It's a Filipina Moment!

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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/?

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Staff

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