Fil-Am Author Wins $25,000 PEN/Bingham Prize

Mia Alvar (Source: Twitter.com)

Filipino American author Mia Alvar, whose first book of short stories In the Country has enjoyed critical and popular acclaim, was named winner of the$25,000 2016 PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize for Debut Fiction. In The Country comprises nine stories on the Filipino diaspora. "It is rare to find a debut of such depth and breadth, work singing with the grace of a thousand doomed lifetimes compressed into stories both luminous and empathic, populated by memorable characters facing such keenly felt challenges," judgesHelon Habila, Elizabeth McCracken, Edie Meidav, and Jess Row wrote in their citation for the award. For more information, visit pen.org.

Imee Marcos, 3 Sons Are on Panama Offshore List

Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos (right) with her sons Michael, Matthew and Borgy Manotoc (Source: newsflash.org)

Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos, daughter of the late dictator, and her three sons—Ferdinand Richard Michael Manotoc, Fernando Martin “Borgy” Manotoc and Matthew Joseph Manotoc—were among those on the list of people linked to offshore financial dealings of the rich and famous, based on documents from a law firm in the tax haven of Panama, reports Inquirer.net.

Two Filipinas Make It to Forbes Power List

Teresita Sy-Coson and Robina Gokongwei-Pe (Source: philstar.com)

Two Chinese-Filipino businesswomen, the SM Group’s Teresita Sy-Coson and Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. (RRHI) president and chief operating officer Robina Gokongwei-Pe, made it to Forbes magazine’s 2016 list of 50 most powerful women in Asia, reports Philstar.com.

Mangyan Boy Makes Toy Vehicles Out of Recycled Materials to Raise Funds for School

Jupel and his creations (Photo by Jeru Cajapin)

Meet Jupel, an 11-year-old boy from the Mangyan tribe who is a student at the Casillon Elementary School in Baco, Oriental Mindoro. Unlike you, he lives in a place with no electricity. He walks "at least 20 minutes" just to reach his school, sometimes barefoot because his family is too poor to afford a pair of slippers. And the rare pair that he manages to put on his feet, very quickly gets worn-out from the sheer distance he treks on a daily basis.

Armed with discarded flip-flops and fantasies of motorized conveyance, Jupel started making toy cars out of rubber and sticks. More in Top Gear PH.

Filipina American Runs For CA State Assembly

Mae Cendaña Torlakson (Source: Inquirer.net)

When Mae Cendaña Torlakson arrived in the United States to be with her family, she left behind a promising life as a recording rock artist in her native Philippines. Now, she’s deep into California politics, and gunning for a seat in the State Assembly.

Last week, the Asian and Pacific Islander Caucus announced its endorsement of Torlakson, describing her as an “impressive candidate” and a “respected community leader” with more than 15 years of experience working on education and environmental issues in the state. More in Inquirer.net.

Read more: http://globalnation.inquirer.net/126853/mae-cendana-torlakson-from-ph-rock-singer-to-calif-politician#ixzz45WXJGxe5 
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Filipina Teen Tapped for Istanbul Humanitarian Summit

Chloe Reynaldo (Source: unaids.ap.org)

Filipina teenager Chloe Reynaldo was chosen as the youngest delegate and speaker during the Women’s Month Summit held in Bangkok on International Women’s Day last month. Now, she is set to represent the world’s youth the first World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul in May, reports Inquirer.net.

Fil-Am Keyboardist Is Guns N' Roses' First Female Bandmate

Melissa Reese (Source:AlternativeNation.net)

Guns N’ Roses had a new live member at their show at the Troubadour in Los Angeles, reports AlternativeNation. Melissa Reese, the band’s first female member, is Filipino American.

Filipina American Killed in Brussels Attacks

Gail Minglana Martinez and husband Air Force Lt. Col. Kato Martinez (Source: facebook.com)

A southeast Texas native and wife of an Air Force officer was one of the people killed in the Brussels attacks, a US congressman said on Wednesday.

Gail Minglana Martinez, 41,was identified as a victim by the office of US Rep.  Blake Farenthold, who said in a statement that he had spoken to Martinez's brother. More in Daily Mail.