Issue 82, December 2024
2024 U.S. elections
Who are the FilAms elected, re-elected?
Yolanda del Mundo
Single mom's journey toward embracing daughter's identity
Reagan John Rada Sparkles of entrepreneurship in his life
A defiant NYC will continue to be a sanctuary city
Mayor Eric Adams declared that no matter who is president or what party controls Congress, “this city will always stand up for the rights of women, our immigrant brothers and sisters, our LGBTQ+ community and millions of others.”
To immigrants living in the city and pursuing the American Dream, he said, “New York City stands with you. Our city will continue to offer care, resources and legal help to those who need it. Regardless of immigration status, we will be here for you. New York City will always remain a city of immigrants and a beacon of liberty around the globe.”
Adams said his administration will work with the new Congress to develop a realistic and compassionate national strategy for immigration and this includes pushing Congress to provide expedited authorization for asylum seekers who desire to work, and who are already here.
Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Manuel Castro pointed out that as a sanctuary city, NYC “intend(s) to follow the law.” Right now, he said he is worried
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and senior officials discuss with reporters the impact of the 2024 presidential election. Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
that “a sense of anxiety and panic is setting in.”
“We will continue to be a sanctuary city, and we will continue to protect our immigrant communities,” he said.
First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer said NYC has always been “a place of tolerance and of respect,” and that will continue.
“And for those who are living here, immigrants, migrants, you should know, of course, that if
Founding Editor
Cristina DC Pastor
Managing Editor
Rene Pastor Address
P.O. Box 8071 New York, NY 10116
the United States is the land of opportunity, we have always believed that New York City is the purest distillation of that, and that will not change,” she said. “We will continue to be that beacon of hope and work with the new administration for the types of reforms that are needed to fix our broken immigration system.”
Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne
Williams-Isom said the city will continue to create a welcoming city for immigrants and ensuring everyone, including migrants and undocumented folks, have the right to city services, education, healthcare, and public safety. Healthcare will continue to be a fundamental right.
Sanctuary cities like New York generally keep a hands-off stance when it comes to immigration and tends to protect undocumented immigrants from federal overreach. They do not detain a foreign-born over his or her status and do not share immigration information with the federal government. By virtue of the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, “states (and cities within them) have the power to make their own decisions about immigration law enforcement, and that federal authorities must respect those decisions,” according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. NYC officials closing ranks is a defiant reminder to the incoming administration that it will not buckle and succumb to any rhetoric of mass deportation.
Contributing Writers
Marissa Bañez
Tricia J. Capistrano
Joel David
Wendell Gaa
Allen Gaborro
The FilAm is a publication of A&V Editorial
Maricar C. Padilla
Angelito Cabigao
Ludy AstraquilloOngkeko
Lindy Rosales
FilAms elected, re-elected in historic 2024 election
The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) said the 2024 election saw historic wins for Filipino American leaders across the United States, each advancing a “shared vision for a more inclusive nation.” More than 2.14 million FilAms cast their votes across the nation, especially in key battleground states.
“This election year highlights the importance of civic engagement, and we are proud of how Filipino Americans have participated,” stated NaFFAA National President Mariela Fletcher.
NaFFAA National Chair Brendan Flores emphasized the significance of this election: “Calling this election consequential is an understatement. Many of us feel the weight of this moment…NaFFAA will continue to champion efforts to ensure that our voices are heard.”
NaFFAA President-elect Ryan Namata emphasized, “Our votes are powerful, our voices matter, and our unity is our strength. Together, let’s advocate for our rights, promote our heritage, and inspire future generations to lead with conviction and courage.”
The election saw groundbreaking wins for the following FilAm leaders.
| First-Time Wins:
• Christopher Cabaldon – First Filipino American elected to the California State Senate, District 3, and former Mayor of West Sacramento.
• Jessica Caloza – First Filipina American elected to the California State Assembly, representing District 52.
• Angelito Tenorio – First Filipino American elected to Wisconsin’s State Assembly, District 14.
• Ysabel Jurado – First Filipino
American elected to the Los Angeles City Council, District 14.
• Ryyn Schumacher – First and only Filipino American, and first openly gay person of color elected to San Buenaventura City Council, CA.
• Tatiana Yokoyama Bui – Elected to the ABC Unified School District Board of Trustees, Area 4.
| Re-Election Wins:
• U.S. Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-3) – The only Member of Congress of Filipino ancestry, serving in Congress for 32 years.
• Genevieve Mina – Re-elected Alaska State Representative, District 19, and the first and only Filipino American in the Alaska Legislature.
• Junelle Cavero Harnal – First Filipina American in the Arizona State Legislature, re-elected to District 11.
• Trish La Chica – First Filipino-born American in Hawaii’s House of Representatives, re-elected for District 37.
• Steven Raga – New York State Assemblymember for District 30, the first and only Filipino American in this position.
• Maria Cervania – North Carolina State Representative for District 41, the first and only Filipino American in the state legislature and one of the first two Asian American women elected to this body.
• Justin Jones – Tennessee State Representative for District 52, the first and only Filipino American in the Tennessee Legislature.
• Todd Gloria – Mayor of San Diego, CA, the first Filipino American, first person of color, and first openly LGBTQ+ individual in this role.
• Juslyn Manalo – Re-elected to Daly City Council, CA, previously serving as Mayor, the first Filipina American in this role.
• Corey Calaycay – Claremont Mayor Pro Tem, District 1, CA, serving 19 years and the first Filipino American Mayor of Claremont.
• Alexander Walker-Griffin –Elected to Hercules City Council, CA, as the youngest council member in the city’s history.
• Nikki Villavicencio – Maplewood City Council Member, MN, the first disabled Filipinx council member.
• Emily Ann Ramos – First Filipino American on Mountain View City Council, CA, a strong advocate for housing and tenant protections.
• Mark Nagales – Re-elected to South San Francisco City Council, CA, and former Mayor of South San Francisco.
The NaFFAA team is actively compiling the list of officials elected in 2024. If you are aware of additional FilAms elected this cycle, please reach out to mark.eyo@naffaa.org.
Jessica Caloza, Angelito Tenorio
Tatiana Yokoyama Bui, Christopher Cabaldon
Ysabel Jurado, Ryyn Schumacher
FilAms should call their senators to confirm Lewis’s appointment
By Joseph G. Lariosa
CHICAGO – Filipino American lawyer Loida Nicolas Lewis has been extending micro-financing to poor people in the Philippines. But her gesture to empower the pockets of the poor Filipinos stopped when she campaigned against the Davao City mayor who was running for president in the Philippines during the 2016 presidential elections.
After his election as president, Duterte singled out Lewis as one of his enemies even after Lewis had extended an olive branch when she joined other like-minded prominent Filipinos, Filipino American leaders and friends of the Philippines to congratulate Duterte when they visited him in Davao City.
| Senate confirmation in December
But things can change for the Filipino American community leader if she is confirmed in December by the U.S. Senate to fill up one of the three vacant MCC board of directors for a term of three years. According to the Glassdoor website, the average annual salary of an MCC board of director is $136,408.
Several Filipino Americans who learned of Lewis' nomination have urged their fellow FilAms to call their senators to confirm her nomination.
As an MCC board of director, Atty. Lewis can cast a vote if a third world country like the Philippines can qualify to receive a large-scale compact grant which could reach $400 million or a small-scale threshold grant which could reach $21 million. The Philippines has already received a $434 million compact grant in 2010 and $21 million in 2007. Barring Lewis from setting foot in her native land would be counter-productive for the poverty-bound Filipinos if she were confirmed.
| MCC established by Congress in 2004
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) partners with the world’s poor-
est countries with a focus on poverty reduction through economic growth.
The MCC is a bilateral United States foreign aid agency established by the U.S. Congress in 2004. It is an independent agency separate from the State Department and USAID.
It provides grants to countries that have been determined to have good economic policies and potential for economic growth. The country qualification process is objective, involving scores provided by third parties in 20 different areas.
An eligible country must apply for a grant with a specific project in mind.
According to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the United States’ total official development assistance (ODA) ($55.3 billion, preliminary data) increased in 2022, mainly due to support to Ukraine, as well as increased costs for in-donor refugees from Afghanistan. ODA represented 0.22% of gross national income (GNI).
So, far there have been 43 third world countries that had benefited from the MMC grants.
| The MCC Board
The current makeup of the MCC Board includes the Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, Chair; Secretary of Treasury Janet Yellen, Vice Chair; Katherine Tai, U.S. Trade Representative; Samantha Power, administrator, U.S. AID; Alice Albright, Chief Executive Officer; and Congressman Andre Crenshaw, Private Sector Member. The position for the three other private sector members is vacant. Getting a compact grant is like a camel going through the eye of the needle. The recipient country needs to pass “MCC’s corruption tests.”
The bipartisan support laid down the guiding principles before MCC can approve a grant:
• Competitive selection: Before a country can become eligible to receive assistance, MCC's Board examines its performance on 20 policy indicators and selects compact-eligible countries based on policy per-
formance. These policy indicators include: qualities of the following, civil liberties, political rights, freedom of information, government effectiveness, rule of law, control of corruption, immunization rate, public expenditure on health, girls’ primary education rate and girls’ secondary education rate, public expenditure on primary education, natural resources protection, child health, inflation rate, trade policy, land rights and access index, regulatory quality, fiscal policy, access to credit, gender in the economy and business start-up.
• Country-led solutions: MCC requires selected countries to identify their priorities for achieving sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. Countries develop their MCC proposals in broad consultation within their society. MCC teams then work in close partnership to help countries refine a program.
• Country-led implementation: MCC administers the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA). When a country is awarded a compact, it sets up its own local MCA accountable entity to manage and oversee all aspects of implementation. Monitoring of funds is rigorous and transparent, often through independent fiscal agents.
| 17 indicators
An eligible country must apply for a grant with a specific project in mind. No country can receive funding unless it passes at least half of the 17 indicators and the Control of Corruption indicator.
The Philippines would have received a $500-million poverty-reduction funding from the MCC but it flunked the MCC’s corruption tests under the government of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
But a year later following the election of President Noynoy Aquino who ran under the movement, “Tuwid na Daan” (straight path), the MCC reconsidered the $434-million grant to help the Philippines reduce poverty and fight corruption.
Then, MCC Chief Executive Officer Daniel Yohannes “congratulated the people and the Government of the Philippines for tackling difficult challenges to create tangible opportunities for growth and prosperity.”
Seasoned journalist Joseph G. Lariosa is a correspondent for PhilAmMessenger, a news site published out of Chicago.
This article is reprinted with the author's permission.
Loida Lewis at the launch of her book ‘Why Should Guys Have All the Fun’ held at the residence of Geoffrey Lapuz Jimenez in Garden Grove, California. Photo courtesy of Marlon Pecson/ Facebook
New York City Marathon:
‘You’re
my 1st, my 19th, my everything’
By Gerald Tabios
“These streets will make you feel brand new, Big lights will inspire you, Let's hear it for New York.”Alicia Keys
Since 2004, I've crossed the finish line of the New York City Marathon 19 consecutive times. This race has become more than just a marathon; it’s an ongoing journey that began decades ago with a simple fascination with the sport.
My first glimpse of the marathon world was in college, flipping through old issues of Runner's World and Running Times magazines. I used to buy them at a “PX” store where U.S. military bases in the Philippines sold American goods. I’ll never forget reading about Oprah Winfrey’s marathon finish in 1994, which led me to discover the New York Road Runners organization.
on November 7, 2004, ready to take on my first marathon. Five hours, one minute, and seven seconds later, I crossed my first finish line.
In 2001, when my wife and I first visited Central Park, I made a point of stopping by the historic New York Road Runners Club headquarters on East 89th Street, also known as Fred Lebow Way. I picked up a pamphlet detailing the club’s race schedule, and it wasn’t long before I signed up for my first NYRR race, the Dash and Splash 5K, on July 29, 2001. I finished that race in 48 minutes and 23 seconds, and though it was a modest start, it fueled my drive to eventually run the New York City Marathon.
In 2003, I secured a spot in the New York Marathon through the lottery, but as I worked as a live-in houseman in Connecticut at the time, the demands of training were overwhelming. I realized my preparation wouldn’t be adequate, so I postponed my entry to the 2004 race.
Arthur Ashe’s words come to mind whenever I think of that time: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” Those words echoed in my head as I stood at the start line
From that day forward, the New York City Marathon has been an unbreakable tradition for me. Year after year, I return with new goals, renewed motivation, and an unshakeable love for this city. Less than 200 runners hold streaks as long as mine, and New York Road Runners honors the commitment of those who have completed 15 or more NYC Marathons in a row. I feel lucky to be among them and to have earned the “marathon streaker” designation, as we’re known by NYRR.
“I love New York,” I often say, calling this city my second home. Since my first marathon, there have only been two years when the race didn’t go forward—2012, due to Hurricane Sandy, and 2020, due to the pandemic. I’m grateful I’ve never missed a year since I began my streak.
Running the New York City Marathon has shaped me, building my discipline and resilience. It’s a challenge I embrace no matter the conditions—whether it’s sweltering heat, biting cold, pouring rain, or even the occasional snow. And year after year,
I find new goals to chase as I grow older, grateful for each mile. Injuries and setbacks are part of every runner’s journey, and the line between staying healthy and getting hurt is thin. So far, I’ve been fortunate, and I know this streak can only last as long as my body holds up. But until the day comes when I can no longer race, I’ll keep showing up for
the New York City Marathon simply because I can.
Next year, on November 2, 2025, I’ll be back for my 20th New York City Marathon. This race has been my everything, and I’m committed to keeping my streak alive as long as possible. One day, I’ll reach a point where I can’t run, but until then, I’ll be grateful for every mile of this extraordinary journey.
2024 TCS New York Marathon
2004 ING New York City Marathon. Photos courtesy of Gerald Tabios
Art for heart’s sake: A mother’s dream
By Yolanda del Mundo
It took some time for me to begin writing this narrative. Finally, after several postponements, here is our story, my daughter’s and mine.
The 8th of August 2024 was so significant to me as it was the date especially earmarked for the wedding of two college friends whose passion for art transcends gender, norms, religion, time, and distance.
A concerned friend once asked me, what are your feelings towards your daughter getting married to another woman? At first, I was stunned and speechless. I was filled with questions like -- Where did I go wrong?, Was this a mistake?, Will this relationship work?, What if it doesn’t?, or Will our families and friends support them?
I once encountered a passage written by a clinical social worker and psychodynamic therapist Linda Weber which inspired me. She said: “Because mothering is like sowing seeds, you often don’t see the fruits right away. It takes time to reap the reward. There are no guarantees, either. But if you do your best, there’s a good chance that your day to see wonderful fruit will come.”
| A divorce and custody hearings
As I reminisced many years back in Manila, my children -- a daughter and a son -- grew up in a turbulent and chaotic family setting. It was scary, disturbing and tough. There were tedious court hearings for nullity of marriage and custody issues involved.
At their tender ages, moving from home to home was like an escapade. At a certain point, home schooling was the most convenient form, while computer games which my son so adored were scheduled around court visits for custody, legal battles and psychological assessments.
As a single parent, I worked hard shouldering the responsibility of raising my children and providing for their needs while custody arrangement between me and my ex was being debated in the courts.
It took the court 10 years to make a decision for joint custody depending on the children’s preferences. They opted to stay with me. They were safely secure to live in our ancestral home in Quezon City under the care of their grandfather, my Dad, while I kept busy with the family business to fund their education. All I wanted then was a life of harmony and peace for all of us. However, all this came to a halt in 2010 when the U.S. visa petition from my sister which she filed when I was still single came through. Call it a blessing in disguise, but it provided us the chance to start a new chapter in our lives in America. This development did not sit well with my daughter. With so much hesitancy, I brought both my children to the United States. My daughter just turned 18 in 2010, and my son was 21, both of them were young, independent adults with minds of their own. Coming to the United States was ill-timed. Both
to three months until they finished school in Manila, filed re-entry permits, postponed periodical exams to maintain their legal status, expensive but absolutely necessary decisions.
Camille was able to finish her Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Communication at UP. However she could have been one of the cum laudes had she not come to NYC during her final exams period. While in NYC, she landed teaching jobs in Manhattan schools as an art teacher for children.
Discreetly, she and her partner, a well-established graphic designer back home and a prime mover in establishing the first risograph studio in the Philippines continued to communicate with one another, distance and time zones notwithstanding. Her partner never missed calling her regularly or sending flowers or food delivery of her favorite Filipino dishes.
Although I was aware of what was happening, not a word from me of their secret relationship.
When the time came to reveal her secret relationship, I was overwhelmed with blame and remorse wondering if I had failed raising her. She knew my marriage was a failure and, perhaps, this led her to having second thoughts about having the opposite sex as her partner. That was my inner guilt thinking. In October 2022, my daughter invited me to attend their participation at the Tokyo Art Bookfair and to meet her partner’s parents for the first time.
The parents of my daughter’s partner are young, younger than me by two decades. According to them, they married early. I married late. They are downto-earth people, well regarded entrepreneurs, and supportive of our children as a couple.
After numerous delays due to legal issues, my daughter Felize Camille Tolentino and her partner
Pauline Tiu or Pau, finally tied the knot on August 8, 2024 at the Federal Court Plaza in Manhattan. Amid a stormy weather that morning, the love that had been hidden for so long was sweetly and gently finding its way into our families’ hearts. We were surrounded by the warm acceptance of our families.
I was moved when I read in one of my daughter’s Instagram posts her extreme desperation and exhaustion prior to her wedding.
She wrote: “Our wedding day ceremony got almost cancelled by a storm. Sleepless nights, monitoring the weather, checking in with our guests, cancelled reservations and on-the-spot wedding venue changes.
my children were not done with college yet. At first, it was too costly, coming back and forth from Manila to New York and back, plus there was the issue of which relatives to stay with and in what state. All my siblings are scattered across California and Florida. We struggled to rent rooms in New York for at least two
“We checked and considered different locations, even cafes and museums. We had 48 hours remaining to scrap and redo everything we planned for months before we decide if we push August 8 as we intend an outdoor wedding or picnic style at Luminescence in Long Island City with family and friends. We already had the permits and reservations. We didn’t plan to have a grand one, we just wanted to share with people closest to us, our favorite hidden spot in New-York and our deep love for sharing food.
Camille Tolentino and Pauline Tiu wed August 8, 2024 at the Federal Court Plaza in Manhattan. Photos courtesy of Yolanda del Mundo
The del Mundo-Tolentino family, from left Camille’s brother Rafael, sister-in-law Glowee carrying baby Carmela, Camille, Pau, and mom Yolanda at the Milk & Roses Bistro Restaurant in Greenpoint, Brooklyn where the wedding reception was held.
“Pau and I were walking at St. Mark’s Union Square at around 11 p.m., two days before the wedding ceremony. We said to ourselves that we might have already exhausted all our efforts. We realized it’s been 11 years in the making, we have gone through five years of long distance relationship and we’re too damned tired of it already. We just want to be together in a place where our love is recognized, supported and accepted.
“We decided to screw everything, our truest friends will understand if we move everything, especially for their safety. And so we did. We invited only our immediate family, booked a place without even thinking if the food or place would be great for this memorable affair. Pau just wanted to take me there for a date before and what’s the best way to date your future wife, right?
“We wanted a place to eat with our family who would stand the changing weather with us and they definitely did. They were ready to be there rain or shine, as they did for 11 years to accept and welcome us in their hearts.
“The rain did wonders. We arrived at the place without expecting anything. We were the only people inside. The place reserved a whole room for our families to take refuge in, overlooking the garden as the rain wouldn’t stop showering. We gladly welcomed every tiny sparkle of raindrop that greeted our window and it shone like little diamonds as everyone laughed and cried while sharing their best wishes to us.
“We may not have looked our best, thanks to the weather, but it showed our truest vulnerable selves, and I think that’s the most beautiful thing I have ever witnessed.”
| A mother’s wish
As a mother, I find solace in the song in Cinderella, “A Wish is a Dream Your Heart Makes” reflecting on how the seeds I have once sown and the dreams I have painstakingly woven have taken time to flourish reassuring me that all my efforts will someday yield wonderful results. After all, it is art that brought Camille and Pau together, seeing in their contented, happy faces, it is love that matters the most.
Camille and Pau recently opened a Risograph Art Printing Studio in Sunnyside, an extension of their studio in Manila. They conduct lectures and workshops through Zoom on the art of risograph, an art technique combining digital and traditional printing that originated in Japan. They join pop-up stores and art book fairs within the U.S. and beyond. They are so happy together, establishing alliances among art afficionados and building a name for themselves and their modest enterprise.
Yolanda del Mundo is an entrepreneur and merchandising professional handling American and international events. A graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Communication from UP Diliman, she worked as a corporate planning specialist and technical assistant, and was a researcher and writer for the Philippine government’s tourism industry for 10 years.
Kundiman workshop held at Manhattan School of Music
As part of the celebration of Filipino American History Month (FAHM), the first-ever Kundiman seminar-workshop and gala concert was held from October 21 to 23 at the Manhattan School of Music’s (MSM) Miller Hall. The landmark event brought together music students, educators, musicians, and cultural enthusiasts to explore the history, significance, and performance techniques of Kundiman, a traditional Filipino art song and music form renowned for its expressions of love, longing, hope, and patriotism. The event was hosted by the Philippine Consulate General in New York, in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Manhattan School of Music.
The two-day seminar-workshop, led by distinguished musicians and educators Dr. Eugene de los Santos, Elisanta Cortes, and Joshua Angelo Mondares, explored the origins of Kundiman, its cultural relevance, and its unique musical qualities. Participants were given a rare opportunity to engage deeply with this rich musical tradition, fostering both appreciation and understanding. Reflecting on the experience, Sebastiano Lombardo, a Master of Music Vocal Performance student at Binghamton University, said: “The Kundiman workshop and masterclass was such an amazing experience! I had never heard of this song tradition before, and the presenters did a wonderful job describing its origins and evolution. The language of Tagalog was also fasci-
Sherlyn Roxas
nating to listen to, and I am honored that I have been given a Kundiman to add to my repertoire.”
Dr. James Gandre, president of the Manhattan School of Music, remarked on MSM’s commitment to cultural exchange. He said, “As one of the premier conservatories in the world, the Manhattan School of Music is honored to host this exploration of Kundiman and welcome international artists to share this rich cultural tradition with our community. This
event is a unique opportunity for students, faculty, and the public to engage deeply and expand our understanding of this diverse art form.”
The Cultural Center of the Philippines played a key role in this initiative. A CCP representative shared, “The Cultural Center of the Philippines remains steadfast in its commitment to nurturing and promoting Filipino arts, culture, and heritage. Through our various programs and initiatives, we strive to celebrate the rich diversity of our nation and inspire future generations of artists and cultural workers.”
The seminar-workshop culminated in the Kundiman Gala Concert, featuring captivating performances by the three Filipino resource persons, joined by Mheco Joy Manlangit, Radnel Ofalsa, and Mercibelle Abejuela, accompanied by Marileah Hess, a Filipina pianist based in Oregon. The evening was graced by the presence of Evelyn Mandac, the first Filipino to perform in a lead role at the Metropolitan Opera, adding further prestige to the occasion.
In his remarks during the Gala Concert, Consul General Senen Mangalile noted the transcendent power of the Kundiman.
“Music, in all its forms, has the power to connect us in ways that words alone cannot. It speaks to our emotions, bridges cultures, and tells stories that resonate across time and place. Kundiman is more than a Filipino love song; it is the embodiment of a nation’s spirit,” he said. –Philippine Consulate General, New York
Filipino performers sing soulful renditions of the Kundiman during the gala concert on October 23 at the Miller Recital Hall of the Manhattan School of Music.
Photo by
The Tiu family with parents Dennis Tiu and Jane Tiu and Pau’s brother Josh
Mayor Adams orders crackdown to halt the continuing decay of Roosevelt Avenue
Community leader Flo Coronel has seen them all on Roosevelt Avenue: bellowing, beer-drinking men; pushcart vendors crowding the sidewalks; and scarcely dressed women soliciting massages which could be a prelude to prostitution.
As recently as two weeks ago, Coronel, a resident of Woodside for more than 23 years, said he witnessed an altercation close to the corner of 69th Street and Roosevelt where Filipino restaurant Amazing Grace has a commanding presence.
“The middle of Little Manila has become a hub for men who look like they are day workers, some of them dressed like construction workers, movers or landscapers. At night, they are huddled in this corner drinking beer or liquor covered in brown bags. Pedestrians coming out of the subway are afraid to pass by the areas they occupy,” he said in a phone interview with The FilAm.
Coronel has seen a deterioration in the quality of life along Roosevelt and surrounding areas. A devoted Queens resident, he frequents this popular hangout hub where the best Filipino restaurants sit side by side, and doctors and tax preparers hold office. There are all sorts of businesses here owned by immigrants, from Nepalese restaurants to Korean nail salons to dollar stores operated by South Asian and Chinese entrepreneurs. He laments the steady disintegration of Queens’s iconic thoroughfare over the years.
He has heard of Mayor Eric Adams’s “Operation Restore Roosevelt,” a recently announced campaign aimed at addressing public safety and quality of life in the Elmhurst, North Corona, and Jackson Heights neighborhoods of Queens. As a member of the advisory council of Assemblymember Steven Raga of District 30 which intersects parts of Roosevelt, Coronel takes note and reports on what he has observed.
“We have constituents in District 30 coming from different nationalities,” he said. “We try to make sure they are safe when come out of the subway when they go home at night.”
Over the past year, Adams said members of the NYPD have been addressing community concerns about prostitution, illegal brothels, unlicensed vendors and food carts, retail theft and the sale of stolen goods, and other quality-of-life offenses.
To expand its efforts to address these continuing challenges, the administration said it is bringing together over a dozen city agencies as part of a “collaborative, sustained, and intensive multiagency response to address persistent quality-of-life and public safety issues.”
“Roosevelt Avenue is one of the most diverse
avenues in our city — it is home to businesses from all over the world and New Yorkers from all over the world live and raise their families nearby. This road should be the pride of our city, but for too long it has been plagued by persistent public safety and quality-of-life issues,” said Adams.
Coronel said ambulant and some illegal vendors have taken over much of Roosevelt.
“The pervasive smell is weed,” he said.
Outside spa and massage parlors, he has seen women dressed in revealing cropped and tight shorts. They usually come out in early evening like 5 p.m. and activity reaches its peak, from what he has heard, in the wee hours of the morning. He thinks the timing is just right because many construction workers leave the job sites around that time. It is not known if the women are trafficked
or they willingly engage in the trade. Either way, he said, “They don’t complain for fear of reprisal or maybe they have no papers.”
While he has witnessed the occasional altercation – “sigawan lang” – he has not seen any actual violence. He said the police usually take time to arrive at the scene to intervene.
“The launch of ‘Operation Restore Roosevelt’ is proof that small business owners who have sounded the alarm about activity and conditions along the Roosevelt Avenue corridor, have been heard and are supported,” said SBS Commissioner Dynishal Gross. “Whether their concerns are related to impacts on their businesses or activity impacting vulnerable community members, this multi-agency strategy shows that they are not alone.” -- Cristina DC Pastor
Community leader Flo Coronel. Photo by RJ Ensalada
Mayor Adams holds news conference announcing Operation Restore Roosevelt to focus on illegal brothels, sex trafficking, unlicensed vendors, and other quality-of-life concerns.
A slice of Roosevelt Avenue where FilAm businesses sit side by side each other. The FilAm photo
John Bahia on why Filipino immigrants need to get involved in U.S. politics
By Hannah Lorenzo
When giving tours around Woodside in Queens, 23-year-old John Bahia makes a special stop to Purple Dough, a Filipino-owned dessert shop.
He recommends to friends and visitors to try the leche flan and ice cream that are filled with the nutty sweet flavor of ube, a Filipino purple yam.
Down 63rd Street, he passes by Barako Cafe, a Filipino coffee shop, and Makati Express Cargo, a shipping company that sends Woodside residents’ care packages to the Philippines.
He walks past New York’s first Jollibee restaurant, a popular Filipino fast-food chain where he used to work. The smell of fried chicken and sounds of Tagalog reflect his Filipino American roots.
Born in the U.S. territory of Saipan, Bahia moved to the Philippines with his parents in 2011 and lived there for 4 ½ years. Leaving his parents in the Philippines, he traveled to live with extended family and complete his education in the U.S., graduating high school in 2019. He now resides in Woodside while studying at Columbia University.
rently focused on urban studies to understand how geographic data can “transform into policy” for Filipino and the broader Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in New York. Outside of school, Bahia is also secretary of the Filipino American Democratic Club of New York. Queens County Young Democrats named him 2024 Community Leader of the Year for the organization’s work to bolster FilAm engagement in U.S. politics. Michelle Amor, the club’s vice president, remembers Bahia back when he worked at Jollibee.
Bahia is not only a Woodside tour guide. As the special projects coordinator for District 30’s Assemblymember Steven Raga, the first Filipino American elected in office in New York, Bahia advocates for stronger public policy initiatives for the Filipino American community in Woodside and all over New York. He says Filipinos need more financial resources to develop Filipino community programs and small businesses.
“We want real money invested in real people in our communities,” he told this reporter.
Filipino immigrants make up 27% of Asian and Pacific Islander ethnic groups that are reported to have Limited English Proficiency in New York City. Bahia says, however, that there is still a strong need for local resources including access to Tagalog translation in his community.
In 2021, Bahia first met Raga who he considers a mentor. He says Raga helped develop his leadership, community outreach and public policy interests.
“I feel like I’m (a close mentor) to John what I
did not have and most people never had,” said Raga. “We never had a Filipino elected official we could walk or talk with and can be upfront and blunt about certain issues.”
Raga co-hosted a Community Roundtable with New York Senator Chuck Schumer at Tito Rad’s Grill, a Filipino restaurant in Woodside, to build relationships between Schumer and FilAm business owners and community leaders. Bahia advocates for events like the Community Roundtable to push for Filipinos to be more invested in policy change that affects their community.
“As Filipinos, when we come here, we come here to work,” said Mark Mantaring, owner of Purple Dough.
Mantaring says that Filipino immigrants tend not to get involved in U.S. politics.
Bahia aims to reverse that narrative.
“You’re not going to get what you want in terms of investment, in terms of policies, in terms of things that would help your community,” he said.
He transferred from LaGuardia Community College to Columbia University in 2023. He is cur -
“It’s definitely refreshing to see someone like John that’s always willing and who’s so ride or die for his community,” she said.
When he’s not in the office, Bahia is always representing his Filipino community in Woodside, a portion of which is being called Little Manila. He runs the Little Manila Woodside Instagram account that promotes Filipino small businesses and community leaders.
“Nothing about that page is me,” he said. “It’s more so centered on the preservation and development and encouraging of Filipinos and Filipino Americans to visit, live, buy, invest and be around Little Manila and what we have to offer.”
Hannah Lorenzo, a Filipina American raised in Phoenix, Arizona, recently graduated from Trinity College as the Class of 2024 salutatorian, summa cum laude in International Studies and a minor in Media Studies. She is preparing to earn her Master’s Degree of Science in Journalism at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. She is vice president of Columbia's Asian American Journalists Association.
John speaking at an AAPI leadership conference in Washington D.C. in 2023. Facebook photo
Sweeping plastics and bird feathers off the sidewalk of Roosevelt Avenue for NaFFAA's cleanup campaign. Photo by Hannah Lorenzo
Reagan John Rada: Enlightening the world through sparkles of gems, entrepreneurship and philanthropy
By Cristina DC Pastor
In the brisk winter of 2023, Reagan John Rada treated himself to a well-earned Christmas gift: He bought a gem and pearl store.
“This is a big and unusual purchase,” he said as he showed The FilAm around his shop of sparklers in the Diamond District on 47th Street one block away from the Philippine Consulate on Fifth Avenue.
The Diamond District in Midtown Ma nhattan is said to be the biggest jewelry belt in the world. It spans three streets (46, 47 and 48 streets) and two avenues (Fifth and Sixth). In this three-block radius of a zone, RJP Gems is the only 100% owned Filipino store!
“You cannot find a more comprehensive library of gemstones anywhere in this district,” he proudly declared.
RJP Gems houses an “extensive collection” of precious, semi-precious, organic and earth gemstones. His bestsellers are ruby, sapphire, emerald, and pearls. Depending on what the calendar is, stones for the subsequent season usually enjoy brisk sales in the current period.
“Just like in fashion where the Spring collection begins to unveil during the Winter season,” he explained. Birthstones are hot items too because there will always be people adding to their personal collections.
Aside from Reagan’s Gem World, inside his store is also a fashion jewelry charm bar named Endearest. Throughout the years, he collected various charms that can be made into necklaces and bracelets as well as some of the most fun tiny treasures.
Boipalaboy: The self-effacing Reagan loves to travel, calls the sky his home.
“For me, jewelry is for everyone, regardless of price points,” Reagan said.
In year 2000, he started his jewelry endeavor as a runner boy and janitor in a small jewelry shop in downtown Los Angeles. From there, he learned most of the aspects of the back end of jewelry making and designs while trying to survive in the shadows as an undocumented immigrant. In 2005, the jewelry company where he worked for was acquired by The House of Tay-
lor Jewelry Company owned by the legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor. He was promoted to director of Fulfillment and Designs and his talent in designing jewelry was recognized. This resulted in him being awarded his green card and eventually, American citizenship.
“The reason I purchased the gem store is so I can create as much jewelry as I can,” he said, flashing a naughty smile. “This is a dream come true for all the designers who are looking for things to create jewelry.” Some of these designers, he revealed, “are my competitors.”
The store was previously owned by a friend, an Indian entrepreneur who had been in the business more than 40 years and decided to retire.
“The owner is a good friend of mine for 15 years. His name is Kumar. I’ve been buying gems, beads and pearls from him for more than a decade,” he
Proud Bicolano. Reagan with Bicol’s notable women leaders former Vice President Leni Robredo (far right) and New York CEO and philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis (left). Also in photo is stage actress Lora Nicolas Olaes.
said. “For some reason I feel like he didn’t want to sell it to just about anybody, so he waited for the right person. He’s my friend, and he offered it to me. It took me a year to decide.”
In exchange, Kumar can continue to work in the store. “So he’s my employee now,” said Reagan.
| Pearls and jade
Filipino women are partial to pearls, he said. Also jade and diamonds. Pearls can safely go with any style look, jade symbolizes prosperity based on Chinese belief, and diamonds are a rich girl’s bling. He believes pearls can nicely complement the Filipiniana dress, making it look even more sophisticated and elegant.
As one enters the RJP store, the walls closest to the door carry necklaces that are most inexpensive -- anywhere from $24 to $30 per strand. As one moves around and goes deeper into the shop, the prices progress into the hundreds of dollars. Some exorbitantly priced pieces are under lock and key in glass cases, safes or vaults. Included in the inventory are a necklace made of natural rubies selling for $17,500; another necklace in blue tanzanite at $24,600 and a sapphire ring price-tagged at
$135,000. The house rule holds: No photographs of the ring.
His clients come from as far as Brazil, Kazakhstan and Canada. Because the store already had a 43-year provenance under Kumar, it has acquired a comprehensive collection of gems as well as a devoted following.
“If you’re looking for something, whatever it is, most likely we have it,” he said.
Currently, Reagan supports dozens of independently women-owned jewelry start-ups and stores though a consignment program. By way of this effort, it provides inventory without the stores purchasing the actual goods. He also mentors several newly graduates of design, takes them under his wing and provides them with the skills and knowledge until they can confidently create their own brand.
Reagan is currently the president and founding partner of RJP Ventures which count multiple real estate properties in three states as well as a financial management company focusing on equities and private equity investments. The company also owns and manages multiple commercial and residential developments in Manila as well as the RJP Place, a small boutique hotel and commercial building in his hometown of Jose Panganiban in Camarines Norte, Bicol region. The recently opened Reagan’s Cafe and Billiard Center continues the expansion of his real estate holdings in both Metro Manila and Bicol.
Visit the RJP Gems showroom on 29 West 47th Street Ground Floor, New York.
Reagan’s real estate investments continue to expand in Metro Manila and Bicol.
Thoughtfully curated pieces of necklaces and earrings.
RJP Gems’s Charm Bar with its fashion jewelry collection
| December 1
Barclays Center
620 Atlantic Avenue
Brooklyn NYC
Calendar of Events
Filipino Heritage Night by FABLLI
| December 4 to 22
World premiere of ‘Full Contact,’ Ariel Estrada’s one-man show
Perseverance Theatre 914 3rd Street
Douglas, AK
| December 5
Cecile Licad, Piano
Weill Recital Hall
Carnegie Hall 154 W 57th Street NYC
| December 5 to 13
Simbang Gabi sa Konsulado
Kalayaan Hall
Philippine Center 556 5th Avenue NYC
| December 7
Pasko in America
American Dream
1 American Dream Way East Rutherford, N.J.
| December 7
Rotary Queensborough West
10th Anniversary Gala
Astoria World Manor
25-22 Astoria Boulevard
Astoria NYC
| December 13
All Because of Him: A Christmas concert
St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church 40 Spring Street Lodi N.J.
| December 14
PNA New York Christmas Party Terrace on the Park 52-11 111th Street
Corona NYC
| December 15
2nd Gawad Pinoy Pride by PAFCOM Marriott Hotel, Newark N.J.
| December 18
‘Batangas: My Earth and Sky’ book signing with author Bong Serrano
Philippine Consulate 556 Fifth Avenue NYC
| December 20
Lea Salonga: The Holiday Tour
The Town Hall 123 W 43rd Street, NYC
| 2025
| January 19
Reina Filipina North America pageant
Palladium Times Square 1515 Broadway NYC
| January 31
Deadline to apply to 2025 IMPACT! Program for Filipino Americans by US-Asia Institute The leadership program is open to all U.S. or dual U.S./ Philippine citizens aged
18 to 25, who are either undergraduate or graduate students in good academic standing or recent graduates with an undergraduate degree. Contact for details: https:// www.usasiainstitute.org/ impactprogram or https:// tinyurl.com/mr37d8t4
| May 23 to 26
UNIFFIED International Educators’ Summit New York City
| May 24 to 25
Maharlika Memorial Day Cup 75 Champ Blvd. Manheim, PA
Contact Ronnie Ocampo 516-582-7309
Apicha CEO Therese Rodriguez publishes book of poetry, finds writing ‘empowering’
By Marivir Montebon
The launch of the poetry book
“Parañaque to New York City: Fifty Poems” flowed splendidly on the evening of October 24 in downtown Manhattan, a full circle moment for author Therese Rodriguez, a civil rights champion and CEO of Apicha Community Health Center.
Steadfast in her activism for public health and human rights, Rodriguez is also known for her visionary leadership and untiring commitment to the growth of Apicha, a Federally Qualified Health Center serving the underserved communities of Manhattan and Queens.
In her opening remarks, Rodriguez said, “I hope that my work in Apicha will stand the test of time and help serve as a legacy for generations to come.” Her poetry, which began much later, was a creative way to balance her demanding life amid her social justice advocacies.
“Poetry allows me to meander, to take a snapshot of the moment. I find the writing process empowering. It makes me completely honest and vulnerable,” she told an audience of about 70 people.
But Rodriguez’s poems were only meant to be kept to herself and shared selectively with friends.
It was her childhood friend Joy Buensalido who offered to publish her book through her company, Buensalido Public Relations and Communications. After some time of hesitation and discernment, Rodriguez finally agreed to work on her first creative book in 2022, which was published in 2023.
The launch at The Door, which collaborates with Broome Street Academy, was a testimony of the respect and excitement her circle of friends, family, and colleagues have for her.
| A warm welcome
Kelsey Louie, CEO of The Door and co-sponsor of the event, welcomed guests to its sprawling space. He confided to an enthused audience how he had silently been mentored and inspired by Therese as a civil rights advocate while listening to her many speeches at Apicha’s galas. Louie has more than 20 years of experience in social work and advocacy for LGBTQ+ communities in the academe and health sector. Early on that night, he announced The Door was purchasing 100 copies of the book. Proceeds of the book will go to the service programs of Apicha.
The event’s co-sponsors included the AIDS Center of Queens County, Amida Care, Apicha Community Health Center, CAI Global, the Filipino American Press Club of New York, SAGE, The Alliance for Positive Change, and Women and Media.
| A fun-filled poetry reading
The evening’s poetry readings offered a mix of voices that highlighted Rodriguez’s work. Before Rodriguez shared her own poems, “Stones” and “Ode to Apicha,”
Sheila Coronel, journalist and director of the Toni Stabile Investigative Journalism Center at Columbia University, and Louie each read selected poems.
The poems cracked up the audience, especially because they were delivered impressively by Coronel and Louie, like professional actors reading their lines on movie scripts.
Coronel read “Aha!”, the author’s recollection of her early days in New York City as a naïve immigrant waiting for her bus and having to be randomly asked where she came from.
Louie warned the audience that he was nervous, joking that he felt like an opening act for Taylor Swift. He chose to read “Alphabet, Not for Prime Time.”
The poems and their delivery resonated deeply with the audience, drawing out laughter as well as moments of reflection on the shared immigrant experience.
| The poetry of witness
In a review, San Francisco-based editor Elaine Elinson wrote that Rodriguez’s book has added a sparkling new voice to the tradition of “poetry of witness” which has a long and distinguished history in the world of literature.
“Her memoir in poetry offers a unique perspective on her life as a Filipina immigrant, lesbian, political activist, and public health pioneer,” wrote Elinson.
Shortly after Rodriguez left the Philippines in 1972, the late Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law. In New York, she continued her fight against dictatorship and took up the cudgels for Filipino American rights.
In 1997, Rodriguez joined the Asian Pacific Islander Coalition on HIV/AIDS—now Apicha Community Health Center—where she led in advancing healthcare access for Asians & Pacific Islanders, LGBTQ+ individuals, and people living with HIV/AIDS.
Apicha has championed the underserved communities for resources, representation, and culturally inclusive care they did not have access to. Now with over 120 employees, the health center embodies her commitment to service.
Through it all, Rodriguez scribbled poetry in her notebook as she absorbed and processed life as it unfolded, whether brutally or beautifully.
In February 2024, she launched her book in her hometown of Parañaque in the Philippines, followed by book signings in San Francisco and Los Angeles over the summer. Her October book launch in her adoptive home of New York City felt very much like a homecoming — a full-circle moment.
This article originally appeared in MarivirMontebon.com and is being republished here with permission.
An enthused audience moved to reflection, laughter by Therese’s poetry
Therese Rodriguez (right) with publisher Joy Buensalido (left) and Sheila Coronel, who wrote the foreword. Photos by Cesar Loverita and Glenn Magpantay, Esq.
Michael Dadap celebrates 80th birthday
Michael Dadap marked his 80th birthday celebration six months later at the residence of Loida Nicolas Lewis in Manhattan. He is shown here with his wife Yeou-Cheng Ma and their daughter Laura and her husband John, and close friends. Members of the Board of Children’s Orchestra Society (COS) include Loida, Daniel Chang, Roland Shen with YeouCheng Ma as executive director. Michael, a classical guitarist, is the COS conductor.
On his birthday, COS performed his composition from the 1960s to the 2023s.
Music and movement exhibit at Rikers Island
Bringing It Back is a collaboration between NYC Health + Hospitals’ Arts in Medicine and CHS’ Creative Arts Therapy, two programs that use creative practices to foster emotional well-being and promote healing for the health system’s patients.
“Bringing it Back celebrates the profound therapeutic benefits of drum circles and dance, honoring the journey of healing as deeply entwined with the creative process,” said Larissa Trinder, assistant vice president, NYC Health + Hospitals Arts in Medicine.
“Our intention is that this exhibition brings viewers perspectives from Rikers they would otherwise never see and empathy for the vulnerability, strength, and joy conveyed by all the patients and collection works on display.”
Barbara Bethea, director of the NYC Health + Hospitals/ Correctional Health Services Creative Arts Therapy Department said, “Our dedicated team of creative arts therapists work with CHS’ mental health patients on Rikers to help them develop their narrative identities, self-advocacy skills, self-knowledge, and sense of agency.”
“I feel like dance is a doorway to express yourself,” said A.I., one of eight CHS patients
who participated in the filmed dance/movement therapy session. “It’s a way to show all the hurt and pain you’ve been going through. And it’s also a good way to let people see a talent that you have that you might not have known you had. In all the sad times, you’ve got to enjoy all the little good moments you have.”
The exhibition is funded by the Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund, a New York Citybased foundation that strives to improve access and opportunity for all New Yorkers and to foster healthy and vibrant communities.
Front row: May Nazareno, Elvie Tengco, Loida Lewis, Michael Dadap, Yeou-Cheng Ma, Laura Dadap
Back row: Byung Kwak, Daniel Chang, Kevin Shue, Tim Cho, Rudy Hermano, J Navarro, John Gilmartin, and Roland Shen
Author Bong Serrano hosts NYC book signing to aid typhoon relief efforts
Join Filipino-Canadian author Bong Serrano for an evening of nostalgic storytelling and support for Philippine Typhoon Relief at the Philippine Consulate in New York
Filipino-Canadian author Bong Serrano, in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General in New York, invites the public to a book signing benefit for his memoir, “Batangas: My Sky and Earth—An Intimate Recollection and Reflection of My Childhood in the Philippines,” on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Philippine Center New York on 556 Fifth Avenue.
This event offers attendees a chance to reconnect with Filipino heritage through storytelling while supporting those impacted by Typhoon Kristine. A portion of book sales will be donated to the Philippine Red Cross to aid disaster recovery efforts in Batangas and other affected areas.
“My home province of Batangas has been hit hard by Typhoon Kristine, resulting in severe losses,” said Serrano. “Through this event, we extend our support from afar, helping these organizations continue their vital work and bring comfort and hope as the communities rebuild.”
“Batangas: My Sky and Earth” transports readers to the Philippines of the 1970s and 1980s, offering a vivid portrayal of Filipino family life, faith, and traditions. Celebrated documentarist Howie Severino described the book as “remarkable and engaging” and a treasure for anyone interested in Batangas during that era. Readers’ Favorite calls it a “vivid portrayal of life in a Filipino household” and “a true treasure and an enriching, educational read.”
Serrano from Vancouver is known for his heartfelt storytelling that celebrates the Filipino experience. He has been featured in cultural festivals and book events across North America, sharing stories that resonate deeply with both Filipino and international audiences. His work
An evening of nostalgic storytelling at the Philippine Center on December 18. Facebook photos
reflects the resilience, warmth, and beauty of Filipino culture.
Consul General Senen Mangalile expressed his appreciation for the event, stating, “We are delighted to host Mr. Bong Serrano and celebrate his heartfelt tribute to Filipino culture. His memoir beautifully captures the essence of family, faith, and Filipino heritage, making it a meaningful part of our commemoration of the Month of Overseas Filipinos. Through this book signing benefit, we also join our community in supporting disaster relief efforts in the Philippines for those affected by Typhoon Kristine.”
The evening will include light refreshments, opening remarks by Consul General Mangalile, a book reading, and a discussion highlighting Serrano’s contributions to Filipino literature.
Registered attendees will also be entered in a raffle for a chance to win one of three signed copies of “Batangas: My Sky and Earth.” Space is limited, so register early to secure your spot.
The author at a recent book signing in Los Angeles.
Ice skater Athena Roberts wants to represent the PHL in the Olympics, but first she needs a passport
By Cristina DC Pastor
This is the entangled story of a teen Filipina American ice skater who dreams of representing the Philippines in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
Athena Calivoso Roberts, 18, was born in Greensboro, North Carolina to a Filipina mother from Manila and an American father from Pennsylvania.
From the age of 5, her parents Sheila Calivoso Roberts and Michael Roberts had seen her fascination with ice skating after she watched a performance on TV. Her parents encouraged her and bought her the skates, the leggings and the gloves. Seeing her dedication to the sport, they sent her abroad for training and competitions.
Today, 18-year old world-class ice skater Athena Faith is eyeing the Olympics and hoping she can represent her mother’s homeland, the Philippines. Except for a diplomatic wrinkle.
Athena is having difficulty acquiring her Philippine citizenship. The Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles could not issue her a passport because they did not receive Sheila’s U.S. Divorce Decree paperwork from her ex-husband and that they could not issue a passport until a Philippine court issued a divorce decree, according to Athena’s father Michael who spoke to The FilAm.
If she had her Philippine passport, he explained, she and her partner can compete for the Philippines.
There are two reasons Athena is hoping to carry the Philippine flag in the Olympics, he said: She is proud of her Filipino heritage and the Philippines has never had an ice dancer compete in the Olympics.
“We have been trying to get Athena her Philippines passport, but the L.A. Consulate made a mistake on processing her paperwork,” Michael asserted.
He has turned to the Philippine Consulate in New York to resurrect the application and the possibility that their officials may be able to help. He chanced upon Consul General Senen Mangalile while the Roberts family was watching the Filipinos on Broadway concert at 54 Below. He unabashedly approached the Congen about Athena’s dilemma. Mangalile, according to him, sounded “very nice and encouraging” and offered to look into Athena’s circumstances. He assigned the case to Vice Consul Paolo Mapula, who is currently in the process of
vetting Athena’s competition record, her many medals and honors.
“We currently have the New York consulate looking into our situation,” said Michael.
“It is hard to speculate how the Department of Foreign Affairs will decide on the matter, but the important thing is we (will) try,” said Mapula when reached by The FilAm.
Mapula, however, offered another possibility of Athena possibly acquiring her Philippine citizenship. He pointed out, “Athena as Filipino, considering that her mother was already pregnant with her when she became a naturalized American citizen. The mother was willing to reacquire Philippine citizenship before Athena reached the age of majority.
While living in Vancouver, Canada for two years, Athena attended Willingdon Church. In an international festival, she participated in the Filipino Subli (Hat) Dance for the Filipino Ministry.
Athena with her dance partner Eric Alis Bosquet from Spain.
“However, the application was rejected without providing the mother with a better way forward, which could have led to her application being given due course and to the derivative Philippine citizenship of her daughter, Athena. We will also show that Athena and her family are keen on having Athena represent the Philippines as an athlete.”
‘Dedicated, committed’ athlete
Sheila described her daughter, a freshman at Saint Leo (online) University near Tampa, Florida studying Criminology, as a “dedicated and committed” athlete.
“She knows she can do anything that she puts her mind to. She is reserved but when you get to know her she is funny and easy to get along with. She is coachable and open to learning new things. As my daughter, she is brave and courageous, respectful, and responsible and creative. She loves to travel,” was Sheila’s portrait of Athena, the youngest of her three children.
Athena is a world-class ice dancer who has competed in ISU Junior Grand Prix skating events in Gdansk, Poland and Linz, Austria. She competed in the 2023 ISU Junior World Ice Dance Championships in Calgary Canada.
She is currently representing Spain in international competitions because her partner is from the country. She and her partner placed first (Gold Medal) in the 2023 Spain Junior National Ice Dance Championship.
She lives in London, Ontario in Canada where her training regimen consists of six hours on ice, two hours of dance lessons and one hour of yoga or weight training five days a week.
“She is brave, being on her own in Canada and doing the daily important things to be an indepen-
dent woman, practicing self-care, eating right, working out, keeping track of her daily training schedules,” added Sheila.
Although she was born in the U.S. and can well compete for the country, Michael said “there are so many skaters competing in the United States, it is very common for skaters to skate for other countries.”
The Roberts family, who operates a large laundromat franchise in North Carolina, is trying to pull all levers to get some assistance from other authorities within the Philippine government, including local politicians and sports officials.
Michael’s hope is for the Philippines to have the first-ever ice dance competitor in the Olympics.
“It would be a great honor for Athena,” he said.
With her Filipino mom. ‘Brave and responsible daughter.’ Photos courtesy of the Roberts family
Medal ceremony at the 2023 Spain Junior National Ice Dance Championship
The Roberts family, from left Athena, dad Michael and mom Sheila.
Issue 82, December 2024
Bong Serrano A launch party in Manhattan awaits Batangas book
John
John
Why Filipinos should be politically involved