Category: People
Featuring the most noteworthy people impacting, inspiring, and empowering the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
Chef Lou Boquila: From Dishwasher to Restaurateur
Behind two highly-acclaimed filipino restaurants How exactly did a former dishwasher rise from the ranks to become a successful chef and restaurateur who now owns two highly-acclaimed Filipino restaurants in…
Fil-Am meteorologist wins Emmy for ocean pollution coverage
A Filipina American meteorologist took home an Emmy at the 71st Los Angeles Area Emmys for her coverage on plastic in the ocean. Shanna Mendiola — the meteorologist for NBC4…
Fil-Am a cappella group The Filharmonic performs on ‘Late Late Show’
LOS ANGELES-based Filipino American a cappella group The Filharmonic on Tuesday night, July 30, showcased their talents as they performed famed ballads and bops on the “Late Late Show with…
Presidential hopefuls Sanders, Yang join ethnic media to discuss immigration, health care and the economy
During the first Democratic debate earlier this month, a handful of the candidates shared their stances and policies related to a variety of issues, including guaranteeing free college education, legalizing…
Long Beach Bacolod Association announces small business awardee for Masskara Festival
THE Long Beach Bacolod Association will present the Small Business Award to Romeo Garcia during its MassKara Festival on Sunday, August 4 at Recreation Park. Entrance is FREE and attendees…
This Filipino chocolatier wants the Philippines to be known globally as a great source of chocolates
IT was a sweet victory for five Philippine chocolate brands at the 2019 Academy of Chocolate Awards in London last June when they garnered a total of 24 awards across…
Fil-Am dancer Bailey Munoz advances to ’So You Think You Can Dance’ top 20
FOLLOWING Filipina American dancer Hannahlei Cabanilla’s win on “So You Think You Can Dance” Season 15 (SYTYCD) last year, another Fil-Am talent is set to make a splash in the…
Filipina actress Princess Punzalan enters her second act
Punzalan returns to the screen in critically acclaimed film “Yellow Rose” THERE’S a scene in the 2019 coming-of-age indie film “Yellow Rose” where the titular character Rose (played by two-time Tony Award-nominee…
Jeffrey Lo, director of ‘The Language Archive’
Sharing the power of storytelling and the importance of representation CARRYING his passion to create stories and present them to others who may not have the opportunity to feel or…
Enslaved in the US for decades: 83-year-old Filipina celebrates life and freedom for the first time this 4th of July
LOS ANGELES – As the country celebrated its independence this week on 4th of July, freedom takes on a new meaning for Fedelina Lugasan, a victim of modern-day slavery and…
3 Filipino filmmakers invited to be members of the Academy
THREE Filipino filmmakers were invited to become members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the governing body behind the Oscars wherein members vote for the winners…
Malaka Gharib’s graphic novel “I Was Their American Dream” explores identity as a Filipina-Egyptian
“WHEN I was growing up, my mom would always say: ‘You have to be better than us.’ She never explained what she meant by that. But I understood. I had…
Archbishop Socrates Villegas shares his mission for monasteries
DURING Archbishop Socrates Villegas’ short visit to Southern California where he stayed with Brad and Teena Boeckman — the latter whom he knew since she was 15 years old and…
Elizabeth Warren: Building a brighter future for Asian American entrepreneurs
In an exclusive OP-ED for the Asian Journal, Sen. Elizabeth Warren bares a plan for investing in AAPI and minority-owned small businesses. By Elizabeth Warren America is built on two…
Fil-Am model Geena Rocero rewrites Playboy’s history as its first transgender API Playmate
FIVE years ago, Filipina American model Geena Rocero made a very public confession and came out of her closet in a TED Talk in Vancouver. “The world makes you something…
Rappler chief Maria Ressa honored in new Madonna music video
New resistance-themed video tackles global social justice issues Madonna’s music video for her new single “I Rise” features footage of Maria Ressa, the fearless Rappler founder who has been jailed…
Philippine Independence Day celebrated at California Capitol
The California Asian and Pacific Islander (API) Legislative Caucus led a Philippine Independence Day celebration at the state Capitol on Monday, June 24. The reception was attended by Assemblymember Rob…
Filipino acting veteran Eddie Garcia passes away at 90
AWARD-WINNING veteran actor Eddie Garcia passed away at the age of 90 on Thursday afternoon, June 20, according to a medical bulletin issued by the Makati Medical Center. Garcia had…
Shining onstage: Fil-Am Kylie Abucay sings her heart out as Sandy in ‘Grease’
ONE of the iconic musicals of our time — both onstage and film — is the “Grease,” a story of Rydell High’s senior class of 1959. Many of us…
Fil-Am elected to head California State Board
SACRAMENTO – A Filipino American community leader was recently elected as the new president of the California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists at its commissioners meeting in…
Top Filipina commissioners honored at LA City Hall event
Two top-ranking Filipina American commissioners were honored during an event at Los Angeles City Hall on Monday, June 18. The luncheon, organized by the LA City Employees Asian American Association…
Miss Universe Catriona Gray joins Washington, DC celebration of 121st Philippine Independence Day
WASHINGTON, D.C. — More than 400 guests attended the Diplomatic Reception commemorating the 121st anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine Independence at the Roof Terrace Restaurant of The John F….
How an Asian American female sergeant wants to “change as many lives as possible” through sharing Army benefits
With the United States Army’s 244th birthday on Friday, June 14, an Asian American sergeant in Southern California reflects on her time in service. Sgt. Min Na, a Korean American…
Bryan Munar: Putting his place onstage
The Fil-Am stage actor joins cast in 42nd Street Moon’s “Once” SAN FRANCISCO’S 42nd Street Moon is proud to present the highly-anticipated Bay Area regional premiere of 2012’s Tony Award-winning…
Beauty impresario Ferdie Syquia Villar’s 82nd birthday celebration a great success
Philanthropist and international beauty impresario Ferdie Syquia Villar’s 82nd birthday celebration added another memorable chapter in his glorious life. It took place last June 1 at his residence along Escanyo…
Fil-Am screenwriter Michael Golamco on new Netflix film ‘Always Be My Maybe,’ and on seeing ourselves on screen
THERE’s no denying that Asian Americans are having a moment in mainstream entertainment after years of being marginalized or stereotyped into narrow roles. Last year, Asian Americans rejoiced at the…
Getting to know Anne del Castillo, Commissioner of NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment
“DON’T go in with a pre-conceived idea of what you think you are going to do.” That was Anne del Castillo’s quick response when I asked about her advice for…
Fil-Am martial arts maestro Mark Dacascos talks going from smaller projects to the box office-breaking “John Wick: Chapter 3”
“Professionally, this is certainly a highlight of my career.” NOT-SO-SPOILER alert: “John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum” has a lot of fight scenes. On its face, the third installment of…
Best of both worlds: Single Fil-Am moms on managing family and business
IT is often said that running your own business is like raising another child. Entrepreneurship is already a massive undertaking, and for some mothers, there’s an extra layer of being…