In Illo uno unum
“In Illo uno unum,” which translates to “In the One (Christ), we are one.” Friends, this is the motto of Holy Father Pope Leo XIV for his pontificate. I believe…
Category: Features
Covering the week’s most noteworthy feature stories impacting the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
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Global Filipinos as the Architects of a New Culinary Frontier
In the contemporary geopolitical landscape, a nation’s sovereignty is no longer measured solely by the rigidity of its borders or the volume of its traditional commodities, but by the “soft…
Filipino baritone Roberto Perlas Gomez performs with the Verdi Chorus in ‘Verdi in España’ spring concert on April 18–19
Roberto Perlas Gomez, who was born in Santa Rosa, Laguna, grew up in a household always filled with music. Even though his mother was a doctor and his father an…
‘Flower Drum Song’ cast talks of LA performance
Fifteen years ago, we watched David Henry Hwang’s heavily revised “Flower Drum Song” at the Mark Taper Forum starring Lea Salonga as Mei-Li. The classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical…
Unforgettable Awards 2026: Liza Soberano, Dante Basco, Vincent Rodriguez III, and other Filipino and Asian talents discuss how important representation is in Hollywood
Every year, the outstanding Asian talents in film, television and culture are honored at the Unforgettable Awards which is presented by GoldenTV and Character Media. This year, the much-looked-forward-to…
The heavy toll of distant drums: who pays for the wars of the great
How global conflicts drive up the cost of living in the Philippines and shift the burden to Filipino families at home and abroad. Conflict in the Middle East is often…
On Divine Mercy Sunday
It’s Divine Mercy Sunday, a feast close to the heart of St. John Paul II, who established this observance on the Second Sunday of Easter. Successive popes, including Pope Leo…
When Doing Right Costs More
Tax season has a way of humbling even the most confident entrepreneur. Receipts everywhere. And that quiet thought in the back of our minds: there has to be one more…
A Series of TV/Radio Guesting Experiences
FROM the warm hospitality of radio booths to the bright lights of TV studios, the past few weeks have been a whirlwind. It is always a privilege to step into…
Dogs, Cats Give You Joy and Protection
In March 2026, U.S. President Donald J. Trump signed the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), prohibiting Department of Defense (DOD) funding for “painful research” on domestic dogs…
From attending Matthew Manotoc and Jamie Herrell’s wedding of the year in Ilocos Norte to exploring enchanted Siquijor
By Janet Susan R. Nepales We call it our Homecoming 2.0. We were just in the Philippines last November, and then we went back again in January – immediately right…
Easter Message
It can be challenging to wish everyone a Happy Easter when the world is plagued by conflicts, war, and economic crises. Celebrating Easter is not easy when our lives are…
The Last Conversations: Being present when it matters most
A book launch on The Last Conversations, written by Hospice Chaplain Rev. Dante Eleazar Lorenzana Simon and Elzar Dodjie Lorenzana Simon and edited by Dr. Elisa Simon and Elzar Simon, was…
SEXUAL ASSAULT ON WOMEN, GIRLS, AND CHILDREN, SHOULD BE UNTHINKABLE IN A CIVILIZED COMMUNITY
As a patriarchal society, we have the tendency to highlight a single individual, especially males, and enshrine them into places of honor, our pantheon of heroes, naming streets, schools, and…
What Is Taking Shape in 2026 (Part 2)
As the first quarter of 2026 draws to a close, the year is no longer about anticipation; it is beginning to reveal direction. I asked seven individuals from different fields…
On Dying to Our Fears and Anxieties
There are aspects of our lives that need to die. These may include our pride, fears, anxieties, and our tendency to compare ourselves with others. We often become dissatisfied with…
The Purple Gold Rush: Can the Philippines Cope with the Global Ube Obsession?
Ube (Dioscorea alata) is a root crop, specifically a yam, widely cultivated in the Philippines and other tropical regions. (Photo from the Department of Agrarian Reform) As the…
The global altar: How Filipino Holy Week is evolving at home and abroad
Fil-Am community during Holy Week celebration at St. Brendan Parish Church From its biblical origins to its Filipino adaptations and global diaspora expression, Holy Week endures as a living tradition…
Breaking the Conspiracy of Silence: Reclaiming the Truth of the Farmworkers Movement
We are often reminded of the profound words of Oscar Peñaranda: “If we are not going to tell our stories, no one else will.” For too long, the narrative of…
APO ACNA Goes to Las Vegas
The Alpha Phi Omega (Philippines) Alumni Council of North America (ACNA) will hold its Spring Meeting on March 27–29, 2026, at the Four Queens Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas,…
UERM-MAASC and PMASC 2026 Medical Mission Delivers Care to Iloilo & Aklan A Journey of Hope, Service and Giving Back
The 2026 Medical Mission Team in Iloilo (top photo) and Aklan (bottom photo) spearheaded by UERM MAAAI President Dr. Ma. Teresa G. Pastor, PMASC President Dr. Warren C. Gabrillo III,…
Operation Epic Fury: Mr. President, We Need to Talk.
It is now three weeks since the U.S. started a war with Iran, calling the assault Operation Epic Fury (OEF). Trump promised a short campaign lasting just a few weeks,…
On Dying to Our Fears and Anxieties
There are aspects of our lives that need to die. These may include our pride, fears, anxieties, and our tendency to compare ourselves with others. We often become dissatisfied with…
A Memorable Gahol Reunion
I witnessed, for the first time, the reunion of the Gahol clan of Taal and Balayan, Batangas, held at the clubhouse of Corinthian Garden Village in Quezon City. The gathering…
A Historic Night: Autumn Durald Arkapaw Becomes First Woman and Fil-Am to Win Best Cinematography Oscar
Autumn Durald Arkapaw poses with her Oscar following her Best Cinematography win for Sinners, a milestone recognized by the Academy as the first by a woman in the category. – Photo Courtesy: Academy of Motion…
My Encounter with Three Nieces of Sen. Ninoy Aquino
As we observe Women’s Month, I encountered the nieces of the late martyred senator Ninoy Aquino: courageous sisters Roxanne Aquino and Jackie Aquino, and Mia Concio. As a child and…
The Healing Practice of the Presence of God
Friends, we are in the Fourth Sunday of Lent, and I hope you are finding time to pray more and spend intimate moments with the Lord. One of the purposes…
The viral rise of Ilocos empanada
Food creator Vince Vasquez of The Taste Bud and Filipino-American chef-restaurateur Leah Cohen sample Ilocos empanadas in the San Francisco Bay Area, spotlighting the northern Philippine specialty as it gains…
Far from home: millions of Filipinos in the Middle East navigate work, war and uncertainty
Overseas Filipino workers walk through an airport arrival corridor after returning home following rising regional tensions in the Middle East. – Photo courtesy of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW). …
On Proclaiming and Living Our Faith in Jesus
We are called to be bold witnesses to our faith in Jesus and the Gospel He preached and lived, not merely through our words but through our actions. The Samaritan…