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Elaine Ficarra discovers the land of her mother
By Cristina DC Pastor In July this year, Pennsylvania-born Elaine Ficarra joined three other youngsters on a trip to the Philippines. She traveled with Bronx teen Feih Hidalgo, IT student Calvin Santiago from New Hampshire, and Alexandra Brown, a Filipina who lives in Australia. There is a common thread tying Elaine, a 17-year-old singer and […]
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Ann Constantino Beck: Forest Hills mom is an Uber driver
By Cristina DC Pastor Two years ago when her husband was laid off, aspiring artist Ann Constantino Beck was thrust – literally — into the driver’s seat. She became an Uber driver, and for several months, was the family’s breadwinner. Ann is among the 14 percent of women across the country who drive for the […]
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Leonard Co: A fashion style called ‘more and more’
By Cristina DC Pastor A couple of years ago, I attended a birthday party where the celebrant — wearing a soft pink gown richly beaded and layered with lace – was giddy on the dance floor. “That’s a Leonard Co,” a guest whispered to my ear. “$3K.” All I could say was, “Wow!” From that […]
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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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In La Union where everybody knows your name
By Angelito Cabigao It’s 9 a.m. “I feel good” by James Brown is playing in Chloe’s, Barista, Spotify playlist while I’m sitting on a wooden stool in my beach shorts reading “Pursuit of Happyness” By Tony Hsieh. I’m enjoying a nice cold Dirty Horchata at El Union, which is a coffee shop located just steps […]
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Mad hatter Tracy Dizon’s bold and quirky designs
By Tracy Dizon In 2010, I became a milliner, as the British would call people who design and craft hats for fashion and not so much to protect them from the sun. I love designing hats because I can go all bold and full on creative. With hats, I can have the creative freedom to […]
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Consuelo Almonte: A lifetime of frogs and fond memories
By Cristina DC Pastor If a book were to be written about Consuelo Almonte’s life, it would read a little bit Tom Clancy and a little bit Danielle Steele. There is romance, betrayal, some international intrigue, second chances, and a feel-good ending. An inventory of her 81 years reveals a redemption in mid-life and a […]
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Are FilAms in Jersey aware of the risks living in coastal communities?
By Cristina DC Pastor Jersey City is where IBM engineer Virginia Mayo Policarpio came of age. She, her husband and their three children live in a gated community called Society Hill not far from where she and her parents once lived as new immigrants. Like her, Jenny Castaneda is very happy living in Jersey City. […]
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An up-close moment with Tourism Attaché Susan del Mundo
By Cristina DC Pastor Susan del Mundo will travel anywhere in the Philippines, and the world, by boat, bike or on foot if it means exploring new places and learning from them. She has spent almost 37 years with the Department of Tourism in the Philippines, has visited more than 80 percent of the vast […]