Alleged labor trafficking charges filed vs teacher Ray Badajos Dacul
By Cristina DC Pastor
An English teacher and prominent community leader is under investigation by the Office of Attorney General for the District of Columbia, Washington D.C. for alleged labor trafficking.
The complaint states that Rey Badajos Dacul (also known on Facebook as Ray Badajos Dacul) “operates a labor trafficking scheme masquerading as an employment and immigration services agency that can deliver the American Dream to teachers in the Philippines.”
The case number is: 2025-CAB-001228
The agencies also identified as defendants are Sky High Travel & Tours International and Integrated Global Models Events Management Services. Both agencies -- reportedly owned by Dacul from Basey, Samar -- have offices in Tacloban City.
It is alleged in the complaint that Dacul, a leading member of the teachers organization United Federation of Fil-Am Educators (UNIFFIED) “induces Filipino teachers to move to the District and pay thousands of dollars in upfront fees.
“In exchange for these upfront fees, Dacul promises to secure these teachers high-paying teaching positions in public schools, work visas with a path to permanent residency, free housing and other services.”
The alleged victims would discover they have been “deceived, trapped in exploitative working conditions and illegal housing conditions” once they arrive in D.C.
Also named as Dacul’s co-defendants are Aster Assefa and Tina Zewde, both of Washington D.C. They are represented by attorney, Richard Schimel. Ronie Mataquel, the president of UNIFFIED, has testified for Dacul,
It states Dacul has allegedly violated wage payments, labor and employment laws contained in codes CPPA, MWRA, WPCL, and BRCA.
On his Facebook page, Dacul has posted information about libel and cyberbullying, stating how “Black propaganda is a type of disinformation…is often created…usually to damage the reputation or manipulate public opinion.”
“Black propaganda typically includes false or misleading information, forged documents, or fabricated narratives. It is commonly used in warfare, politics, and intelligence operations to undermine enemies or influence audiences covertly.”
according to court documents. “Defendant's witness Ronie Mataquel present via WebEx and sworn testimony taken.”
The plaintiff in the case is the government through the District of Columbia, represented by Elizabeth Feldstein of the Office of Attorney General.
Dacul has almost 20 years teaching experience in the Philippines and the U.S. and has received numerous awards for his community engagement.
Defendant Dacul reportedly promises teachers ‘high-paying teaching positions in public schools, work visas with a path to permanent residency,’ according to complaint. Facebook photos
Dacul when he was elected to the UNIFFIED National Board
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
La Parrilla in Colonia, N.J. closes after 10 years
By Cristina DC Pastor
La Parrilla de Manila, the family-owned restaurant in Colonia, New Jersey famous for its Adobong Balut, Lengua and giant Halo Halo has shuttered. Its last day was February 16.
A short announcement was made but no reason was given for the closure: “La Parrilla de Manila will be closed until further notice. Please visit our website for updates. We want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported us throughout the years. Thank You.”
The FilAm tried to reach out to the family that owned the restaurant but nobody wanted to speak in an official capacity. The FilAm was told there was no specific reason for discontinuing operations except perhaps the owners were looking to retire from the restaurant business.
“It’s tough running a restaurant,” said the source seeming to convey the sentiment of the owner.
The source added, “Nobody was sick, the owner’s family did not have any fights or disagreements, no nothing,” the source said.
Before moving to Colonia, La Parrilla operated on Condict Street in New Brunswick near Robert Wood Johnson Hospital, but customers had complained about the absence of parking. The eatery was in this location for about five years from 2011 to 2015.
The move to Colonia happened in August 2015. In the beginning it experimented with fusion dishes, such as Lamb Shank Kare Kare which did not last long because of price points. The restaurant decided to stick to traditional cuisine which became a huge draw for Filipino Americans in Middlesex County looking for Filipino restaurants without having to trek to Jersey City.
“Lumpiang Sariwa was a big hit,” said the source. “Another is Fried Chicken. No matter how much gravy you put on it, it’s still crunchy.”
La Parrilla was a financial success. “A restaurant that lasted five years means you made it,” said the source. The joint thrived during the pandemic with takeout and delivery orders making it very busy.
The owner, neurologist Bernie Ponce, declined an interview with The FilAm. He is tight-lipped about his plans. It is not known if he is selling the two-storey building on Saint Georges Avenue which he owns or he is just taking a break and he will eventually return to the restaurant business.
Ponce’s family has roots in Apalit, Pampanga.
Street food is one of their popular features with Fishball, Isaw, Binatog, Taho and similar roadside snacks offered on Fridays for Filipinos looking to unwind at the end of the week.
Customers, meanwhile, remember their favorite La Parrilla dishes.
“My favorites are the Beef Pares, Crispy Pata, the BBQ. They were incredibly very soft and melts in your mouth delicious!
“The bilao was very delicious as well, the chicken and pork belly and Stuffed Squid is really good, and the Pork Sisig was very flavorful!” writes Joseph from Philly.
“I've been here several times and I absolutely love it here. The food is amazing, great BBQ, great Kare Kare, amazing Filipino breakfast, Lumpia, Pancit everything! I highly recommend!” writes Al on Yelp.
A Colonia culinary landmark. Photo: Usarestaurants.info
Fishball and street food
The big glass of Halo Halo good for a family to share
Aubrey and Arnel Parreno: A family business grows in Queens
In the heart of Queens, New York, an entrepreneurial couple with a shared background in military service has built a business they vow is rooted in “love for family, fashion, and community.”
Meet Aubrey (née Tolentino) and Arnel Parreno, the achievers behind NYCLUXE and Gabriella Aubrey Jewelry, two thriving brands offering luxury pre-loved bags and fine gold jewelry. Theirs has been a journey of “courage, resilience, and purpose.”
| Eureka moment
It all started when an aunt gifted Aubrey a few high-end handbags.
“I checked the quality of the leather. Out of curiosity, I tried shining one with shoe polish, and it turned out even more beautiful. That small moment lit a spark,” her eureka moment.
“I love jewelry and purses,” Aubrey said with a shy smile. “Women are always searching for the perfect bag, something that fits their lifestyle.”
She remembers those early days when she became a mom. “I naturally preferred bigger bags that could carry everything my kids needed. Back then, I used to love small purses, but priorities change.”
She saw something promising in the luxury leather resale market. What started as a personal passion
By Maricar CP Hampton
for brands like Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci soon became an international venture that would take her from the U.S. to Japan and Dubai.
| Bonding over business
Even before they became a couple, Arnel saw the fire in Aubrey’s eyes when she talked about her business ideas and her plans to expand them.
“Before we got together, she was already selling designer bags online,” he shared proudly. “She always had that entrepreneurial spark.”
They met in 2016 through a mutual friend, also a former PMA cadet, when Aubrey visited California. She was already selling through Facebook, gaining traction, and building her customer community. That meeting blossomed into marriage. Today, they have two beautiful daughters: Gabriella Aubrey, 3, and Daniella Aubrey, 1.
Their ventures veered beyond luxury merchandise. The desire to help
Aubrey: Jewelry is beautiful and has cash value.
Arnel: Fifteen years in the Navy
Aubrey as a PMA cadet
Calendar of Events
| Ongoing till July 20
Eva Noblezada in ‘Cabaret at the KitKat Club’
August Wilson Theatre
245 West 52nd Street, NYC
| May 3
PIDCI Mrs. Kalayaan Ball
Astoria Manor
25-22 Astoria Boulevard
Astoria, NYC
| May 4
Run Bergenfield Run 5K: Mayor’s Wellness 2025
Contact office of Mayor Arvin Amatorio for details
| May 4
3rd Annual Asian Street Food & Music Festival, event by Harvard Square Phil-Am and Merose Bicar-MacLeod
41 Church Street Cambridge, MA
| May 10
Fight Against Tuberculosis
Among Filipinos induction of officers
Msgr. Farrick Parish Hall
375 2nd Avenue NYC
| May 17
Rizal Women of Malolos and Rizal Youth Leadership Awards by Knights of Rizal Long Island
Leonard’s Palazzo
555 Northern Boulevard
Great Neck, N.Y.
| May 18
Sarah G, Bamboo
CFG Bank Arena
Baltimore, MD
| May 23 to 26
UNIFFIED Educators
International Summit
New York City
Contact UNIFFIED
| May 24
Philippine Nurses AssociationEmerald City Gala Night
The Hyatt at Lake Washington (Seattle) Southport
| May 24
PAFCOM’s 35th Anniversary
Grand Marshal Gala and Coronation Ball
Marriott Newark Airport Hotel
| May 24 to 25
Maharlika Memorial Day Cup
Spooky Nook
75 Champ Blvd. Manheim, PA
Contact Ronnie Ocampo
516-582-7309
| 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 7
PICOSI’s Filipino Fiesta
Sacred Heart Campus 950 Castleton Avenue
Staten Island
Tagalog course at Yale a ‘significant milestone’ – Congen Mangalile
NEW HAVEN, CT — Consul General Senen Mangalile met with representatives of Yale’s Council on Southeast Asia Studies on February 21 to explore potential partnerships in research, cultural exchange, and initiatives that promote Philippine heritage.
The consul general also congratulated Yale on its upcoming offering of Filipino (Tagalog) as a credited language course starting in the Fall Term of Academic Year 2025-2026, recognizing it as a “significant milestone in strengthening Philippine language and cultural studies in higher education.”
Accompanied by Trade Commissioner Benedict M. Uy, Vice Consul Cathe Ryne Denice S. Aguilar, and Economic Assistant Nikka B. Arenal, Congen Mangalile engaged in discussions with Yale faculty members, including Prof. Erik Harms, Dr. Dini Alethiani, Dr. Ruth Barnes, and Ms. Charmaine Wong. Leaders of Kasama, Yale’s Filipino student association, also participated.
According to the Yale Daily News, the Tagalog course was largely driven by the advocacy of Kasama, whose student leaders mobilized support from the administration and faculty. Mangalile commended their efforts and reaffirmed the Consulate’s readiness to support the program.
The new Tagalog course comes after months of formalized student advocacy from Tagalog @ Yale, an initiative within Yale’s Filipino club, Kasama. Since
Immigrant
TOfficials from the Philippine Consulate General in New York, led by Consul General Senen Mangalile (3rd from left), join Yale faculty and student representatives for a group photo on campus. Photo by Nikka Arenal
fall 2023, students in the initiative have been working with faculty in CSEAS and the Center for Language Study as well as members of the Yale College Council to make the course a reality.
Previously, students were able to learn Filipino (Tagalog) through the Directed Independent Language Study, a program that matched students to a language partner, rather than a professor, and did not offer course credit.
“Tagalog is the fourth most-spoken language in the U.S.,” Janina Gbenoba ’27, a Kasama member active in the initiative, told the News. “So we feel very strongly about it having a place at Yale, both for members of Yale’s Filipino community and because we really do believe that even people outside of the Filipino culture would have an interest in studying it.”
Discussions also touched on the potential establishment of a Philippine Studies initiative, with both sides expressing openness to exploring ways to expand Philippine-related academic offerings in the future.
The meeting also focused on cultural collaborations, including potential participation in the International Festival of Arts and Ideas in New Haven, a major cultural event where Philippine heritage could be showcased through performances and exhibits. Mangalile introduced the Consulate’s Fiber, Fabric, and Textile Promotion Program, which highlights Philippine indigenous textiles. Yale’s museums and researchers expressed interest in exploring partnerships and future exhibitions that integrate Philippine weaving traditions and material innovations into Yale’s curatorial and educational initiatives.
Mangalile presented a copy of “The Frontiers of Foreign Policy: Essays on Philippine Soft Power” to be included in the university’s Southeast Asian studies collection, reinforcing the importance of engaging academic institutions in discussions on Philippine foreign policy and regional dynamics.
New Yorkers have longer lifespan than U.S.-born residents
he New York City Health Department released on April 17 a report that states that immigrants in NYC have a higher life expectancy than U.S.-born residents, with an average lifespan of 83.5 years compared to 79.9 years for U.S.-born New Yorkers.
This is one of the key findings in the report “The Health of Immigrants in New York City,” which highlights the significant contributions of immigrant New Yorkers to the city’s health and prosperity, while emphasizing the critical need to address unique health challenges that immigrants face, according to a press statement.
The report shows that 81 percent of New York City immigrants have been in the U.S. for more than 10 years, 13 percent have been in the U.S. between 6 to 10 years, and 6 percent have been in the U.S. less than 5 years.
Other key findings:
• Healthy Behaviors: Immigrants are less likely to smoke than U.S.-born residents. The smoking rate among
immigrants overall is 7 percent vs. 11 percent among U.S.-born New Yorkers. Among immigrant women, the rate is even lower at 4 percent.
• Lower Mortality Rates: Despite facing barriers, immigrants have death rates that are 28 percent lower for heart disease and 19 percent lower for cancer, compared with U.S.-born New Yorkers.
• Essential Workforce: Immigrants play a crucial role in NYC's health care system, comprising 47 percent of the workforce in health care practitioner and technical occupations. They also contribute significantly to social services and other essential sectors. However, the report also underscores the health challenges faced by the city’s immigrant population, including:
• Lack of Health Insurance: Immigrant adults are nearly twice as likely as U.S.-born adults to lack access to health insurance.
• Limited Access to Mental Health Care: Immigrants with depression are less likely to receive mental health
treatment compared to U.S.-born residents with depression.
• Structural Barriers: Systemic issues such as bias against immigrants, racism, unfair access to employment, and variable access to translation and interpretation services create significant obstacles to health for immigrants.
“New York has always been a city of immigrants, and today it’s one of the most diverse places in the world,” said Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “Immigrants continue to be key to the city’s growth, success, and culture. Investing in the health and well-being of immigrant New Yorkers helps our whole city and country thrive. That’s why our mission is to protect and promote — without exception — the health of all New Yorkers.”
“This report demonstrates the importance of effective partnership and community-centered services to continue improving health outcomes for immigrant New Yorkers," said Commissioner of the Mayor's Office
‘The health of immigrants is the health of New York City.’
of Immigrant Affairs Manuel Castro. "At our office, we know that the health of immigrant communities constitutes the health of New York City.”
Dear Mr. Heydarian:
‘Your argument exposes an ignorance that is frustrating, amusing and careless’
There’s a certain art to rhetoric, but there’s also a fine line between eloquence and intellectual laziness. Richard Heydarian, in his attempt to wax geopolitical, made a statement that is as reductive as it is reckless:
"I came from the North of the Country where our human development index is almost Southern Europe. But if you go to Mindanao, their human development index is Sub-Saharan African level."
As someone born and raised in Mindanao, I read this and felt something between exasperation and a weary sigh. We, Mindanaoans, have heard this before, usually from someone who has never breathed our air, tasted our soil, or witnessed the resilience of our people beyond the lens of statistics cherry-picked for shock value.
This is such a dangerous game of rhetoric!
It’s a play on words designed to make the speaker sound insightful while sacrificing nuance. It’s the kind of statement that makes audiences nod and say, "Wow, what a bold observation!", without realizing that it reduces millions of lives into a punchline. Worse, it reveals a failure to grasp that Mindanao is not a mere statistic; it is a living, breathing testament to perseverance in the face of historical neglect.
Let’s be fair. There is some statistical truth here. Mindanao has historically been at an economic and developmental disadvantage compared to Luzon. We won’t deny that. But to compare us, in broad strokes, to Sub-Saharan Africa, a vast and diverse region with over 40 countries, each with its own struggles and triumphs, is neither an accurate nor an intellectually honest argument.
It is undeniable that Metro Manila and other developed areas in Luzon have seen faster economic growth, benefiting from being the country’s political and financial center. That’s simply how history and governance have played out. But let’s not pretend that progress is a singular narrative, nor that one region’s growth defines the entirety of the nation.
Mindanao, despite its economic challenges, remains a land of untapped potential. We are the country’s food basket, the agricultural backbone that sustains the very people who look down on us. We are the land of ancestral heritage, where cultures thrive in ways that the capital can only dream of preserving.
Yes, we have challenges. Yes, there are areas that need urgent reform. But our
By Agustin Guido
development is not a stagnant tragedy; it is a narrative still being written, and we are holding the pen.
Sometimes, the pursuit of sounding intellectually provocative backfires, and instead of appearing profound, one ends up in the stupidity corner. The choice of words in this statement is one such example. Perhaps it was meant to elevate an argument, but instead, it exposed an ignorance that is both frustrating and amusing. A prime example of the Boomerang Effect of careless words.
Because here’s the irony: while attempting to paint Mindanao with broad strokes, it inadvertently highlighted the intellectual elitism that has long ignored the South’s role in nation-building. That kind of rhetoric doesn’t make one a thought leader, it makes one a dinner-table contrarian with a microphone.
To Mr. Heydarian: Mindanaoans have a habit of taking insults with a smile, turning wounds into wisdom. We’ve been underestimated before, and each time, we’ve thrived despite it. So the next time you feel tempted to use us as a metaphor for underdevelopment, perhaps consider visiting first.
And if you do, don’t worry, we won’t let you leave without a hearty meal. After all, despite what you may think, we don’t just feed the country. We feed the soul.
Guido was born and raised in the historically rich village of Mandih in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte. He is a proud great-grandson of Datu Tangkilan of the Subanen Tribe, whose leadership and legacy continue to inspire him. He completed his elementary and high school education in Mandih and earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Misamis University in Ozamiz City. After completing his education, Gus eventually made Dipolog City his home, in the province of Zamboanga del Norte before coming to the United States. He is currently the Director of Nursing at New Jersey Eastern Star Home, and vice president at New Jersey Association Directors of Nursing Administration LTC.
Agustin
The author was born and raised in the historically rich village of Mandih in Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte.
The column that triggered heated response from some Mindanaoans including the author
The immortal Pitoy Moreno
By Florina Capistrano Baker
Two years ago, my friend Ramon Moreno called me from Basel inquiring about the possibility of celebrating his Tito Pitoy’s 100th birthday in a special way. Since that groundbreaking phone call, we find ourselves here tonight, celebrating the formal opening of the exhibition TIMELESS: J. Moreno.
Why a fashion exhibit in an art museum? The study of clothing, textiles, and ornaments offers important insights into our history, culture, and national psyche - and should not be isolated from other aspects of material culture. Inquiry into the philosophy and psychology of dress is increasingly gaining traction in the fields of art history, anthropology, and culture studies. The exhibition TIMELESS: J. Moreno presents fashion and dress as Art. You may notice this as you walk into the galleries, in the way the dresses are positioned, and treated with the same respect that we accord paintings and sculpture.
The curatorial narrative traces Pitoy’s artistic journey from his early days designing dance costumes for Bayanihan, the National Dance Company of the Philippines; to his illustrious career as a designer for various occupants of Malacañang Palace and his ascent to the world stage, breaking barriers and waving the Philippine flag overseas, showcasing Philippine fashion, fabrics, and fine craftsmanship through his impressive body of work.
The curatorial vision was made tangible by multiple hands too numerous to mention individually – though, I would be remiss not to single out our dedicated team of dressers who customized the mannequins, adding or subtracting contours, hips or chests, where needed, quickly adopting the “secret” dressing technique (used in the Philippines for the first time in this exhibit) generously shared by our outstanding technical and curatorial consultant, Clarissa Esguerra, curator of fashion and textiles at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art or LACMA. Thank you, professors turned dressers, Joseph Bawar, Olive Lopez, Fernando
Escora, Trina Peñaflores (all professors in fashion studies at the College of St. Benilde, & Philippine Women’s University), Leo Lorilla of the Bayanihan museum, Pitoy’s nephew Jimmy Cruz, and longtime staff Lilibeth Esllamado.
I thank my co-curator Ditas Samson who collaborated closely with the hardworking M staff - Ian, Rico, Remi, Julia, our technical wizard Martin, moving image designer Cocoy Lumbao, and exhibition designer Stanley Ruiz.
The exhibition may be viewed and enjoyed on multiple levels. For those who personally knew Pitoy or those who wore – or are tonight wearing - his creations, viewing the works exhibited here may revive distant memories in the most tangible way. For those who knew him only by reputation, the works displayed may evoke the spirit of eras past - the glamour of the 1950s-1960s, the disco culture of the 1970s-1980s, the Bagong Anyo extravaganzas of the 1970s, Binibining Pilipinas competitions, and the unprecedented global exposure of Philippine fashion overseas.
For the younger generation who did not know Pitoy and are unfamiliar with his work, we offer you this glimpse into an artist's life and work, a lifetime dedicated to - love of beauty and love of country - as we simultaneously aspire to inspire a new generation of designers.
Among Pitoy’s favorite textile motifs that you’ll see in the exhibition are large, swirling images of the long-tailed Chinese phoenix symbolizing immortality and rebirth, and the graceful Japanese crane in flight, which in Japan is said to live for one thousand years. Through this exhibition and the book of the same title that we launch tonight, we hope that, like his immortal phoenixes and cranes, Pitoy will live on in our memories for the next thousand years.
The author preparing the wedding gown of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo for photography at the National Museum exhibit. Courtesy of Florina Capistrano Baker
Art historian Florina CapistranoBaker was the curator behind the retrospective exhibit “TIMELESS: J. Moreno.” She delivered these remarks during the February 26 opening of the exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila. She received her Ph.D. and M.A. from the Department of Art History and Archaeology, Columbia University in New York City.
Moreno: A lifetime dedicated to love of beauty and love of country
Wedding gowns of embroidered piña, 1960s-1980s. Photos: TIMELESS
| Building a community
At Fordham, his goal is not only to build a team but also a community that “feels like home.”
“Community is everything. In fact when my wife and I were talking about what makes this position so attractive for us it was that we would have a built-in community with two of my best friends in coaching and their families, my former staff mates, Dan Geriot and Kevin Hovde, who are the head coaches at Iona and Columbia, respectively.”
His standard for players is one where they have “great attitudes, great work ethics, and who really, really want to be here and wear Fordham University across their chests…We aren't just developing great basketball players, we're into character and culture.”
His team “will push to have a high performing mindset,” he said. He quoted Miami Heat coach Eric Spoelstra, also a FilAm and a friend, who said ‘How you do anything is how you do everything.’
“We believe that,” said Magpayo at his April 2 press conference. “It will be
a very very demanding program. It’s not all peaches and ice cream. We’re gonna go hard, how we prepare, how we execute a gameplan.”
Magpayo is said to be the first Division I men's basketball coach of Asian descent in the NCAA. A Fordham statement says he founded and serves as the president of the Asian Coaches Association, an organization that serves to “unify, support and elevate all Asian coaches beyond just the basketball community.”
Fordham President Tania Tetlow welcomed Magpayo praising his accomplishments.
She said, “When he took over UC Riverside, the program was struggling. Just two winning seasons in two decades. Under his leadership that changed dramatically. In five seasons he delivered four winning records, two 20-win seasons and the school’s first-ever berth in the NIT (National Invitation Tournament). That kind of transformation doesn’t happen by accident. It takes vision, grit and the ability to inspire those around you.”
Circling back to New York, Magpayo’s relationship with Fordham begins.
President Tania Tetlow and Director of Athletics Charles Guthrie welcome Magpayo with a Fordham jersey.
