At the WAM launch, the narratives of Women & Media Case speakers as immigrants and children of immigrants were woven into songs rendered by singer-actor Ms. Carla Mongado (The Clockmakers Daughter) with Andrew Beall, percussionist on Broadway, and Mayu Saeki, a multi-awarded flutist. A unique, well-received experience by Filipinos in the Big Apple.

It takes a strong mother and a village to raise good immigrant children. That’s what a Filipino-American honoree emphasized in her narrative during the Philippine flag raising ceremony today June 17, 2024 at the historic Bowling Green Park in the city’s financial district.

Jocelyn Bernal, distinctively known as a program host of Filipino events, paid tribute to her mother Rosalinda dela Rosa Bernal, who raised her and her two siblings in New York, after being widowed at an early age. Hardwork, thrift, and determination were the mark of Rosie, said Bernal of her mother.

Philippine opposition senator Risa Hontiveros reiterated the urgency for President Marcos to close all Philippine Overseas Gaming Operator (POGO) hubs considering its impact on labor trafficking, money laundering, wage violations, and public safety.

To celebrate Philippine National Heritage Month, the Philippine Consulate General in New York and Sentro Rizal New York featured “Once Upon the Sun & Sea: Indigenous Stories and Folk Tales from the Philippines” by authors Jo Tiongson-Perez and Denise Orosa at a book reading that drew a diverse crowd of attendees.

Fiesta in America (FIA) is quite a household word for Filipino Americans here in the East Coast. Now a 28-year-old tradition, this huge Philippine cultural festival brings the best of Philippine culture: that indomitable spirit of fun, music, and food.

FIA happens in the summer month of August. For this year it will be on August 17 and 18. It means fun for gregarious Filipinos, and promotional platform for Filipino entrepreneurs in the US and the Philippines. It is held at the second largest mall in America, the American Dream Mall in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

The journey from Manila to Manhattan (a brand movement they created) by fashion designers Bessie Besana, Wilson Niñofranco Limon, Veejay Floresca, and Michael Leyva was long and challenging. But these young and flourishing couturiers wowed their audience and were received with an approving applause as they paraded their creations in an hour-long event at 4W 43rd in the heart of the city.

Filipinxt, the new era of Philippine fashion, has just began in New York.

Environmental assessment expert Tet Tobes writes: “After reading this so far, it should be quite clear, that I am not in a new relationship. That’s for another recipe.

Oh, where was I? Tuna Caldereta. Your style. Whatever-is-in-the pantry style. I found cans of tuna in sunflower oil and a can of green beans. For one person, a can of tuna will do nicely.”

Raga, the first Filipino American to be elected to a government post in New York, mentioned his achievements on his first term of office: the budget of a Filipino Community Center in Queens, legislating housing measures, health care, and elderly welfare, and state laws on the recognition of the state-wide Filipino History Month in October, Jose Rizal as Philippine national hero, and Philippine Independence Day celebration in June.

On his first term, Raga said he not only represented Filipinos but other underrepresented minorities as well such as the Bangladeshi, Vietnamese, and Thai communities in Queens.

Nes Powers is one upcoming icon who’s steadily making waves with her R&B music. Her original song 'Everything about me is dif'rent' on her debut album with the same title had reach Grammy consideration. She has been a two-time awardee of the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) gold album award for having reached over 500,000 sold albums.

In 2023, the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame (WSHOF) named a scholarship after her in order to support women musicians.

I’ve read Knockout Beauty and other Afflictions (Crowsnest Books, 2023) twice before doing this review. Its wit and tempo – beautiful and brisk – are simply irresistible. It is weighty, substantial. I laughed as I turned its pages, so quickly clicking on the next exciting episode of a favorite Netflix series.

Twenty-three women artists feature their masterpieces at the Femina Creativa exhibition at the Rosenthal Library in Queens College. Sponsored by the Garage Art Center and the Queens College School of Arts, it pays tribute to the contributions of all female artists and to the countless women who have made incredible progress in the face of adversity throughout history.

Brace yourselves for the launch of a social platform for mutual support for conversation and action of women leaders and media in New York – the Women & Media (WAM) Café.

Organized by the Marivir Montebon of Awesome Media, Ltd., and Cristina DC Pastor, founding editor of The FilAm.net, WAM will be launched alongside the nonprofit Women’s Immigration and Communications Café (WICCAFE) on June 21, 2024 (Friday) at the Philippine Center Kalayaan Hall on 556 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10036 6-9PM. 

WAM Café is an innovative effort where women community leaders and media practitioners share a collaborative space for visibility and action.

The artworks of hyperlocal Filipino American artist Luis Caraos will soon be featured at the John F Kennedy International Airport Terminal 8 in its Seasonal Artist Showcase for 2024.

Caraos, a retired registered nurse and architect by profession in Queens, was selected from 200 participants in New York City by the Vaughn Bently Creative, LLC.

His award-winning pieces, which include parks and gardens of Forest Hills, Kissena Park, and Cunningham Park, will be on display for spring 2024 alongside two other local artists at the JFK Terminal 8 for three months.

Little is known about the fact that the prime mover and father of the Black History Month, Carter G. Woodson, was a "colonial teacher" in the Philippines to inculcate American values to Filipinos as a new colony in the 1900s.

But he veered immediately away from the indoctrination process of Filipinos, noted Filipino American cultural historian Dr. Mark Redondo Villegas. Woodson was coy about it and preferred for a more culturally nuanced education like appreciating Jose Rizal as a freedom fighter for Filipinos, according to the Villegas research study.

Woodson launched Negro History Week in February 1926, which became a monthlong celebration in 1976. He dedicated his life to elevate the history and voices of everyday Black people asserting that “Real education means to inspire people to live more abundantly.”

Beyond the rhetoric of listening and forgiveness, Drissa Kone postulates that education is the tool for achieving unity and peace. “We should consider a model of education that trains the whole person – mind, body, heart, and spirit – to produce emotionally healthy and balanced leaders in all sectors of society.”

Kone mentions the need for a collective consciousness for the appreciation of diverse cultures of the post-modern world, as well as the breaking free from colonial mentality. Citing Jamaican Reggae singer Bob Marley, Kone reiterates the call for Africans and African-Americans to emancipate themselves from “mental slavery.”

Branding on being pro-Philippines, pro-poor, and pro-environment, Human Nature pretty much sums up what Philippine enterprises need to do in these trying times. This model was set up by the couple Dylan Wick and Anna Meloto through the auspices of the world-renowned Gawad Kalinga which was founded by Anna’s father, Tony Meloto.

Human Heart Nature has established branches in the Philippines since 2007 and has opened stores in Singapore and the US. Its resource base is farmers cooperatives which have engaged in organic farming and are using natural resources from the land.

When asked by Senator Risa Hontiveros what kind of relationship he had with Alpha Assistenza, Cato said the company was among those that responded when the consulate organized businesses and travel agencies into one community organization in Milan.

Alpha Assistenza has been accused of selling fake work visas to Italy and collecting large amounts of money. At least 68 people have fallen victims, according to GMA News. Alpha Assistenza has denied the allegations.

Momar G. Visaya, editor of Asian Journal, is the newly elected president of the Filipino American Press Club of New York. He and Lindy Rosales vice president will serve for 2024 and 2025.

Visaya brings to the table a wealth of journalistic experience and integrity of over 30 years in print and digital media.

FAPCNY was formed on September 1, 2011. It is a non-partisan and non-political organization which has recently acquired a 501 C3 status.

Carla Mongado has this distinctively sweet and solid voice on stage, earning her not just praises but goosebumps as she renders her songs. She has been performing at small functions in the Filipino American community in the East Coast and has now spread her wings to greater heights. She has set foot on stage off Broadway and outside New York.

She is working on her first solo album and will debut her first solo concert titled “Short Stories” in partnership with the Women’s Immigration and Communications Café (Wiccafe) and Women & Media (WAM).

Her latest gig, titled Christmas in the Dells, in Wisconsin was a test of stamina and vocal artistry as the lead performer. Produced by Legacy Entertainment Group, the three-month show was a resounding success.

The podcast Conversations with MM (CMM) of Awesome Media, Ltd. will be streamed from the West Coast by partner media organization PHLV Radio of the Parkway Media Partners, LLC starting this month.

That makes the two-year-old digital talk show expanding nationwide through social media. CMM provides platform for Filipinos and non-Filipinos in the US for amplifying local journalism and narratives of artists, public leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, common good advocates, and youth.