July 29, 2026

Extraordinary People, Unforgettable Stories

July 29, 2026/ Staff

Thirteen and a half years ago, the four of us former Filipinas* magazine colleagues—came together with a simple idea: to create an online magazine that would tell the stories of Filipinos everywhere, not just in the Philippines or the United States. We had no idea Positively Filipino would still be here more than a decade later.

Looking back, what fills us most is gratitude. Through PF, we have been welcomed into the lives of kababayans around the world. Our readers and writers have introduced us to extraordinary people, unforgettable stories, and perspectives that have deepened our understanding of what it means to be Filipino in today's world.

One of our greatest privileges has been discovering talented writers—many publishing for a wider audience for the first time—and giving them a place to share their voices. We've also had the honor of recognizing Filipinos whose achievements deserve to be celebrated and remembered, while providing history and context for our shared story.

It hasn't always been easy. There were times we were criticized for taking a stand, and other times for not taking one. We've also lost dear friends and contributors over the years, including one who sent us his final article from the ICU. Their words remain part of PF's legacy.

If these thirteen and a half years have taught us anything, it's that stories matter. They connect us across oceans, generations, and experiences.

To everyone who has read us, written for us, shared our stories, and encouraged us along the way—thank you. Your trust and support have made Positively Filipino what it is today. It has been our privilege to be part of your lives.

* Filipinas was a monthly glossy magazine for Filipinos in North America. It was founded by PF publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco. It ran from the early '90s to the mid-2000s.

This Week’s Stories:

FilAms Among The Remarkable And Famous, Part 80 by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Easy Like Sunday Afternoon by Rosario A. Garcellano

What Happened to Filipiniana Fashion Brand VINTA? by Caroline Mangosing

[Read It Again]

Thanking Daniel by Migs Bassig

My Filipino Survival Kit: The Definitive Go Bag For True Filipinos by F. M. Ricarte

[Video of the Week]

They Left Manila to Start a Chocolate Farm

In The Know

The University That Said Batanes Is China’s Is Also Training Manila's Chinese Teachers
https://www.sealight.live/posts/the-university-that-said-batanes-is-china-s-is-also-training-manila-s-chinese-teachers?

Self-care is harder when people lack access to rest, says psychologist
https://radar.ph/self-care-is-harder-when-people-lack-access-to-rest-says-psychologist/?

Green in the City: 8 Parks in Metro Manila for When You Need to Take a Breather
https://www.windowseat.ph/green-in-the-city-8-parks-in-metro-manila-for-when-you-need-to-take-a-breather/

Homecoming Special: All Eyes on Alex Eala as She Continues to Redefine Filipino Tennis on the Global Court
https://metro.style/people/2026/7/21/metro-s-homecoming-special-for-filipino-tennis-star-alex-eala-1900?

After the Cesar Chavez Scandal, Can Johnny Itliong Restore His Father’s Activist Legacy?
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/24/us/larry-itliong-farmworker-rights-activist-chavez.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

July 22, 2026

Train to D.C.

July 22, 2026/ Staff

On what should have been a day of celebration, Filipino American civic leader Roswell Encina found himself alone, surrounded by masked members of a white nationalist group aboard a Washington, D.C., Metro train. His 25-minute ordeal was photographed by Getty photographer Finn Gomez, the only other "civilian" on that train. The now-viral image captured a chilling moment, but it tells only part of Encina's story.

The son of Filipino immigrants, Encina has devoted his career to preserving America's history and strengthening its democracy, believing that patriotism is rooted not in blind pride but in an honest reckoning with the nation's past and an unwavering commitment to its ideals. His extraordinary journey—from Laguna to leading the U.S. Capitol Historical Society—reflects both the opportunities and contradictions that have shaped the immigrant experience across generations. In this moving conversation with PF contributing writer Trish Muyco-Tobin, Encina reflects on fear, courage, belonging, and why the American story, like that of the Filipino diaspora itself, is still being written—one generation, one voice, and one act of civic faith at a time.

*****

Those who came of age in the early 1960s in our homeland will remember the heartbreaking tragedy of the 24 Filipino Boy Scouts who set out with hope and pride to represent the Philippines at the World Scout Jamboree in Greece, only to lose their lives in a devastating plane crash 63 years ago this month.

Among them was Victor Oteyza de Guia Jr., a son of one of Baguio City's most distinguished families. (His mother served as mayor, and his older brother would later become the National Artist Kidlat Tahimik.) The nation has honored the fallen Scouts by naming streets in Quezon City after each of them. For PF contributing writer Rudy Liporada, however, the loss remains deeply personal. He remembers not just one of the 24 heroes, but the beloved older boy he knew simply as Kuya Vijoe.

This week’s stories:

Alone Amid the Haters on the Fourth of July by Trish Muyco-Tobin

I Called Him Kuya Vijoe by Rudy D. Liporada

2026 In Memoriam (Second Quarter) by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Loida Nicolas Lewis: How to Look Younger When You’re Older by Elizabeth Ann Quirino

[Read It Again]

“The Best Pig in the World” by Jennifer Celdran

The Bicycle of Tomorrow by Albert J. Lesaca

[Video of the Week] Sand Portrait of Alex Eala

In The Know

Eala wins WTA ‘Star of the Swing’
https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/07/19/sports/eala-wins-wta-star-of-the-swing/2386946?

Philippine school for exorcists draws priests from Asia as cases ‘pile up’
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3361078/philippine-school-exorcists-draws-priests-asia-cases-pile?

Chocolates, rain-catchers, and mushrooms: Mindanao innovations featured in Climate Action Showcase in Makati
https://mindanews.com/business/2026/07/chocolates-rain-catchers-and-mushrooms-mindanao-innovations-featured-in-climate-action-showcase-in-makati/

LIST: International schools offering scholarships to Filipinos
https://philstarlife.com/self/948034-international-schools-offering-scholarships-filipinos?

There's finally an opening date for the long-awaited SF Jollibee
https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/jollibee-sf-opening-22353924.php?

July 15, 2026

Another Way of Life

July 15, 2026/ Staff

Flying in recently from the beautiful chaos of Manila to an America that feels increasingly unpredictable, I found myself reading Rene Astudillo's "What Osaka, Kyoto and Tokyo Taught Me," one of our stories this week. It felt less like a travel story and more like a glimpse into another world.

"Traveling through Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo felt less like sightseeing and more like being gently instructed on how society could work," Rene writes. As he takes in Japan's vibrant colors, remarkable quiet, spotless streets, disciplined routines, and unforgettable food, he arrives at a realization that lingers long after the trip ends: "I realized what stayed with me wasn't just the landmarks. It was the way people behaved when no one was looking. The quiet discipline. The shared responsibility. Japan didn't try to impress me. It simply showed me—calmly, consistently—another way of being." If Japan has been on your travel wish list this summer, Rene's reflections might be the nudge you need.

Meanwhile, in Chicago, Fil-Am chef Mike Morales is putting Southeast Asian cuisine in the spotlight. As culinary director of Sunda New Asian, he draws on his Filipino heritage, his travels, and his formal culinary training to create dishes that celebrate the richness of the region. Founded by fellow Fil-Am entrepreneur and restaurateur Billy Dec, Sunda has grown from its Chicago roots to Nashville, Tampa, and Detroit. Morales proudly serves as the restaurant's punong abala—the head busy bee—a role that perfectly matches his boundless energy and passion. Read more in "Chicago Chef Exalts Southeast Asian Fare."

Back home, British Columbia-based writer Meyen Quigley reflects on the changing face of Iloilo City. Amid the rise of gleaming glass towers and modern developments stands Balay nga Bato, a 161-year-old house of stone and plaster that has quietly endured the passage of time. Today, the beloved landmark is more than a reminder of the past—it has become a culinary destination and a hub for preserving traditional arts, proving that heritage can thrive alongside progress. Read "House of Stone Keeps Past Alive in Modern Iloilo."

And as we do every month, we close by celebrating Filipinos around the world who continue to make us proud. Don't miss "Overseas Filipino Achievers, Part 6," our latest roundup of inspiring diaspora stories, curated by our publisher, Mona Lisa Yuchengco.

[Read It Again]

Bend it Like Paulino . . . and Friends by Myles A. Garcia

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]

The Golden Age of Traditional Filipino Music