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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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From New York and beyond, TOFA goes global
By Rasmin Diaz How is it that Michael Cinco, a celebrated fashion designer based in Dubai, is being honored with a TOFA recognition? On September 16, the 12th Annual TOFA Awards will launch the TOFA Global Awards international category with Cinco as its first honoree. The Outstanding Filipinos in America, which began as an award-giving […]
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NaFFAA celebrates 25 years in Las Vegas
By Loida Nicolas Lewis Twenty-five years ago, in the spring of 1997, Alex Esclamado, Rodel Rodis, and Michael Dadap visited me for lunch when I was CEO of TLC Beatrice International. Alex, the former publisher of the Philippine News, discussed the need for a national organization for Filipinos because other Asians had well-known national groups. […]
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FAFI celebrates 10th anniversary on Sept 4th
Yes, we made it to our 10th year! In celebration of this milestone, the Annual Filipino American Festival will be held on Sunday, September 4, 2022 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the New Overpeck Bergen County Park located at 199 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park in N.J.’s Bergen County. With 10 years of uninterrupted […]
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Dance troupe dazzles on Madison Avenue
By Cristina DC Pastor When St. Adalbert Church in Queens was looking for a Filipino dance group to perform at a religious event, word got around fast. Helen Kwong-LaBarbera of Long Island responded quickly and gathered Filipino families who shared her excitement. Thus, was born Island Gems Philippine Cultural Group which became known for their […]
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The mark of longevity: Fiesta In America celebrates 25th year
By Len Manansala In the fraught world of festival organizing, no other indoor Filipino event on the U.S. East Coast has demonstrated similar constancy more than Fiesta In America. Founded in 1996 in New York City and mounted every year except during the 2020-2021 pandemic, Fiesta In America lays claim to being the most enduring […]
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‘I like to serve, and sometimes give a little bit more’
By Marivir R. Montebon After a grueling day at school, Dr. Laura Garcia, a nurse educator, recharged herself through a short nap and had the energy to answer my interview questions in the wee hours of the night. She is a woman of accomplishments and of many titles in community organizations in the Big Apple. […]