A consortium of nonprofit women’s organization proposed ways to solve the UN fiscal problems. It warned that the unabated crisis will undermine commitments under the Beijing Platform for Action, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), and so importantly, the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

Culture without knowledge of history is artifice. -Lisa Angulo Reid, FilAm entrepreneur.

In this second of last part feature, Kim discussed commonly shared issues on immigration, youth anxiety, student loans, public health, NJ infrastructure budget cuts, and some books he is reading to bolster his own spirit.

The Song of the Fireflies (King Palisoc, director; Sarge Lacuesta, writer) went sold-out on Saturday, October 11, 2025 on its US East Coast premiere at the Soho International Film Festival. The heartwarming film of the humble beginnings of the internationally acclaimed Loboc Children’s Choir sent quiet tears to the audience too.

Sen. Andrew Kim (D-NJ) told members of the ethnic media on a dreary Monday morning that Americans are living in dangerous times, with the disintegration of government programs on health, education, and safety protections for people. But also noted the need to continue to protest peacefully.

“Sarimanok is the most spectacular show I’ve seen from Philippine Ballet Theatre in NYC. The dancers seamlessly blended ballet, contemporary, and modern style. The production was outstanding with intricate costumes, striking props, and stunning electronic backdrops. Every scene kept my senses alive and alert. My only wish is for Sarimanok to become an annual event in NYC, especially in time for the Filipino American History Month.” Teacher/blogger Ramil Buenaventura

Voices of women leaders were loud and clear at the United Nations General Assembly and related events. But will they heed their call?

After his arrest by ICE, Assemblymember Steven Raga, in a statement said, “Let this moment serve as a call to action to stand together to protect our community, our city, our nation and to safeguard the principles of democracy, equity and justice for all.”

Only two of 100 articles published daily depict stories of women in armed conflict or any form of hardship, said NY-based journalist Kelly Kimball, managing editor of More to Her Story magazine, at the UN side event titled ‘Sustainable Development Goals Conference 2025 In the Margins of the UNGA 80.’

The event was spearheaded by the Journalists and Writers Foundation, an international civil society organization associated with the UN Department of Communications, on September 24, 2025, at 630 2nd Avenue.

Jordanian Queen Rania Al Abdullah delivered a two-minute speech urging the UN to urgently go after violators of international humanitarian law in the wake of the tripled suffering of women in armed conflicts on September 22, 2025, during the ECOSOC conference, the ‘SDG Moment’ at the UN Headquarters in NY on the Beijing Declaration of women’s empowerment.

Queen Rania said that Israel's war on Gaza has shortened life expectancy by 30 years, thirty years after the Beijing Declaration. “What have global promises done for them?” she asked.

The global Ambassadors for Peace were appointed by the Women’s Federation for World Peace International in time for the celebration of the UN International Day of Peace, in recognition of their track record of peace building and enabling leadership in their professions and communities.

The UN Peace Day is celebrated every September 21 since 1981 through a unanimous UN resolution.

YAMAN (treasure) is an upcoming large-scale social, commerce, and cultural marketplace in New York City that will spotlight Philippine artisans, creators, and visionaries on October 31 to November 2, 2025. This is spearheaded by Jerry Sibal and Edwin Josue of the Friends of the Philippines Society USA Inc. (FRIENDSPHUSA).

The Filipino American Press Club of New York strongly condemned the killing of working journalists in Gaza. In a recent press statement, the FAPCNY said, “We condemn in the strongest possible terms the savage killing of five journalists in the Israeli strike on Gaza’s Nasser Medical Complex.”

The FilAm Press Club statement said, “We stand in unwavering solidarity with these fallen journalists and their families. Journalists are not combatants. They are truth-bearers. To deliberately target or recklessly endanger them is to commit a crime against democracy and the global community’s right to know, …and a direct challenge to the values enshrined in the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law.”

Philippine Consul General in New York Senen Mangalile formally introduced new officials of the PCGNY and Trade and Tourism attaches to the Filipino American media on August 15, 2025. 

Consul Anna Marie Mae Guerra takes charge of the Cultural Affairs and Public Diplomacy while Vice Consul Peter dela Fuente handles the Assistance to Nationals office. Social Security System has a new director in the person of Rigor Pantolinao.

At New Hope Technical Institute in Rwanda, a quiet revolution is underway. Since 1999, NHTI has offered more than just education—it's been a lifeline for over 1,150 students, especially young women, who face extreme poverty and limited opportunities. Testimonials of students have been awe-inspiring.

Apicha CEO Therese Rodriguez said that no one is turned down from their services despite federal budget cuts. We continue to serve, and no one is turned down, she assured.

To solve this budgetary problem, Apicha is negotiating with the local and state governments to provide funds for their constituents, Rodriguez said.

NYS Assemblymember Steven Raga said that his office has notably sensed a “big fear” in the community in Queens. “On an average day, we have constituents and neighbors who are being disappeared in court on 26th Federal Plaza. How can we help them? That’s a thing (we do) but we cannot post these live on social media. But that’s an everyday thing, the trauma that they are facing right now.”

On Saturday August 9, 2025, Apicha Community Health Center will be celebrating National Health Center Week (NHCW) 2025 with a Community Health Fair at Diversity Plaza in Jackson Heights, Queens. 

This special occasion will feature a health and resource fair and cultural performances. Avail of free blood pressure and Body Mass Index (BMI) Screenings for obesity, oral dental screenings, free help in enrolling for health insurance, Food Assistance (SNAP), and Medicaid, and free backpacks and books for the kids.

In its hyper localized sense, multilateralism or multi-stakeholder approach is seen in the recently concluded parallel event when the Women’s Federation for World Peace International UN Relations Office and a Philippine university signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on July 23, 2025, for a joint project called “Mainstreaming Permaculture Education for Climate Action.”

This event, held at the New Yorker Hotel, aimed to address the issues on food security, environmental regeneration and action, youth and women empowerment, and economic development all in one.

Mark your date in October, Filipinos in the US. The multi-awarded Philippine Ballet Theatre brings to the US “Sarimanok” ballet in New York City on October 4, 2025.