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Joyce Castillo: From Ilocos to Wall Street and into the heart of the Filipino community
By Cristina DC Pastor When Joyce Alano Castillo and her husband Arnold moved to Woodbridge, New Jersey in 1997, the world was in mourning. As they unloaded boxes into their new home, the radio carried the shocking news: Princess Diana had died in a car accident. Their sons were very young. One was entering high […]
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YAMAN: Sharing Philippine treasures with the world (An interview with Jerry Sibal and Edwin Josue of FRIENDSPHUSA)
By Cristina DC Pastor For eight years, Friends of the Philippines Society USA Inc. (FRIENDSPHUSA) has staged cultural and community-driven projects highlighting the richness of Philippine heritage. From the Explore Islands Philippines mounted at Grand Central Terminal, to concerts for world-renowned pianist Raul Sunico, and the Art for Humanity exhibit at the Photoville Photojournalism exhibit […]
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43 years ago the Philippine Center performs its first-ever FilAm matrimony
By Cristina DC Pastor Darlene Dilangalen and Jesus “Bong” Borromeo first met in 1975 on a flight from Davao City to Manila. At the time, she was still a junior nursing student. In 1980, she left her hometown in Cotabato for New Jersey as a new nurse graduate to work at St. Joseph’s Hospital (now […]
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Carmela Icamina crowned first-ever Ginang Filipinas New Jersey
In a night filled with elegance and heartfelt family stories, the pioneering Ginang Filipinas New Jersey pageant crowned its first-ever grand winner, Carmela ‘Ella’ Icamina. The competition, like many traditional beauty contests, highlighted the strength, creativity, and journeys of women—many of them mothers—who continue to thrive while balancing the demands of immigrant life in the […]
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New York City is 400 years old, celebrates with free concert Sept 7th
“Founded By Broadway” is a free live concert to celebrate the 400th anniversary of New York City founded in 1625 by European explorers. The concert will spotlight Broadway’s vital role in the city’s history, according to a statement from the office of Mayor Eric Adams and the Broadway League. It will take place in Times Square on September […]
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Calendar from September
Ongoing till September 9 Back to Our Roots: Summer Chefs Series September 2 – Pork Picadillo September 9 – Spaghetti with Prawns and Aligue Join on Zoom Contact: pafcomnj@gmail.com Ongoing till October 5 Golden Years Weighing Philippine Martial Law 1972-1981 Curated by Victor Barnuevo Velasco Asian American Resource Center 8401 Cameron RoadAustin, TX Ongoing till January […]
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From billion-dollar legacy to a new calling: Loida Lewis finds a deeper purpose in listening
By JV ValinoThe first thing you notice about Loida Nicolas Lewis in a conversation or when she interviews guests, is not what she says, not even her questions, not even her fabulous clothes or jewelry, but it’s how she listens. It’s the way she waits. In an era of short video clips, rapid-fire questions and […]
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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 […]
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How this FilAm prosecutor built a brain-boosting restaurant empire
By Tricia J. Capistrano After 16 years as a federal prosecutor, Marisa Seifan was looking for a change in her life, though she didn’t think that would mean switching careers. For one thing, she was at the top of her field. “I was chief of my unit–a real prosecutor’s prosecutor,” said Seifan. Then a chance […]