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.

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.