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A mother’s ‘special place’ for adults with autism
By Cristina DC Pastor In the beginning of her journey into autism advocacy, Lirio Sobreviñas-Covey was like some parents whose children had the condition: “I was in denial.” She and her husband Michael brushed aside unwelcome remarks that their younger son, Mikey, was too quiet, too slow, and a little delayed in his speech. They […]
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Nanding & Laura find love anew and a life of purpose
By Cristina DC Pastor The prelude to Nanding and Laura’s love story had a religious backdrop. They met at Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado in December of 2013. They were lining up before the buffet table when Fiesta in America CEO Fernando ‘Nanding’ Mendez spotted an old acquaintance, and said, “Hey, I think I know you.” […]
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Parents of the Year Menchu and Judith Sanchez: They don’t believe in spanking kids
By Cristina DC Pastor For registered nurse Menchu Sanchez, being recognized by the White House for her heroism during the 2012 Hurricane Sandy may be a lifetime achievement. Being named, with husband Judith, Parents of the Year is an equally stunning honor. “We’re very happy,” she said of the recognition conferred on them by the […]
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The master-maid relationship is considered normal in Philippine families
By Tiara Camille Teruel They were the unsung heroes of our household. The protectors of our children and the sounding boards of our parents. They woke us up in the morning, made us food, bathed and dressed us and got us to school every day. They cleaned our homes, watered our gardens, bought our groceries, […]
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When the woman is much older: Brigitte Macron and Dionesia Pacquiao and their skirmishes with sexism
By Cristina DC Pastor In my search for the Filipino Brigitte Macron, I circled back to Dionesia Dapidran Pacquiao. Except for the huge age gap these women have with their significant others, I find nothing else they have in common, except, notably, the public’s obsession with their relationship with much younger men. Brigitte is the […]
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Fake website, genuine friendship
By Cristina DC Pastor “Gary Abasolo for Jersey City Mayor.” @abasoloformayor. Founded June 2014. Dedicated to Jersey City’s favorite son. 156 Likes. Nothing about this Facebook page strikes the reader as amiss. But if you’re from Jersey City, you know that lawyer Gary Abasolo, 47, was never a candidate for mayor. Not in 2014 when […]
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Mother-son Maritess and Aries Dela Cruz: Bonding over Hillary, together mourning her loss
By Cristina DC Pastor Grief has gripped the Dela Cruz household in Queens three days after the November 8 election. Aries Dela Cruz, president of the Filipino American Democratic Club of New York, mourns the defeat of Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton to her GOP opponent Donald Trump. “I’m going through a lot of stages of […]
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Kirby Asunto & Shirley Asunto: A relationship nurtured on traditional Filipino values
By Cristina DC Pastor At 18 years old, in-demand pop singer Kirby Asunto can very well make a decision to get an apartment, live on her own, and manage her flourishing career. As a matter of fact, the law says she can get married without her parents’ approval. Right now, Kirby is having none of […]
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FilAm mom’s birthday letter to her son in the Philippines: ‘Our distance I carry with a heavy heart’
By Laura Garcia, RN My dearest son, Images of you flashed through my mind as I reminisce the days and months I carried you. I could still remember your first kick inside my belly. I wasn’t even sure if it was a kick or a punch, it was that intense! I knew then you were […]