In Photos: Filipino Community Forum in Queens, New York; Attendees Unite to Address Concerns and Achieve Goals

As New York City reopens in the post-pandemic era, leaders and representatives of the Filipino and Filipino American community came together this past weekend to thresh out issues and concerns in moving beyond the Covid-19 nightmare.

The Woodside Community Forum, happened on Saturday, July 24, 2021 in Queens, New York, attendees came from seven identified sectors: seniors, youth, essential workers, civic organizations, small businesses, professionals and faith-based constituency.

The organizers of the Filipino multisectoral forum include Michael Garrovillas of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns; Shirley Atienza and Atty. Rod Bacus of Migrante-New York; Quinn Arañez and Ignacio Naganga of the Cagayan de Oro-Misamis Oriental Association of New York; and Fr. Joey Francisco, Stella Pescano, Carmen de la Cerna, and Christinne Melody Caylan-Linstromberg.

Photos by Lambert Parong/ Kababayan Media © 2021.

"Banig ng Komunidad" is proudly displayed  by the  organizers of the forum. It symbolizes attendees who signified to be part of a steering committee to move forward in addressing the concerns of the community. 
  

Deirdre Levy, Steven Raga and Marni Halasa, Filipino American candidates who recently ran for city council seats in their respective New York City districts. 

Band of Brothers 

Ecumenical Prayer led by Fr. Joey Francisco.

Photos by Lambert Parong/ Kababayan Media © 2021

A Recovery for All of Us: Mayor de Blasio Announces "NYC Homecoming Week" Concerts Coming to all Five Boroughs in August 2021

Mayor Bill de Blasio Screenshot

NEW YORK—Mayor Bill de Blasio recently announced that the City of New York will host concerts in each of the five boroughs—between August 14th to 22nd—as part of NYC Homecoming Week and to celebrate the Summer of New York City.

The concerts will be held: 

• Monday, August 16th at Orchard Beach in The Bronx
• Tuesday, August 17th at Richmond County Bank Park in Staten Island
• Thursday, August 19th at Brooklyn Army Terminal in Brooklyn
• Friday, August 20th at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens
• Saturday, August 21st at The Great Lawn, Central Park in Manhattan 

“Joining one of the greatest Central Park concerts in history will be momentous concerts in each borough featuring renowned artists who have made New York City proud,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “It’s time to celebrate our city, support our local businesses, and have an incredible Summer of New York City.”

“Just like Hip Hop music triumphantly emerged originally from the tumultuous ’70s, the Universal Hip Hop Museum is proud to produce a part of the NYC Homecoming celebration,” said Rocky Bucano, Executive Director and President, Universal Hip Hop Museum. “Hip Hop culture reflects the mosaic that makes NYC, with its sound coming from all genres and spanning many communities. Working in partnership with the City and others, this is our love letter to music fans from all over NYC.”

The full line-up of artists who will perform at each of the NYC Homecoming Week concerts will be announced in the coming weeks. The Mayor, music industry legend Clive Davis, Live Nation and Danny Meyer will unveil the lineup and ticketing details for the highly-anticipated concert on the Great Lawn. Universal Hip Hop Museum Executive Director and President Rocky Bucano will then join the Mayor to announce the full lineup and ticketing details for the concerts in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island.

NYC Homecoming Week events will also include free film screenings hosted by Rooftop Films, NYC Restaurant Week, Summer Streets. iconic events, cultural activities, public art, and more in all five boroughs.

This celebration of New York City’s resilience will drive support for the mom-and-pop businesses and local organizations that define our neighborhoods and that kept the heart of our city beating throughout the COVID pandemic.

To sign up for email updates on NYC Homecoming Week events and tickets, go to nyc.gov/HomecomingWeek.