Boston couple brings Filipino culture to Beantown

By Cristina DC Pastor

A Boston couple thought it would be great to introduce Filipino American culture to Beantown.

And so in 2022, Harvard Square Philippine American Alliance (HSPAA) was one of the organizations that saw action and livened up the 44th annual Honk Oktoberfest down Massachusetts Avenue, made possible by Satrick Uy, Director of Banquets at Harvard University, and his wife Catherine Carandang-Uy, a global technology sales leader and entrepreneur.

For the first time, the much-touted “irreverent, family-friendly tradition” saw hundreds of Filipinos marching in their colorful national costumes, bringing good ol’ Filipino vibes and sharing the street with Bostonians and the rest of New England.

“There are 25,000 Filipinos in Boston,” said Cathy in an interview with The FilAm. More if you count FilAm residents across the New England area.

She said HSPAA has created a space where Filipino Americans can connect with their roots and have a “home away from home feeling of belonging and comfort that one experiences in a place other than one’s own.” Its Board of Director include Joji Jalandoni, Lidy Chan, Cameron Uy, Charade Puno, Tom Jamir, and Gretheline Bolandrina.

Satrick said HSPAA celebrates Filipino American History Month (FAHM) which falls in October. “It is a designated month to commemorate and appreciate the significant events and contributions of Filipinos in the U.S.”

For this year, the second annual Filipino American Festival, HSPAA will have an Hermana and Hermano Mayor to lead the Philippine segment of the parade. They are represented by nurse educator Dely Go, who is the founder of Nursing Network LLC, and by businessman Harry Go Sr., respectively. Hermano and Hermana are Spanish words to mean “brother” and “sister,” and by tradition they usually refer to the exemplary leaders in a community.

Explained Cathy: “Hermana Dr Dely and Hermano Harry Go have made history as the first Hermana and Hermano Mayor of Harvard Square’s Filipino American Festival.They have also contributed to the advancement of nursing education, health care, and philanthropy in the United States and abroad. They embody compassion, leadership, diversity, and selflessness, an inspiration to all who know them and a source of pride for the Filipino-American community.”

Also frontlining this year’s parade are Consul General Senen Mangalile and wife Ma. Fe Mangalile, Harvard Preceptor in Filipino Language  Lady Aileen Orsal with dance troupes from Cebu Tribu and Hoy Pinoy providing the rhythmic spectacle of the Ati-Atihan.

“Their blended styles and instruments   create a unique and harmonious sound that filled the streets with joy and solidarity,” said Cathy.

Stressing the categorial distinction between HSPAA and the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc., she said PIDCI organizes and celebrates the annual Independence Day Parade in New York City in June, while HSPAA promotes FAHM in October in Boston.

Cathy is no stranger to Filipino organizations seeking to promote Philippine culture and history. She has served   in various leadership roles  with PIDCI, PAFCOM (Philippine American Friendship Community), as well as the Filipino Culture Club in Harvard  University. 

Satrick, who has made a name in the hospitality industry from way back his time in New York, continues to engage in community-building and cultural awareness. He has founded several FilAm groups, including the Cambridge Fil-Am Group, the Boston Fil-Am Group, TGIF or Thank God I’m Filipino, and now HSPAA,  all of them  aiming to foster a sense of belonging within the Filipino-American community.

(C) The FilAm 2023