coordinator, Cevadne Lee, added, “We suggest that immigrants who are qualified for citizenship now to consider applying sooner rather than later,” this is because USCIS said the fee increases may go into effect in June. “The workshop is a great place to get help with applying for citizenship.”

ASK A KABABAYAN:"I'm a prospective first-time homebuyer. My friend, a recent first-time homebuyer, told me I don't need an agent. Totoo ba ito?"

When you buy a home, research shows that there are big advantages to using the services of a real estate agent. But I do know of someone who somehow regretted using one.

Last year, he bought a new home that he stumbled upon all by himself. However, out of loyalty to an agent that has shown other for-sale homes to him in the past, when he registered to see that new home, he took this agent with him. The new homebuyer did all of the work: he found the home and did all of the research himself, and the agent just showed up to register.

When he got the closing statement, he saw that the agent pocketed $12,000 in commission for almost-nothing work. Later on, he found out from other savvy homebuyers that had he not registered with an agent in tow, posibleng nabigyan s'ya ng discount sa bahay na binili n'ya.

Yikes. That's $12,000-worth of buyer remorse.

To get clarification, I asked someone who has tons of experience with homebuyers.

"It is a good idea to have an agent when you buy a resale home as it doesn't cost the buyer anything, just the seller. When buying a new home, it isn't necessary as the agent at the sales office actually represents both seller and buyer, " said Jodi Hatch, a loan officer.

'Yun ang bottom line: Decide first if you're buying a new home or a resale home.

If the house you want to buy is a new home, do some research and see if you can do it on your own. There are tons of first-time homebuying tips that can be found online.

If you have your eye on a resale home, find a good agent. According to this website, there are three reasons to use a real estate agent as a first-time homebuyer: They have negotiation skills, experience, and resources. These are all great things to have at your disposal.

(If you have a question for ASK A KABABAYAN, please e-mail yourkababayan@gmail.com. To get a more detailed information, please contact a professional.)