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How daughter’s depression turned Geremy San Agustin’s life around
By Cristina DC Pastor Emotionally bruised and broke in 2019, Edison, New Jersey family man Geremy San Agustin’s life was, let’s just say, in a slump. He was working as a health care and insurance professional, had clients here and there, and a cushy life seemed beyond reach. He had $17 in his bank! Jay, […]
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Winery raises a glass to Filipina heritage with ‘Pinay Noir’
Filipino-owned Felicità Wine Company has announced the release of “Pinay Noir,” a tribute, according to its owner, to the enduring spirit and remarkable achievements of Filipinas around the world. Crafted in the lush vineyards of Lodi, California, this rendition of the Pinot Noir is not just a wine, remarked Baguio-born Feli Ortega, a proud Filipina […]
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Ai Aromin: The Ilocana and the New York restaurant she built
By Cristina DC Pastor Aillen ‘Ai’ Aromin’s migration from Aurora province in the Philippines’ northern region to New York City where she now runs a restaurant is an engrossing story of grit, grace, and gratitude. At age 7, she was cooking farm plants and vegetables for the family while her parents worked the rice fields. […]
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Wells Fargo’s Jerome Flores: Embracing diversity at work and at home
By Cristina DC Pastor Jerome Flores started working at Wells Fargo Bank as a young teller. That was 18 years ago or shortly after the merger with Wachovia. It’s his “first real job.” Today, he is one of the Filipino Americans holding top positions in the country’s fourth largest bank. He is the Senior Diversity […]
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‘Why is your Adobo so expensive?’ (Part 2)
By Cristina DC Pastor Chefs Aris Tuazon and Joel Javier said they have come across comments that say restaurant food, Adobo among them, is overpriced. “Definitely we encounter that,” said Aris. “The thing with these dishes we are creating that people complain about is that people probably know how to cook this dish. But beyond […]
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Why Filipino restaurants go out of business; 2 chefs offer their insights (Part 1)
By Cristina DC Pastor Filipino food lovers of New York are in grief. We lost nearly half a dozen restaurants in the last three years, Maharlika, Jeepney, and on Aug 30 Purple Yam, the illustrious heir to Cendrillion, served its last plate of Ukoy. Before that, Ugly Kitchen was the first of the big leagues […]
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Reagan John Rada: Enlightening the world through sparkles of gems, entrepreneurship and philanthropy
By Cristina DC Pastor In the brisk winter of 2023, Reagan John Rada treated himself to a well-earned Christmas gift: He bought a gem and pearl store. “This is a big and unusual purchase,” he said as he showed The FilAm around his shop of sparklers in the Diamond District on 47th Street one block away […]
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Almost all street vendors in New York are immigrants: report
By the Immigration Research Initiative From the vendors who sell jewelry and souvenirs, to the classic hot dog stands and food trucks that serve tourists and attract foodies from across the world, to the women selling refreshing fruits to sustain working New Yorkers, street vendors are a staple of New York City life. The streets […]
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On Global Filipinos: Nicole Ponseca: ‘I Am a Filipino’
By Loida Nicolas Lewis When Nicole Ponseca was growing up in San Diego, California, her father was very adamant in telling her, “You are a Filipino”. Her father, a Cavite native, wanted her to never forget that Cavite was one of the first provinces to revolt against the Spaniards’ 350 years of colonial subjugation. In […]