A Moment of Uncertainty

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Nothing much to say in this moment of chaos and uncertainty—except sending major solidarity to our kababayans in the Middle East. All 2.1 million of you who might be facing job loss, displacement, and the countless ripple effects that come with war.

Praying you and your families stay safe. And honestly, hoping the whole world gets through this unwanted disruption. Maybe not untouched—but held together by faith, community, and that deep ancestral resilience we carry.

Because if history has taught us anything, it’s this: we’ve been through hard times before, and we’ve survived them. And we will again. 

This week’s stories:

Haters and Zombies Don’t Scare this Grandma by Anthony Maddela

Teacher Joyce Brings Out Hope by Wilminia Dumaop

Overseas Filipino Achievers, Part 2 by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

[Read It Again]

The Lady Is a Sports Writer by Primo Pacis

Pinay Migrants Gasp for Air in South Korea’s Closed Society by Rochit Tañedo

Why Women Rule Pampanga by Robby Tantingco

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

[Video of the Week] Why Is the Philippines Broken Today? 

In The Know

The Eala Experience: Yes, It’s About Tennis, But So Much More
https://bnpparibasopen.com/news/the-eala-experience

IN NUMBERS: Overseas Filipinos under threat in the Middle East
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/data-documents/overseas-filipinos-middle-east-strikes-2026-numbers/? 

Fil-Am soldier among slain US troops honored
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/313078/fil-am-soldier-among-slain-us-troops-honored?utm_source=(direct)&utm_medium=gallery

SOCIAL WEATHER REPORT | 83% of Filipinos say a woman’s role is to look after the home and family; Public opinion on the role of women has been conservative for many years
https://www.sws.org.ph/swsmain/artcldisppage/?artcsyscode=ART-20260304171738

Hellokasyon Is the Platform for Those Who Want to Actually Experience the Philippines
https://www.esquiremag.ph/life/travel/hellokasyon-is-the-platform-for-those-who-want-to-actually-experience-the-philippines-

Thanks to The Pitt, the Filipino nurse is no longer invisible
https://www.thediarist.ph/thanks-to-the-pitt-the-filipino-nurse-is-no-longer-invisible/

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Staff

Hear Them Roar

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When award-winning Filipina author Linda Ty-Casper was coming of age in the post–World War II Philippines, the literary spotlight was mostly reserved for men. Women like her? Expected to stay in the background—supportive, quiet, focused on pamilya first and career second. That was the script.

But Linda didn’t follow scripts.

After marrying American literary critic Leonard Casper, she moved to the U.S., raised two daughters, ran a household, earned a law degree, stayed active in civic organizations—and somehow wrote 20 critically acclaimed books. Not safe books. Not “nice” books. Books that challenged cultural and political norms and refused to shrink themselves to make others comfortable. Two of her novels, in fact, were banned during the martial law years.

Talk about main character energy.

This Women’s History Month, we’re celebrating Filipinas who refuse to be boxed in. Like immigration lawyer-turned-artist Elaine Bordeaux, who found her creative calling in sculpture. Like Fil-Am actor Shelby Rabara, who teamed up with her husband Harry Shum Jr. to write a children’s book—expanding representation for the next generation.

These are women who refuse to be sidelined. Women who are done being saling-pusa. Women who take up space—loudly, proudly, unapologetically.

We’re here. We’ve always been here. And yeah—you better get used to it.

[Read It Again]

Hilda Koronel Has Come Full Circle by Cathy S. Babao

Clemencia Lopez, Independista by Lyca Benitez-Brown

June Dalisay, Art Healer by Serina Aidasani

[Video of the Week] Historic Filipinotown |Lost LA

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Staff

History Recalled, History in Real Time

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It’s giving main character energy for Philippine history this week.

First up: the 40th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolt is all over your feeds. Yes, that EDSA People Power Revolt — the 77-hour gamechanger our parents and titos/titas like to say, “I was there.”

So what’s with the sudden flood of throwback posts? Is it collective nostalgia for the time Filipinos actually united and said “tama na” to a dictator? Or is it lowkey political warning aimed at the current president, the son of that same dictator, who was literally on the plane to exile in Hawaii four decades ago? History isn’t just repeating — it’s reposting.

Meanwhile, history is unfolding in real time in The Hague. For the third straight day, the International Criminal Court is hearing the confirmation of charges against Rodrigo Duterte for crimes against humanity. He’s accused of overseeing thousands of killings during the so-called “war on drugs” and has been detained at the ICC for the past year. The big question: will the charges stick and move to full trial? We’ll find out soon. This is the kind of plot twist you can’t make up.

From current events to stories nearly a century old — there’s a powerful exhibit titled “How Can You Forget Me” now showing at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. It hits deep, especially for those of us navigating memory, migration, and identity in the diaspora. PF correspondent Titchie Carandang takes us inside.

Switching gears: with the FIFA World Cup 2026 coming this June, football (yes, football) is about to dominate global timelines — even in the Philippines, where basketball still reigns supreme. But shoutout to Reina Bonta, who represented the Philippines at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 and is now leveling up women’s football through a soccer clinic she organized in Negros Oriental. Athlete, filmmaker, advocate — we love a multi-hyphenate queen.

And the FilAm excellence? Still undefeated. Publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco has just released the 75th edition of her FilAm achievers list. That’s over 750 Filipino American names spotlighted — and counting. Diaspora dominance is real.

If you’re feeling reflective (or just want to deep dive into your parents’ revolutionary era), we’re reposting some of our stories on EDSA below. Consider it your history refresher — no pop quiz, promise.

Also, don’t sleep on this week’s In The Know links. Especially this myth-busting piece by our editor Rene Ciria Cruz unpacking the whole “MAGA Filipinos” narrative. It’s nuanced, necessary, and definitely worth the read: [Edgewise] The myth of the ‘MAGA Filipino’

History isn’t just something we inherit — it’s something we shape, repost, fact-check, and fight over. Stay informed. Stay critical. Stay connected. 

[Read It Again]

77 Hours: The Behind-the-Scenes at the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution by Gemma Nemenzo

On the Eve of Insurrection by Prof. Ed Garcia

Opinion: Never mind EDSA: Remember the mini-EDSAs, the battles before the uprising by Benjamin Pimentel

[Video of the Week] Historic Filipinotown |Lost LA

In The Know

[Edgewise] The myth of the ‘MAGA Filipino’
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/edgewise-myth-maga-filipinos-united-states/?

Alex Eala: The tennis star who could be a game-changer for the Philippines
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0n1l5sj?

Move On: 40 Years of People Power
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndldXwB6fGU

1976: The Golden Year of Philippine Cinema
https://www.pep.ph/news/local/191021/1976-the-golden-year-of-philippine-cinema-a4113-20260219-lfrm2?utm_source=Facebook- 

Isa Briones on how a Hiligaynon lullaby became part of 'The Pitt' season 2
https://philstarlife.com/celebrity/597965-isa-briones-hiligaynon-lullaby-the-pitt-season-2?

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Staff