July 08, 2026

Tenacity and Defiance

July 08, 2026/ Staff

At a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs are facing challenges across the country, San Francisco State University's College of Ethnic Studies reminds us that some hard-won victories are worth defending. The nation's first College of Ethnic Studies was born not in a boardroom but in the streets and classrooms—through the student movements of the late 1960s, a historic six-month strike, and years of determination by those who believed that our stories belonged in the curriculum.

Among those pioneers was Filipino American professor Daniel P. Gonzales, one of the college's most colorful and influential figures. As PF resident historian Alex Fabros writes, "Gonzales' importance lies in the bridge he forged among those worlds—student activism, Filipino American organizing, Asian American curriculum, and the long-term institutional survival of the field." In "A Pathbreaker for Ethnic Studies," Fabros brings to life a generation that fought to make sure future generations could see themselves reflected in America's classrooms.

From Filipino American history, we turn to Philippine history with Mga Daso: Stories of Martial Law in Bikol. This moving new collection revisits a difficult chapter in our nation's past through stories of resistance, sacrifice, resilience—and even the unexpected moments of hope and laughter that helped people endure.

This week's Hometown feature takes us back to Masbate through the eyes of retired Filipino diplomat Maria Antonia Bosa Van Espen-Boonen. Her recollections of the province, the city, and the everyday moments that shaped her youth remind us that home is as much about memory as it is about place.

And finally, for anyone longing for a slower pace—or remembering a time before notifications and endless scrolling—PF contributing writer Claire Mercado Obias invites us to rediscover the pleasures of the "Analog Bag." Sometimes the best way to reconnect is to step away from our screens and return to the simple joys that once filled our days. You may find that what feels like a new trend is really a homecoming.

[Read It Again]

A Childhood in Pila, Laguna by Maria Clarissa Palileo

Inside the Walled City of Intramuros by Renz Mae Ladroma

[Video of the Week] The Filipino Oscar Nominee Who Walked Away From Disney To Tell Filipino Stories

In The Know

Wimbledon honors Alex Eala with Tagalog post after breakthrough win
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/content/993841/wimbledon-honors-alex-eala-with-tagalog-post-after-breakthrough-win/story/

Colorado Springs Commemorates Dr. Jose Rizal’s 165th Birth Anniversary at Rizal Monument
https://pcgsanfrancisco.org/colorado-springs-commemorates-dr-jose-rizals-165th-birth-anniversary-at-rizal-monument/

16 Michelin-recognized Filipino restaurants around the world
https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/food-travel/2026/7/4/16-michelin-recognized-filipino-restaurants-around-the-world-1616?

Fil-Am artist behind World Cup poster launches New York art project
https://usa.inquirer.net/202176/fil-am-artist-behind-world-cup-poster-launches-new-york-art-project

Bretman Rock 'waited 27 years' to tell Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson he was named after him
https://philstarlife.com/celebrity/254400-bretman-rock-tells-dwayne-the-rock-johnson-he-was-named-after-him?

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