|
For the past 17 years, The Filipino Express has provided the Filipino American community the best news, arts and entertainment coverage from around the United States and the Philippines.
|
|
This website includes selected articles from this week's edition of the Filipino Express. Not all the stories published in the printed version appear on this site.
|
|
|
|
To tell us what you think about Filipino Express Online or to comment on the stories published here, E-mail us at Filexpress@aol.com
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NEW YORK, March 23, 2005 --- Filipinos joined thousands who marched Saturday in the streets of New York and around the world to denounce the ongoing US occupation of Iraq, now into its third year. Most of the Filipino rallyists are members of Justice Not War in the Philppines Campaign (JNW).
The march began in Harlem, one of New York’s poorest communities, where it passed a military recruiting station as it made its way to Central Park. The JNW Campaign also projected opposition to the Hacienda Luisita massacre and a stand for immigrant rights.
“We marched because we wanted to show our spirit of resistance and commitment to justice,” said Maria Doherty, mass campaigns coordinator of Ugnayan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Linking the Children of the Motherland). “We need to demonstrate that people have power. If we don’t continue the struggle, people won’t rise up.”
Jojo Geronimo of the Network in Solidarity with the People of the Philippines (NISPOP) and a staff member at Service Employees International Union (SEIU) described the importance of linking the issues of the Philippines to the situation in Iraq and in Harlem.
“The invasion of Iraq is not just an isolated Bush initiative. Look at the Philippines. The US government is pursuing an imperialist, militarist agenda and an economy built on permanent war,” Geronimo said. “This war hurts the majority for the benefit of the few. We can see who is being recruited to fight in Iraq. It’s the poor African-Americans and other people of color. And it’s the corporations that are profiting. The Bush agenda is one of war, poverty and racism.”
As the march wound through the Harlem streets, the JNW protesters chanted “Up with Harlem, down with the war!” and “Stop the US war machine from Harlem to Iraq to the Philippines!” while residents could be seen pumping their fists from their windows.
A resident also joined in and flew the red, black, and green African-American flag alongside the Philippine flag, the JNW flag, and the flags of JNW’s member organizations.
Ree Obana of Ugnayan spoke from the stage on behalf of the Justice Not War in the Philippines Campaign.
“We’re here to denounce the continuing occupation of Iraq. Our land too has been raped and ravaged by US colonizers,” Obana said.
Elena Shannon of DAMAYAN Migrant Workers Association described their contigents as “very hot.”
“It was great to shout on the streets and to express that Bush lied to the people, the decision to go to Iraq was bad, and the US has to withdraw,” Shannon said.
The Justice Not War in the Philippines Campaign marched with BAYANusa and CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities among other people of color organizations. The JNW Campaign was formed in February 2003 to oppose US intervention and human rights violations in the Philippines. Since its formation, the JNW Campaign has mobilized continuously to project these issues at all major anti-war demonstrations in New York and Washington DC.
JNW’s member-organizations are NISPOP, DAMAYAN Migrant Workers Association and Ugnayan ng mga Anak ng Bayan. For information, call (212) 564-6057.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NEW YORK, March 23, 2005 --- Do you know that there are Filipinos who work for New York Times, Time Magazine, CNN, Oprah Magazine and other big US media corporations?
Last March 16, Consul General Cecilia B. Rebong hosted a reception at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center to welcome Filipinos in the US mainstream media.
Rebong found over 50 Filipinos and Filipino Americans in prestigious media outlets such as CNN, Reuters, Associated Press, ABC-7, CBS-2, Bloomberg TV, MTV, CNBC, Time Magazine, Newsweek, Businessweek, New York Times, Newsday, Barron’s, People Magazine, Fortune Magazine, Rolling Stone Magazine, Oprah Magazine, Elle, Village Voice, Fairchild Publications and Conde Nast. The accomplished media practitioners were joined by Ambassador Albert del Rosario and other diplomats from the Philippine Embassy in Washington DC, the Philippine Consulate General in New York, the Trade and Tourism Representatives, and the Philippine Mission to the United Nations.
Editors of Filipino-American media and selected community leaders also attended the intimate celebration.
“We started with a handful of names. But through research and references, we learned that there are many Filipinos behind some of the largest media outlets in the world. We are elated to see all of you here tonight,” Rebong said in her opening remarks.
The good number of Filipino Americans who are connected with the prestigious media outlets, Rebong said, is yet another proof that Filipino professionals in the United States excel even in highly competitive fields as the American media.
“One objective of the gathering was to connect the Filipino media practitioners with their motherland, and I am happy to know that they appreciated it.” Rebong added.
Del Rosario, meanwhile, briefed the audience on key developments in Philippine bilateral relations with the United States.
“Our discussions with the media guests were congenial and constructive,” the Ambassador said. He also asked Rebong to consider having a similar event next year.
Eugene Reyes, Department of Trade representative, and Emma Ruth Yulo-Kitiyakara, Tourism representative, gave short presentations on the Philippines’ trade/investment and tourism initiatives.]
“It was such a great event. I was happy to meet my fellow Filipinos in the industry and to see the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center for the very first time,” said ABC-TV production assistant Monica dela Rosa said.
Lenn Almadin-Thornhill of The Filipino Channel added: “This reception is a terrific idea. I hope we can have it more often.”
Also, two leading Filipino Broadway performers Julie Danao and Rona Figueroa wowed the guests with their grand voices in between the presentations.
Danao will be playing the role of Yoko Ono, in the Broadway play “Lennon” which will premiere on Broadway in July.
Figueroa played Kim in Miss Saigon” and Eponine in “Les Miserables” on Broadway and on tour.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
