By Jennie L. Ilustre Washington, D.C.–Some 40 Filipino teachers, who are victims of human trafficking by an illegal Philippine-based recruiter, joined a national call-to-action rally organized by the militant advocacy Gabriela-DC group in front of the Philippine embassy on March 24. The rally took place despite the snow that closed down embassy and federal offices in the nation’s capital. The …

By Jennie L. Ilustre Bring out the champagne! Asian American LEAD (ALLEAD) is celebrating its 15th anniversary as a difference-maker. What’s more, last month, the D.C. Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (OAPIA) awarded AALEAD over $43,000 as its first-time Vietnamese American Youth Empowerment (VAYE) grant.            “The grant is a new grant opportunity that will help provide …

By Jennie L. Ilustre Photos courtesy of AOF Born and raised in San Jose, Ca., Mineta and his family were among the Japanese Americans interned in camps during World War II. Since then, President Bill Clinton has appointed him the first Asian Pacific American (APA) Secretary of Commerce, President George W. Bush has named him Secretary of Commerce, and he …

By Jennie L. Ilustre The next time you ride in an airplane, whether for business or for pleasure, think of this as a matter of inspiration and well-placed pride: That a company, owned by an Asian American who triumphed against life’s adversities, helps improve safety and efficiency within the nation’s air traffic management system with its cutting-edge products and services.            …

By Jennie L. Ilustre        “FAPAC continues on its mission of offering fantastic training at low cost to federal employees and managers,” remarked Kin Wong, president of the Federal Asian Pacific American Council, as he urged Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to attend two events in the coming months.            Wong made the announcements during the highly successful FAPAC 2014 …

By Jennie L. Ilustre Asian Americans only form 5 per cent of the total U.S. 300 million population, but over the years, their Spending Power continues to soar, and is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2017. This steady, rising consumer power was the subject of the latest report by Nielsen, top provider of information and insights into what consumers …

By Jennie L. Ilustre If you’re an avid iPod or iPhone user, a mom, in your 50s or older, or have a habit of cleaning your ears with Q-tips, Wendy Shiau has some sound advice for you. If you heed her advice–and it is expert advice based on years of formal learning and experience–you could avoid permanent hearing loss, ear …

By Jennie L. Ilustre Photos by JLI Washington, D.C.–The US Postal Service unveiled two commemorative stamps honoring the nation’s Army and Navy Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients at an emotion-filled ceremony, held on November 11 on Veterans Day in this capital. Two of the honorees were the late US Senator Daniel K. Inouye, who was represented by his widow, and …

By Jennie L. Ilustre As an outpouring of assistance streamed from a stunned world, the Filipino American community in the area issued a list of organizations where people can send donations for the survivors of Super Typhoon Haiyan. It has also mobilized organizations to help in the relief efforts. “A whole town was wiped out, and survivors urgently need our …

By Jennie L. Ilustre Rosslyn, Virginia–“This 15th anniversary means so much to me,” DC Asian Marrow Network Founder and President Ida Wang remarked, as 150 guests began to trickle in at the Banquet for Life celebration, held on October 6 at the China Garden restaurant here. “When I started this organization to honor the memory of my nephew Andrew, I …

 By Jennie L. Ilustre Photos: JLI Falls Church, Virginia–US Congressman Bobby Scott urged a big Democratic turn out at the polls at the official launching of the Democratic Asian Americans of Virginia (DAAV), held here on October 1. Saying there’s a lot at stake in the Virginia elections, he noted that “if the same people who voted five years ago …

By Jennie L. Ilustre Photos by JLI The sun and cool fall weather were the bonus attractions at the 10th Annual Asian Festival, held on September 28-29 in Maryland, enticing thousands to linger leisurely on opening day and to come back the following day. The crowds enjoyed the world famous “Bamboo Orchestra” from Beijing, China, the concert featuring international star …

By Jennie L. Ilustre Khanh Nguyen and his family lost their homes and livelihood when Hurricane Katrina slammed into the Gulf Coast in 2004, leaving destruction and desolation in its wake. “We were used to hurricanes come and go, and didn’t take the warnings seriously,” Khanh recalled. One of his sisters just built a new brick house, which was supposed …

By Jennie L. Ilustre Mayor Allan W. Fung of Cranston, the third largest city in Rhode Island, made history in 2008 when he was elected Cranston’s first Asian American mayor. On meeting him, one is however struck at how humble he is. “That’s nice, to be sure, though if you ask me, it is an even greater honor to have …

By Jennie L. Ilustre  Photos: JLI BALTIMORE, Maryland–Two years after the project began, Towson University formally launched “Art Filipino: Works by Master Artists,” on September 14. This is the university’s first exhibit showcasing works of Filipino American artists in the area, as well as treasures by Filipino National Artists and masters like Amorsolo, Joya and Rodriguez. The project was the …

By Jennie L. Ilustre Mark Mitsui was recently appointed to a top post in the U.S. Department of Education. His title: Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Colleges, Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE).         The Office administers and coordinates programs on adult education and literacy, career and technical education, and community colleges. Its programs and grants support a wide …

By Jennie L. Ilustre Corinna Shen, owner of Seven Seas Restaurant located in Rockville, Maryland, believes that “education is the key for any kind of success.” Her great grandfather was one of the founders of Hunan University and was a secretary for the Education department in China. “In China, teaching is the most respected profession. And because of my family …

By Jennie L. Ilustre Maya Soetoro-Ng, peace educator, author and President Obama’s maternal half-sister, urged stronger “international and national collaboration” in fighting human trafficking, and lauded the work of organizations such as India-based Odanadi and Odanadi-US in rescuing and rehabilitating victims. “My brother’s administration is committed to solving this issue,” she said August 14 at the Center for American Progress …

By Jennie L. Ilustre “We need to have all our kids succeed in getting college education,” keynote speaker Tina Tchen stressed at the Higher Education Summit, held on June 25 in the nation’s capital. “What you all are doing is so important to making sure that all will reach that goal,”  she told leaders of the Asian & Pacific Islander …

By Jennie L. Ilustre “Folks,” emcee Jon Melegrito quipped when storm suddenly broke out, barely an hour after the annual Philippine Community Picnic and Sports Competition kicked off, “mud wrestling has just been added to our sports competition — any takers?” There were no takers, of course, at the Tucker Road Recreation Park in Fort Washington, Maryland. But a new …

By Jennie L. Ilustre Virginia Assistant Secretary of Commerce Jimmy Rhee describes Kim Maloney, president and CEO of Williamsburg Pottery Factory as a “a natural leader who has the ability to be laser-focused on her vision – one who clearly knows what she wants and follows her plan to the teeth.” He added in an email interview: “She’s consistent with …

Dr. Howard Koh’s title, and the responsibilities that go with it, are formidable. He is the Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health oversees 12 core public health offices,” he said in an email. “Our broad portfolio includes disease prevention and health promotion, health disparities, women’s …

By Jennie L. Ilustre The all-volunteer World Health Ambassador Program (WHA), the lead coordinator for a big, multi-team, two-week medical and dental mission to Myanmar, recently announced the teams are continuing to raise funds for the project, estimated to cost about $75,000. Myanmar, formally known as Burma, is located in Southeast Asia. Dr. Thien Do, WHA founder and CEO, also …

By Jennie L. Ilustre Washington, D.C.–Asian American advocates and families, in a coalition with Latin American and African American labor, civil rights and multi-faith leaders across the country, vowed to keep fighting for family reunification visas at a highly-energized rally held on June 5 at the Capitol (Congress). “If you are for justice, make some noise,” said African American national …