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Fiesta In America 2024: When cultures come together to celebrate
By Angelito Cabigao Out of the 10,000 giveaway pieces that IKEA provided to Fiesta in America attendees, one special piece stood out at their booth: a unique poster that captured the spirit of this Philippine-inspired indoor expo. This artwork, designed with iconic Filipino emblems like the Jose Rizal monument, the Jeepney, the Banaue Rice Terraces, […]
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‘NaFFAA must get younger,’ says new national president Ryan Namata
The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) elected Ryan Namata as its new national president on August 17, during the 15th National Empowerment Conference in Detroit. Namata, a visionary leader deeply rooted in the Filipino American community, takes the helm with a commitment to steering the organization toward unprecedented growth and impact, says a press […]
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Artists, climate experts unite in Street Works Earth event in Queens Sept 22
Inaugural street arts festival, Street Works Earth, will debut on 34th Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens, on September 22, 2024. The all-day outdoor event is dedicated to weaving environment and climate change action into art and community engagement in support for climate and environmental justice during the 2024 New York Climate Week. Artists will present […]
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Against the backdrop of the NYC skyline, PHL Independence Day marches on
By Cristina DC Pastor The parade weaved the crowd together, one organization after another: The nurses with the Knights of Rizal with the indigenous dancers with the provincial floats with the teachers with the pageant beauties in their flashy tiaras and so on, their magnificent colors blending into the lingering line of marchers. It was […]
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GoFundMe and the Filipino crowdfunding culture
By Cristina DC Pastor When my husband suffered a stroke in the early morning of June 29, the idea of fundraising never crossed my mind. I was in a state of nonchalance, thinking that since he had insurance, everything would be taken care of by his provider. Until the social worker in the hospital informed […]
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PAFCOM: 34 in ‘24
By Cristina DC Pastor “34 in ’24” was on everyone’s lips and in many of the evening’s speeches. The math-themed motto was more than a rally cry. It means Philippine American Friendship Community is celebrating its 34th founding anniversary as New Jersey’s biggest not-for-profit organization that grew out of the pavements of Jersey City’s basketball […]
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Albany celebrates 126th anniversary of Philippine Independence
For the second consecutive year, the Filipino community gathered at the New York State Capitol in Albany on June 4th to commemorate the 126th Philippine Independence Day. This event, co-organized by the Office of Assemblymember Steven Raga and the Philippine Consulate General in New York, highlights the enduring and strong bonds between New York State […]
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I LOVE MY JOB: DI Michael Reyes: A love for dancing since he was 3
By Cristina DC Pastor Michael Reyes became a dance instructor through a stroke of luck. Sixteen years ago, he used to frequent a local haunt (Bistro Filipino in South Ozone Park at the time) with his friends Jun Cloma and Allan Matamis when the general manager (Will Reyes Jr.) invited him to join his dancing […]
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Continuing the Philippine Independence Day tradition of marching on Madison Avenue
By Cristina DC Pastor The parade weaved the crowd together, one organization after another: The nurses with the Knights of Rizal with the indigenous dancers with the provincial floats with the teachers with the pageant beauties in their flashy tiaras and so on, their magnificent colors blending into the lingering line of marchers. It was […]