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How many Filipino-owned businesses are in New York? No one knows for sure
By Cristina DC Pastor Owning six Filipino restaurants — two that opened during the pandemic — should qualify Cherry Castellvi as a flourishing restaurateur in the Filipino community in the New York metro area. It wasn’t her first rodeo in the food industry, but it was her first time as a solo entrepreneur after her […]
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Gloria Cabrera considers her options as salon turns 50
By Cristina DC Pastor Hairstylist Gloria Cabrera came to the United States in the 1960s when it was still relatively easy for Filipinos to immigrate to America. The 1965 Immigration Act paved the way for certain immigrants who were educated or had special skills. “A lot of my clients (in the Philippines), they ask me […]
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Homeownership still unattainable for some Asian Americans despite wealth
Homeownership rates in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander in the middle- and lower-income levels are far below equal non-Hispanic Whites and comparable to those of the Black and Hispanic communities. The 2023 State of Asia America report published by the Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA) also showcased how high home […]
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COVID did not halt this food truck from cruising
By Cristina DC Pastor The Filipino culture of snacking inspired Marisse Panlilio to launch her food truck in Jersey City, New Jersey. Snacks like peanuts or pork rinds are comfort food that evoke nostalgia and connect Filipinos to a past that was pleasurable and familiar. While snacks are usually eaten between meals, some Filipinos snack […]
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Richard Maghanoy: A big heart that lifts others
By Maricar CP Hampton The John Laylo case may have happened in Philadelphia thousands of miles away, but a California businessman who heard about the “mistaken identity” killing of the Filipino lawyer was so upset he had to take action. Richard Maghanoy was reading his newsfeed when reports of the killing caught his attention. John […]
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Loida Nicolas Lewis’s memoir of love, marriage, and race
By Allen Gaborro In 1967 a US Supreme Court ruling led to the legalization of interracial marriages. One such interracial marriage would be the union two years later of American lawyer Reginald F. Lewis and Sorsogon-born Loida Mañalac Nicolas. It would be the beginning of a beautiful and productive relationship that ended with the untimely […]
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Bilao Restaurant: Lessons on business, balance, and bonds of friendship
By Claire Mercado-Obias BILAO (bee-lah-oh) is a Filipino word referring to a round tray made from woven bamboo. Pancit (stir-fried noodles) or kakanin (rice cakes) are some traditional items served on a bilao, making them easy to transport and ideal for potlucks — no need to worry about getting your Tupperware back after the party. Food on a bilao is also symbolic of […]
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The Filipino work ethic and its impact on a L.I. company
By Cristina DC Pastor When Hurricane Sandy flooded Lower Manhattan’s Financial District in 2012, one Long Island company came to its rescue. Power-Flo Technologies (PFT) rushed to 175 Water Street to survey the damage. PFT quickly dispatched their team to get the building back up and running. Thanks to their equipment, dedicated technicians and can-do […]
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Evan Samson: Perseverance is his strength
It may seem like Jerty Evan Samson has coasted through life from Pacific island to Sin City to Florida’s Gulf Coast. He was born in Saipan where his OFW parents met and married, moved to Las Vegas in his 20s, and is now a resident of Sarasota, Florida where a local magazine has recently named […]