Mayor Adams, Department for the Aging Distribute 1,000 Free Computer Tablets to Older Asian New Yorkers to Close out AAPI Heritage Month and Older Americans Month

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department for the Aging (DFTA) Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez today announced the distribution of an additional 1,000 free wi-fi equipped mobile tablets to older New Yorkers in an effort to bridge the digital divide and help connect them with city services. To close out Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and Older Americans Month, today’s tablet distribution was held at the Benjamin Rosenthal Innovative Senior Center in Flushing, Queens, which services a large Asian American community, and is part of a program that has now distributed 11,000 tablets to seniors across New York City, approximately 3,700 of which have been distributed since Mayor Adams took office in January.

“Age should not stand in the way of staying in contact with loved ones, or attending online social and educational programs, which is why giving away an additional free 1,000 tablets will help limit the social isolation that many older New Yorkers feel while narrowing the digital divide,” said Mayor Adams. “As we close out both AAPI Heritage Month and Older Americans Month, I know these tablets will help our elderly New Yorkers access the city resources that are vital to their health and well-being. The Department for the Aging should be commended for their good work, connecting 11,000 seniors across our city to tablets.”

“DFTA continues to put tablets in the hands of older adults and ensure they have the skills needed to utilize these tools. Many of us rely on technology to perform throughout our day to day and programs like this ensure communities are not being left behind,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “These wi-fi equipped tablets will reduce social isolation and ensure older adults stay connected to their friends and family.”

“Bringing tablets to older adults greatly increases their ability to access resources like those provided every day at older adult centers, which have created many innovative virtual programs over the past two years,” said DFTA Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. “Since the pandemic began, the number of older adults who have taken part in the online physical, art, and educational classes has increased, and we know going forward these online services will continue to play a major role in how we serve older adults, making this distribution even more important.”  

The tablets being distributed today will help keep older adults connected and engaged, helping to reduce social isolation. In addition to having free wi-fi service until December 31st, the tablets come installed with Zoom, Gmail, and the NYC COVID Safe app, allowing residents to access DFTA and other city resources. Older adults will also be provided with free training on their new tablets at local senior centers and learn how to connect to DFTA virtual programs. During the distribution event, DFTA referred tablet recipients to the nearest senior center that is offering training on using the tablets.

“For years, I have been proud to lead the fight to increase access to the internet,” said U.S. Representative Grace Meng. “Back in 2019, way before the COVID-19 crisis began, I introduced legislation to create a grant program for schools and libraries to purchase mobile hotspots. And during the pandemic, I introduced another bill to create a special Emergency Connectivity Fund at the Federal Communications Commission for schools and libraries to purchase not only hotspots but modems, routers, internet service and internet-connected devices, and last year, I was thrilled that it was included in the American Rescue Plan. This $7.1 billion I helped secure is already helping more people get online, and much of this funding is currently providing internet service at many of our city’s schools and libraries. It is great to join Mayor Adams and Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez in distributing free mobile tablets to seniors in my congressional district, and I thank them for helping close the digital divide in New York City. I look forward to continuing to improve connectivity throughout our communities and neighborhoods. The internet is vital to our daily lives and all New Yorkers, from students to seniors, deserve access to it.”

“The digital divide is one of the many obstacles facing older adults in 2022. These tablets will help connect them to the information, resources, and services they need,” said New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky. “We are celebrating both AAPI Heritage and Older Americans Month, so both groups will benefit. I thank Mayor Adams and DFTA commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez for prioritizing our older Asian population during AAPI Heritage Month.” 

“Social isolation and loneliness are serious and growing issues for older adults throughout New York,” said New York State Assemblymember Ron Kim, chair, New York State Assembly Committee on Aging. “For many immigrant communities, these problems can be exacerbated by cultural and language barriers. I would like to thank Mayor Adams and Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez for providing these tablets to older adults in Flushing, and for supporting measures to address the negative impact of isolation among older adults. As the Chair of the Assembly Aging Committee, I believe our state must do more to address the plight of aging New Yorkers, especially those who are aging alone, and while in Albany I plan to take whatever steps are needed to meet this challenge.”

“It is imperative that we close the digital divide among our city’s older adults and empower them with the tools necessary to stay connected to their family, friends, and online resources,” said New York City Councilmember Crystal Hudson, chair, Committee on Aging. “Over the last two years, we’ve seen the far-reaching effects social isolation can have on all of us, especially on our older neighbors. Today’s distribution is an important step for our city as we continue to strive to stave off isolation among older adults and keep them connected to loved ones with dignity and independence. As chair of the Aging Committee, I look forward to continuing to work with the Adams Administration and DFTA Commissioner Cortés-Vázquez to ensure we’re meeting the needs of all older New Yorkers, from digital literacy and technology programs to healthcare and transportation access.”

“During the pandemic, technology became a lifeline for us to stay digitally connected with family and friends when we couldn’t be with them in person,” said New York City Councilmember Sandra Ung. “In the AAPI community, the pandemic was — and continues to be — especially difficult for our seniors, who felt the isolation more acutely because they didn’t have the tools to stay in touch with loved ones or to access the services they so desperately needed. I want to thank DFTA for not just providing these tablets and free internet service, but also their commitment to provide free training programs, and invest in digital literacy so our seniors can make the most of their new technology.”

Today’s distribution of computer tablets was the last scheduled distribution as part of the free tablet initiative DFTA started in the fall of October 2021. The tablet distribution program’s goal has been to bridge the digital divide for older New Yorkers, who do not have an internet-enabled electronic device.

During the city’s lockdown due to COVID-19, older adult center services transitioned to virtual programming and over-the-phone services. Virtual programming allowed about 40,000 older adults to access important services and programs safely from their home. Providing older New Yorkers with the technological equipment they need will build on the success of virtual programming and help make it available to even more older adults.

In addition to keeping older adults engaged and digitally connected, the distribution initiative also achieves one of the goals outlined in DFTA’s Community Care Plan — a five-year plan to expand aging support services and help older adults age in their homes and avoid institutionalization. The Community Care Plan builds upon the success and lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the expansion of virtual services that kept many older adults active and engaged while they were staying home to avoid contracting COVID-19.

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U.S. Diplomat Pays Courtesy Visit to President-Elect Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – President-elect of the Philippines Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos met with US Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) ad interim Heather Variava, who expressed her congratulations during a courtesy visit at the Marcos Headquarters in Mandaluyong City.

CDA Variava also reiterated the congratulatory message coming from US President Joe Biden for the overwhelming victory of president-elect Marcos in the May 2022 national elections, saying the United States is looking forward to working with the incoming administration and contribute to the economic recovery efforts of the Philippines. Also present during the meeting were Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel Romualdez  and Marcos spokesperson and chief of staff Atty. Victor “Vic” Rodriguez – who has been nominated as the next Executive Secretary.

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Opinion: "You Did Not Win; The Whole Country Lost": Says a Filipino Netizen to Election Cheaters | By Manuel L. Caballero

ON MY WATCH

BY MANUEL L. CABALLERO

"YOU DID NOT WIN; THE WHOLE COUNTRY LOST" : SAYS A FILIPINO NETIZEN TO ELECTION CHEATERS

Filipino politicians and their followers who engaged in illicit election activities last May 9 are determined to further erode and destroy democracy in that country.  Those who engineered vote-buying and whitewashing of history, red tagging to instill fear among voters and those who deliberately resorted to violence.

As a Filipino netizen aptly said in her post addressing those people, "You did not win, the whole country lost!"

How true!

***

It is getting obvious. Just a day after proclamation,  it is getting clear, one of the goals of Marcos Jr. rule is to further revise the history of the Philippines during Marcos Sr.'s martial law years.

Imee Marcos, immeditely after her brother's proclamation as president, told an international news source that the Marcoses are given a second chance after almost two decades of "wrongful accusations and vilifications."

Baligtad na talaga ang mundo! Sila pa ngayon ang biktima! Kawawa naman ang mga tunay na biktima.

In remarks to another international news network, the newly-proclaimed president said that he hopes to "clarify" the role of his father in history .

If the Marcoses are serious about unity, they should just accept history and stop revising it. Tanggapin ang masama at mabuti. They can issue a belated apology. Let the law take its course on other related matters including the plundered billions. Otherwise, division among the citizens will worsen and face the possibility of 1986 Part 2. The Marcoses, to my mind, need to accept they are part of the problem, but they could be part of the solution if they will be objective and not be selfish.

Above all, the incoming president should always bear in mind that his being president is under exclamation point, if not question mark, in the minds of many.

***

On Monday, May 30, is Memorial Day in the US.

It is observed to memorialize or honor those who gave up their lives in the service of America.   The wars for which American servicemen and women died  were in defense of democracy and against tyranny and dictatorships.

Podcast | Cherry Castellvi's 'Kabayan' is New York's Fastest Growing Filipino Restaurant | Mike of New York

Cherry Castellvi Kabayan is New York's #1 Filipino Restaurant

Mike of New York Podcast

By Mike K Cohen

Cherry Castellvi tells us how in a relatively short period of time how Kabayan is New York's Largest Filipino Restaurant chain growing from a place people come to for food and one of America's largest and richest cities and its most affluent suburbs have grown to love Filipino food and her brand's expansion to old rich New York and Long Island with plans to go even further. At present, she has more branches than Jolliefoods flagship fast food store and more food trucks in use than most other Philippine Food outlets.

A lot of this expansion happening as America has been dealing with COVID and the changes this has brought to the USA's economy.

---

Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/mike-k-cohen/support

NYC Test & Trace Corps Expands Online COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidance Tool with Direct Connection to Resources

New York – The NYC Test & Trace Corps announced that it has expanded its COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidance Tool to provide New Yorkers direct connections to order care packages to help separate safely and receive COVID-19 therapeutics, including oral antiviral prescriptions and monoclonal antibody treatments. In addition to this critical resource portal, the Quarantine and Isolation Guidance Tool offers personalized guidance to New Yorkers who were exposed to, test positive for or have symptoms consistent with COVID-19.

“We want all New Yorkers to feel confident they know what to do if they have an exposure to someone with COVID-19, or if they test positive themselves,” said Dr. Ted Long, Executive Director of the NYC Test & Trace Corps and Senior Vice President for Ambulatory Care and Population Health at NYC Health + Hospitals. “This new tool offers tailored guidance to you, based on your vaccination status. Now, it also can also immediately connect you to resources you might need to safely separate, or a lifesaving medication that can be delivered to you at home. I encourage you to use this tool to keep yourself and your city safe.”

The COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidance Tool provides a mechanism for New Yorkers to navigate complex COVID-19 guidance based on their history of infection, date of exposure or positive test, symptoms and vaccination status. After answering a few short questions, users receive quarantine or isolation guidance specific to their circumstances. 

If eligible, New Yorkers are directed to an order form to request free delivery of a Take Care care package, which contains enough personal protective equipment (PPE) for a household of three for up to 10 days, including medical grade masks, hand sanitizer, a thermometer and two rapid antigen tests. New Yorkers can also arrange to have free meal delivery so they can safely remain at home. To date, Test & Trace has sent over 640,000 care packages and delivered over 2.3 million meals to New Yorkers in quarantine or isolation. 

In addition, eligible users will be directed to the Virtual ExpressCare website or 212-COVID19 where they can be connected to a clinician who can refer them to monoclonal antibody treatment or prescribe oral antiviral medications like Paxlovid and arrange to have it delivered to their home that same day.

If you or a loved one need immediate assistance, please call the NYC Test & Trace Corps COVID Hotline at 212-COVID19.

###

About the NYC Test & Trace Corps

The NYC Test & Trace Corps is the City’s comprehensive effort to provide accessible, no-cost COVID-19 testing, support those infected or exposed to the virus with quarantine and isolation resources, and provide connections to treatment for eligible New Yorkers. Through a partnership with NYC Health + Hospitals and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Test & Trace Corps allows the City to immediately isolate and care for those who test positive for the virus. To help all New Yorkers safely separate and monitor their health status, the Take Care pillar of the Test & Trace Corps also offers free meal delivery and other quarantine resources.

About NYC Health + Hospitals

NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation, serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency and MetroPlus health plan — all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 42,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NYCHealthSystem or Twitter at @NYCHealthSystem.

 

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Opinion: Filipinos in US & Canada Protest Conduct of PH Election as Questionable & Anti-Democracy in a Manifesto | On My Watch By Manuel L. Caballero

ON MY WATCH

BY MANUEL L.  CABALLERO

FILIPINOS IN US AND CANADA PROTEST CONDUCT OF PH ELECTION AS QUESTIONABLE AND ANTI-DEMOCRACY IN A MANIFESTO

Despite her request for family time while in New York to attend the graduation of her youngest daughter, Filipino Americans who chance upon VP Leni,   welcome her and greet her warmly anywhere she goes in the city with her daughters, even in the subway.

Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., on the other hand, who is in Melbourne, Australia, to enroll a child in a school there, is being protested against by Filipino Australians in that city. Kawawa naman. Kung sino pa ang sinasabing "panalo". Bakit kaya ganun? Maraming nasusuya sa kanya. Ang sabi ng spokesman ni Marcos Jr., nakakahiya daw ang ginawang pagprotesta ng mga Filipino sa Melbourne.

Hindi nakakahiya sa aking pananaw. Ang lubos na nakakahiya ay ang desisyong ginawa ni Marcos Jr. sa pagtakbo sa nakaraang halalan knowing that as a convicted person for not paying income taxes for years, he was disqualified from running. Worse, he obviously lied in his COC.  At hindi ba nakakahiya ang ginawa niyang pag revise ng PH history nuong Martial Law para baligtarin ang kasaysayan to his favor? Marami pang nakakahiyang ikinilos ang pamilya Marcos. Marami! Kasama na ang billions of dollars na ninakaw sa kaban ng bayan na ayaw isauli ng asawa at mga anak ng dictator.

How about the suspected cheating of the tabulation of votes in the May 9 elections?

Tingnan muna ang sarili bago magsabing nakakahiyang ipahayag ang damdamin ng mga niloko at inaping Filipinos.

***

Last night, Filipinos in North America adopted a Manifesto on the questionable conduct of the most recent elections in the  PH. 

Some 150 people logged in the Zoom forum which discussed the questionable tabulation of the May 9 elections and  protested the virtual dictatorship in the PH. Various organizations of Filipinos in the US and Canada signed the Manifesto.

Atty. Loida Nicolas Lewis, Chair of US Filipinos For Good Governance, one of the Manifesto signatories read the group's six "Call to Action." Among them for the PH government to pursue the investigation of the legality of the sale of Malampaya to Duterte's close friend, Dennis Uy. Also, the call to immediately release Sen. Leila de Lima from prison.

The online conference lasted for over an hour and was liked/viewed or loved by 2,300 netizens.

New York City on High Level Alert for COVID-19

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Update: 

The COVID-19 Alert Level in NYC is now high. There is high community spread of COVID-19 and pressure on the health care system is increasing: on.nyc.gov/covidalert

At this time, follow these prevention tips:

Consider avoiding higher-risk activities (such as crowded indoor get-togethers).

Wear a face mask in ALL public indoor settings and crowded outdoor spaces.

Limit get-togethers to small numbers of people.

Stay up to date: Get vaccinated and boosted: nyc.gov/vaccinefinder

Get tested if you have symptoms, were exposed, traveled, or were at a large event: on.nyc.gov/covid19testing

Stay home if sick or recently exposed.

PH to U.S. Congress: America Most Vocal Partner in Reaffirming 2016 Arbitral Award

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. attends the bipartisan working lunch hosted by Speaker Nancy Pelosi with the ASEAN leaders and other Members of US Congress

WASHINGTON D.C. – Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. underscored the United States’ role as “our most vocal partner” in reaffirming the 2016 Arbitral Award and upholding a rules-based international order.

“We deeply appreciate that. We most certainly welcome the U.S. Senate’s call for a common ASEAN approach to reaffirm the Award,” he said in a meeting with key members of the U.S. Congress at the two-day ASEAN-US Special Summit.

 

Secretary Locsin leads the Philippine delegation to the Special Summit, as a representative of President Rodrigo R. Duterte, who skipped the Summit as a courtesy to the Philippine President-elect.

 

He was joined by Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez, Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Theresa Lazaro, Assistant Secretary Ed Espiritu, Assistant Secretary Maria Angela Ponce, as well as officials from the Office of the President and the Philippine Embassy in Washington D.C.

 

Secretary Locsin also welcomed the U.S. Senate’s support for ASEAN’s efforts to address maritime and territorial disputes where possible through peaceful, diplomatic and dispute resolution mechanisms consistent with international law.

 

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. joins ASEAN leaders in engaging key members of the U.S. Congress led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi  at the two-day ASEAN-US Special Summit.

He thanked the U.S. Senate for Senate Resolution 616, expressing support for ASEAN and the ASEAN-U.S. Special Summit, and reaffirming the US commitment to stay a strong, reliable, and active partner in the ASEAN region, saying “that commitment is much needed now.” 

 

Meanwhile, Secretary Locsin stressed the Philippines’ firm position as regards the ongoing war in Ukraine.

 

“There are many ways to govern a country, but only one way to treat people. It is the lack of decency on the attack on Ukraine why we voted yes to the UN General Assembly resolution and expressed explicit condemnation of the invasion of Ukraine. And we are one with ASEAN in the three statements it issued expressing grave concern over the hostilities, calling for a ceasefire, and on the killing of civilians,” he said.

 

Also present in the luncheon meeting were: House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-23rd District-CA), House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Mark Takano (D-41st District-CA), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Gregory Meeks (D-5th District-NY), Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ), SFRC Ranking Member James Risch (R-ID) and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).

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US Households Eligible for Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests with Free Shipping via USPS

NOTE: Image of tests is only representative.

Place Your Order for Free At-Home COVID-19 Tests

Residential households in the U.S. are now eligible for another order of free at-home tests on USPS.com. Here's what you need to know about your order:

• Each order now includes 8 rapid antigen COVID-19 tests
• Your order of 8 tests will come in 2 separate packages (4 tests in each package), each with its own tracking number
• Packages will ship free

Fill in the form with your contact and shipping information to order your tests, via this link: https://special.usps.com/testkits?fbclid=IwAR3z9yIMyJ72ERya9YoW8NutGDuF3oJKIz_FLK-WI_vT_T66lls_0eD8VUw

Konsulado on the Go at Rochester, New York on May 21

The Philippine Consulate General in New York invites our kababayan in Rochester, New York and surrounding areas to a consular outreach mission on Saturday, 21 May 2022 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Henrietta Recreation Center, 605 Calkins Road, Rochester, NY 14623.

Kababayan can avail themselves of the following services: Passport Application/ Renewal, Retention/Reacquisition of Philippine Citizenship, Registration of Birth, Report of Marriage, and Notarization/Legalization.

Kababayan who wish to avail themselves of these services are required to book an appointment by going to the link https://newyorkpcg.org/.../news-and.../consular-outreach/ 

"ALAMAT" A Solo Art Exhibit by Bayani 'Yannie' Rumbaoa in NYC, May 16-22

The International Artists and International Women Artists Inc. proudly present "ALAMAT" a solo art exhibit that showcases the latest and most prized artworks of Bayani "Yannie" Rumbaoa, the first Filipino coin engraver of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Exhibit Opening Reception on Monday, 16 May 2022, 6:30PM at the Philippine Center New York.

For more information, call (917) 767-0027 or email info@internationalwomenartists.com

Sec Locsin & Amb Romualdez Welcomed by US President Biden for White House Dinner

United State President Joseph Biden, Jr. (center) welcomes Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. (left) and Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez (right) to the White House where the US President is hosting a dinner for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

WASHINGTON D.C. – Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. personally thanked U.S. President Joseph Biden. Jr. for the United States’ support for the peaceful and successful conduct of Philippine elections at the two-day ASEAN-US Special Summit.

Secretary Locsin leads the Philippine delegation to the Special Summit as a representative of President Rodrigo R. Duterte who skipped the Summit as a courtesy to the Philippine President-elect.

President Biden (center) is hosting the US-ASEAN Special Summit from May 12-13 where discussions will focus on strengthening ties between the US and the ASEAN, the digital economy, sustainability, regional energy transition, economic cooperation, healthcare and supply chain resilience, among others.

Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez joined Secretary Locsin at the informal dinner hosted by President Biden for leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

“It is my honor to represent the Philippine nation and Filipino people tonight as we celebrate 45 strong years of ASEAN-U.S. relations founded on our shared commitment to regional peace, security, and prosperity,” Secretary Locsin said.

Secretary Locsin also thanked President Biden for taking the lead in ensuring equitable global access to COVID vaccines, through its US$2 billion contribution to the COVAX facility.

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“Tanáw” (Tagalog)/ “Seeing Signs” (English), A New Bilingual Episode on the Queens Memory Podcast Available May 16

 

QUEENS MEMORY RELEASES TAGALOG EPISODE OF NEW MULTILINGUAL PODCAST SEASON DOCUMENTING EXPERIENCES OF THE BOROUGH’S DIVERSE ASIAN COMMUNITIES  

 

The Season Features Bilingual Episodes In the Most Widely Spoken Asian Languages in Queens: Bangla, Hindi, Korean, Mandarin, Nepali, Tagalog, Tibetan, and Urdu

 

QUEENS, NY - Queens Memory – a community archiving program supported by Queens Public Library and the Queens College Library – will release the next bilingual episode of its latest podcast, “Our Major Minor Voices” in English and Tagalog versions on Monday, May 16. 

“Seeing Signs” (English)/”Tanáw” (Tagalog), produced by Rosalind Tordesillas, covers the history and challenges of the Filipino community in Woodside, as it strives for greater visibility. It features residents, business owners, and community leaders, including Jaclyn Reyes of Little Manila Queens Bayanihan Arts, Zenaida and Joe Castillo of Phil-Am Food Mart, and Steven Raga of Woodside on the Move. An in-person listening event will be held at the Woodside library branch, 54-22 Skillman Ave, Woodside, NY 11377, on May 19th, 6:00-7:30 pm with Jaclyn Reyes, Joe Castillo, and Potri Ranka Manis Queano Nur as featured speakers.

 

This season documents the experiences of the borough’s diverse Asian communities in their own voices, and includes eight bilingual episodes representing the most widely spoken Asian languages in Queens: Bangla, Hindi, Korean, Mandarin, Nepali, Tagalog, Tibetan, and Urdu.

 

“In this season, we wanted to focus on Asian American communities in Queens because we know that the accomplishments and the struggles of our Asian American neighbors are often not as visible in the media landscape as they ought to be,” said Queens Memory Project Director, Natalie Milbrodt. “The interviews our producers conducted during this project will become part of the Library’s permanent archives, helping us add perspectives and languages not yet well represented in our Queens Memory collection consisting of over 900 interviews. Future researchers curious about the lives of Asian Americans living in Queens way back in 2022 will be so glad we did this project!”

 

Rosalind Tordesillas, producer of the Tagalog episode, said: “It's been a joy to produce this episode in Tagalog and immerse myself in the language so much more deeply than I've had a chance to in so long. It's important that people can tell and hear their stories in words that feel most comfortable.”

 

The season premiered on April 11, 2022 on the Queens Memory website. New episodes are released weekly and are available on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Google Play, Spotify, and other major podcast platforms. Visit queensmemory.org/podcast for episodes and show notes.

 

The first season of the Queens Memory podcast focused on Memories of Migration, while the second one documented life in Queens during COVID-19. 

 

The third season of the podcast has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy demands wisdom.

 

About Queens Memory

Queens Memory is an ongoing community archiving program supported by Queens Public Library and Queens College, CUNY. We engage with Queens residents in our two-fold mission to (1) push local history collections out to the public through programming and online resources, and (2) pull new materials into our collections from the diverse communities of Queens. The goal is to raise awareness and a sense of ownership in the production of our shared historic record and our dream is that any Queens resident who visits these collections feels his/her experiences and perspective are represented. Queens Memory also provides training and materials for anyone wishing to contribute oral history interviews, photographs, or other records of his/her neighborhoods, families, and communities. These materials get a permanent home in the Archives and are shared back with the public on a variety of platforms including Aviary, Urban Archive, our podcast series, Instagram, and in the archival repositories of Queens Public Library and Queens College’s Rosenthal Library. Queens Memory was founded in 2010 and has been honored with the 2014 Archivists Round Table Award for Educational Use of Archives and the  2019 New York State Archives’ Debra E. Bernhardt Annual Archives Award for Excellence in Documenting New York’s History.

 

About Queens Public Library

Queens Public Library is one of the largest and busiest public library systems in the United States, dedicated to serving the most ethnically and culturally diverse area in the country. An independent, non-profit organization founded 125 years ago, QPL offers free access to a collection of more than 5 million books and other materials in multiple languages, technology and digital resources, and more than 80,000 educational, cultural, and civic programs annually. QPL consists of 66 locations across the borough, including branch libraries, a Central Library, seven adult learning centers, a technology center, and two teen centers, and attracted more than 11 million visitors in 2019.

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Opinion: The Ironies of PH Election; Welcome to New York, VP Leni and Daughters | By Manuel L. Caballero

VP Leni Robredo Facebook Page Photo

ON MY WATCH

BY MANUEL L. CABALLERO

THE IRONIES OF PH ELECTION;  WELCOME TO NEW YORK, VP LENI AND DAUGHTERS

This space welcomes VP Leni and her daughters to New York. They will attend the college graduation of the youngest in their family, Jillian. 

Best to Jillian! Congratulations! Jillian's Daddy must be very proud and happy.

According to VP Leni in her Facebook post before leaving Manila, their short US trip will serve as their much-needed family time together after months of election campaign. The Vice President asked for understanding if they cannot meet requests for meetings. She promised to do it next time. We understand.

***

The Ironies of Philippine 2022 Elections

The supposedly most critical election in the Philippines turned out to be the most criticized. Many predicted a "lenislide." Instead, COMELEC  came up with "backslide" for Marcos Jr., Robin Padilla and company, and the media called it landslide. 

 

Instead of celebrating supposed Marcos Jr. victory, the people are protesting the results as "questionable." Marcos Jr. Is being denounced for cheating instead of being hailed for "winning."

A UP professor gave her observations about how Marcos Jr. bagged the election. She cited the following: historical distortion (Revision of history during Martial Law years under Marcos Sr.); vote-buying; Duterte-appointed COMELEC; red-tagging; relentless attacks on critics and opposition.

Some computer experts say there were programming anomalies in favor of one candidate and members of his team.

***

So, 36 years after his father and his entire family were ousted by Filipinos for plundering their nation with billions of dollars; for salvaging oppositionists; for abusing the powers of the presidency and for leading a life of extravagance with wife Imelda in the midst of poverty, the son will likely be president in the next 6 years.

Observers say the return of a Marcos to the presidency is a continuation of the backward direction that the country has slid under Duterte.

Once a model for democracy, the Marcos Jr. rule is foreseen as further erosion and destruction of democracy in the Philippines.

Cardinal Tagle to Celebrate Mass for San Lorenzo Ruiz Anniversary at St Patrick's Cathedral in NYC on June 1

San Lorenzo Ruiz photo by Lambert Parong/ Kababayan Media

The Solemn Pontifical Mass of Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect of the Vatican Commission on Evangelization will be held on Sunday, June 1st, at 10AM at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City commemorating the 40^th Anniversary of San Lorenzo Ruiz Devotion in the United States.  To RSVP or for more information, contact sanlorenzo40th@gmail.com.  For more information, contact Fr. Erno Diaz at 646-466-8761. 

The patron saint of the Philippines and the Filipino people, Lorenzo Ruiz a Chinese Filipino recognized for his martyrdom after his execution in Japan by the Tokugawa Shogunate during its persecution of Christians in the 17^th century. 

 

Headed by New York based Father Erno Diaz, the Steering Committee is overjoyed to have Filipino Cardinal Tagle from Rome as the main celebrant of the Anniversary Mass.  Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations (New York) is the Principal Concelebrant.

 

Some of the organizers of the NYC Devotion Group of San Lorenzo Ruiz were members of the San Lorenzo Ruiz Chapel community established in 2005 (which eventually closed a few years later and was sold to developers in 2017).  Several members of the group were original devotees who advocated for the sainthood of San Lorenzo Ruiz. 

 

“God Almighty has blessed the Philippines with 500 years of Christianity that, in His Divine Providence, produced its first Saint in the person of San Lorenzo Ruiz,” said Father Erno. “In America, particularly, in New York, 40 years of devotion to San Lorenzo has been a Time of Grace.”

 

San Lorenzo Ruiz served as an altar boy at the Binondo Church. He was educated by the Dominican friars. He was a member of the Confraternity of the Most Holy Rosary. He married Rosario and had two sons and a daughter.

In 1636, while working as a clerk for the Binondo Church, Lorenzo was falsely accused of killing a Spaniard, Lorenzo sought asylum on board a ship with three Dominican priests: Antonio Gonzalez, Guillermo Courtet and Miguel de Aozaraza, a Japanese priest, Vicente Shiwozuka de la Cruz, and a lay leper Lazaro of Kyoto.  Lorenzo and his companions sailed for Okinawa in June 1636, with the aid of the Dominican fathers.

 

The Tokugawa Shogunate was persecuting Christians because they feared that was how the Spanish invaded the Philippines by using religion by the time Lorenzo had arrived in Japan. The missionaries were arrested and thrown into prison, and after two years, they were transferred to Nagasaki to face trial by torture. The group endured many and various cruel methods of torture. 

 

In September 1637, Lorenzo and his companions were taken to Nishizaka Hill, where they were tortured by being hung upside-down over a pit. He died two days later on September 29, 1637, at age 42.

 

Lorenzo was beatified during Pope John Paul II’s papal visit to the Philippines in 1981. It was the first beatification ceremony to be held outside the Vatican making history. Lorenzo was canonized by the Pope John Paul II in the Vatican City on October 18, 1987, among the 16 Martyrs of Japan, making him the first Filipino saint.

His canonization was supported by a miracle in October 1983, when Cecilia Alegria Policarpio of Calinog, Iloilo, was cured of brain atrophy (hydrocephalus) at the age of two, after her family and supporters prayed to Lorenzo for his intercession. 

Cardinal Tagle is a Filipino prelate of the Catholic Church who has been the Prefect of the Congregation of the Evangelization of Peoples since December 2019.  He was the 32^nd Archbishop of Manila from 2011 to 2019.  He also serves as president of Caritas International, a federation of Catholic relief, development and social service organizations, and of the Catholic Biblical Federation.

 

Tagle holds a BA degree in pre-divinity from Ateneo and a MA degree in theology from Ateneo’s Loyola School of Theology. He earned his Doctorate in Sacred Theology at the Catholic University of America.

 

He was ordained in the Diocese of Imus, Cavite, Philippines in February 1982.  In December 2001, Tagle was appointed Bishop of Imus. 

 

Pope Benedict XVI appointed Tagle the 32nd Archbishop of Manila in October 2011, to succeed Cardinal Guadencio Rosales. He was installed as Archbishop in December 2011. Pope Benedict XVI elevated him Archbishop Tagle to the College of Cardinals in October 2012. Tagle was the seventh Filipino to be made a cardinal of the Catholic Church.  When he became a cardinal he was the second youngest one. 

 

Pope Francis named Tagle Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in December 2019.  Tagle was the second Asian to head that Congregation. He was the second Filipino cardinal to lead a congregation of the Roman Curia. Pope Francis promoted him to highest rank of cardinal, Cardinal-Bishop, in May 2020.  He is the first Filipino to be included in that rank of the College of Cardinals.  

 

On February 22, 2021, Tagle was appointed by Pope Francis as a new member of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See, the office of the Roman Curia that deals with the "provisions owned by the Holy See in order to provide the funds necessary for the Roman Curia to function".

 

“Let us join our Filipino Cardinal in Rome, His Eminence Luis Antonio Tagle, Prefect on Evangelization, as he celebrates a Solemn Mass of Thanksgiving on June 1st at 10AM in St. Patrick’s Cathedral.” Said Fr. Erno.

 

Comprised of Fil Ams from the Tri-State area, the Steering Committee members of the 40^th Anniversary of San Lorenzo Ruiz Devotion, USA include Fr. Erno Diaz, Atty. Ferdinand Suba, Joe Ramos, Margie Skeels, Marilyn Abalos, Myrna Gutierrez, and Rolan Gutierrez. 

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