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NaFFAA to convene 13th empowerment conference, names new executive director
From August 15-17, the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) will host its 13th National Empowerment Conference (NEC) in Carson, California. The theme of this year’s NEC is “Make It Count: Transforming Mindsets for 2020 and Beyond,” which reflects NaFFAA’s commitment to raising awareness around key issues affecting the community, laying out a clear […]
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A marriage, a march, and a remobilizing: Kilawin Kolektibo 25 years later
By Panday Banale Minutes before the 27th NYC Dyke March on June 29, I officiated the marriage of Teri and Tina on the steps of the New York Public Library. Amid the dancing-in-the-street revelry of Pride March, Teri and Tina were joined in a solemn moment under the hot noonday sun. The pair met and fell […]
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Gay Filipino immigrant’s coming of age in ‘Homebound’
Eighteen-year-old Filipino immigrant Nico is in love with three things: New York, music, and his new friend, Jonathan. But nobody knows about that last part. So, when a drunk Jonathan spills a big secret on the night of senior prom, Nico considers telling his own—even if it means risking everything. It’s the night of senior […]
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Filipinos in NYC: Lowest poverty rate among AAPI, live in overcrowded housing
By the Asian American Federation New York City’s Filipino population was the fourth largest Asian ethnic group in New York City, behind Chinese, Indians and Koreans. Relative to all residents, Filipinos in New York City were more likely to be: • working-age adults, • better educated, • proficient in English, • higher income, and • […]
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Queer Pinays yearn for unconditional love, acceptance from family
By Cristina DC Pastor Two activists shared their personal journeys as queer Pinays and their thoughts on gender violence and the culture of silence within the Filipino American family. Riya Ortiz, lead organizer and case manager of Damayan Migrant Workers, and artist-activist Mary Ann Ubaldo — who is known on social media as Panday Banale […]
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What it means to be Filipino-American
By Jessica Joyce Jacolbe I prefer to spill it onto a plate of rice. Mom will put the rice into her bowl of soup. Dad will drink all of the broth first. Sinigang is what I’d like to eat right now. It is the first week in a long time that the temperature has dropped […]
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New year, new name, new gender marker
By Cristina DC Pastor The new year signals a fresh start to some: New house, new job, new life goals. To Chelle Lhuillier, a transgender advocate, January 2019 is when her new name and new gender marker will become official. “Time to put that old ‘me’ in a treasure vault — safe and protected. Here […]
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TOFA honorees are ‘heroes among us’
By Cristina DC Pastor Greatness and gratefulness came together one soggy Saturday in October when 16 individuals were honored The Outstanding Filipinos in America (TOFA) in celebration of Filipino American History Month. “A thriving community of Filipino Americans adds to the quality of life here in New York State and across our nation,” said Gov. […]
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On Coming Out Day, unpacking the guilt, shame
By Cristina DC Pastor Denny Meyer was the first to publicly proclaim, “I’m a gay veteran.” He was followed by Elton Lugay, who confessed he was 8 or 10 years old when he discovered the “joy of wearing women’s clothing.” Sean Ross Collins recalled how he and his boyfriend were pelted with dirt and rocks […]