FilipinoTown Little Manila- New York's Best Kept Secret

Little Manila- New York's Best Kept Secret?

By Jon Barr

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Simbang Gabi sa New York Filipino Town Queens

The popular Simbang Gabi Christmas tradition is set to begin tonight at the San Sebastian Church in Woodside Queens known as the Filipino Town in New York Friday December 15th to 23rd 2016.

According to our tradition, attending Simbang Gabi strengthens the faith of every Filipinos.Among the Filipino Christmas traditions, nothing is more embedded in the local culture than the Simbang Gabi, which is celebrated in anticipation of Christmas and to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. This tradition dates back to 1587 in Mexico when the pope granted a petition of Fray Diego de Soria to hold Christmas masses outdoors to accommodate the huge number of people attending the evening mass.

Please feel free to comment on this page for updates. For those who would like to share their Simbang Gabi experience with us, please tag @filipinosofny on Twitter or Facebook.

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Phil-Am Trading Recalls Smoked Mackerel (Tinapang Hasa-Hasa) Because of Possible Health Risk

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How Much Do You Pay For a Nanny?

Nanny wages vary across the country and depend on experience levels and whether you provide housing. Are you trying to figure out how much to pay your babysitter or nanny? It’s important to set a competitive rate to attract the most qualified applicants, but you also don’t want to overpay – a night out is already expensive enough! Use the table to compare rates nearby, then check out more tips below to set a rate for your babysitter or nanny.

The national average gross weekly salary for full time live-out nannies is $705. For full-time live-in nannies it's $652 — not a huge difference, though their job responsibilities tend to be more expansive and include household work.

Here's where it can get tricky, the number of hours. The government mandates nannies working more than 40 hours in a 7-day week get paid overtime which is normally 1.5 times your nanny's hourly rate.

Top Cities	Rates based on 2 children with light housekeeping
NY/NJ/CT Weekly Rate	Live-in $650	Live-out $700
Atlanta, GA		$12.67/hr
Austin, TX		$12.17/hr
Baltimore, MD		$12.08/hr
Boston, MA		$14.92/hr
Charlotte, NC		$11.58/hr
Chicago, IL		$12.92/hr
Cleveland, OH		$10.83/hr
Columbus, OH		$10.33/hr
Dallas, TX		$12.17/hr
Denver, CO		$11.92/hr
Detroit, MI		$10.67/hr
Hartford, CT		$12.42/hr
Houston, TX		$12.00/hr
Los Angeles, CA		$14.25/hr
Miami, FL		$12.42/hr
Minneapolis, MN		$11.50/hr
New York City, NY		$15.00/hr
Philadelphia, PA		$12.50/hr
Phoenix, AZ		$11.08/hr
Portland, OR		$11.83/hr
San Diego, CA		$12.00/hr
San Francisco, CA		$16.00/hr
Seattle, WA		$13.67/hr
Tampa, FL		$11.25/hr
Washington, D.C.		$13.58/hr

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The Cost of Caring. The Lives Of The Filipino Immigrant Who Tend To The Needs Of Others.

After Emma realized that her white-collar job in the Philippines would never pay her enough to send her children to college, she came to New York and became a nanny.

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Filipina ‘baby whisperer’ flourishes in New York

Ruby Sibal known as the ‘baby whisperer’, is a newborn care professional and the founder of Beyond Baby Care LLC, currently located in New York City. Originally from the Philippines, Ruby’s grew up working in her family’s floral business, but has also enjoyed a diverse career path that included event management, make-up artistry and working for an airline. 

Ruby's expertise in baby care, including infant massage, is cited in Mamaviews.com, the well-known newborn/baby care website in the United States. Her clients are all praises of her, dubbing her as the Mary Poppins of the baby nurses. Sibal’s clients range from pediatricians, first time parents, women who have delicate pregnancies or had C-sections, and others who want to have someone assist them in caring for their delicate infants. READ MORE

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A Filipina Family Chef of Billionaire CEO was Shoved to Death in Front of New York Subway Train

A Filipina working as family cook of Blackstone CEO in Manhattan was pushed onto the tracks Monday November 7th 2016 afternoon as a southbound No. 1 train pulled into the Times Square station and she was pronounced dead on the scene shortly afterward.

The victim was identified as 49-year-old Connie Watton, of Astoria Queens NY. Witnesses immediately alerted police officers, who apprehended the suspect in the station.

“Out of a million people, this had to happen to her? She was honestly the most caring, loving, honest person I ever met. She would never hurt anybody. She never feared the city,” said the brother-in-law, who declined to give his name. READ MORE...

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Caregiver’s Guide to Understanding Different Behaviors

Are your folks getting really old and acting weird and you don't know what to do? You're not alone. Millions of Americans face the challenges of caring for a loved one. While it can be a richly rewarding experience, the role comes with enormous responsibilities. The better prepared you are to deal with the situation, the easier the task will be. This comprehensive manual gently guides you along the way, addressing all aspects of caregiving, from health, housing, and legal matters to ways to handle the emotional transitions, where to find support, and how to care for the caregiver.

Whether it means caring for a parent, spouse, close friend or other loved one, becoming a caregiver is challenging. The responsibility can fall to you suddenly, and you may not feel fully prepared for what lies ahead. Although every situation is different, there are many questions and tasks that all new caregivers must face. There’s a lot to cover, and we’ve put together this guide to cover these topics. Whether you are about to become a caregiver or planning for the future, this guide can help you organize your thoughts, make sure that you’re handling all the important tasks, and give you some peace of mind.

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Where To Cast Your Vote in New York City?

Polling places are located throughout the city. You can vote ONLY at your designated polling place. Make sure you are at the correct polling site and Election District/Assembly District (ED/AD) for your address. 

Polling Places open 6:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. If you are not sure of that location you can find you poll site location by:

• Search with the Online Poll Site Address Locator 
•  Call the Voter Phone Bank at 1.866.VOTE.NYC
•  E-mail your complete home address to us at vote@boe.nyc.ny.us and we'll e-mail your polling place location back to you. (Please put in the subject line the borough in which you reside.)

Requirements:

If you've voted in New York before, you don’t need to provide ID to vote in person

If you’re voting for the first time in New York, submitted your registration by mail, and didn’t provide a copy of your New York driver’s license, state ID card, or a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address when you registered, you may need to show one of these documents when you vote in person on Election Day.

• Be registered to vote in New York. Check if you’re registered to vote.
• Be a US citizen
• Be 18 by Election Day, Nov 8

• Live at your address by Oct 9
• Not be in prison or on parole for a felony conviction
• Not be currently judged mentally incompetent by a court

 Poll Site Lookup 

The NYC Board of Elections launched its new mobile web app nyc.pollsitelocator.com which can be viewed on iPhone, Android, Blackberry, Windows Phone and other mobile devices to help you find your poll site quickly and easily.

NYC Poll Site Locator Web App

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Do Not Buy WelTV IPTV Box

Do not buy Weltv IP tv box! Unit is too expensive and service is the worst. Bought my unit last December 2015 for $185 and it was broken a few days after. The WelTV owner from China Alan Zhou gave me so many excuses and instructions how to troubleshoot, but the tv box has gotten worst. After few months of exchanging emails and chat he passed me on to Dora with the same excuses. Now these two WelTV representatives are ignoring me despite so many emails sent to them.

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How to Execute Special Power of Attorney (SPA) in New York

Special Power of Attorney (SPA) - A document that allows you to appoint a person or organization to handle your affairs while you're unavailable or unable to do so. The person or organization you appoint is referred to as an "Attorney-in-Fact" or "Agent."

REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIAL POWER OF ATTORNEY

1. Must be a holder of a Philippine passport
2. Personal Appearance
3. Must bring two (2) witnesses of legal age (18 years old) to the Consulate to personally witness the execution of the document
4. Passport of the Applicant
5. Photocopy of the Passport of the Applicant (First and Last Page)
6. Fee: $5 to $25 (Cash, Money Order or Company Check -NO PERSONAL CHECKS)

Where to go:

1. Any Notary Public - fee $5-$10

2. Consulate General New York at 556 Fifth Ave., NY, NY 10036 - fee $25

    The Consular and Legal Section is open to the public Monday through Friday, except on selected Philippine and American Holidays. Office Hours: Mon to Fri: 9:00am - 5:00pm (open during lunch hour) 

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Now Open - Sariling Atin Turo-turo Restaurant in Woodside NY

Newly open Filipino turo-turo style restaurant that offers unlimited rice at the corner of 69th St and Roosevelt Ave. Woodside New York.

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[WARNING] 16 Months Undelivered Balikbayan Box & Charging 2nd Shipping Fee in Manila - RDR Cargo

OCT.2015 PACKAGES STILL UNDELIVERED

Package suppose to be for Christmas

FilipinosOfNY and many Newyorkers are warning Kababayans living in the East Coast to refrain from shipping your Balikbayan boxes to RDR Cargo if you do not want delays and paying another shipping fee when your boxes arrived your delivery address in the Philippines. I have personal experience of undelivered box with RDR. My used tv was picked up last October 20th 2015 by Rommel and up to this date, the tv has NOT yet delivered to the destination. I paid $120+tip for a used 46" tv (see invoice attached). Yes, it's been 16 months of agony. I keep calling but no one is answering their phone. I went to their office in Woodside NY and all I got is the same excuses with their 3rd party trucking company problem in the Philippines. I called my sister in Makati and she told me RDR Manila will not deliver the TV unless we pay another shipping fee. I've heard a lot of complaints with similar stories from our Kababayans in the East Coast. Today, while writing this blog my tv is still undelivered.

Anybody who read this, contact me at erickgomez@msn.com, let us all join together and file a class action lawsuit against this company. I'd been to their office in Woodside Queens more than 20 times and every time I go there I'm hearing complains from walk-in customers and some over the phone and the lady is telling different stories.

Watch ABS-CBN News => https://youtu.be/ndS7iLOmG7Y

Where to file complaints? (NY State)

• Philippine Consulate General
  Telephone: (212) 764-1330
  Fax: (212) 764-6010
  Email: newyork@pcgny.net
• NYPD - Telephone at (212) 825-5959 or 212-3-NYC-DOI;   Fax (212) 825-2504

            Writing a letter or visiting the NYC Department of Investigation
                Address: 80 Maiden Lane, 17th Floor, New York, N.Y. 10038
            Filing a complaint online by clicking here

• NY Attorney General's Office - https://forms.ag.ny.gov/CIS/consumer-complaints.jsp
• BBB - http://www.bbb.org/new-york-city/business-reviews/shipping-masters/rdr-cargo-express-in-woodside-ny-151087
• NYC Consumer Affairs - http://www1.nyc.gov/site/dca/consumers/file-complaint.page
• Federal Trade Commission - https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/Information?OrgCode=IRS#crnt&panel1-3

PHILIPPINES - DTI
Ms. Fatima B. Pacampara
Officer-in-Charge, Mediation Division
DTI-Fair Trade Enforcement Bureau
GF UPRC Building, 315 Sen. Gil Puyat Ave. Makati City
DTI Hotline at 751-3330

RA 7394, The Consumer Act of the Philippines (http://www.dti.gov.ph/contentment/9/63/files/FILE273_001.pdf)

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Great Filipino Composers Series: Ernani Cuenco

September 17th, 2016 at Loreto Theater, The Sheen Center 18 Bleeker St. New York, NY 10012. Time: 8pm Get your tickets now!

The San Lorenzo Ruiz Choir of New York, in partnership with Mr. Jose Ramos and Mr. Rogelio B. Peñaverde Jr., presents the 2016 Great Filipino Composers Series. The second show of this annual undertaking will feature the life and works of Maestro Ernani Cuenco as performed by an ensemble of professional Filipino-American classical musical artists in New York.

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Futuristic World Trade Center Mall Opens in NYC - The Oculus

Oculus mall opens at World Trade Center today: See photos

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How To Find A Housekeeping Job in New York?

Discover the best way to travel to New York and around the world and get paid. Travel Rent-free as a house sitter anywhere in the world. save on accommodation costs as a housesitter. Housecarers has been securely matching homeowners with housesitters since October 2000. Pet owners save on boarding fees and pet stress with a sitter.

Would you like to become a housesitter in NYC? CLICK HERE NOW!

Are you looking for a Filipino housekeeper? CLICK HERE NOW!

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Australia Needs Filipino Nurses - Apply Now!

Nursing In Australia - a Guide To Working & Living As A Nurse

A step-by-step guide to getting a Visa, job and registration & relocating and settling in Australia. In 3 parts, an invaluable, user-friendly guide for overseas nurses, midwives and international nursing students wanting to work, study & live in Australia. APPLY NOW!

Click Here!

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118th Philippine Independence Day Parade New York City June 5th 2016

                                                                         View More Photos

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Pnoy's Good News to OFWs: He Signs Law That Exempts ‘Balikbayan Boxes’ From Taxes Up To P350,000

On INQUIRER last June 1st Wednesday reported of the “BIG GIFT” outgoing President Benigno Aquino III is giving to the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW). This happened after the President signed CMTA or the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act that raises the tax exemption ceiling from P10,000 to P150,000 and up to P350,000 for gift packages or Balikbayan boxes sent by overseas workers to their families in the Philippines.

According to Customs Commissioner Alberto Lina:

We, at the Bureau of Customs (BOC), are pleased to announce that Republic Act No. 10863, otherwise known as the Customs Modernization and Tariff Act (CMTA), has been approved and signed into law by His Excellency President Benigno Aquino III.

With this law, the BOC will implement several reforms including:

• full electronic processing of shipments,
• streamlining of export and import procedures,
• simplified processes for seizure and disposition of illegal goods

Under this law, OFWs can send up to three P150,000-worth of tax and duty free balikbayan boxes in a year, as long as the goods are not in commercial quantities nor intended for barter, sale or for hire.

Additionally, returning Filipinos will also benefit from this law with the following tax-free ceiling:

• Stayed overseas for 10 years or more – P350,000 tax-free ceiling
• Stayed overseas for 5 years but less than 10 – P250,000 tax-free ceiling
• Stayed overseas for less than 5 years – P150,000 tax-free ceiling

This is really good news for our OFW relatives! However, we hope no one uses this to evade paying taxes.

Sen. Angara thanked the President and said that with this law now effective, our OFWs“can bring home more things to their families. This would bring comfort to their families because they could send home items that they were able to buy at a lower price abroad.”He also expressed his hope that: “With the increase in the values, we lessen the discretion of the customs officials to inspect goods and collect taxes, thus minimizing cases of corruption and smuggling.”

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Pag-IBIG Fund New York is now open!

Pag-IBIG Fund New York is now open to Filipinos living in the east coast.

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Filipinos in NY, NJ, CT & MA Solid Support for Sec Mar Roxas and Leni Robredo

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50 Senatorial Bets for May 2016 Polls in the Philippines

Here is the complete list of 50 senatorial candidates backed by the three major party for the upcoming May 2016 election in the Philippines.

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Why There Are More Single Women Than Men in NYC?

Current NYC ratio of women to men is 1.4:1. The answer is pretty simple, women in New York are too picky and that's the main reason why there are more women in this city than men. They want a fit guy who makes $500,000 a year.  They want someone over six feet, built and very attractive.  When a girl is in her 20's, she has been brainwashed by the society into thinking she has all the time in the world for family [if that's what she wants] and she can date around as long as she wishes. Not to think that her biological clock is ticking. While society won't admit it, women in this city also have way more choices than men. They can go onto an online dating site and receives 100's of messages every week.  If they are semi-attractive in person, they will get hit on at least several times per day or per week.  

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Certified List Of Filipino Voters Living in the East Coast & Seafarers for 2016 Election

Notice is hereby given that under Republic Act No. 9189, otherwise known as “The Overseas Absentee Voting Act of 2003”, as amended by Republic Act No. 10590, all citizens of the Philippines abroad, who are not otherwise disqualified by law, at least eighteen ( 18 ) years of age on the day of the elections, and who are registered overseas voters, may vote for President, Vice-President, Senators and Party-List Representatives.

All qualified Filipino citizens not registered as voters under Republic Act No. 8189, otherwise known as “The Voters Registration Act of 1996”, (the system of continuing registration) shall file an application for registration while those who are already registered under the said Act shall file an application for certification.

The 30-day voting period will commence on April 9, 2016 (Philippine time) until 3:00 o’clock in the afternoon of May 9, 2016 (Philippine time) at the Philippine embassy or consulate having jurisdiction over the place where the overseas voter is registered as such.

List of Voters under the Philippine Consulate General New York

For Seafarers

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