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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 […]
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Steven Raga loses Queens Senate primary to Mamdani-anointed opponent
By Elton Lugay Assemblymember Steven Raga lost his bid for New York State Senate for District 12, falling to Palestinian American community organizer Aber Kawas in a closely watched June 23 Democratic primary. Kawas, a Palestinian American community organizer, is the Zohran Mamdani-backed progressive candidate. Her victory is being attributed to the so-called “Mamdani Effect” […]
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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 […]