The call to be a saint
We are all called to be holy; we are called to be saints. It is God’s will for each of us. This is the Church’s desire for everyone, regardless of…
Category: Features
Covering the week’s most noteworthy feature stories impacting the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
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‘Dîner en Blanc’ promises to be a one-of-a-kind culinary experience
By Janet Susan R. Nepales Where in the world can you party with friends and strangers, wear your fabulous white outfit, go over-the-top with your all-white table setting, and…
Roundtable with U.S. Trade and Development Agency Head Tom Hardy
Thomas “Tom” R. Hardy, acting head of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), recently held a roundtable with foreign press members in Washington, D.C., moderated by Zafar Hashemi. …
Filipino craftsmanship, sustainability and culinary heritage are redefining the European market
Rooted in cultural heritage and resourcefulness, the Philippines is transforming sustainable innovation into products with global appeal. From fashion made with natural fibers to food products drawn from local biodiversity,…
Jaafar Jackson and Colman Domingo on their iconic performances in ‘Michael’
Photos courtesy of LIONSGATE By Janet Susan R. Nepales I grew up listening to the great Michael Jackson – from his days with the Jackson 5 to his days as…
EDITORIAL – America at 250 must renew its promise
The nation’s anniversary should be more than a celebration of American achievement. It should also measure how faithfully the country has kept the principles it declared in 1776. On July…
PUPAA-USA GALA 2026: Celebrate, Connect, and Become a Member
An invitation to the PUPAA-USA Gala Come and join us for an afternoon of superb food, music, and dancing on Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM…
When EDSA no longer calls the nation
By Melandrew Velasco “The true legacy of EDSA lies not in repeatedly returning to the streets but in building democratic institutions strong enough” NEARLY four decades after the historic 1986…
LA Press Club honors Maria Ressa with Daniel Pearl Award; Janet Nepales wins two honors
Photos by Sthanlee B. Mirador BY JANET SUSAN R. NEPALES Maria Ressa received the Daniel Pearl Award for Courage and Integrity in Journalism from the Los Angeles Press Club…
My Encounters with Pres. Noynoy Aquino
“Nasaan ka ba?” (“Where are you?”) then-Sen. Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III, fondly called Noynoy, asked in an Aug. 31, 2009, text message to me. I was among those…
Fil-Am Jordan De Leon reflects on being part of ‘Mamma Mia’
By Janet Susan R. Nepales For over 25 years, the story and the music of ABBA in the musical “Mamma Mia!” have become the ultimate feel-good show. People have fallen…
Manny Jacinto and creators talk about their new all-Filipino TV series ‘Sun Chaser’
By Janet Susan R. Nepales Creators Bobby Pontillas and Bernard Badion have done something bigger than themselves. They have not just created an award-winning indie fantasy animated TV series for…
In defense of the Barong Tagalog
The late Jose Y. Lauchengco is shown delivering remarks during Larry Itliong Day in Carson, California, on Oct. 24, 2015. Image from the Lauchengco family archive, courtesy of Birthe Lauchengco….
‘Nurse the Dead’ is alive and kickin’ in iWant
By Janet Susan R. Nepales Creating the first bilingual series on American soil is one thing. Making the first Filipino TV series filmed in Hollywood is another. But making it…
My Memory of Teaching at the University of Makati
Dra. Elenita Binay, wife of former Makati Mayor and former Vice President Atty. Jejomar “Jojo” Binay, encouraged me to teach at the University of Makati. Years ago, I visited Mayor…
Fil-Am writer Yasmin Tayag wins James Beard award for food and health journalism
Yasmin Tayag, James Beard Media awardee – Photo from yasmintayag.com Filipino American journalist Yasmin Tayag has won a 2026 James Beard Media Award, earning national recognition for reporting that examined food,…
A Festive Philippine Heritage Night Baseball Game
By Bro. Dan E. Niño Despite the uncertainty and the many issues we face today, from the war in Iran and escalating fuel prices to inflation and affordability concerns, one…
Parish Carnival Message
God has high hopes for us. This is a truth we must firmly believe. As the Book of Jeremiah 29:14 tells us, “For surely I know the plans I have…
Philippine independence and the unfinished work of freedom
The Philippine flag flies over the Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite, the ancestral home of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo and one of the most important landmarks in Philippine history. It was…
Operation Smile Gala: A Luau for Hope
By Janet Susan R. Nepales It was a night to remember when stars gathered and showed up for a cause. The glitterati raised more than a hundred dollars for Operation…
Cooking Chinese America: A Historical Analysis of the U.S.’s Chinese Restaurant Industry
Left to right: Dr. Joyce Pualani Warren, Prosy Delacruz, Daniela Rangel (author) , Dr. Kimberly Carroll and Dr. Phil Hutchinson. Dr. Tomo Hattori, Chair attended but had to go to…
Prosperity Begins in the Soul
For years, I thought financial freedom was mostly about numbers. Better income. Bigger savings account. Smaller debt. Simple, right? Then I spent three decades in the mortgage industry and discovered…
Asia Clean Energy Forum 2026 at ADB
The Asia Clean Energy Forum (ACEF) 2026, held June 8–11, celebrated the Asian Development Bank’s 60th anniversary while addressing pressing challenges in the clean energy transition. Reflecting ADB’s updated 2025…
“The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.” (Matthew 9:37)
I still vividly remember the day I was about twelve years old, praying alone inside our parish church. I thought I heard Jesus speaking to me, telling me to be…
Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas talk about making John Carney’s ‘Power Ballad’
BY JANET SUSAN R. NEPALES It is a very common story in Hollywood or in the music world. You create or compose a song, and before you know it, somebody…
Pride month reminds us no one should be shamed into silence
Pride Month is observed every June, but its meaning should not be reduced to a calendar observance, a parade route or the rainbow colors that appear across public spaces each…
Message on the Solemnity of The Body and Blood of Jesus
As I always emphasize in my homilies, what we primarily celebrate during Mass is the Memorial Sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross—His dying and rising, which we refer to as…
A Pet as a Stress Reliever and Real Friend Part 2
Interacting with animals can significantly lower cortisol, the primary stress hormone, and decrease blood pressure. Just 10 minutes of petting a dog or cat can trigger the release of “happy…
Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: recognition, reality, and the unfinished American narrative
This year’s theme, established by the Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC), highlights the importance of collective power, storytelling, and bridge-building within AAPI communities. It emphasizes the strength that comes…
Memorial Day reflection: The effort to erase Filipino WWII veterans’ contributions and sacrifices
Memorial Day, while distinctly an American holiday, is a day of remembrance that Filipinos rightfully participate in. It is a day to remember and honor those who have made the…