Movie: “Trafficker.” Location: Mother Ignacia, Quezon City. Director: Roland Sanchez. Scene one. Sequence. Take one. Exterior shot. Day effect. Street scene. Along a congested neighborhood the street surprisingly looks deserted in broad daylight. Clapper enters frame. Assistant director calls “Quiet!” Director yells “Action!” A slow moving car suddenly stops. The driver, after checking for people…

The massive turnout of Jersey City residents undoubtedly proved their overwhelming support to the incoming administration. Grove Street and all nearby thoroughfares were literally covered with spectators of all ages, colors, creed, and status. They all braved the darkening skies and defied the inclement weather just to be able to witness their new mayor’s formal…

This early, weeks before his formal inauguration to office, Jersey City mayor-elect Steven Fulop has his hands full with a “things-to-do list” already full of bright ideas and strategic schemes to implement in order to move the city forward. Focused like an arrow in flight, the amiable mayor also plans to restructure the Jersey City…

Filipinos, by nature, are known not only for being sociable but also for being discriminating food lovers. The typical Filipino cook has that peculiar penchant for food preparation and is skilled with numerous cooking techniques. Their myriad ways of cooking had evolved over the centuries after being influenced by their country’s diverse ethnic groups; by…

Summertime is here and the fiesta fever, once again, is in the air! As the festive ambiance pervades the atmosphere, the principal player in the annual celebration this side of the Northeast, the 2013 Fiesta in America, is currently loaded with strategic plans without a single stone left unturned preparing for its 15th year anniversary…

After having seen a great number of diversely conceptualized Philippine ethnic and cultural stage presentations, I was certain that I’ve seen the best. But this changed when I was invited to watch Day By Day Christian Ministries’ KALOOB. A non-denominational evangelical mega-church organization headquartered in Makati City, Philippines, Day By Day Christian Ministries or DBD…

To commemorate Memorial Day, the Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc., (PACCAL) nostalgically observed the federal day that honors men and women war veterans. The May 27 event, done in cooperation with the Philippine–American Veterans Organization, Inc. (PAVO) and Filipino-American National Historical Society, Inc. NJ Chapter (FANHS-NJ), was celebrated together with the veterans’ surviving…

The Southern Philippines is known for its rich traditional practices particularly in relation with birth, marriage, death, funeral and mourning, worship, beliefs, myths, everything that pertains to their daily activities and the way they enjoy and celebrate life. Southern tribes, like any ethnic group, have their own brand of musicality and a wide array of…

Finally, Jersey City’s voting populace has spoken and they did it with passion by electing Steven Fulop! Voters saw that somebody with well-schemed measures and innovative maneuvers will come to change the face of this diversely populated community. That is why the May 14 election made Fulop the messiah of change. Fulop gives out that…

Today’s women, aside from being smart and career-oriented, have amazingly transcended the boundaries of multi-tasking. They impressive juggle varying roles and accomplish much with such panache. Despite having their hands in full grasp of any given situation still they could afford to alot considerable time to serve and give back to the community. A quintessential…

There is something strange about the endearment and the magnetic force that attracts a child towards his mother compared to his father. The reason could be due to the biological relationship, literally from the umbilical tie that serves as a direct “line of connection” between them, having had sanguineous and mammiferous-based foundations. Mothers, generally, are…

The recent weekend has given us the chance to socialize and take time out from the monotonous grind of daily living with three events to attend: the PIDCI Grand Marshal Gala, NAFA’s Grand Coronation and recognition ceremonies, and jeweler-community leader Virgie Mayo’s birthday bash. PIDCI grand marshal gala If the heavy turnout of attendees was…

“Love comes from the most unexpected places….” So goes Jose Feliciano’s old familiar tune that aptly applies to the serendipitous encounter of Nena Kaufman and Raymond Smith. Theirs is a love story paved by an accidental meeting that transcended expectations, defied all norms, and led to a lifetime commitment. Their accidental meeting one late summer…

The demigods of the silver screen and the idiot box have given us a different kind of entertainment that we fail to get from social conversations or even from jokes that tickled our funny bones. There is always that certain kind of enticing force that draws us closer to them. There were a number of…

The month of March was made even more significant by the Pan American Concerned Citizens Action League, Inc. (PACCAL) when it celebrated Women’s History Month last Sunday, March 24 at the Crystal Ballroom of Ramada Plaza Hotel where the organization duly recognized the outstanding achievements of eleven Filipino-American women in different fields of endeavor. The…

In the continuing series of My close encounters with terrestrial stars I came to a point when I finally realized how significant those relationships I have had through the years. Just merely reminiscing vividly the colorful anecdotes and compelling fragments of the past lightens my sentimental loads. Telling and retelling these amusing accounts and biographical…