The year 2011 was an eventful year for Bakas Pilipinas, announced President Roz Li, a preservationist architect. The New York-based non-profit dedicated to the preservation of historic architecture and sites in the Philippines is reporting its accomplishments for the year, starting with the restoration of San Sebastian Basilica in Manila. San Sebastian is the initial […]
By Cristina DC Pastor The year 2011 has been an exciting one for Filipinos in New York. Although TheFilAm.net came by only in March, we were with you for most of the year and reported on the milestones of our lives as a community. Here is our list of Top 10 stories. Purely from a […]
The Memphis in May International Festival will be honoring the Philippines in next year’s festival, announced James Holt, president and CEO of MIMIF. The festival, which attracts at least 300,000 visitors, is held annually for the past 35 years, and has paid tribute to at least 30 countries. “The opportunity to experience the immense history […]
By Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia Jr. Once again, it is that time of the year when Filipinos feel a different sense of joy and families and friends get together to celebrate the best-loved season in the Philippines. Christmas, or as we call it back home, Pasko, is a special time that never fails to bring […]
By Tony Joaquin Around December during the prewar days in Manila, my parents would take me and my sisters shopping for new and nice clothes to wear for Christmas. The whole family would drive over with Papa behind the wheel of our 1940 Chevrolet to the popular shopping areas, primarily in Escolta. But we also […]
By Cristina DC Pastor The Archdiocese of New York maintained its objection to the holding of Simbang Gabi midnight masses at the consulate building on Fifth Avenue, prompting the possible relocation of the Christmas tradition observed for 25 years by Filipinos in the New York Tri-State. “A mass can only be carried out in a […]
By Laurel Fantauzzo I confess: I was afraid to move to Manila this year. Strange. I had never been afraid before. It was my fourth time here. I’d previously done a Tagalog language program, and the usual visits with relatives. I’d tried for three years to earn a Fulbright grant to return to the motherland. […]
By Ludy A. Ongkeko, Ph.D. Standing out on its own in the Philippines’ metropolitan center is the Quiapo Church, home of the Black Nazarene. Every Friday is Quiapo Day when multitudes troop to the church where hourly masses are held to honor the much-venerated Black Nazarene. Filipinos all over their island nation honor the Black […]
By A. Mabini For my parents First-generation, by established understanding, are Pilipinos who were born in the Philippines and have migrated to the United States. Second-generation Pilipino Americans are those born in America. I linger between definitions. Although by the above criterion, I fall under the former, I came here at a very young […]