July 4th: Ties that Bind

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As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, Filipinos—especially those in the diaspora—have every reason to reflect on a shared past that shaped both nations.

For nearly half a century, the Philippines was part of the American story, leaving a legacy of sacrifice, opportunity, conflict, and enduring ties. This complex relationship—defined by colonial rule, democracy, nationalism, and deep cultural connections—continues to influence Filipino identity and U.S.-Philippine relations today.

To commemorate this year's July 4, we asked retired Philippine history professor Michael Gonzalez to provide our readers a bird's eye view of pivotal events that have defined Philippine relations with its former colonizer since 1898. It was a difficult ask, especially considering the limitations of deadline and word count.

What emerged from Gonzalez's knowledge archive is his list of ten pivotal milestones, each split into the good, the bad and the ugly, that reveal how history forged a bond that has been as turbulent as it has been transformative, with consequences still felt on both sides of the Pacific.

Have a meaningful July 4th, however you want to celebrate it.

In The Know

How decades of US immigration law shaped the Filipino diaspora — and San Diego

https://www.kpbs.org/news/racial-justice-social-equity/2026/06/29/how-decades-of-us-immigration-law-shaped-the-filipino-diaspora-and-san-diego

Alex Fabros, 80, makes history at UCSB

https://news.ucsb.edu/2026/022633/alex-fabros-80-makes-history-ucsb

‘Street Fighter’ finally gets its 1st Filipino fighter after 39 years, and the details matter

https://www.therebelyellow.com/p/street-fighter-finally-gets-its-1st

Israelis, other foreigners in Siargao nabbed over immigration violations

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2026/06/29/2538603/israelis-other-foreigners-siargao-nabbed-over-immigration-violations?

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Staff

The Gifts of Our Fathers

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As we mark both Rizal Day (June 19) and Father’s Day (June 21) in this issue, our stories reflect the meaning of these occasions for Filipinos across generations and across borders.

We begin with two moving tributes to fathers whose lives left an enduring mark on their sons. Alex Fabros shares the final words of his father, offering a glimpse into the sacrifices and resilience of a generation of Filipino workers who built their lives on American soil while carrying their homeland in their hearts.

First-time contributor Arniel Brown turns to Prince’s iconic “Purple Rain” as a lens through which to honor his father—a Vietnam veteran, husband (and later widower) to two Filipino women, and a janitor in his later years. Through his son’s eyes, he emerges not as a celebrated public figure, but as the kind of everyday hero whose story deserves to be remembered.

In our Rizal feature, first-time contributor Kahlil Corazo explores how José Rizal’s experiences abroad can help us better understand the Filipino diaspora today. Drawing from historian Filomeno Aguilar’s work on Rizal, Corazo shows how the ilustrados of 19th-century Europe wrestled with many of the same questions Filipino migrants and Filipino Americans continue to face: balancing multiple identities, confronting racial stereotypes, reconnecting with precolonial heritage, and defining who belongs within the Filipino community. Rather than seeing today’s diaspora identity debates as something new, Corazo argues that they are part of a much longer Filipino story of living between cultures.

We also feature the remarkable story of the Locsin clan, a reminder that Filipino roots can span centuries and continents while still sustaining a strong sense of family, identity, and purpose. From Agustin Locsin (Sin Lok), a Chinese migrant who settled in Iloilo in the 1750s, has grown a family network of more than a million descendants whose contributions have touched public service, business, architecture, the arts, journalism, and community development. More than a genealogy, the Locsin story illustrates how heritage, cultural memory, and a commitment to service can connect generations of Filipinos wherever in the world they call home.

And speaking of the Filipino diaspora, here's part 5 of our recurring compilation of Filipino Overseas Achievers by our publisher, Mona Lisa Yuchengco. 

[Read It Again]

My Dad, a Daring Dreamer by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

José Rizal and His Dueling German Friends by Penélope V. Flores

Rizal +: A One-Stop Shop for Everything Rizal by Francis Layf Custodio

[Video of the Week] How Did The Philippines Become One Of Asia's Most Unequal Countries?

In The Know

This Filipino Priest from Ermita is on the Road to Sainthood
https://www.spot.ph/newsfeatures/newsfeatures-peopleparties/filipino-priest-cesar-maria-guerrero-road-to-sainthood-a2793-20260405-bsc?

U.S. House Resolution Honors 120 Years of Filipino Immigration to Hawaiʻi
https://www.filipinoreporters.com/post/u-s-house-resolution-honors-120-years-of-filipino-immigration-to-hawai%CA%BBi?

These 5 Philippine hotels just scored a spot on Michelin Guide’s list
https://usa.inquirer.net/199092/these-5-philippine-hotels-just-scored-a-spot-on-michelin-guides-list

TIMELINE: Most destructive earthquakes to hit the Philippines since 1990
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/timeline-most-destructive-earthquakes-hit-since-1990/?

How deadly Philippines earthquake raised seabed and extended shorelines for hundreds of metres
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/philippines-earthquake-seabed-raise-shoreline-extension-b2995719.html?

Meet the Winner of ‘Top Chef: Carolinas’
https://www.foodandwine.com/top-chef-season-23-winner-11993200?

Why Jollibee said yes to one NorCal man and his 15-franchise dream
https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/george-almeida-jollibee-franchisee-22292078.php

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Staff

War, Family, Faith, and Pageantry

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We have quite a varied lineup this week:

In time for Veteran's Day in the US yesterday, a feature on the children's book, The Horse Soldier: A Wartime Secret by Sandie Oreta Gillis. It is the story of Lt. Edwin Price Ramsey, who led the last horse-mounted cavalry charge in U.S. military history during World War II. It is also the story of the author's grandparents who risked sheltering Ramsey in their house in Pangasinan. An inspirational story of courage during war but told for children. Leodivico Padua Masuli writes about the making of the book.

An American actor and scriptwriter married a Fil-Am movie producer and made a movie called "One Big Happy Family." Lisa Jenner, whose husband is Dean Devlin, found rich material in Filipino family dynamics that, along with co-star Dante Basco, made this 2025 comedy movie a joy to watch. PF's Los Angeles correspondent Anthony Maddela gives us a glimpse.

From North Texas, Jocelyn Alvarez Allgood introduces Yvonne Yngson Gochangco, the reigning Ginang Filipinas America, whose academic and career credentials -- a master's degree in public health, a certified nurse anesthetist -- surpass her 2025 beauty title.

A sobering testimony: when software engineer Michelle Moreno-Apolo was diagnosed with breast cancer, she dug deep into her Catholic faith, instilled in her by her mother, to navigate the harrowing journey of treatments. She shares with us her story of faith.

*****

Last Saturday, November 8, the Maria Elena Yuchengco Philippine Studies Program of the University of San Francisco commemorated its 25th anniversary with one of the most anticipated and well attended events in the city: a conversation with Maria Ressa, veteran journalist and the Philippines' second Nobel Prize winner. Moderating the discussion was another Fil-Am celebrity -- Pulitzer-prize winner Jose Antonio Vargas. Read all about the event here. 

Jose Antonio Vargas leads the Q&A with Maria Ressa

Congratulations to PF regular contributor of Fil-Am history stories Alex Fabros, Jr. for winning 2nd place in the International Affairs category at the 2025 American Community Media Awards (there was a first place tie between Kalynh Ngo of Viet Bao and Shahbod Noori of Tehran Magazine). Here’s the winning story: How Vietnam War Vets Wrestled with the Shadows of the Toxic Orange Mist

Alex Fabros, Jr. with wife Lorraine Wong at the American Community Media Awards last November 7, 2025 in Oakland, CA.

[Partner] FilVetRep Day

[Read It Again]

The General At Ease by Gemma Nemenzo
The Boogie Woogie Boys by Alex S. Fabros, Jr.

[Video of the Week]

'Lies Spread Faster Than Facts'—Maria Ressa at the UN 

In The Know

Sometimes heroes are in a small boat with a salbabida

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/sometimes-heroes-are-in-a-small-boat-with-a-salbabida

Kaya Founders Secures $25 Million in Final Close to Back PH Startups

https://www.esquiremag.ph/money/industry/kaya-founders-bags-25-m-in-final-close-of-fund-

Still recovering from #FilipinoAmericanHistoryMonth, but we wanted to share this news story covering the unveiling of Dr. Dawn Bohulano’s Portrait at Delta College

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=3158291527686077&extid=MSG-UNK-UNK-UNK-IOS_GK0T-GK1C&ref=sharing&mibextid=wwXIfr

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Staff