By Elpidio Estioko SAN JOSE – The convenors of the Bayanihan Fil-Am Festival 2017 officially adopted District 27 Assemblymember Ash Kalra as “one of us” in a ceremony held last June 17 at Mt. Hamilton Grange Hall. The adoption certificate/plaque was presented by the BFF 2017 convenors led by Evangeline Sangalang and Erlinda Reyes for services rendered to the Filipino community in San Jose, in particular and in Santa Clara, in general and for “having fought hard for the ...

REDWOOD CITY – San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa held a press conference last June 23 at 11 a.m., at the War Memorial Community Center in Daly City to unveil the county’s newest free public Wi-Fi spot. He was joined by Daly City Mayor Glenn Sylvester, school officials, students and members of the county’s Information Services Department. “In today’s world, Wi-Fi is the equivalent to pens and pencils,” said Canepa. “Public Wi-Fi plays a critical role in socio-economi...

By Elpidio Estioko San Jose, CA – We need to connect and educate the youth about Filipino culture, so they won’t forget our roots and will be proud to say, “Pinoy Ako, Taas Noo”, Deputy Consul General Jaime Ramon Ascalon said in an interview with FilAm Star after his opening remarks during the Bayanihan Fil-Am 2017 Festival Philippine Independence Day celebration held last Saturday, June 10, 2017 at Eastridge Mall, this city. Ascalon said the Philippine Embassy in San F...

SAN FRANCISCO – The 119th Philippine Independence Day Concert and Gala presented multi-awarded Filipino singer-composer and conductor, Ryan Cayabyab with seven of his fabulous singers at the historic Marines’ Memorial Theater on Sutter Street, a stone’s throw away from Union Square in downtown San Francisco. A formal gala reception followed at the adjacent Marines’ Memorial Club & Hotel as guests were welcomed by a traditional, Rigodon de Honor, a Filipino-Spanish quadril...

                              Puts a new spin on reaching job seekers through                                modern recruitment tools like Snapchat OAK BROOK, IL – With summer around the corner, McDonald’s and its independent franchisees are gearing up to hire approximately 250,000 restaurant employees across the U.S. More than half of the hires at company-owned restaurants are projected to be between the ages of 16 – 24 years old, and for many, it is their first job. For...

By Corina Oliquino | FilAm Star Correspondent MANILA -- The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the family of OFW Jennifer Dalquez announced on June 20 that Jennifer was saved from death row after a court in United Arab Emirates (UAE) acquitted her of murder. According to DFA, based on the information provided by the Philippine Embassy in the UAE, the Court of Appeals in Al Ain “acquitted Jennifer Dalquez from the alleged crime of murder at a hearing on June 19, 201...

By Lara Climaco | FilAm Star Correspondent Marawi’s schoolchildren have gone as far as Ilocos Norte, Tarlac and Metro Manila to resume their education amid the devastation of their hometown. School year 2017-2018 opened June 5 in public schools nationwide, except for 132 schools affected by the armed conflict. The school opening saw a fraction of Marawi’s 22,714 students dispersed to schools in other regions, mostly in Northern Mindanao which is the nearest safe location. ...

By Macon Araneta FilAm Star Correspondent Malacañang revealed that a “political slant” might be reflected in the findings of the Global Peace Index (GPI) which stated that the Philippines is among the least peaceful countries in the world because of extra judicial killings and internal conflict. Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella suggested there could likely be a political slant in the GPI results because the Duterte administration received very favorable scores in ...

By William Casis | FilAm Star Correspondent An American disc jockey was sentenced to two life imprisonments after he was found guilty of drug charges for possession of over PHP 50 million worth of shabu when he was arrested in 2012. In a nine-page decision, Makati Regional Trial Court Judge Tranquil Salvador Jr. of Branch 63 found Brian Kevin Hills guilty for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2012. Hills was convicted on criminal...

By Macon Araneta | FilAm Star Correspondent The International Labor Organization (ILO) reported that about 250 million children worldwide are recruited and exploited to work as soldiers, mostly in conflict-affected areas in Asia and the Middle East where they live. “Children are not only used by armed groups as combatants but also as spies, helpers and porters,” the ILO said. ILO also raised the alarm that these children could also become victims of sexual exploitati...