We continue with Filipino American History Month with a look back at the storied Filipino Pensionados in the early part of the 20th century, who were sent here by the American authorities in the Philippines to be educated as future native stewards of U.S. colonial rule. “From the moment they set foot in California,” writes historian Alex Fabros Jr., the pensionados “became both students and political instruments” (From Colony to Campus: Filipino Pensionados in California, 1903–1940).

Cut to contemporary Filipino Americans: Nurse Kathleen Vargas of the Washington State Nurses Association will not stand idly by and let anyone diminish the worth of her fellow international nurses, reports our correspondent Anthony Maddela. She successfully pressured St. Joseph Medical Center to give full credit to international nurses’ overseas experience (“When This Filipina Pushed Back, All International Nurses Got a Fair Deal”).

[Read It Again]

The Wards Cove Case: Separate and Unequal by Cindy Domingo
Celestino’s Crusades by Lisa Suguitan Melnick
JR de Guzman Shows Filipinos Are Truly Funny by Anthony Maddela

[Video of the Week] Foreigners Who Love the Philippines vs. Filipinos Who Want to Leave the Philippines

In The Know

Manila Recovers Chinese Underwater Drone Operating in Philippine Waters
https://news.usni.org/2025/10/01/manila-recovers-chinese-underwater-drone-operating-in-philippine-waters?

US State Department flags ‘pervasive’ corruption in PH
https://usa.inquirer.net/180782/us-state-department-report-flags-pervasive-corruption-in-ph?

Podcast: When America tried to expel all Filipinos in the U.S.
https://gerfarinas.substack.com/p/podcast-when-america-tried-to-expel?r=2eosah&fbclid=I

Dillon Gabriel to become the second Filipino American starting quarterback in NFL history
https://www.instagram.com/p/DPWtZBEEbua/?igsh=

Lolita the Zebronkey: Manila Zoo’s Forgotten Wonder
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1324926856084067

Financial Adviser: 5 Business Lessons Everyone Can Learn from Sonya Garcia, Founder and CEO of Sonya’s Garden
https://www.esquiremag.ph/money/industry/sonyas-garden-sonya-garcia-business-lessons-

What does it take for a US Navy ship to be named after a Filipino American naval hero? Positively Filipino's forthcoming webinar next Wednesday October 27 zeroes in on this important and intriguing topic. I hope you can join us. Get the details below and please help us spread the word.

We're now on part 3 of "We Stand On Their Shoulders," our tribute to deceased Fil-Am historical figures, as compiled by our publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco. This week's list covers community leaders, and notable achievers in the fields of medicine and the academe.

Retired Sony Pictures executive Fritz Friedman has left the private sector and is now a commissioner of the Arts and Culture Commission of the city of San Diego, California. San Diego mayor and fellow Fil-Am Todd Gloria tapped Friedman, who now heads his own production and marketing consulting firm in addition to his non-profit activities.

To mark the 77th founding anniversary of the United Nations, retired Ambassador Virgilio A. Reyes Jr. shares with us significant historical events that occurred during his time as Third Secretary of the Philippine Mission to the UN. It was a time of great upheaval in our homeland and Reyes, on his first diplomatic assignment, was there to witness the rumblings and ripples of history.

For our young adult readers, get a heads up on Brown Boy Nowhere, a newly released novel by Fil-Am Sheeryl Lim, as reviewed by Audrey Bell, a freshly minted Fil-Am college student.

PF Correspondent and resident foodie Elizabeth Ann Quirino shares a recipe for another perfect cold-weather treat, Lomi Noodle Soup with Pork, Shrimps and Vegetables.

For Video of the Week, Seattle’s KING-5 News features Dorothy Cordova of the Filipino American National Historical Society.

In The Know (Philippine Election Edition)

As the Philippine election season heats up in preparation for the actual voting in 2022, Positively Filipino will be posting links to stories from other publications that we hope will educate, inform and clarify issues, and, more importantly, prod overseas Filipinos to vote.

Facebook Data shows Leni Leading
https://wilson-chua.medium.com/adds-report-shows-leni-leading-1669032eab95

Vulnerabilities of the automated elections
https://opinion.inquirer.net/145234/vulnerabilities-of-the-automated-elections?fbclid=IwAR3-3lEWPx4GrfMjDYgcRjMe5qkrJirl3Vkvdwl7bOitfQUXO2EpgIU9RXs

Sui Generis: Rule of law matters
http://us4.forward-to-friend.com/forward/show?u=81b6ec9d9be6b6261a822deb0&id=cb4c02ee33