NYPD, FDNY Fil-Ams conquer balut, videoke

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino-American officers of the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) rose to the challenge of a surprise balut-eating contest at an event at the Philippine Consulate General in New York City.

Consul General Claro Cristobal recently hosted a meeting and fellowship with Fil-Am officers of the NYPD and the FDNY at the Philippine Center. The event included a surprise balut-eating contest and videoke challenge, which the women and men of the NYPD and FDNY gamely accepted.

Firefighter Ryan Ocampo won the balut-eating contest over six other competitors when he downed two baluts and a bottle of Philippine beer in under a minute. Police Officer Teresigene D’Augostine easily won the videoke challenge with a score of 94 for her rendition of Air Supply’s All Out of Love.

Twenty Fil-Am officers of the NYPD and six from the FDNY who are assigned to different precincts and offices in New York participated in the gathering.

Cristobal welcomed the officers and praised their important contribution in keeping the city and its residents safe, and in helping further raise the profile of Filipino-Americans through their service in the NYPD and FDNY.

The Consul General encouraged them to keep their connection with their Filipino heritage.

Retired police captain and lawyer Edward Carrasco, the highest ranking Fil-Am in the NYPD, thanked Cristobal on behalf of all the attendees for hosting and organizing the fellowship. He said the event provided a venue for many of them to reconnect with the Philippine Consulate and their fellow officers. Detective Eugene Canapi said he looks forward to expanding the network of Fil-Ams working in law enforcement. – With Pia Lee-Brago