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Michael Cinco at NYFW: Fashion as theater
The Dubai-based Filipino couturier unveiled his Spring/Summer 2027 collection at the Angel Orensanz Foundation where he presented handworked glamour and dramatic flourishes in a community-centered celebration. At Michael Cinco’s New York Fashion Week ramp show on September 12, fashion did not promise wearability. Instead it delivered spectacle, scale and transformation. He treated glamour as theater. […]
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Jorge Ballos (aka Justin Girard): Building a New York home for independent filmmakers
By Cristina DC Pastor For Jorge Ballos – aka as Justin Girard — the SoHo International Film Festival (SIFF) which began as an intimate weekend event has grown into an international showcase now celebrating its 17th year. At its heart, he said SIFF was meant to give filmmakers a platform and an opportunity to […]
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Emilia Kim explores Filipino food in her Texas kitchen
From her kitchen in Texas, food and culture creator Emilia Kim is traveling the world one table at a time. For the Philippine edition of her weekly series, Hosting the World, she prepared an ambitious Filipino fiesta featuring everything from colorful street food and celebration noodles to one of the country’s most beloved stews. Kim […]
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Trans woman Cassey Arrobang from Albany crowned Ms. PAFCOM LGBTQ 2026
By Elton Lugay Every time Cassey Arrobang steps into the spotlight, she carries more than a microphone. She carries a story. “As a performer, my greatest goal is to tell a story through every performance,” Cassey, a transgender woman, singer, dancer and community leader from Albany, shared in an interview with this writer. “Whether it’s […]
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From raising five sons to caring for newborns, ‘Tita Miles’ finds her calling
By Elton Lugay Before the feedings, the overnight shifts and the first-time parents looking for reassurance, Milagros dela Cruz Llamas begins with a simple belief: newborn care is not just about caring for a baby. It is also about helping a family find its footing. For more than two decades, Dela Cruz Llamas has worked […]
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How corruption begins with a favor and erodes our community
By Ricky Rillera Corruption in our communities rarely begins with a suitcase of cash or a brazen embezzlement scheme. More often, it begins with something deceptively simple: a favor. A small request. A quiet exchange of influence. A leader who says, “Tulungan mo muna ako,” and a member who agrees because refusing feels impolite, disloyal, or […]
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At NaFFAA conference in Colorado, creating space for emerging voices
The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) concluded its 16th National Empowerment Conference after two days of national dialogue, leadership development, cultural celebration and practical community-building. Held August 14–15 at the Hyatt Regency Aurora–Denver Conference Center and co-hosted by NaFFAA Rocky Mountain Region, the conference with the theme “Harnessing the Power of Community: Starting With […]
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PHL tops Southeast Asia in U.S. tourist arrivals, fueled by direct flights and Filipino American ties
By Cristina DC Pastor The Philippines is emerging as the leading Southeast Asian destination for travelers from the United States, according to officials of the Philippine Department of Tourism (PDOT) in the U.S. They presented the following figures from January to May 2026: Philippines: 531,859 arrivals Thailand: 471,254 Vietnam: 445,813 Singapore: 317,074 Indonesia: 162,808 Cambodia: […]
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Jenny Santi: Art as a path to creating and healing
By Marissa Bañez “I’m a better artist because I’m a therapist, and I’m a better therapist because I’m an artist.” Jenny Santi’s art is the bridge that connects her two passions, each practice informing the other. Her paintings are both a way of making sense of her own life and an outlet for the emotional […]