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Charlotte Nebres and the FilAm ballet dancers who came before her
By Cristina DC Pastor In the ballet world, they say ‘being black’ is a big thing, a cause for celebration. When Misty Copeland became the first female black principal dancer for a major company like the American Ballet Theatre, it was a joyous, historic moment. In ballet where white dancers — “lily white,” according to […]
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‘Talambuhay’ exhibit celebrates Linggo ng Samahan
From September 28th to October 5, an art exhibit and discussion exploring issues, such as immigration and displacement, were presented in celebration of Linggo Ng Samahan (Week of Community). The activities were organized by Anakbayan New York (ABNY) and the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) and held at the Living Artist Gallery Space in […]
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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 […]