Ryan Namata Lily Monteverde Mother knew best
Ryan Namata NaFFAA’s new national president
Letter from the Editor
Dear JD
The “childless cat ladies” you made fun of in your 2021 interview with Tucker Carlson? Some of them are my friends.
G is an accomplished Manhattan journalist who works for one of the largest colleges. She married in her mid-40s and so she and her husband are late in the “procreation” business. She loves her nieces and nephews and sent some of them to school. And so with her generosity, the rest of the family who lived in a rural province and acquiesced they would never be able to go to school because of poverty, got their education.
My friend R is a high-ranking chemist in a prestigious pharmaceutical company. She too married late. She was fortunate to have a husband who accepted with grace and humility the fact they may not have a growing family. They enjoyed moments spent with nieces and nephews, some of whom accompanied them on their travels abroad.
Fertility is a reason my friend N cannot have children. She and her husband married in their late 20s and so the prospect of having children is quite favorable. But after years of trying, through IVF and other folk healing practices, getting pregnant remained beyond reach. Her doctor said her ovulations are being disrupted by hormonal issues and the medicines she takes for other health conditions. They remain a most loving couple who make
Founding Editor
Cristina DC Pastor
Managing Editor Rene Pastor
Address
P.O. Box 8071
New York, NY 10116
It is true there may be some women who make the conscious decision to remain childless. For financial reasons. The love they have for their husbands or partners is so strong but, in the meantime that they are just getting their feet wet at their jobs, they prefer to stay focused. It is never because they dislike children or find them a pestering presence. It could be a matter of economics: They cannot afford to have them in the meantime. It is not because they abhor the conventions of a traditional family (with parents and child/children) and are out to sabotage society with their alternative, nonconformist lifestyle and their “anti-child ideology.”
times for things they love like attending cooking classes and dancing.
You see, JD, being childless is, most often, not by choice. Delaying children, perhaps putting Career ahead of Family, is a decision some women make early in their lives realizing later on that “oops, it’s way past my prime.” Regretfully. A Boston Globe report citing 2023 data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Survey of Income and Program Participation puts the number of American adults who “did not have biological children” at about 38 percent or 101 million. Forty-six million are women.
Contact Thefilamny@gmail.com 646-717-7460
My three friends have privately felt the scornful eyes of society on them for not having children. To many, they will always be the “nice aunt” and never the “loving mom.” And while that impression is ok with them, it is not fair that they are being marginalized and demonized by unfair and hurtful comments like yours: “We're effectively run in this country via the Democrats via our corporate oligarchs by a bunch of childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that they've made, and so they want to make the rest of the country miserable, too.”-- JD Vance I have never seen a significant survey where the opinions of childless ladies are sought and valued. They have a voice too and want to be heard.
And no, not all of them have cats! -Cristina DC Pastor
Contributing Writers
Marissa Bañez
Tricia J. Capistrano
Joel David
Wendell Gaa
Allen Gaborro
The FilAm is a publication of A&V Editorial
Maricar CP Hampton
Angelito Cabigao
Ludy AstraquilloOngkeko
Lindy Rosales
Republican vice presidential candidate JD Vance: ‘…childless cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives.’
N.J. activist shot by Israeli Army in the West Bank
Amado Sison, a Filipino American community organizer from New Jersey, was shot by the Israeli army following the violent dispersal of a peaceful demonstration in Beita Village in the West Bank.
The incident occurred on August 9, 2024, at approximately 3 p.m. in an olive grove near the village.
Sison, using a pseudonym, was struck in the back of his right thigh by a bullet. He was attempting to find cover and leave the area as the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) reportedly fired live ammunition and teargas at demonstrators and international supporters.
shot in the leg, according to news reports and the Filipinos 4 Palestine.
“The bullet resulted in a significant exit wound in the front of his thigh, confirming that he was moving away from the soldiers when he was shot,” according to a press statement from Bayan USA and Filipinos 4 Palestine.
The Israel Defense Forces issued a statement saying an American activist was “accidentally shot in the leg” during a protest in the Beita area in the northern West Bank. He is in stable condition and receiving treatment at the Rafidia Hospital in the West Bank, according to reports.
Villagers of Beita carried Sison to safety for over 500 meters as the IOF continued to attack, preventing an ambulance from arriving on the scene, according to the statement. Locals drove him to an emergency medical clinic for immediate treatment.
Bernama.com and other foreign news agencies identified Sison as an American citizen “injured by Israeli forces.” WAFA News Agency reported that “despite his grave injury, (Sison) was seen smiling with his thumbs up while being transferred into an ambulance.”
The demonstration in Beita Village followed the Jummah (congregational) prayers, a regular occurrence in the region as locals protest the ongoing tensions and land disputes. According to the Palestinian tradition called Faz3a, Beita is heavily targeted because it is "crucial for maintaining a contiguous path between Israeli settlements, thus aiding apartheid and severely impacting native Palestinian villages' ability to thrive."
The statement says, “Locals of Beita have been resisting the onslaught of Israeli settlers and colonization attempts for over a decade against illegal land grabbing in what is called the Evyatar outpost. Last June, the Israeli security cabinet "legalized" the illegal Evyatar outpost, which blocks Palestinian access to the olive groves in Beita.”
The shooting of Sison followed an intensified six-week long campaign by Israeli settlers, accompanied by Israeli soldiers cracking down on weekly demonstrations against the settlement.
Originally from New Jersey, Sison joined the demonstrations as one of many international supporters. Sison is well-known for his advocacy for human rights and justice, including his involvement in the National Democratic movement of the Philippines and local organizations like Solidarity Jersey City.
Sison is
Photo: WAFA
It's time to stop underestimating a woman's competency for the presidency
Americans of every race and every state, Black, White, Asian American, even Jamaicans in Jamaica and anti-Trump Republicans were energized when Kamala Harris stepped before the cameras to declare her candidacy for the presidency of the United States in advance of this week's Democratic National Convention.
Within days, some $300 million was raised from donations, many from first time givers, from Americans overjoyed that they now have a young, vibrant, brilliant former prosecutor and U.S. senator running against a 78-year-old, convicted felon and sexual predator.
As an Asian American woman who in 1994 succeeded my late husband, Reginald F. Lewis, as chair and CEO of TLC Beatrice International, I was met with skepticism and doubt about my abilities. However, bolstered by the team I selected to run the multinational company, we cut costs, reduced debt and increased revenues from $1.5 billion to $2.2 billion. We then sold and liquidated the company with a 30% internal rate of return for shareholders in 2002.
Today, it is taken for granted that women can be effective CEO and run huge organizations. As my personal experience demonstrates that was not always the case.
In the same way, Americans should not underestimate Kamala Harris’ ability to run this country as president simply because she is
a woman who also happens to be Black and Asian. Other nations have elected powerful women leaders like Great Britain’s Margaret Thatcher, Germany’s Angela Merkel, Israel’s Golda Meir, India’s Indira Gandhi, and Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto. Even the Philippines has twice elected woman presidents — Corazon Aquino and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
And with the addition of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, we have an even more potent team. Both are proven and experienced executives who will be good for the economy and our collective mental health. We’ll be able to sleep soundly at night knowing that capable people are running the country, which was not the case from 2016-2020, witness Trump’s threats to pull out of NATO, his offer to buy Greenland, his prescription of horse medicine to protect against Covid 19 and then his advice to people to inject disinfectant to cure it.
And the list goes on. Do we really want to go back to that? The Harris-Walz ticket will lead us forward into the future where Americans can be proud of who they are and what their country stands for and not get dragged back into the everyday chaos that made this nation, a beacon of hope for the rest of the world, seem like a banana republic.
It is high time for the United States to elect a strong and competent woman who has served as vice president for three and a half years to the position of president.
Loida Lewis is chair, Reginald F Lewis Foundation and chair, U.S. Filipinos for Good Governance and an author. This piece was published in the August 20 issue of Crain’s Chicago Business
A photo of the author and Kamala Harris when she was running for senator of California.
Courtesy of Loida Nicolas Lewis
Senator Risa Hontiveros and daughter Helena: A coming-out moment
By Cristina DC Pastor
The calm and almost euphoric reaction of Senator Risa Hontiveros to her daughter’s coming out is not the ordinary reaction of some Filipina mothers on learning their daughters are gay.
In some cases, coming-out stories are tense, dramatic confrontations between parent and child, with words of anger wrapped around feelings of blame, shame and guilt.
Hontiveros and second daughter Helena –also known as Ianna – had a delightful conversation recalling how she came out and how her famous mother received the news.
“Ma, were you shocked when I came out?” asked Helena sporting a short, not-too-edgy haircut parted in the middle. She wore oval glasses, wore beads around her neck and her hand almost always touching her face.
Replied Hontiveros, “No. I had a sense, mother’s instinct.”
The two women would break out into fits of giggling during the conversation recorded and produced by the office of Senator Risa Hontiveros.
“The way you told me pa was so nice,” elaborated Hontiveros. “You told me in a question. You asked me, ‘Ma how would you feel if I liked another girl?’ I just was so happy. Not only that you came out and you told me pero you phrased it as liking or loving someone.”
As she pointed out, “Everything is about love. Sobrang happy (ako) and I was so relaxed. It’s so natural.”
Hontiveros has always been a feisty lawmaker from the time she was a party-list representative for Akbayan from 2004 to 2010 until she was elected to the Senate in 2016. She and her late husband, Francisco Baraquel, have four children Issa, Helena, Kiko, and Sinta.
In 2018, she authored the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Expression Equality Bill (SOGIE), also known as the Anti-Discrimination Bill, motivated in part by her daughter’s gender identity. The bill seeks to prevent discrimination against people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.
Hontiveros said her message to the LGBTQ community is to, “Be who you are. You just deserve it as human beings. It’s part of our integrity. Love who you
‘Being queer enriches my life,’ says Helena.
love. How can any of us be happy if you don’t love the ones we love?”
Helena responded by saying, “There’s no one way to live your life as a queer person. You’ve got to find what will make you happy, what will make you fulfilled. What fights you want to take up…I think being queer really enriches my life. It’s something I can explore freely and happily, and I want that for everyone.”
She looked back at how she came out to her mother 14 years ago. She was on her way home determined to emerge as queer, and she knew her older sister Issa would be home too.
“Knowing you and ate were home was very comforting to me,” she said. “There was always that feeling of openness and honesty. And safety.”
The two sisters were very close, said Hontiveros. “They were like soulmates.”
She said her mother’s reaction was “medyo anticlimactic.”
“There’s no drama. I didn’t feel any tension, any fear. You’re fine as a parent,” shared Helena. Followed by a joke that, “Parang checking it off the bingo card, ‘May bakla na akong anak’.”
The two women found laughter in a topic that would sometimes polarize families and the larger society. Being queer is not just about having a “different” child but having a child that is likely to face ridicule, violence and the risk of being discriminated by society, a parent’s constant source of anxiety.
an understanding parent and one who has the power to provide protections and make life a little bit more fulfilling for the Filipino LGBTQ community.
Risa and Helena Baraquel open up about being gay.
Helena Hontiveros Baraquel is fortunate to have
Hontiveros tells her children to always ‘follow your bliss.’
Life and its wicked sense of humor
In a few days, I will be going back home. Where is home? Home is where the heart is, and I have the best of both. Home is Cebu the land of my birth, cradled my beginnings, embraced my kin, and witnessed my youth. The place where I forged bonds, exchanged vows, and bore my children.
But I too have another home, America, my adopted homeland, whose allegiance I pledge. Here, I glimpsed the world’s other face—a place where anonymity overshadowed my existence. Yet, within its borders, lessons outweighed mere experiences.
Following my college years, I assumed roles befitting the upper echelon. I wore many hats: nursery teacher for a relative who owned a school, entrepreneur, investment consultant, commodity trader, bakery owner, caterer, handicraft exporter, and furniture manufacturer.
Over two decades of married life, I waltzed along diverse paths, juggling roles like a circus performer, but then in a moment of epiphany, I declared: “Enough is Enough". I packed my bags and set sail to the land of milk and honey. Oh the irony! The cow’s milk leads to lactose-intolerant belching, and to harvest honey, one must buzz around like a caffeinated bee. Life, my friend, has a wicked sense of humor.
In the grand tapestry of American employment, I played myriad roles, some seemingly mundane, others profound. I landed a job in the medical billing industry, assisted in elderly facilities, did personal chef jobs, housekeeping, companion and
By Vanette Colmenares
even did ‘task rabbit’ as a sort of “handyman.”
Yet, the most transformative act was when I became a nanny to the sons of an investment banker on Wall Street and his wife, a role that spanned eight years. Equally impactful was my tenure as a caregiver to a billionaire until his passing. These
seemingly transactional jobs were, in truth, acts of nurturing life itself. Remarkable to this day, they call upon me when they need assistance. Forged ties endure; they don’t break.
When my son’s company required support, I stepped into a part time-role with full time pay. This unexpected opportunity allowed me to descend the
next rung on life’s ladder—to become a student.
I pursued a master’s degree in Religious Studies, which broadened my understanding and gave me a fresh perspective on humanity. I graduated with honors, received a distinguished service award, and became a permanent member of Theta Alpha Kappa, the honor society for religious studies and theology.
Initially, I didn’t plan to continue my education, but due to the pandemic and with nothing else to do, I pursued a doctorate. Last May, I successfully completed my Doctor of Ministry and had the honor of delivering a speech on behalf of my fellow DMIN graduates. I appreciate my adopted homeland, where dreams don’t just come in dollars and cents, but in the currency of knowledge, experience and a dash of audacity. It is within the realms of such, that one comes to realize the purpose of life, and it lies in recognizing one’s unique talents and the meaning is to share it.
As I decipher my role at this pivotal juncture in life, I recognize its profound significance for the next chapter. The logical step? Boarding that trip to the Motherland, where I will embrace a more meaningful existence by sharing life's essence.
My journey akin to “trip to Jerusalem,” transcends mere destinations. It is not solely about reaching the goal. Rather, it’s the dance between chairs, the fluid movement from one seat to the next, that defines the path.
It’s about twirling around those chairs , laughing when we stumble, cheering when we find a seat, and gracefully accepting when we’re left standing. Because Life, my friend is an eclectic playlist, sometimes a waltz, other times a rock anthem. And when the final note plays, may we never have regrets –whether seated or standing –- because we played the game well with all our hearts. As they say, Home is where the heart is.
Cebuana Vanette Colmenares has lived in New York City for more than two decades. She writes for OSM online magazine and is a member of the Fil-Am Press Club.
In true Audrey Hepburn style, author attends her school’s 25th class reunion with the theme, ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s.’
Andy Kim: ‘I never intended to be a politician, but President Trump won…’
By Cristina DC Pastor
Ifirst met Andy Kim in December when members of the FilAm media were invited to his Meet-andGreet in Summit, New Jersey. I saw a refreshing persona. A politician who did not have an inflated ego, did not peddle lies, and was not full of antics like some senators and congressmen we always read about in the news.
He introduced himself as the son of Korean immigrants who rose from humble origins to become a diplomat and now a politician. He was elected representative of New Jersey's 3rd congressional district in 2018 and was reelected in 2020. He said Donald Trump’s election as president in 2016 made him turn to politics. “I felt like I had to do something more.”
In 2023, he announced he was running for the seat held by Robert Menendez who was being investigated for accepting bribes of cash and gold bars. He handily won the Democratic primary.
He joked he wasn’t really aware of the Menendez indictment until photos of gold bars started showing up on his phone!
In the following interview, we find out more about Kim who can possibly be the first Korean American senator.
The FilAm (TF): Honestly, how do you feel about a second Trump presidency and the potential for authoritarianism? Is that worrisome to you?
Andy Kim (AK): I worry about the country my two young boys will grow up in if Trump is re-elected. I am the son of immigrants who moved from Asia to America 50 years ago. The America that inspired them to come here is being threatened. I first ran in 2018, because I was so appalled by what Trump and Republican allies were doing to strip away healthcare and freedoms – I feel the same sense of urgency now. I have been saying that the next four-to-five years will define the next four-to-five decades for our country.
TF: What are your thoughts about President Biden stepping aside, and does Kamala Harris have what it takes to take down Trump?
AK: President Biden has been one of the most consequential and effective presidents in modern history, and I commend his decision to step aside. I also admire that he put our country first and chose to pass the torch to a new generation of leadership. To that end, I am so excited about Vice President Kamala Harris and fully support her candidacy. As a former prosecutor and Attorney General, Vice President Harris has the experience to bring the case against Donald Trump and will continue the fight for repro -
ductive freedom, voting rights, and protecting our democracy.
TF: What are your thoughts on abortion, an issue that may impact the Filipino American Catholic vote?
AK: Our country is founded on a sacred freedom that protects our speech, our religion, and other fundamental aspects of our lives. This is how such a large and diverse nation has been able to thrive. While 330 million people will always have real disagreements, it’s important to safeguard that personal freedom. Our ability to make our own decisions about our families is not a place that the Supreme Court or state legislatures should be regulating. We should empower women and their doctors to make decisions related to their health.
TF: The Supreme Court, which used to be ‘above the fray,’ is now just as corrupt and notorious as the two houses of Congress. Do you support moves to have Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito impeached?
AK: Right now, there is a crisis of confidence in the Supreme Court. Between the ethics controversies and the ease with which the Court has overturned decades of precedent, people are rightfully feeling
as if the Court is out of touch and is acting in pursuit of an ideological agenda, not the American people. I believe there should be investigations into all ethics controversies, but at this point, we must take bold action to restore integrity to the Supreme Court. This is why I support implementing a stricter code of standards for all federal judges, and imposing term limits. The rule of law in our country is sacred, and I am committed to restoring trust and confidence in the court. I also introduced a bill in Congress that would ban all Members of Congress, Senators, senior level officials in the Executive Branch, including the President and VP, as well as Supreme Court Justices from trading and owning individual stocks. I believe we can decrease the distrust people have in our government if we can be transparent and accountable to the American people.
TF: Any thoughts on the political downfall of Senator Menendez?
AK: The conviction of Senator Menendez serves as a reminder that no one is above the law, regardless of how powerful or well-connected you are, and that as public servants we must never lose sight of whom we work for. I am excited to usher in a new era of leadership in New Jersey that is focused on service and making New Jersey a better place for our kids.
TF: “84% of people in New Jersey believe that their politicians are corrupt” is a statement attributed to you. I don’t see you as one of them, but why do you stay in this space called “Politics”. There’s got to be other ways to bring about change.
AK: I never intended to be a politician; I am a career public servant who worked in national security. But, when President Trump won in 2016, I was a new dad, and I felt like I had to do something more. Politics was the avenue I felt I could best use to give back to my community, and I was proud to step up and win against the Republican incumbent in my home district in 2018. In recent years, politics has become a space of negativity. But I believe that at its best, politics is a way we can come together on both sides to try to solve tough problems and make the country better. As the son of immigrants and married to an immigrant, I know that America still represents a “better tomorrow” to so many people around the world, and I feel like working in politics allows me to protect that sense and make sure all people have the opportunity to succeed. While so much of our politics can feel demoralizing, I still find optimism in our politics for what tomorrow can hold, and I think that’s why I entered and continue to stay in politics.
Addressing supporters at his Meet-and-Greet in December in Summit, N.J. The FilAm Photo
Mother knew best
By Joel David
By the time of her death, “Mother” Lily Monteverde had attained a measure of respectability that she seemingly did not hanker for during the heyday of Regal Films. Her latter-day prestige was due to her expansion into hotel ownership and management as well as her persistence in maintaining two film franchises. The first of these was the middlebrow Mano Po Chinoy melodramas, comprising seven theatrical releases (eight if we include the queer-comic variation Manay Po, more if we pile on two TV series) all produced during the current millennium. The second, more historically significant contribution was the omnibus Shake, Rattle & Roll horror series, seventeen as of last count including a single-installment special, a number of which are worth some attention and the most recent of which came out last year.
The first SR&R film came out in 1984, featuring directors and stars associated with Regal Films (including Ishmael Bernal’s notable “Pridyider”) – except that ... it wasn’t Regal-produced. The massive success of the formula induced the producers to unwisely invest in productions for censorship-exempt screenings at the Manila Film Center, then already confronting audience fatigue and backlash from the oppositionist Catholic Church, as represented by Jaime Cardinal Sin. Preceding them, Regal Films had already followed closely on the heels of relative newcomer Viva Films, countering Celso Ad. Castillo’s full-female-nudity in Isla (1985) with a film directed by Peque Gallaga, the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines’s breakout talent; his Scorpio Nights (remade in Korea by Park Jae-ho in 2001 as Summertime) was the first studio-produced Philippine film that contained an actual meat shot, courtesy of lead actor Orestes Ojeda.
Mother Lily of course had to endure a whole slew of scolding, initially from the moralistic elements of the Marcos Sr. dictatorship, until its orientation shifted to a libertarian policy, motivated first by its eagerness to stage and maintain the Manila International Film Festival (A-rated by FIAPF, a filmfest-ranking agency) and, later, by its determination to present itself as a culturally enlightened political force after the global outcry over the assassination of Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr. during his return from US exile. The final censors chief appointed by the regime, in fact, contested the authority of the ECP and announced that she intended to ban Chinese and clergy from film-production activity and from appearing onscreen. Mother Lily’s production of Bernal’s Manila by Night, forbidden from competing in the Berlin International Film Festival during the early 1980s
and released in censored form as the retitled City after Dark, was similarly restored and screened at the MFC.
Not surprisingly, stories swirled around her, a few of which sounded fantastic (like the Chineseand clergy-hating censors chief) but were still confirmable. With the prospect of regime change becoming increasingly certain from one day to the next, it would be no surprise that Mother Lily would opt to cast her lot with Cory Aquino, to the extent of accommodating her youngest daughter’s dreams of becoming a film performer.
and male segment on the other. For the first group, she contracted from TV a child star, Aiza Seguerra, and slated projects for theater-trained Roderick Paulate, who was peerless in his queer comic performances; her more mature solution, however, ran into opposition from the right-wing Morato as well as the conservative-academic left: she provided several projects for Joey de Leon, often teamed with another theater veteran, Rene Requiestas, that turned on their willingness to purvey extreme toilet humor.
The aftermath of the people-power uprising of February 1986 provided definitive proof of Mother Lily’s prowess. Known as some of the world’s most active filmgoers, Filipinos quickly tired of the insistent middle-class celebrations of the so-called revolution and had to be lured back by any means necessary. Regal Films initiated a two-pronged approach, aimed to capture both the younger and women viewers on the one hand as well as the older
The millennial generation, primed for anything that champions indie film values, prefer to celebrate Mother Lily for her pito-pito projects, which provided fixed budgets for filmmakers desperate for getting breaks in the then-infamously exclusivist film industry. While this strategy certainly foreshadowed the current digital era’s plenitude of opportunities, pito-pito must be seen as the final gasp of a production system still dependent on exorbitant celluloid costs. In combining the most transgressive elements in being both Chinese and Pinay, Mother Lily ought to be better remembered for the neurotically frenetic, shockingly profane, penny-pinching and multitasking movie-fan producer that she was during her glory days, rather than the solemn and respectable doyenne she turned into in the end.
Joel David is a retired professor of Cultural Studies at Inha University and was given the Art Nurturing Prize at the 2016 FACINE International Film Festival in San Francisco. He has written several books on Philippine cinema and maintains a blog at https://amauteurish.com.
Lily Monteverde, 85. Courtesy of Regal Entertainment
Charito Solis (top), Bernardo Bernardo and Orestes Ojeda star in Ishmael Bernal’s ‘Manila by Night’ produced by Regal Films.
Jocelyn Bernal: Her mother’s daughter
By Cristina DC Pastor
For more than 30 years, Jocelyn Bernal has been a familiar voice at Filipino community gatherings, establishing a resonance that is comforting as it is easy to get used to. She is everyone’s favorite emcee whose voice – clear, pleasant, and just the right pitch -- calms the room. Whether she is hosting a noisy outdoor parade or an evening gala in a hotel ballroom, Jocelyn’s voice commands order and, to some extent, power.
“My idol was Tina Monzon-Palma of GMA 7,” she said when interviewed by The FilAm in her Chelsea apartment.
In the Philippines, she had ambitions of becoming a radio DJ or a television emcee, oftentimes pretending to be one in front of a mirror with a hairbrush, but that did not happen quite the way she would wish. “It would be a dream unfulfilled,” she shrugged, smiling.
| Indonesia, Manila then New York
Although she was born in the Philippines, much of her young life was spent in Jakarta where her father worked as an executive of PT Indosat (Indonesia Satellite Corporation), a communications company.
She grew up in Indonesia from 1969 to 1981. Her dad, Jose, was controller of the company. She recalls what life was like being an expat family during the 1970s. In one memory, she recalls that there was some civil unrest during that time between Sukarno and Suharto forces. When the country held its election the family was sent to Singapore to wait out the elections to return only when things were safe.
“We had armed security guards protecting us and our home. We lived a comfortable life. We had a driver, maids, yaya, cooks to take care of our every need. We went to the Jakarta International School (JIS). We were part of a vibrant Filipino community that was centered around the Philippine Embassy. At school we were proud to showcase our culture and heritage. Those were the best years of my life,” she recalled. By 1981, the expat life would come to an end and the family would move back to Manila where
her father would transfer to Globe Mackay (the precursor of Globe Telecom). They would only be a complete family unit for two years.
A sad and tragic moment was her father’s death in 1983.
“He died from stress and smoking at a time of labor negotiations in the company. He was 46. I was 15. Overnight, I left my childhood behind. When that happened I had vowed to make sure my mother doesn’t cry and that I would keep an eye on her and be the peacemaker in the family,” she said.
Her father died as she was graduating high school, and her mother advised her to be smart and find a job that would “pay the bills.”
“I decided to follow in the footsteps of my dad who was a CPA. Interesting to note that while her mom dreamt of a Bernal, Bernal & Bernal CPA firm, it was not meant to be. There are only two CPAs in
Emceeing the PIDCI parade on Madison Avenue with PIX11’s Hazel Sanchez
the family, and I was not one of them. So the person who does not like accounting became an accountant, But it would only be up to that. I just could not pass the exam,” she cracked up.
She would go back to Manila years later to get a Master’s in Management from the Asian Institute of Management to make up for not being the CPA that her mom wished for her to be.
The obedient daughter became a finance professional currently working at the NYU College Dentistry as a budget manager. She is responsible for the personnel/ compensation budget for the entire college.
| Being a Jaycee
Without realizing it, her membership in the JCI Philippine-New York Chapter (or Jaycees), would pave the way for one of her dreams to become reality. JCI is a global organization that empowers young
people from 18-40 to make positive change.
Over the years, she has hosted many Jaycees events exhibiting the ease with which she has mastered the art of keeping the audience engaged and creating positive energy. She became an in-demand emcee for other organizations as well, and her many gigs kept her busy on weekends.
“I’ve been a part of Jaycees for over 30 years,” said Jocelyn “I learned to become more confident. I learned how to raise my hand and to say what’s on my mind and to let my voice be heard. Jaycees allowed me to develop that.” These days, Jocelyn pays it forward by supporting and mentoring the current generation of leaders, whether serving as an adviser to the President or the members of the board. She continues to use her voice to lift up these young leaders to achieve their goals and dreams.
She met her husband, a California native, on Friendster in 2007 after a long and burdensome search for a potential life partner. She was nearing 40 and didn’t want to end up single for the rest of her life.
“Of 17 cousins, I was the second to the last one to get married,” she confessed. “I didn’t want to be the only one in my family that didn’t get married. To my mind, if you didn’t get married you’re a failure.” A lot has changed in her, and she doesn't think that way anymore.
The marriage lasted seven years.
| Jocelyn and her mom
She became a constant companion to her mother Rosie who had been widowed since 1983. The eldest of three daughters -- two of them twins -- Jocelyn
“She did everything for me,” she said as if to justify the amount of time spent together. “It’s utang na loob or debt of the heart for the years of sacrifice that my mom had given to me as my parent. It’s an expectation and I live up to that expectation.”
She is the first to admit the close bond with mom could be both distracting and a blessing.
“I think I gave up a lot of things I wish I could do,” she said. “My sisters had a lot of freedom, while I’m very much under the scrutiny of my family. I had to be perfect, I had to be a good role model. I can do no wrong.”
has assumed the responsibilities of looking after her mom and making sure to “protect her and to do what my father would have done.”
After living in New York City for a decade in her apartment in Manhattan, she packed two suitcases and moved in with her mother in Queens during the time of COVID. Her mom lost her two siblings in the past two years and was now alone in the home.
Mother and daughter became even closer. These days, they attend parties together, travel as a pair, becoming confidantes, roomies and one another’s problem solvers. It was an unbreakable bond she shared with her mother who is 88 years old.
Without really saying it out loud, Jocelyn makes it a point to set aside one weekend a month to do something for her mom whether that would be to attend a formal party, go to Costco or just visit a local attraction. For the other times, she gets to do things that satisfy her guilty pleasure, like getting a luxurious mani-pedi-spa, and go exploring around New York with the freedom to do what she wants. She shares some of these moments on her IG account.
As you can see, Jocelyn’s life turned out to be an enchanting one. From the people she’s met, the places she’s been to, a well-paying job, and a life in front of a mic. It was life not originally planned but everything came together perfectly. The presence of her mother as a constant support in her life gave it direction and meaning.
As a young girl living in Indonesia, she would participate in her school’s cultural fair. Photos courtesy of Jocelyn Bernal
With Jaycees friends and colleagues
With mom Rosie during the Philippine Independence Day flag raising in Bowling Green park. ‘She did everything for me.’
Calendar of Events
| September 7
New York Fashion Week
Now casting for models
Contact Grace Steadfast at 304-601-4368 or email Steadfast. fashion.design@gmail.com
| September 7
New York Fashion Week with AJ Platinum Productions Metropolitan Pavilion NYC For more info call 801-577-0193
| September 7
Commanders Ball: Legacy & Posterity by the Knights of Rizal-New York Chapter Renaissance Event Hall 27-34 21st Street
Long Island City NYC
| September 14
OMTA Awards by Knights of Rizal Long Island
Leonard’s Palazzo 555 Northern Blvd. Great Neck, N.Y.
| September 15
Feast Day of San Lorenzo Ruiz
St. Patrick’s Cathedral 611 5th Avenue NYC
Contact Fr. Joseph 347-884 0811 or gotojoseph@outlook.com
| September 15
Kirby Asunto & Drake McCain Taylor: Fundraising concert for church repairs
Divine Mercy Parish 232 Central Avenue Rahway N.J.
| September 17
Hillary Clinton Live Prudential Hall Newark, N.J.
| September 20
Jo Koy: Just Being Koy Tour Prudential Center 25 Lafayette Street Newark, N.J.
| September 21
Rivermaya: The Reunion
The Theater at Madison Square Garden
Get your tickets at www.ticketmaster.com
| September 22
Street Works Earth arts festival 34th Avenue Jackson Heights Queens, NYC
| September 28
Barrio Festival 2024:Vendors wanted Veterans Memorial Park
Bergenfield, N.J.
Hosted by PFAY (Professional Filipino American Youth) and The Filipino School of New York & New Jersey! Contact erlinda.delacruz@pfay.org for more information
| September 28
Opulence: High Fashion Streetwear Fashion Show
Manhattan Mirage 265 West 37th Street 16th floor NYC
| September 28
28th Biennial Induction of Officers of the Philippine Nurses Association of New York
Marina del Rey 1 Marina Drive Bronx, NYC
| October 6
Fashion for Compassion Cancer
Charity Gala by Filipino American Cancer Care
Hyatt Regency
1800 President’s Street
Reston, VA
Contact info@filamcancercare.org
| October 6 (rain date October 13)
3rd Annual Filipino American Festival at Harvard Square / Philippine American Alliance Harvard Square
Church Street parking lot Cambridge, MA
Email contact@hspaa.org for details
| October 19
Kundiman Concert: A Philippine Journey The Rock Church 57-02 Hoffman Drive
Queens NYC
Contact Krizia 845-453-1610
| October 27
14th Annual TOFA (The Outstanding Filipino Awards) Honolulu
| November 10
Iskolympics 2024: Fundraiser for iska and isko For questions, or if you would like to sponsor and/or help with event logistics, contact info@upaainamerica.org.
| November 15
Jo Koy: Just Being Koy Tour Palace Theatre
Albany N.Y.
| November 15 to 17
Rizalian Unity in Action: Knights of Rizal USA Eastern Regional Assembly Newark, N.J.
| November 20
Maya’s Hope Lotus Ball 2024 The Edison Ballroom 240 W 47th Street NYC
| 2025 February 6 to 8
Knights of Rizal International Assembly
Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino
Salinas Drive Lahug, Cebu City
| ATBP
Dance and Yoga classes by dance artist Dulce Capadocia Studio 67 Arts Center
67 N. Main Street
Downtown Medford, N.J. $10 cash at door
Contact dulce_capadocia@yahoo. com or 213-448-2432
| Free Piano Lessons (for 6 students this summer)
Roseland United Methodist Church
144 Eagle Rock Avenue Roseland N.J. Call 973-226-5970
Fiesta In America celebrates Filipino achievements
On its 27th year, Fiesta in America Expo 2024 pays tribute to the remarkable achievements of Filipinos in the United States.
Dr. Laura Garcia, vice president for Community Relations and recognized for her exemplary leadership in nursing and community service, led FIA in honoring the following awardees:
• Augelyn Francisco: Awarded for Excellence in Filipino Culinary Awareness for her innovative approach to Filipino cuisine at Kabisera, with locations in Manhattan.
• Dr. Catalina Suerte: Honored for her advocacy for inclusivity and her award-winning teaching career in special education in New York City.
• Eric Bustamante: Recognized for his outstanding leadership as 1st vice president and general manager of PNB New York, the top-performing branch of PNB.
• Luisa Felisilda Milone: Celebrated for her excellence in small business leadership, notably for her community-driven beauty and wellness center in New Jersey.
• Maricar Taino: Newly appointed President of PAFCOM, recognized for her dedication to community leadership and cultural preservation.
• Sahlee Manongdo: Awarded for
her exceptional contributions to nursing leadership, with over 46 years of experience.
• Dr. Francisca Velcek: A trailblazing pediatric surgeon, celebrated for her pioneering work in pediatric surgery and her influence as a mentor and leader in the medical community.
Fiesta in America, co-founded by Fernando ‘Nanding’ Mendez and his late wife Mila Mendez, is dedicated to showcasing the rich cultural heritage and entrepreneurial spirit of the Filipino American community. It continues to be a well-attended event as it appeals not only to the Filipino community but also attracts a diverse audience.
“Fiesta in America 2024 was more than just an event; it was a celebration of identity, a platform for opportunity, and a testament to the enduring spirit of the Filipino community,” said Nanding Mendez. “As the festival concluded, attendees left with a renewed sense of pride and connection to their roots.”
N.Y. State to improve facilities at Elmhurst Hospital at a cost of $27.5M
Governor Kathy Hochul says the State’s investment will expand Elmhurst Hospital’s Women’s Pavilion and build a state-of-the-art Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Photo: Susan Watts/Office of the Governor
Governor Kathy Hochul announced on August 14 that the New York State would invest $27.5 million to expand maternal and pediatric health care facilities at Elmhurst Hospital in Queens.
The State’s investment will increase access to high-quality prenatal and mental health care by expanding the hospital’s Women’s Pavilion to more than double its current size. This investment
will also enable the hospital to build a new, state-of-the-art Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), which will allow more local families to access care for critically ill and injured children without traveling miles away to other hospitals, according to a press statement.
“Our investment will deliver better health care for moms and kids throughout the Queens community,” Hochul said. “As New York’s first mom Governor, addressing the maternal mortality crisis is personal for me. Whether it’s investing in maternal health resources, securing first-in-the-nation paid prenatal leave or increasing access to doulas, I’ll never stop working to ensure safe, healthy pregnancies for moms across our State.”
Elmhurst Hospital primarily serves neighborhoods including Elmhurst, Jackson Heights and Corona, which are among the highest birthrate communities in Queens.
| Women’s Pavilion
A new $20 million State investment will enable Elmhurst Hospital to expand its Women’s Pavilion from 16,000 square feet to 35,000 square feet – more than doubling its size and adding three
new floors to the facility. This significant expansion will increase the hospital’s capacity to deliver high-quality prenatal care, including general obstetrics and high-risk pregnancy services, nutrition services, family planning resources and prenatal education including breastfeeding classes. This investment will also allow the hospital to provide more services during evening hours as requested by a recent survey of patients from the local community.
Additionally, the expanded Women’s Pavilion will offer a range of new resources, including care for pelvic floor disorders, gynecological cancers and breast health, as well as mental health counseling for postpartum depression and anxiety, among other new services. New equipment added to the Pavilion will include state-of-the-art sonogram machines, ultrasound machines and mammography equipment.
| Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
A new $7.5 million state investment will enable Elmhurst Hospital to build a new, approximately 1,500-square foot PICU. The hospital currently does not
have a PICU, which means that many critically ill and injured children from local communities need to be transferred miles away to other hospitals that are better equipped to care for them. This has placed an undue burden on many Queens families who must constantly travel to visit a critically ill child.
Building the new PICU will finally address this problem by ensuring that local families with critically ill children can easily access high-quality care close to home.
Assemblymember Steven Raga said, “Governor Hochul’s historic $27.5 million investment for Elmhurst Hospital will save lives in Queens. The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit will be vital for ensuring that critically ill children in our community receive the appropriate medical attention and support they need during their most vulnerable moments, while the Women’s Health Pavilion will address the specific health care needs of women in an inclusive and supportive environment. This support from our governor will make significant strides in health care services for our community, which was the epicenter of COVID-19 in the United States.”
This year’s Empowerment Awards honorees. Fernando Mendez and Dr. Laura Garcia at far right. Photo by Eric Bustamante
‘NaFFAA must get younger,’ says new national president Ryan Namata
The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) elected Ryan Namata as its new national president on August 17, during the 15th National Empowerment Conference in Detroit.
Namata, a visionary leader deeply rooted in the Filipino American community, takes the helm with a commitment to steering the organization toward unprecedented growth and impact, says a press statement. “The historic moment marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for NaFFAA.”
Professionally, Namata serves as the Chief Human Resources Officer at the Center for American Progress, a prominent think-tank based in Washington, D.C. With nearly 25 years of experience in human capital management, he has led both domestic and international teams across various sectors, including finance, cybersecurity, and nonprofit organizations. Namata’s expertise in organizational development, leadership coaching, and diversity, equity, and inclusion has made him a respected voice in the field.
As he steps into his new role as national president of NaFFAA, Namata said he is focused on two key priorities: empowering the youth and fostering an inclusive environment for all Filipinos.
“NaFFAA must get younger,” Namata emphasized. “We need to inspire and motivate the next generation of leaders, ensuring that our organization remains vibrant and relevant for years to come.”
He envisions NaFFAA as a central hub for education and dialogue, where Filipinos can connect with their heritage, culture, and the power of unity.
The election also saw the appointment of other key officers, including Chris Rivera as vice president, Giselle Rushford as secretary, Rod Mercado as treasurer, and Mariela Fletcher as national chair. This leadership team, under Namata’s guidance, is poised to lead NaFFAA into a new era of growth and engagement.
Outgoing National President Fletcher expressed her full confidence in Namata’s leadership, stating, “Ryan Namata is the right leader at the right time for NaFFAA. His experience, vision, and unwavering commitment to our community make him uniquely qualified to guide our organization forward. I am confident that under his leadership, NaFFAA will reach new heights and continue to make a profound
He wants to ‘inspire and motivate’ the next generation of FilAm leaders.
impact on the lives of Filipino Americans across the nation.”
Namata vowed to build upon the strong foundation laid by his predecessors and lead the organization toward an even brighter future. He is committed to ensuring that NaFFAA remains
a vital and dynamic force within the Filipino American community and beyond.
He shared his thoughts on the privilege of serving as NaFFAA’s national president: “It is a profound honor to lead NaFFAA at this crucial moment in our history. The opportunity to serve and empower the Filipino American community is both a privilege and a responsibility that I embrace wholeheartedly. Together, we will continue to elevate our voices, celebrate our heritage, and build a future where every Filipino American feels connected, supported, and empowered.”
Namata’s election happened in Detroit which has transformed into the epicenter of a movement as NaFFAA launched its 15th National Empowerment Conference (NEC) and 2024 Civic Leadership Forum. The landmark event was held at The Atheneum on August 16.
Co-hosted by NaFFAA Michigan, the event gathered FilAm leaders, policymakers, and advocates from across the nation for two days of strategic dialogue, visionary keynotes, and community building dedicated to advancing Filipino American representation and galvanizing civic engagement.
Says a press statement, “This conference marks a pivotal moment in NaFFAA’s history, underscoring the organization’s unwavering commitment to empowering Filipino Americans and elevating their voices on the national stage.”
Namata is currently the Chief Human Resources Officer at the Center for American Progress think tank based in Washington, D.C
Tennis champ Alex Eala wins 1st qualifying match for US Open
By Marivir Montebon
Barely catching her breath after her first qualifier win, Eala greets her Filipino fans at the US Open Fan Week.
Philippine tennis champion Alex Eala made a historic entry into the US Open on August 19 as she won her first qualifying match against 26-year-old Australian Maddison Inglis.
Eala, 19, is the first Filipino tennis player to have the chance to qualify in the 16 spots at the US Open 2024. At the sun-drenched Court 14 of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Eala played dominantly against 26-year-old Inglis from Perth.
She needs to win two additional qualifying matches this week to advance to the main games. She scored 6-2-6 against Inglis's 3-6-1 for the two-hourand-three-minute match.
The New York crowd was dominated by Filipino cheerers at the US Open's first day of Fan Week and may have given Eala's win a boost.
Asked how she managed to stay on top of the game, she smiled and said, “Di ko inakalang ganito kadaming mga Pinoy.” (I didn't realize there were a lot of Filipinos here.) Eala said she's happy for her initial victory and looks forward to another match on August 21.
Tennis buff and accountant Ledy Almadin said she's happy with Eala's historic win.
She wrote on Facebook: "Amazing support for Alex from the Filipinos. Never seen something like this before. It’s a milestone for the Philippine athlete, first Pinay to ever play professional at the US Open Tennis. Though it’s only in the qualifier at the moment, this is a great start."
Born in Quezon City, Philippines, Alexandra Maniego Eala is currently ranked 143rd by the Women's Tennis Association. She won her first junior singles title in the 2022 US Open. The teen trailblazer has trained at the Rafael Nadal Academy in Mallorca, Spain since she was 13 years old.
“Rafael Nadal has taught her focus and confidence. It’s showing on how she plays her game,” remarked Almadin.
Consul General Senen Mangalile, who was in the crowd and watching from the Tennis Center, said on Facebook, “Let’s go, Alex! Our hopes are with you.”
UPDATE: Eala did not make it to the US Open qualifiers. The players had to win three qualifying matches to advance to the main games. She prevailed against Australian Maddison Inglis in the first match and Spanish Nuria Parrizas Diaz in the second match. But she lost to Elena-Gabriela Ruse of Romania in the third and final qualifying match on August 22. In her Instagram account, she thanked her adoring Filipino fans saying she was lucky to have their support.
This article was originally published in OSM online magazine.
Photos by Marivir Montebon
Wearing a lavender tennis dress, Alex Eala wins her first qualifier to the US Open 2024 in New York.
At Court 14 of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, Eala signs autographs and poses for selfies with Filipino fans.
‘My time at the historic DNC Convention’
By Cheryl Quinio-Blodgett
CHICAGO -- A longtime friend
invited me to attend the Democratic National Convention at the United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls. She was looking for volunteers to assist in the events, but none was available.
Ileapt at the opportunity. I immediately started to lobby for available credentials from the New Jersey State Committee staff upon arrival in Chicago.
In the Filipino American community, New Jersey sent three elected delegates: Bergenfield Mayor Arvin Amatorio, Bergen County resident Ludi Hughes, and Camden County resident Juliana Rosenbleeth. Two were designated alternate delegates: Hudson County resident Brian Robles and Passaic County resident Steven Parsons.
The crowd was estimated at 23,000, although United Center is said to have a capacity of about 21,000. There were lots of people in the arena hallway.
It’s important to have the right credentials. Elected delegates received Floor Delegate credentials. Special Guest Hall credentials gave delegates and guests seats in the 2nd and 3rd tiers of the arena. Some of these credentials had suite access or stage access for specific days.
Arena Access credentials provided access to the arena only with no access to get into the seating areas. Here, you could do your shopping for DNC and Kamala souvenirs and hope that a delegate who was leaving early would give you their spots.
I was able to obtain Arena credentials for the second day of the convention. This was roll call day where each State nominates the candidate to represent the Democratic Party.
I stood at the concession stand next to my State’s doorway to watch the roll call of all the nominations via the big screens above them. Even in the hallway, the screams and cheers from the energized crowd could be physically felt.
I met up with my old friend who offered me Floor Delegate credentials from someone who left early. Upon walking in, you could see every seat in the arena was taken. Suites were full of people
leaning out to watch the speakers. The convention floor had people standing at the back of the floor close to the chairs of the delegates.
From where I sat in the delegates area I was able to watch Illinois Senator Tammy Duckworth, Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff, former First Lady Michelle Obama and former President Barack Obama. It was amazing. Doug radiated an extreme love and support of his wife, not only in what she has been able to accomplish but how she handles work and family situations.
Michelle Obama absolutely slayed the crowd with her poignant remarks to “Do Something”. She seemed not to pull any more punches.
Barack Obama started off with humor about following Michelle Obama’s lead and certainly didn’t hold back when it came to Trump’s obsession with crowd size. The whole audience laughed and clapped.
On the third day of the convention, I started early in the morning for my hunt for credentials. I was able to procure credentials from one dele -
The author with New Jersey’s elected delegates Bergenfield Mayor Arvin Amatorio, Bergen County resident Ludi Hughes, and Camden County resident Juliana Rosenbleeth. Photos by Cheryl Blodgett
Spectacular attendance at the DNC, crowd estimated at 23,000. Photo: Kamala Harris/ Facebook
gate which allowed me to sit in the 2nd and 3rd tiers of the stadium.
Amanda Gorman’s poem “The Sacred Scene” topped the poem, “The Hill We Climb,” she gave during the inauguration of President Biden. It gave me goosebumps hearing her speak about how together we must rise to the occasion to fight for each other, lift each other, and vote for those who will do the same.
The best speech of the evening was from Minnesota Governor and Vice President candidate Tim Walz. Speaking about his own struggles of starting a family and the wonderful way he and his wife were able to conceive via IVF, naming their daughter Hope, brought chills and tears to my eyes. I further started sobbing harder seeing Gus Walz, so proud of his dad, stand crying exclaiming, “That’s my dad!”
On the final day of the convention on August 25, I was able to get a Floor Delegate credentials from a delegate who left a day early. It gave me access to see the floor in front of the stage and walk around before the program.
We found out that doors were being locked at 5:30 p.m. and if you vacated your seat after 6:30 p.m., your seat was given away. Needless to say, I didn’t leave my seat for the next five hours.
Other than the Presidential Candidate, I believe the most beloved speaker of the night was Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren, who received the longest standing ovation in DNC history. She too was overwhelmed by the love that was in that room for her.
Kerry Washington wanted to correct the pronunciation of the name “Kamala” bringing Vice President Harris’ great-nieces to the stage to teach everyone. Pink’s performance with her daughter continued this theme of family values and how mothers do set the tone for success with their children, especially their girls.
Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris started her speech formally accepting the nomination of President of the United States. She stated that this fight would be a hard one with Democrats being the underdogs. American flags and Kamala banners were flown throughout the speeches in the second half the evening, making it a truly momentous occasion.
What was prevalent in the conclusion of the evening during the balloon drop was the joining of Kamala Harris’s and Tim Walz’s families including Doug Emhoff’s ex-wife Kerstin who is a strong proponent of Kamala Harris’ campaign. When looking at the stage, you can truly see the comparison of the blended and cultural mix of Kamala’s family that mirrors the broader American public.
If you ask me, it was hard work lobbying for these credentials but so proud to be part of this pivotal moment in American history.
Cheryl Quinio-Blodgett formerly worked as the Legislative Director within the Department of Human Services, the Civil Service Commission, and Department of Labor and Development in New Jersey Government and for Communication Workers of America Local 1039.
She currently sits on the Kean University Foundation Board of Directors. She is married and has two grown children.
The author: ‘I didn’t leave my seat for five hours.’
Say her name: Kamala. ‘Comma’ and ‘la la la’
79, September
N.J. resident up close at the DNC Convention
Kamala Harris