-
Guess who came to Explore the islands
By Cristina DC Pastor “The Philippines is not like a city like New York, it is like a jungle.” Whoa! Direct from the mouth of a third-grader! Students from Success Academy on the Upper West Side shared their impression of the Philippines when they checked out Explore Islands Philippines on May 10 at the Grand […]
-
Flight uninterrupted: PAL’s NYC-Manila direct starts Oct 30
By Cristina DC Pastor & Rene Pastor On its 77th year, Philippine Airlines will open direct flights from New York to Manila starting October 30. The announcement was made by Josh Vasquez, PAL area manager for New York, during a press conference with Tourism Attaché Susan del Mundo and members of the FilAm media at […]
-
Why invest in the Philippines? Find out at May 9-12 Grand Central expo
A panel on “Why Invest in the Philippines” will open the Explore Islands Philippines Expo on May 9, 2018 at 1:30 p.m. at the Vanderbilt Hall of the Grand Central Terminal on 42nd Street and Park Avenue in New York City. The panelists include Manuel A.J. Teehankee, Undersecretary for International Economic Relations, Department of Foreign […]
-
Taxwoman Margaux Advincula on leaving NYC: Mission accomplished
By Wendell Gaa After almost two years in New York, senior manager Margaux Advincula of EY/SGV & Co. is back in Manila glowing with a sense of professional fulfillment: She has re-established the Philippines Tax Desk in the Ernst & Young New York office in 2016. The tax desk provides advisory services to multinational companies […]
-
Ambassador Mario de Leon Jr.: In retirement, a life of contradictions
By Cristina DC Pastor At Starbucks on Fifth Avenue where we met for this interview, the barista called out, “Mario!” I smiled at Ambassador Mario de Leon Jr. – formerly Consul General in New York – as he got his chai tea, teased him about his now untitled life. Truth is, he confessed, as we […]
-
Nanding & Laura find love anew and a life of purpose
By Cristina DC Pastor The prelude to Nanding and Laura’s love story had a religious backdrop. They met at Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado in December of 2013. They were lining up before the buffet table when Fiesta in America CEO Fernando ‘Nanding’ Mendez spotted an old acquaintance, and said, “Hey, I think I know you.” […]
-
Grand Central Terminal rolls out red carpet for Philippine tourism, business and culture
By Cristina DC Pastor Don’t be surprised if, from May 9 to 12, you will spot some men in Ati-Atihan soot and women in colorful couture at the Grand Central Terminal Main Concourse on your way to work. The frolicsome music of the rondalla is likely to lead you to Vanderbilt Hall as you exit […]
-
Popsie’s Food Truck: ‘Kakanin’ comfort food revisited
By Cristina DC Pastor In her quiet Jersey City home, Marisse ‘Popsie’ Panlilio cooks Binatog while her freezer is packed with quarts of mango and ube ice cream waiting to firm up. Elsewhere in the kitchen, her partner, sous chef Cosette Malig, cuts vegetables. There are slow and busy days in Popsie’s food chamber. But […]
-
Embassy officer Ivan Gonzales: A desire to transform the Philippine economy
By Wendell Gaa Believe it or not, contributing to the economic development of the Philippines was an aspiration Ivan Gonzales had since he was 4 years old. Today, he is making that dream a solid reality working for the Economic Section of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. The son of writer P.J. Gonzales of […]