| Photo by Vince Fleming on Unsplash
NEW YORK — On the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, the “Skyward Tribute: The Twin Columns of September 11” in New York offered more than solemn remembrance—it became a stage for Filipino American families to reclaim their stories. Beneath the piercing beams of Tribute in Light, voices like Maria Bautista and Dr. Eliza Ramos honored loved ones lost, reminding the world that Filipino Americans were not just witnesses to history but were woven into its fabric. Their words, steeped in grief and pride, echoed through the plaza like prayers rising with the light.
Among the crowd gathered at the memorial plaza were relatives of the 21 Filipino Americans who perished in the attacks. Their presence was not just symbolic—it was deeply personal. Maria Bautista, sister of victim Marlyn Bautista, stood before the audience and shared a moving reflection: “We come here not just to mourn, but to remind the world that our loved ones were part of this city’s heartbeat. Marlyn believed in the promise of America, and she gave her life chasing it. We carry her memory with pride, not pain.”
Her remarks were part of a broader tribute that honored the Filipino Americans whose lives were cut short on that uneventful day. The tribute blended solemn remembrance with cultural elements, including a candlelighting ceremony and a performance of Bayan Ko by a local Filipino choir.
Her words were echoed by Dr. Eliza Ramos, niece of Benilda Domingo, a nurse who died in the North Tower. Ramos, a community health advocate and niece of the victim Benilda, also spoke during the ceremony. She said, “Benilda was more than a statistic. She was a nurse, a sister, a dreamer. Her story reminds us that Filipino Americans were not just present on 9/11—they were part of the fabric of this city. We honor her by fighting for the health and dignity of all who still carry the scars of that day.”
Ramos has been actively promoting access to the World Trade Center Health Program for Filipino survivors and responders, particularly those facing language or immigration barriers.
Her remarks added a deeply personal layer to the tribute, emphasizing not only remembrance but advocacy. The event highlighted how Filipino American families continue to shape the legacy of 9/11 through storytelling, community action, and resilience.
Consul General Mangalile reaffirmed the community’s commitment
The event blended cultural reverence with civic remembrance. Candles were lit in honor of each Filipino American victim. The Philippine Consulate General in New York, represented by Consul General Senen Mangalile, reaffirmed the community’s commitment to remembrance and healing. He issued a heartfelt statement during the memorial event, saying:
“We join the nation in commemorating the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks, which claimed and impacted the lives of so many, including Filipinos. We remember the courage of countless first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, as well as the many acts of kindness shown by nameless individuals in the aftermath, which stood in stark contrast to the violence perpetrated that day.”
He also expressed hope that new technologies will help identify more victims, bringing long-awaited closure to families.
While no direct statement about the 9/11 memorial was found on its website, the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C., has historically participated in remembrance events and continues to support Filipino Americans affected by the tragedy through consular services and community outreach.
Twenty-one Filipino Americans lost their lives in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. These individuals were among the nearly 3,000 victims who perished in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. Many of them were professionals working in the World Trade Center—employees of firms like Marsh & McLennan, Cantor Fitzgerald, and Fiduciary Trust.
Many of the victims were immigrants or first-generation Americans who came to the U.S. seeking opportunity. Their stories—like that of Benilda Domingo, who planned to return to the Philippines to marry her partner, or Jayceryll de Chavez, who was starting her career—are remembered not just as tragic losses, but as lives full of promise and purpose.
Legacy of resilience and sacrifice
Their stories reflect a powerful legacy of resilience and sacrifice. For example, Grace Alegre-Cua worked at Sumitomo Mitsui Trust & Banking for 14 years, and de Chavez was preparing to become a financial analyst while assisting a portfolio manager.
Their names are etched in the stone of the 9/11 Memorial in New York, a solemn reminder that Filipino Americans were not only present but deeply affected by that day.
New York senators push Congress for full funding
Meanwhile, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is pushing Congress to fully fund the World Trade Center Health Program, which provides medical care and monitoring for people suffering from 9/11-related illnesses, including cancers caused by toxic exposure. She emphasized that while Congress has previously delivered over $1.6 billion to address funding shortfalls, those efforts were merely temporary fixes.
Gillibrand warned that without additional funding, the program may have to stop enrolling new responders and survivors, and current participants could face cuts to their care. She said: “These have just been patches. That’s why I’m demanding full funding for the World Trade Center Health Program to be included in any funding package that moves forward this fall”.
Since its inception, the program has helped more than 140,000 Americans affected by the aftermath of the attacks. Her call came ahead of the 24th anniversary of 9/11, underscoring the urgency of protecting those who continue to suffer from its long-term health impacts.
Fil-Am organizations in support of healthcare and compensation
Several Filipino American organizations have played meaningful roles in supporting healthcare and compensation efforts for 9/11 survivors and responders, especially those within the Filipino community. While many broader coalitions led the charge—like the World Trade Center Health Program and the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund—Filipino American groups have contributed through advocacy, outreach, and cultural support.
Community actions included hosting informational sessions about eligibility for federal programs, such as the WTC Health Program and VCF, providing translation and assistance for Tagalog-speaking applicants, and partnering with legal aid groups to help families file claims and navigate compensation processes.
The Filipino American community responded to the 9/11 tragedy with deep sorrow, unity, and enduring remembrance. In the years since the attacks, they’ve honored the 21 Filipino American victims through memorials, cultural tributes, and community-led initiatives that reflect both grief and resilience.
It has honored the victims with annual memorial gatherings. Groups in New York and New Jersey hold remembrance ceremonies each September, often at the 9/11 Memorial in Lower Manhattan, where the names of the victims are inscribed.
Churches with large Filipino congregations have hosted special Masses and prayer vigils, blending Catholic traditions with Filipino customs like offering flowers and lighting candles.
In addition, cultural commemorations, such as “Skyward Tribute: The Twin Columns of September 11,” have featured Filipino artists and writers reflecting on the legacy of those lost.
These efforts ensured that Filipino Americans—many of whom were frontline workers, healthcare professionals, or residents in affected areas—weren’t overlooked in the broader recovery and justice efforts.
Health funding is a rollercoaster
However, health funding for 9/11 responders has been a rollercoaster. Earlier this year, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) released and conducted research for the World Grants Center Health Program (WTCHP), which serves over 140,000 responders and survivors. Around two survivors’ program staff were let go, raising alarms about the program’s ability to monitor contracts and deliver care. Gillibrand and Sen. Chuck Schumer demanded the case be reversed. Gillibrand called the move “unacceptable,” and Schumer said it sent the message that “we can support their healthcare” to those who risked everything.
As of now, following intense pressure, the White House has confirmed that staffing cuts will be reversed and that research grants will be restored, with terminated staff expected to be rehired.
Advocates are still pushing for long-term fixes, such as the FeelGood Fund, which the FDNY unions are raising. Meanwhile, behind the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2025, which would update the WTCHP’s funding formula and expand mental health services. Advocates say the current fund isn’t keeping pace with rising healthcare costs and emerging conditions like early-onset cancers.
Never forget
Schumer has been vocal about extending assistance through the World Trade Center Health Program. In support of the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act of 2025, he said:” ‘Never Forget’ does not mean just commemorating 9/11, it is a promise to always take care of our 9/11 first responders and survivors. That’s why we are introducing legislation to stop funding patches and make this healthcare program funded permanently: now and forever.”
He also emphasized the injustice of forcing 9/11 heroes to fight for their healthcare repeatedly: “Our 9/11 heroes should not have to come down here year after year, month after month, pleading for the funding for the healthcare they have earned, deserve, and were promised to them. It’s time for America to put its money where its mouth is and prove to the heroes of 9/11 that we mean it when we say we will Never Forget.”
These remarks reflect Schumer’s push for a long-term fix to the funding shortfall, ensuring the program remains fully operational through 2090.
As the beams of light rose skyward, so did the voices of a community long woven into the fabric of New York. Their stories—of sacrifice, resilience, and hope—continue to illuminate the legacy of 9/11.
