Featuring the most noteworthy people impacting, inspiring, and empowering the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
ONE of the iconic musicals of our time — both onstage and film — is the “Grease,” a story of Rydell High’s senior class of 1959. Many of us have been entertained by the Pink Ladies, “greasers” and the love story of good girl Sandy and bad boy Danny Zuko. Much more, the songs…
SACRAMENTO – A Filipino American community leader was recently elected as the new president of the California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists at its commissioners meeting in Southern California last June 13. Dr. Fel Amistad was appointed by Governor Jerry Brown in 2015 and re-appointed in 2018. His mentors include Alice Bulos…
Two top-ranking Filipina American commissioners were honored during an event at Los Angeles City Hall on Monday, June 18. The luncheon, organized by the LA City Employees Asian American Association (LACEAAA) and LA Filipino Association of City Employees (LAFACE), highlighted the recent appointments of Jessica Caloza to the city’s Board of Public Works and Susana…
WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 400 guests attended the Diplomatic Reception commemorating the 121st anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence at the Roof Terrace Restaurant of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Monday, June 17. “It is very opportune that our theme for this year’s Independence Day celebration is ‘Courage…
With the United States Army’s 244th birthday on Friday, June 14, an Asian American sergeant in Southern California reflects on her time in service. Sgt. Min Na, a Korean American recruiter in Rowland Heights, California, recalls seeking a “new beginning” that involved becoming healthier and more active that then led to her decision to join…
The Fil-Am stage actor joins cast in 42nd Street Moon’s “Once” SAN FRANCISCO’S 42nd Street Moon is proud to present the highly-anticipated Bay Area regional premiere of 2012’s Tony Award-winning Best Musical, “Once.” Directed and choreographed by Cindy Goldfield, “Once” runs from June 12-30 at the San Francisco’s Gateway Theatre. Based on the 2007 movie,…
Philanthropist and international beauty impresario Ferdie Syquia Villar’s 82nd birthday celebration added another memorable chapter in his glorious life. It took place last June 1 at his residence along Escanyo Drive in South San Francisco. The celebration started with a Holy Mass officiated by Rev. Fr. Abraham Alonzo, spiritual counselor of ANX Hospice in Daly…
THERE’s no denying that Asian Americans are having a moment in mainstream entertainment after years of being marginalized or stereotyped into narrow roles. Last year, Asian Americans rejoiced at the August release of the romantic comedy “Crazy Rich Asians,” which was the first major Hollywood studio release since “The Joy Luck Club” in 1993. Featuring…
“DON’T go in with a pre-conceived idea of what you think you are going to do.” That was Anne del Castillo’s quick response when I asked about her advice for young people of color who want to be in her shoes someday. Del Castillo is the new Commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office…
“Professionally, this is certainly a highlight of my career.” NOT-SO-SPOILER alert: “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” has a lot of fight scenes. On its face, the third installment of the wildly popular film franchise seems like your garden variety action film about assassins. But John Wick 3 proves itself to go beyond purely escapist…
IT is often said that running your own business is like raising another child. Entrepreneurship is already a massive undertaking, and for some mothers, there’s an extra layer of being a single parent on top of all these responsibilities. Juggling multiple roles, however, hasn’t detracted this group of mompreneurs from recognizing their expertise and creating…
THE third time’s a charm for Filipino American chef Tom Cunanan of Washington, DC’s Bad Saint who finally won as Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic at the James Beard Awards held Monday night, May 6 at the Lyric Opera in Chicago. He was also previously nominated in 2017 and 2018. The awards, presented to recognize culinary professionals…
THREE Filipino Americans are among the artists and creatives who received nominations for this year’s 73rd annual Tony Awards. Broadway star Eva Noblezada is nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her role as Eurydice in “Hadestown.” This is Noblezada’s second Tony Award nomination after she was…
A VAST majority of Filipinos are seen to dominate the field of nursing in the United States, with registered nurses (RNs) making up the largest segment of the country’s health care workforce. Many often attribute such numbers to the common notion that those who hail from the Philippines are hospitable and accommodating. However, beyond that…
Salonga stars alongside Eva Noblezada in Diane Paragas’ coming-of-age film to premiere at the 2019 LA Asian Pacific Islander Film Festival LEA Salonga is musical theater royalty. The award-winning singer and actress, known for originating the role of Kim in “Miss Saigon” (for which she won the Tony Award and Laurence Olivier Award for Best…
Author and publisher Christine L. Villa brings ‘Zoobooloo’ with Filipino translation as a tool to teach Fil-Am children the language WHEN author and publisher Christine L. Villa started her small business, Purple Cotton Candy Arts, she was just aiming to explore her love for arts and crafts. Since then, she has done more than selling…
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti on Tuesday, April 23 nominated a Filipina American public servant to join the city’s Board of Water and Power Commission. Susana Reyes, who has been in public service for 32 years, was picked to replace outgoing commissioner Aura Vasquez, who stepped down earlier this month. Reyes previously served as the…
Forbes magazine on Tuesday, April 2, named four Filipinos belonging to the “30 Under 30 Asia” list, featuring 300 young people who excel in 10 categories hailing from 23 countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific region. The said Filipinos who made it to the fourth annual list of the American magazine are Earl Patrick Forlales,…
Checking in with Don Jacinto, managing director of the Hollywood Roosevelt & regional vice president of operations of Journal Hotels FROM hosting the first Academy Awards to once being the home of Marilyn Monroe, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on the famed boulevard is perhaps one of the most iconic properties in Tinseltown. But behind the…
‘American Ninja Warrior’ contestant Pamela Price on life on and off the course with a rare autoimmune disease ALL across the world and across all industries, there are Filipinos breaking barriers. In government, medicine and science as well as Hollywood, the music industry, visual and performance art and professional sports, the Asian Journal has covered…
“Just one more episode” — it’s something we whisper to ourselves to resist ending a Netflix binge-watch, despite the clock ticking or other responsibilities calling. There are several factors that allow us to succumb to the continuous entertainment on the platform, from captivating content to no interruptions from advertisements. But perhaps a component we take…
“I REALLY wasn’t interested in space,” confesses Josephine Santiago-Bond, while reflecting on her engineering education during a recent interview with the Asian Journal. The Filipina-American engineer never anticipated that her experiences would culminate in a career revolving around missions and exploration in outer space. It was 15 years ago when Santiago-Bond first landed an internship at…
THIS year’s distinguished Filipino women in their own very unique ways embody courage, daring and audacity,” said Consul General Claro S. Cristobal as he introduced this year’s honorees. FOR the past few years, the Philippine Consulate General in New York has honored Filipina achievers and role models in northeast USA in celebration of Women’s Month…
WITH Women’s History Month underway, the Asian Journal takes a look at the contributions Filipina-American women have made to the dessert scene across Southern California. There is an abundance of examples we can point to, whether these women are pastry chefs at top restaurants or pushing Filipino ingredients like the now ubiquitous ube (purple yam)…
On International Women’s Day on Friday, March 8, the City of Los Angeles unveiled a new art exhibit at the LA City Hall featuring women-made artwork that tackles issues of domestic violence, human trafficking and homelessness. Located on the bridge of the third floor of LA City Hall, the exhibit — which is called “Shifting…
THE James Beard Foundation has announced the list of semifinalists in the running for its 2019 Restaurant and Chef Awards and three Filipino American chefs have made the list. The awards,presented to recognize culinary professionals in the United States, are sometimes called the “Oscars” of the food world. For the third year in a row, Tom…
Forbes Magazine named real estate tycoon and self-made billionaire Manuel Villar Jr. as the Philippines’ richest man as he topped the country’s list and ranked 317th among the 2,153 global billionaires on its list. The 69-year-old former politician was the first wealthiest man in the country of purely Filipino descent. Villar was among the 17…
“MY first name is Greek, my last name is Spanish but I am a proud Pinay,” declared Hydra Mendoza, Deputy Chancellor for Community Empowerment, Partnerships, and Communications at the Department of Education in New York City. The event was the Filipina Women’s Network’s Disrupt 3.0 book launch at the Philippine Center and it was in…
FWD Life Philippines, one of the fastest-growing insurers in the country, returns as title sponsor of the “FWD North Pole Marathon” for the third time. “FWD is extremely proud to continue our support for this challenging and one-of-a-kind event, as it resonates our core values of empowering people to pursue their passions and explore a…
On Tuesday night, February 19, Chinatown took over Two Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California, as lanterns, lion dances, dim sum carts, parasols, and red envelopes adorned the cobblestone walkway. To wrap up the Lunar New Year celebrations, LA philanthropists Christine and Dr. Gabriel Chiu gathered over 100 individuals for #Chinatown90210, with sponsors Bottega Veneta…
