FILAM July 2022

Issue 53, July 2022

Stella Abrera A new role at American Ballet Theatre

Cardinal Luis Tagle A Filipino in the Vatican

Fiesta In America at 25

Longest-running trade fair finds a new home

Letter from the Editor

On women’s rights and guns, the Supreme Court flunked

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he recent decision on Roe v Wade is viewed by this publication not only through the prism of providing relief to women who get pregnant through rape or incest. Others have taken up that cause more eloquently than The FilAm. We are more concerned about a basic tenet of being American.

That how you conduct your life is no one’s business but your own. My life. My body. My decision.

The Supreme Court just made it its business with its recent decision overturning the nearly 50-year Roe guaranteeing a woman’s right to an abortion.

Like the Taliban who declared girls can’t go to secondary The conservatives on the court are imposing decisions that the overwhelming school, the highest court just majority of Americans do not support. decided that women can’t get an abortion. That abortion will have will have to travel long hours to of the abortion issue, Roe and Casey to be determined by the 50 states. another state to get one. have enflamed debate and deepened About 22 to 30 states have an "Roe was egregiously wrong from division." outright ban on abortion, which the start," writes Justice Samuel The anti-abortion groups cite the includes so-called “trigger” states Alito, in the Supreme Court opinion. issue of morality in their campaign whose restrictive laws will go "Its reasoning was exceptionally and want to impose that on everyinto effect once Roe is eliminated. weak, and the decision has had dam- one else. That is plainly wrong A woman needing an abortion aging consequences. And far from and un-American to a degree that who lives in one of these states, bringing about a national settlement smacks of theocracy.

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

A significant number of Americans support a woman’s right to make her own decision, most especially on health grounds or on rape or incest. Abortion is not just a Democrat or a liberal issue. It is a woman’s issue, this fundamental right to decide if she wants to carry her baby to term or not.

On another equally important case, the Supreme Court thumbed down a New York State law against carrying a concealed weapon.

This in a state where a nut job just slaughtered 10 African Americans in Buffalo. The ruling endangers public safety by allowing a crazy individual to tote a firearm and open fire on a public already horrified by the proliferation of guns in society.

What was surprising about these twin malodorous rulings is they came quickly one after the other. The majority conservatives on the court are imposing decisions that the overwhelming majority of Americans do not support. Both decisions go against public belief and, to be downright blunt about it, are senseless.

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Cardinal Tagle celebrates mass at NYC: ‘A gift to listen to him’

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etired nurse Ave Pimo was one of many who braved the thick crowd at St. Patrick’s Cathedral to listen to Luis Cardinal Tagle celebrate mass commemorating the 40th anniversary of San Lorenzo Ruiz Devotion in the United States.

“I believe it is a gift to listen to him,” she said.

It was not Pimo’s first time to see the prelate. The retired nurse had attended a spiritual retreat years ago when Tagle was still a bishop and before he was appointed Prefect of the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples by Pope Francis.

“He looks like he has aged a bit,” she said. “I guess it’s the stress of the many responsibilities on his shoulders. Let us pray for him.”

Tagle was in New York City this week to celebrate mass at Patrick’s Cathedral. Filipino Americans were excited to see him on the beautiful spring day of June 1. It was a mixed crowd of masked and unmasked attendees. Social distancing was no longer required in the church’s seating arrangements as people took their place in the pews waiting for the service to begin.

As the beautiful sounds of the Tagalog church songs and communion hymns reverberated throughout St. Patrick’s, I felt goosebumps at the back of my neck. Childhood memories of years of Catholic masses in the Philippines came rushing through my mind.

My family going to Sunday masses in our hometown in Butuan City in Mindanao. Some songs have changed over the years but many have remained the same. The crowd in attendance that day was a testament to the formidability of the Filipino spirit and the people’s strong Catholic faith even in a foreign country.

The next day, June 2, the Tagle visited Elmhurst Hospital, where many Filipinos work as nurses and health care professionals. In early 2020, it was the unfortunate epicenter of the

By Lindy Rosales

At Elmhurst Hospital surrounded by nurses and health care workers. His dream was to become a doctor. to the sick is quite unique because you encounter people at their most vulnerable moments. And you don’t encounter only the sick person, you encounter Pope Francis promoted Luis Cardinal Tagle to highest family members, you encounrank of cardinal, Cardinal-Bishop, in May 2020. ter the whole community.

Photo by Giorgio Alfeche And we are bound together by the common condition of COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. vulnerability, of helplessness.”

“I bring you greetings from Pope Tagle was the 32nd Archbishop of Francis and greetings also from the Manila from 2011 to 2019. He holds a many mission directors,” he said. “As it Bachelor of Arts degree in pre-divinity is obvious, I come from Asia. I come from from Ateneo and a master’s degree in the Philippines. When I was a small boy, I theology from Ateneo’s Loyola School really wanted to become a medical doctor. of Theology. He earned his Doctorate That was my dream. That was the interest in Sacred Theology at the Catholic of my life. In fact, at the age of 13, I started University of America. He was ordained reading medical books to prepare myself in the Diocese of Imus, Cavite, in 1982. for medical school. But, yeah, it was not In December 2001, he was appointed meant to be. I was tricked into an exam… bishop of Imus. that I thought was an entrance exam to Pope Benedict XVI appointed Tagle medical school. But it ended up being an the 32nd archbishop of Manila in exam to the seminary. So well, here I am.” October 2011, to succeed Cardinal The crowd loved his anecdotes.

Guadencio Rosales. Pope Benedict He shared his thoughts about his XVI elevated him to the College of vocation and what the priesthood Cardinals in October 2012. He was the means to a community. seventh Filipino to be made a cardinal He said: “We priests are used to being of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis called to hospitals, clinics and even named him Prefect of the Congregation homes, when there is a sick person. And for the Evangelization of Peoples in it always hits me. That this ministry December 2019. Tagle was the second THE FILAM

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Asian to head that Congregation. Pope Francis promoted him to highest rank of cardinal, Cardinal-Bishop, in May 2020. He is the first Filipino to be included in that rank of the College of Cardinals.

Jackie Guerrero from Nutrition Services said she was happy to hear the inspiring words of the cardinal.

“Masaya ako. I feel special.”

Remy Parayno, who lives in Oakland, Queens, said she felt “blessed.” It was her deceased mother’s birthday that day and she was listening to the cardinal. “Minsan, kahit anong hirap ng buhay if you believe and meron kang faith, everything goes by”.

Tagle arrived at the hospital accompanied by Monsignor Kieran Harrington of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

He came up the stage, removed his mask, peered at the laptop, and saw his image. He quipped, “Looks like me”, prompting laughter from the mostly scrubs-wearing crowd.

He shared his thoughts with sincerity and humility, but also cracked some jokes.

He did not use any index cards or any notes; he spoke from the heart. After his remarks, he mingled with the nurses and obliged requests for photo ops and selfies.

He will be remembered for a very long time.

Judge Benes Z. Aldana: 1st FilAm CEO of the National Judicial College

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uring the Asian American Pacific Islander Victory Fund in Washington, D.C. last spring, I was delighted to meet the president and CEO of The National Judicial College, Hon. Benes Zapanta Aldana (Ret.).

Benes is the first Asian Pacific American (Filipino), and second person of color, to lead the College, and before that, he was the first Asian Pacific American to serve as chief trial judge of a U.S. military branch, the Coast Guard. He has led the College, which was founded in 1963 by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Tom Clark, since 2017.

Born with a twin brother, attorney Ace Aldana, in Angeles City, Pampanga, he and his twin and a younger brother, immigrated to the United States when he was 10. His father, a member of the U.S. Navy, was stationed in Maryland.

“My father’s parents, particularly my grandmother, are the reasons why we are here in the United States,” he said.

“She was a nurse and came in during an immigration wave when the United States was recruiting nurses. She settled in Pasadena, California, and after that, petitioned my dad and his siblings to come to the United States. When my dad came to the United States, he joined the Navy, and then the rest of us came along.”

In eighth grade at Oak Harbor Junior High, north of Seattle, he wrote about what he wanted to be when he grew up.

“A lawyer. And eventually, a U.S. senator.”

He is something of a born politician.

Although new in school, he decided to run for vice president of the student government.

One of the candidates complained that he couldn’t run because he was only in the eighth grade. But Benes, whose name rhymes with tennis, pointed out to the government adviser that there was no such rule in the bylaws.

“As I was walking out the door after I filed the petition, I overheard (the other candidate) tell the other kids who were running, ‘He doesn’t know anybody; he’s not going to win.’ I just smiled to myself and went on.

In 8th grade, he wanted to be a lawyer and eventually a U.S. senator.

Aldana invites Rosa Parks, icon of the Civil Rights Movement, to speak at a leadership conference in Seattle that he moderated. This was in 1990 when he was Seattle University student body president.

We gave our speeches at an assembly.

I’ve always been a fan of President John F. Kennedy, so I channeled him in my message.”

Benes’s speech was a hit, and he won the vice presidency. The following year, he was elected president. After graduation, he attended Seattle University, which is an independent Jesuit university. Again, he ran for president of the student body and won, the first Filipino to be elected as president in the college’s history.

During his sophomore year, he interned on Capitol Hill for Representative Cardiss Collins of Chicago.

THE FILAM

However, his proudest moment in college, he said, was getting Rosa Parks, icon of the Civil Rights Movement, to speak at a leadership conference at the university that Benes was chairing.

Parks was most famous for refusing to give up her seat to a white bus passenger, as a local ordinance in Montgomery, Alabama, required. Key to his effort at getting her to Seattle University was securing a grant from the AT&T Foundation, which paid for her to spend an entire week in Seattle. Benes escorted Ms. Parks and her niece everywhere.

After earning his law degree from the University of Washington School | 4

of Law in 1994, he began his service with the Coast Guard, where he would hold many leadership positions. As chief trial judge, he presided over felony trials throughout the country while overseeing a traveling trial judiciary of 10 judges.

Prior to being named chief trial judge, he served as an appellate judge and trial judge. Before that, he was chief legal officer of the Eighth Coast Guard District in New Orleans, Louisiana. In that role, he oversaw the largest field legal office in the Coast Guard, providing legal support to more than 4,700 personnel at more than 80 operational units in 26 states.

In the aftermath of 9/11, he was deployed as a legal adviser to the Department of Defense Criminal Investigation Task Force in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. There he conducted criminal investigations against suspected terrorists detained by U.S. forces. He also served as a trial attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice’s Environmental Enforcement Section.

During his five years leading The National Judicial College, which is the nation’s oldest, largest and most widely attended school for judges, he has established a national reputation as a pioneer and force multiplier in the field of judicial education.

Judge Benes is named after Edvard Beneš, the president of Czechoslovakia from 1935 to 1938 and 1945 to 1948, who defied Hitler. When I asked him what inspires him to do what he does, he said, “To be an effective agent of change.”

“I am driven to leave the world a better place. It’s just part of my DNA.” He is fond of a quote from Jackie Robinson, the trailblazing African-American baseball player who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball. The Hall of Famer once said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives."

By that measure, Judge Benes Aldana has lived an important life because he has had a positive impact on so many lives.

Janet Cinco: ‘My mom was murdered by the hands of my Father’ Hi my name is Paul Cinco and I’m fundraising for my Mom Janet Cinco. On May 26, 2022 she was murdered by the hands of my Father.

Now it’s is only me and my sister, Kyla Cinco. All donations will be used to contribute to medical bills, funeral expenses, relocation costs, and general utilities to support my sister and I.

Joel Cinco is in jail awaiting trial for murder, burglary and weapons charges.

Thank you for your support.

Here is the Gofundme link: https://www.gofundme.

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com/f/kswrw-medical-bills Filipina resident of Lodi, New Jersey was killed by her estranged husband the evening of May 26 in what law enforcement is saying is a case of domestic violence.

Janet Cinco, 44, was “fatally stabbed” to death, according to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.

Her husband Joel Cinco, 48, was charged with her murder. Janet was rushed to Hackensack University Medical by emergency responders where she was pronounced dead in the operating room. Joel is currently held at Bergen County Jail awaiting trial on charges of murder, burglary and weapons offenses.

“In December 2020, Joel was arrested on domestic abuse charges — including stalking, harassment, terroristic threats and violating restraining orders. He now faces charges of murder, burglary and weapons offenses, for which he could

Lodi N.J. Pinay Janet Cinco allegedly stabbed to death by husband.

Facebook photo serve a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted,” according to a report by 1010Wins.

Janet was stabbed to death in her home in 242 Westervelt Place in Lodi. Reports say neighbors held Joel down until police officers arrived. The couple have who children Paul and Kyla.

Janet’s Facebook page shows her last post to be dated January 25. It shows a prayer meme in Tagalog: “KAHIT AKO'Y NAGDARANAS NG MARAMING SULIRANIN, AKO'Y WALANG AGAM-AGAM, PANATAG SA IYONG PILING.” Janet’s 2017 cover photo shows her standing beside an Iglesia ni Cristo board that says: “I am proud to be a member of the Church of Christ.”

THE FILAM

A press statement from Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced the arrest of Joel Cinco (married; unemployed) on charges of murder, burglary, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and unlawful possession of a weapon.

The arrest is the result of an investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office under the direction of Chief Jason Love and the Lodi Police Department under the direction of Chief Donald Scorzetti.

On Thursday, May 26, at approximately 9:32 p.m., the Lodi Police Department received a 911 call reporting a stabbing at 242 Westervelt Place in Lodi. Upon their

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arrival at the residence, officers found 44-year-old Janet Cinco with apparent stab wounds. She was transported to the Hackensack University Medical Center, where she was pronounced deceased. An investigation conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Major Crimes Unit and the Lodi Police Department revealed that Joel Cinco fatally stabbed his wife, Janet Cinco.

On Friday, May 27, Joel was arrested and charged with first-degree murder; second-degree burglary; third-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose; and fourth-degree unlawful possession of a weapon. He was remanded to the Bergen County Jail pending his first appearance in Central Judicial Processing Court in Hackensack, NJ. Prosecutor Musella states that the charges are merely an accusation and that the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, and he would also like to thank the Lodi Police Department and the Bergen County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance in this investigation.

‘Aladdin’ actor Don Darryl Rivera gives Iago a daring makeover Don Darryl Rivera is a selfprofessed “Disney nerd.” A glimpse inside his Mickey Mouse- and Aladdin-lampdecorated office is big giveaway. When he learned he earned the role as Iago in the Broadway musical Aladdin, it was quite an emotional experience. “I distinctly remember my hands going numb as a I got the call from the [casting office],” Rivera says. “I hung up the phone, cried and then called my mom and dad, my sister and my wife.

It was a really awesome day.”

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isney film buffs will recall that that in the Aladdin animated film (1992), Iago is a parrot voiced by the late Gilbert Gottfried, but in the Broadway adaptation Rivera is all human, but equally witty and wisecracking as the sidekick to the main mischief maker, Jafar. “The Broadway version of Iago captures the spirit of what Iago was in the film and brings it into full 360 Disney villainy,” Rivera says.

When Rivera isn’t providing comic relief at New York’s New Amsterdam Theatre eight shows a week, he’s spending time with his wife Kate, daughter Eloise, or moonlighting as a playwright and composer.

Here, we talk to Rivera about what he loves most about Iago, performing on stage, one memorable on-stage shoe snafu and more!

What do you love about your character? How do you relate to him?

I love the scale that Iago lives on. For Iago, everything is so extreme—the solution for him is usually violence (laughs), and he has some really great

‘I’ve been training as a villain my whole life.’

Don Darryl Rivera plays Iago in ‘Aladdin’ on Broadway.

Photo: DonDarrylRivera.com one liners! … I relate to the character in this way: I have an older sister… I spent my formative years tormenting her - so I guess, I’ve been training as a villain my whole life?!

How has your background or personality influenced how you portray your character?

I’ve had some great training in physical comedy over the years and using those skills for Iago is really important.

He is a character that has these huge reactions, wears a big, beautiful costume [designed by Tony Award Winner Gregg Barnes)] and is the sidekick to a really nefarious villain, so as we were in rehearsal, I found ways to physically support the character and literally fill the costume!

When you decided to be a performer, how did your family and friends react?

My parents immigrated from the Philippines in the 1970s and my whole family (including cousins, aunts and uncles) all either attended the University of Washington in my hometown of Seattle or have worked there for many, many years. So, when I decided to THE FILAM

attend Cornish College of the Arts, they thought I was taking a risk, but knew that I could rise to the occasion.

How do you keep your performance fresh after eight shows a week, month after month?

It’s the audiences. They’re the invisible cast member that keeps the “balloon up in the air,” so to speak. There’s an electricity between the performers and the audience that make live theatre exciting. Even after we’ve performed the show over the last eight years, no one performance is truly and exact replica of the last… and I think that’s one reason that keeps it fresh for me.

What is the funniest thing that has happened to you on stage? Or backstage?

Well… where do I begin? After 2600plus performances, there have been many things that I’ve stored as funny core memories. I think one of the funniest things that has happened to me onstage was in 2013, in Toronto during our pre-Broadway tryout. The stage was above the level of the dressing rooms, and if you’ve seen the show, I wear these intimidating, | 6

beautiful shoes that have a six-inch spike protruding upwards off the toe. Those spikes made it really challenging for me to go up the stairs to the stage level, so I used to wear slippers and change my shoes right before I went on stage.

Well, one night right before [the song] “Diamond in the Rough,” I forgot to change my shoes and went on stage with slippers. My whole body went stiff as I realized what I had just done, so in between lines I ran to the edge of the wings and pointed at my shoes. Jonathan Freeman, who was the original Jafar on Broadway and voiced Jafar in the film, said I was running to the edge of the wings because he thought I wasn’t feeling well and thought I was gonna lose my lunch! (laughs) A stage manager saw I wasn’t wearing the right shoes and ran to get my shoes in a flash and with a little Disney magic, I was wearing the right shoes just in time to do the number without really leaving the stage.

See ‘Aladdin’ on Broadway at the legendary New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City. For more information visit aladdinthemusical.com.

Comic Rich Kiamco finds ‘there is freedom in laughter’ Standup comic Rich Kiamco is one of eight LGBTQ individuals whose stories were put on spotlight in the ABC’s special series “Our America: Who I’m meant to be.” He joins a fire chief in Fresno who is a woman, an out gay Muslim, a biracial personal chef and others who share the challenges of being LGBTQIA+ and how race, religion, class, gender and sexuality define who they are. In Rich’s case, his comedy adds another dimension to his narrative.

In his own words…

“I’ve been an openly gay Filipino American comedian…I was 14 years old when I came out to my Filipino Catholic parents. I looked at my dad and realized I gave him something to cry about. He looked at me and said, ‘Stop singing, stop dancing and stop sewing.’ When I came out, the first thing my dad did was take away my sewing machine. My dad loved me, he was just terrified that his son was gonna fail.

“The first paid gig I had back in the olden days, the guy said, 'Get off the stage you "f" word!' and the whole room started chanting it. I stopped doing comedy…But I’m back.

“I’m nervous. I have a traumatic memory. Everything I've joked about was probably really painful when it first happened. But being able to laugh is like turning it around. That's the payoff.

"When I first was doing it, I'm like, this is all the validation I've been seeking. And now it's like, do not expect this to fill the hole because I've seen people consumed by it. I'm a complete person, whether or not I get that laugh, because if this laughter is my only source of oxygen, I'm doomed because it will never be enough."

“I was in Indiana carrying Chinese takeout. They took my food and tipped me. They literally

‘Everything I've joked about was probably really painful when it first happened.’

Nurse Recruiter, Westchester County NY Utilize recruitm tools facilities & strategies to source RNs & rel prof in US or overseas eval credentials of nurse-applicants & validate authenticity facilitate obtainment of prof certs w/ State Boards of Nursing including basic life support perform background checks BS Deg Nursing Human Res or rel fld email resume to Universal Medical Record Services Corp at

He came out to his Filipino Catholic parents at age 14. thought I was delivering food.

"When (my partner) Sandy died from COVID, like two days after I buried him, I was doing jokes about it. It was really dark, but I needed to do it for me, so that I could feel alive - not to dishonor him, but to not let COVID win.

"There's freedom in laughter. We can take something really painful and flip it and transform it.

“This is New York. People understand that this brown (points to his face) is Asian or gay.

“Comedy is one of the things that’s kept me alive.”

THE FILAM

scohnmd@universalmedicalrecord.com | 7

COVER STORY

THE MARK OF LONGEVITY

Fiesta In America celebrates 25th year Since 1996, 1996,Fiesta FiestainInAmerica America Since has evolved through many has evolved through many venues, including Jacob Javits venues, including Jacob Javits CenterNYC, NYC,New NewColiseum ColiseumNYC, NYC, Center andfor forover over20 20years yearsuntil until2019 2019 and atMeadowlands MeadowlandsExpo ExpoCenter Center in in Secaucus, New New Jersey in

By Manansala BYLen LEN MANANSALA

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Nanding Nanding Mendez, Mendez, Fiesta Fiesta In in America’ Americas Founder and President-CEO Founder and President / CEO

Len Manansala is an advertising and Len Manansala is advertising and marketing professional with overover 21 21 marketing professional with years management roles yearsin management roles at atleading leading American nonprofit organizations.

American nonprofit organizations.

He director atat Heserved servedas ascreative creative director various and PRPR agencies variousadvertising advertising and agencies in Bahrain andand the the U.S.US. inManila, Manila, Bahrain

Inspired by the magazine’s sevenyear print run, Nanding and his wife Milagros branched out into a different medium with similar mass appeal: Filipino-themed indoor staged events. They retained Special Edition Press as the name of the holding company, which eventually expanded into graphic arts, advertising, commercial printing and real estate.

“We first tried our hands as impresarios,” Nanding remembers, “wetting our feet by producing blockbuster concerts headlined by past icons and contemporary stars in the world of Philippine entertainment,” including Kuh Ledesma in New York (1994), Banig in Atlantic City (1995) and Sharon Cuneta, also in Atlantic City (1996).

Major brands eventually took notice of the growing, predominantly Filipino audience at the concerts, giving the Mendezes the opportunity to amplify the musical experience into a more expansive indoor gathering.

Banking on the goodwill built by Special Edition Press and the concerts among fans and advertisers, the couple embarked on what became a merger of nostalgia and

n the fraught world of festival zine, of which organizing, no other indoor Nanding was both Filipino event on the U.S. Publisher and Art East Coast has demonstrated Director, enjoyed constancy more than Fiesta In coast-to-coast circulaAmerica. Founded in 1996 in tion and a successful New York City and mounted every run that exceeded the year except during the 2020-2021 five-year average life pandemic, Fiesta In America lays span of U.S. micro claim to being the most enduring and small enterprises.

Filipino American indoor event “Special Edition Press made it in the Atlantic corridor. clear that FilAms will consume “It’s been a long, tough fight to thought-provoking media that claw our way back from the lockrevolved around their culture and down,” admits Fernando ‘Nanding’ immigrant experience,” Nanding Mendez, Fiesta In America founder recalls about his fledgling years in and President-CEO, “but we have publishing. “Just as important, shown that nothing can stop the I discovered that U.S. advertisers power of a big yet simple idea.” will support a Filipino-focused After a two-year pause, Fiesta mass medium as long as it has the will re-open at 10 a.m. on Saturday, potential to last beyond a few August 20 but will return at a new editions.” venue: Court A of American Dream in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus has been home for more than two decades.

The big idea was, indeed, starkly simple: to relive the spirit of a Philippine town fiesta, but indoors.

Nanding Mendez, an award-winning advertising Art Director and Caloocan City native, traces the origin of not-for-profit Fiesta In America to 1989 when he founded the glossy quarterly magazine, Special Edition Press, in New York with other ex-advertising colAmericanDream DreamatatEast East Rutherford, the new home of 2022 Fiesta in In America American Rutherford, NewNJ,Jersey, the new home of 2022 Fiesta AmericaononAug. Aug.20 20 leagues from Makati. The maga-

business in the FilAm consumer market of New York and New Jersey: the US-Philippines Trade Show and Concert. Held in the summer of 1996 at New York’s Jacob Javits Convention Center, the seminal event featured exhibitors from the Philippines and the U.S., capped by performances from pillars of Philippine film and music, among them Amalia Fuentes, Romeo Vasquez, Gabby Concepcion, Cherry Gil and comedian Pork Chop.

Changes in the venue (the New York Coliseum in 1997 and New Jersey’s Meadowlands Expo Center in Secaucus from 1998 to 2019), the name (Philippine Trade Fair and Fiesta in 1997, Philippine Fiesta from 1998 to 2012, and Fiesta In America Expo and Cultural Show from 2013 to the

present), and Mila’s tragic passing in 2012 due to illness did not disrupt the event’s annual staging.

Hundreds of small to medium-size Philippine and U.S. businesses, as well as leading national brands have exhibited at the trade pavilion to date. Two-day, indoor attendance has risen from a few hundreds in 1996 to well over 8,000 in subsequent years.

“To evoke the welcoming spirit of fiestas and America’s multicultural face,” Nanding adds, “the cultural shows even featured Chinese and Korean dance troupes, exciting Latino American singers and American Billboard icons such as The Drifters and Gary Lewis and the

Playboys. Clearly, mounting such an event with simultaneous activities is complex. “Along with my beloved Laura Garcia, Vice President for Community Affairs, we could not have succeeded every

Nanding Mendez and Laura Garcia

Fiesta IninAmerica Americaevent eventsince since 1996 which helped shaped its legacy andtogether put together the Filipino Americans in the east other states 1996 which helped shaped its legacy and put the Filipino Americans on the East Coast andcoast otherand states

year without the expertise of Ogie Afable, the cultural program’s Producer-Director, plus a host of dedicated staff and volunteers.”

Nanding is equally proud of Fiesta In America’s directmarketing support for a wide array of FilAm and Philippines-based businesses that tapped into the lucrative FilAm market of the mid-Atlantic corridor.

“Every year, our trade pavilion showcased native-goods exhibitors from Luzon to Mindanao, real estate for investment or retirement, Philippine travel attractions, free vital-signs screenings from sponsoring medical centers, free self-improvement and small-business workshops, special sections for children as well as artists and photographers,” says Nanding.

“And because food is a huge comeon in every fiesta, our event always served regional Filipino dishes at the native food court.”

The Fil-Am Who’s Who and local U.S. elected officials are regular guests at Fiesta In America’s companion gala, the People’s Ball, which will mark its 14th year on August 14 at the Marriott Liberty International Airport Hotel.

“Fiesta In America has outlasted most other indoor Fil-Am event by not deviating from the town-fiesta model; but that doesn’t mean the event has stopped evolving,” says Nanding at his midtown Manhattan office. “Not counting the pandemic hiatus, its most dramatic change in the past 26 years will be the move from the Meadowlands Expo Center, our home for more than 20 years, to the 3-million-squarefoot American Dream on August 20. With no entrance fee, and backed by American Dream’s four theme parks, wide dining and shopping choices, plus a Hispanic Pavilion and Latino American performers to commemorate Spain’s lasting influence on our culture, Fiesta In America 2022 is shaping up to become the FilAm community’s indoor event of the year.”

For more event information, visit www.fiestainamerica.com.

Pamana ng Pilipino PRESIDENTIAL AWARDEE

Laura Garcia

“I like to serve, and sometimes give a little bit more.”

By R. Montebon BYMarivir MARIVIR R. MONTEBON

Attending the State of the City Address of NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio

Marivir R. Montebon is a journalist in New York who founded her online magazine OSM! (awesome) in 2012.

She recently published 'Awesome at 10', a curated compilation of news features and essays about the FilAm communities to celebrate her online magazine’s 10th anniversary.

largest and oldest organizations of After a grueling day at school, Dr. Laura Garcia, a nurse educator, Filipinos in the U.S. She completed her degree in Doctor of recharged herself through a short Nursing Practice at Fairleigh nap and had the energy to answer my interview questions in the wee hours of the night.

She is a woman of accomplishments and of many titles in community organizations in the Big Apple. So aptly, I asked which achievement is most important to her.

Laura is an associate professor of Nursing at the College of Mount St. Vincent and a clinical instructor at the New York University Rory Meyers College of Nursing. She served two terms as State Chairperson of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations-New York (NAFFAA-New York), one of the Tipon Silliman with Nanding Mendez

Dickinson University.

“I am not my accomplishments.

I am not the title next to my name.

I like to serve. Sometimes, your commitment to serve is good enough. But sometimes, you give a little more. You just do your work, you serve. One day, you just might find that you made a difference. That is why the Presidential Award is very important to me.

It is my most recent accomplishment. I won’t say it is the most important, but the impact you have made has reached the highest official of your country of birth for you ‘have brought the country honor and recognition through excellence and distinction in the pursuit of your work or profession.’ To me, that is so cool!”

Laura is actively involved in Filipino-American and nonFilipino community concerns in the East Coast and serves on the Manhattan Community Board District Five (CB5). She has gone a long way since she arrived in the U.S. in 1985 working as a nurse at the Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn.

Born in Butuan City in Mindanao, Laura was one of the 2020 Ten Outstanding Butuanons.

She is a mother of two grown chil-

With son John-John, now Mayor of Barili, Cebu

With Manhattan Community Board Five Borough President Gale Brewer. At the Manhattan Paper Challenge event dren: Teresa Esperanza Anderson who lives in New Jersey with her family and Pablo John Garcia IV who recently was elected mayor in the town of Barili, Cebu.

To date, she has five grandchildren whom she regards as her pride and joy. Her life partner Fernando Mendez, President and CEO of Fiesta In America, has long been a source of inspiration in her life in the U.S. I have known Laura for several years now as a friend and a community leader who puts her heart into public service and as a teacher and nurse. She definitely is one of the most beautiful and glamorous women in N.Y., but more importantly, she is beautiful deep inside.

She is a refined woman, strong, reliable, and kind-hearted.

Behind that sweet smile and gentle demeanor is a formidable community leader. Laura said that she looks to her mother Teresa for strength who helped her raise her

Manny Pacquiao’s Asia Society Press Conference, New York

children into becoming kindhearted individuals.

As a media professional, I have been privy to Laura’s struggle as a mother in 2021 during the lockdown when her daughter Teza and son-in-law contracted the dreaded coronavirus. Being a nurse and mother, it must be awful feeling helpless and monitoring her daughter and her family (two small grandchildren) remotely through a cell phone.

With strong faith and love, she had been their strength. Her caregiving experience for daughter Teza and her family has been one of the many inspiring stories I have ever written in 2020.

Laura is a staunch advocate for human rights, particularly on access to public health, family unity and racial justice. On various occasions, I have interviewed her position on racism, educating the public on the proper approach and attitude towards it. She said she

With NYU NYU Rory RoryMeyers MeyersCollege CollegeofofNursing Nursing Students With students

With daughter Teza and her husband Ty and three grandchildren – Layla, Keiley Hope and Tyler had called out immediately those who discriminated against her – in the workplace, for instance. It is a chance for that person to have a fresh look at people, so you need to speak up, she once said in my interview.

She was passionately against the separation of families at the U.S. borders. As a mother who had experienced being away from her children, she empathized with the families being torn apart. You cannot do that – or the society is making monsters out of these little ones, Laura opined in a video interview which I produced.

During the pandemic, she used her position at the Manhattan council to access masks for FilAms. The press club where I belong benefitted from several boxes of masks for our members from the NYC Mayor’s office through Laura.

In small or big ways, Laura is a tried and tested woman leader.

2020 Outstanding Butuanon

Asked about her plans in the immediate future as a leader, Laura said she would continue to mentor other people, especially the young ones.

“I have noticed there are so many rising young stars in our community and in my work who need just a little push to become leaders.

When you are successful, there are people who will pull you down. I will teach the youth to rise above the negativity. My nieces and nephews are growing. I would love to mentor them. Some of them I see transform from shy individuals into confident young adults.

“At some point, I will step aside and let the new generation take the lead. I will continue to inspire, to motivate and bring out the best in myself and everyone around me,” said Laura.

Marching with the VIPs at the 2019 PIDCI Parade at Madison Avenue, New York City

Calendar

of Events

||August 11 to 13

EVENTS

FANHS National Conference Seattle University 901 12th Avenue Seattle, WA

||Ongoing till September

In America: An Anthology of Fashion The Met’s Anna Wintour Costume Center 1000 Fifth Avenue, NYC

||August 14

||July 2 to 3

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

||July 6 to 10

43rd PNAA National Convention/ Filipino Men in Nursing: July 7 panel discussion New York Marriott Marquis For details contact: Philippine Nurses Association of America Register at www.mypnaaconference.org

||July 17

Atlantic City, N.J. For inquiries call Amore at 562-832-4959 Tessa 732-492-4170

||July 16

Summer White Soiree: Dinner, dancing and fashion show Residence of Dr. Edgar and Mary Jane Lerias 12 Chablis Drive Dix Hills, N.Y Call Cely Deauna 201-660-0155 Heartandhammerorg@gmail.com

||July 9

Filipino Grand Parade: Celebrating Philippine Independence ‘United Through Our Diversities’ Washington Park Staten and Willet Street Albany, N.Y. New York Phil-Am Lions Club

||July 9

Four Kings and a Queen with Marco Sison, Hajji Alejandro, Rey Valera, Nonoy Zuniga and Pops Fernandez Bally’s Casino N.J. 1900 Pacific Avenue

People’s Ball of Fiesta in America Newark Liberty International Airport Marriott Hotel 1 Hotel Rd., Newark For details call 212-682-6610 or email info@fiestainamerica.com; sepmgzn@yahoo.com

Fashion Culture & Cause Leonard’s Palazzo 555 Northern Boulevard Great Neck N.Y. Contact event chair Joyce Aligarbes: 646-515-2611

||August 4 to 7

14th NaFFAA National Empowerment Conference Harrah’s Las Vegas Hotel Nevada

||August 20

Fiesta in America American Dream 1 American Dream Way East Rutherford, N.J.

||August 5

||July 16

Iconic with Sharon Cuneta and Regine Velasquez Newark Symphony Hall Tickets: 917-991-5524

||July 16

Piolo Pascual & Sam Milby in Heartthrobs Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center 4915 E. Campus Dr. Alexandria, VA

THE FILAM

OPM Summer Fest Tour with Gloc9, Rivermaya and Introvoys: Live in Virginia Capital One Hall 7750 Capital One Tower Road Tysons Corner, VA

||August 6

Star Magic US Tour: ‘Beyond the Stars’ Kings Theatre 1027 Flatbush Avenue Brooklyn, NYC

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||September 16

12th Annual TOFA Awards: Celebrating the Global Filipino The Town Hall Times Square NYC

BOOKS

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

One mother’s thoughts on Uvalde and how to improve school security

Q

By Cristina DC Pastor

ueens mom Casey DeLeon Pinola remembers shedding tears when she learned 19 children were mowed down in a school in Uvalde, Texas, a city once heralded as the “honey capital of the world.”

She immediately thought of her three children Carlos, 15; Caydence, 6; and Coah, 4, who go to three different schools in New York City.

“That night I will admit that I cried and held my children a little tighter than usual,” said Casey when reached by The FilAm. “When I sent them to school the next day, all I could do was believe they'd be okay.”

Eldest son Carlos in 10th grade attends Legacy High School in Roosevelt Island. Daughter Caydence goes to PS 390Q, and youngest Coah is a student at Brookville Center for Children's Services. Carlos and Coah are bussed to and from school as part of their Individualized Education Program being students with developmental disabilities. Caydence is taken to school either

by Casey or Caydence’s Lolo depending on who is available for the day.

“I am not scared about my children being in school because my kids are in good schools,” said Casey. “And we are a tight knit school community.” All three schools have practised different safety drills with their students, for which Casey is grateful.

But Casey and some parents have some observations about school security and suggested ways to reform them. It starts with a locked door, a security guard, and cameras. They noted how some schools have only cameras as the first line of defense with no security guard to inspect the visitors’ bags or backpacks.

“Cameras are great but it takes only how many seconds for an intruder to enter and -- worst-case scenario -- attack the security guard before walking inside the school building. Some schools, have buzzers and an intercom where you state your purpose in entering the school,” she said.

Another suggestion is installing bulletproof doors and locks and a direct connection from each room to 911 stations. With

Casey DeLeon Pinola has three children attending three different NYC schools.

Mom tells Coah, Carlos, and Caydence, ‘In an emergency, get to safety, don’t try to be a hero.’

all the money that has not yet been used for the COVID-19 pandemic relief, Casey believes schools can install these safety measures, at the very least the buzzers for the main doors.

She said screeners like those in airports are good to have too but may not be a priority in terms of budget.

Schools in other states have foggers or smoke machines to disorient any intruder, she said. “The fogging machine are installed in ceilings so the intruders can’t see the classrooms.”

She said parents in one of her children’s schools have brought up some safety concerns to the teachers. “We parents have signed a petition to be presented to the principal and the DOE (Department of Education).”

They observe also how some school staff need additional safety training.

“All we can do as parents is teach community safety and stress awareness (to our children),” she said.

She tells her children that when they are in school “teachers are the authority.”

In the event of an emergency, they have to put their listening ears on and follow directions.

“I told them in the event of an emergency just get to safety, and don’t try to be a hero. I told them crying is okay but after they have taken action and they are safe and out of danger.”

THE FILAM

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‘Top Gun: Maverick:’ Exciting aerial action adventure

“T

By Wendell Gaa

op Gun: Maverick” is truly one of the most entertaining and stimulating action dramas which Hollywood has produced in years, and also now one of my personal favorite movies starring the always charismatic and seemingly ageless Tom Cruise.

I have cherished memories of my very first viewing of the original “Top Gun” back in 1986 when it was screened at SM North EDSA in Quezon City. The passion and love for this classic film was evident from the jubilant cheers from the audience which I remember so well every time Cruise was onscreen, whether he was flying high up in the air inside his F-14 fighter jet or just playing beach volleyball.

Sure, by today’s cinematic standards, the plot in the original is a typical simplistic story about an egomaniac’s Cruise’s onscreen chemistry with actress Jennifer Connelly (playing Penny Benjamin) feels journey from high point to low point, genuine. and then a comeback to high point again, a narrative so common to many films throughout the 1980s. Yet it was this simplicity which drew my family and I to “Top Gun,” and apart from the movie’s amazing aerial dogfight choreography which still holds up well today. Throughout the years I have found myself giving this movie repeated viewings because I have just been so drawn to its “Comeback Kid” values of courage and determination against difficult challenges in life.

After 36 years of waiting for the sequel, I can happily say that it was worth the wait, and although it may sound trite, I will go on the record to state that “Top Gun: Maverick” is one of those few sequels which is a worthy successor to an unmatched classic original.

Cruise returns to the character role which practically launched him to Hollywood blockbuster success, Tom Cruise as U.S. Navy Captain Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell U.S. Navy Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell. Art imitates real life in that numerous opportunities for promotion capabilities to the limit, however, puts the story here takes place 36 years after to higher ranks so that he can continue him at deep odds with his superior, Rear the events of the first film. Maverick, flying, now serves as a test pilot for Admiral Chester “Hammer” Cain (Ed who over the years has turned down the Navy. His persistence to push his Harris), who sends him to return to his THE FILAM

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duties as a TOPGUN instructor upon the orders of Maverick’s old friend and ex-rival Tom “Iceman” Kazansky (Val Kilmer) who is now an admiral in the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Maverick is tasked to train a group of young, idealistic and enthusiastic naval aviators who have been assigned an urgent top-secret mission to attack an enemy base. One of these pilot trainees happens to be Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw (Miles Teller), the son of his long deceased best friend Nick “Goose” Bradshaw. Rooster deeply resents Maverick’s role as both an instructor and mentor in his life given the events and circumstances behind his father’s death in the first film, for which he blames Maverick. Maverick’s attempts to prove to his naval superiors that he still has what it takes to win, along with his relationship with Rooster and the rest of the young fighter pilots forms the crux of the film’s story. One of the young pilots is Billy “Fritz” Avalone played by Filipino-Canadian actor Manny Jacinto.

The other notable sub-plot in the film involves Maverick’s budding romantic relationship with a former flame and daughter of a former admiral, Penny Benjamin played by Jennifer Connelly, another Hollywood actress who seems to never age. Their onscreen chemistry here feels genuine and thankfully doesn’t stir up any unnecessary “love triangle” distractions to the movie’s pacing.

Without any pun intended, the aerial action choreography here is elevated to impressive new heights, and it’s just mind-boggling to think how Tom Cruise performed his own piloting stunts, just as he has likewise done with other daring stunts in the “Mission Impossible” series.

I personally don’t feel that this sequel movie outshines its predecessor like many critics may have pointed out, but “Top Gun: Maverick” is still one exciting big screen adventure that I will find myself watching over and over again just like the original film.

Stella Abrera named acting artistic director of American Ballet Theatre’s JKO School Stella Abrera, former Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre, has been named Acting Artistic Director of the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. The appointment, effective August 22, was announced by Kevin McKenzie, Artistic Director of American Ballet Theatre.

A

brera has served as Artistic Director of Kaatsbaan Cultural Park in Tivoli, New York since June 2020, following a 24-year performing career with ABT. As Acting Artistic Director of the ABT JKO School for the 2022-23 academic year, Abrera will oversee all artistic aspects of the school’s Children’s Division, Pre-Professional Division, and National Training Curriculum.

“I am thrilled to be appointed to the position of Acting Artistic Director of the ABT JKO School.

It is an honor to succeed Cynthia Harvey, whose illustrious career as a ballerina, educator, and leader I have long admired,” said Abrera. “I look forward to bringing to this post my passion for nurturing new generations of dancers and my understanding of ABT’s rich history and new imperatives. Through a robust and well-rounded curriculum, world-class instruction, and an environment in which students can explore their own artistic voices, I will aim to advance the school’s tradition of excellence.”

She continued, “Thank you to ABT Artistic Director Kevin McKenzie and CEO Janet Rollé for their trust and examples of leadership, and for the support of Artistic Director Designate Susan Jaffe.

I am grateful to my colleagues and the Board of Trustees at Kaatsbaan Cultural Park. I have taken pride in being part of the visionary team leading this multidisciplinary artist sanctuary and presenting venue, and I look forward to following its continued achievements.”

McKenzie said, “I’m thrilled to welcome Stella back to the ABT family, where she can share her knowledge of this amazing art form and teach a new generation through the lens of her experiences as a celebrated artist of ABT.” Born in Manila, Philippines, Abrera grew up in South Pasadena, California and began her ballet training with Philip and Charles Fuller and Cynthia

Manila-born Abrera is ‘thrilled to be nurturing new generations of dancers.’ Photo: Sophie Elgort Young at Le Studio in Pasadena. She continued her studies with Lorna Diamond and Patricia Hoffman at the West Coast Ballet Theatre in San Diego and studied the Royal Academy of Dancing method with Joan and Monica Halliday at the Halliday Dance Centre in Sydney, Australia.

Abrera joined American Ballet Theatre as a member of the corps de ballet in 1996 and was promoted

to Soloist in 2001. In August 2015, she was appointed Principal Dancer. Her repertoire with ABT included leading and title roles in the major classical ballets and in works by leading choreographers of the 20th and 21st centuries, including George Balanchine, William Forsythe, Martha Graham, Lar Lubovitch, Mark Morris, Alexei Ratmansky, Jerome Robbins, Twyla Tharp, and Antony Tudor. She retired from performing in 2020.

Prior to her appointment as Artistic Director of Kaatsbaan, Abrera served as Associate Director of the summer Kaatsbaan Ballet Intensive and spearheaded Pro-Studio, a coaching program for professional ballet dancers in the formative years of their careers.

Abrera’s philanthropic work includes the founding of Steps Forward for the Philippines, an organization created to benefit typhoon victims in the Philippine province of Guiuan, and the co-founding of Artists for Aveni to benefit the Aveni Foundation’s mission to cure cancer. She also curated and danced in a series of galas in Manila to benefit disadvantaged Filipino children of CENTEX elementary schools, which resulted in the building of the Stella Abrera Dance and Music Hall in Batangas, Philippines.

Abrera’s numerous awards include a Benois de la Danse Nomination for “The Sleeping Beauty” (2017), New York State Assembly recognition for service to the community (2017), Woman of the Year from the Philippine Consulate General in New York (2016), California State Senate recognition for contributions to the performing arts (2015), and the Gold Medal at the Royal Academy of Dance Adeline Genée Awards (1995). Abrera has studied at Long Island University and Harvard University’s “Crossover into Business” program.

A celebrated artist of ABT.

THE FILAM

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Magpabakuna! A survey of FilAm attitudes toward vaccines A nationwide survey to document attitudes surrounding vaccination in the Filipino American community has been launched by the Filipino Young Leaders Program or FYLPRO.

T

he Magpabakuna na Tayo (“Measuring and Gathering data on Pilipino/a/x American Behaviors, Attitudes, and Knowledge Understanding the Novel Coronavirus vaccines”) study is a 20-minute survey that will be conducted online and via telephone by FYLPRO’s Tayo program and community partner, the Council of Young Filipinx Americans in Medicine or CYFAM. The survey is available in English and Filipino and open to all FilAms aged 18 and above regardless of whether they have received the COVID-19 vaccine or not.

The survey seeks to not only improve data collection on FilAms specifically, but also assist in the disaggregation of data on Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities at large.

The longstanding practice of aggregating socioeconomic, public health, and other data under one broad AAPI category oftentimes obscures inequalities at the ethnic community level.

Although Filipinos have emerged as the second largest Asian American ethnic group in the United States, FilAms are vastly underrepresented in medical research.

“Despite making up over 6 percent of the U.S. population, less than 0.2 percent of the National Institutes of Health budget is dedicated to studying the health of Asian American populations,” stated Tayo medical advisor Dr. Melissa Palma. “Oftentimes academic researchers label

immigrant groups like Filipinos as ‘hard to reach,’ but in my experience it’s often that they aren’t sending the right people to ask and engage with us.”

Palma, a board-certified preventive medicine and public health physician in Chicago, IL, heads the survey team that also includes CYFAM members Abigail Ahyong, Giana Apoderado, Neille John Apostol, Siegried Chen, Diana Del Rosario, Sheena Garcia, Samantha Sumait, Matthew Roces, Mericien Venzon, and Megan Yee. Additional support is provided by FYLPRO board members and Tayo core leaders Mark Calaguas, Jobel Vecino and Leezel Tanglao.

“This survey is vitally important to improve collection of data about us as a community,” said Leezel Tanglao, FYLPRO president and Tayo project director. “The lack of disaggregated data has made it difficult to fully understand the impact of COVID-19 on the Filipino community. This is the first step in better telling our story.”

FYLPRO believes many minority communities of color have been disproportionately affected by the current COVID19 pandemic, including the FilAm community. “With the rapidly-evolving approval and availability of COVID-19 vaccines, an examination of the barriers to care for the Filipino American community in the context of COVID-19 vaccines is needed.”

The survey is supported by a grant from the CDC Foundation.

Analysis of results is expected in late fall 2022.

THE FILAM

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COVER STORY

COVID did not stop the FilAms’ biggest parade

S

By Lindy Rosales

enate Majority Leader Charles Schumer came early at 11:18 a.m. for the parade that was to start at 12 noon.

He came to shake hands with Filipino American leaders…and to apologize.

“I’m sorry I can’t come march with you today, it’s my 50th college reunion. But I did want to come here even if it’s a little early to say Mabuhay!” he said airily, sounding like a politico pressing hands for votes.

“How do you say I love the Philippines? Mahal ko kayo!” he said with a little coaching.

After a pandemic-induced hiatus of two years, the Philippine Independence Day parade returned to New York City on June 5. Madison Avenue seemed overflowing with FilAms in festive attire and jovial spirit. Friends and families they have not seen in years, they were happy to hug and elbow bump. It was reason enough to celebrate with Philippine drinks and delicacies available in kiosks nearby.

Schumer shook hands with parade frontliners Consul General Elmer Cato, and officers of the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PICDI), who organized the event, led by President Nora Galleros.

“So, continued prosperity, continued success,” he said. “I know the great history of the Philippines. I know what great people you are. And we look forward to many more successes from this community.”

Dr. Francia De Vera, a pediatrician from Merrick, Long Island was the Grand marshal.

“I’m so excited kasi we’re blessed with nice weather. At tsaka maganda ang PIDCI group this time, very very coordinated. It will be perfect”, she said.

Indeed, a perfect day for a parade. Sun is out, and no rain in the forecast. The crowd seemed a little thinner in some parts of Madison but closer to the grandstand was where action awaited. The crowd roared with every passing community organization waving at the judges.

Nanette Caronan, a dietitian from Elmhurst Hospital, distributed free bottles of water to dancers from the Cebuanos Engaging in Building Unity. The dance troupe was the most applauded for their lively number and their billowy Sinulog costumes.

Arlene Trambulo, a co-owner of D’Haven, marched for the first time. “At the last minute we

decided to join. There were around 60 participants in our group. I asked them, Hindi ba kayo natakot mag-parade dahil sa COVID? They said no.”

Another organization making its debut is the International Women Artists (IWA) led by founder Ann Constantino Beck.

“We have 25 members. We joined the parade so we can have visibility and also to expand our network. In the beginning we were kinda hesitant to join because of rising cases of COVID, but since we are all vaccinated and well aware how to deal with COVID, we came out. Next year we are planning to join on a float,” she said.

Consul General Elmer Cato was resplendent in his elegant quilt-designed Barong Tagalog.

He said, “Sa mga lugar na sakop ng Philippine Consulate we have 450,000 Filipinos in New York and surrounding areas. And that’s from Vermont

Parade beauties on a float. Photo: RJ Ensalada THE FILAM

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Senator Charles Schumer delivers a brief ‘hello…goodbye’ message to the community after being welcomed by PIDCI President Nora Galleros.

all the way down to Delaware.

We always look forward to events like these where we could gather together, to not only to celebrate our independence, but also to share our culture with the other nationalities.

Yes, talagang this is something that our kababayans really look forward to every year.”

Liberty Abelido, nurse manager in a Queens hospital, marched with one of her sons, three nephews, and two friends.

“It feels good (to be here). We value the spirit of our Kalayaan,” she said. “Although we know we have so much problems in the Philippines, we still try to make sure there’s a positive way of collaborating with our peers. Not just discussing the problems”.

Liberty and her companions stood in line for two and a half hours to buy food. When it was their turn, they had to wait another 30 minutes as the vendor ran out of food, and had to bring out their back-up supplies. “But the barbecue was so good.”

Ceremonial ribbon cutting to open the parade. From left, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the United Nations Enrique Manalo, Consul General Elmer Cato, PIDCI’s Nora Galleros, Grand Marshal Dr. Francia De Vera and husband Tito de Vera.

Photo courtesy of Nora Galleros

THE FILAM

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More than a hundred community organizations came out to lend their support for PIDCI and also to mark the end of bitter political divisions following the May 9 presidential elections. As some reasoned, to give the new government a “fresh start.”

At the tailend of the parade were the political organizations – one group signaling support for the newly elected Philippine president, another dressed mostly in black chanting activist slogans. The crowds on the sidelines chose which group to cheer or catcall.

Floats with beauty queens, marching bands, costumed dancers, alumni associations, nurses, police officers and more. Everyone was marching in their flashiest finery.

The cultural show finished at 6 p.m. but the concession stands with their white tents remained open beyond the allotted hours. Smoke from grilling barbecue could be seen billowing from one of the tents. It was, for some, a ‘barbecue and halohalo’ kind of day.

Issue 53, July 2022

‘Magpabakuna' survey

Domestic violence turns deadly

Photo by RJ Ensalada

What do FilAms think of vaccines?

Janet Cinco

124th PHL Independence Day

COVID didn’t stop FilAms’ biggest parade