March 18, 2026

It's a Filipina Moment!

March 18, 2026/ Staff

First it was Alex Eala—our kababayan tennis phenom—shaking up the sport. It’s not just her climb in the rankings; it’s the energy. If you’ve seen clips of her matches, you know: the crowd shows up loud, proud, and very Filipino.

Then came a proud Fil-Am moment on TV. Kristin Villanueva, Isa Briones, and Amielynn Abellera—all playing nurses on "The Pitt"—hit the stage together at the Screen Actors Guild Awards to accept Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. Fil-Am nurses on-screen, winning as a team? Yeah, that hits different. [See "Princess and 'The Pitt'" by Anthony Maddela below.]

And then last weekend? History. Autumn Durald Arkapaw—with that unforgettable name—became the first woman, first woman of color, and first Fil-Am to win Best Cinematography at the Academy Awards for "Sinners." Bay Area–raised, shaped by her Filipina mom, her tita, and her Kapampangan lolo (a WWII guerrilla and Death March survivor—grabe that legacy). Her speech? One of the night’s realest moments, honoring the women who made space for her to even be there.

Also making waves: Zinzi Evans-Coogler, lead producer of Sinners, becoming the first Fil-Am nominated for Best Picture—alongside her husband, Ryan Coogler, and Sev Ohanian. Power couple, but make it groundbreaking.

This Women's History Month, Filipinas in sports and entertainment aren’t just having a moment—they’re building momentum. And honestly? It feels less like a blip and more like the start of something long overdue.

This week’s stories:

Princess and ‘The Pitt’ by Anthony Maddela

Ceramic Art Across the Seas by Brian delos Santos

Before Our Dream Came True by Joel Jong Clemente

[Read It Again]

Standing Room Only by Lotis Key

Pinky Valdes’ Winding Road to Healing by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Warmth by Durin Chappe

[Video of the Week] Autumn Durald Arkapaw talks about Oscar nomination, Filipino roots

[Partner] Philippine International Aid’s U.S. Scholarship

In The Know

‘If I go home, we don’t have enough money’: the low-paid Filipino workers caught up in the war on Iran

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/mar/11/iran-war-filipino-workers-israel

Fil-Am Autumn Arkapaw becomes 1st woman to win Oscars’ cinematography award

https://usa.inquirer.net/191904/fil-am-autumn-arkapaw-becomes-1st-woman-to-win-oscars-cinematography-award?

Sisa’s Hilda Koronel on Craft, Courage, and Women Empowerment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOMHNrHhIZA

Here in Hollywood: The story behind the Filipino lullaby that made it to 'The Pitt'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa0g66HXhf4

“We carry our flag together!” – Emotional Miami meet-up between Erik Spoelstra and Alex Eala sends Filipino fans into a proud frenzy

https://scorecardnews.com/ngoclambtv3/we-carry-our-flag-together-emotional-miami-meet-up-between-erik-spoelstra-and-alex-eala-sends-filipino-fans-into-a-proud-frenzy/?

March 05, 2025

Women Making History

March 05, 2025/ Staff

A fitting beginning to Positively Filipino's March Women's History Month celebration is this week's collection of stories:

• A tribute to Florence Finch, born of a Filipina mother and an American father, a WWII heroine, the first female recipient of the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal for her crucial work as a clandestine operative for the Japanese resistance (for which she was imprisoned and tortured by the Japanese forces), a 1947 Medal of Freedom awardee, and a US Coast Guard (USCG) officer thereafter. In October 2024, the USCG accorded Finch (who died in 2016 at 101 years old) the singular honor of naming its 57th Fast Response Cutter after her. PF contributing writer Marissa Bañez, a lawyer and children's book author, wrote the story.

• An introduction to a woman named Clang (Garcia), a food and travel writer/TV host and author whose book, Philippine Food Holidays (2023), won the 29th Gourmand Awards for “Best Food Tourism Book in the World.” PF Correspondent Rey de la Cruz profiles. The story includes a recipe for Tinola Nga Isda.

• Books by Filipina authors that go beyond the usual literary and historical genres spark interest and creativity, as compiled by PF Contributing Writer Claire Mercado-Obias. If you're into calligraphy, mid-century modern home design and mindfulness coloring, this list is for you.

• Our Video of the Week focuses on Nobel Laureate and veteran FilAm journalist Maria Ressa as she weighs in on the uncanny parallelism of current US news and the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte (2016-2022). She speaks to PBS' NewsHour host Amna Nawaz.

• And finally, our previously posted stories celebrating outstanding Filipino women.

[Read Again]

Clemencia Lopez, Independista by Lyca Benitez-Brown

Why Women Rule Pampanga by Robby Tantingco

Pinky Valdes’ Winding Road to Healing by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Fil-Am Mayor Makes History in Daly City by Cherie M. Querol Moreno

In The Know

People Power in the Philippines: How the Bay Area helped fuel a revolution nearly 40 years ago
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/03/04/bay-area-filipino-people-power-revolution/

San Francisco’s Filipino Food Legacy Is Over a Century-Old—and Still Evolving

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/san-franciscos-filipino-food-legacy-is-over-a-century-old-and-still-evolving?

[Ilonggo Notes] The Creative City of Gastronomy, one year on

https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/arts-culture/ilonggo-notes-creative-city-gastronomy-one-year/?

'So much flavor': Drew Barrymore raves about arroz caldo

https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/2/28/-so-much-flavor-drew-barrymore-raves-about-arroz-caldo-1730?

My father is a president!

https://www.facebook.com/AlternativeMediaPH/posts/321168263482655

Jaclyn Jose included in 2025 Academy Awards' 'In Memoriam' section

https://philstarlife.com/celebrity/528156-jaclyn-jose-2025-academy-awards-in-memoriam?

March 14, 2023

What You May Want to Know About Positively Filipino

March 14, 2023/ Staff

For those who are just now discovering Positively Filipino, here are some answers to questions that may be percolating in your mind:

*We come out with new stories for the week on Wednesdays (Thursdays in Manila).

*We are a magazine, thus we don't cover news stories, ongoing events and breaking news. What you will get from us are in-depth reports, features and profiles, opinion pieces and the always popular historical stories.

*Overseas Filipinos (meaning those outside the Philippines) are our target audience, and our choice of stories reflect these. Since we are based in California, a large portion of our readership are Fil-Ams or Filipinos living in the US.

*We have a very small editorial staff, thus we rely on and continually welcome contributing writers from all over the world. If you want to be part of our pool of writers, please send a query to PFeditor@yahoo.com.

*In addition to our collection of new stories on Wednesdays, our newsletter also provides links to previously posted stories and a recipe by a Filipino chef, or those who have original recipes to share. (We also welcome recipe contributions.)

*Our Global News Briefs section provides quick takes, with links to the full stories and their sources, on what's happening in Filipino communities worldwide.

*Our Community News section features press releases from non-profits, community groups and charities. Those who want to market products will have to request for our advertising kit.

*The In the Know section at the bottom of this newsletter lists links to Filipino- and Philippine-related stories in other publications ICYMI.

*Our Video of the Week provides visual entertainment from online sources.