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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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, […]
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 […]
The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) has unveiled the “Asian+American” campaign, a national PSA initiative that will encourage Asian Americans to celebrate the complexity and beauty of their dual identities. The campaign uses striking visual storytelling and imagery that will blanket everything from billboards to social media—all to foster pride in being both Asian and American. […]