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Filmmaker Desireena Almoradie on queer parenting and the joy of letting a child become himself
By Cristina DC Pastor “He has very deep emotions,” says mom Desireena Almoradie. “Today he was upset because his best friend was getting close to another friend. There were some tears. He handles complex emotions very well; he just doesn’t always have the words for them yet. It’s very interesting to see.” Desireena was describing […]
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Same-sex parenting: Glenn Magpantay on fatherhood without labels
By Cristina DC Pastor When the U.S.-Senate-appointed Commissioner for Civil Rights Glenn D. Magpantay told his parents that he was adopting a child, they didn’t know how to react. His mother waited for her husband to say something. When his dad finally spoke, what he said stunned Magpantay: “Well, you’re your own man now, go […]
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What it means to be ‘truly American,’ according to AAPIs: new survey
As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) has released new research revealing the country is sharply divided over a fundamental question: what does it mean to be truly American? According to TAAF’s sixth annual Social Tracking of Asian Americans in the U.S. (STAATUS) Index, conducted by NORC at the […]
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Artist Adonis DeKing takes on AAPI leadership role in Boston
By Gretheline Bolandrina Milford, MA — Artist and community advocate Adonis DeKing is stepping into a prominent new leadership position aimed at strengthening and uplifting Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) professionals across the region. DeKing has been named associate director of Leadership Excellence at the National Association of Asian American Professionals – Boston Chapter, […]
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A Filipino community center can be both a blessing and a burden
By Ricky Rillera For decades, Filipino Americans in the New York–New Jersey region have dreamed of a permanent home — a place where our stories can be told, our elders can gather, our youth can lead, and our culture can breathe without apology. That dream has flickered, brightened, dimmed, and revived again through generations of […]
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Marissa Alcantara: When FilAm students forget their culture, there’s Tagalog to help them remember
By Maricar CP Hampton For today’s students, culture and tradition can sometimes feel distant or lost. Filipino Tagalog teacher Marissa Alcantara said she makes sure she integrates language, heritage, and interactive activities to connect Filipino American students with their roots. “I try to bridge the gap by using the Filipino language and promote the culture […]
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2 brothers, 1 shared purpose: To bring Filipino stories to the Upper East Side’s Scouting community
On Manhattan’s Upper East Side, two brothers in Scouting are reshaping what an Eagle project can look like. Through their service, Lucas and Leonardo G. del Rosario have brought Philippine indigenous culture and literature into a neighborhood where Filipino and Asian Pacific stories are rarely taught, seen, or celebrated. Lucas, 19, and a Presidential Merit […]
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Leah Lupao Amadiz: Igorot Filipina unveils indigenous heritage in New York
When Leah Lupao Amadiz represented New York in the Ginang Filipinas National pageant, she was not simply stepping into the spotlight. She was carrying with her the proud legacy of her Igorot roots, upheld through her involvement with BIBAK NY, an organization dedicated to preserving the culture of the Cordillera region. BIBAK—an acronym for Abra, […]
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The history of Kilawin Kolektibo: How Filipina lesbians found community in NYC in the 1990s
By Catherine Espejo Because of You: A History of Kilawin Kolektibo, a documentary made by Desireena Almoradie and Barbara Malaran, features archival footage of personal stories that bring awareness to what it meant to be a part of the LGBTQ+ community in the mid-1990s. The clips in the film showcase lesbian personalities, shedding light on […]