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How Nora Galleros contributed to the transformation of PIDCI
By Cristina DC Pastor On a cold and cloudy June 4 Sunday, thousands of Filipinos marched on Madison Avenue to celebrate the 125th Philippine Independence waving their flags and wearing the colors of their islands. The Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc., (PIDC), touted the parade a success with politicians, beauty queens and celebrities leading the […]
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‘Padayaw’ elevates PHL’s rich history, myths to global glory
By Felicitas Santiago, MD After a five-year dance drought aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the internationally recognized Leyte Dance Theater (LDT) of Jess de Paz Foundation, Inc is back on to its 9th U.S. tour. PAFCOM — or the Philippine American Friendship Community, Inc. — sponsored on May 13, 2023 a pre-Mother’s Day visual and […]
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Free vaccines on Feb 12th usher in Year of the Rabbit
With vaccines and treatments, we’ve come a long way in preventing the worst outcomes from COVID-19. But older adults remain among the most at risk. As we gather together to celebrate Lunar New Year, there are many tools that older adults — and anyone — can use to help protect against a severe COVID infection. […]
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Holiday food drive helps families in Pangasinan
Community organization Frenz4hope held a special holiday food drive benefiting 100 indigent families in Portic district (barangay) in the municipality of Bugallon, Pangasinan on December 24. This special holiday program was sponsored by Roberto Villanueva, a dance artist and educator in New York and a spinal cord tumor survivor. Food assistance was given to indigent […]
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The Parols on Fifth Avenue
By Claire Mercado-Obias New York City during the holidays is as magical as how it is portrayed in the movies: sparkly lights, dazzling decorations, people dressed up like eskimos, young and old gliding on the skating rink, carols sung by a choir, the smell of fresh pine trees, the warmth of hot chocolate, and the possibility of […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]