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…
Category: Features
Covering the week’s most noteworthy feature stories impacting the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
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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…
Primary elections and what is at stake: why we need to vote wherever we may be in the U.S.
The most consequential elections in America are not always the ones that draw the largest crowds, loudest rallies or most dramatic headlines. Often, the choices that shape public life are…
Mayor Karen Bass looking toward a bright future in LA City: Roundtable with AAPI media during Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Mayor Karen Bass enthusiastically greeted 17 media folks representing Asian Journal, Rafu Shimpo, Philippine Post, Bilyonaryo News Channel, The Filipino Correspondent Network, World Journal, Chinapress, UNE News Express, Yonhap News,…
PhilStagers’ thespian OJ Arci advocates punctuality
OJ Arci is a prominent Filipino theater actress and singer. In the competitive world of Philippine performing arts, she and the Philippine Stagers Foundation (PSF) advocate absolute punctuality as a…
On Aging Well
I have a dear friend who is a priest, and his mother is an incredible 102 years old! Remarkably, she still makes tamales for family and friends. Just imagine that!…
Get ready to laugh: Jo Koy is coming to Pechanga summit on July 17
Stand-up comedian and actor Jo Koy Instagram photo/@jokoy TEMECULA, CALIF. — (DATE OF RELEASE) — One of today’s most celebrated and electrifying stand-up comedians, Jo Koy, will bring his highly anticipated…
Paul Soriano produces his first Hollywood movie, ‘Diamond,’ written and directed by Andy Garcia
Dreams do come true. Even Hollywood dreams. Indefatigable and hardworking filmmaker-producer Paul Soriano found this out after being introduced to the legendary actor Andy Garcia, by Soriano’s business partner Simon…
Steve Hilton brings affordability-first message to California gubernatorial interview series
Photo courtesy of American Community Media (ACoM) The Republican candidate and former adviser to British Prime Minister David Cameron told ethnic and community media reporters that California needs lower…
Actor-Dancer Gerald Magallanes in Focus
I could never forget the dance workshop facilitated by Gerald Magallanes in one day. What was once the champion of the dance floor during my younger years, especially when I…
Creators and cast talk about the making of ‘Spider-Noir’
Imagine Spider-Man getting old like the rest of us. But then, when an exceptional case comes his way, he has to come back as the Spider once more. In his…
Message on Pentecost Sunday
It’s Pentecost Sunday, a day we commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles. This event emboldened them with faith, passion, courage, and determination to share their belief…
