UST Has a Special Place in My Heart
My American mom told me she studied high school at the University of Santo Tomas (UST), the oldest extant university charter in the Philippines and Asia, and the largest Catholic…
Category: Features
Covering the week’s most noteworthy feature stories impacting the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
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The Power of Sowing and Reaping: A Spiritual Law for Victorious Living
One of the most transformative truths I’ve discovered in my journey of faith and finances is this: you reap what you sow. It’s not just a wise saying; it’s a…
Elia Ilano to take lead role in the film “Teresa”
Award-winning young actress Elia Ilano will headline the upcoming short film “Teresa”, an official grantee of the International Children’s Peace Prize Fund. This global initiative is made possible through the…
Praying for God’s ministers
“It’s not easy to be a priest or a pastor,” I shared with the parishioners during my homily on the Feast of St. John Vianney last week. “I know this,”…
A Vision Beyond the Term : Why a Leader’s True Measure Is the Test of Time
The opening of the 20th Congress, followed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent State of the Nation Address, offers more than a window into legislative priorities or political optics. These…
A strong faith in God, the greatest treasure
I’m so happy to hear from those who attended my sister’s funeral about how impressed they were by my niece Ann’s composure, poise, and calmness while delivering her eulogy for…
Family Time at LA’s Universal Studios Hollywood
It is indeed wonderful to be back at Universal Studios Hollywood (USH), the entertainment capital of L.A., after 32 years! The first time I visited USH was in 1993. I…
‘Godsfidence’ and Love of family and friends powered her life
“One poignant moment three hours before she died encapsulates Rina’s spirit and character. Msgr. Lorenzo, his sister Dr. Elva Miranda, and I gathered at her bedside. As soon as she…
EDITORIAL | The Flooding Imperative: Confronting an Escalating Crisis in the Philippines
A call for stronger national-local coordination, climate resilience, and long-term solutions Flooding in the Philippines has become more than a seasonal disruption – it is now a recurring national crisis…
SF Marathon 2025, a Blessing: Nice People of San Francisco
IT was 4:25 a.m. when I joined full marathon runner Michael Isip of Honolulu, Hawaii in a taxicab to reach our destination between Embarcadero and Market Street, the starting line…
Breaking the Cycle: From Generational Curse to Generational Blessing
When we hear the phrase “generational curse,” it often evokes images of families trapped in cycles of hardship, patterns of addiction, poverty, abuse, or illness that seem impossible to escape….
God’s Terms and Ways
As many of you know, I have recently developed a deep devotion to St. Rita, the patron saint of impossible situations. I prayed for her intercession during my sister’s battle…
Teaching Has Been My Passion — Shaping Minds and Hearts
Having reached the rank of Associate Professor 3, or Senior Lecturer 1, is a feat. I began as Assistant Professorial Lecturer 2 at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila’s College…
A State Visit with Strategic Consequences: What Marcos Jr.’s Washington Trip Means for the Philippines and the U.S.
When Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. arrives in Washington this week for a high-level state visit, the spotlight will turn to the longstanding—but increasingly complex—alliance between the United States…
Martha, Mary, and the Better Part
It’s easy to overlook Martha’s virtuous qualities in this Sunday’s Gospel: her honesty, frankness, diligence, thoughtfulness, caring nature, and hospitality. She is portrayed as an anxious woman worried about many…
His reward is heaven, for a life well lived!
About two thousand came for a mass at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Pasadena. It is a workday, at 10am. You would think few would come, but thousands did. It…
I love the Philippines, my country
Even though I spent half of my life in government press and public information work, I had already been exposed to writing and editing jobs before daily news and feature…
EDITORIAL | The Filipino Moment Is Here—But Will It Become a Movement?
There was a time—not long ago—when Filipino triumphs on the global stage were treated as exceptions. A lone boxer electrifying the world. A solo singer breaking through Broadway. A startup…
Looking Forward to the Largest San Francisco Marathon 2025
There is growing evidence that marathon running is rising in popularity, especially among younger generations—specifically Gen Z and younger millennials. Training for a marathon offers young people a structured, goal-oriented…
On Making Sense of Suffering
I’ve been sharing with close friends that I am wrestling with the issue of suffering and grappling with the classic question of why bad things happen to good people, even…
Between Two Flags: A Filipino American Reflection on the Fourth of July
On the Fourth of July, the United States comes together in celebration—barbecues and fireworks, parades and patriotic songs. It is a day that honors the signing of the Declaration of…
On spending summer
Summer is here, and I hope you are taking the time to relax and enjoy a much-needed vacation. We all require moments to rest, rejuvenate, and spend quality time with…
Reese Tan Clendenen: ‘Beyond the fireworks and traditions, it’s also a reminder of the freedom we often take for granted’
As we celebrate American Independence Day on July 4, 2025, allow me to feature Americans and Filipino immigrants from all walks of life. I randomly asked them: (1) How do you…
Meditations on June 12 and Juneteenth*
In the calendar of commemorative holidays, Filipinos celebrate two in the month of June. The first is June 12, Philippine Independence Day. The second coincides with Juneteenth (June 19th) which…
A Tribute to Dra. Mira by Toting Bunye, a News Reporter and War Correspondent
The late Dra. Mira Oca-Bunye with her husband Toting Bunye. By Toting Bunye, News Reporter and War Correspondent I was moved by the heartfelt tribute to Dr. Miraflor T. Oca-Bunye…
Navigating the Child Custody Move Away process in California.
The high cost of living in California and over regulation has made a lot of parents evaluate whether to move out of state. The most common states that people move…
Our Faith: Solid as a Rock
Friends, in trying times of sickness and death, persecution and war, fear and uncertainty, how do we keep our faith strong? How do we ensure it remains as solid as…
Pradash M. Manimba’s The Heartbeat of a journalist: The Inspiring Journey of Rogelio Constantino Medina
Asian Journal columnist Rogelio Constantino Medina in a magazine cover. Thanks to Cosmo Digest International Magazine, published by Global Asia Insider (USA-UK-Dubai) for featuring me in its magazine’s cover last year….
Pride and Prejudice: A Continued Struggle for Equality
Each June, rainbow flags rise across city skylines, parades fill the streets, and the world is reminded of a movement born not in celebration, but in resistance. Pride Month marks…
The Eucharist, The Body of Christ
IN today’s society and world, it is difficult to reflect on the Eucharist without considering the Church’s members as the Body of Christ. As we are spiritually nourished by the…