We Get a Kick Out of Them

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When Jason Myers kicked his way into NFL history at Super Bowl LX last Sunday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, he didn’t just help bring the Seattle Seahawks a championship—he also quietly put Filipino America on notice.

For many FilAms, this was the first time hearing that Myers has Filipino roots. He’s a fourth-generation Filipino American—his great-grandfather was a Filipino immigrant—and he’s been open and unapologetic about his pride in his heritage. Representation matters, and seeing a FilAm make his mark on one of the biggest stages in American sports hits different.

Our resident FilAm historian, Alex S. Fabros, Jr., puts Myers’ achievement into deeper context by looking back at Filipino American contributions to pro football, from Roman Gabriel to today, in “Fil-Ams and the NFL: From Roman Gabriel to Super Bowl-Winning Jason Myers.”

This week, we are introducing our new series, “Overseas Filipino Achievers,” compiled by our publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco, spotlighting Filipinos making waves around the world. And since Filipinos can be found in nearly 200 countries (yes, we really are everywhere), this series is shaping up to be a long-term project—much like Positively Filipino’s long-running “FilAms Among the Remarkable and Famous,” which just keeps growing.

We need your help to keep it going. Who are the Filipinos worth knowing in your adopted country? Send us their names, photos, and relevant links or background info at pfpublisher@yahoo.com.

Grief is something we all encounter at some point—sometimes it breaks us, sometimes it reshapes us, and often it teaches us things we never asked to learn. Professional grief counselor and award-winning writer Cathy Sanchez Babao knows this journey well. After working through her own profound losses, she’s written books that comfort, heal, and offer hope to others walking the same difficult path.

In this issue, first-time PF contributor Alma Cruz Miclat writes about how her friend came out with two new books that are definitely worth reading.

If you grew up in the Philippines, there’s a good chance Burnham Park in Baguio City lives somewhere in your childhood memories—boat rides, cold air, awkward first crushes. While the park may not feel quite as pristine or chilly as you remember, there’s good news, as former Baguio resident Rene Astudillo reports: Burnham Lake, the heart of the park, has been undergoing major rehabilitation.

In about two months, it’s set to reopen—ready to host a new generation of dates, daydreams, and kilig moments. Some things really do come full circle.

[Read It Again]

How Black and Filipino Unity Was Forged in the Pullman Workers Union by Don Villar

Filipino Sports History: It’s In the Cards by Mark John Sanchez

[Video of the Week] Forgotten Root Crop Recipes from the Philippines

In The Know

Philippine bets Proulx, Ceccarelli return to roots in Winter Olympics bid
https://www.rappler.com/people/athletes/philippines-tallulah-proulx-francis-ceccarelli-winter-olympics-milano-cortina-2026/

Seahawks kicker Jason Myers speaks about Philippine Heritage
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1968273903770185

The story of the 26 year-old Filipino Jesuit on the road to sainthood
https://www.ewtnnews.com/world/asia-pacific/the-story-of-the-26-year-old-filipino-jesuit-on-the-road-to-sainthood?redirectedfrom=cna

Epstein files show image ops, emails funding employees’ flights to PH
https://www.rappler.com/technology/features/jeffrey-epstein-files-operations-emails-philippine-employees/

Hindi Ito Marites: A travelogue of the Philippines Strategic Partners
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HuJGrz4w9Gc

2 Filipinas in fight vs Trump plan to close their hospital
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/308238/2-pinays-in-fight-vs-trump-plan-to-close-their-hospital

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Staff

Ride the Fire Horse

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We’re already in the second month of the year if you’re following the Christian calendar, but on February 17, the Chinese calendar flips the script with the start of the Year of the Fire Horse. It’s said to be a rare, high-energy year—one that shows up only once every 60 years—symbolizing bold moves, fast shifts, and fiery momentum. No hesitation, no dragging your feet.

Whatever calendar you live by and whatever traditions ground you, here’s hoping this surge of courage and change plays out with purpose—bringing progress that’s peaceful, meaningful, and good for our homeland, our adopted countries, and the wider world we all share.

For Positively Filipino, 2026—the Year of the Fire Horse—will be about both staying true to who we are and pushing forward. We’ll keep delivering the stories you’ve come to expect: deep dives into history and culture (we’ve got two historical pieces this week alone), profiles of fascinating Filipinos across generations, features on creative work, travel essays, first-person stories, and thoughtful looks at the people and politics shaping our communities.

And because we’re always down to level up, we’re adding something new: “Overseas Filipino Achievers”. This expands our long-running and ever-growing collection of short profiles spotlighting Filipino achievers—starting with FilAms, and now widening the lens globally.

That’s where you come in.

If you’re part of the Filipino diaspora outside the Philippines and the US, we’d love your help. Send us names, links, and supporting info about Filipino achievers making waves in your local communities.

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Staff

It's Been a Lot of Winter America

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It’s been a rough weekend in the US — headlines filled with tension from Minneapolis, the Alex Pretti saga (and yeah, we’re still not over Renee Good), political drama, and that brutal cold snap that had entire cities frozen over. It’s been a lot.

But even in the chill, there were some bright, almost heartwarming moments. In North Carolina, a group of Buddhist monks continued their snowy “Walk for Peace,” trekking in their bright orange robes through ice and sleet on their way to Washington, D.C. (they’ll get there in about two weeks). And across the Pacific, tennis phenom Alex Eala continues to stir up the Filipino pride wherever she plays — triggering mini stampedes of support from fans every match.

For sports fans stuck at home and missing the action, there’s something to look forward to: the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, happening February 6–22. There are two Filipinos competing for the giant slalom and slalom events: Fil-Am Tallulah Proulx, 17, and Fil-Italian Francis Ceccarelli, 22. 

Sadly, there’s no other Philippine team competing this time — not for lack of effort, though. The first-ever Filipino pairs figure skating duo and men’s curling team both came close but missed the qualification cutoff. PF correspondent and Olympic historian Myles Garcia breaks it down for us — though his feature this week focuses on a new book about the first Filipinos ever to join the Olympics, recently published by a small independent press back in Manila.

On a heavier note, there’s still no closure on the story of Filipino American activist Chantal Anicoche, who was recently found hiding in a forest cave in Mindoro after an encounter between the New People’s Army and the Philippine Army. What exactly brought her there? PF contributor Prof. Patricio Abinales, a former leftist revolutionary himself, unpacks the complex reality behind activism, idealism, and the danger of romanticizing a war that’s very much still real.

Two more stories we hope you'll enjoy: a grandson's recollection of his distinguished grandfather who was the first Filipino tobacco entomologist; and a profile of Rowena Federico Finn, a Fil-Am multimedia artist.

{Read It Again]

Ten Best-Kept Secrets of Olympic Ceremonies by Myles A. Garcia
When Spring Ran in Manila, a Sort of Book Synopsis by Amadio Arboleda

[Video of the Week] Why the Filipino Jeepney Is Dying–Here’s Why It Matters 

In The Know

Alex Eala and the Quiet Discipline of Becoming
https://joyfulwellness.ph/2026/01/27/alex-eala-quiet-discipline-wellness

Fil-Am sa Washington D.C., ipinagdiwang ang ika-109 kaarawan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FdbVt0ZEto

Manila traffic not a condition, but a lifestyle: ‘How long does it take to get there?’ ‘Depende’
https://www.thediarist.ph/manila-traffic-not-a-condition-but-a-lifestyle-how-long-does-it-take-to-get-there-depende/

Filipina DH faces child abuse rap after 4-month-old ward found with brain injuries
https://www.sunwebhk.com/2026/01/filipina-dh-faces-child-abuse-rap-after.html? 

2 Dead and 4 Missing After Cargo Ship Carrying 21 People Capsizes More Than 140 Miles from Land
https://people.com/2-dead-4-missing-cargo-ship-21-capsizes-south-china-11891129

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Staff