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Spring fever
By Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko, Ph.D. Today’s biologists unintentionally articulate how those affected by the arrival of spring react. “As spring begins, all is not cheeriness, flowers, and chirping birds. Spring is a peak time for suicide, depression and ulcers, and is not necessarily the peak time for love.” Are the above descriptions timely? One merely […]
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White House engages Filipino American leaders
By Jason Tengco On March 14, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI) and the White House Office of Public Engagement brought together 175 Filipino American leaders at the White House to discuss key issues of importance to the community. Participants came from diverse sectors of society – non-profits, businesses, government, […]
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The boy who climbed the WTC: embarrassing act or blessing in disguise?
A 16-year-old Filipino boy’s sense of adventure shook New York to the core. Justin Casquejo from Weehawken, New Jersey, managed to sneak into the One World Trade Center building all the way to the top 104th floor undetected by the building’s tight security. He is facing charges of criminal trespass punishable by three months in […]
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Talking to a navigator, but my broker made more sense (PART 2)
By Jen Furer One day, I went on a live chat with a navigator at healthcare.gov, but apparently the easiest way to find out prices and coverage options for my family was to fill out a Marketplace application. The navigator informed me that by completing the application, I’ll receive a personalized report that tells me […]
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New Jersey mother tilting at Obamacare windmill; read her story and weep (PART 1)
By Jen Furer My husband and I have four children, ages 13 to 24. Since 1995, we have been paying for a family health insurance plan, and since we have our own business, we were eligible for the Small Business group plan. We’ve always had HMO Plus policy with no deductibles. Every year I took […]
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Local singers to relive memories of the ‘80s in April 27 OPM concert
Showband singers Arnel Arcedo and Tony Gado will be joining Original Philippine Music (OPM) pioneers Cecile Azarcon and Lorrie Ilustre and pop band Sounds of Manila in a concert at Symphony Space in the Upper West Side on April 27. “OPM babies” of the ‘80s Arnel Arcedo and Tony Gado grew up in the Philippines […]
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Mithi Aquino becomes the Ambassador’s wife
By Cristina DC Pastor “Why me?” Mithi Aquino, 36, would ask then-Ambassador to Manila Harry K. Tomas, 57, every time she is wracked by doubts. “Why not?” he replied in his usual curt manner characteristic of long-time diplomats. Three years after the Jolo beauty and the American diplomat from New York met, they got married […]
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Happy 3rd Anniversary to The FilAm: Meet some of the people who read us (aw, shucks, blush!)
By Cristina DC Pastor Last year while crushed in a packed NextDayBetter event, I was introduced to a young man trying to squeeze his way through the crowded room. When he heard the name of my magazine, he screamed. Literally. Loudly. (True story; there are witnsses!) “I love The FilAm!” the man said above the […]
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Tacloban boy band wins ovation in Haiyan benefit concert
By Elton Lugay Raymart Otic pinched his cheek to make sure he wasn’t dreaming. He and siblings Reno, Ralph and RJ – professionally known as the Reo Brothers Band — had just finished performing the Beatles’s hit “Help” at the Madison Square Garden. Four months ago, they lost their home in Tacloban to typhoon Haiyan […]