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Stories and Lessons about us & for us.
The Origin and History of Banana Ketchup
Have you ever thought about how and why banana ketchup was invented while dipping your lumpia in said dip? When you think of a substitute to replace tomatoes a banana is not the first thing that comes in mind. Technically speaking both Bananas and Tomatoes are not even a fruit but a berry but let’s leave that discussion for another time.
Giving The Gift of Music | The Filipino American Symphony Orchestra
The Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) was founded in 2008 by a group of musicians and community leaders who recognized the need to celebrate the booming Filipino American community through music and the arts. It is also the first and only Philippine orchestra outside of the Philippines.
Ka-In Napa Valley: Where Filipino Food Meets Fine Wine AND GOOD COMPANY
Ka-in Napa Valley will celebrate local Filipino culture and cuisine while raising money for Justin-Siena’s Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship Program (DISP).
Check out the purveyors and community partners will be featured at Ka-In Napa Valley.
Meet the Balikbayans
If you have heard of Filipina music icon Ruby Ibarra, you most likely have heard of the people behind her unique sound, The Balikbayans. Since 2018, the talented group of musicians have played alongside Ruby in almost every performance and recorded track. Let’s get to know them a little better!
Our Fave FilAm Lifestyle Influencers to Follow on Social Media
Being a social media influencer is not easy. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and patience to build a following. But for those who are passionate about creating content and engaging with their audience, it can be a rewarding and fulfilling career path. Here are some of the top Filipino-American lifestyle influencers to follow on social media.
5 Filipino Children's Books To Help Shape Your Child’s Mind
It’s no secret that children are literally sponges, they absorb the environment around them figuratively and at times, literally. Well of course they’ll need to learn nouns, adjectives, their ABCs but here is a list of 5 Filipino Children’s books that will help them stay connected to their Filipino roots and shape their minds for the better.
10 Things to Know about Sheila Lirio Marcelo
Sheila Lirio Marcelois co-founder and CEO of Proof of Learn, a company with a global mission to provide accessible, high-quality education in next-generation technology through a learn and earn protocol. Here are 10 things to know about Sheila Lirio Marcelo, who continues to inspire and lead in the technology and business world.
Filipino Stews 101: Menudo, Afritada, Mechado, Kaldereta (and their Origins)
Filipino dishes to the untrained and uninformed eye can seem all the same. You've probably heard of menudo, afritada, mechado, and kaldereta. While they may have some similarities, each meal has its own particular flavor and technique of preparation. So let us take a good look at the distinctions between these four similar looking stews.
7 FilAm Sustainable Fashion Designers To Have On Your Radar
With Earth Day among us, we should take a moment to reflect on how we can be a part of the green revolution. Fast fashion is out of fashion! It’s one of the biggest contributors to pollution. If you want to put your money where your mouth is, here are 7 Filipino-American designers that are responsibly driving activism through creativity, passion, and purpose.
10 Quintessential Filipino Snacks That You’ll want to keep stocked always
Growing up in the Philippines opened up a whole new world of snacking for me. I spent a good amount of my childhood in the humidity of our motherland with a bag of chips in one hand and a mug of taho in the other. For those of you who are not familiar with snacks that are popular in the Philippines, I have put together a list of my favorites that I crave.
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4 Things to Know About FilAm NBA PLayer Jalen Green
Jalen Green has been making a strong campaign as to why he could be the next big thing in professional basketball. In honor of him wearing #4 on his jersey, let’s get you ready for the rising sun of the NBA with 4 facts that you didn’t know about Jalen Green.
6 Filipino Inspired Pieces You Need to Represent WITH PRIDE at your School's Culture Night
We know that culture nights at schools provide major opportunities for students (and teachers) to represent their roots, loud and proud. We know it can be tough to decide what to wear, so we’ve put together a list of items that can help you say you’re Filipino without saying you’re Filipino, if you know what we mean.
Dr. Annabelle Manalo-Morgan | How A Mother’s worst nightmare Became her passion and Purpose
Dr. Annabelle Manalo-Morgan is a Filipino-Canadian scientist, educator, author, speaker, wife, and mother of five. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Eastern Kentucky University. She began her graduate work at Georgetown University in Neuroscience and completed her PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology at Vanderbilt University.
4 Ways to Celebrate Filipino food month EVery Year
Since the official signing of the Presidential Proclamation No. 469, mainland Philippines has been finding countless ways to celebrate our cherished cuisine and I think it’s time we step up our game and eat as many meals as possible with a purpose. At least that’s what I’ll tell myself as I feast through these top 4 ideas to honor the soul of our culture.
10 Things to Know about Loida Nicolas-Lewis
Loida Nicolas Lewis is a Filipino-born American businesswoman. Businesswoman, civic leader, motivational speaker, author, and lawyer. On top of all this, she has a new book coming out called “Why Should Guys Have All The Fun?” An Asian American Story of Love, Marriage, Motherhood, and Running A Billion Dollar Empire.
The Most Common Filipino LAST NAMES and their Meaning
At birth we are given a right to a name. It can be derived from a number of sources our parents, notable family members, future asperations, desired characteristics…etc. Filipino names have evolved and changed through out time as has become a melting pot of inspiration from indigenous origins, to western influences. Let’s take a dive to origins of Filipino last names.
High Fashion’s RHUDE AWAKENING | Rhuigi Villaseñor Redefines the New Rules of Luxury
Manila born+raised designer and entrepreneur, Rhuigi Villaseñor is the 30-year-old founder of luxury lifestyle and streetwear brand RHUDE (among others) and newly appointed Creative Director for famed Swiss fashion house, Bally, and is known for fusing nuanced luxury with Angeleno grit and birthing the new American Dream when it comes to his style, philosophy and work ethic. Our guest contributor shares the story of his humble immigrant beginnings and his rise to helming one of the greatest legacy fashion brands of our time.
10 Things to Know About True Lies Star Ginger Gonzaga
When James Cameron’s “True Lies” hit theaters almost 30 years ago in 1994, the story of a spy (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger at the time) moonlighting as a computer salesman while his bored wife (Jamie Lee Curtis) stayed home wondering how she could spice up their marriage. Fast-forward to almost three decades later, CBS’ gives the action flick a reboot in a weekly series starring the talented and stunning Ginger Gonzaga.
6 FilAM Life Coaches to Help Get You On Track
Life coaches work with people to develop the various aspects of a person’s life. For example, this might include career and work, finances and wealth, life planning, spirituality, health and wellness, relationships, and physical environment. Life coaching is designed to increase your human potential, personal growth, and leadership qualities.
5 Self Help Books To Reverse Unhealthy Filipino Cultural Norms For Future Generations
Navigating life as adolescents, we know nothing, we can only inherit traditions and mannerisms that are passed down to us from our parents, which have been passed down to them from their parents, and so on and so on. Well let's take a look at 5 Filipino cultural norms that might be affecting your mental health and lifestyle but more importantly, 5 books that can help reverse the damage for future generations.