August 05, 2026

A Living Archive of Fil-Am Achievement

August 05, 2026/ Staff

History is not preserved by monuments alone. It endures because people choose to remember, to tell stories, and to honor lives that have shaped a community. That is what the annual Building Communities: A Tribute to our Manongs and Manangs, created by Mona Lisa Yuchengco, have accomplished year after year. Through Positively Filipino, the event is more than an awards program; it is a living archive of Filipino American achievement. The honorees come from different generations and walks of life, yet together they reveal a larger truth—that our history has been written by soldiers and teachers, scientists and physicians, artists and writers, entrepreneurs, public servants, and community advocates whose contributions have too often remained outside the pages of mainstream history. By bringing these lives into the light, the manong and manang honors affirm that every story preserved strengthens the story of us all.

This year's gathering is another opportunity to celebrate not only twelve distinguished individuals but also the enduring legacy of a community whose contributions continue to shape America. The honorees did more than achieve personal success; they widened the path for those who followed, opened doors once closed to Filipinos, built institutions, preserved our heritage, and enriched the fields they served. In honoring them, Positively Filipino honors our collective journey.

We invite our readers to join us for this special occasion—to listen, to affirm, and to become part of a celebration that reminds us that history is a living inheritance, carried forward every time a name is spoken, a life is remembered, and a community comes together in gratitude and pride.

This Week’s Stories

When the Youngest Manong Becomes the Elder by Alex S. Fabros, Jr.

Trans Man and Trans Woman Tie Knot in PH Catholic Church by Rene Astudillo

‘Subsaharan Mindanao’ to the World by Elaine Joy Edaya Degale

He Danced Before He Knew Why by Lani Domaloy

[Read It Again]

My Close Call on 9/11 by Maj. Gen. Antonio M. Taguba (Ret.)

Why the F in ‘Filipino’ and How Did It Get There? by Marne Kilates

[Video of the Week]

Why is America defending a shipwreck?

In The Know

'Most exciting player' Eala shows 'Filipino heart' to make history
https://www.bbc.com/sport/tennis/articles/cjwx9y96x90o

Nearly 10 months in ICE custody, a photojournalist’s case tests the limits of protected speech
https://www.therebelyellow.com/p/nearly-10-months-in-ice-custody-a?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

‘Little Manila is in the heart. 209:’ How a Stockton community preserved the stories of the Filipino migrants who built it
https://stocktonia.org/news/community/2026/07/30/little-manila-is-in-the-heart-209-how-a-stockton-community-preserved-the-stories-of-the-filipino-migrants-who-built-it/

[OPINION] Pax Silica and the Philippines: Will we build the future or simply build it for others?

https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/opinion-pax-silica-will-philippines-build-future-or-for-others/?

'I feel like I dug my own grave': The workers caught in the AI transition
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgr7nxve05go

5 Library Cafes to Visit Around Metro Manila
https://www.preview.ph/culture/food/library-cafes-manila-a6887-

Laperal, Not the Haunted Baguio Mansion
https://tribune.net.ph/2026/07/24/laperal-not-the-haunted-baguio-mansion

July 29, 2026

Extraordinary People, Unforgettable Stories

July 29, 2026/ Staff

Thirteen and a half years ago, the four of us former Filipinas* magazine colleagues—came together with a simple idea: to create an online magazine that would tell the stories of Filipinos everywhere, not just in the Philippines or the United States. We had no idea Positively Filipino would still be here more than a decade later.

Looking back, what fills us most is gratitude. Through PF, we have been welcomed into the lives of kababayans around the world. Our readers and writers have introduced us to extraordinary people, unforgettable stories, and perspectives that have deepened our understanding of what it means to be Filipino in today's world.

One of our greatest privileges has been discovering talented writers—many publishing for a wider audience for the first time—and giving them a place to share their voices. We've also had the honor of recognizing Filipinos whose achievements deserve to be celebrated and remembered, while providing history and context for our shared story.

It hasn't always been easy. There were times we were criticized for taking a stand, and other times for not taking one. We've also lost dear friends and contributors over the years, including one who sent us his final article from the ICU. Their words remain part of PF's legacy.

If these thirteen and a half years have taught us anything, it's that stories matter. They connect us across oceans, generations, and experiences.

To everyone who has read us, written for us, shared our stories, and encouraged us along the way—thank you. Your trust and support have made Positively Filipino what it is today. It has been our privilege to be part of your lives.

* Filipinas was a monthly glossy magazine for Filipinos in North America. It was founded by PF publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco. It ran from the early '90s to the mid-2000s.

This Week’s Stories:

FilAms Among The Remarkable And Famous, Part 80 by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Easy Like Sunday Afternoon by Rosario A. Garcellano

What Happened to Filipiniana Fashion Brand VINTA? by Caroline Mangosing

[Read It Again]

Thanking Daniel by Migs Bassig

My Filipino Survival Kit: The Definitive Go Bag For True Filipinos by F. M. Ricarte

[Video of the Week]

They Left Manila to Start a Chocolate Farm

In The Know

The University That Said Batanes Is China’s Is Also Training Manila's Chinese Teachers
https://www.sealight.live/posts/the-university-that-said-batanes-is-china-s-is-also-training-manila-s-chinese-teachers?

Self-care is harder when people lack access to rest, says psychologist
https://radar.ph/self-care-is-harder-when-people-lack-access-to-rest-says-psychologist/?

Green in the City: 8 Parks in Metro Manila for When You Need to Take a Breather
https://www.windowseat.ph/green-in-the-city-8-parks-in-metro-manila-for-when-you-need-to-take-a-breather/

Homecoming Special: All Eyes on Alex Eala as She Continues to Redefine Filipino Tennis on the Global Court
https://metro.style/people/2026/7/21/metro-s-homecoming-special-for-filipino-tennis-star-alex-eala-1900?

After the Cesar Chavez Scandal, Can Johnny Itliong Restore His Father’s Activist Legacy?
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/24/us/larry-itliong-farmworker-rights-activist-chavez.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

July 15, 2026

Another Way of Life

July 15, 2026/ Staff

Flying in recently from the beautiful chaos of Manila to an America that feels increasingly unpredictable, I found myself reading Rene Astudillo's "What Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo Taught Me," one of our stories this week. It felt less like a travel story and more like a glimpse into another world.

"Traveling through Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo felt less like sightseeing and more like being gently instructed on how society could work," Rene writes. As he takes in Japan's vibrant colors, remarkable quiet, spotless streets, disciplined routines, and unforgettable food, he arrives at a realization that lingers long after the trip ends: "I realized what stayed with me wasn't just the landmarks. It was the way people behaved when no one was looking. The quiet discipline. The shared responsibility. Japan didn't try to impress me. It simply showed me—calmly, consistently—another way of being." If Japan has been on your travel wish list this summer, Rene's reflections might be the nudge you need.

Meanwhile, in Chicago, Fil-Am chef Mike Morales is putting Southeast Asian cuisine in the spotlight. As culinary director of Sunda New Asian, he draws on his Filipino heritage, his travels, and his formal culinary training to create dishes that celebrate the richness of the region. Founded by fellow Fil-Am entrepreneur and restaurateur Billy Dec, Sunda has grown from its Chicago roots to Nashville, Tampa, and Detroit. Morales proudly serves as the restaurant's punong abala—the head busy bee—a role that perfectly matches his boundless energy and passion. Read more in "Chicago Chef Exalts Southeast Asian Fare."

Back home, British Columbia-based writer Meyen Quigley reflects on the changing face of Iloilo City. Amid the rise of gleaming glass towers and modern developments stands Balay nga Bato, a 161-year-old house of stone and plaster that has quietly endured the passage of time. Today, the beloved landmark is more than a reminder of the past—it has become a culinary destination and a hub for preserving traditional arts, proving that heritage can thrive alongside progress. Read "House of Stone Keeps Past Alive in Modern Iloilo."

And as we do every month, we close by celebrating Filipinos around the world who continue to make us proud. Don't miss "Overseas Filipino Achievers, Part 6," our latest roundup of inspiring diaspora stories, curated by our publisher, Mona Lisa Yuchengco.

[Read It Again]

Bend it Like Paulino . . . and Friends by Myles A. Garcia

FIFA Gets a Kick Out of LeRoid David’s Poster Design by Wilfred Galila

Barotac Nuevo, Where Football Is King by Criselda Yabes

[Video of the Week]

The Golden Age of Traditional Filipino Music