Featuring the most noteworthy people impacting, inspiring, and empowering the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
Maria Lourdes Ruiz Ballen passed on February 19, 2022. She died peacefully beside her husband Gary, free from pain, stress, anxiety, and with a smile on her face. She was born to Carlos Perey Ruiz and Epifania Nazario Ruiz on February 11, 1950. She comes from a family of ten siblings (Romy+, Quintos+, Titong+). She…
Cerritos, CA — With her vast and glowing experiences as paralegal and field deputy of Los Angeles County’s two branches of services, Lynda Johnson may yet be the first Filipina American woman to break the glass ceiling as councilwoman of the City of Cerritos. Election day is April 12, 2022. Tangible signs are pointing to…
SIX chefs, two restaurateurs, one pastry chef, a bar that offers an outstanding bar program, and a couple of emerging chefs. That is how Filipino Americans in the food and hospitality industry fared on Wednesday, Feb. 23 as the James Beard Foundation announced its 2022 Restaurant and Chef Awards semifinalists in advance of the returning…
Led by Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer, the team includes Anne del Castillo who will continue as MOME Commissioner NEW York City Mayor Eric Adams unveiled on Wednesday, Feb. 23 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard the new members of his economic development team, which has two of the highest-ranking Filipino Americans in the Adams cabinet. The…
THE biggest global talent search to find the best young chef in the world found its winner in Jerome Ianmark Calayag, a Stockholm-based Filipino chef originally from the Philippines. The young chef bested nine other chefs to win S.Pellegrino Young Chef Academy Competition 2019-2021, a grand, three-day gastronomic event held in Milan last October. The…
THERE is no shortage of Manny Jacinto these days. After his breakthrough performance in NBC’s Peabody Award-winning and Emmy-nominated comedy series The Good Place, the Filipino-Canadian actor has emerged as one of Hollywood’s most exciting, versatile, and in-demand talents, in a burgeoning career marked by a series of charismatic breakthrough performances. He recently starred in the…
New Jersey’s largest museum to show five decades of groundbreaking works exploring global art history, immigration and the art of identity THE Newark Museum of Art is set to present Carlos Villa: Worlds In Collision, from February 17 – May 8, 2022. The exhibition brings together 35 rarely seen works by Carlos Villa, a central figure in…
Filipino performer and educator Tagumpay De Leon was recently recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts as a National Heritage Fellow. Affectionately known as “Uncle Pi,” De Leon is a performer and instructor known as one of the greatest living ambassadors of the Filipino instrumental art known as rondalla, an ensemble of stringed instruments…
Fely Quitevis-Bateman has been in the real estate industry for almost five decades now, starting her career in Manila back in 1974. Through sheer handwork and determination, she was able to create a name for herself after moving to the United States. The Nevada-based businesswoman established Precious Properties and has been calling Pahrump home for…
October 18, 1932 – January 20, 2022 Valentin Antonio Ballesteros Castelo passed away in peace and joined our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, January 20, 2022, in Henderson, Nevada. Born on October 18, 1932, in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, Philippines, Val was the son of the Honorable Oscar Tombo Castelo, former Secretary of Justice…
1. What led you to the role of the new San Leandro Community Manager at Chase? I have always had two different passions when it came to my career. Being in finance for over 20 years, I’ve always been motivated to be an expert in the fundamentals of financial success. My other passion has been…
UNITED States President Kamala Harris and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra on Thursday, Feb. 3 swore in 23 members, including 3 Filipina American community leaders, of President Joe Biden’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs). They were joined by U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai, who serves as Commission…
PRESIDENT Joe Biden this week appointed a Filipina American community leader to a key regional leadership role at the United States Small Business Administration (SBA). Geri Sanchez Aglipay was named SBA regional administrator for region 5, according to the White House announcement on Thursday, January 27. The region covers Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and…
The California State University (CSU) Board of Trustees has appointed Richard Yao, Ph.D., to serve as the fourth president of California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI). Yao, who identifies as a Chinese Filipino American, currently serves as interim president of CSUCI, a role he has held since January 2021. “This is such an exciting time at…
EILEEN Viray Alcones was raised in the heart of the East Bay after her parents immigrated to the United States from the Philippines to live out their American dream. Now, as the newly created Community Manager in San Leandro for JPMorgan Chase, Alcones is working with the local community to help them reach their financial goals. “My mom…
The De Vera-Javier Family * Emerald Lantern Group * Pangasinan Brotherhood-USA sadly announce the passing of our dear Rosemarie De Vera-Javier (April 4, 1961 – January 15, 2022) (Daughter of the late Rustico de Vera of Mangaldan, Pangasinan & Zenaida Osorio Rosario-de Vera of San Carlos, Pangasinan) 1980 Mutya ng Pilipinas Movie Actress Singer Community Leader Philantropist…
In response to the extensive damages brought about by Category 5 Super Typhoon Rai (Local Name Bagyong Odette) in Central and Southern Philippines, Mabuhay Credit Union hosted a Press Conference / Meet and Greet / Fundraiser with WBC Bantamweight Champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. on Tuesday, December 28, 2021. Odette has claimed over…
IT’S a new year and with the blank slate comes an ambitious list of resolutions, whether it’s kickstarting a healthier and more active lifestyle or prioritizing self-care. While it may be daunting to tackle these personal goals alone, iSkin Face and Body Spa in Beverly Hills, California is a sanctuary where you can jumpstart a…
THE Los Angeles Police Department will have its first Filipino American deputy chief in its 152-year history. Commander Donald Graham becomes the first person of Filipino descent to hold such a position, following an announcement from Chief Michel Moore made public on December 17. The announcement did not specify when the promotion takes effect. A…
October 6, 1946 – December 19, 2021 RICARDO Lim Roco passed away gracefully in his sleep on December 19, 2021 after a very rare, fast-paced progressive neuro-degenerative disorder. He was a beloved Home Depot Sales Associate with a legendary smile and quick wit, expert at re-keying and problem solving. He was an inventor and patented…
President Joe Biden on Monday, December 20 announced his intent to appoint three Filipino American leaders to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Amy Agbayani, Teresita Batayola and Luisa Blue are among the 23 community leaders who will be appointed to serve on the commission, the White House announced on Monday….
THE city of Artesia, California now has its first Filipina American mayor. Melissa Ramoso ascended to the top post after the city council’s appointment during its meeting on Monday, December 13. Ramoso, a Fil-Am community leader working in state government, previously served as mayor pro tem. “It is incredible to think that there were people…
It is with deep sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of Epifanio ‘Jun’ Capistrano on Sunday, December 12th, 2021 at the age of 69. Jun will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 35 years, Marisa; and his children, Daryll, Charmaine, and Dale. He is the oldest of two brothers and two…
JOHN Jay College of Criminal Justice Professor Kevin Nadal is known in the Filipino American community as an educator, psychology expert, community organizer, historian, and supporter of the arts, among many other things. The City University of New York recently named Dr. Nadal to the title of Distinguished Professor in recognition of his exceptional contributions…
The year 2021 was a complicated year for the Filipino American community. As Filipinos (and Asians and Asian Americans in general) continue to fight misinformation and bigotry of anti-Asian hate, communities are seeking respite and unity amid the tragedies of COVID-19. However devastating and hopeless the year may have been for Filipinos, there were plenty…
President Joe Biden has nominated two women of color to lead the Office of Management and Budget, which has been called “the nerve center of the government”. According to the White House, Nani Coloretti, former Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, will take over as deputy director while Shalanda Young, who has been serving…
55 APIA students set to receive $500,000 total in scholarships to help advance their academic journeys CHICAGO – A student inventor, a formerly homeless nursing major, and an aspiring teacher, can put more focus on their dreams and less on how to pay tuition this school year. On Monday, November 8, McDonald’s USA in partnership…
FILIPINA American Logistx is the first B-Girl from the United States to be crowned champion at the 2021 Red Bull BC One World Final. The breaking tournament invited 16 B-Girls and B-Boys to compete at the world final on Saturday, November 6, at Ergo Arena in Gdansk, Poland. Logistx dominated in the B-Girl event, defeating…
Kinilaw with Chenin Blanc, Sparkling Wine with Sisig, Syrah with Lechon For someone who had almost zero knowledge about wine almost a decade ago, Jhonel Faelnar has gone a long way. Today, he is the award-winning wine director at Atomix, a Korean tasting menu restaurant in New York City with two Michelin stars. His impressive…
SAN FRANCISCO – Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Frank R. Ferrer received Civilian Aide to the U.S. Secretary of the Army (CASA) Mr. Mark Benton at the Consulate General on Sutter Street on Friday, October 29 where they discussed the Army’s objective to recruit more eligible people of various ethnicities and racial backgrounds….
