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The reluctant president
The FilAm Editorial Of all the people who became head of state in the Philippines, Benigno Simeon Aquino III – Noynoy to all of us — is one who would rather be somewhere else. He did not aspire to the presidency; it was thrust upon him when his beloved mother, former president Cory Aquino, died. […]
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On Global Filipinos: California Attorney General Rob Bonta: ‘For the people not the powerful’
By Loida Nicolas Lewis On April 23, Assemblymember Rob Bonta was sworn in by Governor Gavin Newsom as California’s 34th Attorney General, making him the highest ranked Filipino American in the state and the second Asian American — after Vice President Kamala Harris — to hold the position. In his remarks, Bonta made a pledge […]
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Gina Ortiz Jones awaits confirmation as under secretary of the Air Force
The Biden administration has nominated Gina Ortiz Jones to serve as under secretary of the Air Force, the White House announced on April 27. If she is confirmed in the U.S. Senate, Jones becomes the first out lesbian to hold the position and the highest ranking Filipino American in the Biden government. Her nomination was […]
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2020 Census: Population increased 7.4% to 331.4 M
The U.S. Census Bureau announced on April 26 that the 2020 Census shows the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2020, was 331,449,281. The U.S. resident population represents the total number of people living in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. The resident population increased by 22,703,743 or 7.4% from […]
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Community organizing: The path taken by District 26 candidate Steven Raga
By Loida Nicolas Lewis Ever since Steven Raga was a young boy, he was always a people person. He was born in Queens, New York where his father Andres Raga and his mother, Adela Cabildo Raga, were staying with her sister Dr. Mila Cabildo Liwanag, who immigrated to New York amid major reforms in the […]
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Hillary, AAPI women come together to fundraise against hate
On April 21, 2021, Public Wise and Onward Together will host a virtual fundraiser (bit.ly/aapiwomenstrong) in support of the National Asian Pacific Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), a leading national organization for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women and girls in the U.S. #AAPI Women Strong: Organizing Beyond a Hashtag, brings together influential AAPI women, organizers and […]
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New ConGen Elmer Cato assumes post amid escalating anti-Asian violence in N.Y.
Three things journalist-turned-diplomat Elmer Cato did when his appointment as Consul General in New York became official on March 30: He visited family and friends in Queens; he rolled up his sleeves and got himself vaccinated; he attended Easter Sunday mass at the Church of St. Vincent Ferrer on the Upper East Side. Cato’s assignment […]
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Could Rob Bonta be California’s 1st FilAm Attorney General?
Upon confirmation by the Legislature, Rob Bonta, 48, will be the first Filipino American to occupy this position. His predecessor, Xavier Becerra was confirmed last week as secretary of Health and Human Services for the Biden administration. In 2012, when Bonta was elected to the California Assembly, he became the first FilAm state legislator in California’s […]
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Steven Raga joins crowded field; will it lead to a seat in District 26?
By Cristina DC Pastor Steven Raga is one of nearly 20 candidates aspiring to become council member of New York City Council District 26 — encompassing the neighborhoods of Long Island City, Dutch Kills, Astoria, Sunnyside, Woodside, and Maspeth in Queens — with a population of almost 210.000. The seat is currently held by Jimmy […]