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The Pastillas Scandal and the sneaky ways to corruption
By Cristina DC Pastor There’s something sweet and savory about corruption in the Philippines. Some Bureau of Immigration (BI) officials and personnel are said to be receiving P10,000 per from Chinese nationals entering the Philippines to illegally work in gaming casinos. The cash is bundled up and hidden in Pastillas wrappers, according to reports. I […]
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Bergenfield Mayor Amatorio files defamation lawsuit against opponent, demands public apology
Bergenfield Mayor Arvin Amatorio has filed a complaint and civil litigation suit with the State of New Jersey against former Mayor Norman Schmelz, his running mates, and press spokesman for defamatory allegations against Amatorio in an attempt to damage his reputation three days before the November 5th election. Amatorio is seeking compensatory damages to be […]
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Quiboloy church officials indicted for trafficking, sham marriages
SANTA ANA, Calif. – A federal grand jury has charged three top administrators of a Philippines-based church with overseeing a labor trafficking scheme that forced church members to solicit donations for a bogus charity after the defendants illegally obtained visas and other immigration documents that allowed the workers to enter and remain in the United […]
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Arkansas commissioner is new FYLPRO president
The Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO), a nonprofit that seeks to connect young Filipino American leaders with their heritage, is pleased to announce its 2020 – 2021 Executive Committee and Board of Directors. Executive Committee: Joshua Ang Price ‘18, President (Little Rock, AR) Louella Cabalona ’12, Vice President (Chicago, IL) Major Charlynne McGinnis ‘18, Secretary […]
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Filipino-Jewish teacher Deirdre Levy eyes council seat in Brooklyn
By Cristina DC Pastor When Special Education teacher Deirdre Levy told her parents over dinner that she is running for a council seat in New York City’s District 35, they eagerly gave their blessings. Her Filipina mother’s backing came with an affectionate reminder to not forget to pray. “My mom always tells me to pray,” […]
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Who is Vilma Bautista and what exactly did she do?
By Cristina DC Pastor Her name is spoken of as if in a confidential whisper by some FilAms who know her — Filipinos with means, leaders of the community. There is nothing nouveau riche about knowing Vilma Hernandez Bautista. “Yeah, kilala ko siya,” shared a Manhattan woman who said their friendship goes way back […]
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Journalism loses a home
With thousands of newspapers around the country closing, merging, or downsizing, it is just a matter of time when Newseum will write 30. On December 31, 2019, a museum in Washington D.C. that held space for journalism and the important protections of the First Amendment, closed its doors after 11 years. Photographs and memorabilia of […]
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2nd Filipino mayor in New Jersey history takes oath
By Lindy Rosales On a cold and windy Sunday afternoon of January 5, people packed the Bergenfield borough hall to witness history. It was the swearing-in ceremony of Mayor Arvin Amatorio and Councilmembers Ora Kornbluth and Salvador “Buddy” Deauna. The three candidates ran together as a slate and were elected together in November. Amatorio went […]
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Study examines attitudes toward homosexuality in ‘70s Leftist movement
By Cristina DC Pastor A new research showed how Filipino LGBT members of a U.S.-based Leftist organization in the 1970s navigated their emerging sexualities while maintaining revolutionary commitments. Dr. Karen Buenavista Hanna discussed her article “Being Gay in the KDP: Politics in a Filipino American Revolutionary Organization (1973 to 1986)” in a talk organized by […]