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UN marks its seventh decade as a ‘multitasking’ world organization
By Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko, Ph.D. Year 2015 is a milestone for the United Nations (U.N.) founded in 1947. Since its inception, the U.N. has promoted and strengthened involvement of the various leaders of the world’s as active members of the universal organization. The Secretary General of the U.N., Ban Ki-moon, has underscored the role of […]
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Lessons Manny Pacquiao learned in politics: ‘Always forgive your enemies’
By Cristina DC Pastor “In politics, there are a lot of politicians who masquerade as righteous!” This is just one nugget of insight boxing legend Manny Pacquiao said he has learned from being in politics. There’s more: • Politics is the “will of God, not a plan of man.” • In politics, you have to […]
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Buildings Commissioner Rick Chandler warns landlords vs illegal, multiple bedspacers
By Cristina DC Pastor The Elmhurst, Queens apartment where housekeeper Wilma de Jesus lives looks like a maze for lab rats. The living room is creatively partitioned using book shelves, wall dividers, and bamboo screens. Each space has a futon or a sleeping bag a tenant calls her bedspace. Wilma shares this apartment with a […]
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Boston College students, alum on candidacy of Grace Poe: ‘U.S. education can help, hurt her’
By Cristina DC Pastor When Grace Poe announced on September 16 that she is “offering herself” to be the next Philippine president, the news was met with nary a ripple of reaction in Boston College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. “Unfortunately, I have not been following Philippine politics […]
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Sampling of Hillary Clinton emails: ‘Pls print, Much love, H’
I was specifically interested in emails exchanged between Hillary Clinton and members of her family. Maybe, a reminder to Bill not to forget some gardening chores or to Chelsea on how to deal with her daughter Charlotte’s teething issues. Nope, I wasn’t looking for evidence of a Bengzahi cover-up. I read at least a dozen […]
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8 years in jail for ex-consular official in N.Y.? ‘Too harsh,’ say some in community
By Cristina DC Pastor The conviction of a former Philippine consular official to New York has thrust civil service ethics into the brew of political discussion: ‘She did her job well’ versus ‘She was dishonest’ is now being debated before the court of Social Media. Diplomat Ma. Lourdes Ramiro-Lopez was found by the Office of […]
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FILAMSPEAK: Why are you even listening to Donald Trump?
The respondents in this forum are professionals, achievers and community leaders, people one would think would keep some distance from – or at least examine closely — the disturbing vitriol and prejudices of Donald Trump. But no. These Filipino Americans say they will vote for Trump who is currently leading among the Republican presidential aspirants. […]
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Human Rights Commissioner Carmelyn Malalis on family, Faith and a passion to fight vs discrimination
By Cristina DC Pastor “There’s another Pinay!” Carmelyn Malalis got this welcome shoutout from two Filipinas who were earlier appointed to the De Blasio Administration: President of Economic Development Corporation Maria Torres-Springer and Chief Technology Officer Minerva Tantoco. “After I was appointed, I received an email basically welcoming me to the fold. Let’s do a […]
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Brooklyn DA Kenneth Thompson: ‘No political ambitions, no issues with women’
By Cristina DC Pastor Brooklyn District Attorney Kenneth Thompson will always be remembered for the 2011 Dominique Strauss-Kahn sexual assault, where he represented the accuser Nafissatou Diallo. He rose to prominence for his rousing defense of Diallo, the immigrant hotel housekeeper who accused Strauss-Kahn of attempted rape, and was eventually elected in 2013. That case, […]