FILAM April 2022

Issue 50, April 2022

Jessica Cox Armless pilot embraces life to the fullest

Asian elders

Photo by Boyet Loverita

Fighting to reclaim the streets

Victor Sison

They call him ‘Father-Judge’

Letter from the Editor

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Our worst enemy is indifference

hen Corazon Aquino was swept to the presidency in 1986, many Filipinos rejoiced in her triumph. Then they checked out.

They left her to deal with a myriad of problems, such as the recovery of the Marcos millions, repelling obstructionist politicos like Ponce Enrile and Laurel, and keeping at bay the serial putschists who nearly wrecked the country. When she left, the country was loosened from its democratic moorings. How could we elect coup plotter Honasan to the Senate? The courage, unity and conscientiousness we demonstrated in Edsa ended after The late president Corazon Aquino; presidential aspirant Vice President Leni Robredo Edsa. with our votes celebrities and political Today, 36 years after our much-her- children of politicians, people with criminal record, their spouses, etc. dynasties who mesmerized us with alded “peaceful people power,” the Our fondness for seemingly charisentertainment. We did not choose Marcoses whom we, as a nation, have matic “non-politicians” have led us wisely people who are incorruptible, spewed like phlegm are trying to win to the foul-mouthed and uncouth competent, who uphold the values of back power. We are now faced with Rodrigo Roa Duterte. His “shoot-and- their faith and their country, and have the real possibility that the dictator’s the Filipinos’ interests at heart. Instead, son, Bongbong, a good-for-nothing kill” anti-drug campaign gave us a we took the feeble way out: “Ah, all senator who has burnished his edudeath toll of anywhere from 5,000 (government) to 12,000 (human politicians are the same.” cation credentials with a fake Oxford rights groups) drug suspects sumNo, they’re not! diploma, could become president. marily murdered.

With the Marcoses back, yucking How did we come to this point?

We allowed all this to happen. We it up, and calling for “unity,” it’s like Over the years, we voted and did not take our elections seriously. We throwing the money they stole back packed our Legislature with movie loved the fiesta part of it but not the into our faces. stars and their children, athletes hard work that follows. We rewarded Typically, a dictator’s son remains and their children, inexperienced

Contributing Writers Tricia J. Capistrano Ludy AstraquilloOngkeko Joel David Mariel Padilla Wendell Gaa Lindy Rosales Maricar CP Hampton Vicky Potenciano-Vitug Angelito Cabigao Danielle Vania Bonus

Founding Editor Cristina DC Pastor Address P.O. Box 8071 New York, NY 10116

Contact Thefilamny@gmail.com

The FilAm is a publication of A&V Editorial THE FILAM

in exile living the life of a free-spending playboy. Bongbong, we thought, must be raising a normal family in quiet reflection and atonement. Alas, he came home with scores to settle and moneys to recover. His unfinished business is motivating his run for the presidency.

Never mind that he has lied about his school credentials and cares little about his gutless avoidance of political debates. He sees May 9 as a battle that can be won by money. We see it as a battle for a government that is decent and accountable to its people.

This is our umpteenth chance at redeeming the vision of our heroes in 1986 and our heroes before then.

We should go into next month’s polls with the clear idea that the fight for a democracy is a never-ending cause.

Let us make Leni Robredo president, and after doing that keep her in our thoughts and our aspirations for a better government. Let’s hold her to the ideals she promised in the campaign. There will be political foes determined to take her down. She will stumble, err in some decisions.

Her Cabinet could face corruption charges, false or not. But one thing about this woman: She will do what’s right because the country deserves no less.

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Caydence Pinola-de Leon, 6, speaks out vs bullying

By Vicky Vitug

“I’m calling on all of you! I need you to take a stand to help stop and prevent bullying. If you see something, say something to an adult or trusted guardian. Share laughter and share a smile. Always be kind to others.”

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f there’s a TED Talks for kids, Caydence Pinola-de Leon, a 6-year-old student from a Queens public school, is sure to make a lasting impression.

The New York-born Caydence, a straight A student at PS 390Q, or The Civic School of Bayside Hills, was chosen to represent her school in a Soapbox public speaking competition for students.

The bubbly girl was a standout after she called on children to stop the meanness and take a stand against bullying.

“Always be kind to others and be the one good friend to help save a life and fix a broken heart,” she exhorted.

The girl spoke from the heart because she knew what it felt to be bullied. Her mother said that when she was in kindergarten, Caydence was tormented by a classmate who said hurtful things and messed up her tambourine by writing on it with crayons. She was a victim.

“She expressed everything to me at home crying,” said her mother Casey, who calls her “Princess Panda” because of her adorable chubby cheeks. “Upon reaching out to the teachers, they promptly set up a meeting over the phone to discuss everything openly and apologized that this occurred. They emphasized that the bully’s behavior would not be tolerated as per school policy, and they would reach out to the parents of the other student.”

The bullying stopped and the girls – both Asians -- became friends. However, the traumatic experience has stayed with Caydence and made her conscious of people who speak awful words to others. The impact left her with a resolve to speak out against bullying when she was selected to represent her school and district in the regional and nationwide competition.

Caydence (left) with parents Charles and Casey and brothers Carlos and Coach.

Gap-toothed public speaker from Queens According to Casey, her daughter wrote the anti-bullying speech in class and recorded a video at home to be submitted to her school. Caydence and another student were chosen to represent their school and District 26 of Queens, NY. Caydence is probably a little mature for her THE FILAM

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age because she likes to speak about issues even adults would rather shy away from. In next year’s Soapbox Main Event, she is excited to “speak about inclusion,” according to her mother. She wanted to raise awareness about “neurodiverse individuals” like her brothers who both have Autism, Cerebral Palsy and ADHD. Caydence was born in Queens but her grandparents are from Cebu and Pampanga. Her mother is completing her B.S. in Early Childhood Education.

Her father works in an appliance manufacturing company. She is the middle child of three siblings, an elder and a younger brother. Her grandmother Myrna de Leon, who was born in Bacolod, was an active member of the community and worked as a senior nurse at Jamaica Hospital in Queens.

Last December 2021, she was inaugurated into her school’s student council in the presence of district representatives and NY Senator John Liu. During the ceremony she showed intelligence and maturity beyond her years. She said, “I chose to participate in the student council because I truly want to help others. We rise by lifting others.

During my time in student office, I hope to accomplish positive changes by promoting inclusion and civic leadership.”

A woke kid with a curious awareness about things around her, Caydence appears to have the makings of a great leader. A future great leader born in 2015! Way to go girl!

Born with no arms, Jessica Cox embraces life to the fullest

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eeting Jessica Cox over breakfast was a heartwarming, inspiring event.

With her feet, she autographed her bestselling book “Disarm Your Limits: The Flight Formula to Lift You to Success and Propel You to the Next Horizon,” and then gave it to me.

She was born without arms and thus began her incredible story of survival, courage and triumph.

Her Filipina mother Inez Macabare, from Mercedes, Eastern Samar, was so distraught when she saw her newborn baby with no limbs. Her father Bill Cox tried to console her. It was her mother who decided Jessica would not be denied the right to a normal life.

She would just have to do things differently.

The young years were rough for parents and child. Jessica would throw tantrums and scream, frustrated about being different from other children and being unable to do things. Growing up in a small town in Sierra Vista, Arizona, she would hear her mother tell strangers, “Don’t feel sorry for her. She will be fine.” This gave her the self-confidence from a very young age: That she would, indeed, be fine.

As a baby, she rolled. As a toddler, instead of crawling, she scooted. Walking was harder because she could not hold on to things for support. Still, she learned how to walk when she was 1 and 1/2 years old.

She used her feet to do the things that her older brother Jason and Baby Jessica with her mother Inez. younger sister Jackie did with their hands. A physical therapist trained At 5 years old, her mother enrolled her with feet exercises so she could do her in dancing school. She took to everything with the help of her toes. dancing but had to overcome her fear of Determined to be independent and to performing on stage. After thundering take care of herself, she learned how to applause, Jessica realized she enjoyed innovate. Thus, she learned how to tie dancing and the appreciation of the her shoes, put on pants and shirts. With audience. She danced for the next 12 help from her parents, she learned how years! to use the bathroom, take a bath, comb She learned how to swim when her her hair. aunt, her mother’s sister, urged her THE FILAM

Tickling the ivories with her toes. to jump into the pool. She did it out of a sense of adventure, and enjoyed it. Eventually, she jumped in the city high dive. And much later in 2009, she became scuba-certified!

When she was 10, her mother enrolled the three siblings to Taekwondo! Her brother and sister quit after a few months. Jessica stayed on and eventually earned a black belt.

They moved to Tucson, Arizona, when she was 14 years old, in 8th grade. In the new school, she decided not to wear her prosthetic arms. She felt she should be accepted as she was, a human being without arms. She would be free at last of her albatross.

Taking a plane was one of her pet peeves; she was fearful of flying. But once, when she had to take a single-engine airplane to go to and return back to Tucson, the pilot asked her if she would like to put her foot on the yoke, which is like the steering wheel of a car. She did it and that was the beginning of her desire to become a pilot and fly a single-engine plane.

It took a lot of flying hours to learn how to fly the antique airplane Ercoupe.

But Jessica was tenacious and patient with herself. And sure enough, three | 4

years later, she was certified as a pilot to fly a plane solo.

When she was sophomore in High School, she gave a speech to a group of underprivileged seventh graders. After her talk, many of the students came to her to tell her how inspired they were by her story. By that time, she knew that she would become a motivational speaker. So right after her graduation in college, Arizona Daily Star came out with the headline, “Armless Student Seeks to Be Motivational Speaker.” Her career took off and she has been speaking to audiences around the world.

Patrick Chamberlain came into her life through Taekwondo. He was the new teacher in her school but he was immediately attracted to her for her fearlessness. They started dating when he was transferred to another Taekwondo school so there was no longer the teacher-student relationship. They were married soon after.

For Jessica, Patrick provided her with stability, balance and total support for her career and adventures.

When she was born, her father was rocking her in his arms when a woman came up to him and said, “You must be pretty special parents for God to bless you with a child like Jessica.” That pulled him through the turbulent times.

Knowing how instrumental her parents were during the early difficult years, she was inspired to start her own 501(c)3 nonprofit to help children and adults with disabilities who may not have the same support in their communities. Jessica started Rightfooted Foundation International five years ago to mentor, educate, advocate, and inspire children and adults with disabilities.

VICTOR G. SISON ATTORNEY-AT-LAW • MEMBER of NEW JERSEY BAR • REAL ESTATE • FAMILY LAW • IMMIGRATION • • BANKRUPTCY • LANDLORD/TENANT • LAST WILL & TESTAMENT • • ESTATE PLANNING • MUNICIPAL COURT CASES •

Victor G. Sison, ESQ.

Municipal Court Judge of Jersey City (2003-2007) Rutgers Law School – Newark, NJ – Juris Doctor (1992) Pontifical University of St. Thomas – Rome, Italy – STD Magna Cum Laude (1972) Pontifical Biblical Institute – Rome, Italy – SSL (1969) Pontifical Gregorian University – Rome, Italy – STL (1967)

479 West Side Avenue Jersey City, NJ 0730r

NEW JERSEY OFFICES Tel: (201) 798-8866 281 Brook Avenue Facsimile: (201) 798-8170 North Plainfield, NJ 07060 Email: vgslaw@gmail.com

NYC in the 1970s: Crimeinfested, but life was good

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By Cristina DC Pastor

ifty years ago, everything that could happen was happening in the city that calls itself the center of the world.

You got crime, drugs and prostitution. Porn kept Times Square open 24/7 for the ‘johns’ and girls up and down 7th Avenue.

There were homeless and drunk people passed out on the streets, decrepit buildings and subways covered by graffiti. It was very far from the Disneyfied version we glimpse today.

Yet, Filipinos and many other immigrants were drawn to this elixir of a town. They yearned to work here, go to school here, or catch a Broadway show despite the wild, wild west lawlessness that engulfed the city in the 1970s.

Although there was a lull of many years when people could enjoy walking the neighborhood and taking the subway without incident, crime has returned to NYC. The pandemic – and to a certain extent right-wing politics -- has changed the character of the city.

Anti-Asian hostility has unleashed fear in the Filipino American community. Hate Crime Task Force Statistics showed violence against Asians surged 343 percent – at 124 cases in 2021 vs 28 a year earlier. Elderly Filipinos fearful of going out are imprisoned in their apartments.

We spoke to four Filipinos who lived in the city since the ‘70s, one of them was actually born here. What they remember down memory lane was a city that had a lot of muggings, but also a city that was lively, energetic, showy, dressy, full of joie de vivre.

Never was there any fear that going out meant you may be spat on, taunted, beaten up, slashed across the face.

||Dr. Mariliz Guerrero Policarpio: ‘My bicycle was stolen.’

The 1970s were carefree and unforgettable years of my youth. I was a young girl in elementary and junior high school in the 1970s and my only responsibilities were doing well in school and practicing the piano. I remember having family picnics on summer weekends at

Flushing Meadows Park before the tennis structures were built. I used to play hopscotch, ringalario, jacks, and hula hoop -- fun NYC street games.

I lived in Sunnyside Gardens in Queens which was a safe place to live, and I was able to walk back and forth to school by myself even at 9 years old. The surrounding neighborhoods weren’t without crime, however. One time I left my bicycle outside a store

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in Woodside while I was at the candy store and it was stolen. I had to walk all the way home. It was an eye-opener and I knew I had to learn my street smarts.

||Judge Victor Sison: ‘I was mugged on Times Square’ I landed at Kennedy Airport in 1970, penniless and with a dream.

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Quoting Charles Dickens, “It was the best of times…” I was able to meet my brother, Carlos, an American Field Service Scholar, and my sister Rosalinda, a doctor, after a decade of separation.

I walked the city streets of Broadway and 42nd Street and their environs, enjoying and reveling in the sights and sounds they offered.

I was awed by the sight of Lady Liberty with its “Give me your tired,

your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” Riding a subway cost only 25 cents while the Holland Tunnel tariff was 50 cents.

Yet it was also the worst of times.

The Parisian student revolution of May 1968 which I personally witnessed, being then a scholar at the Alliance Francaise, was spilling over to New York in light of the Vietnam war. The hated draft of young Americans ended with the fall of Saigon in 1975. The glitzy attractions of NYC’s Broadway were pockmarked with smut, porn and drugs. I was even mugged for a couple of dollars while watching the Thrilla in Manila fight between Ali and Frazier on a public TV on Times Square. Two Afro-American guys.

One approached me saying that a Filipina needed help. I went with him. He led me to a vacant place.

The other guy was waiting with a knife and asked me to hand over my money, which was then a couple of dollars in my wallet!

Yet in the midst of the radical opposites, I discovered that survival was a question of personal choice.

Buttressed by the Pauline belief that “with the grace of God, I am what I am,” and I and my dream survived.

||Corge Reyes, RN: ‘Waldorf Astoria was the place to be’

Those were really awesome, wonderful, memorable, learning years in America. Hippie and flower people years. We wore mini skirts but more formal wear to see a Broadway show or go to the Opera.

We wore white nurse’s uniform with a nurse’s cap to go to work. Doctors wore whites as well. Denim jeans was not yet in our wardrobe. You can barely find size 6 clothes in department stores. There were no size 0, 2 or 4. Life was docile. Most of our gatherings were either home or at parks. But Waldorf Astoria was the place for Filipino events.

I suspected that crime was high especially “muggings”, car theft, burglaries and murders. You read or listen to the news about those committed by the Mob. I distinctly remember the police finding a body down a forest-y hill behind the hospital where I was working. Time Square was a seedy place for peep

shows and X-rated movies but we loved to go and eat at Tad’s Steak.

Aside from shopping at Saks and Macy’s there was Mays, Gimbels, Korvette, and Abraham & Straus with the frequent ads of Crazy Eddie. 1970s in New York City, yes, those were significant, exciting years!

||Dr. Connie Uy: ‘FilAm organizations were very active already’

structure, cavernous stage and excellent acoustics.

The Filipino-American organizations were very active already during the 1970s and some of them sponsored dinner dances/gala at the Waldorf Astoria or at other hotels in the city. The traditional Rigodon de honor featured the officers and other prominent personalities in

My free time was limited as my schedule of calls every other day and every other weekend required the residents to be in the hospital.

Hence, we grabbed any opportunity to spend with friends and travel outside of Newark.

My first experience in seeing New York City was when my German colleague invited me to watch the opera. She drove her Volkswagen beetle. As we crossed the Lincoln tunnel, I was surprised to see homeless people and panhandlers on the streets. What a contrast to see the people dressed in formal attire attending events. As I entered the newly built 1967 Metropolitan Opera House (MOH), my sleep-deprived body was mesmerized by the giant Austrian crystal Sputnick-like chandeliers, striking architectural THE FILAM

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their opulent Filipiniana gowns and Barongs. Tickets were priced between $50 to $75.

For the daytime activities, we went to see Broadway shows, the Rockettes at the Rockefeller Center and the Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Chinatown, St. Patrick Cathedral and the museums.

When my classmates came to visit NYC for a mini-reunion, they would request to eat at Tad’s steak place which offered $1.29 for a complete steak lunch with potatoes, salad, dessert and a drink.

I was able to experience living in the Bronx for a month with my classmate when I did an elective month in Pediatric Nephrology at Albert Einstein Medical School -Jacobi Hospital. I saw the effects of the arson-induced “Burning of the Bronx” reflecting urban decay, violence and poverty. They were replicas of the damage of the 1967 Newark riot although the latter was initiated by racial discrimination and white police brutality.

For me, the 1970s was full of happy milestones – getting married, giving birth to our two sons and a daughter, passing the board certifications in Pediatrics and Pediatric Nephrology, and advocating services to benefit some civic and professional organizations.

Jo Koy, a Registered Nurse?

In the ABC pilot “Josep,” stand-up comic Jo Koy plays: - A divorced dad with a frizzy-haired teen son - A loving son with a mother who can’t leave well enough alone

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- A registered nurse

osep, an RN? Imagine him in scrubs navigating a hospital. Are you laughing already? Imagine him as a single dad going out on dates. Throw in a Pinay mother who looms large in his post-divorce life. Endless possibilities for Asian-centric, cross-cultural humor.

Finally, 15 years after “Desperate Housewives” made a punchline of Philippine-educated doctors, ABC is acknowledging the brilliance and brand-potential of Filipino comedy. Jo Koy paved the way.

“Josep” has announced the Filipino members of the cast: Mia Katigbak, Kaden Alejandro, Kimee Balmilero, and Tess Paras.

Portraying Jo Koy’s mother Lorna is Mia Katigbak, a stage and television actress. She is the hilarious mother who mispronounces her Ps and her Fs. She is protective of her family and proud of her cooking. Her weapon of discipline: a pair of slippers. Katigbak co-founded the National Asian American Theatre Company. Her TV credits include “Chicago P.D.” and “How to Get Away with Murder.”

Tess Paras plays Cheryl, Josep’s ex-wife. The actress had a recurring role in “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.” She graduated Magna Cum Laude from New York University with a Bachelor's Degree in Media, Culture, and Communication and a minor in Journalism.

Kaden Alejandro plays Miles, the son of Josep and Cheryl. According to Deadline, “Miles is comfortable with the idea of his parents’ divorce — in fact, he appears to be the most well-adjusted member of the entire family. Miles has very little interest in traditional Filipino culture; his dad raised him on hip-hop, and he prefers orange chicken to any Filipino dish.” The young actor has appeared in television series such as “Bel-Air,” “9-1-1: Lone Star,” and “The Rookie.”

Kimee Balmilero portrays Geraldine, Josep’s married sister who runs a Filipino restaurant with her white husband, Seth, played by actor Rory O’Malley.

The Hawaii-born Balmilero left her hometown so she could pursue acting. She joined the national touring company of “Miss Saigon.” In New York, she was cast in Broadway’s “Mamma Mia.”

Kaden Alejandro plays Miles, the son; Mia Katigbak as the mother, Lorna.

Josep aka Joseph aka Jo Koy, the stand-up comic. Facebook photo THE FILAM

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The pilot is usually how top-rated sitcoms make their mark. It introduces the plot as well as the characters to the network decision-makers and advertisers.

In cases where some characters need more fleshing out that’s when refinements to storyline and roles are made. In “Two and a Half Men,” for instance, the role of Evelyn Harper went from Blythe Danner to Holland Taylor after the pilot. The producers felt the role was “not a good fit” for Danner. When a network greenlights the project, it will “order” a certain number of episodes good to last from half a season to a full season. In a worst-case scenario, a show can get canceled after a dismal first episode. It’s important to have a pilot that holds the viewers’ interest whether the show is a drama or a comedy.

“Josep” is a half-hour comedy with the following notables as executive producers: Jo Koy, his manager Joe Meloche, Steve Joe (“Doogie Kameāloha M.D.” and “Young Sheldon”), Randall Park and Kourtney Kang (“Fresh Off the Boat”), screen writer Michael Golamco, The Detective Agency’s Jake Kasdan, and Melvin Mar (“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle”).

COVER STORY

Victor Sison: They call him ‘Father-Judge’

By Maricar CP Hampton

Judge Victor Sison, 78, knows the pain of bullying.

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is only son, Karl, suffered harassment and physical violence in front of his home. The effect on his family was so much they had to move from their long time Jersey City residence to North Plainfield also in New Jersey.

“Karl, when he was young, was beaten up by Filipino thugs. It was such a clear case of bullying and he ended up in the hospital,” he said. As a father, and a lawyer, he sought justice for his son.

Here’s the part of the story where the narrative came with a chuckle.

“The bullies called themselves AKP for Ang Kute Pinoy. They came to my office and pleaded with me to drop the case. I agreed on the condition that they paid the medical bills,” he said. They never paid.

||Ordained in Rome

Attorney-at-Law Victor Sison has been a practicing lawyer in New Jersey for nearly 30 years. His closest friends in PAFCOM where he was once the Grand Marshal and the Senor Presidente, and the Knights of Rizal which conferred on him the highest award of Knight Grand Commander of Rizal, love to be in his company because of his colorful recollection of his past. Such as when he became an ordained priest in Rome.

An altar boy at 12, his journey to the priesthood started early. “I never went to a Catholic school, but I grew up in a religious family,” he began.

“Our mother would force us to pray the rosary daily.” Born and raised in Malasiqui, Pangasinan, Sison is the fourth of 10 siblings. His father was a lawyer and a municipal court judge and his mother ran a fashion and embroidery school.

One day, Columban Irish nuns came to his school.

“Talking to these nuns, who had a funny accent, we just replied yes to everything they said, just to get rid of them.

When I got home my mom said the nuns informed her that I wanted to be a priest.

Honored by the New Jersey Legal Services for his ‘tireless efforts in helping secure for… disadvantaged clients a greater measure of justice.’

With wife Irene. ‘She is very kind.’

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I answered, ‘I said yes to everything they asked, because I did not understand what they were talking about.’”

He joined his friends in the seminary, unsure about this vocation he was about to pursue. In1963, he left the Philippines for Rome to study at the Gregorian University and the Pontifical Biblical Institute, both elite schools for seminarians and priests. He was a scholar of his archdiocese. He studied in Rome for almost 9 years until he obtained his Doctorate Magna Cum Laude at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas in 1972.

He returned home and found himself teaching in the Immaculate Conception School of Theology of Vigan City, Ilocos Sur from 1973 to 1986, as an exegete (a person who interprets the Scriptures) and dogma professor, simultaneously serving as the dean of Studies. He also became the university chaplain of the University of Northern Philippines.

He took a break from teaching and returned to the U.S. in 1986. The sabbatical gave him enough time to reflect on his career-path. While at the crossroads, he found a teaching-job at a private college in New Jersey.

His sister, an executive at the NY Transit Authority teased him about his pittance-salary as a teacher.

She managed to get him a job at the Transit Authority. His new boss, upon seeing his resume, his educational background and the multiple languages he spoke, suggested he was better off being a lawyer. Sison followed the advice. He attended night school at Rutgers University in Newark and passed the New Jersey and New York bars in 1992.

In the summer of 1993, he opened his private law practice: Sison Law Offices PC at 533 Central Avenue, Jersey City. It was one of the pioneer law offices in Jersey City owned by a Filipino American. For 29 years, he took cases on immigration, real estate, bankruptcy, family, estate planning, landlord-tenant issues, and municipal court-related issues.

“About 90 percent of my clients are Filipinos, but since I speak Italian, Spanish, French and German I get clients from other nationalities,” he said.

Ten years later, he became a municipal court judge. Glenn Cunningham, the then-mayor of Jersey City, appointed him to the position. Twice, the New Jersey Legal Services, in 2010 and then again in 2017, awarded him the Equal Justice Medal for his “continuing commitment and tireless efforts in helping address the legal needs of disadvantaged clients and secure for them a greater measure of justice.”

At 78, Sison remains very active with various community organizations. He and Irene, whom he met in Vigan, are such wanderlusts traveling through the Philippines, Europe, and Asia, visiting places, like Rome, replete with memories, causing him to reflect on “what might have been.”

||Asian hate

The priestly life has given Sison a spiritual reasoning behind developments around the world. Asked about his views on anti-Asian violence, he believes the attacks manifest a “cycle of

Newly ordained and celebrating his first mass in Frascati in Rome. racism.” He would like to see Filipinos and others protect themselves more.

He explained: “Man’s nature is wounded. All this violence is due to man’s innate imperfection, in crying need of God’s saving grace.

Unless one is religiously oriented, his perspective is scarred.”

Sison and family: son Karl, daughter-in-law Geraldine, and wife Irene.

The pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he said, is a time given to everyone to “reflect and pray.” He recalled his 2019 visits to St. Petersburg, Russia as well as Kyiv, Ukraine, and how such beautiful cities may have been demolished by the ugliness of the war.

He has recently recovered from COVID-19, his infection detected in December 2020. “I could not breathe; I was taken to the emergency.” He spent weeks in meditation. “I had all the time to reflect and make amends for any misdeeds I may have done to others. I prayed the rosary every day.”

Bostonians go pink: ‘Hungry for change’

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sophomore student at Boston University, the director of Special Events at Harvard University, the CEO of Skills Simplified were just some of the Bostonians who came out in support of presidential aspirant Leni Robredo and her running mate Senator Francis ‘Kiko’ Pangilinan.

They are among the crowd of about 200 New Englanders who braved the black ice and residual snow to show their support for their candidate Robredo making sure they were wearing her political shade of pink. They believe that she is the candidate that has the qualifications, the educational background, the dignity, the heart and the mind, and is in the best position to stop the return of the Marcos family to power. Robredo’s closest rival for the presidency is Senator Bongbong Marcos Jr., who led the surveys in the beginning of the campaign but is now trailing behind following the surge in support for the vice president.

By Gretheline Bolandrina

Bostonians hold rally for Leni Robredo, Kiko Pangilinan. Photo by Charlie Castro

At the Lutong Pinoy event hosted by the #BostonStrongPinoysforLeniKiko on March 6, at Boston Harbor’s Lewis Wharf, favorite Filipino comfort food were served. There was Lechon Belly, Dinuguan, Chicken and Pork Adobo, Kare-Kare, and Laing cooked THE FILAM

by a Bicolana. For dessert, the crowd talked politics over Cassava cake, Banana-q, Ginataan, Biko, Turon.

Many returned for the Pink Lemonade and Pink Pichi-Pichi (cassava balls), a delicious and dynamic political statement. | 11

Dr. Linda Ott of Newton, Massachusetts, said “Lutong Pinoy made by volunteers for Leni/Kiko prepared more than 800 pre-packaged meals.

“Ubos in an hour. I felt bad for late comers.”

The group, Boston Strong Pinoys for Leni Kiko founded on Facebook is a 231 member-strong volunteer group. They also held a successful tailgate rally last December 4, 2021, in Burlington. All volunteers and attendees wore pink with some matching them with pink face masks.

The walkway towards the entrance on Atlantic Avenue had pink mylar balloons, pink parols, and pink ribbons.

They gave away “Laban Leni 2022” pink silicone wristband swags.

“Feeding Boston’s hungry kababayan! We are hungry for change!” said Patricia Aldaba Lim Yusah of Lexington.

“We are happy to see that there are a lot more Kakampinks in Boston!” said Amelia Vinluan of Needham.

Calendar EVENTS

||Ongoing until May 8

Carlos Villa: Worlds in Collision The Newark Museum of Art/Special Exhibition Gallery 49 Washington Street, Newark, N.J.

||April 3

Leni-Kiko: Angat Buhay Walk of Hope Lincoln Park, Jersey City Contact: jujotc@gmail.com

of Events

||April 15

Jo Koy: Funny is Funny World Tour UBS Arena Belmont Park, Long Island N.Y.

||April 16

Threelogy: Live in Atlantic City (with Erik Santos, Morisette & Christian Bautista) Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 1000 Boardwalk Atlantic City, N.J. For tickets contact: Mel & Ogie Mendoza 917-613-4139

||April 20

Lea Salonga: Dream Again Tour Town Hall 123 West 43rd NYC

||May 21

Pafcom Grand Marshal Gala and Coronation Ball Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott 1 Hotel Road Newark, N.J.

||June 11

Picnic in the Park by the FAACNJ Princeton Country Club 1 Wheeler Way Princeton, N.J. RSVP by May 21

||July 2 to 3

RJP Sports Festival Sportika New Jersey 150 Woodward Road Manalapan Township, N.J.

||April 5

||July 7 to 10

Beyond the ‘Atrocity Photograph:’ on the Decolonized Eye and Filipino Images (lecture by Nerissa Balce) For details: www.stonybrook.edu

43rd PNAA National Convention New York Marriott Marquis For details contact: Philippine Nurses Association of America

||August 11 to 13

||April 30

||May 28

Lolo the Singer Triad Theater 158 W 72nd Street, NYC

||May 1

Closing Mass: The 500th Anniversary of Philippine Christianity; Landas ng Kabanalan Sacred Heart Cathedral Archdiocese of Newark 89 Ridge Street Newark, N.J.

||April 9

Timeless Seasons: Nonoy Zuniga & Lani Misalucha (with Doc Ime) Bally’s Casino 1900 Pacific Avenue Atlantic City, N.J. For tickets: Tessa Guanzon 732-492-4170

Casino Bus Trip by Knights of Rizal N.J. Chapter Assemble at 186 Culver Avenue Jersey City Contact for details: Rolly Javier 201-600-0651

MUSIC

‘Love you a lifetime’ by Elaine Ficarra Listen now on Spotify, Apple Music, and more Sing, Dance, Act & Perform With International Teaching Artist Miguel Braganza II Enroll now online For inquiries: 813-405-5713 or Miguel. braganza8@yahoo.com

||May 14

BOOKS

Nina U.S. Tour 2022 Margaret Williams Theater/New Jersey City University 2039 John F. Kennedy Boulevard Jersey City For tickets: Popsie 908-906-9788

THE FILAM

FANHS National Conference Seattle University

‘Storm Across my Cherished Bamboo Bridge’ A novel by Gene del Carmen To order, contact: genepdelcarmen@icloud.com

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In this season of Lent, I think of my Baguio childhood

By Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko, PhD

The first Wednesday of March this year marked Ash Wednesday, a reminder to the religious laity that the 40 days to follow are to be devoted to fasting and penitence in commemoration of Christ's fasting in the wilderness.

I

remembered this religious stricture very well. Each Lenten meal was to arrive as anticipated: "Meager, no meat."

Every time the Lenten season beckons, I immediately recall how I spent my childhood years in the Philippines' summer capital. Although we knew we had to be at least 18 years old to observe the ‘no meat’ mandate, we were told that each act was strongly regarded by Roller skating around Burnham Park. our elders as a sacrifice -- a denial of our favorite foods – and our way of following the Lenten religious practices.

Most Baguio long-time residents had guests coming from all over the country because March was usually one of the hottest times of the year and the City of Pines was a cool place for a vacation. Our family played hosts to relatives and friends. Hosts' kitchens were almost always busy preparing the best dishes that could not be procured from restaurants on time.

Of course, hospitality knew no bounds.

Although our home's guest list was not limited to relatives, my parents had close friends from college, and it was understood that they would be among our guests during the Lenten season. Our help hardly had any rest. Guests would go all over the "must" spots all over Baguio and return to our household, hankering for meals and similar in-between nourishing breaks that served as their refreshments. I recall how my mother would tell our help to maintain their skills laced with Shopping for peanut brittle, strawberry and ube jams in the absolute patience to allow them the brand of hospitality anticipated during the Easter season. local market.

When our guests found out how the temperatures because they rationalized they would have no use soared in the late evenings and very early mornings, for woolen sweaters when they got home. they asked how they could cope with the cold. It The Baguio weather always took its place during baffled them to learn how their shawls and skimpy the summer months when guests from all over garments were not enough to keep them warm. I the country would ascend the pine city, 5,000 feet recall how some of our guests had to find themselves above sea level. Everything was new to them. They squeezing into the clothes that were lent to them. marveled as they watched those who found great They did not seek refuge at department stores comfort at our City Skating Rink. Some didn't even THE FILAM

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The Baguio chill wish to try roller-skating as they witnessed the falls. Although I wasn't an expert, I offered to teach a few of our guests whatever I learned in roller-skating. What invited our guests to try on roller skates was just for picture-taking that served as souvenirs of their Baguio summer vacation.

Picture-taking was a continuous undertaking for our guests. Our film shops cheered all the clients who asked that their photos be finished in time to take back home with them. Otherwise, how else could they have proofs of their Baguio vacation?

When I think of my Baguio childhood, I dwell on the summer months because of their role in speaking about the land of pines, the very unique role that the city and its rare assets played in the lives of those who vacationed not just for the weather, but for other rarities that other locations could not parallel when having my most-loved hometown to compare.

All the above were veritable occurrences prior to World War II. After December 8, 1941, nothing similar had ever taken place again. Bombing did its worst on the city's natural beauties.

History has its unique and foremost role in remembrances past. Nothing can take the place of the bygone days except memories and how World War II wrought its dreadful damage on the sole city in the Philippines that was 5,000-feet above sea level rising on its natural beauty.

Why Leni?

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By Angelo Maristela

n less than two months, the Filipino people will decide the fate of the country for the next six years. Though thousands of miles away, I am very much connected and updated with what’s going on in my native land.

Maybe even more than those who are there. I watch local Philippine news every day, from different sources and different times. I read a lot of news articles, both legit and fake news alike. But of course, I do a lot of reading, watching, and research for facts, which is the core of my profession.

This admirable woman below is my choice. She’s tough, strong, and has a heart for people. And I know that whatever merits I enumerate about her, will likely not change people’s minds about their candidates. That is ok. In our heart of hearts, we all know that. If you'll be enlightened, that's even better.

The beauty of democracy is that on every election day, we get the power to choose for ourselves, that even just for a day, rich or poor, educated or a fool, we are all equal.

I’m not about to dig dirt or to throw insults at other candidates. If I become harsh and speak ugly about someone, then I become one of the problems.

Some people these days seem to forget the essence of the word “respect”. This word seems to be missing for the past few years now. In my lifetime, I have never seen politics this ugly, dividing friends and family just because of personal choices. In a debate, you may win over your opponent, but you may lose their heart. I don’t want that to happen.

I would rather retain friendship and relationship, so I will aim to conquer with love. I am here to let you know why I am choosing this candidate.

These past few years made me ask, aren’t we tired of complaining and blame-shifting, or even finding the right tree to bark on? Is it okay for us to be submerged and to keep on sinking rather than growing or even flying high? I say it’s not just the person who’s seated that is to blame, but us, the voters, who decide to elect those we complained about as unworthy, and who seemingly work only to satisfy them-

selves. Remember, we have the power to choose. Didn’t we choose them? Then, upon their failure, sadly, we reap the consequences as a whole nation.

I believe that the changes that we have been longing for should start within ourselves. Let’s start by picking the candidate wisely and carefully. Not by influence or by emotions, but with critical and fair judgment. I know I should start looking for someone with a good and clean record. Someone who also has a good family background. We know the family is the smallest unit of government. If one has issues within their own family, I wonder how would that translate to running a bigger unit, which is a country.

People close to me, some friends and family, really liked Leni Robredo, even from the beginning. Though I respect their views, I couldn’t relate then. To be honest, my mind was clouded. That time, I didn’t like her, though I didn’t dislike her either. I just didn't have any interest in her. I didn’t spare any time to know more about her. Why? Sadly, because of personal bias.

Although I was born and raised in Manila, I lived and studied in Davao for several years. If you’re from Davao, it’s impossible not to be very familiar with, and look up to, the Dutertes. I was one of the 16 million people who were jubilant when he decided to run for President and won. I am aware of what he did for Davao. Let’s be fair to the man, regardless of the negative reports about him, he shaped Davao really well. So in my mind, I was thinking if he has done it to Davao, he could do the same to the country.

Therefore, he was my President. As such, those in the opposing party were not my favorite people. That included Leni.

That was wrong.

With the rampant bickering and hating from opposing parties, when the words “dilawan” and “DDS” came to be amongst the most popular words in my Facebook feed, my curiosity about her on why people love her grew. I decided to find out more about her. And I am glad I gave myself a chance to be more open and remove any bias. The more I learned about her and what she does, my admiration for her grew. I listened to her THE FILAM

'In the beginning, I didn’t like her but I decided to find out more about her'. interviews and studied her background.

Leni is a very positive person. Despite the derogatory words and constant barrage of bashings hurled at her from the other side, she smiles as if she’s always having the most beautiful day. it’s enough to also brighten yours. I have seen and followed what she’s done and continue doing for the people. During the pandemic, she is hands-on and personally extends help to the public.

She has converted part of her home and office into huge storage of relief goods.

One popular showbiz vlogger went to interview her, and during the interview, they did a tour of where and how the relief operations were executed.

Whichever candidate you choose, please ask yourself why and also why not him/her. Then do a check and balance.

- What’s their educational background? Will it be beneficial in running a country?

- What has he/she done so far for the people? Make a list. If they haven’t done anything substantial yet, what makes you think they will do something when elected?

- What can this person do? And based on what record or background? | 14

- What kind of a leader do you think this person will be, based on personal merits? Will he/she be respectable, dependable, tough but compassionate, trustworthy, fair, honest, and transparent?

I am confident Leni Gerona Robredo will be. Her record is clean and she’s an advocate of these. I would even say, God-fearing, but I don’t wanna judge who is and who’s not. Let’s reserve that between that person and God. Once again, she’s my personal choice. You have yours. You either agree with me or have an opposing view. If it’s the latter, then I respect it, hopefully, you do the same.

Angelo Maristela is a multi-awarded and international visual artist whose paintings can be found in private collections in Qatar, Italy, the Philippines, and the U.S. His latest art mural is currently at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Times Square, a 28 ft x 8 ft painting titled “One Habitat,” dedicated to the Philippine Eagle Pamana that was shot dead after she was released into the wild. As an artist he would like to contribute to the preservation of Philippine culture.

Bella Owens heads rape crisis center in Baltimore

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urnAround, a provider of free comprehensive services to victims of intimate partner violence, sexual violence, and human trafficking, has announced that Bella Owens will be the organization’s new board president.

“Bella has been advocating for women in Baltimore for nearly two decades. Her influence among government, non-profit, professional, and private organizations, makes her the perfect person to lead our board as we continue to expand our impact beyond the individual survivors we serve,” said TurnAround Executive Director Amanda Rodriguez.

TurnAround is the rape crisis response center for Baltimore City and Baltimore County. The organization’s experts in trauma provide free, comprehensive services to people of all ages and genders. Said Rodriguez: “We know the impact TurnAround has had serving individual survivors in Baltimore for the last 40 years. What we have learned from our frontline experience is the urgent need to change the larger systems that affect survivors. Bella knows the people who turn the gears of those systems.”

“I have been focused on the complicated issues of violence against women and human trafficking for almost 20 years in Baltimore, working together with

An advocate for women for nearly two decades. government, law enforcement, social services, and professionals in health, law, and education,” said Owens. “I have always admired TurnAround’s deep expertise in serving individual survivors.”

Owens is enthusiastic about TurnAround’s current goals: “I’m excited to be TurnAround’s new board

president during this dynamic time of expanding purpose at TurnAround,” she said. “After decades of leadership as service providers, they are focused now on using that expertise to change the larger systems that affect survivors.”

As an example, she points to TurnAround’s support for the Safe Harbor bill (HB833) in the state house that protects child trafficking victims from prosecution for crimes they committed as a direct result of their trafficking.

“The Safe Harbor bill is exactly the type of urgent structural change TurnAround is fighting for,” she said.

“I’m honored to be part of this remarkable powerhouse team that is changing the landscape for survivors.”

After moving from the Philippines to Baltimore in 1987, Owens was the art director at an advertising agency before stepping into community leadership, promoting the Philippine culture in Maryland. She launched the largest Philippine Festival in Towson and coordinated relief efforts with the Philippine Embassy in Washington, DC to aid victims of a massive typhoon. She is the former chair of the Baltimore County Human Trafficking Work Group and former president of the Baltimore County Commission for Women. Under her leadership, the commission won four national achievement awards.

Biden, Harris listen to AAPI concerns: hate crimes, immigration

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embers of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) leadership on March 7 met with President Biden, Vice President Harris, and senior White House officials to discuss policy priorities for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.

The CAPAC members in attendance were CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA27), CAPAC First Vice-Chair Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06), CAPAC Second ViceChair Rep. Mark Takano (CA-41), and CAPAC Whip Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-33).

Rep. Chu issued the following statement after the meeting: “From his very first day in office, President Biden has done so much to elevate the AAPI community, from his actions to address anti-Asian hate to the significant number of AAPI judges and leaders he has nominated and AAPI appointees he has hired at all levels to ensure a truly representative government. And in our meeting we encouraged him to continue with these efforts, particularly the need to fully implement the COVID-19 Hate

CAPAC lawmakers at the White House in 2021 photo, with Judy Chu (2nd from left) and Grace Meng (far right) Crimes Act and further address antiAsian hate.

“Additionally, as we near the end of lockdown measures thanks to the Administration’s strong response to the coronavirus and begin to focus on our economic recovery, we must also ensure that AAPIs are included in that. That is why we urged the Administration to address our need for more disaggreTHE FILAM

gated data, so we can better understand the needs of all our communities…

And any recovery is incomplete if it does not include immigration reform.

Immigrants were on the front lines of this crisis, keeping our country running even at the risk to their own health.

That is why we pressed the Administration on addressing on the needs of AAPI immigrant families, including address| 15

ing the decades-long visa backlogs to keep families together…

“Finally, addressing anti-Asian hate will require more than just better monitoring and reporting of hate crimes, which is what the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act will help us do. It requires us to ensure the language we use does not stoke hatred against Asian American communities, and we appreciate President Biden’s careful use of language around the America COMPETES Act to ensure that we are focusing on all it does to bolster American competitiveness and innovation, not just on fear of China… We in CAPAC look forward to working with the Department of Justice, OSTP, and agencies implementing their guidance to ensure that these steps will, through implementation, mitigate racial profiling of Asian Americans. We also need to do more to promote understanding of AAPI history in our schools so that future generations are more aware of our history of prejudice, which is why we reiterated our support for a Smithsonian Museum of Asian American and Pacific Islander History.”

When will New York be safe again for the elderly?

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67-year-old woman from the Ilocos region was seriously injured after she was brutally assaulted in an anti-Asian hate incident in Yonkers on March 11.

She is currently in stable condition and could be discharged from the hospital anytime, Consul General Elmer Cato said this week.

The Yonkers Police Department issued the following statement.

“On Friday, March 11th, at approximately 6:11 p.m., members of the Yonkers Police Department Investigation yielded that the victim, a 67-year-old resident of the City of Yonkers, was returning home and saw the suspect in front of the building. As she walked past him, he called her an ‘Asian bitch;’ the victim is of Asian descent. Ignoring his comment, the victim entered the vestibule of the building and was attempting to open the second door to enter the lobby when, without warning, the suspect approached from behind and punched her in the head, knocking her to the floor; he then stood over her and proceeded to punch her in the head and face more than 125 times with alternating fist strikes before foot-stomping her seven times and spitting on her. As a result of the beating, the victim suffered multiple contusions and lacerations to her head and face, facial bone fractures, and bleeding on the brain; she is currently listed in stable condition and is recovering in the hospital.”

Cato said the Consulate was informed of this development by the family of the victim. “We have reached out to the family of our kababayan and assured them that we will assist in whatever way we could,” the Consul General said.

On Tuesday, he joined leaders of the Asian-American community and local elected officials in a press conference outside the Yonkers City Hall where they expressed their outrage over the incident and called on authorities to do more to stem the rise in antiAsian hate crimes. Those present included leaders of the Asian-American Federation, the Asian-American Democratic Committee, and local officials led by Congressman Jamaal Bowman and Yonkers Mayor Michael Spano.

“We know authorities are doing their best to make the streets safe again but we also understand they could not be everywhere,” Cato said. “But we do hope that authorities exert more efforts to remove violent and dangerous people off the streets and make everyone—not just Filipinos or other members of the Asian-American Community—feel safe again.” He said most of the incidents were perpetrated against the elderly and vulnerable by homeless individuals with criminal records or mental health problems.

The Yonkers woman being followed by her suspected attacker on March 11 as seen in this photo released by the Yonkers Police Department.

The consulate has recorded 26 cases involving violent attacks and other incidents against Filipinos since last year when a surge in anti-Asian hate crimes and other incidents was noted. “We are convinced there are more but these are unreported,” he said.

Cato said the incident in Yonkers was the third in two days involving members of the Filipino American community. A day before, two elderly Filipino women were injured after they were shoved by unidentified individuals in two separate incidents in Queens.

“The incident in Yonkers is the second in our community where elderly victims were followed and assaulted inside their apartment buildings,” he said, referring to last year’s vicious attack in Sunnyside, Queens, that left a 72-year-old Filipino woman, seriously injured.

On Thursday, March 10, a Filipina who is in her late 50s, walking with a cane, and suffering from poor eyesight, was shoved down the stairs by an unidentified man at the 179th Street Station of the F Train in the neighborhood of Jamaica in Queens.

On the same day, another Filipina in her mid-60s was pushed by an unidentified man at the Long Island Rail Road train platform, also in Jamaica, causing her to land on her face and break her eyeglasses in the process.

The Yonkers woman, a dual citizen from the Ilocos region, is the third victim.

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||23 incidents reported in 2021

Last year, there were 23 incidents involving Filipinos that were reported to the consulate.

Prior to the Jamaica incidents, several Asian-Americans were also at the receiving end of violence in the subways, with the latest involving an Asian man who sustained injuries after another man repeatedly struck him in the head with a hammer.

In another incident, seven Asian women were assaulted within minutes of each other by a man in separate incidents in Manhattan. The latest incidents came less than a month after Mayor Eric Adams unveiled his Subway Safety Plan to address the surge of violence and homelessness in platforms and stations.

It has led to the arrest of 143 individuals, removal of 455 others from trains and stations, and the issuance of 1,553 tickets for various violations.

Despite the measures, New York City is still experiencing a skyrocketing crime rate with incidents rising nearly 60 percent in February compared to the same month last year.

“Mayor Eric Adams promised to make New York City safe again and we are counting on him to fulfill that promise,” Cato said.

’ ‘The Batman:’ Bold and brooding

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atman has been my favorite superhero from as far back as I can remember. Yes, the fact alone that he is a mere mortal with no superpowers yet relies solely on his wit and resources makes him unique, but moreover he is such a complex and multidimensional antihero who has been reinterpreted and reinvented countless times throughout the past decades since he made his comic debut in 1939. It is a testament to the character’s enduring lore and imprint on popular culture.

The very first Halloween costume I wore as a toddler was a mini-bat suit with a cape which my mother had given me as a gift. My brother and I first began watching reruns of the campy 1960s-era “Batman” TV show with Adam West way back in the 1980s while growing up in Palisades, N.Y., and some of the best memories I’ve had at the cinema houses in the succeeding years have been watching the past editions of Batman films. In the summer of 1989 in Los Angeles, we watched the first big-screen adaptation of “Batman” starring Michael Keaton as the Caped Crusader together with our father, the late Ambassador Willy C. Gaa, who thoroughly enjoyed that movie.

Fast forward to July 2008 when director Christopher Nolan’s now-classic superhero/crime thriller epic “The Dark Knight,” starring Christian Bale as Batman and the late Heath Ledger in his posthumous Oscar-winning role as the villainous Joker, was released. I together with a few other friends hosted a very enjoyable joint birthday bash with an exclusive screening of this film for our other friends at this private theater at the Greenbelt Cinemas complex in Makati City. Eight years later I then got to watch 2016’s “Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice,” with the role of Bruce Wayne played this time by Ben Affleck, at the AMC Lincoln Square theater in Manhattan, an experience which I still found worthwhile however critically polarizing that movie was.

Now my lifetime viewing of my favorite superhero on the silver screen continues with the newly released “The Batman,” which stars British actor Robert Pattinson as the titular vigilante. Of all the past adaptations, this latest film is the darkest live-action interpretation of the character which I’ve personally seen yet, and I absolutely loved it!

“The Batman” depicts the young Bruce Wayne’s mission in battling the corrupt elements of his crime-infested hometown of Gotham City. His crusade to rid the city of corruption is only further complicated by the presence of a deranged serial killer who calls himself the Riddler. The murders committed by the Riddler are unlike anything which Gotham’s citizens, and even the Batman himself, have witnessed.

Unlike the Tim Burton and Joel Schumacher-directed films of the 1980s and 1990s, this latest Batman flick which runs nearly three hours long is

By Wendell Gaa

Pattinson with Zoe Kravitz playing the feisty Selina Kyle/ Catwoman.

Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/Batman: Solid performance. not kid-friendly, and its grounded realistic portrayal of criminal underworld societies may even come across as disturbing for some. On the other hand, this dark element is a key characteristic of the Batman legend and is a part of his comic book roots. I admire this movie for being so bold enough to delve into this side of the vigilante.

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Arguably Batman’s detective skills and abilities are given so much more focus here than even Christopher Nolan’s “Dark Knight” trilogy. The brooding neo-noir atmosphere of “The Batman” duly reflects this core component of Bruce Wayne, and it works rather well in moving the plot forward.

Robert Pattinson, to my pleasure surprise, does a solid performance as Bruce Wayne/Batman, and whatever image I’ve had of him as an over-glossed love object vampire in the “Twilight” film series was totally absent while watching him throughout this movie, where he conveys a well-rounded combination of broodiness and vengeful indignation.

The two other big standout actors are Paul Dano as the main villain the Riddler, who injects such a level of sadistic creepiness which I have never seen before in any other past rendition of this classic Batman comic villain, and Zoë Kravitz as the sultry and feisty Selina Kyle/Catwoman, the sometime lover/frenemy of Batman.

It was also a wonderful treat to see Jeffrey Wright adding something fresh and new to the supporting role of James Gordon, Batman’s closest law enforcement ally. Also, not to be overlooked is Irish actor Colin Farrell, who is totally unrecognizable as crime boss Oswald Cobblepot A.K.A. the Penguin, and my personal favorite Batman villain.

Director Matt Reeves has surely done the Batman franchise good, just like what he did for his superb “The Planet of the Apes” trilogy. Count me excited for the sequels!

COVER STORY

In this FilAm family, Russian invasion is staple of dinner conversations

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By Cristina DC Pastor

ussia’s invasion of Ukraine has a Filipino American family in Queens fearing the worst and hoping for the war’s quick end. “Putin is a jerk” can be heard reverberating around their brownstone apartment but that is usually accompanied by a careful explanation of Cold War history and the Russian leader’s seething hatred for America.

Kimberly Mende and her husband Alex Shaun Itskov find themselves keeping up with news on the invasion and having to answer their daughter what the war is about, who is Vladimir Putin, and where is Ukraine.

“What I’ve attempted to do was to give a historical background of the Soviet Union, communism, NATO, Putin, nuclear weapons, the Cold War, etc. and allow my daughter to cast her own judgments,” said Alex, a hedge fund executive.

Stressed Alex, “I want my daughter to understand it’s too easy to get sucked into prevailing media narratives. I want her to be able to think for herself.”

Alex, who works as Global Head of Operations for Two Sigma Securities, and Kim, an events organizer, met in 2007 and tied the knot a year later.

They have a daughter Caroline who is now 12.

Alex was born in the U.S. to Russian immigrants who came to New York in the late 1970s.

“Both my father's and mother's families escaped the Soviet Union to seek a better life,” he said when reached by The FilAm. “My mom's side of the family were from a small town in the southern Caucasus region of Russia known as Nalchik. It was an idyllic little place nestled between the Black and Caspian Seas, near the border of current-day Georgia. Back then, there was a fairly heavy population of what's called ‘Juhuru’ or ‘Mountain Jews.’”

His parents divorced shortly after Alex was born so he knew very little about his father who comes from a town called Unecha between Kyiv and Moscow. Unecha, which lies at the border of Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, was heavily populated by Jews in the 1930s-40s. From his maternal grandfather’s stories, Alex learned how his Jewish family had to flee because of the “heavy antisemitism” they faced in the former USSR. His grandfather, who had a PhD from a prestigious university in Moscow, bravely fled with his

Kimberly and her husband Alex Itskov whose parents immigrated to the U.S. from Russia: They don’t like what Putin is doing.

Alex and daughter Caroline: ‘I want my daughter to cast her own judgments.’ family and landed in New York. “It was a difficult journey for him, but he always handled it with a calm happiness, understanding that he made what he thought was the best decision for his immediate family and future generations,” he said.

Alex’s mother, a teen at that time, was so THE FILAM

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unhappy being taken away from the motherland.

“When she arrived here, she felt super lost and didn't quite know what to do with herself,” he shared. At 17, she got pregnant. Shortly after Alex was born, his parents divorced.

Alex was raised by his maternal grandparents.

To this day, he has never visited Russia and holds a dim opinion of the country.

“I was the first generation in my family to be born in America, in 1981,” he said. “My first language was Russian, and my second language was actually a dialect of Farsi that was spoken by the Mountain Jews. I only learned English in school a few years later. There was very little connection to being Russian in my household; we were Jews first and foremost, and I was raised with Mountain Jew values.”

Today, the Mende-Itskov home in Queens is trying to keep in check some angry feelings about an unnecessary war that has left almost 1,300 Ukrainian soldiers and 40 civilians dead (as of this writing). In Russia, the toll is said to be anywhere from 2,000 to 12,000 fatalities, according to news reports. Propaganda from both sides is making it difficult to arrive at a near-accurate count.

“I'm against what Putin is doing now,” said Kim echoing Alex. “I'm generally against any kind of war under any pretext.”

Alex did not hold back. He said “My general view is that Putin is a Soviet KGB agent at heart. He has an oligarchical mindset, ready to grease people for their loyalty. It's corruption at the highest level.

Human life has little value to him, except as a means to achieving an end. He has an antiquated Cold War disdain for America and the West, with a paranoid delusion about NATO expansion being an existential threat.”

In Ukraine, protests against the Russian attack. Getty Images

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Issue 50, April 2022

Caydence Pinola-de Leon

Jo Koy

Photo by Vandyke Williams

A nurse in television pilot

Bullied 6-yearold speaks out

Kimberly Alex Itskov Olivia&Rodrigo

Russian invasion a staple at dinner table Spreads the gospel of vaccination