Fil-Lennials of New England

04/01/2026

Congratulations Geoffrey Lanez, CMC, on being the first Fil-Am to pass the Certified Master Chef exam. This certification is only held by less than 100 hundred chefs awarded by the American Culinary Federation & Master Chef's Order. This exam certification involves a rigorous, multi-day practical assessment where accomplished chefs demonstrate mastery of classical and contemporary techniques, leadership, organization, and culinary artistry under real-world conditions. We are so proud of you!

03/18/2026

UPDATE ON TICKETS 3/26: ALL TICKETS HAVE BEEN SOLD OUT.
It's getting that time of year again!
Fil-Lennials of NE is excited to partner with the Boston Red Sox to offer discounted tickets for their AAPI Heritage Celebration game against the Houston Astros on Friday, May 1. Attendees of ALL ages will have the opportunity to see AAPI pre-game performances, AAPI food options and receive a limited edition Red Sox AAPI themed Jersey(first come first serve). To reserve your tickets ($54/pp) visit
https://forms.gle/ygrTWCVGHT5n6UNW6 scan the QR code. Reservations AND payments must be made by Tuesday March 31st. Limited amount available! For inquiries contact: [email protected]

03/18/2026

It's getting that time of year again!
Fil-Lennials of NE is excited to partner with the Boston Red Sox to offer discounted tickets for their AAPI Heritage Celebration game against the Houston Astros on Friday, May 1. Attendees of ALL ages will have the opportunity to see AAPI pre-game performances, AAPI food options and receive a limited edition Red Sox AAPI themed Jersey(first come first serve). To reserve your tickets ($54/pp) visit
https://forms.gle/ygrTWCVGHT5n6UNW6 scan the QR code. Reservations AND payments must be made by Tuesday March 31st. Limited amount available! For inquiries contact: [email protected]

09/15/2025

⏰ ONE DAY LEFT TO APPLY! 📣

Tomorrow is the last day to apply to serve as a Commissioner with our Asian American & Pacific Islanders Commission of MA. Don’t miss this chance to uplift AAPI voices and help shape the future of our communities. 🌏✨

Submit your application by Tomorrow, September 16, 2025 at aapicommission.org/become-a-commissioner

05/20/2025

Come join Bren Bataclan at the PAO Arts Center in Boston on June 8th. He will lead your family through a bilingual story time, teach you how to make vegetarian lumpia and guide a fun drawing activity.

04/21/2025

DEADLINE FOR TICKET REGISTRATION IS DUE TODAY

It's getting that time of year again!
Fil-Lennials of NE is excited to partner with the Boston Red Sox to offer discounted tickets for their AAPI Heritage Celebration game against the Minnesota Twins on Friday, May 2. Attendees of ALL ages will have the opportunity to see AAPI pre-game performances, AAPI food options and receive a limited edition Red Sox AAPI themed Jersey(first come first serve). To reserve your tickets ($56/pp) visit
https://forms.gle/U1CvztiJj8JnNNfU8or scan the QR code. Reservations AND payments must be made by Monday April 21st. Limited amount available! For inquiries contact: [email protected]

04/15/2025

It's getting that time of year again!
Fil-Lennials of NE is excited to partner with the Boston Red Sox to offer discounted tickets for their AAPI Heritage Celebration game against the Minnesota Twins on Friday, May 2. Attendees of ALL ages will have the opportunity to see AAPI pre-game performances, AAPI food options and receive a limited edition Red Sox AAPI themed Jersey(first come first serve). To reserve your tickets ($56/pp) visit
https://forms.gle/U1CvztiJj8JnNNfU8or scan the QR code. Reservations AND payments must be made by Monday April 21st. Limited amount available! For inquiries contact: [email protected]

02/17/2025

Sips, Strokes & Stories
A Drawing Workshop with Bren Bataclan
Join us for an inspiring and interactive two-hour event at Bits & Bites Bakery + Cafe, where creativity, storytelling, and great food come together
Date: Feb. 18, 2025
Time: 3:30pm to 5:30pm
Location: Cliftondale Square, 486-488 Lincoln Ave Saugus 01906
Event link: https://sipsstrokesandstories.eventbrite.com
What to Expect:
Hour 1: Drawing Workshop with Bren Bataclan
Led by Boston-based Filipino artist Bren Bataclan, the visionary behind our Bits & Bites mural, this session is all about expressing yourself through art ”no painting, no pressure! Just pencil, paper, and creativity in a fun, step-by-step drawing experience.
Hour 2: 3-Course Merienda Pop-Up
After sketching, indulge in a Filipino-inspired merienda featuring:
🍹 Mocktail Flight: Ube, Mango and Pandan
🥗 Vegetable Spring Roll with a special dipping sauce
🫔Sisig Quesadilla - A bold twist on a classic
🍦Homemade Ice Cream Trio - Mini scoops of Ube, Mango, and Pandan
Merienda for Kids:
For our young artists, we're serving up a special kid-friendly merienda:
🥔 Bag of Chips
🥪 Crispy Ham & Cheese Roll
🍦 Homemade Ice Cream Trio - Mini scoops of Ube, Mango, and Pandan
How to Join:
1. Reserve Your Spot: Limited slots available! Sign up in store or at eventbrite.
2. Sip & Sketch: Enjoy a drink while Bren guides you through a fun, creative session.
3. Express & Connect: Share your artwork, hear the stories behind Bren'swork, and enjoy a relaxed, welcoming space.
4. Take Home Your Art: Keep your drawing as a special keepsake from this unique event!
No experience needed - just come ready to draw, relax, and have fun! Reserve your spot today!

12/17/2024

Since it's been a few years since we last shared this post check out Disney UK's Christmas short highlighting Filipino culture. The short highlights the story of a Lola and her granddaughter's Christmas traditions. See below the easter eggs that hint all things Filipino. Maligayang Pasko to all!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl57Gy5X_Kg
SPOILER ALERT: DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT YET WATCHED THE ANIMATED SHORT YET.
Easter Eggs: FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS | Disney Christmas Advert 2020 - Filipino Things You Might Have Missed While You Were crying - From household items to minor audible things.
First, I will not discuss the obvious thing like the mano, describing Lola as grandmother and the obvious parols. Many of the easter eggs I point out are minor and or seen multiple times - but I point them out based on first appearances. These are speculations / personal observations. Do not be confused if the things I point out do not make sense to you / you never had those growing up. Brand and Creative Marketing Director, Angela Affinita, tells us that many of the story derives from her experiences with her Filipina grandmother.
Opening scene: Everything here screams Philippines. You see the ocean (most likely Manila bay) and palm trees. Buildings are very 16th century Spanish colonial, American and Chinese architectural influence - Intramuros / Vigan City vibes. At 0:03 you hear a man screaming either taho or balut. You also see Jeepneys (although potentially incorrect time period unless its post WWII 1940s) and kalesas (2 wheel wagons pulled by native sized horses). At 0:08 you hear child Lola shout out tatay (father in Tagalog) and in the background there's also 2 Philippine Flags FLIPPED (notice how the red is on top and not the blue - potentially signifying being at war aka WWII. But technically this didn't begin until 1941). In the WAY back there's two lines of clothing stringed across the 2nd story floor being air dried. - a common trend seen in many Filipino metro barangays / neighborhoods
Lola's father most likely came from the U.S. But how did he get there? He was most likely a "Sakada" (contract sugar cane work in Hawai'i), a "Pensionado" (Filipino international student) or joined the U.S Armed Forces. Mickey Mouse plushie was probably his "pasalubong" (a word used to describe souvenirs you give to family / friends). In 1940. Mickey Mouse was picking up more in popularity and was FINALLY in color, the original Disney Fantasia came out during this time.
0:40 - Here you notice what a typical Filipino household may have. To the far right is a flower pot which looks like a sampaguita (Jasmine flower in Filipino). If you look behind the Christmas tree, there is also the infamous giant spoon and fork (a symbol of good health for eating food) . Albeit a weird spot to put it + you never see the fork. BUT it's safe to assume that's what those 2 hanging objects are. You also spot the coffee table place mat, a "doily" (better seen at 1:40). Doilys are often crocheted, simple yet beautiful in its design and most likely handmade by Lola or her mother. Also notice the bronze/copper picture frame of another kalesa photo next to the Christmas tree. The sepia toned photos are used as opposed to a grayscale / B&W photo to help depict a "time period" of when the photo was taken based on the times technology (i.e. Lola's children pictures with her parents + nurse photo)
In the back you'll also see some type of plant - probably some type of money plant OR a peace lily. Both are often seen in traditional households. There's also a hanging grandmother clock above it - another status symbol of a Filipino household.
0:45 - Tin box "crafts" kit. Usually our lola's stored their sewing materials in a tin box, typically a Royal Dansk Cookie Box (google it) - but I'm sure Disney didn't do this for obvious licensing / advertising reasons. Aside from the parol making material - there's also red sewing threads in the box which is later used by the grand daughters to sew Mickey's ear back.
0:47 - China plates / pottery display. Look at that shelf. The infamous depiction of a Filipino immigrant dream. Owning elegant looking plate ware, never to be used. Just to flex as a status item.
1:10 - The decorative crocheted couch cover. Like the doily table mat, that blue and white cover was most likely handmade crocheted by Lola.
1:26 - When the grand daughter leaves the house look in the corner to the left of the umbrellas you'll see a walis tambo (Filipino broom). You can literally see the outline - it's a short handle stick and the fanned out broom bristles. Side note - there's Disney +'s Once Upon A Snowman on the T.V.
2:00 - This doesn't get any more Filipino than this. A picture of young Lola in a nurse uniform. Assuming her age when she was child in 1940, she probably became a nurse around 1965 (20-30s) during the Immigration and Nationality Act when a large influx of Filipina nurses filled the U.S. healthcare systems shortage of nurses (Small note: Disney UK posted this animation first before "Disney" posted it. Although Lola's father was in the U.S. at some point and time the 2005+ location setting seems to resemble U.K. neighborhood as opposed to a U.S. which also had a influx of Filipina nurses.)
Lastly, Lola's outfits were spot on with clothes my lola would wear especially during the winter. loose yet comfy fuzzy wool textured sweaters.

We are proud to reveal Disney’s Xmas advert, a heart-warming story .See the magic of Lola’s granddaughter’s story continue in the 2021 C...