Fil-Am Who's Who, August 2016

fil-am who’S WHo AUGUST 2016

Steven Raga

Fil-Am Community Leader Expands His Turf

A Word from The Editor

In This Issue. . .

Spring Rewind • Event Photos by Rolan Gutierrez Cover Story • Steven Raga Milestones & Moments • Mike & Josie Jampayas blest

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10

Organizations We Love • Broadway Barkada

Achieving Diversity Step by Step “Diversity is all about us, and about us having to figure out how to walk through this world together.” - Jacqueline Woodson

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In the city that never sleeps, people in various cultures embrace diversity, inclusion, and equality, which makes everyone feel welcome without trying to change their true selves. Building a world that gives importance to diversity doesn’t happen overnight though. It takes a paradigm shift that may take place at a snail’s pace in order to claim its well-deserved triumphant ending.

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Community Shakers & Movers • Stevenson Van Derodar

Oliver Oliveros

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That’s why stories of diversity and inclusion in the workplace or in the media—small or huge—merit our attention, especially when you’re among the ethnic minority groups, Fil-Ams included.

Take for instance the recent groundbreaking news that took Broadway by storm: Approaching its 30th year on the Great White Way, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “The Phantom of the Opera” has cast Fil-Am actress Ali Ewoldt, the first person of color to play the coveted role of Christine Daae, together with Jordan Donica, the first person of color to play Christine’s childhood sweetheart, Raoul. Yes, that took nearly 30 long years!

On display at the Asia Society Philippine Gold Exhibit on 725 Park Avenue, NYC Steven Raga takes a break at a Woodside bistro.

Photo by Rolan Gutierrez

Photo by Rolan Gutierrez

Prior to this enormous feat, Ali, a Yale University alumna, whose mother was originally from the Philippines, made her Broadway debut as Cosette in “Les Miserables” exactly 10 years ago. In “Les Miserables,” She starred opposite Fil-Am actor Adam Jacobs’s Marius. Subsequently—we’re also glad to report that—Adam went on to star in two of Disney’s biggest shows on Broadway: “Lion King” and “Aladdin.”

In the field of public service, another young Fil-Am is taking up the challenge to smash the glass ceiling. He’s Steven Raga, who’s running for an official seat in the Democratic Party in Queens Country, where a lot of Fil-Ams reside such as in Woodside, Jackson Heights, and East Elmhurst. “I find this work of serving others fun and this transition [from community activism to public service] helps me bridge together the Fil-Am community and government agencies in New York,” Steven said.

Steven is seeking public office to give voice to the “greater minority.” And Steven needs our help. Read more on pages 10-12.

In diversity, there is strength in oneness.

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Reasonable care is taken to ensure that Fil-Am Who’s Who articles and other information on the website are up-to-date and accurate as possible, as of the publication date.

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AUGUST 2016

STAFF Editor-in-Chief Oliver Oliveros • Managing Editor Myrna Gutierrez • Layout Artist & Photo Editor Rolan Gutierrez • Contributing Writer Maricar CP Hampton • Publisher Fil-Am Who’s Who, Inc. Copyright © 2016 Fil-Am Who’s Who, Incorporated. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Fil-Am Who’s Who invites you to contribute articles, letters, comments, or pictures to the editor. Please email submissions to filamwhoswho@gmail.com. For advertising inquiries, please email adsfilamwhoswho@gmail.com or call (917) 502-9887 • (917) 502-9891.

Spring Rewind

Philippine Consulate Independence Day Celebration Cipriani 42nd Street. New York

Rolan Gutierrez

Consul Bong Carino

Philippine Landscape Photography Exhibit

By Paul Resurreccion

Loida Nicolas Lewis

Ninez Recto Arreglado

Philippine Center, New York

Paul Resurreccion poses with his photo exhibit

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Consul General Mario De Leon Jr cuts the ribbon to the

Philippine Consulate Diplomatic Independence Day Celebration New York

Consul General Mario De Leon Jr welcomes guest diplomats

Consul General Mario De Leon Jr and wife Eleanor with Fil-Am Press Club and guests

Anna Liza Templo AUGUST 2016

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Spring Rewind

TFC “I Am FILAM” Philippine Center, New York

Rolan Gutierrez

Desiree Wisotsky sings the Philippine National Anthem

Consul General Mario De Leon Jr (center) with TFC executive and producer

L-R: Dennis Sy, Mylz Tolentino, Jessy Daing, Myrna Gutierrez, Franz Capistrano

Fil-Am Press Club of New York Honors Consul General Mario De Leon, Jr, Azusa Japanese Restaurant

Standing L-R: Lambert Parong, Melissa Dela Cruz, Yetbo Loverita, Lindy Rosales, Marivir Montebon, Ricky Rillera, Crien DC Pastor, Momar Visaya, Wendell Gaa, Grace Labaguis, Felix Manuel, Noel Pangilinan. Seated L-R: Tambi Wycoco, Lumen Castaneda, Consul General Mario De Leon Jr and wife Eleanor De Leon, Myrna Gutierrez, Rolan Gutierrez

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JaDine • High on Love

Colden Auditorium, Queens College

Nadine Lustre

James Reid

Jared Martin Concert Toms River, NJ

Jared Martin Marianne dela Riva and Joji Ortega-Babuschak

Guest artist Angel Ram

Guest artist Marya Coburn AUGUST 2016

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Spring Rewind

Rolan Gutierrez Broadway Barkada Cutting Room. NY

L-R: Liz Casasola, Loresa Lanceta, Emily Borromeo , Gillian Munsayac

L-R: Brian Jose, Alan Ariano, Joshua Dela Cruz, Billy Bustamante

Gillian Munsayac

L-R: Tony Rivera, Cicero Oca, Don Darryl Rivera, Jhett Tolentino

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Adam Jacobs

Knights of Rizal Long Island Bayview, NY

L-R: Neil Medina gets knighted

L-R: Sir Francis Sison, Sir Emilio Quines, Sir Frank and wife Lady Raelene Ladaga

KORLI’s Sir Roger Alama and Sir Manny Quintal

Knights of Rizal New Jersey New Jersey

AUGUST 2016

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Steven Raga

Seeks Public Office to Give Voice to ‘Greater Minority’

By Maricar CP Hampton

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Photos by Rolan Gutierrez

his summer has seen unprecedented leadership changes from politics to business, from sports to politics. In New York, the process to select the next committeeman for the Queens County Democratic Committee is widely anticipated, especially among Filipino-Americans (Fil-Ams).

Steven Raga, a second generation Fil-Am who has spent much of his adult life as a well-known community leader and activist, is now shifting his focus to public service. “I’m running for Queens County Democratic Committee,” he said in an email interview with Fil-Am Who’s Who. “I plan on moving away from Filipino community leadership to public service to work with the greater minority population.”

The transition from community activism to public service had its challenges, but the ride has been made easier with the support of friends and the community.

“It’s been a very familiar, but altogether new experience. My background in community organizing makes the process and framing easier. But as both sectors require extensive relationship building to create sufficient results, it’s basically starting from scratch,” he maintained. “The positive thing is that I continue to find this work of serving others fun and this transition helps me bridge together the Fil-Am community and government agencies in N.Y.” This election is for an official seat in the Democratic Party in Queens County. The district, which covers Woodside, Jackson Heights, and East Elmhurst, is expected to have its primary election in September.

With over 95 percent of NYC council members being Democrats, Raga urges Fil-Ams to involve themselves in the party. “It’s not only to make significant gains in the community but to protect it,” he stressed.

A member of Queens County Young Democrats, Raga first got a taste of politics when he held concurrent summer internships at the National Union of People’s Lawyers and Center for International Law in Manila, Philippines.

Born in N.Y., Raga holds a Graduate diploma in International Human Rights Law from the American University in Cairo, a Master’s degree in Public Policy and a Bachelor of Arts’ degree in Political Science from Stony Brook University in N.Y. He also has a professional certificate in Global Affairs from New York University in N.Y. and a Philippine Studies program certificate from the University of the Philippines in Manila, Philippines.

Raga, 32, clarifies the issue on which segment of the community he represents. “Truth is I work with both [baby boomers and the youth] and between the two I think we need more bridge builders.

But I find there are misconceptions with which sectors I work within the Fil-Am community. First generation baby boomers think I work primarily with ‘the youth’ and the young professionals assume I work more with the baby boomers.”

Raga, a recipient of The Outstanding Filipino-Americans In New York (TOFA-NY) Award for Community Service and Advocacy and a delegate to the Fil-Am Youth Leadership Program (FYLPro) in 2012, developed his organizational skills early on. As a student, he was president of the Philippine United Student Organization (PUSO) at Stony Brook University and the national chairperson for the Filipino Intercollegiate Networking Dialogue (FIND Inc.).

The newly formed Filipino-American Democratic Club of NY supports Raga’s bid for public office.

Of note, Raga was recently appointed board member of the Queens Community Board 2 and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights State Advisory Commission, which includes Woodside, Long Island City, Sunnyside, and Astoria. “Those Continued next page

Photo by Rolan Gutierrez

Continued from page 11 two appointments have made for a very exciting year so far! I feel a special responsibility to elevate our voices and concerns with the greater community,” he added. “The recent appointment to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights State Advisory Committee has been very exciting. I was selected as the Committee’s secretary. It’s a four-year appointment, so hope to gain as much legal and civil rights experience as possible during this time.”

Besides his recent appointments, Raga is also a board member for Woodside on the Move, a 40-year-old advocacy organization in Woodside, and subcommittee member for the United Way Young Leaders Council.

He considers the Community Boards a critical governing body in NYC, and hopes more Fil-Ams participate, “apply for, and get appointed to their respective district Community Boards.”

Although he is presently focused on seeking public office, he isn’t planning to leave the Fil-Am community altogether. “I have plans to remain in the National Federation of Filipino-American Associations (NaFFAA) on the national level as I’m running for re-election for the Board of Governors and in Pilipino-American Unity for Progress (UniPro) as I return to the Board of Trustees for a more behind-thescenes role,” he explained.

Currently the N.Y. State Chairman and a member of the National Board of Governors at NaFFAA and Senior Associate for Multicultural Leadership at AARP, Raga speaks Arabic and the Ethiopian language, Amharic, which he learned as a student in Cairo. “When I was living in Cairo, I needed to learn basic Arabic to get around the city. At the same time, my good friend Bisrat taught me conversational Amharic.

He said it would come in handy when helping the Filipino community in Cairo...In Egypt, Filipinos and Ethiopians are paired together for work as domestic workers or hotel cleaners. They both have to learn each other’s languages to communicate,” he shared.

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Photo by Rolan Gutierrez

Raga believes organizations deserve new blood with leaders that have the capacity and time to represent a large state. Leaders should create other leaders next to them rather than followers behind them.

There are potentially great leaders that our community needs to elect for public service positions and we should discover them as soon as possible.”

Milestones & Moments

Newly-wed Mike & Josie Jampayas blest

Myrna Gutierrez

Deacon Gary Villanueva blesses Mike and Josie Jampayas during the Medical Lion’s Club ball in Staten Island.

Hilton Garden Inn, Staten Island NY Photos by Rolan Gutierrez

Broadway Barkada Pays Tribute to Broadway Legends, Helps Young Kids in the Philippines

Organizations We Love

By Oliver Oliveros Photo by Rolan Gutierrez roadway Barkada, a group of New York-based Fil-Am actors, singers, and dancers who’ve been performing in various Broadway and Off-Broadway productions as well as in various community events recently held a successful tribute concert to Tony Awardwinning songwriting team of Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (“Once on This Island,” “Rocky, the Musical”) titled “Make Them Hear You: The Songs of Ahrens & Flaherty” at the Cutting Room (44 East 32nd St.). Leading the concert were three mighty proud Fil-Am stars of the Broadway smash musical “Aladdin”: Adam Jacobs, Don Daryl Rivera, and Joshua Dela Cruz.

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“There are themes of heritage, strength, sacrifice, family, and love in Lynn and Stephen’s shows.

They speak not only to us as performers, but also as Filipinos,” said Brian Jose, who co-founded Broadway Barkada with Liz Casasola and Billy Bustamante, who also directed the show.

“The sacrifices our parents made to come to this country; the faith and endurance our fellow Filipinos show during the many devastating hurricanes, and the deep sense of family that’s inherent withing our Filipino theatrical community, they are all represented in Lynn and Stephen’s shows,” Jose added.

Part of the proceeds was donated to the Advancement for Rural Kids (ARK), which provides education and health services to pre-K, elementary, and high school children in various impoverished rural communities in developing countries, including the Philippines.

YBroadway Barkada performing at Cutting Room

Virtual Reality Sets the Trend in Philippine Real Estate

By Oliver Oliveros

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more affordable virtual reality (VR) technology, via 360-degree virtual tours of homes and condominiums, is ushering in the Philippines. Online property search marketplace PropertyAsia.ph and consumer 360-degree camera Ricoh Theta S (sold at around $400) recently inked a partnership whose goal is to empower Philippine-based property brokers and agents to be at the forefront of breakthrough technologies such as the VR. “VR allows prospective home buyers to take a 360-degree virtual of homes from all over the Philippines as well as in the United States without having to travel. There’s no need to personally visit the property anymore until it truly grabs your attention,” says Yuri Stegeman, managing director at PropertyAsia. ph who hails from The Netherlands and now lives in the Philippines.

“For real estate, this is just the beginning. In the future, developers can and will use this for architectural renderings, which gives home buyers a sneak preview before it’s even built.

For example, you can experience haptic and augmented reality. So touch and senses would become available during your virtual tour; you can actually open doors, cupboards, and even smell the coffee in the kitchen— making it as real as possible,” Stegeman adds.

Experience these virtual tours at www.propertyasia.ph.

YYuri Stegeman with the Ricoh Theta S camera AUGUST 2016

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Stevenson Van Derodar

Community Movers & Shakers

By Maricar CP Hampton

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ccasionally we hear the phrase “He or she is born a leader,” and while there are certain characteristics that naturally classify some people as leaders, trying to define what makes a good leader will likely include the ability to inspire, the drive to do great work, and the ability to accomplish huge things for an organization.

Stevenson Van Derodar, a physical therapist at St. Mark’s Consulting LLC and a licensed real estate agent at Fifth and Forever LLC, knows first-hand the value and responsibilities of leadership. “I consider myself both an achiever and a leader. I’d like to believe that there’s more power in leadership than achievement. When you’re a leader, achieving also follows. I get great fulfillment out of this,” he said.

Stevenson is currently the chapter president of the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Philippines-New York, an affiliate of a global organization of young leaders from 18-40 years old whose mission is to empower the young through its various programs. “I’m familiar with JCI as we have worked with them on several occasions. It was natural for me to join them now that I’m in New York. The organization helps you to become a better leader and contribute to the affairs of the community and the world in general,” he said.

Growing up, Stevenson was raking in awards and recognitions: He was named Outstanding Young Leader in his hometown, Cebu City. The achiever in him led him to become an international property specialist of Ayala Land International Sales where he was offering luxury properties to international clients in major markets around the world before coming to the United States.

“I’ve always wanted to work abroad. Few months after becoming a physical therapist, I moved to Manila to prepare for the possibility of going abroad,” he shared. “While waiting, I thought of working in different industries. I started part-time selling real estate until I found myself in Ayala Land, and a few years later, I was traveling to many parts of the world to sell Philippine real estate.”

Today, Stevenson owns and manages a small business, Phil House Hunters Consulting Network, a company that specializes in international real estate transactions, particularly for buyers outside of the Philippines. “I’ve committed to continue servicing my clients, offering projects from select developers and working with specialized brokers and real estate companies in the Philippines,” he explained. “Phil House Hunters provides the necessary assistance to clients in fully understanding the business of property ownership and investment.”

Photo by Rolan Gutierrez

He believes being a real estate salesperson and a therapist have their individual rewards. “Both of them are very rewarding on different levels. I love the fact that I’m able to help others regain their functions and I’ve built tremendous rapport with many of my patients.

Real estate, on the other hand, has given me a different sense of drive. I’ve developed a penchant for real estate business over the years. The experiences I have had led to even greater pursuits and challenges.”

He urges the youth to maximize their potential. “Follow your heart and your gut, and persevere to be able to reach your goals,” he said.

The fourth of seven siblings, Stevenson has always had connections with the U.S. His grandfather was a WWII veteran. It was in 2011 when he finally settled in N.Y. He is regularly seen hotel lounging and bar hopping. He also loves to travel and hone his acting craft.

Photo by Rolan Gutierrez

AUGUST 2016

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Photo courtesy of Stevenson Van Derodar

Photo courtesy of Stevenson Van Derodar

Community Calendar August 25-26 “Transcend” at NYC Fringe Festival Fil-Am performance artist Kilusan Bautista performs in “Transcend,” an entry to the 20th annual New York International Fringe Festival at Alpha Omega Theatrical Dance (70 East 4th St. ) Directed by Wi-Moto Nyoka and written by Bautista, “Transcend” examines the effects of gentrification on working artists in modernday Brooklyn. For tickets ($18), visit www.fringeNYC.org.

August 27 Joe Bataan at SOB’s Fil-Am Latin soul musician Joe Bataan, together with The Barrio Boys, performs at SOB’s (204 Varick St.) at 11 p.m. Bataan will dish out international hits “Gypsy Woman,” “Subway Joe,” “The Prayer,” and “Ordinary Guy,” among others. For tickets, visit www. sobs.com.

August 27 WWII Filipino Veterans Forum The Philippine Community Center Services for the Aging, in collaboration with the Philippine Consulate General-New York, will be holding a forum about WWII Filipino veterans at the Philippine Center (556 Fifth Ave.) from 3 to 5 p.m. Guest speaker is Shyconia Burden, US Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS).

August 27 Consular Services on a Saturday The Philippine Consulate General-New York (556 Fifth Ave.) is open to accept applications for passport, reacquisition of Filipino citizenship, notarization and authentication, and civil registry (report of birth, marriage, and death) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For queries, email consular.outreach@newyorkpcg.org.

August 28 CDO-Misor Fiesta Celebration Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental Association of New York Inc. (CDO-Misor) celebrates its annual fiesta at Astoria World Manor (25-22 Astoria Blvd., Astoria, N.Y.) at 3 p.m. For tickets, call Josie Jampayas at 201-562-8833.

September 18 Basil Valdez in Concert Queens Asian Fest presents OPM icon Basil Valdez in a concert titled “Ngayon at Kailanman” at 5 p.m., Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel (135-20 39th Ave., Flushing, N.Y.) Guest artists include Alyssa Shoemaker, Angel Ram, Robby Ramiro, Cutuy Herrero, Desiree Wisotsky, Geo Ed Rebucas, Jared Martin, Jason Cruz, Jerome Gentolia, Maureen Javier, and Louanne Cuenco. For tickets ($65-$125), call Vida 516859-7038, Myrna 917-502-9887, Guia 917-502-6925.

September 25 San Lorenzo Ruiz Feast Day Mass The Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz invites everyone to join the San Lorenzo Ruiz Feast Day Mass at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral on Fifth Avenue at 2 p.m. Archbishop Bernardito Cleopas Auza will serve as the main celebrant and homilist.

October 8 6th TOFA-NY Awards at Carnegie Hall In celebration of the Filipino-American History Month, The Outstanding Filipino-Americans (TOFA) in New York will be honoring individuals and organizations that have made invaluable contributions to the Fil-Am community in the N.Y. Tri-state area. The Philippines’ “King of Talk” Boy Abunda will emcee the event. For tickets, visit CarnegieHall.org.

October 9 Erik Santos, Angeline Quinto in Concert Promdi Productions presents Filipino pop singers Erik Santos and Angeline Quinto in concert at The Town Hall (123 West 43rd St.) at 7:30 p.m. For tickets ($60-$120), call Martin 917528-8764 or RJ 510-417-7612.

SHOOTER’S TIP

Huge find– I saw spools of colorforful ropes in the city street for my beautiful model Ving Adriatico Javier to safely pose with a smile.

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