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Senen Mangalile: A Consul General who built friendships, was approachable…and cracked jokes
The FilAm Editorial As the Filipino community in the New York metropolitan area bids farewell to Consul General Senen Mangalile, it is fitting to reflect on his tenure marked by steady leadership, accessibility, and a full dose of humor. Mangalile arrived in New York in late 2022 at an uncertain time in the Filipino American […]
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Independence is not just a date on the calendar
By Ricky Rillera Every June 12, the Philippines raises its flag, sings its anthems, and commemorates the day in 1898 when General Emilio Aguinaldo declared independence from Spain in Kawit, Cavite. It was a bold proclamation—aspirational, defiant, and rooted in the belief that a people long denied dignity could finally claim their place among free […]
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Need language help in the coming primary elections? Bring your own Tagalog interpreter
By Ferlie Andong If you’re a Tagalog-speaking Filipino who needs language assistance in the elections, NYC’s Civil Engagement Commission (CEC), through its Voter Language Assistance Program says you are entitled to bring an interpreter to the polls. This is important because Tagalog is not among the ethnic languages that the New York City Civic Engagement Commission […]
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A sense of nervousness as Steven Raga faces Mamdani-backed opponent in State Senate race
The entry of Palestinian American community organizer Aber Kawas into the race for New York State Senate District 12 has prompted discussion among some Filipino American voters, particularly because she has the endorsement of Zohran Mamdani. Mayor Mamdani is a prominent — and popular — progressive figure whose policies have drawn both supporters and critics […]
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Setback at the UN: Philippines misses Security Council seat
By Cristina DC Pastor The Philippines lost its bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2027–2028 term. The slot went to the Central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan after four rounds of voting at the United Nations General Assembly on June 4, 2026. In the final round of voting, Kyrgyzstan garnered […]
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Paddles, politics and the pulse of New York: DCG Adrian Cruz bids farewell
By Cristina DC Pastor After years immersed in the dizzying rhythm of New York City, Mr. Adrian Elmer Cruz is now preparing for a new diplomatic chapter by moving to the Philippine Embassy in Vientiane, Laos where he will hold the twin titles Deputy Chief of Mission and Consul General. But before leaving one of […]
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Candidate for NYC Public Advocate Angela Aquino charged with wire fraud
A criminal complaint was unsealed in federal court in Brooklyn, charging Angela Aquino, a 2025 candidate for New York City Public Advocate, with wire fraud in connection with her scheme to defraud New York City’s campaign finance system to obtain public matching funds, according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District […]
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How developing countries can use AI for public governance
A commentary by Ambassador Mario Lopez de Leon Jr. (Ret.) For those of us who have spent some years navigating the mahogany-lined halls of the United Nations, there is a tendency to view “joint meetings” with a healthy degree of skepticism. All too often, they represent little more than a merging of acronyms rather than […]
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Lumpia as outreach: Korean candidate Chuck Park engages Filipino American voters in Queens
Community members gathered at Amazing Grace Restaurant in Woodside, Queens for an evening of food, storytelling, and civic engagement hosted by congressional candidate Chuck Park (NY-6). The April 25 event marked a stop in Park’s “Dumplings & Dialogue” fundraiser series, which highlights the cultural diversity of Queens through shared meals and conversations. For this gathering, the […]