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Central Park’s carriage horses: Should they go or should they stay?
By Cristina DC Pastor If it were only up to soprano Carolyn Joyce Pena, those charming horse-drawn carriages mimicking the feel of an 18th century French wagon should continue to hoof around Central Park. “They are a vital part of New York,” said Carolyn, a lover of all things Fifth Avenue. She brought some Ilocano […]
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Older Asians 65+ on food stamps, more economically vulnerable than average American: report
A new research report from AARP reveals economic disparity among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) age 50+. When viewed as a whole, AAPIs appear more financially secure than the general population, but the aggregate totals and median averages mask a large wealth and income gap among AAPIs. While a few AAPI groups have higher […]
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TOFA-NY’s 4th year: Through thanks and tears, reflecting on what’s next for the Filipino American achiever
By Cristina DC Pastor And there was music and wonderful moments. Some tears too, and through it all a challenge to Filipino Americans: It’s time to “take the lead.” The fourth The Outstanding Filipino Americans in New York was an occasion to celebrate the achievements of Filipinos in the New York area during Filipino American […]
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TOFA-NY 2014 honorees announced; Bobby Lopez says ‘tireless work ethic’ comes from being a FilAm
By Oliver Oliveros & Cristina DC Pastor A transgender activist, a chef who is part of a campaign to promote healthy lunches for public school children, and an educator for Teach for the Philippines lead this year’s awardees of The Outstanding Filipino Americans of New York (TOFA-NY), a celebration that rounds up the month-long celebration […]
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‘It is community’s responsibility to take care of its elderly,’ says ConGen Mario de Leon Jr.
By Cristina DC Pastor An elderly woman with a cane was outside the Philippine Center, her slightly bent back leaning against the brick wall. An autumn chill swept across the city, and she was right to wear a sweater over her red dress. I saw her at the corner of my eye as I was […]
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Through cheers and tears, Jersey community bids farewell to DCG Zaldy Patron
By Jen Furer “This award speaks more of you than me, you’re a very appreciative community.” ~ Zaldy Patron On the warm autumn night of September 27, about 150 people bid goodbye to a beloved diplomat and celebrated his six years of service to the Filipino American community in New Jersey and New York. By […]
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‘I miss Hector Logrono and now feel the burden of his absence’
By Consuelo Almonte The year was 2012. I just retired from the Pakistan Mission to the United Nations where I served for 43 years. My last position was Press Assistant to the Press Minister. At Loida Nicolas Lewis’s residence in November, I was invited to a dinner for Eric Lachica who was to speak about […]
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‘My son is not the bride!’ Film explores interracial, gay couple’s ‘pamanhikan’
The short film entitled, “Pamanhikan,” is a story of an interracial, gay couple’s parents’ first meeting over brunch to discuss their wedding. ‘Pamanhikan’ is the Philippine tradition where the parents of the bride and the groom meet formally to acknowledge their approval of the marriage. Writer-director Angelo Santos called this film a “witty and touching […]
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At Jersey City picnic, FilAms’ last fling before the end of summer
By Cristina DC Pastor Imagine a Filipino party with trays upon trays of food, where the women are busy cutting, serving, tossing, fanning, and stirring the food, while the men are gathered around a fire pit. Transport this scene to Jersey City, a community with a large Filipino American population of more than 15K, and […]