Angelo Maristela
Letter from the Editor
No third - country deportations for Filipinos : ambassador
Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez usually speaks very little about the aggressive deportations being caried out by the administration.
In fact, activists have expressed dismay that he has refused to meet with them on three occasions when they sought a dialogue about Filipinos being deported even though they are of legal status.
But in a recent meeting with journalists, the ambassador, second cousin to President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, was emphatic: He is adamantly against third country deportations.
“The Philippine government made it very clear to the United States government that we will accept all Filipinos. In other words, we definitely would not want them to be deported to a third country,” he told journalists at a press conference at the Philippine Embassy. “It’s not in our DNA to allow that to happen. We will accept any Filipino no matter what their status is and no matter what they are.”
Romualdez’s declaration is a brave one but it remains to be seen how forcefully the Philippines would resist if and when the administration goes about sending Filipinos to third countries – instead of home. Would it fight back the way other deportees, such as the gay Guatemalan man deported to Mexico,
Founding Editor
Cristina DC Pastor
Managing Editor Rene Pastor
have? Or the Venezuelan immigrants, suspected of being gang members, expelled to El Salvador and South Sudan?
Third-country deportation was a recent program in the immigration system as it swoops down on migrants with criminal convictions or had previous run-ins with the law. No similar actions had been carried out by previous administrations.
“The ambassador reiterated that the Philippine government’s instructions are clear: neither Filipino citizens nor dual citizens should be deported to a third country. If Filipinos face criminal liability, the Philippine government will accept them, allowing them to face Philippine laws,” according to a news report.
Romualdez disclosed the U.S. government had deported between 250 and 300 undocumented Filipino immigrants in the past year, a number he considered “relatively low.”
At the same time, he warned Filipinos against resorting to “palusot” to find dishonest ways to stay in the U.S. illegally. TNT (“tago ng tago”), the Filipino word for “always hiding” by jumping from state to state, for example, so as not to figure in the immigration radar, comes to mind. He said, “That's the worst thing you can do because you think you can get away with something today, but you can't get away with it forever."
He reiterated his push for undocumented immigrants to self-deport.” He said, "If you self-deport, meaning you voluntarily leave the country... you are not in the system. So the opportunity for you to be able to come back is better than no chance at all. Once you've been deported, the chance of you coming back to the United States is almost zero.”
Tough words from the ambassador but worth mulling over.
Contributing Writers
Marissa Bañez
Tricia
Ambassador Jose Manuel Romualdez: ‘We will accept all Filipinos.’
Menchu de Luna Sanchez: 20 teens owe their lives to this smart-thinking nurse
By Cristina DC Pastor
Menchu de Luna Sanchez was partying with her family dressed as a witch during the night of Halloween on October 28, 2012. It was her mother’s birthday.
The following day, on October 29, the registered nurse was rescuing 20 at-risk infants together with a team of doctors and nurses at NYU Hospital Langone Medical Center when New York City lost power as Hurricane Sandy pounded the city. She was the transport coordinator at the time, responsible for moving patients into and out of NYU. The ambulance was her life-preserving apparatus.
“When I got home (from the party), I received a call that there was a typhoon coming,” she recalled when interviewed by Positively Filipino. “That everybody should report to work. I just removed my witch’s hat, put on my uniform and went right away to the hospital.”
The task at hand was daunting: Evacuate 20 at-risk neonates out of NICU (NYU ICU). Menchu, now 68, designed a plan to bring the babies down to the first floor one by one using cellphones to light the way. From there, they could all be transferred to ICU units around the city that had electricity. Each baby would be transported by a team of doctors, nurses and staff each one with his/ her own role – one carrying the tubes, another holding and checking the monitor, another making sure the cell phone is lighted, and still another carrying heat pads and other equipment. It took a team of about five people to carry one baby from the ninth floor down to the first. Of the 20 babies rescued, Menchu carried four. “There is no other way,” she insisted to her superiors.
“Every time we reached a platform, the neonatologist will check on the baby before proceeding to the next flight of steps,” she recalled. “I had to make sure
I was holding steady because I couldn’t afford to make a mistake. It was a simple plan but precise and accurate.”
The trust was evident. Her superiors believed in Menchu’s judgment as at the time she had been with NYU Langone for 20 years. She started in 1994 as a part-time nurse while she was on the staff of St. Vincent’s Hospital. When St. Vincent’s closed in 2010, she had been a nurse there for 24 years, then she became a full-time NYU nurse.
| Her dream
Born Carmen de Luna in Catanauan, Quezon, she had been called ‘Menchu’ early on such that it became her official name.
“I really wanted to go abroad,” she mused pensively. “Maliit pa ako nakikita ko si nanay nagtatrabaho mag-isa. She was 30 years old when my father died.” Menchu was then 3 years old, the middle child of three siblings, both of them boys.
Her mother, Simona de Luna, was a dressmaker. Her father, Macario de Luna, was a teacher who dabbled in politics. He became a candidate for mayor in Catanauan but lost by only five votes to
someone who had the means and in all likelihood the machinery.
In her family, she was the only one who ventured abroad.
“Ambisyosa ako. I want to improve our life because I wanted to help my nanay who became both our mother
and father. At a young age. I wanted go abroad.”
She found work at Saudi Arabia and was a nurse for 10 years at King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh. While she found professional fulfillment there, her dream had always been to go to America. But Saudi was still memorable because it was here where she found romance with a medical technologist who worked in the same hospital.
“My dream before I got to be 30 was to buy a house for my mother. All my earnings in Saudi I gave it to her. I did not buy anything for myself, not jewelry, nothing. All my earnings went to Catanauan, all the fixtures and appliances in her house were bought in Saudi –the ref, the over, the bathroom tiles the carpet. They’re cheaper.”
She took the CGFNS (Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools) in Kuwait to validate her nursing credentials. She passed in 1988. On Sept 21, 1989 she arrived in the U.S. and was hired by St. Vincent’s Hospital on 12th Street. She specialized in neonatal nursing, caring for high-risk newborns, even during her time in Riyadh.
She met Judith Sanchez, an affable and reserved medical technologist from Malabon. They became close confidantes at King Khalid. They got married in the Philippines with Menchu drawn to his caring and confident nature. They have two adult children, Jude and Michelle.
Menchu was the special guest at President Obama’s 2013 State of the Union, and sat between First Lady Michelle Obama and Second Lady Jill Biden.
Barack Obama praised her: “We should follow the example of a New York City nurse named Menchu Sanchez. When Hurricane Sandy plunged her hospital into darkness, her thoughts were not with how her own home (that was flooded) was faring – they were with the 20 precious newborns in her care and the rescue plan she devised that kept them all safe.”
This article was originally published in Positively Filipino online magazine.
Menchu with one of the infants rescued.
Menchu and husband Judith, flanked by Michelle Obama and Jill Biden during the 2013 State of the Union.
From Manila to Wall Street: An immigrant’s journey with America’s 1st black tycoon
Butch Meily’s memoir “From Manila to Wall Street” recounts his journey as a young Filipino immigrant and a public relations professional in the USA. Then lightning strikes: the Filipina wife of an African American entrepreneur-lawyer calls him about a PR opportunity. And his ascent to the highs and lows of the world of high finance begins.
Iwas that Filipino woman who gave him that fateful call to help the telling of the story of my husband, Reginald F. Lewis’ successful leveraged buy-out of the popular but waning pattern company McCall’s and its successful sale to a British company, “earning a 90 to 1 return”. This quote, worked on by Butch Meily, came from The New York Times business profile of Reginald F. Lewis without mentioning his race but printing simply his photo. This started the trek to the One Billion Dollar purchase of Beatrice International Foods on a leveraged buyout by Mr. Lewis, the First Black Tycoon used in Butch Meily’s book as its subtitle.
Butch became “the quintessential ‘inside man’ at TLC Beatrice as, with Reg, he played in the high stakes corporate game of the 1980s and 1990s, achieving prestige and success beyond his wildest dreams”. I wrote this in the Foreword in his book before its publication by Heliotrope Books this year in May 2025.
Butch became like the character Bud Fox, (played by Charlie Sheen) the young executive assistant of Gordon Gekko, (played by Michael Douglas) in the iconic film “Wall Street” but also like the narrator Nick Carraway in the classic novel of F. Scott Fitzgerald “The Great Gatsby.” As I wrote in the Foreword, Butch “saw a side of Reg I glimpse only from time to time…and unveils a portrait of Reg that is as deep and insightful as any to date.”
It is riveting that Butch writes his story like a movie, for instance, the historic acrimonious discussion among Michael Milken, Peter Acker -
man and Reginald Lewis in one scene, followed immediately by flashbacks of Butch’s parents and his four sisters and one brother with him being the eldest growing up in Manila. He writes also about his personal life, how in the pursuit of the American Dream for himself, his wife Pam and only son Marco, he loses what in the end he realizes was what truly matters.
Butch in Author’s Note ends with this: “My hope is that the book will shine a light on a particular time and place from the last century and the people who played key roles in that drama. Reginald Lewis changed my life and that of countess others. May his story and mine, including our pursuit of the American Dream and my subsequent life as a humanitarian
inspire people of all races and backgrounds for generations to come.”
Mr. Meily’s book “From Manila to Wall Street,” Mr. Lewis’ biography “Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?” and my own memoir, “Why Should Guys Have All the Fun?” are like the Japanese movie directed by Kurosawa, “Rashomon.” Each book mentions how one man Reginald F Lewis changed their life but each one presents him in different perspective, according to each one’s experience and truth. For the discerning reader, better read all three and hopefully, you will have a better understanding of Reginald F. Lewis who was like the sun in whom we warmed our ambition.
‘From Manila to Wall Street’ Heliotrope Books LLC May 6, 2025
184 pages
The author (left), with Reginald F. Lewis, is the classic ‘inside man’ in the high stakes corporate game of the 1980s.
Philippines looking to buy U.S. aircraft, military equipment at cost of $5.6B
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Philippines of F-16 Aircraft for an estimated cost of $5.58 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today, April 1.
The announcement was made on the heels of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s March 27-28 inaugural visit to Manila where he met with Philippine defense chief Gilberto Teodoro Jr. In his meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Hegseth reiterated the U.S.’s “ironclad” commitment to the two countries’ security alliance.
The Government of the Philippines has requested to buy sixteen (16) F-16 C Block 70/72 aircraft; among many other military hardware and equipment. Also in the shopping list are – eighty-eight (88) LAU-129 guided missile launchers – one hundred twelve (112) Advanced Medium Range Airto-Air Missiles (AMRAAMs) Air Intercept Missile (AIM)120C-8 or equivalent missiles – sixty (60) MK-82 500-lb general purpose bombs – and other related elements of logistics and program support
According to the DCSA press release, “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic partner that continues to be an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in Southeast Asia.
“The proposed sale will enhance the Philippine Air Force’s ability to conduct maritime domain awareness and close air support missions and enhance its suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) and aerial interdiction capabilities. This sale will also increase the ability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines to protect vital interests and territory, as well as expand interoperability with the U.S. forces. The Philippines will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment into its armed forces.
“The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.
The proposed sale of 20 F-16s is “a step in the right direction for both countries,” said military veteran R Sonny Sampayan who was a KC-135 Boomer in the United Air Force. “Interoperability is the key. Filipino pilots will soon learn to fly side by side with the Top Guns of the United States Air Force. Their pilots are the best of the best.
“In my opinion, The Philippines will need 5-6 squadrons (60 to 72) of fighters to defend our territories. More than 25 countries fly the F-16s because of its track record. There are over 2084 operational F-16s today,” said Sampayan.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth meets with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. at the Malacañang Palace. Photo: Air Force Senior Airman Madelyn Keech/ DOD
U.S. Marines arrive in the Philippines for Balikatan (shoulder to shoulder) military exercises: Photo: Cpl. Malia Sparks/ DOD
Philippine Center at 50: The PHL is the only country with diplomatic presence on 5th Avenue
By Cristina DC Pastor
The Philippine Center was built in the 1970s during the time of the Marcos regime, a time when activist fervor was high and some Filipinos were wondering, “How can a poor country like the Philippines afford to own a building on Fifth Avenue in New York City?”
Imelda Marcos, at the height of her popularity, cut the ceremonial ribbon.
It’s been 50 years since that era and the Philippine Center – often mistakenly called by some as the Philippine Consulate -- has largely been a venue for art and festivity: fashion shows, art exhibits, musical concerts, poetry reading, parol-making workshops, Simbang Gabi, etc. Its lobby is a gallery displaying art works by up-and-coming artists and long-deceased masters.
The center – located on the same side of Fifth Avenue as the New York Public Library and opposite Barnes & Noble bookstore -- has grown and expanded its reach. It has become a favored location for gatherings of Filipino American groups in the 10 states served by the consulate in New York, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
The Philippine Center and the Philippine Consulate are almost always
referred to as one and the same but they are not, said Deputy Consul General Adrian Cruz, manager of the Philippine Center Management Board. He explained the difference during a recent guest appearance on Makilala TV.
“In June 1974, President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. signed Presidential Decree 487 authorizing the creation of Philippine Centers abroad. The aim at that time is to consolidate all the activities of all government offices and agencies in the United States in one place. In that same Presidential Decree 487, a Philippine Center Management Board shall be incorporated, and this agency shall acquire a building to house within its premises all offices and agencies of the Philippine Government, and that building shall be called ‘the Philippine Center.’”
To date, he said there are three Philippine Center buildings: two are in the USA -- in New York and San Francisco -- and the third in Sydney, Australia. According to Cruz, the lot and building on 556 Fifth Avenue was purchased on October 29, 1973 from the Knights of Columbus. The lot measures 50 feet long, with a depth of 100 feet. Total lot area is 5,000 square feet.
Currently, the Philippine Center houses the offices of the Philippine Mission to the United Nations, the Philippine Consulate General in New York, the Philip-
Left: The Philippine Center’s first building. Right: Today, a dedicated venue for art and festivity. Photos courtesy of the PCMB
Dr. Connie Uy and Deputy Consul General Adrian Cruz join co-hosts Rachelle Ocampo and Cristina Pastor in the Makilala TV episode devoted to the golden jubilee of the Philippine Center.
Former First Lady Imelda Marcos opens the Philippine Center in 1974.
pine Department of Trade and Industry, the Philippine Department of Tourism and the Social Security System of the Philippines all on a rental arrangement.
Dr. Connie Uy, former chair of the board of PAFCOM, remembers the early years before the Philippine Center. The building, she said, was simply known as Philippine House and within its premises was a Filipino restaurant owned by Nora Daza, as well as the offices of the Philippine National Bank and Philippine Airlines. At the time consular services were done on East 66th Street, she said.
In 1974, when the Philippine Center became a dedicated venue for official government activities, consular services transferred to its current location on 556 Fifth Avenue. Various events were celebrated here, and community organizations participated in government-sponsored gatherings.
The center has seven floors, two mezzanines, and a basement. The main auditorium known as Kalayaan Hall is where formal functions are usually held.
Uy remembered one of the memorable events she had witnessed at the Philippine Center: the 2005 visit of then President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
“She was the first Filipino president that visited the center,” she recalled. It happened during the time when she spoke as one of the panelists at a United
Towns, cities and provinces carved on the walls of the Philippine Center
“That was historic for me,” she said.
After that there was a townhall meeting which led to the organization of the PIDC, or the Philippine Independence Day Council which was tasked to organize the Madison Avenue parade.
“The purpose of the Philippine Center was networking of various organizations. I attended a lot of those events and collaborative endeavors as president of the Philippine Medical Association,” she said. “It was a very good way to be involved with the community.”
Filipinos in the United States are proud to see the Philippine Center stand
“There is no other country with a diplomatic presence on this famous street.”
Do you see your hometown?
Curious about the names of cities, towns and provinces on the ceiling and walls of the center? Cruz said the off-white stone letterings is called a ‘low relief art structure.’
“You see the cities, towns and provinces of the 17 regions of the archipelago as it existed in 1974. We do not have the record of the name of the artist, but we do know it is a permanent art installation set up the same time the building was inaugurated,” he said.
has just been introduced by the Philippine Department of Tourism.
“Filipinos residing in New York, when they enter the center, are greeted with a sense of nostalgia as the low relief reminds them of their hometowns,” he said.
The Simbang Gabi was also started by the center in 1987, together with the Independence Day festivities. June 12th was initially celebrated only as a Street Fair and cultural show along 45th Street.
“The Filipino community has brought the Simbang Gabi tradition to their local churches,” noted Cruz. “I believe you can see this as propagation of Filipino culture.”
Right now, the Philippine Center has been “showing its age,” he lamented. “We have set aside plans to celebrate the anniversary until we do needed repairs in the sidewalk vault, an area beneath the sidewalk that is two floors deep.”
“I look at the Philippine Center as something like a time-travel capsule,” he continued.
“It brings you to a place that has preserved the culture of the Philippines at a particular time, the 70s and the 80s. I look at the center as a fine example of the strategic foresight of the Marcos administration, which knew the importance of acquiring real estate property in an important
‘Mother, May I Have A Kidney?’
TV series premieres at Tribeca filmfest June 8th
The Tribeca Film Festival has announced its festival lineup would feature the new comedy/drama series, “Mother, May I Have A Kidney?” created and written by Filipina actress Veronica Reyes-How.
The series stars Doug Plaut, Tina Benko (“The Rehearsal,” for which she won an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Digital Series), Darius de Haas, Charlotte Ray Rosenberg, Troy Iwata, and features Myra Lucretia Taylor, Lydia Gaston, and Drew McVety. Casting is by Rachel Goldman.
A young man’s kidney is failing. Unfortunately, his best match for a transplant is his long and deeply estranged mother. Through the first season, we follow him on a journey as he tries to reconnect and rebuild relationships with his family. He humorously muddles through, bolstered by the support of his NYC friends and mentor, in search of the healing he desperately needs.
“Mother, May I Have A Kidney?” is a powerful reminder of the importance of
Writer Veronica Reyes-How
family and the transformative power of forgiveness.
“I’ve known Doug and Veronica for a while and was eager for the chance to work on ‘Mother, May I Have A Kidney?’ with them. I was attracted to what I see as the fundamental crux of the script: a family that has lost touch, not out of animosity, but simply by not talking to one another about the vulnerabilities that are at the heart of
any relationship, out of fear that they would come up short in the eyes of the others. ‘Mother, May I Have A Kidney?’ examines the funny and touching way that missed connections with those we love can lead to missed opportunities and that it’s never too late to reconcile,” said casting director, Paul Schnee, who makes his directorial debut.
“The entire cast is incredible, but it was so thrilling to create these strong, independent N.Y. women and our actresses really blew me away with their portrayals of them. From Tina Benko to Charlotte Ray Rosenberg to Myra Lucretia Taylor to Filipino actor Lydia Gaston, we were fortunate to have powerhouse women to drive this narrative. I often write stories about fractured families working towards reconciliation, and I believe audiences will enjoy the difficult and hilarious paths these characters take to achieve it," said Reyes-How.
Veronica is a first-generation Filipino American who started her career on the other side of the camera. Born and raised in Detroit, she graduated from
the University of Michigan with a Math degree and moved to Chicago to work in tech consulting. An open call audition launched her acting career with the national tour of “Rent.” She was then chosen for the ABC/Disney Talent Showcase and booked roles on “Blue Bloods” with Tom Selleck, and other television drama series. She was also spotlighted in HBO’s “East of Main Street” documentary with Lucy Liu and Daniel Dae Kim.
Behind the scenes is where she found her voice. Veronica’s scripts have placed in eight national writing competitions, and after being a Sesame Street Writing Fellow, she was hired as EP/head writer to create and develop Math-forward shows.
That same year, she was hired to create/write and executive-produce “Mother, May I Have a Kidney?” her first original TV series. When she’s not working, Veronica enjoys playing tennis, chess and poker, leading worship, and taking philosophy/ theology courses. She is a five-time NYC marathon runner.
New teachers group vows to support Filipino mentors ‘who are having struggles’
By Cristina DC Pastor
A new teachers group with an emerging presence in New York has been formed on March 3, 2025.
This brings to four the Filipino teachers organizations on the East Coast after the Association of Fil-Am Teachers of America (AFTA) was founded in the 1990s, the Association of Filipino Teachers and Educators in America (AFTEA) in 2006, and United Federation of Fil-Am Educators (UNIFFIED) in 2013.
The fourth one, IAM FAME, was established on the West Coast on March 3, 2025, but has a pronounced presence in New York. The International Association of Multicultural & Fil-Am Educators was co-founded by Dr. Archie Manalo together with Dr. Eleuterio Timbol teaching in the High School for Law Enforcement and Public Safety in Queens, NYC, and Dr. Myleen Legaspi, former dean of the graduate school and open learning college of Cavite State University.
According to its founders, the group was organized to support teachers wherever they may be working around the globe. It could be in Canada, the Middle East or Asia, said founding president Manalo, a special education teacher at Ann Lynch Elementary School in Las Vegas.
“We are committed and dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive, rich educational landscape of Filipino culture,” he said when interviewed by The FilAm. “Our goal is to promote Filipino culture and support other Filipino teachers who are having struggles.”
Two issues front and center of IAM FAME’s assistance is J-1 visa teachers from the Philippines adjusting to U.S. schools, and Filipino teachers in the Philippines being trained on professional development and classroom strategy by FilAm teachers. The organization said it has built a network
of educators, academics, and community leaders knowledgeable about “inclusive teaching strategies.”
“It hosts conferences and training sessions focused on curriculum development, classroom instruction, and multicultural education, equipping teachers with practical tools to create culturally responsive learning environments.
One of their bylaws states IAM FAME “welcomes all teachers all over the world.” Manalo said they have chapters in Vietnam, Thailand or anywhere there are Filipino teachers.” Their headcount is almost 300 members across 10 chapters around the world.
“That number is rapidly growing,” he said.
Right now, IAM FAME’S “main concern” is to support the Philippine Department of Education in remote areas. On its immediate agenda is providing Mindanao public schools as they struggle with finances, books, school supplies and the training of teachers, he said.
On May 18, IAM FAME is hosting a webinar for participating tutors from Tangub City, Misamis Occidental. He said its conferences and training sessions focus on classroom instructions
and multicultural education, making sure teachers have the practical tools to create “culturally responsive learning environments.”
Manalo who specializes in learning and intellectual disability as an educator cited “special education” where training revolves around the knowledge FilAm teachers may have acquired and which Filipino teachers
could use in classrooms in the Philippines. He handles the Intermediate Autism Self-contained Class in his school.
“We are providing new formats, best practices, all the knowledge we have gained from working in the U.S. And it’s all free,” he said. “Our main goal is to help. We want to share what we have learned for which we are grateful.”
New members take their oath before co-founders Manalo and Timbol.
IAM FAME founders: founding president Archie Manalo (left, clockwise); co founders Eleuterio Timbol and Myleen Legaspi
Angelo Maristela: His art seeks to inspire and give back to God
Ask visual artist Angelo Maristela to share his story and chances are his starting point will be Qatar.
Angelo, his wife Lynn and their three children –sons Racco and Renfrew, and daughter Ressu -lived in this Middle Eastern country for seven years since 2009. Within this luxurious Arab monarchy, he worked for a wealthy businessman who owned posh residences, hotels and luxury buildings. He painted, produced one abstract art after another which were hung in the buildings and chains of restaurants his employer owned.
“I must have created 300 paintings,” said Angelo when interviewed by The FilAm. “I must have created a portfolio of artworks that I consider
‘One Habitat,’ his mural displayed at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Times Square
Solo exhibition at the Bilal Pearl Suites, a luxury apartment in Doha.
International artist whose paintings have graced homes and offices in the U.S. and the Middle East.
part of the lasting legacy I left with the nation that became home to me and my family for over seven years.”
Angelo also made history as the only Filipino artist, at the time, to be accepted into an exclusive Qatari art group, composed mainly of Arab artists. His works were featured frequently in magazines, newspapers, and online publications.
He held several exhibitions in Qatar, most of them solo shows. One was a horse-themed exhibit sponsored by one of the country’s most powerful figures—the chairman of Qatar’s largest conglomerate. The exhibition took place at a vast commercial facility in Al Samariya, which also housed a horse track and riding school. The event received coverage in Qatar TV and various print publications, further cementing Angelo’s reputation in the region.
Since relocating to the United States in 2016, Angelo—though relatively new to the American art scene—has already made a notable impact. He has participated in various exhibitions across the country: New Jersey, New York, Nevada, and Florida. One of his most significant projects was a massive 27-by-8-foot mural displayed at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Times Square, New York City. Centered on themes of environmental conservation and global challenges, the mural, which was installed shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, proved hauntingly prophetic. It depicted scenes of lockdowns, wildfires, and species extinction— realities that soon unfolded in the months that followed.
In Connecticut where he resides, he paints at midnight when his family is safely in bed and he is alone in his thoughts masterfully creating, sketching, applying paint to canvas.
“That’s the best time for me to paint,” he said.
Realism is his realm. His lifelike reimaging of General Douglas MacArthur was recently unveiled at a West Point ceremony where it was bequeathed to the permanent collection of the U.S. Military’s prestigious museum. He finally completed portraits of four statesmen and generals Douglas MacArthur, Ulysses Grant, George Patton, and Dwight Eisenhower commissioned by a prominent political personality. He and his family were granted
and
permanent residency under the EB1-A category— the Alien of Extraordinary Ability visa also known as the Einstein Visa reserved for individuals who are exceptional in their fields.
| Awards and milestones
Raised by a single mother, young Angelo often found himself alone in their modest apartment in Manila while his mother worked. Though kind neighbors occasionally checked in, he spent many hours by himself, finding solace and stimulation in scraps of paper, pencils, pens, and scissors.
The paper figures he fashioned lacked faces, prompting him to invent and draw them—an exercise that sharpened his imagination and ignited a lifelong passion for portraiture. By his teenage years, he was already earning from commissioned portrait works.
He initially pursued a degree in AB English at St. Paul University in Tuguegarao, but ultimately followed his true calling, enrolling in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program with a major in Advertising at Far
Eastern University in Manila. His academic excellence was evident—he consistently earned top marks for his projects and was frequently exempted from exams. His professors recognized his talent early on and continue to hold him in high regard to this day.
His creative work was celebrated with several community awards. Between 2017 and 2018, he received special recognitions. He was awarded a Citation of Honor by the Borough of Queens, New York, acknowledging his excellence in the arts and his civic engagement. Additionally, he was honored with the Award of Excellence for the Arts by PACCAL, recognizing his artistic influence and dedication to the cultural landscape. In 2019, Angelo achieved another milestone when he was named the recipient of the Dr. Jose P. Rizal Award for Excellence in the Arts presented by the Knights of Rizal organization.
His artistic inclinations extended beyond the canvas. In his youth, he dabbled in acting, appeared in films, theater, and television shows, and took
on roles in ramp, fashion, print, and TV ad commercial modeling. He also possesses a gift for singing and voice mimicry, further underscoring his diverse creative talents.
“My artwork is geared toward giving back to God for the talent that He blessed me with,” he would say in response to praise about his art. “My goal is not just to provide a feast for the eyes but also to inspire.” – Cristina DC Pastor.
| Artist’s statement:
I am a hyperrealist but the vastness of art inspires me to go beyond the confines of a single style. I have since expanded into contemporary art, dedicating years to researching and developing a distinctive form of abstraction that can only be associated with me. The materials I use are not ordinarily found in stores— they are the result of meticulous experimentation. Those familiar with my pieces can recognize them instantly through their characteristic flow, texture, and brushstrokes—my artistic DNA.
With philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis (3rd from right) at the Knights of Rizal awarding ceremony. Also in photo are wife Lynn and children Racco, Ressu,
Renfrew. Courtesy of Maristela family
Calendar of Events
| Ongoing till July 15
The Courage in Care:
Community Doulas and the Joyful Revolution of Birth
Newark ArtSpace
355 Broad Street
Newark N.J.
| Ongoing till July 20
Eva Noblezada in ‘Cabaret at the KitKat Club’
August Wilson Theatre
245 West 52nd Street, NYC
| June 1
Philippine Independence Day
Parade
Madison Avenue NYC
| June 1
First Filipinx American Comic & Book Festival
Coppa Café
Corner of East 27th and Madison
Avenue
| June 8
Deadline for Search for 10
Outstanding Educators by IAM
FAME
Visit website at https://iamfame.
uno
| June 8
‘Mother, May I Have A Kidney? by Veronica Reyes-How Premieres at Tribeca Film Festival
| June 12
Purple Yam & Heritage
Foods Celebrate Philippine
Independence Day
One night only 461 20th Street
Brooklyn, NYC
Tickets on Eventbrite
| June 19
Commemoration of Dr. Rizal’s birth, by the Knights of Rizal
New York Chapter
Philippine Consulate, NYC
| June 21
2025 Jubilee Pilgrimage in Honor of Our Lady of Antipolo National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel 70 Carmelite Drive
Middletown, N.Y.
| June 22
PAFCOM Parade and Festival
Lincoln Park
Jersey City
| June 28
Filipino Day Grand Parade
Washington Park
Albany N.Y.
| June 29
Ginang Filipinas America of New York 2025 Grand Coronation Night
Astoria Manor
25-22 Astoria Boulevard
Astoria, NYC
| July 5, 12, 19, and 26
Paaralan sa Konsulado: Baliktanaw sa Kahapon: Paghahanda sa Kinabukasan by AFTA Philippine Center
556 Fifth Avenue, NYC
| July 15
Policy Summit hosted by Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc., Philippine Nurses Association of New Jersey, and Philippine Nurses Association of New York
Westin Book Cadillac
1114 Washington Boulevard
Detroit, MI
| July 16 to 20
46th Annual Convention of the
Philippine Nurses Association of America
Westin Book Cadillac Detroit
1114 Washington Boulevard
Detroit, MI
| July 19
Sofronio Vasquez concert
Town Hall Theatre
123 W 43 Street NYC
| August 22
Yaman ng Lahi Award (Treasure of the People Award) by IAM FAME
Leonard’s Palazzo
555 Northern Boulevard
Great Neck, N.Y.
| August 23
PIDCI Maria Clara Ball
Astoria Manor
25-22 Astoria Boulevard Astoria, NYC
| September 13
Knights of Rizal 2nd Commander’s Ball Terrace on the Park 52-11 111th Street Queens, NYC
| October 3 to 5
Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc.’s 22nd Eastern Region Conference with the theme ‘Impacting Lives, Influencing Change’
Live Casino & Hotel Maryland 7002 Arundel Mills Circle Hanover, MD
| October 12
5th Anniversary of the Filipino American Cancer Care: Fashion for Love, Care and Hope Charity Gala
Hyatt Regency Reston 1800 Presidents Street Reston, VA
| Oct 17 to 18
UPAA in America’s 23rd Grand Reunion and Convention
Westin Galleria 5060 W Alabama Street Houston, TX
Filipino girl travels the globe to find first-of-its-kind cure for cancer
When 9-year-old Aspen Tangonan was 22 months old, she was diagnosed with stage 4 highrisk neuroblastoma — an aggressive tumor arising from nerve tissues and cells.
At the time, her family had no idea Aspen would become the first pediatric patient successfully treated with a novel drug combination for high-risk refractory neuroblastoma.
Aspen underwent lengthy treatment at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City, using a protocol developed and shared by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital doctors and researchers. But six months later, the cancer was spreading again.
Aspen’s care team wanted to try immunotherapy, but the treatment was unavailable in the Philippines.
“We trusted our doctors back home; they were the best of the best,” said Stephanie Uy, Aspen’s mom. “But they told us it would be difficult to bring this treatment to the Philippines because they didn’t know if the facility could support it.”
Aspen’s oncologist, Maria Luz Del Rosario, MD, found an opportunity for treatment at St. Jude, located on the other side of the globe in Memphis, TN. St. Jude treats children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases regardless of their race, ethnicity, beliefs or ability to pay. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food, so they can focus on helping their child live,
regardless of the duration or the cost of care.
“When they told us that everything will be free, it was like a thorn was taken away. At first it’s unbelievable. We didn’t expect anything like this. We were so grateful,” said her dad, Mark.
Connecting across global borders to access care
Aspen, Stephanie and Mark flew to Memphis in September 2019. For the next three months, the rest of the family stayed in the Philippines while Maria and her parents met with pediatric oncologist Sara Federico, MD, Solid Tumor Division director, Department of Oncology, and other care team members at St. Jude.
By January 2020, Aspen, her parents and her two siblings had fully relocated from the Philippines to Memphis, and Aspen began treatment once again. Federico treated Aspen for relapsed neuroblastoma using different combinations of therapies that stabilized her disease. But she was still a long way from a cure.
Aspen’s best chance at a curative therapy lay in the genomics of her cancer, so Federico requested tumor
tissue samples from Maria’s initial surgery in the Philippines for genetic sequencing. When the samples arrived in Memphis, St. Jude researchers identified a germline (inherited) mutation in the BARD1 gene, a finding that gave Federico a new focus point for identifying potential treatments.
Aspen responded to a series of treatments, becoming the first child with refractory high-risk neuroblastoma to have a durable response to a PARP inhibitor and chemotherapy combination. She has been completely off therapy since October 2021. While the science advances and research continues, Aspen and her family revel in a life without treatment. She has been healthy and off treatment for over three years. The family still comes to St. Jude for checkups every six months to monitor the disease and mitigate any treatment-related symptoms that may arise.
Aspen Tangonan wants to continue to be a girl “who travels the world.” For a family whose only direction was forward as they traversed the globe in search of a cure, anything seems possible.
Aspen Tangonan is completely off therapy since 2021. Photo by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
NYC couple, PHL outreach organization deliver food to the elderly
Manhattan-based dance artist Roberto Villanueva and his spouse, hospitality professional Roman Dela Cruz, were in the Philippines r ecently where they participated in a mission to deliver food to the elderly in the northern Philippine province of Pangasinan.
Together with Frenz4hope, the Pangasinan-based community outreach group, the couple packed and delivered food and essential supplies to two charitable organizations in February. The Little Sisters of the Poor – Home for the Elderly in the city of Bolinao, and the Missionaries of Charity – Home of Peace for the Elderly and Special Needs Children in Dagupan were the recipients of their donations of rice, milk, biscuits, diapers, and shampoo, among many food and essential supplies.
Missionaries of Charity in Dagupan is one of the recipients of Frenz4hope food donations. Villanueva and Dela Cruz at far right (in black shirts).
They were joined in this effort by Frenz4hope founding members Arjay Bautista, Ma. Cassandra Bernabe, John Chris Campos, Gladys Formanes, Joey Lucas, Denilyn Lucas, and Racelle Urbana. Additional volunteers included Christian Dela Cruz, Elsa Dela Cruz, and Luisa Dela Cruz.
Villanueva and Dela Cruz are two of the founding members.
For Villanueva and Dela Cruz, the call to serve isn’t just a memory from childhood; it’s a core value deeply woven into their lives as Catholics.
“These two charities are doing selfless work, often unnoticed. We just want to let them know they’re not forgotten,” said Dela Cruz.
“Faith is never just about going to church. It’s about living it,” Villanueva added.
Since Frenz4hope was established in April 2021, Villanueva has contributed to the group by providing financial support, leadership, and strategic direction, while Dela Cruz leads the coordination and implementation of each outreach initiative in Pangasinan. Two years after the group's founding, the couple were
married and began leading the organization together from NYC.
Despite battling grueling chronic pain since undergoing spinal cord tumor surgery in December 2020, Villanueva said he remains committed to “making a difference in people’s lives.”
It’s an undertaking he has pursued since 2010 when he launched BalaSole Dance Company in Manhattan. The organization offers visibility and mentorship to dancers of all sizes, shapes, styles, colors, and backgrounds especially those who have been marginalized. BalaSole also provides free concert tickets to senior centers and offers creative movement classes to children from underserved communities.
Villanueva and Dela Cruz’s story resonates in a city like New York—fast-paced, diverse, often loud, yet filled with people quietly working to uplift others.
“We hope to embody that spirit, blending service and resilience with a uniquely NYC sense of purpose. Whether staging inclusive dance performances in Midtown or delivering rice and soap to rural villages in the Philippines, our message is clear: compassion knows no borders,” they said.
First-ever FilAm comic books festival on June 1st showcases women storytellers
On the same day and at the same location as the Philippine Independence Day Parade, the first-ever Filipinx American Comic and Book Festival on Madison Avenue will be happening in New York City.
“I'm excited to be participating in the first annual Filipinx American Comic & Book Festival! I'm most looking forward to being in community with my fellow FilipinoAmericans, sharing my work, and watching people share theirs,” offered DC Comics illustrator Arielle Jovellanos.
“Luckily exhibitors are happy to support this first-time event. It’s a chance for me to present a story in the language, culture, and region in the Philippines I grew up in. The book I’ll be displaying will be available in both Bisaya and English,” gushed exhibitor Maz Rega.
Jovellanos and Rega are just two of the women storytellers in the festival in an industry long dominated by male authors: American comics by White men and Tagalog comics by Filipino men. But in recent years more and more women have been telling their stories using this medium.
“The recent shifts in technology have made it easier for authors and cartoonists to publish,” says Ramon Gil, the New York-based comics book writer and artist. He has previously organized Diversity Comic Con, and the Asian Pacific American Heritage Festival and the Comic Arts Workshop.
“Drawing, printing and promoting (through social media) are now accessible to anyone with a computer or even just a tablet,” he added. Another factor he noted is the trend in the publishing industry toward diversity and inclusion.
Memoirs by people of color are very popular right now, he said, and “many Pinay creators have been flocking to the medium.”
One the most famous, influential and earliest adopters of the graphic novel medium is Lynda Barry, a Filipino American from Wisconsin whose writings have appeared on Esquire and Mother Jones magazines and adapted on Broadway. Melanie Hilario,
Jennifer Guzman, Cathleen Abalos, and Kwento Comics, a publisher run entirely by Filipina American women, are some examples of Pinay creators.
“I do a lot of work around diversity,” said Gil, “but it’s been a while since I’ve done anything closer to my own culture.”
After participating in Barrio Fest in New Jersey along with several other Pinay authors last year, he saw that there was interest in literary work from writers of Philippine descent.
“I was just waiting for PIDCI to announce the date for 2025 so I could find and book a venue that would coincide with the parade. I learned that having an event where the crowds already are increases the chance of success,” he said. He stressed the event is not officially affiliated with the parade organizers, PIDCI. Gil said he was able to book Coppa Nomad Cafe along the parade route. While the venue only has space for about 10-15 exhibitors, he said, “It’s okay to start small for our first year.”
Other exhibitors are JB Kalagayan, Casielle SantosGaerlan, Alyanna Depalma, Glen Isip, Monica Tuy, John Jay Cabuay, Kristin Sorra, Nene Rivera, Lee Kalu and Frank Gastelum.
The festival will be held at 21 East 27th Street (Coppa Nomad) from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information, visit www.filamcomicbookfest.com
Top: Arielle Jovellanos, Kristin Sorra Lower: Alyanna Depalma, Casielle Santos-Gaerlan, Monica Canlas Tuy
Maz Rega: She is writing a book in the Visayan language.
The Girl Who
(Thought She)
Looked Like Kamala Harris
“At age twelve, Paula confronts a school bully who folded easily. Her US Marine father has taught her courage amidst challenges, her school-teacher mother has instilled in her compassion with cleverness. Then she meets a senator who, growing up, has faced enormous life adversities and humbly bears those same traits. An unlikely friendship ensues.ˮ
Gene P. Del Carmen
The FilAm readers get reduced shipping price, author-signed copies.
Order @ gpdelcarmen@gmail.com
Abi Balingit wins James Beard Award for desserts cookbook ‘Mayumu’
By Claire Mercado-Obias
In the tiny kitchen of her Brooklyn apartment, Abi Balingit experimented making sweet treats with a Filipino twist.
The successful recipes, she posted on her blog, The Dusky Kitchen. One day, a literary agent asked if she wanted to write a cookbook. After a resounding yes, she worked on it during the pandemic, and in 2023, Mayumu: Filipino American Desserts Remixed was published.
“Mayumu is a Filipino American fusion dessert cookbook with 75 recipes and some short stories from my life and my personal baking journey,” says Abi. “It takes a lot of inspiration from my childhood spent in California and the years I’ve spent living in New York.”
Mayumu means “sweet” in Kapampangan, the language in Pampanga where her parents are from. While it contains classic recipes like Minatamis na Bao (coconut jam), Pan de Sal (Philippine bread rolls), and Ginataang Bilo-bilo (coconut soup), most of the recipes are by no means traditional. Take for instance Adobo Chocolate Chip Cookies, Taho Panna Cotta, and Matcha Pastillas, where Abi bolsters Filipino cuisine with a push for ingenuity.
In June 2024, Abi won the “Emerging Voice Award” at the James Beard Foundation Awards. Held annually, this is the Academy Awards of the culinary industry where talented chefs and restaurateurs across the country are recognized and the accompanying media awards honor excellence in culinary-focused books, broadcast media, and journalism.
It’s named after James Beard (May 5, 1903 - January 21, 1985), known as the “Dean of American cookery” who put America at the forefront of global gastronomy. He authored many cookbooks, was host of a cooking show, and owned a cooking school. Throughout his life, he fostered a generation of chefs and cookbook authors who have influenced the way we eat. His legacy continues through the James Beard Foundation, leading the culinary industry towards a new standard of excellence. The James Beard House and Platform by JBF, a
‘Mayumu’ Harvest publisher February 2023
288 pages
kitchen events and educational space, are both located in New York City.
“The Emerging Voice Award recognizes work of immediate impact and lasting significance by a first-time published author whose unique perspective expands the reach of the subject matter,” explains Dawn Padmore, the foundation’s Vice President of Awards. Quality of writing, clarity of voice, and a fresh point of view were the criteria in choosing the winner.
“The Awards Night was so surreal! I was honored to be there, and I could feel
‘I could feel all types of emotions—mostly excitement—buzzing around the room.’
all types of emotions—mostly excitement—buzzing around the room,” Abi recalls. “I got to meet people I’ve been following for a while and reconnect with other friends I’ve gotten to know in the industry.”
Apart from food, Abi also channels her creativity through fashion, and describes what she wore at the awards: “When I found out I was nominated, I wanted to find a showstopper outfit. I love any excuse to dress up since I mostly work from home! And I like to source pieces that are secondhand or handmade. I came across the whimsical octopus headpiece made by Rae Swon and the
artist’s craftsmanship blew me away. For events, I tend to wear colors that reflect the cover of my book, so the purple in the hat complemented the vintage hot pink satin skirt and upcycled chartreuse rosette tube top I ended up wearing.”
When she walked up to the podium to receive her award, Abi said in her speech, “As a member of the diaspora, yes, I am American, but first and foremost I am proud to be Filipino. In mainstream media, Filipino food has been anointed the next big thing for what feels like decades. I’m here to say that Filipino food has been here for a long time and it’s here to stay.”
Since that life-changing evening, “James Beard Award Winner” has been annexed to her name, to which she exclaims, “I think it’s proof that all the hard work I’ve put into writing my cookbook was so worth it. I am over the moon to be recognized by such a prestigious organization. I hope this win is the first of many for Filipino cookbook authors, and I think the future's so bright for my fellow Filipinos in culinary media.”
This year marks the 35th Anniversary of the James Beard Awards. The ceremonies take place on June 14 (Media Awards) and June 16 (Restaurant and Chef Awards) in Chicago. It will be broadcast live on Eater.
These Filipinos are among the finalists hoping to receive the coveted medallion:
• ARCHIPELAGO, Seattle, WA (Outstanding Hospitality finalist)
• Tara Monsod, ANIMAE, San Diego, CA (Best Chef: California finalist)
• Silver Iocovozzi, NENG JR.’S, Asheville, NC (Best Chef: Southeast finalist)
• Jane Sacro Chatham, VICIA, St. Louis, MO (Emerging Chef finalist)
• MARCH, Houston, TX (Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program finalist; June Rodil, Master Sommelier, is a Partner and CEO of the restaurant)
• Benedict De La Cruz, NPR.org (Narrative Photography)
Claire Mercado-Obias is a writer, food stylist, and pastry chef based in New Jersey.
Kare Kare Cookies. Photo: theduskykitchen.com
When legends become family: My love letter to Tita Guy
By Brendan Flores
What could a young Filipino American, raised far from the glitz of Philippine showbiz, possibly know about a national treasure like Nora Aunor?
Plenty—because in our household, she was everything.
Before I ever met her, before I fully understood what it meant to be Filipino, I already knew her name: Nora. Or, as my mom always called her with reverence and affection: Guy.
My mom was a diehard Noranian. Her eyes would light up whenever she talked about Nora—her voice, her movies, her poise, her soul. She used to tell me that, as a young girl in Calapan, Oriental Mindoro, the reward for getting good grades wasn’t toys or sweets. It was a boat ride to Manila just to see Nora on her birthday—to stand among her adoring fans and catch a glimpse of her idol. That was the dream. That was the prize. That’s the kind of impact Nora had: She was hope, she was home, she was someone to believe in.
Later, when my uncle Roger became involved in the Estrada campaign, my mom supported it simply because Nora was there. Her loyalty ran deep. And through her, mine quietly began.
Years passed. I was a young banker trying to find my way in Las Vegas. Nora happened to be spending time between L.A. and Vegas. Somehow—by pure serendipity—our paths crossed.
She was the Nora Aunor. I was just some kid in finance. But somehow… she saw me. And somehow…she stayed. She’d call me whenever she was in town—sometimes for a stroll in the casino, sometimes just to talk. I became her banker, yes—but more than that, I became someone she felt safe with. She missed her children deeply, and I think, in a way, I became a stand-in: part son, part confidante, part friend.
I never expected to be anything more, but one day in L.A., she sat me down and asked a question I’ll never forget: “Can you manage my career?”
She and her dear friend, Sajid Khan, had lost trust in many people from the industry. They wanted someone outside of it. Someone they believed wouldn’t see her as a product—but as a person. That someone, somehow, was me.
I didn’t know anything about artist management. But I knew how to care for people. I knew how to show up, listen, lead, and protect. I said yes—not because I wanted to be in showbiz, but
‘In our home, she was everything.’
because I genuinely cared about her. We made a plan focused not on fame but on her well-being. Her joy. Her healing. She didn’t need a comeback. She was the comeback. She brought me to events and introduced me to her friends.
When I traveled to the Philippines, she asked me to meet her former
A collage of Nora’s early years. Photos: Bing.com
Brendan and his mom, the diehard Noranian.
manager, Nori Sayo. Nori welcomed me with warmth and even invited me to a dinner where Pilita Corrales was performing. Pilita—one of the most elegant women I’ve ever met—pulled me on stage to sing. Who would've thought that both she and Tita Guy would leave this world just days apart?
In the U.S., I had the honor of watching her perform live. Her presence was magnetic. She wasn’t just iconic—she was felt. After one concert, with no restaurants open, she brought me and my childhood best friend, Sead, back to her place in Los Angeles and cooked corned beef and rice for us past midnight—barefoot in her kitchen, laughing, mothering us.
That’s who she was. A superstar who made you feel like the star. A legend, yes. But also, a mother who loved with her whole heart.
Though she’d introduce me as her manager, I never liked the title. I didn’t feel worthy of it. There were no contracts. No fees. No expectations. Just love. Just loyalty.
Eventually, life pulled us in different directions. My career accelerated, and I was promoted to the East Coast. She had tours planned, songs recorded, and
dreams of returning to the Philippines. I knew I couldn’t give her the time she deserved, and it broke my heart to step away. But we both understood—it was the right thing to do.
She went home. And as she always did…she rose. She reminded the world who she was.
Even then, she never forgot me. She’d send old photos from her fans. She’d send prayer notes. I’d check in—gently nagging her to rest, to take care of her health, to quit smoking. But over time, life got busier. And our messages became fewer.
Until last year.
I was in Manila for a short trip, having lunch with my Mama G—the incomparable Gina Alajar, another legend of Philippine cinema—and Director Adolf Alix, Jr. when her name came up. On a whim, they called her and handed me the phone.
“Ate Guy, someone wants to say hi.”
Hearing her voice again was like hearing a lullaby from your childhood— familiar, grounding, tender. We caught up briefly, and I promised her dinner the next time I came back.
But now…that dinner will never happen.
Why is it that we find the words when they’re gone? Why do we offer the flowers when they can no longer smell them?
Nora Aunor was, and will always be, the greatest actress the Philippines has ever known. She gave her life to art, to country, to truth. But beyond the accolades and titles, she gave me something greater: love. Quiet, fierce, unconditional love. She believed in me when she didn’t have to. She fed me when she didn’t need to. She embraced me as one of her own. She was human—flawed, funny, faithful, full of grace. A woman who hurt deeply but loved even deeper. I’ll carry her in my heart forever. The superstar my mom once idolized…became my Tita Guy. And that, to me, is more meaningful than any title on earth.
Mahal kita, Mama Guy. Thank you for everything.
Brendan Flores was president and later chairman of the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA). He is a banker by profession.
Brendan and Nora in the early days of his banking career.
