FILAM-July-2023

NYC mayor to Filipinos:

‘I see you, I respect you’

His improbable journey as Fiesta CEO

Photo by Gino Cabigao

Fernando Mendez

The whitewashing of Imelda Marcos

Thirty years from now, the much touted musical “Here Lies Love” would make the name of Imelda Marcos more famous than her husband, world-class thief Ferdinand.

‘Here Lies Love’ is eerily similar to “Evita,” the musical about the infamous wife of Argentina’s strongman Juan Peron. At one point, when Imelda was asked about people who compared her to Evita, she was said to have tartly replied “I am not a prostitute.” The backstory there should be a story for another day.

The reason why some Filipinos are reluctant to watch “Here Lies Love” is precisely because it serves to portray Imelda as exemplifying the worst traits in a Filipino: the vainglory and the wrong values, the corruption and the venality.

In one of its gushing reviews, the play is hailed as a “groundbreaking musical about Imelda Marcos’ astonishing rise to power and subsequent fall at the hands of the Philippine People Power Revolution.”

From the minds of Academy, Grammy and Tony Award winner David Byrne and Grammy winner Fatboy Slim, “Here Lies Love” has been called “ingenious” by The New York Times and “an ecstatic and dynamic party” by Time Out New York.

Founding

With choreography by Oscar nominee Annie-B Parson and developed and directed by Tony winner Alex Timbers, the theater is transformed into a dance club where the audience is immersed in the story, a recent review said.

The play may be good and a sure-fire hit on Broadway, but is the Imelda Marcos story something we should remember Filipinos by?

The play gets close to stereotyping and caricature.

The producers came out with a statement emphasizing that they viewed the show as anti-Marcos and pro-Philippines.

"History repeats itself. Democracies all over the world are under threat. The biggest threat to any democracy is disinformation, ‘Here Lies Love’ offers a creative way of re-information — an innovative template on how to stand up to a tyrant. We cannot tell the modern history of the Philippines without the United States. They’re intertwined.”

The problem some people have with this play is that it glosses over the history of those times and reduces it to a disco-pop song and dance shtick. For those who lived through that era, the indelible memory they have are the summary executions known as ‘salvagings,’ rapes of nuns, wholesale murder, and plunder by those times who treated the Philippines with such contempt.

It is for this reason why “Here Lies Love” rubs some people the wrong way. As one sitcom line is a good reminder: One can put a dress, a gown or lipstick on a pig. It’s still a pig.

Contributing

Lindy

Vicky

Producers tout ‘Here Lies Love’ as ‘anti-Marcos and pro-Philippines.’

Makilala TV celebrates 10 years as a platform for the FilAm voice

Makilala TV, the first and longest-running Filipino-American TV talk show in the NY Metro area, celebrated its 10th-year anniversary as a platform for showcasing the rich culture, stories, and voices of the Filipino-American community.

An intimate reception was held on June 10 at the Sheraton La Guardia in East Flushing, attended by about 50 guests who previously appeared on the show. They were led by Consul General Senen Mangalile, Commissioner Anne del Castillo of the New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment; and Ambassador Mario de Leon, former consul general. Also joining the celebration was Zenaida Mendez, director of Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN) El Barrio Firehouse Community Media Center, and the production staff.

In his remarks, Mangalile paid tribute to the press and journalists commonly known as the Fourth Estate. He said his hope is that Makilala, which is “not supported by big economic interests,” will continue to represent the “true struggles of the common person” and be the voice of the community in New York.

Throughout its history, Makilala TV has covered a wide range of topics that speak to the Filipino American community: Gun violence, entrepreneurship, aging, sex and intimacy, Filipino lesbians and burlesque artists, climate change, COVID frontliners, Black Lives Matter and more. They recently did an interview with two young girls aged 7 and 8, on the topic of school safety.

“These are topics not commonly discussed in our community and that’s why we love talking about them,” said co-founder Cristina Pastor who shared how they initially fashioned themselves ala Barbara Walters’s The View. “We wanted it known that Filipinos are not a silent community.”

Makilala was founded by Pastor and former public access producer for QPTV and filmmaker Maricor Fernandez. It is co-hosted by author and fitness coach Jen Furer, public health professional Rachelle Peraz Ocampo, and Pastor who publishes The FilAm newspaper.

Produced in partnership with MNN, Makilala TV reaches a wide audience through its broadcasts on MNN every other Thursday, Bronxnet TV every Wednesday, and globally on Kapatid International every Sunday. The show has been hailed as an exemplary source of information, inspiration, and entertainment for viewers.

Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Makilala TV remained committed to its viewers

by producing one episode per month, never missing a single show. The tapings shifted to a virtual format during COVID before resuming in-studio once the MNN studio reopened.

Co-host Furer said the show aired at least 125 episodes and had the pleasure of hosting a staggering 601 guests!

As Makilala TV embarks on its 11th season, it will continue to delve into relevant topics, according to Co-host Ocampo. Episodes focusing on "Caring for Loved Ones with Dementia: Navigating the Journey" and "Filipinos in Staten Island" are in the pipeline for airing. The dedicated team of Makilala and the unwavering support of MNN are excitedly looking forward to the next decade, committed to amplifying the Filipino voice, she said.

For more information about Makilala TV and its upcoming episodes, please visit www.makilalatv.com or follow them on social media platforms.

Makilala hosts (from left) Rachelle Peraz Ocampo, Jen Furer and Cristina Pastor. Photo by Matt and Maricel Edel.

A Makilala TV episode on the topic of Dementia with guests Dr. Mary Joy Garcia-Dia and Anna Maria Manalo.

A historic time for Filipino Canadians, the founding of FCNC

Last May, in Vancouver Canada, I was hosted by Filipino Canadians Treenee Lopez, and Lenore and Jose Lim, for my book tour of “Why Should Guys Have All The Fun?”

Treenee asked me to attend an organization of Filipinos in Halifax Nova Scotia Canada to be held on June 1st. She is a member of Global Filipino Diaspora Council formed when my sister Imelda Nicolas was secretary of the Commission of Filipino Overseas (CFO) in 2011.

The idea of being at the “birth” of Filipino Canadians coming together into a national body -- the Filipino Canadians National Congress (FCNC) -- was too tempting, so I said yes. I was glad I did because in Halifax NS I met incredible Filipino Canadians who have made successful careers and good living in that part of North America.

The day before the Congress, we were invited into the wonderful home of the Honorary Consul General Connie Lacson. She left the Philippines with her children as a single mother in March of 2008 and immigrated to Canada through the Nominee Program of Nova Scotia. She was appointed on May 2019 as a Philippine Consul General.

That night, I met the founder and president of FCNC Narima Dela Cruz. She has always believed in the need to connect and coordinate the Filipino community, its various organizations and leaders into one national body. When she met the Member of Parliament (MP) Kevin Lamoureux in Winnipeg in September 2019, he was greatly supportive of the idea.

When they met again virtually a year later in 2020 amid the pandemic, FCNC was conceived, directly affiliated with the Canada Philippines Interparliamentary Friendship Group then chaired by Lamoureux.

In February 18, 2021, the Virtual Inaugural Ceremony of FCNC inducted 13 Filipino Canadian leaders designated as founding directors and 6 executive officers. Another director from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan was later added to make up 14 directors.

The first FCNC Convention was held in June 2022 in Ottawa Ontario where the entire board of directors attended in person for the first time. The Second Convention was going to be held on June 3, 2023, which was why I arrived June 2nd.

On the eve of the convention, ConGen Connie Lacson invited all of the board members and myself to dinner.

Aside from President Narima (British Columbia) who has the distinction of being the first Filipino woman to be included in the prestigious Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award in 2011, I met the following leaders:

-1st Vice President Ronnie Dela Gana (Ontario), the co-founder and chair of the Golden Balangay Foundation which organizes a nationwide search for outstanding Filipino Canadians.

-2nd President Genalyn Aseron Tan (Manitoba), a successful businesswoman who also works as a Filipino Language Proficiency Examiner/ Coordinator in the Winnipeg School Division.

-Secretary Eddie Vallarta (Ontario), an I.T. professional who currently works as Network Services Manager and teaches part-time at Carleton University’s School of Information Technology.

-Assistant Secretary Virginia Sumalinog (Alberta), a former school teacher and the successful owner of Ellwood Day Care and Out of School Care in Edmonton.

-Treasurer Mary Jane Napolitano (Manitoba), an elementary school teacher at Dufferin School in Winnipeg, and president of the Manitoba Association of Filipino Teachers Incorporated (MAFTI).

-Treasurer Jake Salcedo (Nova Scotia), former president of the Filipino Association of Nova Scotia (FANS), who works as Data Manager of the Department of Medicine, Nova Scotia Health Authority.

The rest of the members of the Board:

-Aurora Viernes (Yukon), president of the Canadian Filipino Association in the Yukon (CFAY) who has been working with the Yukon Territorial Government for over 20 years now.

-Chris Rodriguez (Saskatchewan), an active member of the United Filipino Entrepreneurs Association (UFEA) of Red Deer and is the host/producer of The Chris Rod Show and Broadcast One Flipside Talk Radio.

-Gina Moreno (New Brunswick), president of the Filipino Community

of New Brunswick (FCNB) and is also a Managing Director for the New Brunswick Multicultural Council.

-Jerry Caingcoy (Alberta), a career public servant for 15 years now at the local government of The City of Calgary, and is the founder and president of The Filipino Champions of Canada (TFCC).

-Mary Grace Ocampo Goldenberg (Quebec), a registered nurse who works at the Montreal Neurological Hospital (MNH) and is also the president of Filipino Nurses Association of Quebec, Inc. (FNAQ).

-Ramon “Butch” Juson (Saskatchewan), a family advocate and the lead Council of Servants lead pastor for Christ’s Commission Fellowship Prince Albert in Saskatchewan.

Of course, Treenee Lopez (British Columbia), a retired nurse and the founder and chair of the Global Pinoy Diaspora Canada (GPDC), who invited me in the first place.

The group's auditor, also a volunteer, Arlene Evangelista (Winnipeg, Manitoba) a Certified General Accountant (CGA), was also present.

The evening ended in laughter and camaraderie, everyone filled with the delicious sumptuous feast of lobster galore (Halifax is Lobster Capital of Canada) and huge array of sushi and sashimi, prepared by Filipino Canadian Chef Jay Paran.

I was presented and interviewed by Eddie Villarta and Regina Sosing who posed questions about my memoir “Why Should Guys Have All The Fun? An Asian American Story of Love, Marriage, Motherhood and Running à Billion Dollar Empire.” Q and A followed which I replied with candor and humor.

As I boarded the plane, I was thankful to God and filled with the knowledge that, like the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) founded by Alex Esclamado, Rodel Rodis, Michael Dadap and myself some 26 years ago in 1997, the FCNC is alive and well and thriving in Canada.

From left (seated): Mary Jane Napolitano, Narima Dela Cruz, Treenee Lopez, Atty. Loida Nicolas Lewis, Honorary Consul General Connie Lacson, Genalyn Tan, Mary Grace Ocampo Goldenberg; (standing) Aurora Viernes, Arlene Evangelista, Butch Juson, Jake Salcedo, Virginia Sumalinog, Eddie Villarta, and Ronnie Dela Gana

Dennis Josue and Daniel Mackey are among the first same-sex couples to tie the knot after New York State passed its Marriage Equality Act in 2011.

Dennis and Dan in historic ‘I do’ celebrate 12 years of married life

By Cristina DC Pastor

Three days. That’s how little time Dennis Josue, then 50, and Daniel Mackey, 53, had been preparing for their wedding. For some brides it’s not enough time to find the right pair of shoes.

Dennis, who owned Fantasia Floral Design on the Upper East Side, and Daniel, who works at Homeland Security, were among the 50 couples in Manhattan waiting to tie the knot on July 24, 2011 after making the wedding lottery for same-sex couples in New York City.

“This is history,” said Dennis, his voice choked up, in a phone interview with The FilAm. He could be, he said, the first Filipino American to get married under New York State’s Marriage Equality Act.

The pair who became seriously involved three years prior was actually

planning on getting married in 2012. But while reading the newspapers and learning that New York was holding a wedding lottery for couples, Dennis muttered to himself, ‘What the heck’ and filed an application online.

While having dinner with Daniel and his sister, Dennis got a call with the good news. He shrieked, pounded on the dinner table, and announced to Daniel: They were getting married! The unknowing boyfriend went from stunned to ecstatic.

“He started laughing,” recalled Dennis, “and said, ‘Oh, we have to do it.’”

They put on their finest dark suits with matching lilac shirts and ties and joined some 50 couples who snaked around the city clerk’s office building on Center and Worth streets waiting for their numbers. It was 7:15 a.m.

“Everybody was congratulating each other, friendly, and emotional. It

was a nice occasion,” said Dennis. The couple’s witnesses were Dennis’ brother and his partner. “It was lot of people.”

About 2,600 couples applied for the lottery, he said, with 823 couples getting accepted.

The clerk’s office opened at 8:30 a.m. The couples were given ticket numbers. While waiting, they filled out an application form before a clerk. They were ushered in to another room to wait for a judge.

Number 680 was called. Dennis and Daniel found themselves in front of Judge Neil Ross of the Supreme Court.

“There were a lot of judges who volunteered that day,” said Dennis. “No one was assigned to you, you get whoever was available. Judge Ross was the nicest judge ever.”

They settled on the traditional “till death do us part” vows. To Dennis, two words from Judge Ross resonated: solemn

and happy. “He said this is a solemn occasion because this is a contract between two people, and a happy one because it is a joyous occasion. Very true.”

The ceremony was over in 15 minutes. The party of four proceeded to Casa Espanola on Carmine Street where about 20 of the couple’s friends and family joined them in an intimate reception.

“My sister, who is a devout Catholic, said, ‘I love you and you’re my brother. If this will make you happy, I’m happy for you,’” said Dennis. “We were so happy, more than happy.”

Twelve years today, Dennis speaks of married life as having given him “stability, contentment and most importantly happiness.”

“I will admit that there’s ups and downs but it’s part of married life that makes everything interesting and sweeter,” he said.

The couple enjoy their time together: Stability, contentment, happiness

Mayor Eric Adams to Filipinos: ‘I see you. I recognize you, I respect you, I need you.’

By Lindy Rosales

On June 16, the Philippine flag was raised over Bowling Green park in New York City in commemoration of the 125th Philippine Independence Day. It was a well-attended event with Mayor Eric Adams telling Filipino Americans: “I see you. I recognize you, I respect you, I need you.”

It was a fiery speech and one roaringly applauded by the audience.

“If New York City is the greatest city on the globe,” continued Adams, “that makes me the greatest mayor on the globe!” The crowd erupted into cheers.

He went on to proudly acknowledge two Filipina officials in his administration: Deputy Mayor for Economic & Workforce Development Maria Torres Springer and Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Anne del Castillo.

“Your community is so much in the fabric of this city and what we represent,” Adams said. “So yes, we’re raising the flag. That’s our symbol. But don’t miss our

substance. The combination of our substance and symbol is saying to you. I see you. I recognize you, I respect you, I need you. You believe in families. You believe in business. You believe in public safety. You believe that there’s a resiliency that comes with the city. We never surrender, we never give in, we’re hardworking, we’re committed, we’re dedicated.”

Adams stated that America is a country “where you can keep your culture while you embrace the American culture.”

“You never abandon that culture. It’s a combination of all of our cultures that create this great product, this great experience we call the American Dream,” he said.

For his part, Consul General Senen Mangalile commended what he called the “present-day heroes,” the “Filipinos who have emigrated to the United States mostly for economic reasons and to be reunited with their pioneering family members.”

“FilAm history is replete with many stories of overcoming adversity and enduring discrimination,” he

said. “Filipino Americans have triumphed over these challenges and proven themselves a positive contribution to the fabric of American society.”

Another speaker was NYPD Detective Angelica De Leon Velez, who was born and raised in Queens. She shared her life story of perseverance and grit and how she was a teen mom, who eventually carved her own path to becoming a member of law enforcement.

Antonio Lagdameo, Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations echoed most everyone when he said, “This is a very proud day for us Filipinos.”

“I was really overcome by this outpouring of affection and respect which we are now feeling from our hosts here,” he said.

Entertainment was provided by UP Alumni & Friends Rondalla and the San Lorenzo Ruiz Choir of New York.

The rain came down just as the event was winding down and some unprepared for the weather went home drenched.

Mayor Adams addresses Filipinos in Bowling Green ceremony. The FilAm photos

Two Filipina officials in the Adams administration: Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment Anne del Castillo (left) and Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres Springer

Dely invites a husband to the hospital and shows him how much of a hardworking nurse his wife is.

Grand Marshal Dely Go puts spotlight on nurse’s spouse in PAFCOM Gala

By Cristina DC Pastor

Who hasn’t met the husband of a nurse? We know him, he is in our circle of friends. We ask ourselves and sometimes wonder how he feels about his unconventional role in the family.

In the Philippines, he was probably an engineer, an accountant, the manager in an office or the foreman in a warehouse. He is used to giving orders and earning a good salary that allows his family to live comfortably. In the U.S. the gender roles have shifted. His wife is now the breadwinner of the family. He becomes the stay-at-home parent while the wife is regarded as the one “wearing the pants.”

Dely Go, Grand Marshal of the Philippine American Friendship Community, Inc., has met many such husbands in the course of her decades-long career as a nurse who became a nurse educator and is now the president of Nursing Network, LLC, a company that provides nursing staff to more than 35 facilities

for New Jersey’s elderly population. She shared this story at the PAFCOM Gala: One evening as she was preparing to go to bed, she got a call from one sobbing husband.

“I’m the one who takes the children to school, does grocery shopping, cooks meals for the family, and drives the family to their appointments. I help the students with their homework. She has very little time left for the family. How long must we go on like this?”

Dely invited him to the hospital where his wife worked. The two met there the next day. She showed the husband how his wife diligently assists the elderly doctor who is her boss, how she shuffles from floor to floor to carry out his instructions, how she has been entrusted with the huge responsibility of caring for patients and how she efficiently delivers results. In short, the husband watched how his wife was trying to save lives. Right there, he understood why certain sacrifices had to be made if there is a nurse in your family.

Why Dely chose to share this story at the PAFCOM Gala on May 20 appears to be her way of recognizing the husband’s crucial role in the family and how he is regarded as a co-equal and not the lesser partner. It was also her way of illustrating the Filipino qualities of resilience, staying positive, and making sacrifices as they “adapt to new environments.”

“It is this resiliency that has allowed us to thrive in the face of challenges, to adapt to new environments,” she said to a crowd of affluent Filipino Americans gathered at the Marriott Hotel in Newark. By staying positive, she said, “we not only uplift ourselves but also create a supportive and encouraging environment for others.”

Dely came to the U.S. in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Silliman University. She initially worked as a geriatric nurse and later became an open-heart surgery nurse.

While employed, she pursued higher education and completed her master’s degree in Nursing and Public Health

Administration as well as her degree in Doctor of Nursing Practice in Nursing Education Administration and System Administration.

A licensed nursing home administrator, she founded Nursing Network in 2000 and grew the company serving about 35 facilities in New Jersey. More than 500 nurses are employed through Nursing Network, and it is Dely’s responsibility to make sure they “consistently provide quality and safe nursing care” to patients.

She stressed how growing stronger as a community sometimes “demands sacrifices.”

She said, “Our ancestors and community members have laid the foundation for us, for our present opportunities through their sacrifice, resilience, and unwavering dedication. We must honor their legacy by following in their footsteps, by being willing to make sacrifices for the greater good, and by fostering an environment that rewards hard work, perseverance, and determination.”

Photos: Ness Bantog

Harry Go Sr. stands in support of wife Dely as she is honored at the PAFCOM Gala.

Mental health, STD still prevalent among LGBTQ Asians: 2023 Apicha report

By Glenn Magpantay, Esq.

Apicha Community Health Center (CHC) has unveiled the results of its yearlong study to address the health and wellness needs of New York City’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Asian, Asian American, South Asian, Southeast Asian, and Pacific Islander (API) communities.

The needs of LGBTQ API people still remain overlooked. Many studies have examined the needs of LGBTQ people or APIs, but few have examined the needs of those living at the intersection and specifically in New York City. Many Asian American healthcare providers are reluctant to provide services to LGBTQ people. LGBTQ providers often only speak English or do not understand culturally specific API experiences. Apicha CHC provides culturally-competent, linguistically-appropriate, and LGBTQ-sensitive care to the most vulnerable New Yorkers.

This study contributes to the larger body of literature and studies that assess the health or wellness of LGBTQ or API communities. But Apicha CHC’s study adds a more precise intersectional analysis. It also builds off of and addresses needs that might have been missing in the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s acclaimed 2021 report, Health of Asians and Pacific Islanders in New York City. The most prevalent health and wellness needs of New York City’s LGBTQ API community are:

• Mental Health Services

• Testing for STDs / HIV/AIDS

• Sexual Health & Hygiene

• Dermatology

• Culturally-competent, bilingual, LGBTQ-sensitive, and nonjudgmental healthcare providers

Mental health services often include the need for culturally competent, bilingual, LGBTQ-sensitive, and nonjudgmental psychotherapists or peer support groups. Treatments for depression, anxiety, Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are also highly ranked. Other wellness needs are treatment for addiction (e.g., smoking, alcohol, crystal meth, etc.) and finding

LGBTQ-sensitive providers.

Apicha CHC currently incorporates mental health in its primary care services. An expansion of services is needed to provide free psychotherapy, regular peer-support groups for vulnerable or struggling individuals facing similar challenges, and psychiatrists who can diagnose and prescribe necessary psychotropic medications.

Testing for STDs / HIV/AIDS and Sexual Health & Hygiene were both listed as recurrent needs. Respondents repeatedly identified the need for free testing for STDs / HIV/AIDS, especially more often than every six months. Apicha CHC currently provides free testing for STDs / HIV/

AIDS, but respondents did not know of this service. Expanded promotion and communication to inform the LGBTQ API community of Apicha CHC’s free testing for STDs / HIV/ AIDS is needed…The need for more regular free testing for STDs / HIV/AIDS and greater awareness on Sexual Health & Hygiene was voiced several times, especially by more vulnerable populations such as youth, immigrants, sex workers, and those in the kink/leather/BDSM communities.

Dermatology was ranked as a new emerging need (following Mental Health, STD / HIV/AIDS testing, and Sexual Health) in the survey. It was identified from a list of services that Apicha does not address in-house, but makes referrals for. Dermatology was also mentioned in focus groups and interviews. Respondents commented that occasional skin rashes, itchy skin thought to be eczema, skin growths, or skin breaks in the genital area required a specialist in dermatology for diagnosis and treatment. The most prevalent social determinants of health that frustrate access to these needs are:

• Lack of culturally competent, bilingual, LGBTQ-sensitive, and nonjudgmental healthcare providers

• Lack of insurance or navigating insurance bureaucracy, such as finding providers covered by one’s insurance

• Finances; specifically high co-pays, deductibles, or the need to self-pay for mental health services. Many LGBTQ APIs are paying out of pocket for therapy from LGBTQ-affirming therapists of color.

Problems with navigating insurance policies and finding a provider covered by insurance are widespread.

Glenn Magpantay, Esq. is the study’s Principal Investigator. He provided insights into the study's findings and their implications for LGBTQ Asian communities in a May 31 press briefing.

Apicha Community Health Center CEO Therese Rodriguez; consultant Glenn Magpantay, Esq. She says many do not know of the center’s services where capacity to pay is not an issue. The FilAm photos

NANDING MENDEZ The Improbable Journey From Caloocan egg farm and Makati ad agency to New York business holdings

BY LEN MANANSALA

By Len Manansala

Not many native-born Americans who dared to dream big have actually made it in New York, the United States’ financial, media and cultural capital. If the odds for success in the Big Apple are low for immigrants, the chances for immigrants-of-color to succeed in the fiercely competitive city are close to zero. But don’t tell that to Fernando “Nanding” Mendez – he has climbed over, dug under and worked around seemingly insurmountable barriers that have cowed millions of dreamers before him.

“Dreaming is one thing,” Nanding says in his midtown-Manhattan office, two blocks from Grand Central Station and Pershing Square. “Breaking one’s back to make dreams come true is another story. And who has the right to tell the story? Those who saw opportunities behind the roadblocks.”

Nanding’s trek from the Philippines to America was strewn with “Do not enter” signs from the get-go. He and his siblings were brought up in his grandfather’s

poultry farm in Caloocan City, adjacent to Manila. From an early age, they helped out by cleaning the layers’ coops and gathering eggs every morning to sell in the market. But Nanding had a talent for the arts that he knew from the onset would take him as far away as possible from the smell of chicken dung.

Majoring in Advertising, he graduated from the University of Santo Tomas in the mid-1970s with a Fine Arts degree. His stint as Art Director at Philippine Advertising

Counselors (PAC) was distinguished by multiple awards for campaigns on behalf of blue-chip national and global brands. Overseas ad agencies took notice, and he received job offers in Singapore and in the United States. “Accepting a position as Art Director in Montana was the most momentous decision I’ve ever made, up to that point,” Nanding recalls. He moved to Billings, MT with his wife Mila and two sons, Nathan and Mervin, in the early1980s. Deploying his commercial arts background, he first received recognition in U.S. advertising when he won a competition to design the logo of the city of Billings. Another “Do not enter” sign ignored.

Soon after resettling in New York City with his family, Nanding and some Makati advertising colleagues landed an unlikely job producing two annual editions of the first Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi Yellow Pages.

“Imagine the nerve of Pinoys writing and designing a business directory for South Asians in New York!” With not a little pride, Nanding remembers those early days of desktop publishing, as well as the groups’ arduous task of assembling directory pages in a cramped apartment in Astoria, Queens.

Ever the restless entrepreneur, Nanding followed up the directory gig by publishing a nationally cir-

American Dream, East Rutherford, New Jersey, the home of Fiesta in America since 2022

Nanding Mendez, Fiesta in America Founder and President / CEO with with beloved Laura Garcia

American Dream, East Rutherford, New Jersey, the home of Fiesta in America since 2022

Nanding at work on his art desk in 2016

Nanding Mendez, Fiesta in America Founder and President / CEO with life partner Laura Garcia

culated Filipino American quarterly magazine, Special Edition Press, in 1990. The magazine’s seven-year run built up his Rolodex of connections among ethnic-marketing experts at major U.S. consumer brands. The magazine turned out to be the precursor to his most successful venture to date, not-forprofit Fiesta In America Expo and Cultural Show.

Founded in 1996 by Nanding and his late wife (Mila passed in 2012) as the US-Philippines Trade Show, the indoor festival was popularly known as Philippine Fiesta in its first decade. The expo showcased Philippine exports, tourism attractions, as well as U.S. brands with a stake in the burgeoning Fil-Am market of New York, New Jersey and peripheral states.

“Our mission back then was to connect Filipino entrepreneurs with mainstream business and Fil-Am consumers through a festival that

lined by icons including Sharon Cuneta, Rico Puno, Nora Aunor, Apo Hiking Society, Dolphy and ZsaZsa, plus a host of other luminaries; and rising talents from New York-New Jersey arearesidential real estate investments, graphic design and photography; as well as commercial printing. Though his path from the Philippines to the Big Apple has been forked with many byways and detours, Nanding remains rooted to his past as graphic artist. Taking time from his various business holdings, he has designed logos for Insular Bank of Asia and America, City Seal of Billings Montana, and won the logo competition of the Philippine Independence Day Committee, Inc. (PIDCI).

highlighted immigrant-centered services, Filipino products, heritage and talent,” said Nanding. “The event has grown so much that it has become one of the most effective platforms to promote micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as Philippine tourism in the greater New York-New Jersey area.” Fiesta In America, as the event has been known since 2013, is now recognized as the biggest annual indoor Filipino event on the east coast. “Our mission,” Nanding says, “has evolved into serving as the hub of Filipino and multicultural engagement by staging events that enhance the well-being of attendees, their families and their communities.”

Apart from Fiesta In America, Nanding’s business interests have expanded into areas that no Caloocan chicken farmer could have predicted: large-audience staged events such as concerts in Atlantic City and New York head-

In addition to his graphics design success, Nanding has also recently completed a remarkable large ceiling painting in 2021 measuring 12 ft. by 9ft. The artwork is an allegorical representation of angels inspired by the works of selected early Renaissance painters. It was created as a tribute and prayer for those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic during the grim period of 2020-21.

Nanding's painting serves as a collective replica of angelic images, symbolizing hope, healing, and solace for the individuals who faced the challenges of the pandemic. Visit:

https://theworldwidegallery.com

Profiled several times in the FilAm Who’s Who, he is the recipient of numerous awards for his civic engagement, including the 2016 Phoenix Award from the Jaycees Philippines-New York in recognition of Exemplary Community Leadership by Jaycee Alumni, and Outstanding Thomasian hosted by

Fiesta In America’s opening in the summer of 2023 will be staged in the stunning American Dream in East Rutherford, New Jersey; the mall boasts four sprawling theme parks and a wide array of brandname department stores as well as restaurants. Due to the success of Fiesta In America 2022, American Dream management predicts a much larger audience turnout this year of more than 10,000 Fil-Ams, aside from the venue’s built-in summer weekend foot traffic of 50,000+ consumers of all cultures. Recognized as the biggest annual indoor Filipino event on the U.S. east coast, Fiesta In America is a one-of-a-kind cornucopia of

The festival has been supported by hundreds of Philippine, U.S. and international brands eager to tap into the lucrative Filipino American market of the New York-New Jersey area.

Philippine music and dance; local products; tourist attractions; real estate for investment and retirement; native cuisine; and financial, health as well as other immigranttailored services. It has been attended by more than 220,000 mostly-Filipino consumers since its inception in 1996.

Fiesta In America will mark its 26th Anniversary in glittering Court A of American Dream Mall on Saturday, August 19, 2023. To sponsor, exhibit, advertise and attend, call 212-682-6610, email info@fiestainamerica.com or visit www.fiestainamerica.com.

University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association.

The Fiesta in America Team

With American Dream Brian Hague

Trade Show Vendors

Special Latino Show

Health Screening by PNANJ

American Dream executive Brian Hague

The Fiesta in America Team

Trade Show Vendors

Special Latino Show

Health Screening by PNANJ

Calendar of Events

July 16

41st Ilocano American Association Inc. Annual Gala & Coronation Ball

Leonard’s Palazzo

555 Northern Boulevard

Great Neck, N.Y.

July 16 to 24

Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour

Contact the Philippine Consulate General in New York for details

Now playing through November 19

Here Lies Love

The Broadway Theatre

1681 Broadway, NYC

July 16

Kadayawan Festival New York

2023

Elks Lodge Hall

82-20 Queens Boulevard, NYC

Contact Xenia 917-941-7062

July 16 to 23

44th PNAA National Convention & Cruise

Aboard Royal Caribbean Wonder of the Seas

July 29

Vocal Champs with Kyla, KZ Tandingan and Yeng Constantino

The Town Hall at Times Square 123 W 43rd Street NYC

August 19

Fiesta In America

American Dream

East Rutherford, New Jersey

For more information, visit www.fiestainamerica.com or email info@fiestainamerica.com

August 26

7th Annual Kids Philippines Charity Golf Tournament

Pequot Golf Club 177 Wheeler Road Stonington, CT

October 19 to 22

UP Alumni Association in America Grand Reunion & Convention

Hyatt Regency

New Brunswick, New Jersey

October 21

PACCAL Awards

The Graycliff 122 Moonachie Avenue

Moonachie, N.J.

October 28

FACC Runway for a Cure charity gala

Falls Church Marriott

Fairview Park

Falls Church, Virginia

Text or call FACC at 571-352-0165 or email cancercare2022facc@gmail.com if interested to join as one of the models

Justice for brutally attacked Amadeo Quindara: NaFFAA

Amadeo Quindara, a 75-year-old Filipino man, was mercilessly attacked by his neighbor on May 30, 2023, in Clark County, Nevada, according to a statement from the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA).

While Quindara survived the attack, he will forever be traumatized by the brutal assault he suffered from suspect, Christian Lentz, 44. The video evidence showed Lentz yelling racial slurs and telling the senior to “be on a ventilator.”

“I am recovering and all I want is peaceful justice,” writes Quindara on his Facebook page.

Clark County District Attorney Steven Wolfson announced on June 16 the filing of a criminal complaint charging Lentz with Residential Burglary and Elder Abuse perpetrated as hate crimes.

The news release said the victim was attacked inside the garage of his Mountain’s Edge home on May 30, 2023. Lentz was arrested following the incident.

“We will not tolerate such horrible acts of hatred and violence in our community,” said District Attorney Wolfson. “These actions are unacceptable and will have consequences.”

If convicted, Residential Burglary perpetrated as a hate crime carries a sentence of not less than one year and a maximum term of not more than 10 years plus a consecutive sentence of not less than one year and a maximum term of not more than 10 years.

Quindara suffered bruises to his face, deep cuts on his head, and a black eye due to multiple punches from the suspect. To add further trauma, the suspect yelled “Die” multiple times at Quindara after he was slammed to the ground.

The suspect is scheduled to return to court on July 3.

NaFFAA said it stands in solidarity with the Quindara family in its ongoing fight for justice. Desert Mountain Regional President Sally Balecha commented, "Our Filipino Americans should not live in fear, particularly our manongs and manangs. They have been through a lot already, and Tatay Amadeo does not deserve to be treated like this."

Jacque de Joya, Nevada State president,

added, "We ask for help from our elected leaders and local authorities in the Las Vegas area and ensure justice is served. We call for increased protection for our elderlies to avoid this from happening again."

Mindie Lloyd of Bamboo Bridges, NaFFAA's partner organization that builds collaborations among Asian-Pacific American communities, shared, "We stand with the victims and their families. This senseless violence fueled by hate has to stop now."

NaFFAA Nevada is scheduled to hold a “Rally Against Asian Hate” to call for justice for Quindara on June 29. NaFFAA is grateful to SEIU and other partners for spearheading this action.

NaFFAA President Mariela Fletcher, who will be flying to join the rally said, “It will take a collaborative effort among Asian American groups to empower more than 4.2 million Filipino Americans and combat Asian hate in this country. Let us work

NaFFAA President Mariela Fletcher: ‘Let us work together to end this.’

Quindara’s Facebook page

‘Brave’ children’s book promotes proper hygiene, prevention of sex abuse

By Robbin Charles Dagle

Glenda Oris, who teaches in the Kagawaran ng Filipino (Department of Filipino), is known for her work in the area of children’s literature, specifically picture books and historical fiction for young adults. Oris has won acclaim for her books from the Philippines’ top literature prizes such as the Palanca Awards and the National Children’s Book Awards.

“At the beginning I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to write about, I just wanted to write about children because a lot of the issues in the world could have been and still could be prevented if we focused more on the formation of children,” Oris explains.

Oris is convinced that her research is consistent with her advocacies in children’s rights and promotion of cultural heritage. For instance, her book “Looking Out For Heroes” promotes public art and the sense of rootedness, while the “Ayun O!” look-and-find picture book series seeks to preserve regional languages.

Her most recent book, “Ako ay May Kiki” (I Have a Vagina) is a brave intervention in children’s literature. It promotes proper hygiene and naming of the reproductive parts, as well as the prevention of sexual abuse. Recommended by the Child Protection Network as a resource for pediatricians, the book also contains tips for parents on caring and protecting their children’s reproductive health, as well as contact information of agencies that address cases of sexual abuse. “Ako ay May Kiki” has been translated to Italian as “Ho una vagina,” and was launched in 2022 by the Philippine Consulate in Milan.

“It is important to come up with creative works that speak directly and easily to children, works that they can relate to, that teach them about themselves, teach them to protect themselves,” Oris insists.

Producing children’s literature requires a lot of work–from considering age-appropriate language and illustrations, as well as specific developmental

concerns. Oris thus points out that “children’s literature is both research and creative work.” But she believes in their promise for lasting change.

“They have the greatest potential to correct systems that have gone wrong, to lay down foundations of a more inclusive, diverse, equitable system in our society,” Oris says.

Ateneo, which Oris describes as a “fertile” ground for the arts, has fostered a vibrant and inclusive community that serves as a haven for artists from diverse backgrounds to explore and experiment fearlessly with the workings of their creative imagination. Oris hopes that the university can continue expanding its support for creative interventions.

“What I wish for is for the university to be creative in addressing and to widen the perspective when it comes to addressing concerns in the Philippines.”

Robbin Charles Dagle is a lecturer at the Department of Communication, Ateneo de Manila University School of Social Sciences. This article is being republished with permission from the author, the ADMU Office of the Associate Dean for Research and Creative Work, and the University Marketing and Communications Office. ‘Ako ay May Kiki’ is available through publisher Lampara Books. Contact: lamparabooks21@gmail.com

‘Ako ay May Kiki’: Teaching children how to protect themselves. Facebook photo

Author Glenda Oris is known for her work in children’s literature.

Photo: Ateneo de Manila University

1st queer FilAm nominated at Tribeca Film Festival

Michaela TernaskyHolland, director and producer of the immersive film

“Reimagined Vol. II: Mahal,” is the first Queer Filipino American to be nominated for a major award at Tribeca Film Festival.

The film features a full Filipino/Filipino American cast and a FilAm singer/score composer including names such as Loreto Delgado III, Daphne Nitsuga, Lee Sy and Anne Yatco.

“Mahal” is a love letter to Michaela’s father, who died in a car accident when she was very young. Through the creation of “Mahal” Michaela has confronted her own grief while also showing others they are not alone in their journey and provides a sense of hope and healing.

As a noun, “mahal” is the Tagalog word for love but as an adjective, it transforms into the Tagalog word for costly or expensive, a totally different meaning.

Inspired by the children of Bathala found in the breadth and range of mythological deities and creatures that live inside of indigenous Filipino belief systems, “Mahal” is a story of how love comes at a cost. It centers around four grieving siblings, who in the wake of losing their father, must battle their own emotional isolation in order to save the world from a peril caused by their pain.

Michaela is a non-fiction storyteller. She is an Emmy and Webby

award-winning filmmaker who specializes in creating socially impactful stories using immersive and interactive technology. As an XR/ metaverse creator, consultant, and speaker, she has been recognized as one of the 100 Original Voices of XR by industry veteran Avi Bar-Zeev for her work.

Michaela has either worked or had her work featured by top brands and

organizations like Disney, TIME, Forbes, The Guardian, Cannes Film Festival, New York Public Library, Tribeca Film Festival, and more. Both her previous employment with the Walt Disney Company and her background in journalism led her to want to tackle serious and relevant topics through a creative lens. To that effect, she also works in tandem with decision-makers,

committees, and boards of directors that financially support, mentor, and create opportunities for those of all backgrounds.

Michaela was born in California. Her mother, born in the Philippines, immigrated to the United States thanks to her grandfather, who served in the U.S. Navy and facilitated the immigration process for both immediate and extended family members.

Her grandparents come from a small village near Manila and belong to the Ilocano community. Growing up, Michaela's mother, as a U.S. immigrant, faced racism, prompting her to embrace American culture. Michaela's exposure to her Filipino heritage was mainly through visits with her grandparents, as her mother assimilated into American society. During college, she made efforts to reconnect with her Filipino roots, but being of mixed race, she often felt too Americanized to fully integrate into on-campus cultural groups.

However, through encounters with more Filipinos and mixed race Filipinos in her life, and through projects like “Mahal” and "Lutaw," Michaela has found a comfortable and authentic way to reconnect with her Philippine heritage. These experiences have allowed her to embrace her cultural background more deeply.

“Mahal” is the second volume in “The Reimagined” series. Each installment is a revolving door of art styles, each holding a drastically different world unique to the story itself. Reimagined will expand the cinematic possibilities of VR animation with its breathtaking scenes, epic sets, and fluid transitions. “The Reimagined” series has also been nominated for Best VR Headset Experience Metaverse, Immersive & Virtual at the 2023 Webby Awards.

California-born Michaela. Her mother is from the Ilocano region. Courtesy of Michaela Ternasky-Holland

Young Voices of the Philippines performs in choral festival at Carnegie Hall

at one of the world’s most prestigious concert halls is hard to let go of,” said Vizconde-Roldan in a press statement. “This will make history in the Philippine music scene and bring pride to the Philippines.”

The YVP collaborated with choirs across the U.S., such as the Children’s Chorus of Washington, the Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir, St. Genevieve Valiant Voices, the Toronto Children’s Chorus, the Virginia Children’s Choir, and the Children’s Orchestra Society.

These “Voices Together” choirs have participated in Young Voices of the World which was founded by the husband-and-wife team of Professor Jude Roldan and Theresa.

“The melodious voices of the combined children and youth choirs will surely resonate through the hearts of all our listeners,” added Vizconde-Roldan.

The Young Voices of the Philippines features young choristers from various social backgrounds under the choral program of their founders, Jude and Theresa. As a church and community choir, YVP assists TCAP in its commitment to the development of Philippine choral music.

YVP showcases the extraordinary talents of Filipino composers. Their impressive repertoire includes the acclaimed “Katha,” a delightful collection of Filipino folksongs for treble choirs, released in collaboration with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts. They have also brought to life the “Mass for Children,” produced by the renowned Jesuit Music Ministry of the Jesuit Communications Foundation.

The heart of the YVP lies in their unity; these children who would not have otherwise met have their lives intersect through the beauty of music-making, said Vizconde-Roldan. YVP sings regularly at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral of Cubao and performs for various diplomatic and national events. While comprising more than 40 members, only 23 participated in the international choral events. The YVP represents the vibrant cultural spirit of the Philippines on the global stage, she said.

The “Voices Together” choirs performed in collaboration with the New York-based Children’s Orchestra Society led by their executive director Yeou-Cheng Ma, who is the wife of Filipino guitarist and composer Michael Dadap.

She said the “Voices Together” choirs proudly premiered the exquisite four-movement piece for treble voices, “Missa Virtutum” (Mass of Virtues), composed and arranged by the internationally published composer Jude Roldan.

The Young Voices of the Philippines (YVP), one of the scholar choirs of the Treble Choir Associationof the Philippines, is delighted to announce their participation in prestigious choral events across the United States.

They were the first Filipino children’s choir to

perform at the historic Carnegie Hall’s Isaac SternAuditorium / Perelman Stage on July 7, according to their founding conductor Dr. Maria Theresa Vizconde-Roldan

“This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity given to our children to represent our country and showcase our Philippine music before an international audience

Dr. Janet Hostetter conducted the world premiere of the “Missa Virtutum.” She described the piece as the “skillful weaving of a timeless faith tradition with eastern and western tonalities, distinctive instrumental colors, rhythmic interplays, ornamented melodies, canonic episodes, and breathtaking dissonances. Only the finest composers can synthesize such lofty musical elements into an accessible and appealing tapestry for young musicians to perform. Roldan has produced a jewel that will endure in treble repertories for years to come.”

Youth from various social backgrounds comprise the YVP.

First Filipino children’s choir to sing at Carnegie Hall. Courtesy of YVP

Billy Bustamante: ‘Here Lies Love’ does not glorify Imelda Marcos

By Cristina DC Pastor

Billy Bustamante was a little boy growing up in the Washington D.C. area when the People Power revolt erupted in Manila in 1986 and chased the Marcos family, down to their grandchildren, into exile.

Today, the 42-year-old theater actor is assistant director of “Here Lies Love,” a much-anticipated Broadway musical ripped from the life of Imelda Marcos. It is the story that has put Billy and many in the all-Filipino cast to examine their feelings toward an odious chapter in Philippine history where Imelda, half of the Conjugal Dictatorship, was universally reviled for corruption, atrocities and extravagance.

He rejected that “Here Lies Love” -a collaboration between David Byrne and Fatboy Slim -- glorifies Imelda as some critics have pointed out, portraying her as a sympathetic figure.

“The show I am helping to create is a show that interrogates history,” he said when interviewed by The FilAm. In order to hold someone accountable, he said, “you must humanize them. That’s something ‘Here Lies Love’ is able to do very uniquely.”

He believes many in the all-Filipino cast likely harbor “unresolved feelings” about this chapter in Philippine history. The election of Imelda’s son, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., to the presidency, for instance, is one of them.

Bustamante, also a choreographer and photographer, grew up in a family that sided with People Power.

“I was a young child then, so I only had a peripheral exposure to that part of history,” he said. “This show is giving me (and every member of the company) an opportunity to reckon with that part of history and how that intersects with my Filipinoness and my Americanness.”

| 1st on Broadway

Nobody forecast that “Here Lies Love” on Broadway would see the light of day in 2023 but it was an exciting

idea that was bouncing around since 10 years ago when it became an Off-Broadway sensation. “Conversations have been happening on and off since then,” he said.

The idea firmed up around the time of the pandemic when the long absence from performing became a kind of impetus to get back on stage with a vengeance. Finding people to produce put the idea in motion, with the right people showing up and expanding the audience demographics. The likes of Jo Koy, Jose Antonio Vargas, H.E.R., and Lea Salonga are among the several dozen producers.

“The job of an executive producer can look like a lot of different things,” said Bustamante. Some people serve from a fundraising capacity, some as cultural ambassadors of the show.”

So many Filipinos are “testing the

waters” and becoming producers through the show, he said. At the time of the interview, more than 20 producers and investors have come on board, and the number “continues to grow.”

“To me, that speaks to the greater mission of the show to expand the Filipino American impact.”

| Who plays Imelda?

The actor who will portray Imelda has remarkable acting creds and family relations. Arielle Jacobs (“Aladdin,” “Wicked”), the sister of theater actor Adam Jacobs, clinched the role following an international search that spanned the U.S, Canada and the Philippines.

“Arielle made such a strong impression right from her first audition,” said Bustamante. “Imelda is a history

Imelda Marcos’s story as told in songs and disco music.

Photo: Here Lies Love

Assistant Director Bustamante: ‘Bringing HLL to Broadway opens the door to (more) Filipino stories.’ Billy B. Photography

making, complex, challenging role. It demanded a certain level of rigor from the audition process to really gauge who the right fit for the role is.” He said Arielle stepped into the role “as her own fully formed artist”.

Bringing “Here Lies Love” to Broadway opens the door to access in terms of Filipino stories that can be told, said Bustamante. After this, he hopes more vital Filipino stories would find their way.

The cast is composed of 23 actors and dancers. He said 50 people are in the rehearsal studio every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The entire cast is U.S.-based but one-third was born in the Philippines. Bustamante is U.S.born and studied musical theatre at Philadelphia's University of the Arts.

“The Broadway stage is the largest theatrical stage in the world and for a Filipino story to be centered even for just a moment on a stage this big, is history making,” he said. “My hope is people will be able to look at our show and say this must not be the last…even if it was the first.”

HLL’s all-Filipino cast. Photo: Bruce Glikas/‘Here Lies Love’

Assaults continue

Assaults continue

Elderly Filipino attacked by neighbor

Historic ‘I do’ Gay couple celebrate 12 years of married life

Billy Bustamante

No sympathy for Imelda in HLL

Billy B Photography