SWEETS — The very first bite of New Year’s day is supposed to be something sweet because in Ancient China, when someone would deliver good news, it would be delivered with something sweet (i.e. glutinous rice, candy, fruit). FISH — An entire fish, complete with tail and head, should be served during the New Year…
Melissa Yamaguchi, an energy therapist and Feng Shui educator, shared some tips on how to harness the best energy coming into the New Year: • DECLUTTER. Up until Feb. 6, it is the best time to declutter and get rid of old files by legally storing or shredding them. For example, untouched business cards and…
Los Angeles is the third-best startup city in the world according to recent studies, as areas like ‘Silicon Beach’ and downtown have become home to thriving technology ventures. In 2014 alone, $3.04 billion in investments were made to city-based startups. Over $4 billion is projected to be invested by the end of the year; already,…
IT all started with eggs. Growing up as a latchkey kid, Alvin Cailan’s father taught him how to cook eggs when he was tall enough to reach the stove. Who would have thought that years down the road and experiences at fine-dining restaurants under his belt, he would circle back to what he first learned…
LOS ANGELES – In high school, Jaime Ballesteros didn’t think he would be able to attend college because of his undocumented status. Originally from Bacolod City, Philippines, Ballesteros was 11 years old when his family moved to Jersey City, New Jersey after his father obtained a temporary work visa for an accounting job. However, when…
IN recent years, more residential buildings, retail centers and restaurants have sprung up in downtown Los Angeles, an area that has mostly been regarded as a place to work and has lacked a bustling after-hours culture. However, these days, drive around and new developments have injected more life into the area. LA Live, Fig and…
SINCE its founding in 2013, NextDayBetter has been building a platform where changemakers, community leaders and innovators can assemble and share their stories. Branded as a “creative speaker and food series for diaspora communities around the world,” NextDayBetter has expanded globally to nine cities in four countries with events that inspire communities and are action-oriented….
Oct. 25 set to commemorate Filipino labor leader OCTOBER 25 will now be designated as Larry Itliong Day in California, following Gov. Jerry Brown’s signing of a bill that called for the annual proclamation honoring the late Filipino farm labor leader. Introduced by Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) — the first and only Filipino-American elected to…
Will Filipino food finally have its moment to shine? It’s a question that many, including major publications, are asking. Back in 2012, Andrew Zimmern predicted that Filipino food would be “the next big thing.” Since then, there has been an ongoing fascination with the cuisine across the country, like in Los Angeles, New York, San…
Situated along Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock, a coffee shop has become the spot to “find” local, artisanal roasts and a sense of community. Stop by Found Coffee and you’ll see customers pounding away on their laptops or engaged in conversations, regulars picking up their usual orders, and newcomers stumbling in by chance. With minimalist,…
Taking care of one’s skin goes beyond vanity, and no one is a champion of that belief more than Dr. Tess Mauricio. Dr. Tess is a Filipina dermatologist who immigrated to the United States from the Philippines at the age of 12 and struggled like anyone new to a foreign land. But with talent and…
Producer receives fourth Daytime Emmy nomination for ‘The Talk’ The glitz and glamor of Hollywood can be captivating to many, but reaching that level of success is not exactly an easy feat. For Marc Anthony Nicolas, breaking into the entertainment industry is still very much surreal. The Filipino-American is best known for his work…
The Barbie Doll has undergone many style, appearance and career changes throughout the nearly six decades she has been around. In February, the iconic doll received a Filipino makeover, designed by Filipino-American Carlyle Nuera for Mattel’s Global Glamour Collection. Taking elements from the Philippines and Filipino culture, the Mutya Barbie is dressed in a refreshing…
LOS ANGELES — For David Ryu, serving on city council isn’t just about representing ethnic minorities. It’s about giving a voice to another underrepresented group. “Even more underrepresented than Asians are the citizens [themselves],” Ryu, a Korean American, shared. He is among 14 candidates who are vying to replace Councilman Tom LaBonge, who has represented…
When one thinks of Filipino breakfast, items like pandesal, champorado, or variations of silog come to mind. But, how about an Adobo fried chicken on top of a garlic rice waffle? Or Kare Kare Eggs Benedict? Definitely not what lola or nanay prepare in the mornings. Those are two of the main dishes chef AC Boral whipped up at Rice &…
LOS ANGELES — Filipino fashion designer Alexis Monsanto had a monumental 2014, wowing fashion-forward crowds with his Spring/Summer 2015 collection. On Nov. 18, 2014, Monsanto was the headliner of Fashion Houston Five (FH5) and kicked off the four-day event. Acclaimed designers and brands, including fellow Filipino Monique Lhuillier, Zac Posen, Herve Leger, BCBG, and Rebecca…
Tips from Balitang America’s Steve Angeles As the New Year approaches, we tend to jot down a list of resolutions, whether it’s staying organized or saving more money. One resolution that continues to top individuals’ lists is to lose weight, leading to lofty plans of joining a gym and eating healthier. However, how many people…
A FILIPINO-American was sworn into the San Diego City Council on Wednesday, Dec. 10, becoming the first Asian to serve on the council in nearly five decades. Chris Cate will represent District 6, which includes Mira Mesa, Miramar, Kearny Mesa, Clairemont and Rancho Peñasquitos, where about one-third of the population is Asian and Pacific Islander….
Menu for business class starts Dec. 1 LOS ANGELES – Who says airplane food has to be subpar? This December, Japan’s largest airline All Nippon Airways will be serving dishes from a Michelin-starred restaurant to business class passengers flying out of Los Angeles International Airport. The collaboration between ANA and Patina, one of this city’s icons…
LOS ANGELES — An Asian American is vying to represent California’s 33rd Congressional District, considered one of the most liberal and wealthiest areas in the United States. State Senator Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) sought the opportunity to run on the federal level after the seat, which covers the city’s Westside up until the South Bay, opened…
LOS ANGELES—Three Filipino designers debuted their Spring/Summer 2015 collections on Oct. 13 at the California Market Center in Downtown. Hosted by the International Fashion Tour and the ABS-CBN Foundation, the preview runway show brought the designers to Los Angeles to tease a larger US tour to come next March. Singapore-based Filipino designers Melchor Guinto and…
Bill to be implemented in Jan. 2015 LOS ANGELES —The Department of Homeland Security has accepted new wording that distinguishes the driver’s licenses of undocumented immigrants in California, after rejecting an initial design. In a letter sent to Department of Motor Vehicles director Jean Shiomoto on Sept. 17, Homeland Security wrote that it “commends California’s…
LOS ANGELES – Nanxi Liu, Betty Porto and Toni Ko—three women from the technology, food and cosmetics industries, respectively—may not seem like they would have much in common. However, speaking at the “Women Business Pioneers Symposium” organized by the Asian Business Association on Wednesday, Sept. 10, these women’s stories presented several similarities. Liu, who migrated…
LOS ANGELES – The city’s Fashion District was not only hiding the best bargains for clothing and accessories, but also a money laundering scheme linked to international drug cartels. On Wednesday, Sept. 10, 1,000 officers from local police and federal agencies raided around 50 businesses and found cash hidden in shipping boxes and duffel bags….
LOS ANGELES – Mayor Eric Garcetti formally introduced his plan to boost the city’s minimum wage to $13.25 an hour by 2017. In his remarks at a Labor Day rally in Exposition Park, Garcetti touted the plan as “the largest anti-poverty program in this city’s history.” As reported last week, the city’s minimum wage –…
Plan calls for $13.25 an hour by 2017 LOS ANGELES – City mayor Eric Garcetti has reportedly been in talks with business groups to develop a plan to raise the city’s minimum wage to $13.25 by 2017. Currently, city’s minimum wage is at $9, which took effect statewide in July under AB10, signed by Gov….
LOS ANGELES – A former school cafeteria worker, turned teacher will take over the National Education Association (NEA) on Sept. 1, 2014. Lily Eskelsen García is the first Latina to serve as president of the nation’s largest teacher’s union, which comprises of three million members. She was elected to the position in July during NEA’s…
A model for families, public services and local economy Twenty miles (or roughly thirty minutes of travel) to southeast of Los Angeles is Cerritos — an upper-middle class city which is family-oriented and flaunts a strong local economy. Formerly an agricultural community called Dairy Valley, Cerritos is now a modern hub of commercial and retail…
