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Lea Salonga’s ‘Bahaghari’ album a collection of folk favorites
Tony Award-winner Lea Salonga has released an album of Philippine regional folk songs. The CD album “Bahaghari” was launched on December 14 at the Philippine Center, with Lea noting how each language is distinct and separate “like a rainbow.” Among the popular songs featured in the album are “Pobreng Alindahaw,” “Tinikling,” “Atin Cu Pung Singsing,” […]
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Fun facts and tips about the NYE Times Square Ball Drop
Countries all around the world have their own unique New Year’s traditions. Many places feature customary cuisine, such as lentils (Brazil and Italy), suckling pig (Austria) and grapes (Spain). Others get a bit more creative. The Danish, for example, smash broken china on friends’ front doors, supposedly in a sign of affection. But you obviously […]
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Son of a diplomat Jeremy Domingo finds his calling in theatre
By Wendell Gaa This article is part of a continuing series on second-generation Filipino Americans who have returned to the homeland, lured by more fulfilling careers and an opportunity to bridge and embrace their two cultures. I have known Jeremy Domingo since his brother Jesus was an officer at the Philippine Mission to the United […]
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Wonderful you came by, Xtine Mercado
By Cristina DC Pastor I was watching this gamin-haired singer stride on stage at Carnegie Hall, and burst into Nat King Cole’s jazzy “Orange Colored Sky.” I found myself finger-snapping along and wondering why this rocker-looking woman in black biker boots is singing something from post-war 1950s. Talk about an image disconnect, I thought to […]
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A producer, an actor, and a Rockette: FilAm representation in the entertainment industry
By Mariel Padilla Real life and fiction blur in the meta-theatre show: “KPOP,” which premiered on Sept. 5 at The A.R.T./ New York Theatres in Manhattan. In the show, five years in the making, a cast of Asian American performers simulate the workings of a fictional K-pop factory that is working to reach the fictional […]
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A night filled with emotions as TOFA awardees reflect on their immigrant journeys
By Cristina DC Pastor “I left the room after my speech; I had to cry.” Avant-garde fashion designer Rocky Gathercole was heard saying to friends after the TOFA Awards at Carnegie Hall where he was among the 15 The Outstanding Filipinos in America for 2017. Accepting the award, Gathercole said he couldn’t believe he would […]
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In Woodside, live music thrives, makes Filipinos happy despite what’s happening in the world
By Mariel Padilla Eyes closed and microphone held to her lips, Joy Pascua belted out the last few words to the 1993 hit “Linger” during her sound check as the keyboardist, guitarist, drummer and bassist got in place behind her. Pascua, a middle-aged Filipina performer, sang alongside Arianne Aldecoa in Woodside, Queens, on a rainy […]
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Off-Broadway’s ‘Strings’ explores complex relationships between mothers and daughters
Actress Cristina Sebastian joins other foreign theater artists in creating the off-Broadway play called “Strings,” which will have its NYC premiere from October 4 to 8 at the Access Theatre in Tribeca. “Strings,” which explores the theme of mother-daughter relations, is written by Anna Rak and Palmyra Mattner, and directed by Kira Kull. The artistic […]
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Reality web series featuring a FilAm family debuts on YouTube
By Thomas Orlina Growing up in a Filipino American household, I was always exposed to parents working tirelessly for their family. My parents each worked two jobs and always emphasized to my siblings and I that hard work pays off. My father was a banker, and my mother a nurse. Mom wanted me to be […]