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Studio Ligaya hosts FAHM celebration in Metuchen N.J. Oct 10th
The Studio Ligaya, home of Central New Jersey’s Filipino Cultural Center, will host Ligaya Fest 2026, its 3rd annual Filipino American History Celebration, on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 160 Durham Avenue in Metuchen, N.J. The festival runs from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., followed by a dance party and socials from 6 p.m. to […]
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‘Forgotten Island:’ Where the past comes alive
By Ferlie Andong “Forgotten Island” is about two best friends, Jo and Raissa, who find themselves in a magical island, Nakali (short for ‘nakalimutan’ or forgotten), filled with creatures from Filipino mythology. To escape, they must find a way to save their friendship before they lose their memories of each other completely. The movie has plenty […]
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ON GLOBAL FILIPINOS Luly Esclamado, the silent power behind NaFFAA
By Loida Nicolas Lewis In August 2026, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) celebrated the nearly 29 years of its founding in Denver, Colorado. The host committee headed by Giselle Rushford, supported by NaFFAA National Chair Mariela Fletcher, decided that the first part of the agenda would be the panel of the […]
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‘When the State demanded silence, artists answered:’ A Ma-Yi symposium
In 1972, Ferdinand Marcos placed the Philippines under Martial Law. His first orders took control of newspapers, magazines, radio and television. Rallies were banned. Curfews were imposed. Critics were arrested. Tens of thousands were detained. People were tortured. Some disappeared. Some were killed. Fear was not a side effect. Fear was the system. Theater did […]
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Hudson Valley FilAms to launch outdoor shrine project for Our Lady of Antipolo Sept 12th
The Fil-Am Catholic Community of Hudson Valley (FACCHV) recently hosted the second annual pilgrimage in honor of Our Lady of Antipolo at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Middletown, New York. The community welcomed over 400 pilgrims from all over the Tri-state to a day of worship and to take advantage of […]
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How corruption begins with a favor and erodes our community
By Ricky Rillera Corruption in our communities rarely begins with a suitcase of cash or a brazen embezzlement scheme. More often, it begins with something deceptively simple: a favor. A small request. A quiet exchange of influence. A leader who says, “Tulungan mo muna ako,” and a member who agrees because refusing feels impolite, disloyal, or […]
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At NaFFAA conference in Colorado, creating space for emerging voices
The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) concluded its 16th National Empowerment Conference after two days of national dialogue, leadership development, cultural celebration and practical community-building. Held August 14–15 at the Hyatt Regency Aurora–Denver Conference Center and co-hosted by NaFFAA Rocky Mountain Region, the conference with the theme “Harnessing the Power of Community: Starting With […]
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PHL tops Southeast Asia in U.S. tourist arrivals, fueled by direct flights and Filipino American ties
By Cristina DC Pastor The Philippines is emerging as the leading Southeast Asian destination for travelers from the United States, according to officials of the Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) in the U.S. They presented the following figures from January to May 2026: Philippines: 531,859 arrivals Thailand: 471,254 Vietnam: 445,813 Singapore: 317,074 Indonesia: 162,808 Cambodia: […]
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‘Ube is ours,’ but what does that really mean?
By Cristina DC Pastor As purple yam becomes a global food sensation, the Philippines faces the challenge of how to protect, define and capitalize on a crop that has become deeply identified with Filipino culture. Ube is many things to many of us. It is ube halaya at Christmas, the colorful swirl in halo-halo, a […]