-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
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 […]
-
Son-in-law remembers Robert Rivas for his ‘sharp intellect, well-timed jokes, magnetic personality’
By Harry Go Jr. Bob was a true role model in every sense. His incredible work as a public servant is undeniable – someone who stood as a pillar of integrity and leadership, as well as a person who cared deeply about others. His reputation preceded him in every room he stepped foot in. Decades […]
-
The ‘jovial, witty’ Robert ‘Bob’ Rivas, 78
By Cristina DC Pastor “We’ve lost a good man.” Bergenfield Mayor Arvin Amatorio expressed his grief over the passing of former Mayor Robert “Bob” Rivas. Rivas, the first Filipino American mayor in the New Jersey area, died on April 23 at the age of 78. He was elected mayor of Bergenfield in 1999 and served […]
-
FilAm community shares an evening with Camelot
By Cristina DC Pastor For many Filipino Americans in New York and New Jersey, April 9 quickly became a red-letter date on the community’s social calendar. That evening, business leader and philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis opened her Central Park home to host a fundraiser for Jack Schlossberg, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of 60 to 80 […]