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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 […]
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Laundry workers win case vs exploitation, wage theft
The Office of the Attorney General has announced it has recovered $90,000 in stolen and unpaid wages for more than a dozen former employees of a commercial dry cleaner in Astoria, Queens known as Enterprise Cleaner. A press statement says Enterprise failed to pay its employees minimum wage, failed to pay the proper overtime rate, failed […]
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Culinary artist Jenn de la Vega: ‘You can make sandwich with Ulam’
By Harvey Barkin Who says you can’t make a great sandwich by slapping ulam in between toasts? Food stylist and cookbook collaborator Jenn de la Vega says, “Sandwiches can certainly start as ulam between bread. I encourage folks to try putting their dinner leftovers in a sandwich. You might be surprised by the combination.” Jenn […]
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Punyeta! Filipina-owned clothing line uses sexist Tagalog words
A Filipina-owned clothing line that aims to “celebrate, own, and reclaim” Filipina identity was founded in Toronto in 2019. “Historically sexist and derogatory terms,” such as Maldita, Maarte, Lakwatsera, Ambisyosa, are front and center of the Pinay Collection of shirts, bags and accessories. Founder Jovie Galit said Pinay Collection is about taking back words that […]