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In ‘Crazy Rich Asians,’ commitment to family vs personal choices
By Wendell Gaa As a Rom-Com, I actually didn’t find “Crazy Rich Asians” to be particularly groundbreaking or revolutionary in terms of plot compared to other light-hearted movies of its kind. But the, fact alone that its cast comprises entirely of Asian actors/actresses is by itself a landmark accomplishment. It’s interesting that I became quite […]
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How federal lobbying in D.C. actually works
By Cesar Conda Every few years, news of misdeeds by those who work in and around the lobbying industry makes national headlines. Like with many professions, the actions and mistakes of a few bad actors can cloud public perception of the field in general. However, the government affairs professionals in Washington and around the country […]
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An up-close moment with Tourism Attaché Susan del Mundo
By Cristina DC Pastor Susan del Mundo will travel anywhere in the Philippines, and the world, by boat, bike or on foot if it means exploring new places and learning from them. She has spent almost 37 years with the Department of Tourism in the Philippines, has visited more than 80 percent of the vast […]
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Former Marcos estate on Long Island up for auction
By Cristina DC Pastor A mansion that belonged to Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos and converted into a bed-and-breakfast is up for auction, according to one of the participating brokers. The 8.2-acre waterfront property on 48 Sedgemere Road, Center Moriches in Long Island’s Suffolk County, has a spectacular view of the Moriches Bay, said Corazon Rivera […]
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SPECIAL REPORT: Community awaits response from the Philippine Consulate (Conclusion)
By Cristina DC Pastor & Marivir Montebon As we were poring over several reams of financial documents, ledgers and minutes of board meetings – over several weeks — we came across numerous items that raised some red flags. One of them is an item in the ledger showing a former Grand Marshal making a contribution […]
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SPECIAL REPORT: Too many pay-to-cash disbursements (3rd in a series)
By Marivir R. Montebon & Cristina DC Pastor The 2013-2015 general ledgers contain items that are blatantly questionable, according to financial professionals who reviewed them. Some of these are: 1. In 2013, a staggering expenditure of unspecified materials and supplies worth $36,665.44 was reported; In 2014, unspecified materials and supplies reached $44,529.41; In 2015, it […]
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SPECIAL REPORT: Where’s the money, PIDCI? (2nd in a series)
By Marivir R. Montebon & Cristina DC Pastor Despite its accountability and transparency issues, PIDCI has continued to make it appear to potential sponsors who advertise in the souvenir program that their donations would be tax-exempt. In May 2018, a month before the 120th Philippine Independence Day celebration, its advertising form carried a note that […]
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SPECIAL REPORT: The anatomy of missing PIDCI funds (1st in a series)
By Cristina DC Pastor & Marivir Montebon It began innocently enough. In the mid-winter of 2017, then President Prospero Lim of the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) went to the bank to check on the organization’s account. It was learned he needed some cash so he could pay the deposit to the Astoria World […]
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For Donald Diehards, blurring the line between a lie and the truth
By Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko Ph.D. When it comes to lavishing praise and accolades for Donald Trump, Vice President Michael Pence, leads the pack. Media reports have been swift in catching the usual flattery that came from Pence in reference the well-known July 2018 Helsinki meeting between Donald Trump of the U.S. and Vladimir Putin of […]