JelynnRodriguez.net: Bio

JelynnRodriguez.net: Bio: Jelynn Rodriguez is a Filipino-American actress, singer, dancer, host and model. Born and raised in San Diego, California, Jelynn knew she ...

Filipino-American Jelynn Rodriguez is hosting a brand new cooking show for MSN.com called Kitchen Cookoff

Jelynn is hosting a brand new cooking show for MSN.com called Kitchen Cookoff! The first 4 episodes were recently uploaded, and you can watch them at the Kitchen Cookoff website.

Each Kitchen Cookoff episode features two women competing head to head, making one of their families best dishes, with Jelynn and Chef Jill Houk deciding the winner.  Its a fun show that shows off some great simple recipes that are easy to make. Check out the first 4 episodes and come back for news on new episodes!

Read the full story here.......

Filipino-American Professor Dr. Amelito Enriquez is invited to the White House to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring

It all started with a simple "me-too" complex for Dr. Amelito Enriquez.
 
When he was growing up in Novaliches, he wanted to be many things: a priest, an athlete and eventually an engineer just because his older siblings had the same aspirations and they told him he couldn’t be any of these.


“Everyone’s telling me you can’t do this, you can’t do that. The more people tell me I can’t do something, the more I want to do it,” said Dr. Enriquez.

After earning a degree in geodetic engineering at the University of the Philippines, he worked for a big company for 6 months before quitting to start a business with his friends.

Teaching was something he did on the side. Today, this accidental teacher is invited to the White House to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.

It’s been 17 years since he decided to make a difference in the lives of students at Cañada College in Redwood City, a job he took after earning his doctorate at the University of California in Irvine.

The bigger universities he said, wanted its professors to focus on research, but he only wanted to teach.

Full story here at ABS-CBN News.....

Manuscripts of Philippine national Dr. Jose Rizal's two famous novels "Noli Me Tangere" and "El Filibusterismo" are given to top U.S. Universities

Philippine officials presented to various prestigious colleges and universities in the United States copies of the original manuscripts of Philippine national her Dr. Jose Rizal's two famous novels — the "Noli Me Tangere" and the "El Filibusterismo."

According to a report of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Philippine officials in Chicago recently presented copies of the "Noli" and "Fili" to the Columbia College of Chicago.

Columbia, founded in 1890, is one of the largest art colleges in the US with nearly 12,000 students.

Consul General Leo Herrera-Lim presented the manuscripts of the two Rizal novels to Columbia College of Chicago Associate Vice-President Paul Chiaravalle during the International Education Week 2011 at the university library last Nov. 16.

"Present during the turnover were Filipino-American community members, the College's officials, faculty members and students," the DFA said.

As of November 17, the DFA said the Consulate has already turned over copies of Dr. Rizal's novels to the University of Chicago and several other institutions, including:
* Northern Illinois University
* Truman College
* Columbia College
* Chicago Public Library
* Skokie Public Library
* Newberry Library
* Instituto Cervantes
* Rizal Heritage Center

The turning over of copies of Rizal's novels are part of the Philippines' commemoration of Rizal's 150th birth anniversary.

Read more here at GMA News Online.......

Contributions of the Filipino-American community are recognized by Representative Scott Rigell's 2nd District of Virginia

Candidate Scott Rigell at Filipino Festival in Virginia Beach Credit: Photo by John Amiral

Representative Scott Rigell noted the strong link between the 2nd District of Virginia and the Philippines during a meeting with Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose L. Cuisia, Jr. on November 4, 2011. Ambassador Cuisia and Representative Rigell spoke about the sizeable Filipino American population which makes up 63% of the Asian American community in his district. The 2nd District encompasses all of Accomack and Northampton Counties and the City of Virginia Beach and parts of the cities of Norfolk and Hampton. The Hampton Roads and the Philippines were home to the world's largest bases maintained by the U.S. Navy, and this is the main reason for the influx of Filipino immigrants to the Hampton Roads. Ambassador Cuisia mentioned the recent re-election of Delegate Ron Villanueva in the Virginia House of Delegates representing the 21st District.


Ambassador Cuisia also conferred with Representative Rigell about the Save Our Industries Act (H.R. 2387), which is being supported by the Filipino American community in the Hampton Roads. Representative Rigell stated that he would definitely consider the bill and his decision would favorably be guided by the friendship between the Philippines and the United States and the common values they share. He acknowledged the contribution of the Filipino American community not only to his district but also to the entire United States.

Read more here at the Embassy of the Philippines........

18,500 Filipino World War II veterans or their family members have received a total of $221 million

More than 18,500 Filipino World War II veterans or their family members have received a total of $221 million (about P9.57 billion) in one-time compensation payments since 2009, according to the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) office in Manila.

In a report posted on the US Embassy website, the agency said the number “exceeds the 18,000 veterans estimated prior to the the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation (FVEC) benefits becoming law.”

With more than $16 million (about P692.8 million) in monthly disability compensation payments to approximately 15,000 beneficiaries—half of whom are Filipino veterans or their family members—the VA expects to spend at least $192 million (about P8.31 billion) on the program.

“These monthly payments are in addition to the one-time lump sum payments made to Filipino war veterans and their survivors as part of the FVEC,” said the report.

Full story here at Inquirer.......

Filipino-American Maria "Mia" Bautista Marcus - Founder and President of the International Vegas Cine Fest Awards

Maria Bautista Marcus, one of the founders and the President of the International Vegas Cine Fest Awards, believes that there is more to the film industry that the audience and the aspiring filmmakers should know. In an exclusive interview with the Asian Journal, true-blue Filipina Maria shares why she takes the job of being the President of the Vegas Cine Fest by heart.


Being at the center of a bright spotlight, beaming before the flashing cameras, and meeting some of Hollywood’s most important people may be a far-fetched dream for others; but for Maria Bautista Marcus, there is more to Hollywood than the glitz and glamour.

For Maria, it was like fate had its way of telling her that she was meant to be in show business. She started out young as a performer, acting and producing for her family’s restaurant business in Hawaii, where she was raised since she was four. Her warmth and charm earned her a succession of acting stints, being called for several TV, film, and commercial auditions in Honolulu.

Her intense interest for entertainment and arts inspired her to move to California, where she got to work in TV and film productions. She has also coordinated for reality shows produced by MTV, Mark Burnett Productions and Indie Filmmakers and Producers in Hollywood. Considered as one of the TOP 100 Bloggers in Los Angeles, Maria also wrote and produced a short film called Honeymoon in Paradise that was screened in Cannes during the 2007 Cannes Film Festival.

Full article here at Asian Journal.....

UPDATE! THIS SALE IS LIVE NOW! It's not a Black Friday sale but it's a 50% off Brown Friday sale

Baybayin artists, Ray Haguisan and Christian Cabuay are giving you deals on their goods that are up to 50% off for their Brown Friday sale!

Custom Baybayin translations, necklaces, hoodies, shirts, translations, books, apps, pre-sales and a couple surprises!

It all starts tomorrow night 11/24 before midnight US Pacific time

Visit GuroSam.com and sign-up to get alerted when the sale is on!

Get more info here at Pinoy Tattoos and Guru Sam........

Filipino-American Nicole Scherzinger gets naked Island Style in book 'Culo By Mazzucco'

If Nicole Scherzinger isn't careful she could find herself inadvertently headlining the XXX Factor.

The Pussycat Dolls superstar has dared to bare almost all in a new coffee table book about women's backsides....

Scherzinger is one of the many celebs who stripped down for artist Raphael Mazzucco's Culo By Mazzucco, a 248-page ode to women's backsides edited by Sean "Diddy" Combs and Interscope and A&M Chairman Jimmy Iovine.

Culo, if you don't know, means buttocks in Italian.

Read full story here at E Online..... 

Manny Pacquiao tested clean of any banned substances after Marquez fight

The final cherry atop the surprisingly epic duel that was Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez III was delivered this week when it was announced that both fighters tested clean of any banned substances.

According to Keith Kizer, the Nevada State Athletic Commission found that Pacquiao and Marquez tested negative in both their pre-fight and post-fight performance-enhancing drug (PED) tests. And while most folks generally accepted the notion that that what they witnessed on November 12 was the end result of a particularly impressive effort by Marquez versus a guy that was a massive favorite going into the fight, conspiracy theories were running rampant in certain dark holes on the internet.

For one thing, in the days leading up to the fight, news broke of Marquez’s trainer, Angel Hernandez, being involved with the infamous BALCO Lab scandal some years back. The generally shadiness as it relates to that endeavor coupled with the prominent role PEDs have had in all things Pacquiao-related over the last couple of years left a bad taste in the mouths of many.

Full story here Opposing Views......

MUST READ ALERT: 8/22/11 California Apoligizes to all Filipino-Americans for fundamental violations of basic constitutional and civil rights

Luis Alejo

"Positively No Filipinos Allowed"

“RESOLVED by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, that the Legislature, on behalf of the people of the state, apologizes to Filipino-Americans in California for fundamental violations of basic constitutional and civil rights through de jure and de facto discrimination committed during the 1920s through the 1940.” – ACR 74, authored by Hon. Luis Alejo, August 2011, presented to the cast and crew of The Romance of Magno Rubio on Nov. 18, 2011 at Inside the Ford Theater in Hollywood.
 
Hon. Luis Alejo’s parents came to the United States under the bracero program, where a million workers were imported from Mexico to work in the farms of California in the 1950’s.
Although his father had 2nd grade education, his mother did not. His American dream came true and more -- he was elected as an Assemblymember, completed a Juris Doctorate degree at UC Davis, a Master’s of Education in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from Harvard University and earned two bachelor degrees in political science and Chicano Studies at UC Berkeley.

It was in Berkeley where he got exposed to the history of Filipinos in America, when he took a class in Ethnic Studies. It was a century-old story which he became curious about. He remembered his family’s neighbors, the Rosete Family, who took care of him. Their children played together, while his parents worked in the fields.

He learned at UC Cal about Larry Itliong, Philip Vera Cruz and other Filipino farmworkers who got increases of $1.40/hour from harvesting grapes in Coachella Valley, later sold at $14 a lug.
Philip Vera Cruz documented the farm workers’ union organizing activities in his book, “Philip Vera Cruz: a Personal History of Filipino Immigrants and the Farmworkers Movement, written with Craig Scharlin and Lilia Villanueva.

When these Filipino farmworkers travelled north to Delano, they got paid $1.15/ hour by the growers, who charged lodging and several weeks of farm labor were classified as training, henced unpaid, but they were already skilled yet, their work devalued, a case of double injustice, from the farmworkers’ perspectives.

Larry Itliong, one of the leaders of the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC) approached Cesar Chavez and Mexicans of the NFWA to join in with the Filipinos, or risk becoming scabs, compelled to cross the picket lines by the growers. Cesar Chavez said no, that the Mexicans were not ready. Filipinos started their own strike of the Delano grape fields for weeks, when Cesar changed his mind to join them, and the United Farmworkers Union was born out of these combined efforts.

Full article here at Asian Journal......

Record number of Asian Americans are running for Congress next year

In all, at least 19 Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) candidates have declared their bids for Congress so far in the 2012 election cycle, up from eight candidates in 2010.

"You can't call us invisible anymore," said Gloria Chan, president and CEO of the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS), which compiled the data. "This spike in AAPI congressional challengers marks a definite political tipping point for our community."

Read full article here at USA Today......

What are your thoughts on why this is happening? Write your comments below please. Thanks!

Filipino-American MMA fighter Mark Munoz would love to be the next coach on The Ultimate Fighter

"I would love to be a TUF coach. I actually coached before I even got into mixed martial arts," Munoz told ESPN.

"I was a division one wrestling coach in college for almost 10 years. I feel like I'm a better coach than I am a fighter."

"I would love, love to be an Ultimate Fighter coach."

Full story here...... 

Filipino-American MMA Mark Munoz to Likely Headline UFC on FOX 2

According to sources close to the fighters, Mark Munoz and Chael Sonnen will meet in a number one middleweight contender bout early next year.  It looks to be the headliner of UFC on FOX 2 with rumors that Munoz’s teammate, Jake Ellenberger will also be featured with a likely opponent being Diego Sanchez.  Other rumored bouts include Melvin Guillard vs Jim Miller and Eddie Wineland vs Demetrious Johnson for the event taking place on January 28th at the United Center in Chicago.

Read the full story here on MMA Interviews..... 

First Filipino sworn in to Jersey City City Council

Jersey City Councilwoman Viola Richardson and New Jersey City University administrator Rolando Lavarro were officially sworn in as the City Council’s newest at-large members this afternoon, in a ceremony that the duo said “humbled” them.

Lavarro, 41, becomes the first Asian-American and Filipino to be elected to the council.
Before today’s swearing-in, the city raised the Filipino flag in front of City Hall to commemorate the historic event.

Full story here.....

Filipino-American, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, stars in Broadway show 'Godspell'

Filipino-American actress Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, the 20-year-old granddaughter of Philippine screen legend Sylvia La Torre, received a standing ovation in her Broadway debut in “Godspell" at the Circle in the Square Theatre in New York.

The daughter of former TV personality Archie Perez de Tagle and Evelyn Enriquez, Anna Maria was born in San Francisco, California.

Anna Maria has already appeared on several movies such as "Camp Rock 1," "Camp Rock 2," "Hannah Montana," and "Fame."

In "Godspell" Anna Maria surprised audiences when she suddenly spoke Tagalog in one part of the show.

Among those who have already seen her performances on Broadway were Filipino actress and singer Lea Salonga, fashion designer Oliver Tolentino and his business partner Andrew Carruthers, former fashion model and beauty queen Bessie Badilla, among others
.

Full story here.....

Q-Bert and fellow Filipino-American DJs inspired Justin Bua's painting "The DJ"

Justin Bua's inspiration for "The DJ" painting was after seeing DJ Q-Bert and his fellow Filipino-American DJs.

DJ Qbert is currently touring with Justin Bua to promote is book signing "The Legends of Hip Hop". I personally have this painting hung in my living room and I knew it had some connection to Filipino DJ's. I love it!

Show some love on how we have influenced other artists with commenting below. Thanks!

Filipino-American Nicole Scherzinger is on the cover of Shape Magazine

Ladies and Gentlemen it's almost Thanksgiving. Get inspired to get rid of the extra poundage from your thankful feast. How you ask? Well take a look at Filipino-American Nicole Scherzinger on the December cover of Shape magazine. She works hard while keeping in shape and very talented. But most of all she is oh so sexy.

Read more here.....

What's the future of Filipino-American WWE Wrestler Batista?

Don't look for Dave Bautista in a WWE ring anytime soon, and definitely not for next year's WrestleMania. Bautista, aka "Batista," realizes with The Rock and John Cena in the main event for next year's WrestleMania, he is shut out of the top pay. Besides, according to several sources close to Batista, he is very happy with his gym business and acting career.

Full story here..... What are you thoughts? Make your comments below. Thanks!

Arnel Pineda, Journey's lead singer falls off the stage.

Interview at Basics with Bambu, Filipino-American MC

Steve da Silva / BASICS: How does the national liberation movement in the Philippines relate to the music you’re producing in America?

Bambu: There’s a clear line between the two. Like I said on stage, all my music really does is raise the awareness of the people and the consciousness of the masses. It’s a tool used to organize. The goal is to get those people who like the music to actually go out and organize. That’s where I separate myself from the actual work that’s going on.

Now, if you wanna talk about my organizing, then yeah, I am also doing work in organizing and educating folks, especially within the youth sector, basically building a bridge between what’s going on here and what’s going on back in the Philippines. What we like to say is connecting the ‘micro’ to the ‘macro’. We’re trying to get the youth we’re working with – youth of colour, Filipino youth – to bridge what’s going on in the community with what’s going on back at home and around the globe.

Full interview here.....

ESPN still ranks Filipino-American boxer Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. number one

Filipino-American boxer Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. remains king of the bantamweight class based on ESPN’s divisional rankings.


Donaire, who recently defended his WBC and WBO bantamweight crowns, got ESPN.com’s nod even after an umimpressive fight where challenger Argentine Omar Narvaez chose to simply defend himself.

“Donaire did everything he could to make it a fight and please the fans at New York's Madison Square Garden Theater, but Narvaez refused to fight and turned in a horrible performance,” said ESPN.com.

Donaire will soon leave the bantamweight class to challenge big names in the super bantamweight division.

One of his possible opponents is Wilfredo Vasquez Jr.

Should the Vasquez fight push through in early 2012, it will be for the vacant WBO super bantamweight title.

Full story at here....

Professor of Theatre Francis Tanglao-Aguas receives 2011 Dakila Achievement Award in Education

Associate Professor of Theatre Francis Tanglao-Aguas recently received the 2011 Dakila Achievement Award in Education from the Philippine American Foundation for Charities, Inc. in Washington, D.C.

The Dakila Achievement Awards are presented every two years to members of the Filipino-American community. According to the website, the awardees “represent the best examples of Filipino American service, perseverance, drive and success.” Other Filipino Americans who were honored at this year’s awards ceremony included Angela Lagdameo, special assistant in the Maryland Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives and Intergovernmental Affairs, and the late Maria Mabilangan Haley, former adviser to President Bill Clinton and Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Full story here.....

Filipino-American UFC MMA Brandon Vera visits the P.I. for PXC 28 (Philippines & Guam MMA)

Brandon Vera at PXC 24

Filipino-American Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter Brandon Vera will return to the country for the second time this year to show his support for PXC28. The mixed martial arts event will be headlined by rising Filipino MMA star Tristan “Titay” Arenal going up against Abu Dhabi grappling champ Jon Tuck.

Brandon is the special guest in the Mixed Martial Arts event of the year on Saturday, November 26,7pm at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig. He will arrive early tomorrow morning together with his Filipino father Ernest Vera.

Read the full story here..... 

Promo Video for PXC 28

Filipino-American Ron Villanueva re-elected to 21st House District seat

After squeaking out a victory two years ago, Republican Del. Ron Villanueva put a definitive stamp on the 21st House District on Tuesday, soundly defeating Democratic newcomer Adrianne Bennett to earn his second term.

Villanueva, thronged by supporters and fellow elected officials, said it felt good to win by more than 16 votes - his margin of victory over Democrat Bobby Mathieson in 2009.

Read the full store here.....

HOT TOPICS: The Spanish Language in the Philippines

On Wednesday, Nov. 23, language teachers and experts from all over the region will assemble in the Instituto Cervantes de Manila for the Second Conference of Spanish as a Foreign Language in Asia and the Pacific which will be inaugurated by Speaker Feliciano Belmonte. Many will remember the common heritage and the historical bonds between our two countries but wonder why reviving the Spanish language is an issue of interest in the Philippines as we enter the second decade of the 21st century.
Way back in 1937, President Manuel L. Quezon, referring to Spanish, said that “the Latin-American people believe and feel that we Filipinos form part of that vast family, the children of Spain. Thus, although Spain ceased to govern those countries many years ago and although another nation is sovereign in the Philippines, those Latin-American peoples feel themselves as brothers to the people of the Philippines. It is the Spanish language that still binds us to those peoples eternally if we have the wisdom and patriotism of preserving it.”

Read the full story here at Inquirer Opinion....

What your thoughts? Express you comments below...thanks!

Filipino-American animator Van Partible is the creator of Cartoon Network’s Johnny Bravo

Van Partible definitely draws from his experiences, and that includes his being Filipino.


The Filipino-American animator (born Efrem Giovanni Bravo Partible) is the creator of the Cartoon Network original animated series Johnny Bravo, which is about a muscle-flexing and karate-chopping Mama’s boy, who’s convinced he’s God’s gift to women, dishing out disastrous pick-up lines like “Enough about you, let’s talk about me, Johnny Bravo.” 

Read the full story here at PhilStar.....

Manny Pacquiao Releases ITunes Video Game

Pacman fans, a new video game for your iPhone, iPod and iPad was released Friday at the iTunes App Store that features Filipino boxing superstar, Manny Pacquiao.

According to ITunes, the game, Manny Pacquiao: Pound for Pound: Volume 1 is a new 3D action fighting game series starring the Filipino athlete and international superstar, Manny Pacquiao, who is portrayed as a martial arts action hero.

Continue reading on Examiner.....

Super Strong Pinay Charice Continues on After Her Father's Killing

Charice Pempengco took time off for a death in the family and her fans couldn’t have understood more. After being called home when her father was killed, the popular Filipino entertainer left to go home and cancelled a few of her shows. When she was returning only fueled rumors, but on Monday Charice let her fans know she was returning to the stage.

Continue reading on Examiner......

Interview With Filipino-American Celebrity Makeup Artist Mally Roncal

 Celebrity makeup artist Mally Roncal learned at an early age the importance of accepting -- and loving -- who you are. Growing up in upstate New York, her parents instilled in her the philosophy that "the things that make us different are the qualities that make us beautiful." This statement has become the mantra by which Mally lives and the power behind it has led to her incredible success. Her natural ability to make clients not only look beautiful, but feel beautiful has made her a favorite among a versatile group of music industry heavyweights and actors including Beyonce, Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Hayden Panettiere, Rihanna, Teri Hatcher, Celine Dion, Lee Ann Womack, and Ashlee Simpson.
 

Read the full interview here....don't forget Pinoys & Pinays to let us know your comments

 Check out this video of Mallly Roncal on the Today Show

Do you agree with Bleacher Report's on "Manny Pacquiao: 7 Reasons He Should Retire After Beating Juan Manuel Marquez"

Attention Filipino-American community and Pacquiao fans!!!

Read what Bleacher Report said on their latest boxing article on the "7 Reasons He (Manny Pacquiao) Should Retire After Beating Juan Manuel Marquez". 

Check it out and give us your thoughts. Some of them are legit and reasonable, but some are out right ridculous reasons on why Pacquiao should retire. Be sure to comment below.

7th Annual Fil-Am Jazz and World Music Festival

On December 13 (Tuesday), at the world famous Catalina Bar & Grill Jazz Club, Filipinos will be in the spotlight. That’s when the 7th Annual Fil-Am Jazz and World Music Festival, presented by ABS-CBN and JazzPhil-USA, returns to Hollywood.


December 13 is also when Ms. Angela Vicente (vocals) and Mr. Vincent Reyes (guitar) will make their Fil-Am JazzFest debuts.

Angela and Vincent are the winners of the 2011 JazzPhil-USA Talent Search. They’ll join featured performers Abe Lagrimas (drums, ukulele), Winston Raval (piano), VJ Rosales (vocals) and Noel Melanio (harmonica). The concert is hosted by KKJZ 88.1 FM’s Bubba Jackson and the Queen of Jazzipino Charmaine Clamor.

From a deep pool of talented Filipino-American applicants, Vincent and Angela earned the honor of performing at the JazzFest when they were selected by an elite panel of judges, including Gramnmy-nominee Denise Donatelli, KKJZ DJ Brad Williams, and record executive Michael Konik. The winners earned a recording session with guitar maestro Ric Ickard, private coaching from Filipino jazz legend Mon David, and an invitation to perform at the Philippines International Jazz Festival in 2012.

Find out more here.......

A Filipino-American director makes a film about the body double of Saddam Hussein

There was some buzz this summer surrounding Lee Tamahori's film, The Devil’s Double. It was based on the true story of the body double of Saddam Hussein’s notoriously brutal and psychopathic son Uday. But just a few years ago, another film also told the story of a Hussein double. It was a decidedly smaller, quirkier, film that was one of three finalists considered for Independent Filmmaker Project’s first ever $50,000 finishing grant, and for which Patrick Epino was named one of 10 filmmakers to watch in 2009 by the film magazine The Independent. In the dark comedy Mr. Sadman, Epino fantasized about a fictional Hussein double, putting American ideas of identity under the microscope, while also utilizing the new norms of film distribution. 

Read the full story here at the San Diego Asian Film Foundation.....

Jersey City Gets Their First Elected Filipino-American Official

Amid a dismal 18 percent voter turnout, Rolando Lavarro Jr. was elected Jersey City’s council member-at-large. He will represent Ward A, a predominantly FilAm district.


Messages of congratulations essentially saying ‘We’re proud of you, kabayan’ streamed into Lavarro’s Facebook page. Long-time Jersey City resident Ledy Almadin told The FilAm she voted for Lavarro and was praying that he gets confirmed.

Read more here at FilAmStar.....

Alliance Between the U.S. and Philippines is Commemorated

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton commemorated the 60th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippines Mutual Defense Treaty, saying it has provided for the common defense and helped to create cooperation between the two nations, while fostering a crucial bond over the past 60 years between two peoples.


The treaty was signed in 1951, when both nations faced a different world, one threatened by the spread of communism, Clinton said during ceremonies for the signing of the Manila Declaration with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert Del Rosario. The signing ceremony was held November 16 on board the Navy ship USS Fitzgerald in Manila Bay.

“Filipino and American soldiers had fought side by side.....read more here.....

Filipino-American Reggie Lee exclusive interview with FearNet about his role on Grimm

Tells us about your role on Grimm.

I play Sgt. Wu. I'm kind of a go-between the captain and the two detectives, Hank and Nick. I am their superior. I survey the crime scene for them, then we three solve the crime together. I've come to realize - as we come to episode eight - that my character is the comic relief within all the seriousness of the show. I love that because I am a really... I don't like to say sarcastic; I prefer to say I am a sardonic person. This guy has such a dry sense of humor. I love him. Something we find out about him later on is that Sgt. Wu has a very addictive personality. He gets addicted to "certain different things" that wreak havoc in his personal and professional life. One of the other characters in the show comes to help him with that, and eventually I have to cover it up.

Read more here on FearNet....

Cheryl Burke launches new Jazzercise home workout DVD

Viewers can jive, cha-cha and samba themselves fit to the newest title in the Jazzercise dance fitness collection, Latin Live by Jazzercise. The home workout DVD is a collaboration of efforts between Jazzercise Founder and CEO Judi Sheppard Missett and Two-time Champion of "Dancing with the Stars" and Jazzercise spokeswoman Cheryl Burke.

Read more here....

Paolo Montalban stars in Honk: A Musical Tale of 'The Ugly Duckling' in NJ

Honk: A Musical Tale of 'The Ugly Duckling,' an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s story with music by George Stiles and book and lyrics by Anthony Drewe, will play Two River Theater’s Rechnitz Theater Dec. 6, 2011-Jan. 1, 2012.

Read more here at Playbill.....

TFC Interview with Filipino-American UFC MMA Fighter Mark Munoz

UFC MMA fighter Mark Munoz is an inspiring athletic champion for the Filipino-American community everywhere. Watch this TFC special interview and let us know your thoughts. Make your comments below.....thanks!

Congrats to Shannyn Sossamon on expecting her second child.

So the rumors are true. Shannyn Sossamon is having a second child. Audio Science her first child will have either a brother or sister. Hooray! I wonder what the second child's name is going be.

Be sure to comment and make your baby name suggestions below. Remember Shannyn is so fresh, beautiful and wonderful so she probably wants something really unique. What is going to top Audio Science. The Fil-Am community needs to help her out.....comment below...thanks.

Read more here on the gossip at Hollybaby......

Here's a flashback on her DJ skills in a GAP commercial...she so awesome!

Vanessa Minnillo changes her last name after marrying Nick Lachey

The Filipino-American community adore the beautiful and talented Vanessa Minnillo. Not only that, but they're proud to find out that she's half Filipina. However, she won't be known as Vanessa Minnillo any more. After marrying Nick Lachey she has finally settled down and taken a big step in changing her surname. Her Twitter account has changed along with her Wikipedia page.

We're curious on your thoughts on the whole matter on waiting so long to change her surname after they got married. So be sure to comment below. Thanks!

Read more here on HuffingtonPost....

Filipino-American Bruno Mars Performs "It Will Rain," from the "Twilight: Breaking Dawn: Part One" soundtrack on Ellen

Check out Filipino-American singer Bruno Mars on Ellen performing is latest song "It Will Rain," from the "Twilight: Breaking Dawn: Part One" soundtrack. He's also interviewed right after. You make the Fil-Am community so proud and we support you to the fullest. Watch it and then make your comments below. Enjoy!

FilAm Event: Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce fourth annual business and economic development symposium and luncheon Saturday

Rep. Mike Thompson is the scheduled keynote speaker at the Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce fourth annual business and economic development symposium and luncheon Saturday.


Thompson (D-St. Helena) will discuss the economic impact and progress of green technology in Solano County at the 11 a.m.-to-3:30 p.m. event being held in partnership with Solano Community College, Vallejo Business Alliance and Solano Center for Business Innovation.

More info here at the Times-Herald......

Pinays rejoice if you like manicures. FilAm Nicole Scherzinger Spokeswoman for Kiss Product Inc.

Pop star, “Dancing With the Stars” winner and “X-Factor” judge Nicole Scherzinger has been named the first spokeswoman for Kiss Product Inc. Scherzinger will represent Impress Press-On Manicure, the latest technology hitting the sharply growing nail care category.

Scherzinger will appear in the full marketing campaign, which includes television advertising, print, digital media and in-store displays for the launch, which is under Kiss’ Broadway logo. Impress is a collection of press-on, peel-off nails that provide the look and longevity of a gel manicure.

Read more here on WWD......

Fil-Am graphic designer, Keith Lapinig, wins balloon contest in 2011 Macy's Thanksgiving Parade

It has been said that the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is not just an event, it is an American tradition that ushers in the holiday season. Millions watch either from the comforts of their living rooms anywhere in the world or from the frontlines, the streets of New York City.


When the 85th Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade unfolds next week, (November 24, 2011 at 9am) one Filipino-American from Queens will stand tall for having his design join the festivities. His name is Keith Lapinig, a graphics and web designer for Sleepy’s mattress company. A couple of months ago, he created an elf he named Gazer, which bested a thousand other renditions and was overwhelmingly selected by fans.

The selection of Keith’s design is just the third time in the almost 85-year history of the parade that Macy’s has let someone other than its own designers create a balloon.

Read more here at Asian Journal......

PhilDev honors 60 Filipino-American artists for their contributions to Broadway

MONDAY is lights out on Broadway.

But, last Monday, the lights shone bright at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall when about 60 Filipino-American artists generously lent their time and talent to help build a new Philippine economy.

Led by Tony award winner Lea Salonga, the Fil-Am Broadway stars performed Suites by Sondheim, a benefit concert staged by the Philippine Development Foundation, or PhilDev for short.

For three hours, the full-packed hall (estimated at 1,000) sat enthralled as acclaimed music by Stephen Sondheim came alive through the voices of Broadway talents under the able direction of Victor Lirio, with music direction and orchestrations by Tom Myron.

Among the evening’s high points was the PhilDev Award of Excellence handed to Bobby Lopez who gained a Tony Award for “Book of Mormon.”

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I am......Filipino American

Are you Filipino-American?

Well the winners from the Filipino School of New York and New Jersey answered the call.

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FilAm Actress Vanessa Hudgens in new movie Journey 2: The Mysterious Island with the Rock

Check out the new trailer for Journey 2: The Mysterious Island with Vanessa Hudgens

FilAm Actor Comedian Rob Schneider has new Mexican American show debuting. WTF?

Now the Filipino American community loves Rob Schneider right? He's funny. Supports his supports and claims his heritage. He especially gives back and supports Filipino Veteranos.

However, what is Rob Schneider doing in a new show that portrays how Mexicans and Mexican-Americans get along? Now he may not look like your typical Pinoy brotha being that he's half.

Regardless, we wish nothing but success for Rob in his new show that is supposedly not getting much television network support. Now if they can't support him, I know we will. But will you if he's joining the Mexican-American community?

Post you comments on your thoughts. We're curious on what you have to say after watching this video reading more here....

FilAm Comedian Rex Navarrete going to the homeland Nov. 25th

Now most of the time we hear news about Filipino comedians from the Philippines coming to America right?

Not this time. World Famous Rex Navarrete is going back to the Philippines. You make us so proud Rex. Good luck in the P.I.

Want tickets? Read more here.....

FilAm Designer Josie Natori debuts her her new store in the homeland

After cementing her niche in the international fashion scene with her Asian-inspired creations, Filipino designer Josie Natori has opened her very first store in her homeland.

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