Sustainability experts say success and impact begin with a sound plan and a stead pool of funds.

Alongside the UN’s 70th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, three women’s organizations have bonded to create a leadership forum on March 11, 2026, at 1 Vanderbilt, NYC titled “Women's Leadership and Access to Justice.”

Organized by international groups HERDD, WFWPI, and WOW Coaching, the event is an epitome of leadership as a sisterhood and leadership strategy.

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations has announced its award of $1 million in Federal Community Project Funding to support the continued development of a Filipino American Community Center in New York City, marking a historic milestone for the Filipino American community.

It has previously secured $1.66 million federal HUD grant from U.S. Representative Grace Meng (6th Congressional District NY), reinforcing a long-term vision to establish a permanent home for Filipino American organizing, services, and cultural expression in New York City.

The Philippines once again marked stronger cross-border trade and investment ties with the launch of the 2026 U.S. Business Mission to the Philippines on February 11, 2026, at Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center.

Organized by the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) Philippine Trade and Investment Center in New York (PTIC-New York), in partnership with the Philippine Consulate General in New York and the Philippine American Chamber of Commerce (PACC), the event was titled: "Investing Forward: Philippine Economic Outlook and Launch of the U.S. Business Mission to the Philippines.”

New York State Assemblymember Steven Raga has the support of the Filipino American Democratic Club of New York (FADC-NY) in case he decides to run for senator representing NYS District 12.

In a press release, the FilAm organization said it “stands proudly behind Raga as he explores a run for New York State Senate District 12.”

Bluewater Maribago is one of the few resorts in Cebu which has been mindful of sustainability even at its inception. With over 35 years of existence as a favorite family resort, it is known for its amuma (care or nurture in Cebuano) for guests, staff, and the environment.

Unknown perhaps to many of its guests, Bluewater has ensured the farm-to-table freshness of its food offerings.

From universities and farmlands, a thousand biodiversity gardens and compost pits will flourish. The global organization Women's Federation for World Peace International, UN Office and its partners in Cebu and Bohol concluded a successful and promising Permaculture Education Summit and Immersion Tour in January 2026, showcasing the UN paradigm thinking global, acting local.

The new year 2026 is set to stage a much larger YAMAN NYC. Its remarkable success in 2025 with 25 pioneering trade and cultural exhibitors and artisans going home happy and earning more than they expected, had been enough for organizers Edwin Josue and Jerry Sibal of the nonprofit Friends of the Philippines Society USA Inc. to sustain its presence.

The Philippine American Friendship Community (PAFCOM) 35-year commemorative book is out this January 2026 after two years of work. Published by PAFCOM, book is a collaborative effort of journalists Cristina DC Pastor and Marivir Montebon, some PAFCOM officials, visual artist Ness Bantog, and former Board president Dr. Connie Uy as editor-in-chief.

There's a Dr. Jose P. Rizal Way in Woodside, Queens. It's spot on 58th Street and Woodside Ave, right across St. Sebastian Church.

December 12, 2025 was a historic day, albeit painfully cold as Filipinos in the diaspora gathered to unveil the street name, co-named with 58th Street. Thanks to the initiative and persistence of Knights of Rizal District 30 founder Flo Coronel, Assemblymember Steven Raga and Council Member Julie Won, this happened.

Speakers of personal testimonies in the domestic violence forum “These Hands Don’t Hurt” noted that it took time to break the stigma of victimhood to gather themselves and seek help and liberate themselves from pain. Once overcome, victims usually become transformative leaders.

Educator journalist Noel Pangilinan was honored the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Filipino American National Historical Society - Metro New York in the 2025 Filipino American History Month celebration on October 11, 2025 at the Queens Museum.

Pangilinan is an adjunct professor of the University of Mount Saint Vincent at the Department of Languages and Literatures. He is a senior lecturer at the Filipino School of New York and New Jersey and a member of the FilAm Press Club of New York.

Serious-but-humorous Max Limpag wrote for Rappler and Esquire Philippines. He’s been reaping awards and respect for his work. He was a colleague of this writer at The Freeman Newspaper in Cebu. Too soon to write 30, he is a loss to the media industry.

HTFI’s transparency has built its integrity. When a disaster, such as flooding, is reported in Filipino media, the HTFI President convenes the Board of Trustees, in an emergency meeting to discuss where and how much money to send.

The 15-year-old organization verifies the identity of the recipient organization in the Philippines; it sends the money via bank-to-bank transfer, and requests proof of receipt and how money was spent by the beneficiary. 

In the midst of heightened world conflicts, Giulia Clara Kessous, UNESCO Artist for Peace, called for a paradigm shift toward “a diplomacy of collaboration,” proposing a 40% quota for women in formal peace processes. She offered a profound reflection on the art of negotiation. “Women negotiate differently,” she said, “not to win, but to ensure shared survival.”

From October 31 to November 2, well-participated Yaman featured top line Filipino and Filipino American culinary artists, entrepreneurs, couturiers, and performers. Organizers Jerry Sibal and Edwin Josue wanted to link the diasporic communities with artisans and entrepreneurs to keep alive Philippine culture and economy. The undertaking was noble and compelling, with the practical challenge of the high cost of mounting a cultural extravaganza.

Josue and Sibal have outdid themselves in this endeavor. (Cover photo - Edwin and Jerry with AGT champion Sofronio Vasquez)

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.