FilAm community shares an evening with Camelot

By Cristina DC Pastor

For many Filipino Americans in New York and New Jersey, April 9 quickly became a red-letter date on the community’s social calendar.

That evening, business leader and philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis opened her Central Park home to host a fundraiser for Jack Schlossberg, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of 60 to 80 Filipino American supporters, many of them longtime Democrats.

Schlossberg, grandson of President John F. Kennedy and son of Caroline Kennedy, is seeking the congressional seat for New York’s 12th District in Manhattan. His appearance before the FilAm community felt, to some guests, like an evening touched by Camelot.

The connection began unexpectedly.

During a city council meeting at Hunter College, real estate professional Edwin Josue spotted retired nurse Tess Dela Cruz speaking with a tall, familiar-looking young man.

“Hi, I’m Jack,” the man said as Josue approached.

“Nagulat ako,” Josue recalled.

It soon became clear they were speaking with John Bouvier Kennedy Schlossberg. Realizing the significance of the moment, Josue promptly invited him to meet Lewis, a devoted Democrat and, he assumed, a friend of Schlossberg’s mother, Caroline Kennedy.

Phone numbers were exchanged, and within two weeks, Schlossberg’s finance director, Paige Phillips, called to confirm whether the meeting would proceed.

An initial date of April 1 was considered, but Lewis’s friend Dr. Angie Cruz suggested the Jewish Kennedy family might be observing Passover. Both sides eventually settled on April 9.

The fundraising event was chaired by Lewis, with Dr. Angie Cruz, Loras Nicolas Olaes and Josue as part of the team.

On the evening of the fundraiser, Schlossberg spoke candidly about his vision for District 12, focusing on housing, health care, and improved working conditions for nurses. Toward the end of the two-hour gathering, he also shared his thoughts on artificial intelligence.

Lewis came away impressed.

“He is charismatic, articulate, intelligent,” she told The FilAm. “He is worthy of the legacy of service and compassion of his grandfathers — President JFK and Rabbi Alfred Schlossberg.”

Attorney Elizabeth Cueva, who arrived late and squeezed into the packed piano room of Lewis’s apartment, described Schlossberg as approachable and grounded.

“He’s very personable and down-to-earth,” she told The FilAm. “He doesn’t put off that kind of ‘I’m a Kennedy’ even if you’re aware of his lineage. He pays attention to the people he’s talking to, he maintains eye contact. He’s very casual.”

Guests eagerly lined up for selfies. “He was warm, no airs,” Cueva added.

For Josue, Schlossberg’s attendance before the community was equally compelling.

“He is a businessman and a lawyer, and he answered all questions from the community intelligently, articulately, and with passion,” he said.

Though Schlossberg did not have time to sample the Filipino snacks prepared by Lewis and the organizers during the event, they made sure he left with a to-go bag.

According to Josue, Schlossberg is among the leading contenders in what is shaping up to be a pivotal Democratic primary. Other candidates include Assemblymembers Alex Bores and Micah Lasher, as well as Republican-turned-Democrat attorney George Conway.

Conway’s Filipino American heritage through his mother adds an interesting dynamic for FilAm voters in the district.

Some guests were heard whispering, “Kennedy na tayo,” when the conversation turned to choosing between Jack and George, a telling reflection of the community’s fondness for the Kennedy name and the dilemma of supporting one of their own.

At one point, the evening was briefly interrupted when one of the guests fainted. Schlossberg immediately paused his remarks and responded with concern.

“Let’s help him, let’s give him some water,” he said, as recounted by Josue.

The event reportedly raised close to $25,000, much of it funneled through ACTBlue, the Democratic fundraising platform.

Before the evening ended, Schlossberg lightened the mood with a joke, saying he hoped that one day the Kennedy Center might bear a new title to include his own name: “Kennedy Kennedy Center.”

The room responded with eager laughter.