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September 11: A couple’s story of survival and purpose
September 11th remains a deeply painful and unforgettable day for life partners Jerry Sibal and Edwin Josue. Twenty-four years after the World Trade Center attacks, they are “grateful that God spared our lives,” and that what they have now is “our second chance.” Weeks before that fateful day, Jerry’s client, Verizon, hired his company to […]
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Joyce Castillo: From Ilocos to Wall Street and into the heart of the Filipino community
By Cristina DC Pastor When Joyce Alano Castillo and her husband Arnold moved to Woodbridge, New Jersey in 1997, the world was in mourning. As they unloaded boxes into their new home, the radio carried the shocking news: Princess Diana had died in a car accident. Their sons were very young. One was entering high […]
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YAMAN: Sharing Philippine treasures with the world (An interview with Jerry Sibal and Edwin Josue of FRIENDSPHUSA)
By Cristina DC Pastor For eight years, Friends of the Philippines Society USA Inc. (FRIENDSPHUSA) has staged cultural and community-driven projects highlighting the richness of Philippine heritage. From the Explore Islands Philippines mounted at Grand Central Terminal, to concerts for world-renowned pianist Raul Sunico, and the Art for Humanity exhibit at the Photoville Photojournalism exhibit […]
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Singer-actress Vina Morales headlines Fiesta in America 2025
From her humble beginnings in Cebu to the spotlight of Broadway, Vina Morales brings her storied journey full circle as she takes center stage at Fiesta in America 2025. The opening ceremony will be on August 16 at 11:00 a.m. Vina will headline the main concert the next day on August 17 at American Dream […]
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How this FilAm prosecutor built a brain-boosting restaurant empire
By Tricia J. Capistrano After 16 years as a federal prosecutor, Marisa Seifan was looking for a change in her life, though she didn’t think that would mean switching careers. For one thing, she was at the top of her field. “I was chief of my unit–a real prosecutor’s prosecutor,” said Seifan. Then a chance […]
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The affluent FilAm community
The FilAm Editorial Not too long ago, I had a conversation with a Wells Fargo executive who asked me a simple yet loaded question: “What is the Filipino community like?” With a touch of pride and candor, I replied, “The Filipino community is an affluent community.” I thought of the fundraising galas held in posh […]
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Helping Filipino business owners get fast and easy financing
Getting money to run or grow a small business can be difficult. For Filipino business owners across the U.S., QM Advance offers a simple way to get the working capital they need – quickly and without stress. QM Advance provides funding to small and medium sized businesses in many industries, like restaurants, salons, grocery stores, […]
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1% remittance tax under the ‘one big beautiful bill’ Act as dissected by PNB New York’s Eric Bustamante
By Cristina DC Pastor Philippine National Bank’s General Manager Eric Bustamente has a lot of explaining to do as the U.S. government prepares to impose a 1 percent excise tax on certain remittance transfers from the United States to a foreign country starting January 1, 2026. First, he must break down to Filipinos in the […]
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From Amazon Prime to Zelle, AAPI community’s favorite brands
Amplify AAPI has released its latest Cross Industry Report, offering valuable insights into the brand preferences, media habits, and purchasing behaviors of AANHPI communities—compared to U.S. adults and other racial groups. Created by NORC at the University of Chicago with support from AARP, Amplify AAPI is the largest and most representative public opinion panel of […]