For more information, visit filamcentral.com and thefilipinotown.vegas
The honorable Consulate General of the Philippines in Los Angeles, Atty. Adelio
Consul of the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles for Southern Nevada,
ly opens the doors of the new Fil-Am Central hub for Filipinos and Filipino Americans
Veteran Vegas-based Global Broadcast and Streaming Network and Platform business owner
and Cavite Association of Nevada Founder and President Emeritus Ruel Rodriguez
join the historic ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The 11,000 square-foot FilAm Central is located at unit 525 D, TTEC Building of the Boulevard Mall, right in the
heart of the newly inaugurated Filipino Town Las Vegas Cultural District, a corridor from Flamingo and Desert inn along
by
Maryland Parkway, designated by the Clark County Commission led by its Chairman, Commissioner Tick Segerblom.
Angelito Cruz (2nd from Left), assisted
Honorary
Amie Belmonte (2nd from Right), cut the ribbon which official-
in the State of Nevada.
Carl Lorenzana Magno (1st from Left)
(1st from Right), who jointly operate the “Pinoy Hub”,
We e can n help p you u get t answers, , for r ex ample:
• What is Original Medicare?
• Are there other health care options?
• What do Medicare Parts A, B, C and D mean?
• Is Original Medicare enough health coverage?
• Are my prescriptions covered?
• How much will it cost?
• Do I have deadlines to enroll?
IMMIGRANT MOTHER, A VETERAN’S WIFE, AND A MISSION TO PROTECT EVERY FAMILY IN LAS VEGAS
BY KA MAGILKE COMMUNITY ADVOCATE | JAR LAS VEGAS
“If we don’t plan ahead, we pay later, with time, stress, or even our homes.”
That’s the message behind Nevada Benefit Day, a free education event happening this November 1st in Las Vegas, bringing hope, clarity, and financial tools to hundreds of families, especially those from the Filipino and Asian communities.
As a mother of four, a veteran’s wife, and someone raised by Chinese grandparents in an immigrant household, I understand the quiet pressure we carry: working hard, helping our family here and back home, and still wondering…
IN THE PINK
BY: GLORIA T. CAOILE, BCS (BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR)
Over twenty years ago, I heard the words no one ever wants to hear: "You have breast cancer." In that moment, fear took over -- fear of the unknown, fear of pain, fear of what might come next. But today, I stand as a survivor, not just of cancer, but of the silence and stigma that too often surround it.
Let me say this clearly: breast cancer is nothing to be ashamed of!
When I was first diagnosed, treatment was intense. The protocols back then were aggressive and exhausting. But I did it - one day, one appointment, one breath at a time. And today, thanks to the incredible advances in modern medicine, treatment options are more targeted, more manageable, and more hopeful than ever before.
What truly began my healing, though, wasn't the medicine. It was the moment I sat down with my husband, Ben and daughter, Melanie and told them my diagnosis. Their love, their strength, and their unwavering presence became my anchor. FAMILY IS THE BEST MEDICINE! And friends -- oh, the friends who showed up with meals; prayers; messages, with laughter and light - they reminded me that I was never alone.
To anyone facing this diagnosis now: reach out. Talk to survivors. Ask questions. Cry if you need to! But know this -- you are stronger than you think, and you don't have to walk this patch in silence.
To the rest of us: let's keep the conversation going. Let's wear pink not just as a symbol, but as a promise --- to support, to educate, and to uplift!
THIS IS WHAT I'VE LEARNED: HEALING IS NOT JUST PHYSICAL, ITS EMOTIONAL, ITS COMMUNAL, IT'S POSSIBLE!
Will we be okay in the end?
WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW MIGHT COST YOU
Most people don’t realize how many free or low-cost resources are available through Nevada and federal programs: from Medicare, Medicaid, and student loan relief to legal tools like living trusts and retirement planning options like annuities or IULs.
But without someone to explain it in plain English, too many of us miss out... or worse, make costly mistakes.
I've seen families lose their homes to probate. I've seen widows scrambling to find documents after a husband passes. I’ve sat with nurses, Uber drivers, even pastors, who’ve worked 30+ years, yet retire with nothing.
This is why we do what we do. To educate, equip, and protect.
Integrity, ethical standards, meticulous attention to detail and strong organizational skills are some of the important qualities to perform effectively as a public administrator. The position also requires compassion, sensitivity and fairness, decisiveness and sound judgment.
MINDDIE LLOYD exhibits such qualities needed to exercise her administrative capacity as future Clark County Public Administrator. The position serves a four- year term.
The Clark County Public Administrator (also sometimes known as County Probate Administrator or Register of Probate/Public Administrator) performs specialized and important role in estate and probate law, particularly when a decedent has no executor or next-of-kin willing or available to administer their affairs. The Public Administrator may be appointed to administer an estate by doing inventory, protecting and safeguarding all property - real and personal- of the decedent. The office secures assets, manage storage and maintain records. The office also verifies legal entitlements and authenticity, among others.
When elected as Clark County Public Administrator, MINDDIE LLOYD will lead the office staff to coordinate with courts to follow appropriate probate procedures and arrange for disposition (burial or cremation) if required, satisfy decedent’s debts and taxes and manage ongoing costs on real property until a final resolution is reached. The office also manages unclaimed estates or property distributions when heirs are unlocated.
Since this is an elected position, the Public Administrator oversees administrative functions: hiring staff, budgeting, policy guidance, liaising with county legal and other agencies.
MINDDIE LLOYD has been a strong supporter of the Las Vegas community. She has a strong connection to law enforcement families, fundraising and nonprofit advocacy. She has been active in Nevada politics and is a staunch advocate for str ngthening communities, improving education, supporting first responders, and upholding constitutional rights. She is the widow of Lieutenant Erik Lloyd of the
One APIA Nevada, a nonpro�it dedicated to empowering Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Paci�ic Islander (AANHPI) Nevadans, and Bamboo Bridges, an organization focused on fostering collaboration and awareness within the Asian Paci�ic American community, hosted a press conference at Chinatown Plaza Parking Lot on October 21, 2025. The event brought together community leaders, organizations, and residents to publicly
Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. She has been actively Involved with the injured Police Officers, serving as project director, and helps raise funds and provide support to officers and their families. She also co-founded a nonprofit called Bamboo Bridges which helps support survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking.
In her very own words: “I believe in compassion, dignity and justice, especially for those who can no longer speak for themselves. For years, I stood proudly beside my late husband, a Metropolitan Police Officer, who dedicated his live to serving others. His devotion to duty shaped our family and our values.
Though he passed, his legacy of service continues through me, and in the work I do for our community everyday. I have also spent many years working with Bamboo Bridges, supporting survivors of abuse and trauma. That experience taught me the power of listening, the courage it takes to speak up and the responsibility we share to protect and honor every individual.
In addition, I have had the privilege
of serving for more than a decade alongside Judge William Kephart in both criminal and civil courts. That work gave me firsthand insight into our justice system, and showed me the importance of fairness, compassion and accountability.
The office I am seeking is about more than managing estates. It is about honoring lives.
It is about ensuring that no one is forgotten, and that every person is treated with dignity, even in death. I want to bring transparency, integrity and heart to this office, because I know how much these matter.
I am not running against anyone. I am running for something. I am running for fairness.
I am running for families. I am running for the values that have guided me my entire life. Thank you for believing in community. Thank you for believing in healing. And thank you for believing in me!”
Please visit the link for your donations to help her campaign get started: https://secure.numero.ai/contribute/ sm-lloyd
thank District Attorney Steve Wolfson for his commitment to justice and public safety.
Community representatives, victim advocates, and public safety partners delivered the following statement of appreciation:
“We sincerely thank the District Attorney for prioritizing the safety and well-being of our community. His diligent pursuit of justice, especially in the recent assault case, demonstrates a strong commitment to upholding the
law and ensuring accountability. We appreciate his decisive leadership in protecting our neighborhoods.”
This event featured community representatives, victim advocates, and public safety partners who will share remarks and present the following Statement of Appreciation:
“We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the District Attorney for his unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our community. His diligent efforts in pursuing justice,
particularly in the prosecution of the recent brutal assault charge, re�lect a strong dedication to upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability.
This case serves as a reminder that violence has no place in our neighborhoods, and we are thankful to have a District Attorney who takes such matters seriously and acts decisively to protect our community.
Thank you for your leadership and continued service.”
"I SHALL RETURN"
October 20, 1944 marked the Leyte Landing when General Douglas MacArthur fulfilled his promise by landing in Palo, Leyte with American and Filipino troops. It was a turning point on World War II and the liberation of the Philippines from Japanese Occupation.
After Japan invaded the Philippines in December 1941, Gen. Douglas MacArthur was offered to evacuate in March 1942. Before leaving, he famously vowed, "I shall return!"
The Philippines became a strategic target in the Allied campaign to reclaim Southeast Asia, and Leyte was chosen as the entry point for the liberation. On that famous day, MacArthur waded ashore at Red Beach in Palo, Leyte, alongside key military leaders. His dramatic radio address declared:
"People of the Philippines, I have returned! By the grace of Almighty God, our forces stand again on Philippine soil - soil consecrated in the blood of our two peoples."
The landing was part of the Battle of Leyte, which lasted from October 17 to December 26, 1944 involving over 200,000 Allied troops. It triggered the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval Battle of WWII which crippled the Japanese fleet and secured Allied control of the Pacific.
FILIPINO INVOLVEMENT
Filipino guerrillas played a crucial role in intelligence and sabotage, helping Allied forces navigate terrain and disrupt Japanese defenses. The landing was not just a military maneuver; it was a symbolic reunion of Filipino and American forces. The momentous landing was about reclaiming territory, fulfilling a promise, restoring hope and reigniting the Filipino spirit of resistance. As it was commemorated this year, there were calls for government accountability and civic duty.
POSTWAR STABILITY AND IMPACT ON PHILIPPINE HISTORY
MacArthur later played a key role in shaping postwar Japan as Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, promoting democratic reforms and contributing to long-term peace in the region. His return led to the collapse of the Japanese-backed Laurel Republic and restored Philippine sovereignty. MacArthur, thus, became a revered figure in the Philippines, embodying the promise of freedom and in Filipino memory as a liberator and ally.
"OLD SOLDIERS NEVER DIE; THEY JUST FADE AWAY."
- A poignant reflection on the enduring nature of the spirit of the Filipino people. "Give me ten thousand Filipino Soldiers and I will conquer the world."
- Douglas MacArthur
Award-winning Author / Journalist
Carlos Palanca Awardee & Professional Host/Emcee Author website: www.marylaineviernes.com
Unforgettable New York Fashion Week 2025
For several years now I have served as master of ceremonies / talk show host for EC Media / EC Publishing and Kubo Productions for their countless events and shows in Las Vegas and New York, and I consider our friendship a great blessing for it not only allows me to travel through my craft but my kids also get to be exposed to the finer things in this world! My daughter, Brooklyn Mackenzie also got to model for Joselito Cabungcal Runway Show and I am very grateful! Special thanks to Ethel Leach, Hazel Alpuerto, Dr. Mary Catherine Yap to EC Media, Skinthetics by a Beauty MD, My Runway Production, Eve Mobile App and all our designers and sponsors this year for a grand show! Congratulations to all!
designers were
and Shima Shyna and Dubai-based celebrity designer, Angelo Estera. Japanese Actress Nao Hoshino also unveiled her fashion designs.
Thank you, Joselito
What an epic birthday party we had last October 13, 2025 at Cafe De Manila, hosted by Ms MIldred Cadag and attended by our beloved Dr. Mike Santa Juana’s nearest and dearest, especially Tita Nadia Arroyo! We served something better than roast beef; we all roasted the celebrant as we wished him all the best on his special day. We love you, Dr. MSJ!
MARYLAINE/JULIE
The Successful Paring Bukidnon Concert
Dr. Michael Sta Juana does it again as Breaking News Live, in partnership with the Diocese of Malaybalay brought the most talented Men of Mission and Faith, the priests of Bukidnon in concert last October 23, 2025 at the Celebrity Center of Las Vegas for a spectacular and successful concert! I am grateful to have served as master of ceremonies for the night which was a testament to the hard-work and dedication of the priests to “fish” for their needs and not merely ask for “fish.” As true fishermen and minstrels, the proceeds of this concert will go the construction of their retirement home and I pray that everyone who learns about this opens their hearts and pockets. Contact me or Dr. Michael Sta Juana for the bank account information of the priests of Bukidnon. Let’s all help these men of God build their retirement home!
Featured
Simoun Andres, Carl Andrada, Chona Bacaoco of Milan, Joselito Cabungcal, SOCCSKSARGEN (Tonet Docillo and Karl Malana), Alexandria, Caira by Chris Dulo
Cabungcal for our glorious gowns and for having Brooklyn as one of your models!
The Highway OF(Not TO) Holiness Shall Be For Those Who Believe in Christ Jesus
Isaiah 35:8-9 NKJV 8 A highway shall be there, and a road, And it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, But it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, Shall not go astray.9 No lion shall be there, Nor shall any ravenous beast go up on it; It shall not be found there. But the redeemed shall walk there.
In the Old Testament, the Almighty GOD summoned all his people to perfection or Holiness. (Lev 19:2, Deut. 18:13) But no one achieved holiness by obeying the Law given through Moses.
Romans 3:10-18 says, As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The poison of vipers is on their lips.” “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark their ways, and the way of peace they do not know.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”
No one can be perfect on their own efforts. (Matthew 19:26). That is why Jesus Christ was sent by GOD to make us perfect. HE wants us to be blameless before Him, and His reason is that HE is Holy or Perfect. Perfection to GOD is holiness. ( Matthew 5:48) GOD presented two ways of attaining or obtaining perfection. In the Old Testament, the first way is by adhering to all of His Holy Commandments, the Decalogue in Exodus 20 and its addendum. It is by their own fulfilling of the Law, human actions. But when they failed to do it, GOD, who is merciful, gave them forgiveness by taking the blood of their animal sacrifices to take
away their sins. But at the countless sins they repeatedly do, GOD said in Isaiah 1:11; “What to me is the multitude of your sacrifices? says the Lord; I have enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or lambs, or of goats. “ Because repeating the same sin, pure animal’s blood has no use anymore.
Hebrews 10:4 says, “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.” After they offered sacrifice, they became righteous on their own, proud of what they did, thinking they became holy because of what they have done, crediting it to themselves. They became prouder that led them to oppress those who cannot obey the Law and offer sacrifices. Like Satan, they rob the glory that is for GOD. They became worse than before, away from the road of holiness designed by GOD. The Highway OF Holiness NOT the Highway TO Holiness, was prepared by GOD to those who are made truly holy through the blood of Jesus Christ.(Isaiah 35:8-9) The redeemed are those who believed in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and established their relationship with Him. They are holy in the sight of GOD by accepting Jesus Christ and continuing to believe in His Son. GOD made us holy by offering us the blood, not of the animals, but by His own beloved Son, to free us from the slavery of sins.
Hebrews 10:10 and 14 says;10 “And it is by God’s will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” 14
“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. “Holiness was done and bestowed upon us by GOD, not from obedience to the law because no one had 100% fulfilled it. HE gave us our holiness when we believe in Jesus Christ through and
through, the Lamb Sacrifice, for our sins and for the whole world. (1 John 2:2)
While it is true that holiness means being better than others, Jesus provided ways to achieve this. Looking at the preceding verses in Matthew Chapter 5, before Jesus instructed us to be perfect in Matthew 5:48, He spoke about the ways to present ourselves as holy. He cited many things concerning anger, adultery and divorce, retaliation, oaths, and many other things. But let me stipulate on ‘Love your enemy’; Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.
46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what better are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Now, suppose we could achieve those ways of holiness set by Jesus on our own, with the same result: that is, seeing ourselves better than others because we thought we could do it without God. Are we not also off the road of holiness?
No one can do anything good apart from Jesus Christ (John 15:4-5). Jesus Christ is, therefore, our holiness. His sacrifice and suffering make us perfect. He satisfied all the requirements of law and righteousness for us to become holy people of GOD. By receiving Jesus as our holiness, then we will become truly holy. This is why Jesus left
us the Word of GOD, the truth that will enable us to walk on the Road of Holiness. WE are separated on this road because of this Truth. (John 17:17) This is how Jesus will keep us on the Road of Holiness: through His Words. Ephesians 5:25-27 says; 25“...just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.”
St. Paul said in Colossians 1:28, he said. “We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” We cannot be perfect without Jesus Christ. He is our holiness in the eyes of GOD.
Also in 1 Corinthians 1:30-31, “It is by Him (GOD) that you exist in Christ Jesus, who for us was made wisdom from God, and saving justice and holiness and redemption. As scripture says: “If anyone wants to boast, let him boast of the Lord.”
So let us always remember John 15:3-5 Jesus said, “You have already been cleansed by the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” Jesus Christ’s teaching is the Highway of Holiness. It is for us who were redeemed and stay believing in Him. To GOD be the Glory! AMEN
For feedback: https://amomentofeternalne.wixsite.com/amen
Sis Olive Manalo Karagdag
It’s always been easier for me to help others than to help myself
As a Veteran, when someone raises their hand for help, you’re often one of the first ones to respond. But it’s also okay to get help for yourself. Maybe you want or need assistance with employment, stress, finances, mental health or finding the right resources. No matter what it is, you earned it. And there’s no better time than right now to ask for it. Don’t wait. Reach out.
Find resources at VA.GOV/REACH
Halu-Halo:
KITCHEN
OOlivia Enriquez
This article was inspired by a recent community gathering called HaluHalong Kuwento sa Tindahan, hosted by the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Nevada. Held at Mang Felix along Maryland Parkway— right in the heart of the newly designated Filipino Town—the event featured the relaunch of the book Women of Impact through a fireside chat with the authors, each one sharing the stories behind their journeys. As they spoke, guests were handed cups of halu-halo, which the owner prepared himself.
t was a perfect pairing— stories of women layered with complexity, resilience, and sweetness, served alongside a dessert made of just that. A medley of tropical preserves and crushed ice mirroring a medley of lived experiences. The pun wasn’t lost on anyone. That moment reminded me: halu-halo is more than a dessert. It is metaphor, memory, and movement. A spoonful of culture and history, chilled.
Memory, Ice, and the Soul of Filipino Sweetness
Few desserts carry the weight of memory and history the way halu-halo does. A riot of textures, colors, and temperatures, halu-halo— literally “mix-mix” in Tagalog—is both refreshment and metaphor: a celebration of our tropical bounty, our layered identity, and our flair for turning scraps into spectacle.
That moment reminded me: halu-halo is more than a dessert. It is metaphor, memory, and movement. A spoonful of culture and history, chilled. Halo-halo isn’t just a dessert. It’s been a business plan for decades. A working model of how Filipino creativity, family labor, and localized tech can turn a simple icy treat into a livelihood—one bowl at a time.
From Japanese Beans to Filipino Chaos
The roots of halu-halo trace back to pre-WWII Manila, where Japanese settlers introduced kakigōri—shaved ice with sweetened beans. The earliest iterations were modest: munggo, red beans, perhaps a splash of syrup. But Filipinos— never ones to leave well enough alone—began adding preserved fruits, saba bananas in syrup, ube halaya, coconut strips, gelatin cubes, pinipig, flan, and a scoop of ice cream for good measure.
Before it became a mall staple or fast-food bestseller, halu-halo thrived as a barangay microenterprise—a backyard hustle, often seasonal, almost always family-run. Its origin story isn’t just about sweetness—it’s about innovation, resourcefulness, and how necessity bred a community economy.
At the heart of the early halo-halo business was the cast aluminum kudkuran—a hand-grater originally used for coconut, but modified by local metal fabricators to scrape ice. These were usually crafted by panday (metalworkers) using repurposed tools and sold in neighborhood markets alongside castiron irons and kalderos. A wooden seat would often be nailed to a plank, the kudkuran bolted in place, allowing the vendor to crouch and manually scrape ice onto bowls, one order at a time.
As demand grew, particularly during fiestas and summer breaks, this gave rise to a next-level contraption: the rotary ice shaver. Still manually
Today, halu-halo is a fixture on menus from Manila to Manhattan. From fine-dining riffs to mason jar TikTok versions, it has crossed borders, genres, and generations. Filipino food trucks in Los Angeles pair it with tocino burgers. Artisanal makers now tout vegan milk, heirloom ube, and zero-waste bowls made of coconut husks. And yet, at its core, halohalo remains beautifully
By the time Manila was occupied by the Japanese forces, halo-halo had become an edible act of resistance. Ice was a luxury, but making do was second nature. Housewives preserved fruit during peak season, stretched evaporated milk rations, and took to scraping ice from handcarried blocks using the humble kudkuran—a kitchen tool originally used for grating coconut. The finer the “kudkod,” the higher the bragging rights. A dessert borne out from resistance but lives on to become the stellar filipino dessert
Some early households even used a wooden plank embedded with nails to crush ice—an ingeniously crude method that predates mechanical shavers. It’s a reminder that before halo-halo became a dessert of leisure, it was one of labor and ingenuity.
Digman to Pampanga: Regional Variants of Cool Each region reinterpreted halo-halo in its own delicious dialect. In Cavite’s Digman, the family-run Digman Halo-Halo Parlor served elaborate versions in
A Future Built on Ice and Identity
unchanged. It’s still the dessert of the everyday Filipino: bought from a sari-sari store with loose change, or made lovingly in big metal bowls for summer fiestas.
It is our flavor of nostalgia—and a business with a beating heart. In the hands of visionaries like Amelia Valenzuela and the next wave of cultural food entrepreneurs, halu-
halo continues to evolve. Not just as a dessert, but as soul food. A cultural heirloom. And a reminder that the best things in life are meant to be shared, spooned, and yes—mixed. And maybe that’s why, during Halu-Halong Kuwento sa Tindahan, when the voices of women filled the room with stories of grit and grace, it made perfect sense to be handed a serving of halu-halo.
tall glasses stacked with colorful layers, including house-made ice cream. Pampanga’s Razon’s flipped the script: just three ingredients— banana, macapuno, and leche flan—on an impossibly fine bed of milked ice. In Baguio, strawberries make an appearance; in Davao, durian; in Ilocos, even cheese.
These regional versions reflect not only geography, but personality—whether flamboyant or minimalist, rustic or refined, there’s always a story behind each version.
Sweet
Serendipity in Tayuman: The Chowking Connection
Perhaps one of the most powerful stories about haluhalo as enterprise lies in the heart of Tondo, Manila.
In 1988, Amelia “Aling Mely” Valenzuela was a home-based vendor selling preserved fruits in recycled glass bottles. Her big break came via a tip from a vegetable dealer in Arranque Market: Chowking was looking for a halu-halo supplier. She showed up with samples and landed a small but regular order.
As Chowking’s halo-halo rose in demand, Aling Mely scaled fast—starting in her kitchen, then a small Tayuman factory. With a PhP5M loan (paid back in two years), Amelia Sweet Products supplied 11 key ingredients daily to over 220 branches.
From sourcing the best saba in Batangas to training suppliers nationwide, she became the silent engine behind Chowking’s summer bestseller. She didn’t just sweeten the menu—she built jobs, structure, and a supply chain rooted in tradition. Halo-halo, in her hands, became a livelihood.created jobs, formalized small-scale production, and preserved tradition. Her story proves that halo-halo can be more than dessert—it can be enterprise.
operated, it used a hand crank and steel blade to grind ice faster and more consistently. These were engineered in talyer (local machine shops) and became a fixture at sari-sari stores and roadside meriendahan stands. The crank-powered ice shaver marked the first step toward semi-mechanization in halo-halo vending.
Fast-forward to today, and you'll find enterprising Filipinos using Ninja blenders, commercial-grade ice crushers, and even retrofitted snow cone machines to meet the demands of a TikTok and delivery-based economy. Some use solar-powered units in rural provinces where electricity is scarce, proving that innovation continues at the grassroots.
But even with upgraded tools, the soul of the halohalo enterprise remains the same: a small table, a few jars of preserved fruits, a line of waiting customers, and a vendor—often a lola or a teen saving up for school—scooping joy into plastic cups.
We weren’t just cooling off. We were honoring the layers—of culture, of struggle, of triumph— present in both the stories we heard and the dessert we savored.
Because halu-halo, much like the women celebrated that night, is made of many parts. Ordinary on their own. Extraordinary together.__OLE
From Kudkuran to Ninja: The Barangay Evolution of Halo-Halo
Digital illustation by : O Enriquez
chamber matters
An update on business news, developments and events from The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Nevada (FACCGN).
by: JOEL ENRIQUEZ, President
creative chamber
Join us and be part of the chamber that loves small businesses. Log in to our website https://www.faccgn.org/ Or email us at info@faccgn.org
The Third Year: A Creative Renaissance
Now on its third season, LVFSFF has firmly established itself as one of the most anticipated cultural events in Southern Nevada. The 2025 selection reflects both artistic diversity and technical excellence. From heartfelt coming-of-age tales and animation hybrids to cinematic reflections on faith, identity, and belonging — this year’s roster showcases the range, ambition, and global caliber of Filipino short filmmaking today.
The festival continues to nurture an ecosystem where creativity thrives: filmmakers, actors, writers, cinematographers, and production designers gather not only to compete but to connect — to build an industry that mirrors the dynamism of the Filipino spirit. Through partnerships with community organizations, cultural institutions, and local businesses, LVFSFF is paving the way for an inclusive creative economy where artistry and opportunity meet.
The 3rd Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival
The Crisostomo Ibarra Awards were designed to embody the transformative heroism and enduring ideals of the iconic character from Jose
A bittersweet moment between the characters Milly and Milo, from the short film of the same title. The film earned 5 nominations in 5 categories, as of this writing.
The 3rd Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival brings a powerful cinematic experience to the Galaxy Cinema at Boulevard Mall on October 24–26, 2025, uniting filmmakers and audiences from the Philippines, the United States and other countries in a weekend of storytelling that is both heartfelt and thought-provoking.
This year’s lineup stands out for its fresh and fearless approach to the Filipino diaspora experience. Across 25 finalist films selected from nearly 50 submissions, filmmakers explored the complexities of migration— displacement, identity, loneliness, and resilience—with a sensitivity and immediacy that resonated deeply with audiences.
From the stark realities of isolation faced by overseas workers to the humorous yet bittersweet tales of assimilation and survival in
AND THE NOMINEES
Illuminating the Filipino Experience Across Borders
foreign lands, each short film captured a distinct perspective on what it means to be Filipino away from home. Many stories confronted the silent battles of discrimination and cultural erasure, while others celebrated the strength of community and the enduring power of memory and belonging.
Interwoven through many of these films was the deep Filipino attachment to family— the emotional core that binds generations despite oceans between them. Scenes of longdistance calls, balikbayan boxes, and virtual family gatherings were common motifs. Yet it was through food and food preparation that many filmmakers found the most tender expressions of home. Cooking adobo in a small kitchen abroad, sharing sinigang with new friends, or recreating festive dishes from memory became acts of love and resilience. These
moments reminded viewers that for many Filipinos, food is not merely sustenance—it is comfort, connection, and a way to ease the ache of homesickness.
A notable highlight this year was the surge of young filmmakers who brought a fresh, dynamic energy to the festival. Many of them—second-generation immigrants or students abroad— used their creative lens to explore what it means to belong in two worlds. Their works often fused film with music, poetry, and dance, transforming these cultural expressions into powerful social tools. Through movement and rhythm, they examined identity and belonging, showing how art can transcend borders and give voice to a new generation of global Filipinos redefining what “home” means.
Festival organizers highlighted how these narratives “speak to
our shared longing for home, whether physical or emotional,” underscoring the role of film as a bridge that connects generations and geographies of Filipinos around the world.
Now on its third year, the Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival continues to cement its reputation as a vital cultural platform for emerging Filipino and FilAm voices—one that not only entertains, but also fosters dialogue on identity, migration, and humanity itself.
The event was presented in celebration of Filipino American History Month, marking another milestone for Filipino creativity and storytelling excellence in the heart of Las Vegas. The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Nevada fully supports the Las Vegas Filipino Short Film Festival.
The LAS VEGAS SHORT FILM FESTIVAL is a proud member of
