Talambuhay: The Stories of Filipinos on American Shores

On October 17, we will be holding Talambuhay: The Stories of Filipinos on American Shores to celebrate Filipino American History Month. During the event, we will be doing an interactive activity to share the stories of Filipinos in America. And YOU are a part of those stories... of Filipino American history... of American history.  All are welcome and are invited to participate in the activity. This workshop will be facilitated by Julman Arevalo Tolentino, Cheryl Tolentino, and Janele Tating. Read about our facilitators below:

Julman Arevalo Tolentino 

Julman Arevalo Tolentino is an educator, facilitator, and social justice worker with extensive experience creating projects for the Filipino American community. He co-founded and led Sumisibol, a non-profit dedicated to the leadership development of Filipino high school youth.
He has an MSW from Hunter College and has taught at Columbia University's School of Social Work. Julman currently works to support system-impacted individuals who mentor youth to keep them out of the justice system and cycles of violence.

Julman has also created and facilitated numerous anti-oppression training and retreats. In NY and NJ, he has run yearly summer social justice camps for high school youth and has even developed training for educators and social service providers. Julman has also administered projects that work to undo sexism and patriarchy, including running a monthly men’s group and co-coordinating & co-facilitating the Uprooting Patriarchy retreat at Columbia University. To address institutional and interpersonal racism within the Filipino community, he has designed and conducted workshops, such as Why #BlackLivesMatter for Filipinos, at numerous conferences and for various community-based organizations.

Julman believes facilitation can create sacred communal spaces for us to tap into our collective intelligence and imagination, and ultimately this process is an act of decolonization and liberation. 

Cheryl Tolentino

With 35 years of experience in human services, Cheryl has dedicated her life to helping and empowering others. Early in her career, she helped create Sumisibol, a nonprofit organization founded with her brother and friends to empower Filipino and Filipino American youth through education about their history, culture, and heritage, inspiring them to become confident leaders and engaged members of their communities. Her passion for service has continued throughout her career, including supporting individuals with mental illness and developmental disabilities and educating students on mental wellness and prevention. Through both her professional and community work, Cheryl remains committed to uplifting others and creating opportunities for people to thrive.

Janele Tating

Janele is a compassionate and dedicated community member whose experience includes helping adult patrons navigate social services at the public library as well as serving children, youth, and emerging adults in faith-based settings.

Janele has experience supporting grassroots campaigns, primarily for the Filipino community, through educational programming, fundraising, and visual communication. They have designed and facilitated workshops, retreats, and programs. They currently work to support adults navigating substance use recovery. 

A child of Filipino immigrants, Janele grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. They currently live in Brooklyn with their partner and enjoy hosting a small book club in their living room.

This is a community activity open to all. It is FREE to attend, but registration is required. Please register HERE.
UPDATE: WORKSHOP IS FULL! IF YOU’D LIKE TO BE PLACED ON THE WAITLIST (IN THE EVENT OF A CANCELLATION), PLEASE EMAIL US AT KARENDERYANY@GMAIL.COM.

NOTE: The workshop will take place from 3-5pm. If you wish to stay after the workshop to enjoy a meal, please reserve your table by sending us an email at KarenderyaNY@gmail.com.

Homeward: A Photographic Exploration Centering Family, Tradition and Reconnection to Land by Kathleen Cancio

“Last year, I went back home to the Philippines to document my Dad's journey as the Hermano Mayor (sponsor) of the largest festival in my birthplace of Santo Rosario, Pampanga. As a child of the diaspora, this trip taught me more about what it means to be connected to land through the lens of my elders. And equally as important, it showed me my role in shaping what Lalo's connection to the Philippines will look like in the future.

In honor of Filipino American History Month, come check out "Homeward," a series of photographs I took during my trip centering family, tradition and reconnection to land And have some delicious Filipino food while you're at it. Tara na! Co-sponsored by ArtsWestchester and Gordon Center BCA"

- Kathleen Cancio

Join us on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, to view Kathleen’s work and to meet the artist!

NOTE: Feel free to come and go to view the work, but if you’d like to stay for a meal, reservations are suggested! Email us at KarenderyaNY@gmail.com to reserve a table.

Introducing our Mini Kamayan Feast for 2!

Pictured here: Brisket Kaldereta, Daing na Bangus, Tamarind Chicken Wings, Vegetable Lumpia, Lumpiang Shanghai, Sauteed Veggies, Rice (Garlic Rice +$5), Fresh Fruit. Limited supply, so you MUST reserve by emailing us at karenderyany@gmail.com or by calling during business hours. Menu may vary weekly so be sure to ask when you make your reservation. Sorry, no subsitutions!

photos by: Ken Goodman