News in USA
Brewing Heritage: Teofilo Coffee Company Opens New Branch in Carson to Celebrate Filipino Coffee, Culture & Community
CARSON, CALIFORNIA – Teofilo Coffee Company (TCC), the only Filipino-founded coffee brand in the United States with partnerships with the Philippine Embassy and the Philippine Coffee Board, has opened... ...more
By: Donnabelle Gatdula-Arevalo, North America
April 19, 2025•1 min read
Manila Candle: A Story of Scent and Resilience
Imagine catching the scent of the Philippine national flower, the sampaguita, in every home across Southern California. That vision is coming to life through the ingenuity and entrepreneurial spirit o... ...more
By: Donnabelle Gatdula-Arevalo, North America
April 19, 2025•2 min read
Fil-Am Real Estate Mogul John Singson Honored with Key to the City of Carson
CARSON, CALIFORNIA — Filipino-American real estate entrepreneur John Singson, founder of the Singson Real Estate Company, made history as the first in his field to receive the Key to the City Award fr... ...more
By: Donnabelle Gatdula-Arevalo, North America
April 17, 2025•2 min read
Fil-Am Business Leaders Wary on Trump's Higher Import Tariffs: Higher Prices, Job Loss Seen
The Filipino-American community are wary that US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose higher tariffs on all imports to America will push prices up, affect small businesses and might result to j... ...more
By: Donnabelle Gatdula-Arevalo, North America
April 04, 2025•3 min read
First Filipina Assemblymember in CA Filed a Dozen Bills
Only three months after being sworn in to office, Assemblymember Jessica Caloza, the first ever Filipina elected to California State Legislature, has already introduced a dozen of critical legislation... ...more
By: Donnabelle Gatdula-Arevalo, North America
March 23, 2025•2 min read
MMDA donates Sarao Jeepney to Filipino-American Community in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES – To help keep cultural heritage alive in the hearts of the Filipino-American community, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) donated an authentic Sarao jeepney for the Filipino c... ...more
By: Donnabelle Gatdula-Arevalo, North America
March 18, 2025•1 min read
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Alex Eala's Miami Open Run Pride & Gratitude
By: TFCN Manila
April 2025
“The real work starts now."
Filipina tennis star Alex Eala shared on social media that her historic Miami Open run has left her speechless and "so full of emotion, mostly pride and gratitude."
“I’m proud of myself for pushing through those tough moments, as well as to have been able to make a statement for the Philippines in one of the biggest stages of tennis," Alex said.
The teen tennis sensation is thankful for all the positivity coming her way, and prays that fans continue sending support "through the highs and lows."
She added, "salamat sa lahat ng pagdadasal at magagandang mensahe. I recognize that these two weeks have opened the door to so many opportunities for me, but along with those opportunities come a whole new set of obstacles I will have to navigate through.
Fil-Am Business Leaders Wary on Trump's Higher Import Tariffs: Higher Prices, Job Loss Seen
By: Donnabelle Gatdula-Arevalo, TFCN North America
April 5, 2025
Photo By: Dan Halden
LOS ANGELES-The Filipino-American community are wary that US President Donald Trump’s decision to impose higher tariffs on all imports to America will push prices up, affect small businesses and might result to job loss.
“I express my concerns regarding the tariffs imposed on Philippine exports, as these measures are poised to significantly impact our export sector and disrupt supply chains, particularly given the already narrow profit margins faced by many businesses,” Jocip Samiento, Filipino-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Los Angeles (FACCGLA) president, told the TFCN.
While exporters may be compelled to either absorb these additional costs or transfer them to consumers, resulting in higher prices, Sarmiento remains optimistic in the resilience of the country’s businesses. “I am confident that they will navigate and adapt to these challenges effectively,” he added.
The baseline 10% tariff will go into effect on Saturday, April 5, and any higher tariffs will go into effect on April 9 this year.
President Trump said the United States will see fair trade in imposing an individualized reciprocal higher tariff on the countries with which the US has the largest trade deficits . These tariffs are aimed at leveling the playing field for American workers and businesses.
Having lived in the US for more than three decades, Marge Ordiales-Martinez CEO of CSI Professionals Inc., is concerned about the adverse impact of the tariff increase on US-Philippines diplomatic relations.
“As I reflect on the US government's decision to impose a tariff increase on Philippine businesses entering the US, I'm concerned about the far-reaching consequences for various stakeholders. The tariff increase may strain diplomatic relations between the two countries. This could also impact cooperation on other key issues, such as security and trade,” Martinez, who owned and founded one of the oldest and biggest immigration and employment companies in Southern California, told TFCN.
“While the US may benefit from patronizing its own products, it's crucial to acknowledge the importance of international trade partnerships. The US needs exporters from countries like the Philippines to bring in raw materials that benefit US manufacturers and businesses, ultimately allowing consumers to confidently spend more,” Martinez added
Martinez also sees the need for an open dialogue among the stakeholders to mitigate potential negative consequences.
“The US and the Philippines should consider renegotiating trade agreements to find mutually beneficial solutions. Additionally, Philippine exporters may need to diversify their markets to reduce dependence on the US market. By working together, we can navigate these challenges and build a stronger, more resilient trade relationship between our two countries,” Martinez pointed out.
In a Facebook Page of SoCal Pinoys for Filipinos in Souther California, businessman J.R. Ortiz commented that “I’d rather pay a little more on the few things I buy imported, it it means no more income tax, property tax and bigger Social Security checks for everyone.”
Describing the move of President Trump as “TARIFFying Day!”, financial strategist Jonathan Ravelas, in an interview with TFCN, affirmed the negative impact of the higher tariffs to the lives of Filipino-American.
“Fil-am’s could feel the brunt of higher prices. Also risk of job loss,” Ravelas said, noting that the anticipated consequences of the tariff hike may include: “retaliation from trade partners, currency volatility, and depreciations are expected, which will help estimate economic deadweight losses.”
First Filipina Assemblymember in CA Filed a Dozen Bills
By: Donnabelle Gatdula - Arevalo, TFCN North America
March 24 2025
Photo Souce: Jesica Caloza.com, Derek Humprey
LOS ANGELES – Only three months after being sworn in to office, Assemblymember
Jessica Caloza, the first ever Filipina elected to California State Legislature, has already
introduced a dozen of critical legislation to address the challenges facing California.
Caloza, an immigrant and a proud daughter of working-class parents, has filed
Assembly Bill (AB) 262: California Individual Assistance Act; AB 265: Small Business
and Nonprofit Recovery Fund Act; AB 546: Clean Air for All-Insurance Coverage
Requirements; AB 553: Calfresh- Expanding Food Access; AB 591: Disaster
Preparedness-Mutual Aid in Public Works.
Taking oath of office in December 2, 2024, the other bills introduced by Caloza include:
AB 616: CA State Parks Pass Program from Libraries; AB 654: Unhoused Resident
Support-3 Digit Number for L.A. County; AB 672: Safeguarding Workers’ Rights-Public
Employees; AB 700: State Student Loan Relief Program; AB 995: Lowering the Cost of
Rebuilding After a Disaster; AB 995: Improving Clean Water Standards; and AB 1252:
New State Park-Elephant Hill/Northeast Los Angeles.
“What you have is my commitment to representing you in the Assembly as someone
who is going to work really hard for you,” Caloza said, during a community swearing-in
ceremony last month. Caloza represents District 52 which includes the southern portion
of Glendale, Eagle Rock, Mt. Washington, Highland Park, Glassell Park, Silver Lake,
Echo Park, Atwater Village, Lincoln Heights, Loz Feliz, East Hollywood, Cypress Park,
Elysian Valley, Monterey Hills, Hermon, Montecito Heights, El Sereno and Unincorporated
East Los Angeles. There are more than 13,000 Filipino-American in this district.
Caloza, a graduate of the University of California-San Diego, had worked for President
Obama helping underfunded public schools get more resources.
In 2019, Caloza was also the first Filipino-American to serve in the Board of Public
Works overseeing more than 5,500 employees. As L.A. Public Works Commissioner,
she expanded good-paying union jobs, raised wages for workers and required equal
pay for women while increasing transparency and accountability.
Prior to her appointment in the city’s Public Works office, Caloza served as Mayor Eric
Garcetti’s Director of Scheduling since 2017, overseeing the Mayor’s entire scheduling
operation — including strategic planning, day-to-day logistics, and coordination with
various Departments and agencies.
She also served as Deputy Director of Scheduling, and came to the Mayor’s Executive
Office from the Office of Immigrant Affairs, where she helped lead the City's immigration
policy, grant programs, and civic engagement initiatives focused on expanding access
to resources for immigrant communities.
Before seeking a post in the state assembly, she worked as California Attorney General
Rob Bonta’s Deputy Chief of Staff where she assisted Bonta in his bid to reduce crime
and gun violence, take bold action to protect the environment, and helped victims of
sexual assault receive justice.
MMDA donates Sarao Jeepney to Filipino-American Community in Los Angeles
By: Donnabelle Gatdula - Arevalo, TFCN North America
March 19, 2025
Photo: PH Consulate General in LA, CA
LOS ANGELES – To help keep cultural heritage alive in the hearts of the Filipino-American community, the Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) donated an authentic Sarao jeepney for the Filipino community, in time for MMDA’s 50th Anniversary celebration.
In a press statement, Philippine Consul General Adelio S. Cruz commended MMDA and Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Chairman Romando S. Artes and his delegation’s efforts to nurture a closer relationship with Filipino-American Community in Southern California, noting that this is now the second consecutive visit from the delegation.
The event was held on March 3, 2025 at the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC)’s Larry Itliong Village in LA’s Historic Filipinotown. In front of over 100 guests representing diverse group of Filipino-American organizations, Artes and Cruz led the ribbon-cutting ceremony which was followed by a handover of ceremonial key to PWC operations director Malou Villacisneros.
In the same press statement, Artes was quoted as saying that the “jeepney is a very recognizable icon of Filipino culture and he expressed hope that the jeepney will help keep alive the Filipino-American community’s connection to the Philippines.
Villacisneros, speaking on behalf of PWC and the community, thanked the MMFF for their generous donation. “Jeepney will help further promote Filipino culture and heritage not only to the younger generations of Filipino-Americans but to the wider community.
District 13 Councilmember Hugo Soto-Mertinez, who has constituency over Historic Filipinotown, also graced the occasion and gave recognition to the importance of diversity and the influence of the Filipino-Americans in shaping their communities.