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Short film drama written by an Igorota wins festival awards
“Eva’s Gabriel,” a short film drama starring Joyce Lao, an Igorota from the Ibaloi tribe in Baguio, received multiple awards in the film festival circuit this year. The film also written by Joyce, won four awards: Best Acting Ensemble at the New York International Film Awards; Best Male Director, Best Drama Short and Best Short […]
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Mayor Eric Adams makes historic attendance at TOFA
By Rasmin Diaz & Cristina DC Pastor There was unmistakable excitement as the honorees shuffled in, the piano played, and the mayor strode to his seat. It’s a historic first for any sitting New York City mayor to attend a Filipino event. On September 16, The Town Hall was luminous with New York City dignitaries […]
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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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The FilAm experience in ‘Easter Sunday,’ the struggle between Filipino roots and American identity
By Wendell Gaa If mainstream Hollywood hasn’t had a proper introduction yet to a typical life of a Filipino-American family, it does now thanks to “Easter Sunday” starring the phenomenal FilAm comedian Joseph Herbert, Sr., better known to us all simply as Jo Koy. This new film comedy unveils the tale of Joe Valencia played […]
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Cherie Gil: Artist in a hurry
By Joel David There will always be ambivalence surrounding the Filipino word for performer: artista. The word it suggests in English is in many ways opposed to the notion of an artist, standing apart from issues of popularity and financial success. This is why the first film star recognized as National Artist, Nora Aunor, underwent […]
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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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Political satire on dictatorship to be staged during Ice Factory Festival Aug 10-13
The Atlantic Pacific Theatre is staging Luis Francia’s play “The Strange Case of Citizen de la Cruz” from August 10-13, as part of the Ice Factory Festival sponsored by New Ohio Theatre. Claro de los Reyes and Robert Thaxton-Stevenson are directing. Set in an unspecified time in the Philippines, this political satire explores the phenomena of […]
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COVID did not stop the FilAms’ largest parade
By Lindy Rosales Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer came early at 11:18 a.m. for the parade that was to start at 12 noon. He came to shake hands with Filipino American leaders…and to apologize. “I’m sorry I can’t come march with you today, it’s my 50th college reunion. But I did want to come here […]