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Josie Natori opens first-ever U.S. store: ‘It’s about time’
By Cristina DC Pastor “Josie! I’m wearing your underwear!” fashion book author Elle Madrona called out on seeing designer Josie Natori as she entered her Nolita boutique for an August 5th store opening. Josie, laughing and not in the least embarrassed, shot back at Elle, “OK, don’t show it to me.” The long-time friends and […]
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In a turbulent Middle East, Jordan remains a peaceful place to visit
By Wendell Gaa The Middle East is a region so rich with history and culture, yet sadly nowadays it’s been making headlines for mostly the wrong reasons. With the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian clashes in Gaza, the Syrian civil war, and the ISIS crisis gripping Iraq, it is easy for those who judge by what they read […]
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WHERE I LIVE: At Stuy Town, Adrienne Zulueta comes home to the calming charm of the East River
By Cristina DC Pastor Adrienne Zulueta is one happy camper at Peter Cooper Village-Stuyvesant Town, New York’s largest private housing complex and her home for the last three years. “It feels very safe here,” she said, appreciative of the building’s public safety officers, who are visible at most times. Adrienne, 23, shares an apartment with […]
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Pennsylvania teen Alexa Kirby wins Miss Philippines Quest-USA
By Cristina DC Pastor An 18-year-old high school graduate from Pennsylvania who would love to have dinner with Demi Lovato, given a chance to dine with an inspiring celebrity, was crowned Miss Philippines Quest-USA on July 12 at a beauty-and-talent pageant held at Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Alexa Kirby, who, by serendipity, was also Candidate […]
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Romantic, historic Istanbul
By Wendell Gaa Romantic, exotic and historic are fitting words to describe Istanbul, Turkey’s largest city and one that has played a part in some of the world’s greatest civilizations. The two most iconic civilizations of this great city which come to my mind are easily the Byzantine and Ottoman empires. Before paying a recent […]
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WHERE I LIVE: For Brenda Gambol, home is a ‘railroad apartment’ in Carroll Gardens
By Cristina DC Pastor Marriage to a New Yorker with Irish roots led Brenda Gambol to Carroll Gardens known for its charming brownstones and leafy streets. Brenda, a doctoral candidate in Sociology at CUNY, lives in a “railroad apartment” which her husband, Ian Gavigan, inherited from his parents. A railroad apartment is a housing unit […]
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WHERE I LIVE: Home is Cranford, N.J. with its excellent schools, small-town vibe, and abundant sidewalks
By Jen Furer Another school year has ended. As I was seated in the auditorium of Hillside Avenue School for my youngest child’s Seventh Grade Awards ceremonies, I couldn’t help reflect on how blessed I am to be living in Cranford, New Jersey. This is my 19th year in this town, and Josh would be […]
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A weekend full of festivities, from the NJ Santacruzan to the NYC parade
By Megan Villarin This year, our Santacruzan mass at the St. Raphael-Holy Angels Filipino Parish in Hamilton, New Jersey was held inside the gym. Regardless, it was still a spectacular event. I watched the procession of the statue of the Virgin Mary, the sagalas and their escorts coming into the gym and taking their seats. […]
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Fil-Dutch Candace Kendall to carry Empire State banner to June 8 Miss USA
By Elton Lugay It would be nice to win Miss USA 2014, but one of Filipino-Dutch model Candace Kendall’s biggest dreams is to one day work for Donald Trump. The reigning Miss New York USA said that with her degree in accounting and finance and her passion for beauty pageants, she would love to run […]