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‘Diwata:’ A Filipino American folktale
By Shea Formanes “Diwata” is a 20-minute short, live-action fantasy drama that centers the coming-of-age story of an 80-year-old Filipina grandmother and the spirit of her 15-year-old granddaughter, who drowned years earlier. A modern retelling of Filipino mythology, “Diwata” captures the pain of being forgotten and the joy of being found. From generational divides, to […]
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On FAHM, let’s support our Filipino restaurants
By Loida Nicolas Lewis October is Filipino American History Month (FAHM), the result of the activism of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) in 1992. The U.S. Congress in 2009 officially declared October as FAHM to honor the history, culture, and contributions of Filipino Americans. Why October? The first documented arrival of Filipinos in […]
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Passion, persistence, and Veejay Floresca’s ‘Project Runway’ win
By Tracy Dizon There are stories in fashion that feel like modern-day fairytales—not whimsical, but built on grit, resilience, and the courage to dream beyond borders. For me, Veejay Floresca’s journey is exactly that kind of story. I’ve known Veejay for two decades. We were contemporaries in Manila, both “Kontesera,” always throwing ourselves into design […]
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Through grit and grief, Bergenfield Councilman Salvador Deauna found politics
By Cristina DC Pastor Salvador ‘Buddy’ Deauna turned 80 in May. After nine years as councilman of Bergenfield, New Jersey, he still could not believe how he ended up in politics. “When people ask me how I got into politics, I always say it was totally unexpected,” he said in an interview with The FilAm. […]
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Filipinos are tired of the rampant corruption, but is Snap Election the answer?
By Ricky Rillera In a political landscape riddled with scandal, cynicism, and eroding public trust, Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano has thrown a grenade into the national conversation: a call for a snap election that would require all top national officials—President, Vice President, Senators, and House Representatives—to resign and bar themselves from running again. […]
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Immigration and the Filipino bounty hunter
By Allen Gaborro In her narrative, Cindy Fazzi uses the highly-topical theme of immigrants and immigration to the United States. She did so in order to compose what she doubtlessly hoped would be the makings of a riveting drawing of life in America. This is the life of those eager-minded arrivals from the Philippines and […]
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Mayoral candidate James Solomon ‘absolutely’ will not allow ICE to enter Jersey City
By Cristina DC Pastor Out of the seven candidates vying to succeed Steven Fulop as mayor of Jersey City, James Solomon is working to distinguish himself in a crowded field. First elected to the City Council in 2017 after an upset victory against the political machine, Solomon—a cancer survivor—has built a reputation for pushing reforms […]
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Leah Lupao Amadiz: Igorot Filipina unveils indigenous heritage in New York
When Leah Lupao Amadiz represented New York in the Ginang Filipinas National pageant, she was not simply stepping into the spotlight. She was carrying with her the proud legacy of her Igorot roots, upheld through her involvement with BIBAK NY, an organization dedicated to preserving the culture of the Cordillera region. BIBAK—an acronym for Abra, […]
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Renowned pianist Raul Sunico N.J. concert to benefit 3 organizations
Internationally acclaimed pianist Dr. Raul M. Sunico, celebrated for his artistry, virtuosity, and wide-ranging repertoire, will be performing at NJIT Kupfrian Hall in Newark, New Jersey, on Sunday, September 28 at 2 p.m. The event, titled “Raul Sunico: An Afternoon of Masterful Music,” promises to be an unforgettable afternoon of breathtaking music that highlights his […]