FILAM October

Issue 8, October 2018

More stories on the web @ TheFilAm.net

10 questions for TOFA founder Elton Lugay p10 FilAm population now more than 4 million p2 Photo by Geo Rebucas

Joshua dela Cruz to host ‘Blue’s Clues’ revival p5

Letter from the Publisher

More than 4 million Filipinos now call America home F

rom 3,912,921 Filipinos in the United States last year to 4,037,564 this year.

We are now more than 4 million Filipino Americans. We comprise a solid 40 percent chunk of the Filipino diaspora around the world. In this country, we are the third largest Asian American subgroup behind the Chinese (5,219,184) and the Indians (4,402,362), attesting to our “emerging population not just within the Asian American community, but throughout America as a whole,” said National Chairman Brendan Flores of NaFFAA or the National Federation of Filipino American Associations.

One has to wonder how so many of us wound up in these United States.

Filipinos may represent only a fraction of the over 320 million people in this country, but it is hard not to be awed by the sheer number that has made this land our home.

Even if many of those among the more than 4 million have been here years and years, that sprinkling archipelago of islands on the doorstep of Asia has spawned millions of immigrants for America.

In California, the Census Data showed there are 1,651,933 Filipinos, although it seems the number is much higher.

In Hawaii, there are 367,364. The lone star state of Texas is home to

Founding Editor Cristina DC Pastor Business & Advertising Manager Rene Pastor

194,427. In Washington, there are abroad. In other countries where 178,300. In Nevada, the home of the we have an outstanding presence, gambling pilgrimage of Las Vegas, such as Saudi Arabia and the United there are 169,462.

Arab Emirates, a big number of us In Illinois where Chicago is located, are there to seek employment and there are 159,385. not so much to find a home. It is Finally, New York has 144,436; opportunities and a future for our Florida and its retirement commufamilies that America represents, nity has 143,481; the Garden State and while it is difficult to accept of New Jersey has 129,514. In the those aspirations are hard to come burbs of Virginia, 108,128 Filipinos by in the Motherland, the Filipino reside. Maryland has 71,858; and American narrative of living in two Arizona has 70,333. worlds is all too familiar.

The United States is home to, by It began with the story of the far, the largest number of Filipinos ‘manongs,’ the agricultural workers

Contributing Writers

Address P.O. Box 8071 New York, NY 10116 Contact Editorial: 848-219-0069 Advertising: 732-428-6318 Thefilamny@gmail.com

Tricia J. Capistrano

Elton Lugay

Joel David

Ludy AstraquilloOngkeko

Wendell Gaa Maricar CP Hampton

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

who toiled in the searing Hawaii sun or among the fertile valleys of California often fearful of race riots in the 1920s. From there, the waves of immigration followed, from the war brides to medical professionals who came after the laws loosened up in the 1960s. Over the years, we keep coming to this country, enriching its tapestry of people and cultures.

Flores acknowledged that “while we continue to grow in numbers, we have hard work to do in terms of civic engagement and representation.”

Through NaFFAA, he continued, the community will “continue harnessing the energy and passion of the more than 4 million Filipinos who call America home, and uniting us with one strong, clear voice.”

Filipino Americans are a community at once vibrant and dynamic, clannish, civic-minded, and at times infuriating. We are a people that excel in many aspects of American society, but it is also in our community where some organizations breed shallow intrigues and festering corruption.

Yet, as we celebrate Filipino American History Month in October, let us celebrate our growing number with abundant pride bursting out of our chests. We are more than 4 million strong.

Rene Pastor

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Mariel Padilla Lindy Rosales

Growing up FilAm,

filling the holes in my heritage

By Daniel Griffith

“Um, I’m Japanese! I think.”

…W

as my response, walking up three flights of stairs past the library in the first grade, to that question: “So, what are you?”

That’s a fated question, which many to this day dread answering, even hearing. But it never bothered me.

Six-year-old me knew they were simply asking, innocently, ‘How are you different from us?’ But I never felt any different, and ‘Griffith’ didn’t sound that far from ‘Evans’ or ‘Parker.’

Still, searching in the moment for something that set me apart, I gave what seemed like an easy answer – Japan was where my mom was born, I’d done a report on it, I knew where it was on a map. Close enough, right?

Right. Maybe I was just clutching onto the hope I’d catch the eye of the pretty, half-Japanese girl in my class.

Throughout school my ethnicity was a non-issue. As far as I was concerned, I checked the ‘White/Caucasian’ box on my standardized tests. Though most of his family was not present in my life growing up, my father’s name held precedent. I held myself up on that basis during most of my childhood.

One Chinese, two Indian boys, the aforementioned half-Japanese girl and I collectively formed the diversity in my lower school class. Being Filipino solely meant getting to call dibs during country presentations, bending the rules while writing Spanish essays (the Philippines was technically a ‘Spanish-speaking country’), and my mom cooking chicken adobo for multicultural week.

The limited extent of my Filipino-ness could be found in one place at our family parties: in between the stock adobo, pancit, lumpia on the buffet table and Lola and Lolo in the corner murmuring Tagalog words to each other.

A holiday photo of Daniel in Seattle with his parents and sisters.

The author wears the rays of the Philippine flag like a coat of arms.

I grew up, grew in to my ethnicity.

Three young Filipinas who grew to be among my best friends helped fill holes in my heritage. At 16, my cultural awareness quadrupled as I was introduced to the principle of extended family like I’d never imagined it before.

While living in Seattle, I followed the calling to discover more about my culture. Nearly everything I took part in had some connection with the Filipino community.

Shortly into my first year of college, I was able to talk, cook, play, gossip, and eat Filipino together with my Filipino friends. I was proud to come home and share with my aunties and Lola the kinship I’d found. Suddenly I could see the nuances that made us Filipino when I returned to the same holiday parties that I felt were once devoid of those tendencies. Having absorbed so much THE FILAM |

culture, it was becoming easy to label myself a Filipino.

I was fortunate enough for the opportunity to study abroad twice.

I traveled to opposite ends of the globe, bringing my ethnicity with me. Studying in the Philippines was a natural choice, having had just a taste of Filipino culture and wanting much more. But despite my efforts to connect with the Filipino people as one of their own, there is so much in actuality setting us apart.

I made many lasting friendships and connections, but only a few that reached beyond my pale skin tone.

In Argentina it was a bit simpler to traverse the urban landscape unnoticed; due to the heterogeneous population, looks are not meant to serve as basis for assumptions. I shared my heritage with anyone who would listen, eager to appear impressively multi-cultural. I even connected with the Philippine Embassy in Buenos Aires, which was a real international twist! However, my overly-critical ‘porteña’ host mother was frequent and quick to point out, “Why do you always talk about being Filipino? Aren’t you from the United States? You should be proud of being American.” I dismissed 3

her then, not thinking about her words until much later.

As I’ve learned progressively more about myself, the easy answer is now to assert, “I am Filipino.” Just as it was once easy to call myself American, or even Japanese (though I’m not). But I’ve since learned not to take the easy way out. I’ve learned that the pursuit of self is about more than ethnicity, but identity – a product of self-perception, belief, and assertion. It’s about more than finding, but searching – to engage in a constant cycle of praxis with discovery and questioning at its heart.

Every now and again I run into something that reminds me – I am a product of my father’s name and my mother’s family. And I work a little harder to understand myself as a Filipino American.

Daniel Griffith, a Pacific Northwest native, serves as a board member for international non-profit Kaya Collaborative. He served as Secretary General for the NW Filipino American Student Alliance, when this article was first issued. He holds a BA from Seattle University and an MA from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, aspiring to a career in international public service.

Support Gina Ortiz Jones of Texas

S

Last September 20th, around 50 mostly FilAms gathered together in a Manhattan co-op overlooking Central Part to listen to the Democratic candidate in Texas’ Congressional District 23, Gina Ortiz Jones.

he won the Primary over four other Democratic candidates and, once elected, is poised to become the first Filipino American congresswoman come January 2019.

“My mother came to the United States 40 years ago because of her belief in the unique promise of America,” Jobs and health care are at said Gina before guests the top of her agenda. The who came to meet her. “As a FilAm Photos single-mother, she worked two jobs at times to ensure that my sister and I could achieve the opportunities that only this country could provide.

I grew up knowing hard work, that circumstances to which we were born, should not determine our trajectory.”

The Democratic Party has identified her district as one of 23 congressional districts targeted to flip from being a Red Republican District to a Blue Democratic District, and transfer majority control of the U.S. Congress to the Democratic Party.

As representative, Gina said she will focus on the following issues: “Creating good wellpaying jobs, while strengthening our middle class, and providing quality healthcare to all, while still ensuring we lead the industrialized world in medical breakthroughs.”

“I believe,” she continued, “that we can be a country whose actions match our highest ideals…a country that embraces our immigrant history and our collective responsibility to ensure that the American Dream remains a possibility for all that dare to achieve it.”

In the 2016 election, the 23rd District voted for Hillary Clinton Guests offer a prayer for the candidate, with Dr. Angie Cruz of the host committee (to Gina’s as president 3 percent more than left) opening with an invocation. the votes for Donald Trump.

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Gina Ortiz Jones is endorsed by the DNC’s Red to Blue districts, Emily’s List, Move On, and other progressive groups, including the Àsian American Action Fund.

After a musical piano interlude

by Karen Beloso, this writer introduced the host committee members responsible for the fundraiser: Gail Alvarez, Angie Cruz (who gave a powerful prayer of thanksgiving and petition), Greg Urra representing her sister Angelica Berri, Geraldine Acuña Sunshine (who gave a generous donation but could not attend), Philip McCarthy (whose mother is also Filipina) and yours truly.

Before I introduced Gina Ortiz Jones, I pointed out that in Washington D.C., the Asian American Political Caucus consists of Americans of Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and Vietnamese ancestry.

Incumbent Congressman Bobby Scott’s maternal grandfather is Filipino. If elected, Gina Ortiz Jones would be the first Filipino American congresswoman on Capitol Hill. Her mother is from Pangasinan.

She is up against Republican incumbent Congressman Will Hurd who is a Tea Party supporter of The Donald, and supported by the NRA. “Our state and our country are worth fighting for,” declared Gina.

“It's why I joined the military, it's why I served in Iraq, it's why I've dedicated my life to public service, and it's why I'm running to serve Texas' 23rd Congressional District.

I look forward to fighting alongside you.”

All the readers of this column interested to help her campaign, please donate to Gina Ortiz Jones for Congress PO Box 769186 San Antonio TX 78244 Or volunteer to do phone bank from home. Visit info@ginaortizjones.com

Theater actor Joshua Dela Cruz is the new host of ‘Blue’s Clues’

By Cristina DC Pastor

“Blue’s Clues,” the longest-running animation show for pre-school children, is back after a long hiatus, and with a new host: Joshua Dela Cruz, a Filipino American actor who debuted on Broadway in “Aladdin.”

J

osh becomes the show’s third host, following Steve Burns, the original host who began in 1996 and left in 2002, and Donovan Patton who continued until 2006. The show took a break after that, and went through a period of restructuring as they launched a quiet search for a third host.

“The search for the new host of ‘Blue’s Clues & You’ was no small task, but we knew as soon as we met Josh that he was the perfect choice,” said Shelly Sumpter Gillyard, executive vice president for talent, music and events at Nickelodeon Group, in a statement. “From his genuineness to his comedic timing and range, there was no doubt that he could carry the show on for the next generation of preschoolers.”

“Blue’s Clues & You” is the new name of the revival.

Said Cathy Galeota, senior vice president preschool content at Nickelodeon Group, “Josh’s wonderful theater background and his natural charisma checked all the boxes for us, and of course Steve’s stamp of approval only solidified our decision.”

Burns, who was involved in the search, said in a statement Josh “can definitely fill my shoes, and the rugby shirt.”

Josh belonged to the troupe of FilAm actors – including Adam Jacobs, Bobby Pestka, Don Darryl Rivera, and Angelo Soriano — who play significant roles in “Aladdin.” He was with the ensemble cast; he also understudied as Aladdin. He remembers having a knee surgery, and a month and a half later was called to play the thief who falls in love with Princess Jasmine.

“Aladdin” is his Broadway debut. He has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Montclair State University in New Jersey.

His comedic timing may have been apparent during the search, and Josh is not shy about describing himself as one who is “super, super silly.”

“That’s probably the biggest thing about me.

I am a clown among my friends,” he told a video interview for Nickelodeon, the TV channel that produces “Blue’s Clues.” He used to watch “Blue’s Clues” with his younger sister.

“In preschool, I was a very talkative kid. I used to get in trouble a lot, and I remember one time I was talking when the teacher said everyone has to be quiet, and I was made an example of, and it wasn’t a bad thing. I understand what was happening, and I understand the teacher wanted to keep order in the classroom, but I remember receding a lot after that, and I became very quiet and very shy,” he shared.

His theatre credits include, “King and I” with Lou Diamond Phillips” and David Byrne’s “Here Lies Love” where he was the understudy for the role of Ferdinand Marcos. He has stage combat skills with his knowledge of martial arts, such as With Steve Burns, the original ‘Blue’s Clues’ host.

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Tae Kwon Do. Photo: Nickelodeon

Martial arts is among Josh’s special stage skills. Photo: joshuadelacruz.net THE FILAM |

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Living in affordable housing: It’s literally ‘winning a lottery’

By Cristina DC Pastor

In a report called “Housing New York: A Five-Borough Ten-Year Plan,” he pointed to the “desirability” of New York as a place to call home. He said New York, with its “unparalleled diversity, allows people from every imaginable background to live and work side by side, share aspects of their cultures, exchange ideas, then mix, match, and innovate to generate the art, literature, fashion, technology, and conceptual breakthroughs that are the envy of the world.” n October 2008, she finally got the Market-rate rent for a studio apartkeys to the Manhattan unit that ment in Manhattan begins at $2,500 she “won” in a housing lottery back a month, according to a recent report in 2000. It truly felt like she hit the from property company Douglas Ellijackpot. Out of 15,000 people who man, which concludes that one needs to entered the lottery, she was among the 5 earn more than $100,000 to be able to percent who got selected. She and husband afford a studio apartment.

Edwin, who works as a website developer To protect some residents from these and photographer, now live in a price-stamarket forces, the city has been investbilized co-op in Midtown, which means ing in housing programs for low- to that for as little as one-third of current moderate-income families since the market rate, the Ochoas own a piece of 1950s. Today, small colonies of “privateManhattan real estate in an enviable ly-owned, publicly subsidized” apartneighborhood that is walking distance ments and co-ops like Penn South dot to mass transit, rows of restaurants, and the city, but demand for these dwellings Penn South resident Jocelyn Bernal Ochoa: ‘Happy in my building.’

Madison Square Garden. far outstrips supply.

“I’m happy in my building,” said Ochoa when Photo by Edwin Ochoa It is easy to understand why Ochoa interviewed by The FilAm. She now works as a and Ocampo consider themselves very budget manager at NYU College of Dentistry’s Finance She and her 94-year-old mother have been living in lucky be living in the same city where they work, Department. “I’m close to everything.” one of the island’s buildings for 28 years. While her while some endure the daily commute from their Ochoa is a resident of Penn South, a cluster of 15 rent remains below market rate, Ocampo shares the homes in New Jersey or Connecticut to the city. co-op buildings in Chelsea stretching from West apprehension of many of the island’s 15,000 residents As of 2011, rent-regulated apartments numbered 23rd to West 29th streets between 8th and 9th that gentrification may be headed their way. Her 1,025,214, or 47 percent of the city’s total rental avenues. Her building, with more than 160 units, landlord has the option to privatize and sell the units housing stock, according to a study by the Furman stands in the middle of a garden that is a refuge to the original tenants, like Rebecca, or to outsiders at Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy of NYU. from the frenetic pace of New York City. She is one prices yet to be determined.

Of that figure, 38,000 are rent-controlled and of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who live “Roosevelt Island was originally set up as a mod986,840 are rent-stabilized units, the rest reprein housing whose prices or rents are stabilized. erate- to middle-income community,” she said, “but senting other types of public housing.

Penn South, according to the official handbook, we are now looking at an increasingly fast gentrifiOchoa had heard about price-stabilized housing a limited-equity co-op owned by the occupants cation.” She was talking about the proliferation of from her cousin. The housing lottery at the Penn who live there, was built in the 1960s to provide high-rise apartment buildings on the island with a South property in Chelsea only opens up every housing for unionized workers in the garment starting rent of $2,500 for a one-bedroom.

10 years so she wasted no time in sending in a industry. It is one of several housing programs in Filipino Americans like Ochoa and Ocampo postcard. After a few months, she got a letter from the city that offer affordable rates to New Yorkers are among the New Yorkers who have lucked out Penn South that she “won” a slot in the housing across the five boroughs. and found themselves living in affordable and lottery and would be put on a waiting list. She Rebecca Sucgang Ocampo, a communications regulated apartments where the cost of housing is sent her application with a $200 non-refundable specialist, also feels fortunate to be living in insulated from the mood swings in the economy. deposit as confirmation of her interest to move affordable housing. Ocampo lives in a rent-regDespite the bitter reality that cost of living in New forward. It would be another seven years before ulated apartment on Roosevelt Island, a strip of York City can be expensive, many still want to come she would hear from the housing company that she land lying in the East River with Manhattan on here, Mayor Bill de Blasio noted when he launched his was nearing the top of the waitlist and to prepare one side and Queens on the other. affordable housing program early in his term. for a meticulous background check.

For many years, “home” for Jocelyn Bernal Ochoa was her mother’s basement in Queens.

There, she settled nicely when she was an unmarried accounting professional working for a publishing company in Manhattan.

I

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“I was still single then so I could choose from a studio or a one-bedroom. I decided to go for the one-bedroom,” she said. She was given the chance to view 15 different apartments before she settled on her current apartment in Building 4. She is now married and continues to live in the same co-op unit for which she paid an amount “way below” market price.

“Let’s just say that for co-op units around my neighborhood asking for upwards of $500 K, mine is way below market price,” she said.

The Penn South website states that as of September 1, 2011 apartments in the complex known as “mutual redevelopment houses,” cost approximately $19,800 a room.

“As an example, a 3.5 room apartment (one bedroom, living room, kitchen and dining area) would cost $69,300.”

The state sets maximum resale prices, and Ochoa would not benefit from “flipping.”

But, she stressed, “I am not going anywhere.

Though the cost of living is higher than in the other boroughs, savings from our housing

expense allows us to explore New York City more freely.”

There are a few restrictions for owners at Penn South: Tenants wishing to renovate need to submit detailed plans and must maintain, for instance, similar tiles in bathrooms. And, says Ochoa, she needs building approval even to hang a painting.

“To drill a hole, you have to ask permission,” she said.

Ocampo, a Roosevelt Island pioneer, believes housing cost should not exceed 30 percent of the household gross income. Beyond that, she said, “A household will have difficulty affording other essential necessities such as food, medical care, clothing and transportation.”

She said efforts to provide affordable housing should co-exist with attempts to address the challenge of “over-gentrification through luxury rentals and condominiums.”

Overall, she is pleased with her two-bedroom apartment overlooking the gleaming East River in the morning. The community is self-contained and boasts its own downtown restaurants, Post Office, and public library.

JOB OPENINGS

Rebecca Sucgang Ocampo of Roosevelt Island: Overgentrification should be addressed.

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THE FILAM |

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Are FilAms in Jersey aware

of the risks living in coastal communities?

Jersey City is where IBM engineer Virginia Mayo Policarpio came of age. She, her husband and their three children live in a gated community called Society Hill not far from where she and her parents once lived as new immigrants.

L

ike her, Jenny Castaneda is very happy living in Jersey City. Home is a two-family residence in The Heights, an elevated district, with a garden that grows persimmons in the Fall and blooms five colors of lilies in the Summer. She lives with her mother and her now college-age son.

When informed that Jersey City is one of the coastal cities that faces the risk of serious flooding from climate change, both women reacted with surprise.

“I didn’t know that,” said Jenny, who works in the construction industry.

Virginia noted the irony with a laugh. “The reason we chose to live in this waterfront property is because it is not too congested and we want to live near the water.”

Virginia and Jenny belong to an estimated 20,000 Filipinos who reside in Jersey City or the so-called ‘Wall Street West’ where banks, high-rise apartments, and financial service companies compete for premium space along the Hudson River waterfront.

Vulnerable populations, however, are not limited to renters or owners of waterfront properties, according to Rutgers University scientists. Communities of color and low-income immigrants are believed to be generally at risk depending on factors, such as 1) Family Structure, Race and Socioeconomic Status; 2) Linguistic Isolation, Ethnicity and Population Density; and 3) Age. These “socially vulnerable populations” are focused on day-to-day living and not deeply engaged in public conversation about climate change.

They have little “access in terms of messaging,” said Jeanne Herb, associate director of Rutgers University’s Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy that conducts research on environmental issues.

She spoke before a September 7 Media Roundtable with community journalists.

Rutgers scientists believe low-income communities are prone to illnesses related to extreme weather, poor air quality, and infectious diseases. Some of them live in housing conditions that are ill-equipped to manage variable weather conditions, or they perform jobs that expose them to chemicals as health risks.

A study shows the vulnerable populations hardest hit in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy in 2012.

According to the “Vulnerable Populations to Climate Change in New Jersey” published by the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy

in Rutgers and The State University of New Jersey, among these groups were low-income families in major cities, such as Newark, Camden, Trenton, Jersey City, and portions of the more rural south in Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem, Camden, Atlantic and Burlington counties. Also impacted were mobile home communities and residents of nursing homes.

Superstorm Sandy is considered a ‘game changer’ in the study of the environmental awareness.

“Lack of access to good health care and increased potential for flooding” expose such communities to a variety of health risks, said Ana Baptista, chair of Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management Program at The New School, who spoke at the Media Roundtable. She said improving air quality by reducing air emissions, for example, will greatly improve public health and reduce asthma triggers.

It never occurred to Jenny Castaneda that her lingering asthma condition may be the effect of extreme weather.

“Usually, one outgrows asthma,” she said. “My friends in California don’t have it anymore, but I still have it. I thought it’s because we have the four seasons here on the East Coast.”

Jenny and Virginia said they are not so much worried about owning property in flood-prone Jersey City. During Hurricane Sandy, their homes did not experience any flooding, and the only evidence of a

Jenny Castaneda (left): Virginia Mayo Policarpio lifestyle disruption was a power outage. They do their bit for the environment, such as recycling and separating plastic products, using energy-efficient lighting and appliances, and as Jenny added, “My son is conscious about how much water bottles he uses.”

Virginia feels her children are “too young” to really understand climate change, but that they have a lot of questions about the weather – Why is it too hot?

Why do we have four seasons? Why is it hotter in the Philippines?

The bottom-line, according to New Jersey State climatologist Dr. David Robinson, is that climate change is already happening, citing as evidence New Jersey’s hotter summers since 2005 and its rising sea levels.

“Climate change is occurring and will continue to occur,” he said at the Media Roundtable, and that is why “we need to understand it better.”

Flooding in Passaic County in 2010. Photo: U.S. Geological Survey website THE FILAM |

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10 questions

COVER STORY

for TOFA founder Elton Lugay There are skeptics and doubters, just as there are likers and adorers. TOFA is never lacking in any of them.

why we have to work harder to earn people’s trust. Every year, we need to sell tickets, raise funds, be grateful for the generosity of people who believe in what we’re doing, and there are so many of them.

Y

et, through its bumpy yet engrossing eight-year run, TF: Will it help TOFA become The Outstanding Filipinos sustainable if it’s a formal in America remains in place, organization? expanding its reach as an EL: I’ve seen so many organizations important search platform for the best fail because everyone wanted to and the brightest FilAms. be the leader. One of our awardees Elton Lugay who founded TOFA in once told me that when people trust 2011 with some friends in New York and support their leader, goals are had misgivings it would get this far. achieved. I am fortunate to have the He had no resources, no knowledge support of the TOFA board that is about organizing an awards night at formed each year to make sure that Carnegie Hall, and no clue what he was the funding and logistics are in place. getting into. All he had was the seed of It has worked for the past seven years an idea: A platform that would honor until now.

Filipino American achievers in the most spectacular way possible. A Carnegie TF: What do you think makes Hall moment with breathtaking TOFA special? entertainment. The objective was simple EL: We’re saying, hey, you’re an enough, but logistics was monumental. awardee, you don’t have to do this and “We want our awardees to sit back, that to get an award. You’re getting an relax, and feel truly special,” Lugay, award because you deserve it. And that a journalist and community events we as a community will celebrate you for organizer, told The FilAm. being an inspiration to all of us. I think TOFA’s previous honorees are among TOFA awardees appreciate this sort of With former TOFA speakers Federal Judge Lorna Schofield (left) and CEO and the community’s trailblazing FilAm recognition from fellow Filipinos. philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis. Photo by RJ Ensalada professionals, artists, entrepreneurs, educators and advocates. Just to name a few, The FilAm: What are the misconceptions TF: Do you see TOFA having a life 20-30 there’s Ridgway, PA. Mayor Guillermo Udarbe for about TOFA? years from now?

Public Service; Rockette Christine Sienicki for Elton Lugay: That TOFA is about me. There EL: I’ve faced countless challenges to the point Entertainment; humanitarian haircutter Mark are some who do not believe in me but believe where every year I’m on the verge of giving up. But Bustos for Courage of Conviction, restaurateur in TOFA. And I appreciate that they see the big when TOFA season comes around, I see the signs Nicole Ponseca for Food & Restaurants; Tony Award picture, that TOFA is a celebration of Filipinos’ -- so many people sending nominations, sending winning actress Lea Salonga, Dean of Academic presence in the U.S. It just happened that I was support, encouragement. That gives me hope.

Affairs at Columbia Journalism School Sheila the one who organized the event that is now a Coronel, and Oscar Award-winning songwriter recognized platform for Filipino American History TF: How is this year’s TOFA any different?

Bobby Lopez as Heritage Award recipients. Truly a Month every October.

EL: We’re on our eighth year. As they say, if a “large and thriving Filipino population (that) is an marriage has reached eight years it means it’s invaluable thread in the fabric of our city,” declared TF: Do you get comments like TOFA is too over the hump and will go all the way. Every year Mayor Bill de Blasio. ambitious and way over your head? is special but this year more so because we have a More about TOFA and its fearless founder in the EL: Oh yeah. In the beginning especially, and new Consul General, Claro Cristobal; we’re glad Q-A below: even now that we are on our eighth year. That is that Boy Abunda is joining us again on his fourth THE FILAM |

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MESSAGE MESSAGE My warmest greetings leaders, participants, My warmest greetingstotomy myfellow fellow government government leaders, participants, and and to alltoawardees, as as you to celebrate celebrateThe The Outstanding Filipiall awardees, youcome cometogether together to Outstanding Filipinos in Awards! nosAmerica in America Awards!

After the show, Tony Award winner Lea Salonga drops in to say hello to Elton and emcee Boy Abunda (right). Salonga of ‘Miss Saigon’ was a TOFA Heritage Award recipient in 2011. Photo by Greg Leal year of hosting; and we have Nobel and Pulitzer winners in this batch of honorees who are all very inspiring people.

TF: Will it always be Carnegie Hall?

EL: No other Filipino event is held there annually. I know it’s expensive, it’s challenging. Carnegie has rules and policies that are very tight, like we cannot decorate the stage because they would like to preserve their look. But Carnegie Hall has become like a home to us. It is already associated with the TOFA name.

Every time TOFA season kicks in, people look forward to stepping into Carnegie Hall dressed in their best.

TF: What are the challenges?

EL: Every year, it seems I make new enemies. All very petty, really, so I remain passionate about TOFA and aim for perfection.

TF: Perfection is a big word. Are you anywhere close to achieving it?

EL: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so the saying goes.

We try our best to make improvements every year, to learn from the mistakes of the past and apply the lessons moving forward. I think the community appreciates the effort.

Heroism always beena acentral central theme theme in Filipinos, estabHeroism hashas always been inour ourstory. story.We, We, Filipinos, established our democracy through champions who fought for truth, fairness, lished our democracy through champions who fought for truth, fairness, and conviction the conviction that peopleshould should have progress.

Tonight, and the that allallpeople haveaashare shareinin progress.

Tonight, we are thankful to have heroes among us. we are thankful to have heroes among us.

I applaud TOFA-NY for handpicking outstanding Filipino Americans

I applaud TOFA-NY for handpicking Filipino Americans every year and showcasing the best of whatoutstanding our people can offer. We, in the everyOffice year Of andThe showcasing the best of what our people offer.

We, to in the Vice President, are fortunate to have youcan all as partners inspire Filipinos over the world to create outcomes that all even ordi- to Office Of The Viceall President, are fortunate to have you asthe partners nary individual can feel. inspire Filipinos all over the world to create outcomes that even the ordinary individual can feel.

As we celebrate Filipino American History Month, let us be reminded of the values that define us as a people: our work ethic, our respect for all As we celebrate American History Month, us for be our reminded human life, andFilipino our undying commitment to make life let better loved of the values ones. that define us as a people: our work ethic, our respect for all

human life, and our undying commitment to make life better for our loved ones.It is my deepest hope that these values will deepen your commitment to

serve our poorest and least privileged countrymen, especially the last, least, lost. hope that these values will deepen your commitment to It is and mythe deepest

serve our poorest and least privileged countrymen, especially the last, least, Best wishes and mabuhay po kayo! and the lost.

Best wishes and mabuhay po kayo!

TF: Why get a talent from the Philippines to host TOFA? EL: I know we are already here in the U.S. but the fact remains we are all Filipinos. Getting a talent from the Philippines is a way of reconnecting us with our roots. It’s bridging the culture of two countries.

Boy Abunda is not a so-so talent. He is an excellent, wonderful host—Asia’s King of Talk. I like the fact that he knows so many FilAms and vice-versa, he is widely recognized by FilAms given his long experience as a TV personality. He also shares TOFA’s vision. In his words: ‘We need TOFA. We want to celebrate our FilAm heroes, the people we want to emulate.’ -- Cristina DC Pastor

No. 100, 11th St. Barangay Mariana New Manila. 1112 Quezon City www.ovp.gov.ph | www.lenirobredo.com

No. 100, 11th St. Barangay Mariana New Manila. 1112 Quezon City www.ovp.gov.ph | www.lenirobredo.com

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Pulitzer and Nobel prize winners among this year’s TOFA honorees

By Cristina DC Pastor

A Pulitzer Prize winner and a Nobel Peace Prize recipient are among this year’s distinguished The Outstanding Filipinos in America (TOFA) honorees.

M

ariel Padilla (Youth category) contributed to The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Pulitzer-Prize winning project, “Seven Days of Heroin,” about the drug epidemic in the Midwest. Vivian Talambiras-Cruz (Community Service) was part of the team at the UN’s International Atomic Energy that won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 for its work to demilitarize nuclear technology.

They are just two of this year’s notable FilAms, who are being recognized in celebration of Filipino American History Month. An awarding ceremony will be held at Carnegie Hall – TOFA’s home for the last seven years — on October 27. Asia’s King of Talk Boy Abunda will emcee for the fourth time this year. TOFA is presented to Filipino Americans who have made remarkable achievements in their profession, their advocacy, and community involvement, in ways that bring honor to Filipinos across the United States.

This year’s TOFA award recipients are: Cecile Licad (Heritage Award). One of the youngest musicians to receive the prestigious Leventritt Gold Medal. An orchestral soloist, this legendary master pianist boasts a repertoire spanning centuries of classical music.

She has performed with the world’s most prestigious orchestras through four decades.

Joji Juele Jalandoni (Arts & Culture). A proud Ilonggo nurse, Jalandoni has made it her mission to keep Filipino culture relevant to future generations. She has led the Philippine Independence Day Council that produces New York’s annual Independence Day parade.

She has hosted 50 Dinagyang “warriors” and Manggahan cultural dancers from Iloilo City and Guimaras province so that they could participate in the Independence Day parade.

Cecile Licad, Erik Spoelstra, Maria Torres Springer Marc Anthony Nicolas, Mariel Padilla, Vivian Talambiras-Cruz

Jannelle So, Dr. Roseminda Santee, Alexis Monsanto Atty. Nicolas Caraquel, Leonora Galleros, Joji Juele Jalandoni THE FILAM |

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Corazon Rivera (Business & Entrepreneurship) is a real estate professional, the owner of property firm Bona Tierra, which caters to a high-end clientele of Broadway stars, actors and property developers. She has received multiple awards for outstanding sales performance in over 30 years in New York’s real estate industry.

Vivian Talambiras-Cruz (Community Service) and her team at the UN International Atomic Energy Agency were recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005 for their distinguished work to demilitarize nuclear technology. She is now focused on community and humanitarian work. She became a convenor for the Build A Shelter Project which built over 100 homes for victims of typhoon Haiyan. She was instrumental in the restoration of the Simbang Gabi tradition at the Philippine Center and is one of the movers of the Homecoming sa Konsulado with alumni from Philippine schools participating in a day of fellowship.

Leonora Galleros (Courage of Conviction) found herself at a crossroads last year when she uncovered anomalies in the books of the Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. Being a staunch advocate of accountability and transparency and as the managing partner of accounting and consulting firm Galleros Koh LLP, she brought this to the attention of leadership. She is a registered CPA in New York and New Jersey with a track record of 20 years.

Dr. Roseminda Santee (Education & Research) is currently associate dean of the Trinitas School of Nursing. She has mentored not only Filipino nurses taking state board exams but also nurses and medics of the U.S. Army, where she served as a combat support hospital nurse and trainor as part of a decadeslong practice. She is a co-founder of the Philippine Nurses Association of New Jersey and the Philippine Nurses Association of America. She is serving her second term at the Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation.

Marc Anthony Nicolas (Entertainment) of CBS is a two-time Emmy winner who became famous for ‘The Tyra Banks Show.’ This year, he received an Emmy as a producer of “The Talk.” Marc graduated from Saint John Bosco High School and worked odd jobs through college. He never lost sight of his dream and indeed found his long-cherished success as a TV producer.

Alexis Monsanto (Fashion & Style) is a designer for famous celebrities. He collaborated this year with Olympic gold medalists Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Nadia Comăneci, who joined the black dress protest

at the Golden Globes in January. His James Bond-inspired collection received a standing ovation at the All Aboard Fashion Show 2016.

DHaven Supper Club (Food & Restaurants).

Whether through OPM, jazz or pop classics, DHaven delights Filipinos in America with its fun vibe. A happening place for live music, DHaven features some of the most talented Filipino performers in New York and New Jersey. It was the venue for the Miss Gorg beauty pageant for transwomen.

Dr. Allan Mendez (Healthcare) celebrated his 10th anniversary in physical therapy practice with citations from the American Health Council as New Jersey’s “Best in Medicine” and from NJ Top Docs as “Top Doc” for 2018 in his field. Not too long ago, he opened the Silver Lake Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation in Belleville, N.J. with fellow doctor Marilyn Umali-Dizon.

Jannelle So (Media & Publishing) is the host and producer of the lifestyle show “SO Jannelle” broadcast over The Filipino Channel, Lifestyle Network, and KSCITV-LA18. She was the creator, original host and producer of “Kababayan Dr. Allan Mendez, Bima Baje TODAY,” the longest-running Filipino daily talk Corazon Rivera, DHaven Supper Club show outside of the Philippines with a nine-year and has handled more than 100 immigration cases. run over KSCITV-LA 18. She has won awards for Bima Baje (Science & Technology) is co-founder of her coverage and contributions to the FilAm media New Jersey-based NYC Regenerative Medicine. She landscape. often alludes to stem cells as the future of medicine for Atty. Nicolas Caraquel (Public Service) is an their potential to eliminate hundreds of autoimmune immigration lawyer who understands the chaldiseases and to improve mobility and pain managelenges and complexity of obtaining legal status in America, having gone through the process himself. ment. In 2017, she started serving as vice-president for He acquired a work visa within weeks of applying Southeast Asia of BioGenix, one of the largest distribuand a green card after a year. He is licensed to tors of stem cell products in the U.S. Headquartered in practice law in the Philippines and in New York, Houston, Biogenix is the only company authorized to

provide stem cell therapy to Veterans Administration hospitals across the country.

Erik Spoelstra (Sports) is the first Asian American head coach in the history of the four major North American sports leagues. He led Miami Heat to championship wins in 2012 and 2013, thus distinguishing himself as the first Asian American to win an NBA championship. He celebrates 10 seasons at the helm of Miami Heat and is a strong candidate to become the winningest coach in Miami Heat’s franchise history.

Maria Torres Springer (Women Empowerment) is commissioner of NYC’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development, which is the nation’s largest municipal housing agency.

She spearheads Mayor Bill de Blasio’s affordable home initiative across diverse communities.

Promoting neighborhood revitalization has been her life’s work with stints involving small business services, development and rebuilding, and managing NYC’s High Line park. She was president of NYC Economic Development Corp, which expanded programs for minority- and women-owned businesses.

Mariel Padilla (Youth) contributed to The Cincinnati Enquirer’s Pulitzer-prize winning project, “Seven Days of Heroin” by compiling opioid-related police records and creating a searchable database. A fellow of the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism with concentration in datadriven investigations, she is also an awardee of the Society of Professional Journalists for her 2017 feature on the Ohio death penalty. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Miami University in Ohio, where she helmed the university’s premier feature magazine.

TOFA winners, speakers, performers, and dignitaries take the Carnegie Hall stage in 2015: A celebration of FilAm excellence.

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EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES WASHINGTON, D.C. MESSAGE My warmest congratulations to the recipients of the 8th Annual TOFA Awards!

The ceremony this evening attests to the fact that Filipino migrants thrive in any environment they find themselves in. Once again. the TOFA Awards gathers some of the outstanding Filipinos in the United States at America. who have devoted their considerable talents and passion to making a positive difierenoe in the world. This year's TOFA awardees embody many of the values that are enabling the Philippines and the United States to work hand in hand toward mutual peace and prosperity.

I commend everyone behind The Outstanding Filipinos in America Awards for successfully sustaining this recognition project for the eighth year. it is my sincerest hope that TOFA will continue to be a vehicle for celebrating the achievements and contributions of Filipinos in the US. especially as we commemorate Filipino~American History Month. May TOFA Awards encourage more ambassadors of goodwill who will strengthen the bonds of friendship between the peoples of the Philippines and the United States of America.

Please accept my best wishes for a meaningful and memorable evening.

Mabuhay!

27 October 2018

CORAZON TAMARGO RIVERA

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COLONTITLE

Congratulations to Leonora Galleros-Tinio, CPA Managing Partner, Galleros Koh LLP

for being recognized as one of THE OUTSTANDING FILIPINOS IN AMERICA

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Quiapo Quiapo Church and Plaza Miranda, along Quezon Boulevard (Drone photo by KKB)

The Golden Mosque, which is the center of religious life for the many Muslim residents of Quiapo. (Photo by Roz Li).

Quiapo is the historic core of the City of Manila dating to Spanish colonial times in the 18th through 20th centuries. Originally, the residential quarters of the Manila elite, what used to be grand mansions are now decaying homes of low-income families.

T

Padilla-Zamora Mansion (Photo by Roz Li).

he area is also evolving due to an influx of Muslims from the southern part of the country, creating tensions between Christian and Muslim residents of the area.

Preservation efforts, including establishing a Quiapo Museum, are underway through Bakás Pilipinas, in collaboration with THE FILAM |

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San Sebastian Basilica, built in 1891, is one of the very few allmetal church structures in the world. Its interior is painted to look like stone. (Photo by San Sebastian Basilica Conservation and Development Foundation).

organizations, such as iDiscover, San Sebastian Basilica Conservation and Development Foundation, KKB, and TraLuLu. Bakas Pilipinas, a NewYork based non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the built heritage of the Philippines, welcomes donations for the Quiapo Museum and its other projects, through their website: www.bakaspilipinas.org Below are images of a beloved district where history intersects with reality. Quiapo is where a political massacre made headlines in the 1970s. It has been a pilgrimage site, where during a procession every January, menfolk battle to get as close as possible to the kneeling Black Nazarene, and a place for atonement.

Boix House, a turn-of-the-20th century mansion where the first President of the Philippine Commonwealth, Manuel Quezon, once stayed as a boarder. The house is on the World Monuments Fund’s Watch List. (From WMF website)

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A money transfer company built by immigrants

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is a dollar more that goes towards paying umoXchange is different from for tuition for your son or daughter, buying remittance companies such medicine for grandma, or to help put food as Western Union, Xoom, on the table, so he decided to use his trainand Remitly because it is a ing as an engineer to improve the process company built by immigrants of how people can find the best exchange and the children of immigrants who rate and transfer money abroad. understand firsthand the challenges Just like shopping for the best-priced associated with sending money abroad. hotel room on Hotels.com or the best Unlike other money transfer companies, flights on Expedia or Travelocity, LumoXLumoXchange doesn’t hide the exchange change users can compare exchange rates rates the banks get and then apply a and save up to 30%. margin or additional fee. LumoXchange In the Philippines, LumoXchange has reveals those same great exchange rates partnered with top financial institutions and then gives users the power to pick such as Banco de Oro (BDO), Development their own rate and how their beneficiary Director of Marketing Joshua Ang Price Bank of the Philippines, and Land Bank of will be paid, whether by cash pick up or via bank deposit. the Philippines to pass on their exchange “LumoXchange was founded to help U.S. immigrants rates directly to Filipino users, helping them get 1-2 Pesos send more money -- and more love -- to their family more for every U.S. dollar compared to other platforms. back home,” said LumoXchange Founder and CEO Maf With over $28 million per day in transactions sent to Sonko, a native of The Gambia in West Africa who moved the Philippines, LumoXchange has the potential to save to the United States at the age of 15.

Filipino-Americans millions of dollars in transfer and exchange rate fees annually.

Maf graduated from North Carolina State University Joshua Ang Price, a second-generation Filipiwith a degree in Industrial Engineering, a profession no-American, serves as LumoXchange’s Director of that focuses on the improvement of existing processes.

Marketing and Growth.

He understood that every additional dollar sent abroad

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“Growing up, my family regularly sent funds to our relatives in the Philippines, and I’ve seen firsthand the amount of their hard-earned money that gets lost during each transfer. Although there are websites that compare exchange rates, no company has been able to combine the comparing of rates and sending money on a single, easy-to-use platform until now. LumoXchange is a real game-changer for the Filipino-American community,” Price said.

This month, LumoXchange and Philippine Airlines will be the presenting sponsors of the 8th Annual International Film Festival Manhattan (IFFM), an event that attracts numerous Filipino films from all over the world. LumoXchange will also host the short film contest based on sending money to loved ones in the Philippines and present a special award to the winning team.

“As October is Filipino-American History Month, LumoXchange is thrilled to be a presenting sponsor of IFFM — an organization that creates opportunities for our kababayans to showcase their creativity,” said Joshua Ang Price.

Try LumoXchange today at www.LumoXchange. com/Philippines LumoXchange... Search. Compare. Send money.

Hanapin. Ikumpara. Magpadala ng pera.

What poverty in the PHL looks like, according to VP Leni Robredo

By Cristina DC Pastor

If poverty in the Philippines had a name, it would be Agutaya.

When the Office of the Vice President team arrived for the first time, the people began to cry. n obscure island town in the “We were puzzled why,” she said. northeastern part of Palawan, “Later on, we found out that they Agutaya has a population of more were actually caught in a moment of than 12K people spread across 10 overwhelming emotion because they barangays. To get to Agutaya, one are rarely visited, and having someone travels 10 hours by boat from the larger and more from the national government come and tourist-friendly Coron Island. Because of its visit meant they have not been forgotten remoteness from the city, Agutaya has become after all.” this “hidden paradise” where inns rent for They found the only school in town has anywhere from $15 to $30 a room. remained in ruins although it’s been four A 5th class municipality, Agutaya has an annual years since typhoon Yolanda descended income of anywhere from P1 million to P3 million on Palawan. “They (local officials) said, (approx. $22K to $56K). Tourism is not enough to ‘Siguro po hindi pa nalalaman sa DepEd lift the people from poverty.

(Department of Education) Manila na sira Vice President Leni Robredo, who visited pala ang school namin.’”

New Jersey in May, spoke about Agutaya before The OVP has visited Agutaya many members of ANCOP (Answering the Cry of the more times after that, she said, bringing Poor), the lay organization of Couples for Christ. with them assistance from foundations She described a town that is “geographically and charity organizations. One of them, isolated and marginalized,” with nearly half its the Philippine Toy Library, for instance, population living below the poverty line. has built a play space for the children With Roger Santos of ANCOP-USA during the organization’s May 19 “When we first went there,” she began, “the of Agutaya, filled with brand-new toys. fundraiser in West Orange, New Jersey. Photo by Elton Lugay entire town of Agutaya did not have electricity Partner organizations, ASA Philippines and had limited access to potable water. They had and Team Energy, have installed solar no hospital or any modern health facility. The panels in three barangays bringing nearest doctor was in Cuyo, another island which electricity to 400 households. The is at least a two-hour boat ride away, and the Andres Soriano Foundation, is doing health center in Cuyo is not even well-equipped. preliminary work on a water system that For complicated treatments, you have to travel to will supply potable water to residents. the nearest hospital, which is 14 to 16 hours away Robredo said Agutaya is only one of by boat.” the 176 cities and municipalities her Robredo saw the children and noticed office has visited and assisted since something not quite right.

October 2016 or four months after she “They asked the schoolchildren to line up in took office. She said about P214 million the streets to meet me, and the principal was worth of programs and projects have introducing me to the kindergarten students, to been “mobilized” for these locations. the Grade 1… everyone was happy we were there.

“This is significant, because this is But when we looked at the Grade 5 students, I not government money; this is entirely was asking the principal: ‘How come the Grade 5 private funds,” she said, stressing the students were only as tall as the Grade 1 students?’

OVP has one of the lowest budgets in Vice President Leni Robredo visited Agutaya town in Palawan in And we were told that most of the children there Philippine bureaucracy.

2016. She is shown here with the town’s malnourished children. were stunted. And stunting is a condition brought She thanked ANCOP-USA, led by its Photo: Office of the Vice President about by malnutrition, which affects not just the executive director Roger Santos, for child’s physical faculties but also their mental love playing with live crabs as their toy cars. their fundraising and “answering the call of our abilities. And to make matters worse, stunting is “Tinatalian nila iyong mga buhay na alimango, kababayans who are in dire need of assistance.” irreversible after the age of five,” she said. and that was their… iyong kotse-kotse nila,” Leni and her late husband Jesse Robredo were Although the families are impoverished, the was how Robredo characterized Agutaya’s kids active members of Couples for Christ. ANCOP-USA children appear happy and in good spirits. They making do with what they have. is part of its global outreach.

A

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Issue 8, October 2018

What poverty looks like, according to VP Leni Robredo p19 NYC’s affordable housing: How to win that lottery p6 TOFA honorees: 2018’s best and brightest p12