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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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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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Kirby Asunto & Shirley Asunto: A relationship nurtured on traditional Filipino values
By Cristina DC Pastor At 18 years old, in-demand pop singer Kirby Asunto can very well make a decision to get an apartment, live on her own, and manage her flourishing career. As a matter of fact, the law says she can get married without her parents’ approval. Right now, Kirby is having none of […]
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From subways, skyscrapers and Shake Shack, ASAP stars savor the Big Apple
By Cristina DC Pastor “I enjoyed the subway,” blurted singer-actress Maja Salvador to reporters curious about what the top entertainers of ASAP Live in New York find delightful in the city. Actress Jolina Magdangal said the Empire State Building was a thrill. Singer Gary Valenciano thought revisiting Grand Central and Rockefeller Center never gets old. […]
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‘Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal:’ An evening of Ernani Cuenco music
Bakás Pilipinas/Philippine Historic Preservation Society is inviting the community to the 2016 Great Filipino Composers Series, an annual project. On September 17 at 8 p.m., they will present the life and works of Ernani Cuenco at the Loreto Theater of the Sheen Center, 18 Bleecker Street. Maestro Cuenco is arguably the most important composer during […]
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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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New York-based Randy Reynaldo showcases talent at San Diego Comic Con
FilAm artists, animators, and comic book creators showcased their talents to almost 150,000 attendees of the recently-concluded annual San Diego Comic Con on July 21-24. Popular figures of the Fil-am comic book circle such as Ed Natividad, who started out as a car design artist and then ended up working with the creators of Justice […]
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‘The Pleasure of Being Served:’ The undocumented immigrant’s dilemma
By Cristina DC Pastor Time and again, one hears the archetypal narrative about the undocumented immigrant who is torn between principle and pragmatism. Michael Manese’s “The Pleasure of Being Served” is one such story. The 15-minute short film tells how undocumented housemaid Rosa must choose between continuing to work for her rakish boss and leaving. […]
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In “Ma’ Rosa,” Cannes Best Actress Jaclyn Jose plays a meth dealer with eloquence, warmth
By Joel David Brillante Ma. Mendoza’s “Ma’ Rosa” holds the distinction of being the second Filipino film to win at the Cannes Film Festival’s main competition. Even more impressive is the fact that the previous winner, “Kinatay” (2009), was also made by Mendoza, who won for direction. “Ma’ Rosa” copped a “lesser” prize (best actress […]