Little Manila Park Opens in NYC - Marks Historic Milestone

The inaugural ribbon was formally cut by (L to R) Dr. Fely Santiago (not shown), Theresa Cottone City Council District 26 manager for Julie Won, Lisa Cabahug ABS-CBN Foundation Inc., Laura Shepard representing Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Loida N. Lewis Esq., Noel Gamboa RA, Dori Gamboa, Consul General Senen Mangalile, Assemblymember Steven Raga, Ambassador Mario de Leon, Angela Calissaya and Pastor Joseph Mantovani of Woodside Neighborhood Association | Photo by Michael Magsombol, The OFW Project

Volunteer-built park transforms an idle forested block into a free public oasis

WOODSIDE, QUEENS, NY — Little Manila Park officially opened its gates to the public on Saturday morning, June 13, 2026, marking the culmination of years long, volunteer driven effort to transform an idle forested block next to the BQE into a vibrant neighborhood greenspace serving the Woodside community. It serves as a community gathering spot honoring the rich heritage and frontline contributions of the Filipino-American community in New York City.

The grand opening celebration began with national anthems of the Philippines and the United States and an invocation by Pastor Joseph Montevani from the Woodside Neighborhood Association. This heartfelt ceremony was followed by captivating performances from the Cordillera Cultural Ensemble, Che Che Torres and Kinding Sindaw, among others, showcasing the diverse cultural traditions of the Philippines. 

After the performances, attendees enjoyed speeches that highlighted the significance of the park, culminating in a ceremonial ribbon cutting. Following the formalities, guests were invited to a communal lunch sourced from Little Manila, fostering a sense of community and supporting local small businesses. The festivities continued as the park opened to the public, featuring a special film screening provided by ABS-CBN Foundation.

Little Manila Park Grand Opening Photo by Rocco S. Cetera

Built and maintained entirely by volunteers and funded through community donations, Little Manila Park is a not for profit project rooted in the spirit of bayanihan, the Filipino tradition of communal unity and lifting one another. With jurisdiction secured through a State DOT permit in December 2024, and the proud unveiling of the Little Manila signage on June 14, 2025, this tropical oasis earmarks the continued improvement and beautification of the Little Manila district in Woodside. This new community greenspace is scheduled to be open and free to the public during Saturdays from June to October. It is dedicated to the COVID-19 heroes, many of whom were/are Filipino Americans in the healthcare industry, as the site is within a former global pandemic epicenter.

“It’s a group effort, the bayanihan spirit that really made this place happen,” said Noel Gamboa, Founder and President of Little Manila Park.

“Thank you for your leadership Noel (Gamboa) and all of our Community Leaders like Loida Nicholas Lewis and everyone who has helped us along the way. This is a historic day not just for the Filipino community but of this very diverse immigrant community here in Woodside! We have a place to call our own, we have a place to relax, we have a place to gather, and that is what our community is about. So congratulations, what a wonderful day and let’s get going,” said Steven Raga, Assemblymember (D-Queens, District 30).

“This green space was badly needed, this community suffers from the impact of living next to the BQE, poor air quality, noise, congestion, and higher rates of traffic violations on local adjacent streets. The next local green spaces are more than 10 minute walk away. Little Manila Park will help address these inequities and improve quality of life by adding a pocket park in a park starved area and creating a space for cultural programming to proudly showcase the identity of Little Manila. We are always proud of the diversity in the World’s borough and the Filipino community is an integral part of the tapestry here in Queens,” said Laura Shepard, Representing Queens Borough President Donovan Richards

“I’m very excited that this little dream is now Little Manila Park. We are in the borough of Spiderman (Queens), with big gifts like this come great responsibility. We have to work together to help sustain this, not for this generation, but for future generations to have a place to call their own,” said Senen T. Mangalile, Consul General, Philippine Consulate General in New York.

“When the gongs echo through Little Manila Park, the mountains of the Cordillera find a home in Queens,” said Jane Gertrude, Queens resident, registered nurse, indigenous dancer and singer of Cordillera Cultural Ensemble.

“I’m here right now at Little Manila Park in Woodside, my neighborhood. It just formally opened after years of preparation and finally its here! My friends are here in the neighborhood…so congratulations to Noel and his better half for leading the way, and for Tita Loida Nicholas Lewis for leadership and big support,” said Marivir Montebon, Community Journalist and Neighborhood Resident.

The park aims to anchor Woodside’s growing reputation as a cultural and culinary destination while providing much-needed greenspace for residents of all ages. Organizers are actively seeking volunteer “park guardians” to help expand the park’s open hours on Saturdays. 

About Little Manila Park

Little Manila Park is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) volunteer-led project that has rehabilitated an idle forested lot in Woodside, Queens into a free community greenspace, open Saturdays from June through October. To volunteer, donate, or learn more, visit littlemanilapark.com or contact littlemanilapark@gmail.com.

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Philippine Consulate in New York Hosts 2026 Unity Iftar

Muslims of various nationalities performed the Maghrib prayer at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in New York during the Unity Iftar held on 26 February 2026 (photo by Joey Magaso).

NEW YORK – The Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center served as a beacon of interfaith and international solidarity as the Philippine Consulate General in New York hosted the 2026 Unity Iftar. The event, held in partnership with the Kinding Sindaw Heritage Foundation, brought together a diverse assembly of Filipinos and guests of various nationalities and religions to honor the traditions of the Southern Philippines and the holy month of Ramadan.

In his remarks, Consul General Senen Mangalile reaffirmed the Consulate’s commitment to inclusivity, noting that the stories of Mindanao—of the Maranao, Maguindanao, Tausug, Yakans, and Samals—are the stories of the Filipino people.  He noted that the national recognition of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha in the Philippines underscores the government’s commitment to our Muslim brothers and sisters.

Consul General Senen Mangalile delivers his remarks to a diverse assembly of Filipinos and guests of various nationalities (photo by Joey Magaso).

The evening was marked by powerful calls for social justice and personal reflections on faith. Renowned community leader Ms. Loida Nicolas Lewis delivered a poignant Unity Response, narrating her firsthand observations of the discrimination faced by Muslim batchmates while she was a student at the University of the Philippines. Her message served as a sobering reminder of the systemic challenges many face, culminating in a passionate call for genuine unity and the dismantling of prejudices within the global Filipino community.

Representing the New York City government, Ms. Aliya Latif, Executive Director of the Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships under the Mayor’s Office, delivered a message of solidarity. In a demonstration of the city’s commitment to the immigrant community, representatives from the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) were also present, providing essential resource materials and guidance on city services to the participants.

Community leader Ms. Loida Lewis calls for genuine unity and dismantling of prejudices against Muslims, especially within the community (photo by Joey Magaso).

Sharing a deeply personal perspective, Mr. Sedic Ampanas spoke on the significance of Ramadan, drawing from his memories of growing up in Pagadian City. He narrated how the values of discipline and devotion learned in the Southern Philippines continue to guide him as a member of the diaspora. These reflections were complemented by a soulful Recitation of the Holy Quran by Mr. Zulqarnain Saputra and Mr. Hamza Razuman.

The spiritual observance concluded with the Adhan and Maghrib prayer led by Mr. Hamza Razuman, followed by a communal meal supported by the Muslim Filipinos in the USA organization, Muslim Women of Queens, La Salle Ice Cream, and Ascend ABA. The evening came to a close with final remarks from Ms. Potri Ranka Manis Queano Nur of Kinding Sindaw, who thanked the attendees for fostering an inclusive community where ancestral traditions and modern identity coexist. 

Ms. Aliya Latif, Executive Director of the Office of Faith Based Partnerships of the Mayor’s Office of Mass Engagement delivers the message of solidarity from the NYC government (photo by Joey Magaso).

The event drew a wide array of distinguished guests, including Dr. Calvin Sun, the emergency room physician and 2025 Manhattan Borough President candidate, highlighting the inter-ethnic and inter-religious appeal of the gathering.

Mr. Zulqarnain Saputra and Mr. Hamza Razuman recite verses from the Holy Quran (photo by Joey Magaso).

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