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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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Why corruption persists: Young FilAms look to history, entrenched political elites
By Cristina DC Pastor As the Philippines confronts renewed scrutiny over allegations of corruption, particularly involving government spending and flood-control projects, a group of young Filipino Americans are asking a difficult question: Why does corruption persist in the Philippines? For these young observers, the answer cannot be reduced to individual politicians or a single administration. […]
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ON GLOBAL FILIPINOS Luz Bay is New Hampshire’s 1st FilAm state representative
By Loida Nicolas Lewis Luz Bay, Ph.D. was working comfortably and diligently as a psychometrician for a number of years at the College Board from her home in New Hampshire. Then in 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization overtured the 1973 Roe vs Wade decision that it was not against the U.S. Constitution for a […]
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Historical parallels: insurgencies, political dynasties, and corruption scandals Part 2
By Cesar Polvorosa Jr. Encomienda Legacy Spanish colonialism implanted deeply unequal class structures across both the Philippines and Latin America. Through systems resembling encomiendas or feudal arrangements, land, wealth, and political power became concentrated in the hands of narrow elites. Over generations, this produced entrenched political dynasties, oligarchic control, regional strongmen, and persistent inequality. Political […]
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Finding the Philippines in Mexico Part 1
By Cesar Polvorosa Jr. Standing on the sun-warmed shore of the Yucatán Peninsula during my son’s wedding, watching Caribbean waves roll gently onto the Mexican coast, I was struck by an unexpected sense of familiarity. It felt like the comforting embrace of home. The feeling went beyond the tropical sway of coconut palms and the […]
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Marco Rubio steps into the eye of the Philippines-China storm
The FilAm Editorial U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio likely did not expect his first official visit to Asia to coincide with one of the most volatile moments in the Philippines-China maritime dispute. His trip to Manila for the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting came as tensions between the two countries escalated over allegations […]
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Venessa Manzano takes the leap into politics
By Cristina DC Pastor For nearly three decades, Venessa Manzano has been a familiar face in the Filipino American community of the Northeast—not as a politician, but as an educator, cultural advocate, nonprofit professional, and tireless volunteer. Now, after more than 30 years of community involvement, she is embarking on a new chapter: public office. […]
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With humor and heart, Consul General Senen Mangalile says goodbye, praises the ‘energy of the community’
By Romulo Aromin, Jr., MD With only two weeks to prepare and against the backdrop of a heatwave, the world football games, and the long July 4th weekend with the U.S. celebrating 250 years of independence, some 150 northeast Filams in the Tri-state gathered to send off Consul General Senen Mangalile as he assumes the position of Ambassador […]
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Businessman Lee Lipton takes helm as the new U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. formally received the credentials of Lee Lipton on June 30, the newly appointed U.S. ambassador to the Philippines, reaffirming the enduring alliance between the two countries. The credential presentation came as the Philippines and the United States commemorate 80 years of diplomatic relations and the 75th anniversary of the Mutual Defense […]