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Rights group accuses Aquino gov’t of violating Dutch activist’s right to free expression
By Carlos Conde Thomas van Beersum, a 20-year-old Dutch citizen, was about to board his flight Tuesday (August 6) morning back to the Netherlands when the Philippine Bureau of Immigration stopped him and detained him for the next 30 hours at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. Officially, his crime was overstaying his visa, […]
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In Finland, island hopping and recreating history are favorite pastimes
By Wendell Gaa Mention Finland to the average Filipino, and more likely than not the first thing that comes to mind is the mobile brand Nokia which is widely used in the Philippines. As amusing an association to the country that surely is, Finland, which is probably the most overlooked of the Scandinavian European nations, […]
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Queens parents demand air-conditioned buses for special needs children
On Monday August 5, a dozen parents, grandparents, children and neighbors demanded the right to air conditioning for riders and workers on the school bus in hot weather. The target was the Ozone Park bus yard of companies known by several different names (eg. Little Richie, Lorinda, Little Linda) but apparently run by the same […]
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Unless Aquino acts, journalists killings ‘are not going to stop:’ Human Rights Watch
Philippine President Benigno Aquino III should speak out against the recent killings of three journalists and ensure that the authorities expedite their investigation, the New York based Human Rights Watch said on August 9. While the killers and motives are unknown, these and past unresolved attacks on journalists have a chilling effect on media freedom […]
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Year 3 for TOFA-NY: Quick-thinking nurse, gutsy actress, Connecticut judge lead nominees
By Cristina DC Pastor This year’s TOFA-NY, the third in a row, is proud to announce the New York Tri-State’s outstanding Filipino Americans, led by a nurse who saved infants in critical condition when Hurricane Sandy caused a power outage, a former actress who is suing for racial discrimination, and a judge who is the […]
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MLB, the Yankees and A-Rod: a dirty ‘menage’
By Rene Pastor Things are not what they seem in the ongoing dispute between Alex Rodriguez and the Major League Baseball. The Yankee third baseman said there are “layers” in the increasingly bitter battle between him versus the MLB and the New York Yankees. Actually, he is correct. A-Rod faces a suspension from baseball this […]
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Wayne Algenio keeps ‘balut’ crown: 27 in 5 minutes (or is it 37?)
By Cristina DC Pastor Waynewonder is back as 28-year-old Queens man Wayne Algenio wolfed down 27 ‘balut’ eggs in five minutes to win the Jeepney-Maharlika Balut-Eating Contest. But wait. Wayne told The FilAm that there could be a miscount. “I’m watching my footage,” he said. “I think they had a miscount. It’s actually 37.” He […]
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Why is there a doctor in my shopping cart?
By Elton Lugay For many years, Dr. Gino Ang has had a cozy career as an anesthesiologist in Connecticut. Little did he know that in one of his medical missions to the Philippines, he would find his professional life taking a different turn and forking into the e-commerce business. In 2011, he started the grocery […]
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Pope Francis, a champion for the poorest of the poor
By Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko, Ph.D. Clearly in accord with his initial comments on poverty-stricken areas he has seen even before he became the first pope from the Americas, Pope Francis was described very recently as having waded into the heart of Brazil’s slums, his very first ‘away’ trip from his post at the Vatican: “the […]