-
Ruby Ibarra wins immigrant award for ‘creative promise in music’
Ruby Ibarra is one of three recipients of 2023 Vilcek Foundation Prize for Creative Promise in Music. She receives the Vilcek Prize for her hip-hop and spoken word performances that center her experience as a Filipina American woman, and for her powerful lyrics that address colonialism, immigration, colorism, and misogyny. Born in Tacloban City in […]
-
Harvard Square welcomes 1st FilAm festival in celebration of FAHM
The first-ever Filipino American Festival in Harvard Square was held on October 9 at Harvard Square in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The event was held in celebration of Filipino American History Month and organized by the Harvard Square Philippine American Alliance (HSPAA). The event was held as part of the Harvard Square Business Association’s 43rd Annual Oktoberfest […]
-
Classical pianist Victor Asuncion to aspiring artists: ‘Never stop learning’
By Maricar CP Hampton Three years ago, prolific classical pianist Victor Asuncion met a young violinist by the name of Adrian Nicolas Ong in New York City. He learned that Ong was already a “young artist to watch” back in the Philippines and that he was gathering praise wherever he performed. The FilAm Music Foundation […]
-
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 […]
-
Short film drama written by an Igorota wins festival awards
“Eva’s Gabriel,” a short film drama starring Joyce Lao, an Igorota from the Ibaloi tribe in Baguio, received multiple awards in the film festival circuit this year. The film also written by Joyce, won four awards: Best Acting Ensemble at the New York International Film Awards; Best Male Director, Best Drama Short and Best Short […]
-
Cozy mystery novel set against the backdrop of Filipino Christmas
By Lynn Topel The “-ber” months have arrived, and that’s Filipino-speak for the beginning of the Christmas season. FilAm cozy mystery writer, Mia P. Manansala, cleverly works the Filipino love for Christmas in her latest book offering called Blackmail and Bibingka where her lead, Lila Macapagal deals with the return of the prodigal cousin, Ronnie, […]
-
How my Faith, family walked me on my journey to becoming a writer
By Mark Polo Eyo When I was offered the extraordinary privilege to become the Communications Lead for NaFFAA, I asked myself if I was ready to play that significant role in amplifying our voice through writing for our Filipino American community. I felt the heavy burden of following the great footsteps of master communicators and […]
-
NaFFAA calls on younger generation to step up, be engaged, make history (Part 2)
By Mark Polo Eyo NEC DAY 1- National Advocacy The first day of the conference kicked off with discussions on national advocacy that included a bipartisan panel of former commissioners of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders The day was also filled with workshops and discussions on hot-button issues […]
-
NaFFAA celebrates 25th year, elects new set of officers (Part 1)
By Mark Polo Eyo After three years since its last convening, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations’ highly anticipated 14th National Empowerment Conference (NEC) was finally held on August 4th – 6th at Harrah’s in Las Vegas, Nevada. The three-day conference was the largest assembly of Filipino Americans since the pandemic. The conference was […]