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Loida Nicolas Lewis’s memoir of love, marriage, and race
By Allen Gaborro In 1967 a US Supreme Court ruling led to the legalization of interracial marriages. One such interracial marriage would be the union two years later of American lawyer Reginald F. Lewis and Sorsogon-born Loida Mañalac Nicolas. It would be the beginning of a beautiful and productive relationship that ended with the untimely […]
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Requiem for Olivia Snow’s dream (1975-2023)
By Stella Piscano I lost a friend a few days ago. I met him 15 years ago. Wow, didn’t think it was that long already! This dude was witty, fun-loving, brilliant! He would’ve been 48 years old come February. And why am I spewing out numbers? Because he was a numbers guy, razor sharp analysis […]
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Bilao Restaurant: Lessons on business, balance, and bonds of friendship
By Claire Mercado-Obias BILAO (bee-lah-oh) is a Filipino word referring to a round tray made from woven bamboo. Pancit (stir-fried noodles) or kakanin (rice cakes) are some traditional items served on a bilao, making them easy to transport and ideal for potlucks — no need to worry about getting your Tupperware back after the party. Food on a bilao is also symbolic of […]
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George Santos and the morally compromised GOP
The FilAm Editorial Why are we even surprised that there’s a character named George Santos now roaming the halls of Congress? This New York congressman who took chutzpah to a new height and refuses to quit his congressional seat can only come from a line of political pests produced by Donald Trump. Reports say Santos […]
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Jaime FlorCruz’s captivating memoir on modern China
By Tricia J. Capistrano “Not valid for travel to China, the Soviet Union and other communist countries” was stamped on Jaime FlorCruz’s passport. But in July of 1971, FlorCruz, then only 20, and 14 other youth leaders from the Philippines flew to Hong Kong and then to China. The students, together with scholars from other […]
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Emil Guillermo’s comedy at St. Marks from Feb 16
Journalist, podcaster, and former NPR host Emil Guillermo – winner of an American Book Award – takes his truth to the stage in a comic one-man show about race, the media, Asian American Filipino history, Harvard/affirmative action, and PETA. Yes, PETA, including an ending you won’t forget. As his Filipino father might say, “It’s all […]
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Filipina Texan is 71st Miss Universe
By Lindy Rosales Eighty-four women from different countries vied for the title of Miss Universe 2022, two of them biracial Filipinas. In the final tally, Texas beauty R’Bonney Gabriel, whose father is Filipino, went home with the crown of blue sapphires and white diamonds. “In shock…but happy,” said her mother Dana when The FilAm asked for her reaction. […]
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Assemblyman Steven Raga vows to ‘keep my nose clean, make sure no scandal’
By Cristina DC Pastor Steven Raga took his oath as New York State Assemblymember on January 15 before Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Prominent community leader Loida Nicolas Lewis held the Bible on which Raga “solemnly swore” to support the constitutions of the United States and the State of New York and to “faithfully discharge” […]
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‘I Was the President’s Mistress!!’: Ridicule of the privileged class
By Allen Gaborro Miguel Syjuco’s literary talent and writing flair are pulsatingly progressive, demanding, and risqué. This was the case with his seminal novel, “Illustrado.” It is even more so with his latest craft of fiction, the titillatingly-titled “I Was the President’s Mistress!!” Entwined throughout Syjuco’s novel are a stock of internal and external montages, […]