Force Majeure & Looking Back

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We've seen the reels, read the reports, and checked on family and friends in General Santos City and neighboring provinces in southern Mindanao following the powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck a few days ago. As of this writing, at least 37 people have died, thousands have been displaced, and an estimated 10,000 residents have been left homeless. Homes, schools, and other buildings have collapsed, while coastal communities remain on alert as authorities continue to monitor the threat of tsunami-related hazards.

Filipinos are no strangers to natural disasters. Typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods have long been part of life in our archipelago. Yet familiarity does not lessen the pain and hardship that a calamity of this magnitude brings. Every disaster leaves families grieving, communities struggling to rebuild, and countless lives forever changed.

For Filipinos in the diaspora, this is once again a moment to unite in solidarity with our kababayans in Mindanao. We can storm the heavens with prayers, but we can also translate our concern into action by supporting relief and recovery efforts. As always, let us exercise care and diligence, ensuring that our donations and assistance reach those who truly need them rather than falling into the hands of scammers, opportunists, or corrupt officials.

Our stories this week:

Graciano Lopez Jaena, the Ilonggo patriot and leading voice of the Propaganda Movement in the years preceding Philippine independence, has long been the subject of myths, misconceptions, and historical distortions. A new and meticulously researched book by fellow Ilonggo historian Emmanuel Lerona, Graciano's Dirty Fingers, seeks to set the record straight and restore a fuller understanding of this important national figure. Canada-based writer Meyen Quigley reviews the book in “Rebuffing Graciano Lopez Jaena's ‘Dirty Fingers.’”

While attending his son's wedding in Mexico, Toronto-based economist and academic Cesar Polvorosa Jr. found himself struck by a sense of familiarity. The reason, he realized, lay in the deep cultural and historical connections between Mexico and the Philippines, forged through centuries of shared colonial experience. He reflects on those discoveries in “Finding the Philippines in Mexico.”

We also feature two articles exploring the Philippines' iconic national attire:

“The Terno: Living Silhouette of the Filipino Soul” by Zardo A. Austria traces the remarkable evolution of the terno and its enduring place in Filipino identity.

In “Barong and Filipiniana: A Foreigner's Altered Impression,” Anton Dvoryadkin recounts how initial skepticism gave way to admiration and appreciation for the elegance, history, and cultural significance of the barong tagalog and Filipiniana.

[Read It Again]

A Valiant People's Army by John L. Silva

The Saga of the Tamontaka Teduray Sisters by Eduardo C. Tadem

Filipino Terms of Endearment by Myles A. Garcia

[Video of the Week] The Philippine Heritage Collection

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Staff

Proud of Our Rainbow

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We’re kicking off Pride Month with what else but an inspiring LGBTQ+ story.

Taylor Sheesh — the stage persona of Mac Coronel, the viral Filipino drag performer whose uncanny tribute to Taylor Swift captured the hearts of Swifties around the world — is the subject of an upcoming documentary, Taylor Sheesh: A Swiftie Love Story. The film is directed by acclaimed Filipino American filmmaker Ramona Diaz, whose award-winning documentaries include Imelda, Motherland, and A Thousand Cuts.

Why the shift from the weightier subjects Diaz is known for? As writer Mima Holt reports, the director explains: “I have always been drawn to spectacle, both big and small. Throughout my career, I have focused on stories about gender and identity. So when Mac Coronel, also known as Taylor Sheesh, captured my attention in 2024 during the widely publicized Eras Tour, I was immediately intrigued.”

Meanwhile, at the University of San Francisco, a major honor was bestowed on one of the most influential Filipino Americans of our time. Jose Antonio Vargas — the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, content creator, and tireless advocate for immigrant rights — received an honorary Doctor of Humane Studies degree, honoris causa. Widely recognized as one of the nation’s most courageous voices for undocumented immigrants, Vargas delivered a powerful commencement address to graduates of USF’s College of Arts and Sciences graduate school. We also invite readers to explore the conferment speech delivered by PF Publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco. ["To You, 'These Yet to Be United States'"]

As we celebrate Pride Month, we honor the contributions, resilience, and stories of LGBTQ+ members of our Filipino and Filipino American communities. We stand in solidarity with those working toward a more inclusive and equitable world, and we remain committed to amplifying voices that reflect the rich diversity of our community.

This Week’s Stories:

Taylor Sheesh, a Swiftie Love Story by Mima Holt

To You, ‘These Yet to Be United States’ by Jose Antonio Vargas

Cirio Siblings Prove Ballet Is Alive and Well by Anthony Maddela

[Read It Again]

Bourdain’s Last Famous Badass Words by Chef Claude Tayag

A Love Letter to My Dad and “Mom” by Nikki Vilas

My Father and Gay Pride by John L. Silva

[Partner] New Green Card Processing Rules Create Fear and Chaos in Immigrant Communities

[Video of the Week] Filipino labor leader Larry Itliong being remembered on Farmworkers’ Day

In The Know

Olivia Rodrigo Tried Writing Love Songs. Then Life Got Messy.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/arts/music/olivia-rodrigo-new-album-interview-popcast.html?

Pinay Biotech Founder Using AI to Advance Medicine
https://www.facebook.com/reel/884155078050999

Knicks vs Spurs NBA Finals is historic Filipino Am representation
https://asamnews.com/2026/05/31/knicks-vs-spurs-nba-finals-is-historic-filipino-am-representation/

Jordan Clarkson and Dylan Harper on what it means to represent the Philippines
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZGHdSbxFCJ/

DTI sees ube, calamansi as export 'rising stars' amid coconut gains
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/989675/dti-sees-ube-calamansi-as-export-rising-stars-amid-coconut-gains/story/?

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Staff

Far from Our Beginnings

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As Filipino Americans have spread across the United States, our community has moved far beyond the fields and labor camps where many of our manongs and manangs first began their American journey in the early 20th century. Today, FilAms are making their mark in every profession and industry imaginable. So it’s no surprise that even NASA’s Artemis mission includes Filipino Americans helping shape the future of space exploration. Four of them — along with eight other outstanding FilAms from different fields — are featured in publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco’s latest compilation, “FilAms Among the Remarkable and Famous, Part 78.”

And then there’s Alexandra Eala — a name Filipinos around the world now proudly recognize. The young tennis sensation has been drawing unexpectedly massive and passionate crowds, catching tournament organizers off guard and showing just how deeply Filipinos rally behind one of our own. Although her world ranking has shifted from No. 29 in March to No. 37 this month, her impact continues to grow. Toronto-based economist and professor Cesar Polvorosa Jr. examines how Eala’s rise in a sport long viewed as elite in the Philippines — along with her unapologetic embrace of Filipino pride — is reshaping how Filipinos see themselves on the global stage in “Sampaguita on Center Court: What Alex Eala Means to Filipinos.”

Did you know that in one of the world’s last authentic paradises, honesty isn’t just encouraged, it’s actually a way of life? In Batanes, the Philippines’ breathtaking northernmost province, some stores operate without cashiers or staff. Customers simply leave payment in a drop box and take what they purchased. Hard to imagine these days, but in Batanes, trust and community still reign. Veteran journalist and podcaster Howie Severino takes readers on a journey through the islands’ scenic landscapes, how they have resisted the vulgarity of malls, chain stores and other modern influences, and have remained true to their deeply rooted values in “How To Be Like Batanes,” reposted from GMA Network.

Meanwhile, recent headlines about U.S. immigration rules have caused understandable concern among aspiring immigrants, especially those worried they may now be required to return to their home countries to apply for green cards. But the reality is more nuanced than the alarming headlines suggest. To help separate fact from fear, we’re reposting veteran immigration attorney Lourdes Tancinco’s clear and reassuring explanation of what the new policy changes actually mean. 

[Read It Again]

FIFA Gets a Kick Out of LeRoid David’s Poster Design by Wilfred Galila

Barotac Nuevo, Where Football Is King by Criselda Yabes

[Video of the Week] Recovered steamer trunks showcase history of Filipino American farmworkers