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Millennials reflect on race and what it means to be ‘more white than brown’
By Cristina DC Pastor They’re called ‘white Filipinos’ teasingly, sometimes pejoratively, Filipino Americans born to parents where one is Filipino, the other Caucasian. They respond to labels, such as biracial, mixed-race, or ‘halfies.’ Labels don’t bother them. What does is when society uses race to adjust its attitude toward people, and stereotyping becomes its ugly […]
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A hard-fought battle: Reuniting Filipino-American veterans with family members
By Jason Tengco I was only four years old when my Lolo (meaning grandfather in Tagalog) passed away, but I grew up on stories about his brave service in the Philippines during World War II and still draw inspiration from his sacrifice. The stories describe his acts of heroism: fighting valiantly, even being jailed and […]
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In D.C., Independence Day celebrated by showcasing trends in food, fashion, and furniture
Ambassador Jose Cuisia and his wife Maria Victoria Cuisia hosted a formal dinner for about 300 guests celebrating the Philippines’ 117th year of freedom from Spain.The 117th anniversary of Philippine independence was celebrated in the Nation’s Capital with a Vin d’honneur for the diplomatic corps and a fashion show featuring the textile designs of Patis Tesoro. Among the […]
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AAPI Summit: A historic gathering, one lively party!
By Kiran Ahuja Executive Director White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders This week, on May 12, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI) hosted the first-ever White House Summit on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Washington, DC. Nearly 2,000 community members, federal officials, and guests from […]
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Ohio elects first FilAm mayor of Brunswick
By Maricar CP Hampton Almost a year into being elected mayor of Brunswick in Ohio, Ronald ‘Ron’ Falconi said he is happy to be part of the growing Filipino history in the U.S. and “privileged to be playing a small role in helping to shape the future.” Born and raised in the Cleveland area, Ron, […]
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What about us? Why didn’t we matter in Obama’s Executive Action?
By JayPee Castro I was disappointed. I belong to the roughly 7 million undocumented immigrants who were left out of President Obama’s Executive Action. Like many, I came to the U.S. to be reunited with my parents and help them in their old age. I do not have a criminal record, I’m not a threat […]
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On Veterans Day, remembering dad as soldier, teacher, and father
By Jon Melegrito A few years before my father died in 2005, a friend called late one evening to say my dad was rushed to the hospital. Of course I’d be there, I assured him. I took the earliest flight the following morning from Baltimore to Gulfport, Mississippi. He was living by himself then, in […]
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‘Am I a true Democrat?’
By Bella Santos Owens On March 13, 2013, as white smoke arose from the Vatican chimney — a sign that a new Pope has been chosen — I was literally opening the envelope with my new voting card and new party affiliation as a Democrat. I told my husband that this may be a good […]
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Reaching out to the 7.1 % FilAms living in poverty
By Bella Santos Owens Recently, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders released key facts and figures on Filipinos living within the U.S. With a total U.S. Filipino population of 2.66 million, the amount of Filipinos living in poverty comes to 7.1 percent. According to the United States Census Bureau, poverty in […]