By Trish Fontanilla
This month’s Filipinos in Boston highlight is Constantino "Coco" Alinsug. He was nominated by Maria Dolorico, who we featured on our social media feeds during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (ICYMI - we did 26 profiles!). We’re so grateful to have a community that continuously pays it forward like ours does, and love how much we’ve expanded through referrals.
I hope you enjoy our profile of Coco, and if you or someone you know wants to be highlighted on our blog or social media this year, you can fill out our nomination form.
Photo provided by Coco Alinsug.
But first, a bio provided by Coco: “Constantino "Coco" Alinsug is an immigrant, a minority, and a community leader who devotes himself to social justice, culture and arts, and LGBT youth issues and receives recognition both nationally and internationally for his relentless work. Currently the Co-Chair of Lynn Cultural Council; Board Member of Lynn Community Association, Inc.; and Board Member of Lynn's Goldfish Pond Association, Inc., Boston Public Schools CAB, Global HIV Advisory Board, Consolacionanon Original, Inc, to name a few. Coco attends international conferences around the world as a polyglot, fluent in several languages. He is originally from the Philippines and is not new to politics being a son of a Vice-Mayor and grandson of politicians. Coco and his husband Peter moved to Lynn 17 years ago. Coco was elected to the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee on April 4, 2020 on a 4 year-term.”
Where do you work and what do you do?
Coco: I work at Fenway Health, the world’s biggest LGBTQ health organization, and I am the Senior Outreach Manager. While in the Philippines, I work as a staff of then Philippine President Fidel Ramos in Malacanang and help start the National Youth Commission.
What inspired you to pursue that career path?
Coco: My community.
On Boston…
How long have you been in Boston?
Coco: 17 years.
What are your favorite Boston spots?
Coco: Fenway Park. I stare at it every day from my building. It inspires me.
On Filipino Food...
What's your all time favorite Filipino dish?
Coco: Chicharong bulaklak (deep fried pig fat) and lechon (roast pig).
What's your favorite Filipino recipe / dish to make?
Coco: Fried lumpia (Filipino spring rolls).
On staying in touch…
Do you have any upcoming events / programs that you want to highlight?
Coco:
July 1 - Trans Health Q&A on the Latest HHS and Supreme Court Rulings: https://www.facebook.com/events/969297016857693/
July 11 - Werqing from Home: Celebrating Greater Boston’s Trans Artists: https://www.facebook.com/events/178062650173025/
How can people stay in touch?
Coco: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/cocoalinsug/
Photo provided by Coco Alinsug.
We’re always looking for BOSFilipinos blog writers, so if you’d like to contribute, send us a note at info@bosfilipinos.com.