
By Marivir R. Montebon
New York – The Philippine flag at the Philippine Consulate General on 5th Avenue is hoisted half-mast in honor of Pres. Benigno Aquino III, predecessor to Pres. Duterte of the Philippines, who died on June 21, 2021 at age 61.
While on a state visit to the US in 2010, Pres. Aquino made quite a stir when he decided to buy hotdogs and soda from a street vendor on Madison Avenue, right around the neighborhood of the Philippine Center in NYC. The entire meal for himself and his crew cost $54.
Aquino, son of Pres. Corazon Aquino and Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., will be remembered as having fought and won against China in defense of the South China Sea before the UN International Tribunal on the Laws of the Sea. At the end of his term, the Philippines posted a remarkable growth rate and unprecedented record savings for the Philippine economy.

Meanwhile, FilAm leaders Edwin Josue and Jerry Sibal attend NYS celebration of PRIDE at the Chelsea Piers where Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed the Gender Recognition Act that ensures expanded protections for transgender and non-binary New Yorkers on June 24, 2021. In photo (topmost) with Edwin and Jerry is David A.C. Turley, director of Tourism Programs and Education at Empire State Development.



(Contributed photos)
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