What a difficult and emotionally draining past few days it has been — not only for our homeland, but for the world at large. In moments like these, it's tempting to just tune out, step away from the noise, and simply wait for calmer days ahead. Yet as an information outlet committed to keeping our community informed, we also have the responsibility to stay engaged and aware, even when the headlines are frustrating, unsettling, and exhausting.

Thankfully, amid the uncertainty, there are still bright spots that remind us of the strength and resilience of the Filipino spirit — especially among our kababayans who continue to make their mark in their adopted countries and chosen professions through talent, hard work, and dedication.

This week’s issue celebrates Filipinos who continue to inspire and make us proud:

• “Hard Hats: Filipino Civil Engineers in the Middle East” by Michael G. Lucero shines a spotlight on the Filipino professionals whose expertise and perseverance helped shape many of today’s modern Middle Eastern cities;

• Part 4 of publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco’s continuing series on Overseas Filipino Achievers honors Filipino men, women — and even a child — who have built successful lives overseas while remaining deeply connected to their Filipino roots;

• In Southern California, Anthony Maddela profiles “Santa Monica’s Uncrowned King of Real Estate,” Gary Limjap, whose story reflects both entrepreneurial grit and success in one of America’s most competitive real estate markets;

• Meanwhile in Manila, contributing writer Alma Cruz Miclat introduces us to “Sari Dalena: A Film Guerrera,” an acclaimed filmmaker whose artistic heritage, award-winning body of work, and fearless storytelling continue to elevate Philippine cinema on the global stage.

[Read It Again]

Justin Jones – Black, Filipino, Civil Rights Activist by Leny Mendoza Strobel

Sampling La Vida Local Along the Amazon by Chibu Lagman

La Vida Local on the Amazon, the Sequel by Chibu Lagman

[Video of the Week] Meeting Filipinos in the Arctic

Former Philippine ’drug war’ police chief runs away from government agents to avoid international arrest warrant
https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/13/asia/philippines-dela-rosa-icc-arrest-warrant-intl-hnk

Fil-Am investigative journalist Pablo Torre wins Pulitzer Prize
https://peopleasia.ph/fil-am-investigative-podcaster-pablo-torre-wins-pulitzer-prize/?

For Moros, The Price of Peace is Life
https://www.rappler.com/features/newsbreak/in-depth/moros-price-peace-life/index.html

Hand-carried air fryer and other stories from a Dubai repatriation ballroom
https://www.rappler.com/people/air-fryer-stories-dubai-repatriation/?

Disney cruise workers busted in child porn sting, hauled off ships for deportation
https://www.ktvu.com/news/disney-cruise-workers-busted-child-porn-sting-hauled-off-ships-deportation?

Sharing Culture
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1161894039391470

Among the many articles we publish at Positively Filipino, hometown stories remain some of the most meaningful. They carry a special kind of joy—rich with memory, community, and the small details that stay with us long after we’ve left. Over the years, we’ve gathered quite a collection, and we would love to keep them coming.

Take, for instance, today’s story from first-time contributor Connie Cagahastian Triggiano. She brings us to Paete, Laguna, known for its woodcarvings, and recalls the charm of the Tayangtang—a simple public bench at the heart of town. It was a daily gathering place for men, a space for camaraderie where conversations flowed freely—from lighthearted gossip to musings about life—often accompanied by hearty laughter.

The original bench, fondly called “Tayangtang ni Karyong Bado,” stood near the provincial bus stop, making it an ideal spot to observe the rhythm of town life. People came and went, stories were exchanged, and in many ways, it became Paete’s informal news center. As time passed, other tayangtangs appeared around town. In 1997, the tradition even found its way online, when a Paete native in Canada created the town’s first website, complete with a chat group that connected kababayans across distances.

Today, the physical Tayangtang may no longer exist, the town reshaped by changing times, migration, and the rise of social media. Yet its spirit endures. As Connie reflects, every message, call, shared photo, or online gathering among Paetenians carries echoes of that same longing—for home, for connection, for the familiar warmth of a place that shaped us.

This is why hometown stories matter, especially for those of us in the diaspora. They help us remember where we came from and keep us connected to the communities that formed us. They preserve traditions, voices, and memories that might otherwise fade with time. And they offer a way to share our heritage with younger generations, ensuring that these stories continue to live on.

We invite you to share your own memories of the places that cradled and molded you.

Write to us at submissions@positivelyfilipino.com.