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Kennedy Center to open its halls to Haiyan fundraising concert on June 15th
By Maricar CP Hampton Fundraising for the families that lost their homes to Typhoon Haiyan has reached the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. On June 15, the event, “After the Storm: A Benefit Concert for the Philippines,” will be held at the prestigious venue created to provide jobs to unemployed artists during the Great […]
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Bella Owens: A Filipina heads the Baltimore County Commission for Women
By Maricar CP Hampton When Bella Santos Owens came to the U.S. in 1987, she thought she would just be a typical working mom. But fate had other plans. As president of the Baltimore County Commission for Women, her life is now one big juggling act as she tries to balance career, family and community. […]
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After NYC, a second honorary degree for Cardinal Luis Tagle
The Catholic University of America (CUA) will confer an honorary degree upon Luis Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle, Archbishop of Manila, Philippines, on May 17. The Cardinal will also celebrate mass on Sunday, May 18 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cathedral of St. Matthews the Apostle in Washington, D.C. After the mass, attendees will march to […]
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Trafficking survivors speak up at summit: ‘We are not slaves anymore’
By Irma Bajar and Zarah Vinola “The officer explained I was a victim of ‘human smuggling’. I said, ‘No sir.’ I did not know at this time that I was trafficked or that you can smuggle people like this.” One teacher, who would not offer her name in fear of retaliation from the recruiter against […]
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Embassy Row ditches stuffed-up diplomacy for all-day dancing and more
By Maricar CP Hampton On May 3, the Philippine Embassy became the ‘happiest place’ with fun, festivity and food greeting some 7,000 visitors to its open house. “It reminded me of the fiestas back home,” raved teacher Peggy Mendoza of Sterling, Virginia about “Passport DC: Around the World Embassy Tour,” an event organized by the […]
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Nightclub impresario named to White House commission for Asian Americans
By Elton Lugay Being named a commissioner at the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI) was a total surprise for radio/TV personality Billy Dec. First, he did not know such a government agency exists, and second, for one who is known throughout Chicago as a “nightlife impresario,” he did not expect […]
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Erwin de Leon’s short trek from DOMA to green card
By Maricar CP Hampton The demise of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) would be the beginning of a new chapter in the life of Erwin de Leon — writer, activist, and happily-wed gay man fighting for recognition of his marriage. “Now we can finally start our lives with security and stability,” said de Leon […]