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Cancer mom Cheely Ann Sy fights son’s battle
With 3-year-old RJ at Sloan Kettering HospitalBy Cristina DC Pastor September 2014 would be the beginning of an uphill battle for Richard and Cheely Ann Sy of Bergenfield, New Jersey. On September 3,...
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Through tragedy, grateful for our second chance together
The author as a young teen in San Francisco, with her Lola LoretaBy Tiara Camille Teruel “Hello? Sino ito?” the question was so comforting. She always said it so softly with an almost angelic...
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Another forlorn wedding anniversary awaits a ‘desaparecido’ and the husband...
Ma. Luisa Posa and Tomas Dominado on their wedding day in March 1977By Julia Carreon-Lagoc March 28, 1977 was not a day that stood out among the rest of the days in March ’77 in the Philippines. In...
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A family’s heart beats in two worlds
Sisters Bianca, Margi and Nina Antonio are young Gawad Kalinga advocates By Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko, Ph.D. “I moved away when my family was relocated due to my husband’s job in 2006. It was not easy...
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Kristina Kalaw Joyas confronts the stereotypes about parenting and community...
Kristina and daughter KV at Citi Field Stadium for Filipino Heritage NightBy Cristina DC Pastor The first time I saw Kristina Kalaw Joyas was at a packed town hall meeting at the Philippine Center a...
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A nurse’s daughter
Chrissi Fabro and her father Guillermo, a nurse who works at Presbyterian Hospital’s MICU department: ‘Thank you for fighting for us.’April 16 was a typical day for Guillermo Fabro. He was at work at...
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On May 10, let’s remember all mothers and all the people we call ‘mom’
By Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko, Ph.D. Remembering mothers on their day is one act that belongs to the ages, as noted by numerous daughters and sons all over the world where Mother’s Day is faithfully...
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As Father’s Day nears, I remember Papa and how I learned the English language...
The author, not quite 8 years old in this photo, and her father, Isabelo Astraquillo By Ludy Astraquillo Ongkeko, Ph.D. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are separated by only a month but as celebrations...
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Dolly Fernandez: Growing up in a love-filled, mixed-race family in the...
‘I am both Filipino and Scandinavian, and I identify more as Filipino.’ Photo by Joey Tabaco Pio Fernandez and Agnes Olsen; Dolly wins a beauty contest sponsored by a Filipino American organization in...
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Mile-high maladies: Mother-daughter flight attendants battle health risks
Jen Samson (right) and daughter Danica Lilia Samson: Facing family challenges together By Carol Tanjutco Jet-setting to London, Paris and Milan may sound too good to pass up for a mother and a daughter...
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A grandfather’s letter to his 13-year-old ‘apo’
Author Tony Joaquin with grandson Julian: ‘Never hurt girls.’ Former advertising executive Tony Joaquin of Sacramento, Calif., welcomes his grandson Julian Ismael Joaquin’s transition into adolescence....
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Twin brothers indicted in duplicate hit-and-run charges
Brothers Christopher Bacayon (left) and Benedict Bacayon: What are the odds? Two Long Island brothers may go down in New York State history as twins indicted in identical crimes. In October 2013,...
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FilAm mom’s birthday letter to her son in the Philippines: ‘Our distance I...
The author, a registered nurse in NYC, and her son Pablo John Garcia IV, who is a branch manager of the Cebu CFI Community Cooperative By Laura Garcia, RN My dearest son, Images of you flashed through...
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Kirby Asunto & Shirley Asunto: A relationship nurtured on traditional...
Kirby then and now. Photo by Boyet Loverita. Video by Anuz Thapa By Cristina DC Pastor At 18 years old, in-demand pop singer Kirby Asunto can very well make a decision to get an apartment, live on her...
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Mother-son Maritess and Aries Dela Cruz: Bonding over Hillary, together...
Aries and Maritess at the Clinton headquarters in Brooklyn. By Cristina DC Pastor Grief has gripped the Dela Cruz household in Queens three days after the November 8 election. Aries Dela Cruz,...
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Fake website, genuine friendship
Facebook page has 156 Likes. By Cristina DC Pastor “Gary Abasolo for Jersey City Mayor.” @abasoloformayor. Founded June 2014. Dedicated to Jersey City’s favorite son. 156 Likes. Nothing about this...
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When the woman is much older: Brigitte Macron and Dionesia Pacquiao and their...
President Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron: ‘Listening only to positive messages.’ By Cristina DC Pastor In my search for the Filipino Brigitte Macron, I circled back to Dionesia...
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The master-maid relationship is considered normal in Philippine families
The author as a young girl, her nanny behind her. The ‘yaya’ is always hovering nearby in case the child needs anything. It could be glass of water or a runny nose that needs to be wiped. By Tiara...
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Parents of the Year Menchu and Judith Sanchez: They don’t believe in spanking...
DINGDONG DANTES In raising their children, no physical punishment, ‘puro pangaral.’ By Cristina DC Pastor For registered nurse Menchu Sanchez, being recognized by the White House for her heroism during...
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Nanding & Laura find love anew and a life of purpose
A shared love of dancing. Top photo by Boyet Loverita. Lower photo by Nonoy Rafael at the Bonggahan Retro ‘60s-‘90s dance party. By Cristina DC Pastor The prelude to Nanding and Laura’s love story had...
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