Watchout for more "Fil-Am In The Spotlight" celebrities.
Web Enterpreneur - CECILIA PAGKALINAWAN
Perhaps the most succesful Filipina-American web enterpreneur that we know. She is a
Communications major graduate of Hofstra University. She immigrated with her parents at
age 8 and still very Filipino, she eats at turo-turo and speaks Tagalog. She's been in
the ecommerce field with several companies before starting her venture, BoutiqueY3K.com.
She has been named by Silicon Alley (New York's version of Silicon Valley) Reporter as
one of "Top 100 Internet Executives in New York," by A. Magazine as one of "Ten Hottest
Entrepreneurs under 30" and appeared in articles in the Industry Standard and Vogue
Magazine.In 1997, she cofounded MOUSE (Making Opportunities for Upgrading Schools and
Education), a volunteer group of over 500 Silicon Alley professionals dedicated to
improving technology in the educational system to help prepare youths for a future in
new media, business, and technology. Another Filipina-American who deserve to be
featured in our 'Spotlight'.
If you're looking for a Filipino singing group that is made up of Filipinas here it is - PINAY.
Listening to the album is really an experienced. The two cuts, 'Next Time'- an a capella and 'Is it Real?' are really the best for me. Their rendition of Filipino song 'Dahil sa Iyo' also included. What really impresses me with this group is that they all have talents and brain,
not to mention Filipino beauty - perhaps you have to see them to know what I mean.
Tell me a group that is all college graduates, Pinay has 3 from the prestigious University of California at Berkeley and one from San Francisco State, brains they have plenty. The group is made up of Loredie Cruz Reyes, Maylene Cochan Briones, Irma Baretto de los Santos and Angelica Page Abiog.
But speaking of talent, listen and judge them by yourself, listen to the blending and the
harmony of their voices - perfect. Before I forget, did I mention that Jocelyn Enriquez, yes
that famous Jocelyn, started with this group -another proof that the caliber of this group's singing talent is world best. We are proud to spotlight 'Pinay'.
Please learn more about this group ...... more >>>>>>
Venture Capitalist...DIOSDADO BANATAO
Dado Banatao is not new really but to some he's big news right now but he was even then.
He is the first Fil-Am who really made a fortune in Silicon Valley and he's credited as well of several patents that contributed to the development of the PC and networking as it is today. He came into the limelight in 80's when he co-founded Chips and Technologies which later was sold to Intel. He founded several other companies like S3 (makers of Diamond PC components)and Mostron. His latest venture is as chairman of the board of Marvell Technology Group Ltd., a leading developer and supplier of communications solutions for the data storage and data communications markets. He's now a VC , not a Viet Cong but as one of the successful venture capitalists, the people who help start-up companies by providing capital and expertise for a piece of a pie - a big slice. In 1997 Forbes estimated Dado Banatao's worth to be around 50 to 100 million but he's worth over that by now as stocks went up so much in the last 3 years. Banatao is a graduate of BSEE from Mapua Institute of Technology and MSEE-CS from Stanford University. He's been in the computer industry for over 20 years, first in the chip technology and later in the PC hardware development. He was voted by Ernest and Young as 1997 regional "Master Enterpreneur of the Year". If we talk of computers there is one Fil-Am that is really famous with Silicon Valley techies, he's Dado Banatao - a real living example of what we can achieve. Are there more of us out there? yes, I am sure but if you know, please send us an e-mail. Our research of Banatao led us to the following sites:
He plays "Cray", the youngest member of the Blake household on NBC's newest Saturday morning series "One World" is part Filipino. Brandon will soon be in the movie 'Johnny Tsunami' as the grandson of this Hawaiian surfer - a leading role. Another one of ours who's making a scene in the tube and the movies. See him saturday mornings on your local NBC station. Know more about this young actor ....
more >>>>>>
The Ball Is In ...Cecil Mamiit
For those who are not into tennis may not have heard of Cecil Mamiit but the 23 year Los Angeles native is the highest ranked Filipino-American pro in the world. Ranked No. 132, this pro has a long way to go. After winning the NCAA single's title in 1996 in his feshman year at University of Southern California, he turned pro. In 1998 he won his first career Challenger title. Know more of Mamiit at ATP under 'Profiles'....
more >>>>>>
Introducing: The "INNERLUDE"
Excerpt from their bio "Their talents are diverse in the art of music; ranging from song writing, assisting in the production of their music, as well as playing instruments. INNERLUDE creates a style like no other, combining the sultry sounds of R&B, a smooth blend of Pop, and a touch of acappella."
These guys have performed with the best groups in the country creating their own unique style. Listen and get captivated by this group's music. Truly a Filipino group deserving the limelight. more >>>>>>
On The Tee: Not One But Two Filipina Golfers Debuted In LPGA
We should be proud that there are two Filipinas, the first ever, to become
professional golfers in the prestigious tournament. Only the elite golfers could joined the
ranks of this professional league - the counterpart of men's PGA. The two Filipinas had put the
Philippines as a top golfing nation producing 2 great players in last year's qualifying school.
Taiwan just had their first player in the league this year. Let's support them and may more of
our kababayans strive to attain what these 2 Filipinas did.
Dorothy Delasin won her 1st tournament on July 30, 2000 - $1 Million Giant Eagle LPGA Classics. Delasin LPGA bio >>>>>> Delasin - LPGA's 2000 Rookie of the Year >>>>> Rosales LPGA Bio >>>>> Rosales' USC Page >>>>>>
One..Two..Three..Action: Von Flores
The star of the sci-fi long running series "Earth: Final Conflict" is a Filipino-Canadian who potrays the FBI special agent Ronald Sandoval. Von Flores was born and
raised in the Philippines. He had acted in shows like FX:The series and Kung-fu, to named
some to his credit. Read more about this up and coming Filipino-Canadian actor.Find more about this exciting Filipino personality, why he deserve such a success...
more >>>>>>
The group known as ... 'Kai'
Kai is short for Kaibigan, Tagalog word meaning 'Friend or Friendship'. Making friends is what we believe is one very Filipino
trait. We are a very friendly people and we love hanging out with friends most of the time. This group is aptly
named 'Kai'. Their single "Say You'll Stay" was in the top 40 at one time. Listen to their music and you'll
notice the harmony is solid. Here's what fans say about them:
"the members of kai are talented, funny, friendly, charismatic guys who just jam....
and highly entertain the audience at the same time. AND they're asian american! "
"They wrote like 10 tracks of their new album. I think that music is mainly about
expression, and coming up with your own type of style of music". more >>>>>>
The Queen Bee - Olivia Ongpin
One of the top web designers in San Francisco is a Filipina American, Olivia Ongpin. She is the creator
or some call her ' The Queen Bee ' of Fabric8 and its related web sites, Finery, Soundbuyz and Bazaar.
Visiting Fabric8 will give you a unique site experience, it has features seldom seen in other sites like the haiku generator and it defies the use of non Microsoft tools in developing the
sites, using freewares like mySQL and Linux. Her sites are really unique and innovative. It has clothings
design that could only be found in this part of the world wide web - not so mainstream. Catering to this market segment, the site found its niche.
Ongpin is included in this year's prestigious Top 25 Women On Web award that includes among the honorees
are women like Kim Polese(Founder of Marimba), Judith Estrin (CTO of Cisco), Carly Fiorina (CEO and
President, Hewlett Packard) and Carol Bartz (CEO of Autodesk) to name some of them. Another one of us
who made it in the competitive web market. Proving once more that we can do it too. Ongpin's Fabric8 Web Site >>>>>>
Colorado Rockies - Benny Agbayani
The Hawaii born Filipino American, Benny Agbayani, has been in the minors for 6 years before playing
outfielder for the Rockies. The 27 year old is married to Niela Guigui, who once played soft
ball for University of Hawaii. Agbayani played college baseball for Hawaii Pacific University after
a short stint in college football for Oregon Tech University. So far the only Filipino American in
the major league. To Benny Agbayani, may you have a great season.
ED's Note: Agbayani was used to be a New York Met. ESPN Profile of Benny Agbayani >>>>>>
Our very own Olympian - Brian Viloria
Our best bet in this year's Olympics is another Hawaiian born. Brian is a Filipino American boxer in light flyweight class. He won the US national title in 1999.
Dubbed as the "Hawaiian Punch", he is ranked No. 1 in the world in his class. Taught by his father so he can defend himself against his big brother started his
career in boxing. The pugilist is currently a student at Northern Michigan University pursuing a degree in broadcast journalism and would eventually like to become
a sportscaster. Bring home the gold, Brian. Viloria's Bio at CNN>>>>>>
Miss America 2001 - Angela Perez Baraquio
Representing the State of Hawaii, Ms.Baraquio bested other beauties of the different states.
Her platform issue is character education among our youth.The 24 year old K-3 Physical
Education Teacher/K-8 Athletic Director for a Honolulu catholic school came from a family
of 9 children whose parents, Claudio F. Baraquio and Rigolette P. Baraquio were born in
the Philippines. Graduated with a 3.7 GPA from University of Hawaii, Manoa, she planned
to pursue her master in education with the scholarship money she won from the pageant.
Congratulations to you, Angela from all of us. Post competition interview with Ms. Baraquio >>>>>> Filipino Beauty Queens >>>>>>
Rey Pagtakhan-First Filipino In Canada's Cabinet
Rey Pagtakhan, a doctor and naturalized Canadian citizen, was appointed secretary of
state for the Asia-Pacific region by Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien. The first
Filipino Canadian to be appointed in the cabinet in Canada's history.
Born in Cavite province (south of Manila) in 1935, Pagtakhan graduated in medicine
from the University of the Philippines before leaving for the United States to pursue
further medical studies. Immigrated to Canada in 1968. He won his first race for a
parliament seat 20 years later and has been re-elected since from his home district
in Winnipeg, Manitoba. More >>>>>>
Michelle Malkin, National Syndicated Columnist
Among the up and coming opinion writers is a Filipina named
Michelle Malkin. A nationally syndicated writer affiliated with
Creators Syndicate which count among its famous talents some
of America's respected columnists such as Robert Novak, Bill
O'Reilly, Mark Shields and talk show host Larry Elders.
A graduate of Oberlin College in Ohio and had worked with LA Times
and Seattle Times. Ms. Malkin is a daughter of Filipino immigrants,
was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1970 and raised in southern New
Jersey.
She founded recently, porkwatch.com, an online publication which
monitors corporate welfare. Michelle Malkin Column and Bio >>>> Ms. Malkin's Website >>>>>
Rodney Jay C. Salinas, a Rising Star of Politics
Rodney Jay C. Salinas Communications coordinator, Association of
Fundraising Professionals. Founder of www.politicalcircus.com, an
Internet portal that encourages Asian Pacific American political
participation. Formerly directed the Asian Pacific American
Institute for Congressional Studies. Master’s Degree, Graduate
School of Political Manage-ment, George Washington University.
Every year at this time, Campaigns & Elections magazine selects
the Rising Stars of Politics.
Campaigns & Elections' Website >>>> www.politicalcircus.com >>>>
Lexa Doig - Star of Jason X and Andromeda
What's with these Filipino-Canadians? They have produced several
actors recently with the likes of Von Flores of Earth: Final
Conflict fame and now comes Lexa. They have one thing in common though,
their films are sci-fi genre. We wonder what's in Toronto, eh. Lexa Doig's Site >>>>
Edward Soriano and Antonio Taguba - Fil-Am US Army Generals
Two highest ranking Filipino Americans in the US Army were recently
promoted, they are Army Maj. Gen. Edward Soriano who has been nominated for
appointment to the rank of lieutenant general (3 stars) and assignment as
commanding general, I Corps and Fort Lewis, Fort Lewis, Washington.
Soriano is currently serving as the director, Homeland Security,
U.S. Joint Forces Command, Norfolk, Va. And Army Brig. Gen. Antonio
M. Taguba who has been nominated for appointment to the rank of major
general (2 stars). Gen. Taguba is to be reassigned as director of management
and vice director of the Army Staff, Washington, D.C. is currently
serving as commanding general, U.S. Army Community and Family
Support Center, Alexandria, Virginia. We are sure we have a lot more
high ranking Filipino American in other branches of the US armed forces.
We have to hear from Fil-Am officers in the US navy whether we have
admirals with equivalent ranks of 2 and 3 star generals - let us know
if you know of any so we can spotlight their achievements. By the way,
the first Filipino American that achieved the rank of Maj. General was
John R. D'Araujo Jr., he was as well became the first director of the
Army National Guard Bureau of Filipino descent.
Lieutenant General Edward Soriano's Bio >>>> Major General Antonio Taguba's Bio >>>> An Asian Pacific American Timeline (Military) >>>>
Dan Inosanto - Martial Arts Expert
Inosanto is the heir to Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do and one of 3 instructors
certified by Lee personally. He was Bruce Lee's private student,
sparring and training partner - meaning he has the insight of what made
Bruce Lee a great icon in martial arts. Dan Inosanto is also a major promoter
of Filipino Martial Arts (FMA). Aside from Jeet Kune Do, Inosanto teaches
Kali, the Filipino stick and hand to hand martial arts. If you will see
Matt Damon's movie, Bourne Identity, you will find out how devastating this
form of Filipino martial arts is. With over 30 years of training in martial
arts, Inosanto is recognized as one of its leading authorities. He wrote
several books and have appeared in several movies. Inosanto-Black Belt Magazine 1996 Man of the Year >>>> Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts >>>> An Interview with Dan Inosanto by Steve Grantham >>>>
Watchout for more "Fil-Am In The Spotlight" celebrities.
Last updated June 8, 2002.
OTHER NOTABLE FILIPINOS
Pacita Abad: International Artist
Eleanor Academia: International Recording Artist
Byron Acohido: Pulitzer Prize Winner
Peter Aduja: Former Member, Hawaii House of Representatives
Joshua C. Agsalud: Hawaii Cabinet Member
Emilio Alcon: Hawaii State Representative
Reynaldo G. Alejandro: Dancer, Choreographer, Chef, Author, and Columnist
Alberto M. Alfaro: Editor-in-Chief, Manila Mail
Constantino Amores, M.D.: Presidential Appointee on Arts Committee
Jon Amores: West Virginia State Representative
Tai Babilonia: Former World Ice Skating Champion
Genara Banzon: Nature Artist
Maniya Barredo: Atlanta and the Philippines’ First Prima Ballerina
Bernaldo D. Bicoy: Member, Hawaii House of Representatives
Cecilia Manguerra Brainard: Award-Winning Writer
Thelma Buchhold: Alaska State Representative
Cielo Buenaventura: Metropolitan Section Editor, The New York Times
Carlos Bulosan: Outstanding Filipino Writer
Robert Bunda: Hawaii State Senator
Romy Cachola: Hawaii State Representative
Annette Calud: Sesame Street Dance Instructor
Tia Carrera: Movie Actress and Singer
Benjamin N. Cayetano: Governor, State of Hawaii
Reggie Chavez: City Official, Tacoma Park, Maryland
Howard Chua: Time Magazine Senior Editor
Lilia Calderon Clemente: International Money Manager
Wil and Zen Coronado: Cosmetics Magnates
Speedy Dado (Diosdado B. Posadas): Flyweight Boxing Champion
Firmo S. Dayao: Police Commissioner, Honolulu, Hawaii
Rolando A. De Castro: D.M.D., M.S.D.: Well-known Dental Professor-Artist
Pedro dela Cruz: Member, Hawaii House of Representatives
Vicky Manalo Draves: U.S. Diving Champion
Julie R. Duldulao: Former Hawaii State Representative
Jocelyn Enriquez: Queen of Free Style
Ernesto M. Espaldon: M.D.: Plastic Surgeon, Six-Term Guam Senator
Jose L. Evangelista: M.D.: Member, National Committee on
Foreign Medical Education and Accreditation (NCFMEA)
Stella, Evangelista, M.D.: Former Member, Michigan State Board of Medicine
Juventino “Ben” Fajardo: Mayor, Glendale Heights, Illinois
Pete Fajardo: Mayor, Carson, California
Roman Gabriel: Former Los Angeles Rams’ Quarterback
Pat Gacoscos: Member, School Board, Union City, California
Ceferino Garcia: Middleweight Champion of the World
Nestor R. Garcia: Hawaii State Representative
Tita Dioso Gillespie: Newsweek’s General Editor
Dennis Gonzales: Postmaster, Daly City, California
Reynaldo Graulty: Hawaii State Senator
Michael Guingona, Jr.: Mayor, Daly City
Maria Luisa Mabilangan Haley: High-Ranking Filipino
American Official in Clinton’s Administration
Sumi Sevilla Haru: Actress, Activist
Venancio Igarta: Master Colorist
Larry Itliong: Labor Leader
Radmar Agana Jao: Up and Coming Actor
Alfred Lareta: Lawyer, Hawaii Judicial Circuit Judge
Loida Nicolas Lewis: Lawyer, Author, and
CEO of TLC Beatrice International Holdings, Inc.
Gene Canque Liddel: First U.S. Filipino American Mayor
Glen Madeiros: Singer
Eduardo E. Malapit: Hawaii Elected Mayor
Henry Manayan: Mayor, Milpitas, California
Evelyn Mandac: International Lyric Soprano
G. Monty Manibog: Three-term Mayor, Monterey Park, California
Eduardo G. Manuel: Former Mayor, Hercules, California
Gene G. Marcial: Senior Writer, Business Week
Eleanor Concepcion Mariano, M.D.
President Clinton’s Personal Physician
Salvador (Dado) Marino: Flyweight Boxing Champion
Neal McCoy: Up-and-Coming Country Music Singer
Ron Menor: Hawaii State Representative
Irene Natividad: Noted Political Activist
Josie Cruz Natori: International Fashion Magnate
Enriquez M. Ostrea: Famed Pediatrician, professor, Inventor
Andy Paras: Member, City Council of Hercules, California
Veronica Pedrosa: CNN News Anchor
Nia Peeples: Actress and Singer
Lou Diamond Phillips: Movie Actor
Elizabeth Punsalan: U.S. Ice Dance Champion
Prince - singer and actor
Ronald E. Quidachay: California Municipal Judge
Mel Red Recana: Presiding Judge
Los Angeles Municipal Court, California
Josephine “Banig” Roberto: Singer
Manuel Rodriguez: Father of Philippine Graphic Arts
Jose Romero: World-Renowned Acrylic-Impressionistic Artist
Ninotchka Rosca: Award-Winning Novelist and Short Story Writer
Lea Salonga: Actress/Singer
Bienvenido Santos: Well-known Writer of Fiction and Poetry
Cesar C. Sarmiento: Superior Court Judge
Los Angeles County, California
Pilar Schneider: School Board Member, Pacifica, California
Rob Schneider: Movie Actor
Eulalio Bueno Silva: Internationally Renowned Artist
Edward Soriano: First Philippine-born Soldier to
become a General in the U.S. Armed Forces
Antonio Taguba: Second Philippine-born Soldier to
become a General in the U.S. Armed Forces
Alex Tizon: Pulitzer Prize Winner
Emme Tominbang: Hawaii TV Personality
Tamlyn Tomita: Movie Actress
Emelio Uy: Outstanding Businessman and Civic Leader
David Mercado Valderrama: Delete, Maryland General Assembly
Velma R. Veloria: Member, Washington State House of Representatives
Philip Vera Cruz: Labor Leader
Jose Garcia Villa: Foremost Filipino poet
Pancho Villa: Foremost Filipino Boxing Great
Mona Lisa Yuchengco: Magazine Publisher
To submit article of interest, send email to:article@epilipinas.com
