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TOFA goes national; 16 individuals, led by Miss Universe, conferred honors
By Lindy Rosales As in previous years, it was a chilly fall evening when people started making their way to Carnegie Hall dressed in their formal Filipiniana best. This year, the rains came down hard to usher in The Outstanding Filipino Americans (TOFA) awards night celebrated in honor of Filipino American History Month. This year’s […]
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Philippines, Turkey share parallels in history and have the warmest people
By Wendell Gaa There just couldn’t be a riper and more exciting time to foster increased interaction between the peoples of the Philippines and Turkey than now. Both countries have so much in common. They are host to some of the most amazing historical and natural destinations, abundant with regional diversity, and are inhabited by […]
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Founder Elton Lugay says TOFA search for ‘best and brightest’ goes nationwide
By Cristina DC Pastor Perhaps you were one of the skeptics, you were one among countless doubters. But through its bumpy yet engrossing six-year run, The Outstanding Filipino Americans or TOFA remains in place, expanding its jurisdiction as an important search for the best and the brightest FilAms. Elton Lugay who founded TOFA in New […]
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In folksy tribute, Congen De Leon takes pride in Jersey roots, says FilAms now earning R-E-S-P-E-C-T
By Cristina DC Pastor At a musical tribute in his honor, Consul General Mario de Leon Jr. reveled in the warm glow of the New Jersey FilAm community’s affection, thanked them for their friendship, and said, “I hope you enjoyed the journey we had together.” The Philippine American Friendship Committee (PAFCOM) despedida dinner was one […]
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Standing ovation for the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s NYC debut
By Wendell Gaa On a warm Saturday evening on June 18th, members of the New York Filipino American community turned up in multitudes to watch the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra at the renowned Carnegie Hall. Many of us, including myself, have only heard about the PPO without ever having the chance to listen to their fine […]
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At Cipriani, FilAm elite assembles somewhat conflicted
By Cristina DC Pastor Dozens of women wandered throughout the lobby, many of them dressed in glittery tulle, others in humbler business suits. They spoke in whispers, but their pasty faces betrayed the shock of the day’s news: 50 killed in Orlando shooting. Omar Mateen’s shooting spree occurred in the early morning of June 12, […]
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No raining on this parade, no rain date either
By Lindy Rosales “Nasagupa namin lahat ng ulan. May dala kaming payong at raincoat pero nabasa ang aming pantalon at sapatos. Tinapos talaga namin ang parade.” With fervor and frenzy, Queens resident Relieta Madera, two friends, and a sister from Virginia, made their way to the Philippine Independence Parade on Madison Avenue cloaked in raincoats […]
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Inspired by the Philippines’ past, NYC school children create art for the present
By Cristina DC Pastor A paper mâché laptop, repurposed costume jewelry, a bicycle in mixed media. These are some of the everyday objects created by New York City school children, inspired by an exhibit on the Philippines’ colonial past, “Philippine Gold: Treasures of Forgotten Kingdoms.” “To help us understand how Filipinos from a long time […]
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Ned and Menchie Pulido are Madison Ave. parade Grand Marshals
By Lindy Rosales Dr. Leonidas “Ned” Pulido and his wife, registered nurse Carmencita “Menchie” Pulido, were introduced to the Filipino American community of New York as this year’s Grand Marshals for the June 5 Philippine Independence Day parade on Madison Avenue. The Pulidos are the latest to join the elite ranks of affluent and accomplished […]