July 01, 2026

July 4th: Ties that Bind

July 01, 2026/ Staff

As the United States marks its 250th anniversary, Filipinos—especially those in the diaspora—have every reason to reflect on a shared past that shaped both nations.

For nearly half a century, the Philippines was part of the American story, leaving a legacy of sacrifice, opportunity, conflict, and enduring ties. This complex relationship—defined by colonial rule, democracy, nationalism, and deep cultural connections—continues to influence Filipino identity and U.S.-Philippine relations today.

To commemorate this year's July 4, we asked retired Philippine history professor Michael Gonzalez to provide our readers a bird's eye view of pivotal events that have defined Philippine relations with its former colonizer since 1898. It was a difficult ask, especially considering the limitations of deadline and word count.

What emerged from Gonzalez's knowledge archive is his list of ten pivotal milestones, each split into the good, the bad and the ugly, that reveal how history forged a bond that has been as turbulent as it has been transformative, with consequences still felt on both sides of the Pacific.

Have a meaningful July 4th, however you want to celebrate it.

This week’s stories

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: A Guide to US-Philippine Relations Across Decades by Michael Gonzalez

When Philippine Independence Day Moved to Another Date by Rudy D. Liporada

FilAms Among The Remarkable And Famous, Part 79 by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

[Opinion] The Architecture of Dignity: How Culture Shapes the Soul by Cecilia Guidote-Alvarez

Obituary: Lourdes M. Esclamado by Alex M. Esclamado

[Read It Again]

A Reunion of Strangers by Oscar Peñaranda

The Flag of Their Forebears by Myles A. Garcia

[Video of the Week] Ube Festival showcases Filipino food, culture, and entrepreneurship in California

In The Know

How decades of US immigration law shaped the Filipino diaspora — and San Diego

https://www.kpbs.org/news/racial-justice-social-equity/2026/06/29/how-decades-of-us-immigration-law-shaped-the-filipino-diaspora-and-san-diego

Alex Fabros, 80, makes history at UCSB

https://news.ucsb.edu/2026/022633/alex-fabros-80-makes-history-ucsb

‘Street Fighter’ finally gets its 1st Filipino fighter after 39 years, and the details matter

https://www.therebelyellow.com/p/street-fighter-finally-gets-its-1st

Israelis, other foreigners in Siargao nabbed over immigration violations

https://www.philstar.com/nation/2026/06/29/2538603/israelis-other-foreigners-siargao-nabbed-over-immigration-violations?

June 24, 2026

Our Diaspora: Kababayans in Austria

June 24, 2026/ Staff

This year marks a significant milestone: the Philippines and Austria are celebrating 80 years of diplomatic relations. It is a partnership that runs deeper than official ties, tracing its roots back to the 19th century and the enduring friendship between Jose Rizal and Ferdinand Blumentritt—a bond that symbolizes mutual respect, intellectual exchange, and lasting friendship between our peoples.

For many Filipinos in Austria today, however, the story began more recently. In 1973, the two countries signed a Recruitment Agreement at a moment when their needs converged. Austria was seeking trained nurses, while the Philippines was expanding its labor migration program. Thousands of Filipinos answered the call, embarking on journeys that would change not only their own lives but also the communities they would help build abroad.

More than five decades later, the Filipino community in Austria has become an active, visible, and valued part of Austrian society. As Ralph Chan writes in this issue’s cover story, it is “a diaspora built on care work, cultural resilience, and close-knit support networks.” It is a story of sacrifice, perseverance, and achievement—one that continues to inspire new generations.

This issue also shines a spotlight on two remarkable Filipino artists whose work reflects the creativity and diversity of our global community.

Featured first is Ram Mallari, whose steampunk-inspired metal sculptures and large-scale installations have earned international recognition. His fascinating journey is captured by Manila-based contributor Alma Cruz Miclat.

We also feature textile artist Diane Briones Williams, whose work draws inspiration from Filipino indigenous art traditions while honoring their integrity. As writer Anthony Maddela notes, Williams consciously chooses not to replicate indigenous techniques in her own pieces, out of deep respect for the communities and artisans who developed them.

In sports, we revisit an inspiring story from AsAmNews about Cam Bynum, the Indianapolis Colts Pro Bowl player who has embraced both his athletic platform and his Filipino heritage. Through the Bynum Faith Foundation, he is helping underserved communities in the Philippines, demonstrating how success abroad can create meaningful impact at home.

Finally, we pay tribute to Pearl Parmelee Cabrera, a pioneering figure in the Filipino Food Movement. Her recent passing has been deeply felt not only throughout the Filipino American community in the San Francisco Bay Area but also among Filipino food advocates. Her legacy lives on in the growing appreciation of Filipino cuisine and culture that she helped champion.

As we celebrate our shared history and accomplishments, this issue reminds us that the Filipino diaspora story continues to be written—through service, creativity, generosity, and an enduring connection to our roots.

[Read It Again]

The Quezons at the White House by Titchie Carandang

Rizal’s Cook Remembers a Good Man by John L. Silva

[Video of the Week] 2026 Philippine Independence Day Parade NYC

In The Know

The World Is Saying Ube is The New Matcha—But Wait, It's Not Ready
https://www.spot.ph/eatdrink/the-latest-eat-drink/ube-new-matcha-a8095-20260506-bsc?

She was adopted from the Philippines as a baby — now she runs Belgium’s only homegrown vegan bag brand
https://theglobalfilipinomagazine.com/she-was-adopted-from-the-philippines-as-a-baby-now-she-runs-belgiums-only-homegrown-vegan-bag-brand/?

So a Catholic Exorcism Center Just Opened in Makati City
https://www.spot.ph/newsfeatures/culture/so-the-catholic-church-just-opened-an-exorcism-center-in-makati-a5229-20260309-bsc?

El Nido vs Japan: Why Filipino luxury travelers are choosing Fukuoka over Palawan
https://bnc.bilyonaryo.com/el-nido-vs-japan-why-filipino-luxury-travelers-are-choosing-fukuoka-over-palawan/lifestyle-entertainment/?

June 17, 2026

The Gifts of Our Fathers

June 17, 2026/ Staff

As we mark both Rizal Day (June 19) and Father’s Day (June 21) in this issue, our stories reflect the meaning of these occasions for Filipinos across generations and across borders.

We begin with two moving tributes to fathers whose lives left an enduring mark on their sons. Alex Fabros shares the final words of his father, offering a glimpse into the sacrifices and resilience of a generation of Filipino workers who built their lives on American soil while carrying their homeland in their hearts.

First-time contributor Arniel Brown turns to Prince’s iconic “Purple Rain” as a lens through which to honor his father—a Vietnam veteran, husband (and later widower) to two Filipino women, and a janitor in his later years. Through his son’s eyes, he emerges not as a celebrated public figure, but as the kind of everyday hero whose story deserves to be remembered.

In our Rizal feature, first-time contributor Kahlil Corazo explores how José Rizal’s experiences abroad can help us better understand the Filipino diaspora today. Drawing from historian Filomeno Aguilar’s work on Rizal, Corazo shows how the ilustrados of 19th-century Europe wrestled with many of the same questions Filipino migrants and Filipino Americans continue to face: balancing multiple identities, confronting racial stereotypes, reconnecting with precolonial heritage, and defining who belongs within the Filipino community. Rather than seeing today’s diaspora identity debates as something new, Corazo argues that they are part of a much longer Filipino story of living between cultures.

We also feature the remarkable story of the Locsin clan, a reminder that Filipino roots can span centuries and continents while still sustaining a strong sense of family, identity, and purpose. From Agustin Locsin (Sin Lok), a Chinese migrant who settled in Iloilo in the 1750s, has grown a family network of more than a million descendants whose contributions have touched public service, business, architecture, the arts, journalism, and community development. More than a genealogy, the Locsin story illustrates how heritage, cultural memory, and a commitment to service can connect generations of Filipinos wherever in the world they call home.

And speaking of the Filipino diaspora, here's part 5 of our recurring compilation of Filipino Overseas Achievers by our publisher, Mona Lisa Yuchengco.

[Read It Again]

My Dad, a Daring Dreamer by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

José Rizal and His Dueling German Friends by Penélope V. Flores

Rizal +: A One-Stop Shop for Everything Rizal by Francis Layf Custodio

[Video of the Week] How Did The Philippines Become One Of Asia's Most Unequal Countries?