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Through New York's ice and wind, Filipino resilience shines
NEW YORK —A powerful snowstorm blanketed large parts of the United States, disrupting daily routines and slowing economic activity. However, for many Filipino-owned small businesses, the extreme weather was not just a challenge to overcome but an opportunity to adapt and move forward.
Despite the cold, dry winds and limited mobility, Filipino entrepreneurs found ways to keep their businesses running by shifting operations online.
According to Chef Augelyn Francisco and her partner Joey, owners of Binondo, a Filipino restaurant in New York, their business was affected by the major winter storm, but they still found ways to bring Filipino food to people’s tables.
Food businesses, in particular, adapted quickly to changing demands. Many curated menus featuring comforting Filipino favorites such as sinigang and chicken tinola ramen, offering warmth and familiar flavors amid the cold.
“January brings a snowstorm that blankets the landscape, yet the dry winds remind us that small businesses thrive not just in weathering the storm but in finding clarity and opportunity even in the whiteout," Francisco said.
"Embracing the Filipino spirit, we move our businesses online, launching web stores and enhancing delivery services. As we rapidly curate menus filled with comforting favorites like sinigang and chicken tinola ramen, we cater to the cravings of those cozy at home proving that in every storm, there’s a chance to innovate, connect, and nourish our communities," she added.
Business owners say these efforts reflect the natural resilience and creativity of Filipinos. By using technology and prioritizing community, they continue to stay connected with customers despite the challenges brought by the storm.
As harsh winter conditions persist, Filipino small businesses are proving that even in the most unforgiving circumstances, creativity and adaptability are key to sustaining livelihoods and strengthening community ties.
The winter storm also battered the picket lines of nearly 5,000 nurses in New York City who have been on strike for three weeks.
More than a thousand of these nurses are Filipino, calling for fair compensation and safe staffing levels.
According to Filipino nurse Nancy Fried, neither the winter storm nor the extreme cold can stop them from fighting for their rights and for patient safety.
“Nurses have remained on the picket lines, braving extreme temperature changes, snow, and sleet to hold signs and protest for better staffing and safety. The strike continued through a severe winter storm that brought snow, sleet, and dangerous cold to the NYC area. Despite the conditions, some nurses continued to show up, singing and dancing to keep spirits high," Fried said.
The major winter storm also did not stop some Filipino caregivers in New York.
Mariz shared that she still had to report to work in New Jersey at the height of the storm to care for her patient with Alzheimer’s disease.
What should have been a one-hour trip took three hours due to public transportation delays.
Despite the danger, she pushed through.
“I have to go to work because my patient needs me, and I also need to earn money for my family in the Philippines.”
Even in the midst of a calamity, Chef Augelyn, Nancy, and Mariz continue to embody compassion for others and a strong sense of commitment—values deeply ingrained in the Filipino spirit.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
