FILAM-April-2024

Mary Joy Garcia-Dia How AI shapes the future of nursing Sham marriages 4 sentenced in Boston

Jaclyn Jose, 60 Bold in heaven

What AI technology can do for good or ill

By Rene Pastor

Forty years ago, or around the time Corazon Aquino overthrew Ferdinand Marcos in a bloodless revolt, smartphones were not the ubiquitous gadget they are today.

The devices used then were clunky and the size of car batteries which conked out at a dirty look. There was a lot of hopeful talk that you could file a news story by hooking into the digital frame. Maybe one day, you could send a picture from the Olympics or the glitzy wedding of Charles and Diana.

The digital transformation changed the economy, medicine, science and architecture. An era represented by a device you can hold in the palm of one hand changed the world.

For the second time in a generation, the adoption of what is generally called AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is on the cusp of remaking human society.

It is, without a trace of hyperbole, given the way how technology can accelerate the exponential change in human society.

A report by the Brookings Institute underscored the impact of AI.

The report said:

"One of the reasons for the growing role of AI is the tremendous opportunities for economic development that it presents. A project undertaken by PriceWaterhouseCoopers estimated that ‘artificial intelligence technologies could increase global GDP by $15.7 trillion, a full 14%, by 2030.’

That includes advances of $7 trillion in China, $3.7 trillion in North America, $1.8 trillion in Northern Europe, $1.2 trillion for Africa and

Oceania, $0.9 trillion in the rest of Asia outside of China, $0.7 trillion in Southern Europe, and $0.5 trillion in Latin America.

Investments in financial AI in the United States tripled between 2013 and 2014 to a total of $12.2 billion.

“Decisions about loans are now being made by software that can take into account a variety of finely parsed data about a borrower, rather than just a credit score and a background check.”

There are so-called robo-advisers that “create personalized investment portfolios”, obviating the need for stockbrokers and financial advisers, and the implication is that these people may soon be out of work. (Read our interview with Mary Joy Garcia-Diaz on how AI is revolutionizing healthcare, page 10)

These advances are designed to take the

emotion out of investing and undertake decisions based on analytical considerations, and make these choices in a matter of minutes.

But the most agonizing thing to consider are the unintended consequences in jobs, entertainment and the arts among other spaces.

Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan said in the Brookings report the goal of emerging technologies is “to meet our warfighters’ needs and to increase [the] speed and agility [of] technology development and procurement.”

Artificial intelligence will accelerate the traditional process of warfare so rapidly that a new term has been coined: hyperwar.

The big data analytics associated with AI will profoundly affect intelligence analysis, as massive amounts of data are sifted in near real time—if not eventually in real time—thereby providing commanders and their staffs a level of intelligence analysis and productivity heretofore unseen.

Command and control will similarly be affected as human commanders delegate certain routines, and in special circumstances, key decisions to AI platforms, reducing dramatically the time associated with the decision and subsequent action. In the end, warfare is a time competitive process, where the side able to decide the fastest and move most quickly to execution will generally prevail.

That is why settling the writers and artists' strike in Hollywood took so long to settle -- workers wanted protection for what AI can do to their jobs in the future.

There is a lot of anxiety what AI technology can do to their lives. The future is coming faster than we think. Are we ready?

AI is on the cusp of remaking human society.

Photo: Unsplash

4 Filipinos arrested in sham marriages sentenced in Boston

Four California-based individuals have been sentenced in federal court in Boston for their roles in running a large-scale marriage fraud “agency” that arranged hundreds of sham marriages for the primary purpose of circumventing immigration laws.

This included, among other things, obtaining green cards under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) by claiming falsely that the undocumented clients had been abused by American spouses.

The defendants, all Philippine nationals residing in Los Angeles, were arrested and charged along with seven others with conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and immigration document fraud in April 2022.

Marcialito Biol Benitez, aka “Mars,” 50, was sentenced on March 7, 2024 by U.S. District Court Judge Denise J. Casper to 22 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Benitez pleaded guilty in September 2023. Also on March 7, 2024, Juanita Pacson, 48, was sentenced by Judge Casper to two years of supervised release with the first four months on home detention after previously pleading guilty in September 2023.

Engilbert Ulan, 43, was sentenced on March 6, 2024 by Judge Casper to 14 months in prison and three years of supervised release. Ulan was convicted by a federal jury in November 2023.

On Jan. 11, 2024, Nino Valmeo, 47, was sentenced by Judge Casper to three years of supervised release with the first six months on home confinement after pleading guilty in August 2023.

Benitez, with the help of co-defendants, operated what he and others referred to as an “agency” that arranged hundreds of sham marriages between foreign national “clients” and United States citizens, including at least one foreign national who resided in Massachusetts. The agency then prepared and submitted false petitions, applications and other documents to substantiate the sham marriages and secure adjustment of clients’ immigration statuses for a fee of between $20,000 and $35,000 in cash.

Benitez operated the agency out of brick-andmortar offices in Los Angeles, where he employed co-defendants Ulan and Valmeo as staff. Ulan and Valmeo assisted with arranging marriages and submitting fraudulent marriage and immigration documents for the agency’s clients. Benitez relied on several other co-conspirators to recruit U.S. citizens to marry the agency’s clients in exchange for payment.

After pairing foreign national clients with citizen spouses, Benitez’s agency staged fake wedding ceremonies at chapels, parks and other locations, performed by hired online officiants. Pacson, a friend of these co-defendants who worked at one of the chapels, assisted with sham wedding ceremonies and marriage documents. For many clients, the agency

would take photos of undocumented clients and citizen spouses in front of prop wedding decorations for later submission with immigration petitions.

Benitez’s agency then submitted fraudulent, marriage-based immigration petitions to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the federal agency responsible for granting lawful permanent resident status. Benitez, Ulan, Pacson, and others, advised clients about creating and maintaining the appearance of legitimate marriage to their spouses.

Ulan conducted practice interviews with the agency’s clients and their fake spouses for the purpose of preparing couples to pass required interviews with immigration authorities. He coached the sham couples to provide the same fabricated answers to questions posed during green card interviews and conceal the fraudulent nature of the marriages.

Benitez, Ulan, Valmeo, and Pacson assisted clients with preparing fraudulent supporting documents submitted as “evidence” of the marriages’ legitimacy. Ulan, Valmeo and Pacson also rented the use of their apartment addresses to clients who lived outside of Los Angeles so those clients could list these addresses as their own on green card applications and related documents, to make it appear to immigration authorities that they were living with their sham spouses in the Los Angeles area. Ulan and Valmeo also received cash commissions for referring new clients to the agency.

Benitez’s agency would assist certain clients –typically those whose spouses became unresponsive

or uncooperative – with obtaining green cards under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) by claiming the undocumented clients had been abused by alleged American spouses. Specifically, Benitez, Valmeo, and others, would submit fraudulent applications on clients’ behalf for temporary restraining orders against spouses based on fabricated domestic violence allegations. Benitez’s agency would then submit the restraining order documentation along with immigration petitions to USCIS, in order to take advantage of VAWA provisions that permit noncitizen victims of spousal abuse to apply for lawful permanent resident status without their spouses’ involvement.

Benitez’s agency arranged sham marriages and submitted fraudulent immigration documents for at least 600 clients between October 2016 and March 2022.

Several co-defendants were previously sentenced by Judge Casper for their roles in this scheme. Peterson Souza, who referred non-citizens to the agency for a fee was sentenced to five months in prison and three years of supervised release with the first five months on home detention, and Felipe David, who referred clients to the agency for assistance with VAWA-based applications was sentenced to three years of supervised release. – Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Massachusetts

Photos: DOJ website

Growing through meaningful connections

Filipinos are creatures of connection. For those scattered in the diaspora, connecting with fellow Filipinos or other individuals who are our relatives near or distant, and friends or friends of friends we have shared principles and experiences with, is a necessity for our balance — sometimes even for survival.

According to the 2023 Global Digital Report (by Meltwater and We Are Social app), the Ph ilippines ranks No. 1 in social media usage. This means that even more so in the digital age, Filipinos prioritize social connections, whether online or offline.

I talked about such life-changing connections in my book, “Why Should Guys Have All the Fun?”. From building support systems for my biracial (African-Filipino) American daughters through Jack and Jill of America, to having prayer partners in Paris, New York and the Philippines, to business partners and communities that enable me to pursue advocacies for the greater good — every connection I make, helps me to grow and achieve things that are beyond my personal abilities.

This is why, when I was invited by community builder Carissa Villacorta to speak at the #PHTimeIsNow Conference last October 2023 at The Harvard Club of New York, I immediately agreed.

Carissa was my very effective Public Relations consultant for over 10 years, handling PR for my advocacies, causes, projects and community outreach.

When Carissa and her team launched PH Time Is Now in 2018, I met and connected with inspiring younger Filipinos in the US, Canada and the Philippines. Some of them look to me as a sort of mentor; but I keep reminding them

that they already have what it takes to succeed: their grit, grace and a great support system.

The PHTimeIsNow 2023 speakers from various industries motivated attendees aged 18-81 to never stop hoping and believing for a better future in our chosen country and in the land of our birth.

Two-time winner of the Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Awards (EGOT) Bobby Lopez, shared about the heartwarming creative journey that led him and his wife Kristen to compose the global hits from Disney’s “Frozen” soundtrack.

Another unforgettable connection is

Music and theater are two of my favorite things. Bobby Lopez is blazing trails in this field, and making us all proud of him and his wife Kristen. Keep on making beautiful music, and inspiring others to follow in your footsteps! Photos courtesy of Carissa Villacorta

chosen to be a UN Women National Goodwill Ambassador.

Rechie Valdez, who was a participant back in 2018 when she was an entrepreneur and baker. Who would have thought that five years later, she would become the FIRST Filipina elected Member of Parliament and recently the First Filipino Member of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Cabinet in Canada! It’s so inspiring to see her grow and continue to serve our kababayan and her other constituents in her district.

Mabuhay, Hon. Rechie!

The Master of Ceremonies for the Harvard Club event was ABS-CBN TV host, (who now has her own YouTube channel) — the indefatigable Karen Davila, who is also the FIRST Filipina

Also present were Myrish Cadapan Antonio, representing Geraldine Acuña Sunshine, Sheila Marcelo, founder of care.com and Ohai.ai, Doris Magsaysay Ho, President and CEO of the Magsaysay Group of Companies; Anton San Diego, Editor-in-Chief of Philippine Tatler; Myla Villanueva, serial tech entrepreneur, with her mother Aleli Crespo; Rhoda Campos Aldanese of Vogue Philippines, and other esteemed guests traveling in from California, Florida, Texas, Maryland, Massachusetts, Virginia, Upstate New York and the Philippines.

On October 24, 2024, Thursday, PH Time Is Now will once again bridge trailblazing Filipinos, this time in Silicon Valley. Be part of the next voyage of #PHTimeIsNow at @phtimeisnow www.phtimeisnow.com.

Double EGOT winner Bobby Lopez shares the stage with Karen Davila, 1st Filipina named a UN Women National Goodwill Ambassador.

PH Time Is Now organizer Carissa Villacorta is flanked by Bobby Lopez and Rechie Valdez, the 1st Filipino member of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Cabinet.

Will the ambitious Filipino community center in NYC finally happen with historic $1.6 M federal grant?

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations New York Chapter (NaFFAA NY) has been awarded over $1.6 million in Federal Community Project Funding to be used to invest in a multicultural, multipurpose community center in Woodside, Queens.

The funding, which had the “unwavering support” of Representative Grace Meng (D-Queens), was included in the fiscal appropriations passed by Congress and signed into law by President Biden this past weekend.

The proposed community center is intended to offer a variety of educational, cultural and social services and opportunities that are currently scattered across various organizations.

"We extend our sincerest gratitude to Representative Grace Meng for her commitment to the district, and empowering and enriching its residents in need," said Rachelle Ocampo, president of NaFFAA NY. "This funding will enable us to expand our collective reach and impact, providing a dedicated space for our community to come together, celebrate our Filipino heritage, and access valuable resources."

The groundbreaking investment is the largest federal grant awarded to a Filipino-led and serving organization in New York State.

“I am proud to secure these crucial funds and make this huge federal investment possible for the Filipino American community in Queens-New York City. The money is vital to helping this historic project move forward and I’m thrilled to help NaFFAA acquire this much needed facility. It is an honor to be the voice in Congress for many Filipino Americans in Queens and I will continue fighting on their behalf,” Meng said in a statement.

“This historic $1.6 million investment for a multicultural community center in Assembly District 30 addresses the increasing need of a venue for smaller community-based organizations to convene, collaborate, and provide culturally competent services to all,” said Assemblymember Steven Raga representing the 30th Assembly District of New York.

"This generous allocation of over $1.6 million to NaFFAA represents not just an investment in bricks and mortar, but in the very fabric of our Filipino American community,” said Mariela Fletcher, national president of NaFFAA National.

“The grant shines a spotlight on the significant presence and ongoing growth of the Filipino community in New York, which represents the third-largest Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) population in the state,” said Brendan Flores, national chairman of NaFFAA National.

Consul General Senen Mangalile said the “Philippine Consulate General shares in the excitement of NaFFAA about the forthcoming establishment of the community center in Woodside. We stand ready to collaborate with the center by providing the cultural and educational resources at our disposal to support its projects.”

NaFFAA NY President Ocampo said her organization has not yet identified a location for the center and is asking the community for any leads.

“We are still waiting to hear back from the federal agency to find out when we will actually receive the funds, when the funds have to be used by, and all other details of what our deliverables are,” she said when interviewed by The FilAm.

She said further, “Worst case scenario is we need to front the money and then they reimburse us later.”

The funding is specifically for capital expenses (building, etc.), she said. “Hopefully we can fundraise enough to get us started and have enough support to continue.”

As for making sure the money is managed wisely with no hint of shady operations and corruption clouding its future, Ocampo said, “We will definitely be looking at other organizations who have done this before and learn from their best practices and lessons learned. We are also connecting with other Filipino community centers across the U.S. for some guidance.”

She said she is looking to have at least one full-time staff to oversee the center. .

From left: NaFFAA NY’s Clifford Temprosa, Sabrina Tesalona, Alyssa Trinidad, Rachelle Ocampo, Michelle Amor, Clare Collins, Stevenson Van Derodar. Photo: NaFFAA NY

Representative Grace Meng: ‘An honor to be the voice for Filipino Americans in Congress.’

Ma Mon Luk and the perfect bowl of soup

A new book based on the true story of Ma Mon Luk, known for popularizing mami noodle soup and his eponymous restaurants in the Philippines, will be out on April 2, 2024.

Author and anthologist of immigrant food stories

Jacqueline Chio-Lauri and award-winning New Yorker illustrator Kristin Sorra bring the historical tale to life for young and young-at-heart readers across the globe.

Mami, a chicken noodle soup named after Ma and “mi” for noodles, and Ma Mon Luk restaurants have captured the hearts and appetite of Filipinos for many generations and from all walks of life. Besides a space for a meal, all sorts of occasions—from political negotiations to marriage proposals (including that of Sorra’s parents)—have taken place at a Ma Mon Luk eatery.

Set mostly in the Philippines, the tale highlights Filipino history and food culture and touches on many universal themes such as breaking class barriers, perseverance, and love.

Rejected by the parents of Ng Shih, the girl he loved, for being poor, Ma Mon Luk left China for the Philippines in 1918. He vowed to make a fortune and return for his beloved. In Manila, Ma created a chicken noodle soup he called mami— ”ma” for his name and “mi” for noodles— and peddled it as a street vendor. He cut the noodles according to how much his customers were willing to pay or could afford. Eventually, Ma gained loyal customers. One of them offered him a space just big enough to hold two tables and a few diners. The appetite for mami spread among the rich and poor alike. Thanks to persistence, ingenuity, and a kind heart, Ma achieved more than he ever dreamed was possible. Before long, Ma earned enough to open his own restaurant and win the hand of his true love in China.

and information about the simple machines that Ma Mon Luk had used as a street vendor.

Ma and Ng Shih had three sons and a daughter. After Ma’s death in 1961, their sons took over the restaurants. They expanded the business to six branches (all in the Philippines), and two of those branches are still open today ( both in Metro Manila).

Mami has become a big part of Filipino food culture. Although Ma is famous for mami, he is

also remembered by many for his generosity and kindheartedness.

“With this story, I hope young readers from any part of the world will discern where true fortune really lies,” adds Chio-Lauri.

British children’s book author Emma Pearl describes the book as “an absolutely wonderful and inspiring story, beautifully illustrated… So much depth, so many layers! But at its core, this is fundamentally a story about the enduring power of love and how that helped Ma Mon Luk to achieve the impossible.”

The book includes a kid-friendly recipe, the history of Chinese immigration to the Philippines,

“I’m very grateful to Executive Editor and Associate Publisher Carol Hinz and the team at Lerner Books for recognizing the universal appeal of MAMI KING,” says Chio-Lauri.

Jacqueline Chio Lauri is an author, anthologist, and editor. Her work includes “The New Filipino Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from around the Globe,” and “We Cook Filipino: Heart-healthy Recipes and Inspiring Stories from 36 Filipino Food Personalities and Award-Winning Chefs.” She currently resides in Manchester, England.

Kristin Sorra is an award-winning children’s book illustrator. After earning her degree in Illustration from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NYC, Kristin co-owned a digital coloring house that catered to comic book publishers. She lives in New York’s Hudson Valley with her family.

Ma Mon Luk. His eponymous restaurant inspired by the woman he loved is now operated by their three sons.

‘MAMI KING: How Ma Mon Luk Found Love, Riches, and a Perfect Bowl of Soup’

How teacher Janice Armas found her calling in special education

By Maricar CP Hampton

Janice Armas remembered how one student with autism tried to grab her hair and punch her in the face.

She reached into her skill set of how to “respond appropriately” keeping in mind always the safety of both the student and the teacher.

Pangasinan-born Janice Salinas Armas is an education specialist, Life Skills Class at Terra Nova High School in Pacifica, California, hired in 2019. At the time, she was confident of her 15 years’ experience as a teacher at Commonwealth Elementary School in the Philippines where she was exposed to students with autism and all kinds of learning disabilities. She is also TNHS’s Special Education Department chair and Moderate-Severe case manager.

She remembers her first day at Terra Nova, which has a 59.6 percent minority enrollment, according to USNews.com.

“There is no difference between the students I worked with in the Philippines, except for the race, the place, and the language,” she said when interviewed by The FilAm.

Janice teaches grades 9-12 students and takes care of about a dozen “self-contained” children or those with learning disabilities, plus two kids in virtual classes at any given year.

She is among the foreign educators who help address the shortage of special education teachers in California where the growing enrollment of students with disabilities is not being met by a shrinking number of special education teachers.

A “severe drop in teacher education enrollments and…high rates of attrition” have worsened the shortage, according to a 2020 study on California’s Special Education Teacher Shortage by the Learning Policy Institute and the Policy Analysis for California Education.

“Between 2014–15 and 2018–19, the number of students identified with disabilities increased by 13 percent—from about 642,000 (10.3 percent of the population) to about 725,000 (11.7 percent of the population),” according to the study. Budget cuts, teacher layoffs, and reduced class sizes have only deepened the issue.

| Like my own child

“When I teach I treat every student as my own child. I treat them with respect, care and love,” said Janice.

She would craft individualized teaching plans tailored to her students’ needs. As a mentor, she uses positive reinforcement with constant support from her school district. She imparts life skills, such

as meal planning, budgeting, social interactions to prepare the students for independent living. She finds deep fulfilment seeing her students improve.

“There is a way for these kids to learn to do things,” she said. “They will succeed if the help enables them to create activities as part of daily routine.”

She said every child regardless of limitations deserves a chance to learn “but the only way we can do that is have more teachers.” She believes Filipino teachers are ideal around special needs youngsters because they are “innately patient, caring and hardworking which is important in this field.”

Her dedication has not gone unnoticed. She was honored as a Dakilang Filipino Awardee (Great Filipino), recognized as a “Woman of Substance, Dedicated, and Exemplary Special Education Teacher of the Year’’ by the Dakilang Filipino Awards Media Group in the Philippines. A year earlier, she was a recipient of the Outstanding Special Education Teacher in her school district.

Her community involvement includes time spent with the Resources for the Blind, an affiliate of the Perkins School for the Blind. She is also a Sunday school teacher at a Filipino community Methodist Church in Daly City.

Born and raised in Manaoag, Pangasinan, Janice possessed a deep curiosity and empathy for the underprivileged and those facing unique challenges early on. As she journeyed through her own schooling, she marveled at the way teachers nurtured young minds and instilled a love for learning.

Inspired by these educators, she dreamed of one day becoming a teacher herself. “I always looked up to my teachers and how they shape our minds enriching us with knowledge.”

Her father Esteban was a farmer, her mother Veneranda is a housewife. “I have seven siblings,” she said.

Her years at the University of the Philippines took a transformative turn when she was assigned to visit a special education school as part of her studies. It was there that she witnessed the resilience and potential of students with learning disabilities.

“While observing the students, I thought about the undiagnosed kids in our province who were labeled as ‘crazy’ or belonging to their own world. A year later, I made up my mind to switch majors from Math to special education,” she said.

Janice and her husband Frederick, a Math teacher, are parents to four children Crike, 17; Xanji, 14; Alfredo, 11; and Princess Ericka, 5. The family lives in Daly City where they enjoy watching movies.

Filipino teachers are ideal around special needs children because they are ‘innately patient, caring and hardworking.’

With Math teacher husband Frederick and their four children Crike, Xanji, Alfredo, and Princess Ericka.

What’s motivating women to vote?

| Abuse in office

This violence is a pervasive threat for those on the ballots — and a national Brennan Center for Justice report found that abuse of local elected officials and election workers disproportionately impacts women.

Among over 350 state legislators surveyed, over 40% had experienced threats or attacks in the past several years, while nearly 20% of local officeholders had. Furthermore, 8% of state legislators said they were explicitly intimidated by a member of the public carrying a weapon — which is allowed in legislative chambers in many states.

“When you take into account less severe forms of abuse, like harassment, assaults, and stalking, almost 90% of state legislators and over half of local officeholders had experienced some form of abuse,” said Maya Kornberg, research fellow on the Elections and Government Program at the Brennan Center at a Friday, March 8 Ethnic Media Services briefing on issues guiding women at the polls.

Women and people of color not only experienced more abuse than their male and white counterparts, but different kinds.

“They were likely to tell us that they were subjected to identity-based abusive language about their children and their families, romantic life, appearance, age, race or gender,” continued Kornberg. “Women serving in state legislatures were nearly four times as likely as men to experience abuse of a sexual nature.”

“This is not only a threat to the safety of our officeholders, but also to our democracy,” she said. Some 40% of local and 20% of state officeholders said this abuse made them “more reluctant to engage with their constituents, either online or in public … Half of women in local office said it was deterring them from running for reelection.”

| Reproductive rights

Another issue ever-more urgent to women’s concerns is reproductive rights, especially since the 2022 Dobbs

By Selen Ozturk

| Gun control

The national epidemic of gun violence, too, is motivating women to vote for a safer future.

“In America, there’s a gun for every man, woman, child and dog. There are more guns than people and more gun dealers than all Starbucks and McDonald’s combined,” said Shikha Hamilton, vice president of Organizing at Brady which tackles the issue of gun violence . “It’s not a mental health or domestic violence issue. The problem is easy access.”

In 2000, Brady first held a Million Mom March — the largest gun protest at the National Mall in U.S. history at the time, with over 750,000 people there and thousands more nationwide in 78 cities calling for an end to gun violence.

v. Jackson decision overturned Roe v. Wade and eliminated the constitutional right to abortion.

“Reproductive justice includes the human right to have the children that we want; raise our children in safe communities; to be able to prevent or have pregnancies without shame and with dignity; and our human right to make our own decisions about our bodies, our families and our futures,” said Monica Simpson, executive director at Sister Song, a network recognizing the reproductive rights of marginalized communities.

Increasing U.S. abortion bans after the Dobbs decision have worsened “a maternal health crisis in this country,” she continued. “Even having the legal right to something does not grant access. Before Dobbs, we had areas or states like Mississippi that only had one abortion clinic, and the Hyde Amendment” banning federal funding through Medicaid to cover almost all abortions.

In the first half of 2023, nearly one in five patients were traveling out of state for abortion care, compared with one in 10 in 2020.

“This is a crisis worsened by additional barriers like contraception deserts, inequitable access to sex education, law enforcement brutality, and preventing Medicaid expansion

in states with abortion bans,” said Simpson.

| Domestic work

“In the U.S. every day, 10,000 children are born and approximately 10,000 people turn 65. We’re living longer than ever before, and so we need more care than ever,” said Ai-Jen Poo, president of the National Domestic Workers Alliance. “Yet, we don’t have a national affordable child care program, a federal paid family and medical leave program or a longterm care benefit.”

“What we have is 53 million overstretched family caregivers who are mostly women, and over 7 million care workers who are underpaid and are overwhelmingly women — about 90% women, and mostly women of color,” she continued.

The median annual income for a U.S. homecare worker is $23,000 per year.

“It’s hard to picture supporting yourself and raising a family in this country on poverty wages without benefits, health insurance, child care and paid time off, which is why expanded care access is so urgent,” Poo said. “The 11 million women in the U.S. who are in the generation sandwiched between caring for young children and caring for aging parents are especially feeling the brunt of this.”

The impact was nearly immediate, said Hamilton: “Stalled gun safety legislation sailed through state houses that November including a referendum to close the gun show loophole, organizers led thousands on another march to the polls, and NRA stalwarts were voted out of Congress in 2000 in two states.”

“Our calls for change more recently have led to the passage of the bipartisan Safer Communities Act and the creation of the nation’s first-ever White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention — which was led by a woman, Vice President Kamala Harris,” she continued. Despite partisan rhetoric, this issue “unites women across the aisle.”

About 90% of all Americans in 2019, for instance, supported background checks on all gun sales. A historical record 48,830 gun deaths in 2021 reflected a 23% rise since then, while gun deaths among children and teens rose 50% in those two years — from 1,732 in 2019 to 2,590 in 2021.

“Women continue to lead this movement because we’re horrified to see what this epidemic is doing to us and our children,” Hamilton added. “Women from all walks of life will continue to fight this epidemic until we have created a safer future for the next generation by freeing America from gun violence.” – Ethnic Media Services

As women head to the polls this fall, domestic workers’ rights, reproductive rights, gun control and violence against officeholder and election official women are forefront concerns. Photo provided by EMS

Mary Joy Garcia-Dia: Shaping the future of nursing through AI (Healthcare Informatics)

By

Aregistered nurse for more than three decades, Mary Joy Garcia-Dia has witnessed how the healthcare landscape has evolved and how technology has rede signed the way doctors and nurses interact and manage medical decisions with their patients through healthcare informatics and decision support systems like AI. To a layman, for instance, the use of clipboards to note down patient information has now been replaced by a system that is generated by machines known as Artificial Intelligence (AI) augmenting human intelligence and critical thinking. She explained how AI has revolutionized healthcare: “While the nurse or doctor is interacting with the mother of a patient, they can see patient’s past medical history and any change from the last time the patient was brought to the hospital using the electronic medical record. We are already interacting with ‘Alexa’ in our daily life and imagine its use in healthcare with alert reminders like going to doctor or

taking our pills specially for hypertensive or diabetic patients.”

Garcia-Dia currently serves as the program director for Nursing Informatics at New York-Presbyterian Hospital (NYPH), where she oversees the integration of nursing science with computer and information science. Her role involves leveraging analytics and decision support systems to combine medical and nursing decision-making, ultimately improving the quality of patient care and promoting safety.

The use of AI may have started way back in the late 1950s to 1970s, she told The FilAm. But it was only in recent years that its adoption was accelerated in healthcare. As evidenced in pop culture, AI is seen as posing a threat to our way of life, for instance, portending to alter the way news is delivered and is viewed as a risk to privacy and its ethical use.

Garcia-Dia herself became fascinated with expert systems as an Intensive Care Unit nurse at Bellevue Hospital in the 1990s. Her exposure to technology, however, began much earlier.

Young graduate at her Capping and Candle Ceremony at St. La Salle University School of Nursing in 1982

Cristina DC Pastor

Proud Alumni of NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing: Sharing her informatics journey

Garcia-Dia as the 21st president of the Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA)

“I was really good at science in high school. I was interested in robots,” she said. She recalled using a picture of a robot as part of her classroom presentation and posed the question, ‘What would the future look like with robots?’

In school, she was the first to use a typewriter, which showcased her as an early adapter.

At Bellevue, she witnessed the “transformative power of technology” in healthcare, particularly through the use of physiological monitors and computerized documentation systems. She quickly adapted to these advancements, recognizing their potential to improve efficiency, especially in high-pressure environments like the ICU.

A nursing graduate at 19 years old Garcia-Dia earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from St. La Salle University in Bacolod at the adolescent age of 19. While she passed the licensing exams, she could not practice because she did not meet the age requirement of 21 years to legally work as a registered nurse in the Philippines. She found a nursing job at the private clinic of a cosmetic doctor when she came to see him for rashes on her limbs. When he learned she was a nurse, he invited her to work for him. Her tasks involved giving injections to patients suffering from fungal infections.

When she came of age, she was hired as a civilian staff nurse at the Philippine Naval Station Fort San Felipe in Cavite City. Later, Garcia-Dia was called to active service in the military as a 2nd Lieutenant but made the choice to work in the U.S.

She was recruited in the Philippines to work as a medical-surgical nurse at Bellevue in New York City in 1988. After a year she was promoted to the head nurse position at a young age of 22. At the time, she also worked as a per diem nurse at Cabrini Medical Center.

“I bought a condo. I need to pay my mortgage,” she shared with a laugh.

“I was an ICU nurse for 10 years at Bellevue when all this integration came about in 1992,” she said. “I was really impressed because we’re already using computer documentation. We didn’t do manual entries anymore.”

Throughout her career – from Bellevue/Cabrini to Hospital for Special Surgery, Columbia Doctors/NYP, Mount Sinai and now New York Presbyterian -- Garcia-Dia has been at the forefront of integrating technology into nursing practice. She has been instrumental in

the adaption of remote patient monitoring and virtual nursing as newer models of care. Her book, “Project Management in Nursing Informatics,” was published in 2019 where she authored chapters on Simulation, Virtual Learning, and Digital Health Equity. Her research dissertation conducted in the Philippines looked at how text messaging can promote early child immunization in rural areas.

| Witnessing childbirth

Garcia-Dia grew up the younger sibling in a middle-class family in Bago City. Her father and older brother were both in the military, her mother an elementary school teacher. When she was 14, her aunt nurse invited her to witness a woman in labor in a provincial hospital.

“You get past the yucky thing and then you hear the baby cry,” she said. “You realize how amazing it was to give life. That’s when I said to myself I’m probably going to be a nurse.”

The Dia family finds joy in outdoor activities like hiking, skiing, biking, and canoeing. She shares with her husband, a graphic designer, an enthusiasm for technology. Her daughter, is currently in California working in the fashion industry and preparing for her upcoming wedding.

Through her leadership in the field of Nursing Informatics and being an early implementor of innovation, Garcia-Dia is not just following her dream of being a nurse; she's actively shaping the future of nursing.

Visiting her daughter Allyson and her fiance Jackie (carrying dog) in San Francisco together with husband Don Dia.

Honored to join Sayaw Diversity at 19th PNAA Eastern Regional Conference

Calendar of Events

| April 7

Divine Mercy Sunday

Our Lady of Lourdes Church

92-96 220th Street

Queens Village, NYC

| April 19-21

Redacted, a musical directed by Tatiana Santos Mroczek

Columbia University

| April 20

Diocesan Eucharistic Revival

Louis Armstrong Stadium of the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center

Flushing Meadows

For more information:

718-479-5111

| April 21

Live in New York: With Jo Awayan

Astoria Manor

25-22 Astoria Blvd.

Queens NYC

| April 27

Damayan’s We Rise Nanny Training-Community Organizing

The People’s Forum

320 W. 37th St. NY, NY

| April 28

Siakol Repakol Band Live in Connecticut

Port N Starboard Ocean Front

Banquet 1225 Ocean Avenue

New London, CT

For tickets, sponsors and vendors call / text Cherry Smyth 860-234-4607

| May 5

2nd Asian Street Food and Music Festival @ Harvard Square

Harvard Square on Church Street

Cambridge, MA

For inquiries, visit Harvard Square Philippine American Alliance website www.hspaa.org

| May 11

Sounds of Manila 15th Anniversary with The Dreamboats and Johnny Pandora

Breslin PAC

Felician University

262 S. Main Street

Lodi, New Jersey

Contact Amor Yu:

818-818-4301

| May 30

Reception for Harvard’s Philippine Collection

(over 8,000 ethnographic and photographic materials)

Peabody Museum of Archaeology & Ethnology

Harvard University

| June 3 to August 2

Summer 2024 IMPACT! FilipinoAmerican National Internship Program

Participants come to Washington, D.C. to gain a firsthand look at the

A merican government and political system, engage civically, and reflect on the role they, as future leaders, might play in strengthening Philippine-U.S. relations

Visit: www.usasiainstitute.org

| June 8

Philippine Independence Celebration on Staten Island

Sacred Heart School

350 Castleton Avenue

Staten Island NYC

Email: info@Picosi.org

| June 21

Women & Media (WAM) Café with guests Anne del Castillo, Cielo Buenaventura and Anne

Branigin

Philippine Center Kalayaan Hall

556 5th Avenue, NYC

Make An Appointment

718-567-5200

www.apicha.org

We

82-11 37th Avenue Floors

4 & 5 Jackson Heights, New York 11372

Board

| August 17

8th Kids Philippines Annual

Charity Golf Tournament

Pequot Golf Club

127 Wheeler Road

Stonington, CT

Contact Cherry at 860-234-4607

| September 7

New York Fashion Week

Now casting for models

Contact Grace Steadfast at 304-601-4368 or email Steadfast. fashion.design@gmail.com

was born and raised in Cebu City, Philippines. She came to the U.S. in 1993 and earned her accounting degree from Marquette University where she also took creative writing courses. She has published her works both in the Philippines and in the U.S. Her book, The Fiancee, recently received a Bookfest award in the romance, multicultural category. She is an active member of the FilipinoAmerican community and being proud of her culture and heritage, she incorporates them into her books of romantic fiction and poetry. She also serves as VP-Operations and Education Director of the nonprofit, Global 1nspiration. She calls Waukesha, Wisconsin her home and lives with her husband and their three sons.

Photos by Dominika Fitzgerald

February 27 declared GMA Network Day in N.Y. State

For “invaluable contributions to the Filipino community” February 27 was declared GMA Network Day in New York State.

There are two proclamations bestowed by the Office of New York State Assemblymember Steven Raga.

The first declares Feb 27 as GMA Network Day and the second for Francia for his “remarkable contributions through GMA Pinoy TV.”

In ceremonies at the New York State Assembly in Albany, Raga lauded Joseph T. Francia of GMA International and GMA First Vice President and Head of International Operations, while the assembly was in legislative session.

Witnessing the ceremonies were members of the New York State Assembly led by the Presiding Officer Jeffrion L. Aubrey and Deputy Speaker Philip Ramos and members of the Filipino American community.

Raga said the proclamations recognize GMA International’s “significant role in advancing Filipino interests and culture within American society.”

“As we prepare to celebrate these achievements in the upcoming New York State Assembly legislative session, it is a reminder of the powerful role media plays in connecting and uplifting our community, no matter where we are in the world. This honoring is a testament to the positive influence of GMA Pinoy TV on Filipinos everywhere,” he said.

Raga acknowledged Francia’s strong commitment to Global Filipinos.

“I am deeply honored to recognize Mr. Joseph Francia for his remarkable contributions through GMA Pinoy TV, which has significantly impacted the global Filipino community. His visionary leadership and commitment to showcasing the richness of our culture and the talent of Filipinos worldwide deserve our utmost respect and admiration. It's a privilege to be part of this historic moment and to honor someone who has so profoundly shaped the narrative of the Filipino diaspora,” he continued.

Francia warmly welcomed the proclamations saying it reinforces the long-standing mission of GMA Inter -

national to champion Global Pinoys and to celebrate their achievements around the world.

“These came at an opportune time, especially in the United States, where GMA International remains steadfast

in its commitment to promoting Filipino representation and inclusivity while fostering an empowered community in American mainstream society.

“We, at GMA Network, are grateful for the recognitions by the New York State Assembly through the diligent efforts of Assemblymember Steven Raga.

“We also thank our carriers and distributors who partner with us to give us platforms that allow us to be part of the daily lives of our subscribers and viewers. Through GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV, we have platforms on-air, online, and on-the-ground, to encourage community engagement, inform and entertain the Filipino diaspora and their circle of family and friends.

Joining Francia in receiving the proclamations were Arman David, president, Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI); Nora Galleros, executive director, immediate past president, PIDCI; Joyce Andes David, secretary, PIDCI; Robert Dumaual, community advocate; and Mary Ann Kapunan, leader, FilAm community in Albany.

“GMA has been a part of the Filipinos for ages with the incredible amount of work, energy, and resources that they have poured-over for the promotion of the Filipino Cause,” said Sol Kapunan, founding president of the nonprofit Kalayaan 1521 Council Inc,

“The work of Mr. Joseph Francia in leading this organization through the years is nothing but outstanding, keeping the Filipinos well-informed, well-connected, and most of all grounded to the realities happening in our motherland, as well as the different activities, initiatives, innovations, and effort of the different Filipino Communities around the globe.”

GMA Pinoy TV started pre-launch operations in the U.S. 20 years ago and was first introduced to the U.S. and the global market in 2005.

Joseph Francia, GMA Network first vice president and head of International Operations, is praised for his ‘strong commitment to global Filipinos.’

Francia receives citation from the office of New York State Assemblymember Steven Raga. He is shown here with N.Y. State Assembly officials, PIDCI officers, and members of the FilAm community in Albany. Photos courtesy of PIDCI

Consul General: Countries demand that ‘rules be respected’ in South China Sea dispute

Consul General Senen Mangalile delivered a speech on the contribution of the 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea to international law and the crucial role of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in resolving interstate disputes. The event was a panel discussion on March 4 at the Fordham Law School in New York.

T“he [Arbitral] Award is a clarion call for states to respect legal processes and the principles enshrined in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to resolve disputes peacefully,” Mangalile said. “The ruling not only resolves specific legal questions but also contributes to the evolution of international maritime law, influencing future adjudications and state practices,” he added.

“The Philippines’ fervent hope is that actions intended to support and advance international law, including UNCLOS, in the South China Sea will be sustained and intensified. As more countries demand that rules be respected, we all contribute to having the South China Sea as a sea of peace and stability for the benefit of the coastal states and the broader community of nations that ply these waters,” he continued.

Meanwhile, Andrew Loewenstein, partner at Foley & Hoag LLP and former counsel of the Philippines in the South China Sea case, focused on the environmental aspects of the South China Sea dispute. He pointed to China’s massive artificial building of islands, illegal fishing of rare species in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the Philippines, and its environmental impact, among other issues of concern. He said that award was explicit in pointing out China’s failure to abide by international environmental norms.

On the other hand, Marryum Kahloon, senior associate at Gibson Dunn, discussed the flexibility of the PCA as an alternative platform for settling disputes. Eran Sthoeger, professor at Brooklyn Law School, focused on the unique role of the PCA in conciliation between states, citing the case of Timor Lester and Australia as an example.

In closing, Mangalile encouraged the audience of law students, lawyers, and

scholars, to continue their interest and scholarship in international law to help sustain a rules-based international order.

The symposium offered an opportunity for the Philippines to contribute to academic discourse, foster understanding, and engage with a broader community. The Fordham International Law Association and the Leitner Center for International Law and Justice jointly organized the event.

From left: Professor Harlan Cohen of Fordham Law School, Marryum Kahloon of Gibson Dunn, Consul General Senen Mangalile, and Professor Eran Sthoeger of Brooklyn Law School.

Consul General Senen Mangalile. Photos: Philippine Consulate N.Y.

Bold in heaven: Jaclyn Jose, 60

By Joel David

With the announcement of Jaclyn Jose’s sudden demise last March 2, a significant number of mostly middle-aged Filipino film observers were stunned to realize that, in keeping aware of her, a full, challenging, and ultimately triumphant life became their privilege to witness. Even the trajectory of her physical appearance, from anxious young waif to authoritative fullbodied matron, bespoke a life conducted at peak critical tension, constantly in search of solutions to creative challenges and grateful to be afforded the opportunity to find fulfillment in a specialized type of stardom where her work discipline and moral integrity ensured that she would have next to no rivals whatsoever.

She was of course intelligent enough to realize from the start that “bold star” status was a title that most women anywhere would find unappealing, if not appalling. But having been born in poverty, and realizing that sex-film production was in full blast because of the Marcos (Sr.) regime’s desperation in looking for ways to discourage mass participation in the burgeoning anti-dictatorship movement, she realized that this was a unique opportunity that might never come her way again.

In a remarkable interview with Ricky Lee, who was writing a number of screenplays for her, she foregrounded the debates her professional self was having with her religious background. (Titled “Walang Bold sa Langit” or “Bold Not Allowed in Heaven,” the piece was reprinted in a number of Philippine outlets as a tribute to her.) She admitted, among other things, that she was hoping to compensate for what she considered were transgressions, by performing the standard penance of good work.

In fact, she was already overcompensating even that early. William Pascual, who directed her in the ensemble “Chikas,” picked her out to star in the superior chamber piece “Takaw Tukso,” where she outshone the then-best available names for a crime-of-passion melodrama. She achieved the same feat of upstaging more established actors in “White Slavery” – which happened to be directed by Lino Brocka, who consequently made sure that she would be the sole female lead in “Macho Dancer.” Chito S. Roño’s debut, “Private Show,” showcased what was arguably the most challenging “bold” role possible, that of a live-sex performer, which another star, Sarsi

Emmanuelle, had already made definitive in Tikoy Aguiluz’s “Boatman.”

“Private Show” was railroaded by the February 1986 people power uprising, since it was the type of extreme sample that could only be screened in the Marcoses’ censorship-exempt venue, the Manila Film Center. More than any of Jose’s earlier work, it contained passages that were also bold in the sense of being expressionist and experimental; when Roño (still with Lee scripting) decided to unfold a diptych with “Curacha: Ang Babaeng Walang Pahinga,” he cast the post-Marcos era’s top sex siren, Rosanna Roces, but he also provided a climactic moment where Jose’s character reappeared to suggest solidarity – not just between two generations of live-sex characters, but also between the best bold stars of their time.

As she had correctly anticipated, roles that featured the character types she specialized in quickly dwindled. Nevertheless Jose had enough acclaim and acting trophies to ensure that she could still be cast in supporting roles, usually as the lead actor’s mistress or lead actress’s best friend. At this stage, she apparently had another round of figuring out (complemented by an intensive theater experience, in Lee’s “PitikBulag sa Buwan ng Pebrero”), and arrived at a workable solution: for minor roles, she would attempt a consistently affectless delivery, then let loose at peak level wherever the character had a dramatic opportunity, usually in her final scene. The approach served to remind audiences and colleagues that she remained a talent who refused to be taken for granted.

With the emergence of digital technology and streaming services in the new millennium, Jose was able to secure greater opportunities in her career path. She could once more land an occasional lead role, and explore her potential for class-parodic comedy in TV series. The lesson she provided as exemplar was undeniable to anyone who bothered to take stock: one may already have the rare fortune of emerging fully formed, but longevity can only be attained through hard work, in her case in both analytic and physical terms. From this perspective, her Cannes Film Festival prize merely affirms what Filipino audiences already realized and admired about her through several decades of familiarity.

The few instances where she mentioned feeling abandoned should not be conflated with the tragic circumstances of her death from a bad fall when no one was present to check on her well-being. She’d always known that life would be hard, and that the pursuit of artistic excellence will always be a lonely undertaking. Her initial appearance reminded observers, no doubt including Brocka, of a talented predecessor, Claudia Zobel, who died in a horrific car accident – as Brocka also would a few years later; two other waifish bold stars, Pepsi Paloma and Stella Strada, died by their own hands at the time when Jose was contending with a decline in film assignments. One might wish she lived longer than she did, but we could just as well marvel at how she managed to thrive as long as she had.

Jose dies of a heart attack on March 2, according to her family. Facebook photo

Charina Amunategui: Banking, bodybuilding and the power of personal branding

By Cristina DC Pastor

Charina Amunategui, this year’s PIDCI Grand Marshal, is all that and most certainly more. An Executive Director at The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, her life's narrative demonstrates the power of perseverance, unwavering determination, and the quest for holistic wellbeing, which includes physical, mental and emotional health.

The harsh realities of life came early enough to Charina when her father passed away when she was merely eight months old. However, her life took a pivotal turn when her mother married Pedro Visperas Jr., a man who became more than just a stepfather to her. “He was my real Dad in every respect.” Tragically, he passed away from cancer in 2007, leaving an irreplaceable void in her heart. She continues to cherish his memory as the “best father any girl could dream of.”

Her coming of age in Tondo, and her family’s immigration to Canada when she was 14 have shaped her identity in profound ways.

Although she grew up in Tondo with her mother’s family, the Tiangcos were of middle-class means. Charina went to school at St. Scholastica’s College, and the family lived in a multi-generational dwelling together with her grandparents, uncles and aunties.

“I was very close to my grandmother, Rosalina. I called her ‘Mama Chi'. I would always sleep on a couch in her bedroom,” she said.

The family’s machine rebuilding business in Tondo survives to this day.

Life in Canada was one of hardship.

“My parents who had corporate jobs in the Philippines, all of a sudden they were working in a factory in Canada,” she said in an interview with The FilAm. “We’re not ashamed of it. We’re proud of what we’ve made out of our lives. But it was a time of hardship.” On

With her cavapoo (cavalier and poodle) Ketchup. ‘The love of my life.’ Photos provided by Charina Amunategui

Charina when she was presented before the Filipino community in February as 2024 PIDCI Grand Marshal. Photo by Joros Razon

She believed the transition from corporate jobs in Manila to minimum-wage work in Missisauga, a suburb of Toronto, highlighted the family’s “resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.”

She looked back on some of the moments that served as their initiation to Canadian life. One example was the comedic episode involving the cultural etiquette of raising hands in the classroom.

“In Canada, I stood up to answer the teacher without knowing I did not have to stand up, and all the kids in the class laughed. Nobody stood up in class, you just speak up,” she said laughing so hard. “Sometimes you don’t even have to raise your hand.”

Despite the initial challenges, Charina's indomitable spirit propelled her forward. At the young age of 15, she embarked on her journey of financial independence, working part-time jobs while excelling in her studies. She worked as a folder in a clothing store at the shopping mall and also as a cashier at KFC.

“I would fold clothes at this shop called Fairweather for a minimum wage of Cdn $5.25. That was my first job. I was there up until I went to college.”

| Suits in college

She earned a degree in economics at the prestigious University of Waterloo. She boldly took out government loans to finance her education, determined to carve out a bright future for herself.

College was when her goals began to sharpen and she started to “visualize” what future awaited her. That’s when she started wearing suits to school.

“I always believed in the power of visualization,” she said. “My mother would always bring me to her office in a bank, so in college, I would study in a suit. I envisioned myself up a corporate ladder, working in a bank because I was dressing for success.” True enough, Charina has been a banker for almost two decades ascending the ranks at the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ.

| PIDCI and the Filipino community

She moved to New York City in 2014, after she was transferred by her bank, UBS, from Toronto. It was not until 2020 when she got involved with the Filipino community through ISFFA or the International Society of Filipinos in Finance and Accounting. She became a member and delivered a closing keynote speech at their national conference in Anaheim, California in 2022.

The power of connections manifested when a board member of ISFFA, Maria Fides Balita, nominated her to the Filipina Women’s Network (FWN) to receive the Most Influential Filipina in the World award, which landed her within the scope of Nora Galleros’s attention. Nora, an accomplished CPA in New York and New Jersey, was one of the interviewers in the FWN selection committee. She happens to be the immediate past president of PIDCI or the Philippine Independence Day Council Inc., which mounts the annual Independence Day parade on Madison Avenue in Manhattan.

“We were in Prague together in 2023,” she recalled. “For the award ceremony I got to know Nora better.

Her family, from left: brothers Mark Visperas, LieutenantCommander Hilario Carlo Amunategui, Commanding Officer of HMCS Moncton of the Canadian Navy; mother Elizabeth Visperas, father Pedro Visperas, sister Monica Visperas Uy, brother Michael Visperas, and Charina.

When we came back to the U.S., she mentioned how she liked my presentation about the importance of mentoring young girls to help build their confidence. She said PIDCI’s theme this year is about uniting generations and getting them to be more involved and engaged.”

“PIDCI’s goals aligned with my goals,” Charina continued. “I want to see a future where we are raising youths who are assertive, are aware of the resources that are available to them and have guidance on how to maximize their potential.”

| Competes in bodybuilding

Unknown to many, Charina is a serious bodybuilder and participates in amateur competitions. “Just for fun,” she said, eliciting a self-deprecating chuckle.

She’s not exactly a dilettante fitness buff. She has a training coach, has put in five days a week at the gym over the last 10 years, watches what she eats and religiously tracks her weightlifting routine, cardio, and blood sugar on a spreadsheet! Her disciplined regimen reflects her dedication to self-improvement. She believes that with physical fitness, “I am able to handle stress, the academic and work-related.” She is currently completing her MBA at Yale University and is due to graduate this coming May.

Charina's story of navigating cultures, as well as academic and professional excellence is one of triumph over adversity. She hopes to inspire others with her journey.

Physical perfection at 130 pounds. Photo: Mr. Big Photo

$1.6 M federal grant Will the community center finally happen?

PIDCI Grand Marshal: Banker and bodybuilder

Women voters Why they will go to the polls

Photo by Joros Razon

Charina Amunategui

Charina Amunategui