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FilAms voice dismay toward Vilma Santos’s, sons’ candidacies
By Cristina DC Pastor Behind the reels showing the multi-awarded actress dancing cheerfully on TikTok, the Santos-Recto family of Batangas has been plotting to command power and form a political dynasty. The veteran actress Vilma Santos has recently filed her Certificate of Candidacy (COC) to reclaim her former seat as governor of Batangas. In a […]
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Ilokana grandma is among Oakland’s 1st U.S.-born Filipinas
As the community celebrates Filipino American History Month, “Oakland Ilokana” shines a light on the extraordinary life of Marie Veronica Mendoza Rivera Yip, “Lola” to granddaughter and the film’s director, Bay Area filmmaker Elenita Makani O’Malley. Set to premiere in February 2025, this film balances historical documentary with an intimate character portrait, capturing Marie’s unfiltered […]
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They return to The Wedding to celebrate their love
Couple Roberto Villanueva and Roman De La Cruz went back to the scene of their wedded bliss, The Lincoln Center’s “The Wedding,” to celebrate their one-year anniversary. A year ago, dance artist and higher education administrator Roberto and Roman, a hospitality professional, got married in Buffalo, New York, followed by an elegant and intimate reception […]
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Catch FilAm father-and-daughter in ‘Hadestown’ till June 30
By Tricia Capistrano “Sus ginoo!” Jon Jon Briones exclaims in Hadestown, where he plays Hermes, the messenger god. I had heard that Briones was in the Broadway musical along with his daughter, Isa Briones, who plays Eurydice, and expected impassioned songs from the father and daughter. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the more senior […]
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New memoir celebrates Filipino roots, Batangas heritage and culture
“Batangas: My Sky and Earth” honors the late brother of Vancouver-based author Bong Serrano. Written as a heartfelt tribute to his older brother, Kuya Boying, who succumbed to kidney cancer in 2014, Bong Serrano’s debut work provides readers with fond memories of Batangueño life and culture through this meticulously researched book. The province of Batangas […]
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Love that overcomes distance, phobias and a 20-year age gap
Back in March 2018, neither believed they could meet a lifetime partner through a dating app. Roberto Villanueva liked Roman De La Cruz’s sweet and shy disposition and Roman liked Roberto’s candor. Perhaps such traits could be traced to their upbringing: Roberto, 48, was raised in Manila and became an accomplished professional in Manhattan. Roman, […]
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A plea for kindness, understanding from mom, teacher of special needs children
By Veana del Carmen Pastor They’re called “special” for a reason, children who are a little bit different, some a little bit slow, others a little bit frisky, still others with exceptional abilities we may never be able to understand. Why are they excellent with numbers, why is their art so beautiful, their music so […]
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Grand Marshal Dely Go puts spotlight on the nurse’s spouse in PAFCOM Gala
By Cristina DC Pastor Who hasn’t met the husband of a nurse? We know him, he is in our circle of friends. We ask ourselves and sometimes wonder how he feels about his unconventional role in the family. In the Philippines, he was probably an engineer, an accountant, the manager in an office or the […]
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Loida Nicolas Lewis’s memoir of love, marriage, and race
By Allen Gaborro In 1967 a US Supreme Court ruling led to the legalization of interracial marriages. One such interracial marriage would be the union two years later of American lawyer Reginald F. Lewis and Sorsogon-born Loida Mañalac Nicolas. It would be the beginning of a beautiful and productive relationship that ended with the untimely […]