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

In The Know

'This is our victory:' Alex Eala receives hero's welcome at Malacañang
https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/49362985/alex-eala-receives-hero-welcome-malacanang-wimbledon

Slain marine scientist testified for PH in South China Sea arbitration
https://pressone.ph/slain-marine-scientist-testified-for-ph-in-south-china-sea-arbitration/?

National Academy of Sports in Clark City
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1348421216758494

Black Filipino American teen’s mysterious death sparks calls for answers
https://usa.inquirer.net/203503/black-filipino-american-teens-mysterious-death-sparks-calls-for-answers?

Manila Jones Bridge
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DatozGYiO7l/

Barotac Nuevo, a town on the outskirts of Iloilo City, has seen better times. Described as "obscure and hardly prosperous" by PF Correspondent Criselda Yabes, a recent visitor, the town nonetheless has a claim to fame that no other place in the Philippines can dispute -- the football capital of the country. Soccer football to this otherwise undistinguished municipality is the lifeblood, the legacy, the source of pride and the driver of ambitions of its citizens. For decades it has supplied the national team with star players, coaches, federation officials and yes, next-generation athletes who, like their counterparts in Europe, Africa and South America, worship soccer as its sports religion. Why/how does Barotac Nuevo defy the country's basketball obsession and embrace soccer as its One True Thing? Read our lead story this week.

Fides Cuyugan-Asensio's proclamation last month as 2022 National Artist for Music was a cause for celebration among the country's culturati, among them the writer Pablo Tariman who writes this week's feature on this beautiful woman who was not only a foremost coloratura but also a revered librettist, music teacher, and actress on stage, TV and the movies. As her former students attest, Cuyugan-Asencio was their guide and inspiration in their musical careers, a lasting legacy that truly deserves the National Artist designation.

We're now on list 34 of Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous, and still counting. If you know someone who should be included, please send the name and links to supporting information to our publisher, Mona Lisa Yuchengco, who painstakingly updates the list. Send email to PFpublisher@yahoo.com.

While soccer remains an "emerging" sport in the Philippines and basketball dominance internationally will forever be a pipe dream for Filipinos, there is one sport where Filipino grit and size have been a winning fit: boxing. Meet the boxing star who first put the Philippines on the world map, Luis Logan. http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/before-elorde-and-pacquiao-there-was-luis-logan

And if you're braving a Philippine beach vacation, here are some suggestions beyond Boracay: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/11-great-beaches-you-probably-havent-been-to

Don't forget to check out our In Brief section, for capsule news on Filipino things that matter.

For a savory summer treat: The Happy Home Cook: Buko-Pandan Gelatin (Young Coconut-Pandan Gelatin)

Video of the Week: Decolonizing Leche Flan