PH's Catriona Gray Wins Miss Universe Contest

Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray of the Philippines (Source: facebook)

The Philippines' Catriona Gray was named Miss Universe 2018 in a competition held in Bangkok on Monday, besting contestants from 93 other countries and delighting her home nation, reports AP/Yahoo.

Jollibee Takes Full Control of Smashburger

U.S.-based burger chain Smashburger has been fully acquired by Jollibee Foods Corp. following the purchase of its remaining stake in the Filipino-owned fast-food chain for $10 million (P526 million), reports Asian Journal.

California's Fil-Am Chief Justice Quits GOP, Citing Kavanaugh

Judge Tani Cantil-Sakauye

California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye has quietly given up her Republican registration and re-registered as a no-party-preference voter, saying Thursday she had become increasingly uncomfortable with the GOP’s direction nationally and in the state, reports Cal Matters.

Fil-Am Leader-Filvets Advocate Is '18 AARP Hero awardee

Jonathan Melegrito, a longtime activist (and an INQUIRER.net correspondent), was feted last week by the AARP with 2018 Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Hero Award, for his dedication to the efforts of Filipino veterans of WWII to gain U.S. recognition and overdue benefits, reports Inquirer.net.

TIME Names Rappler's Ressa Among Persons of the Year

Maria Ressa

Time Magazine on Tuesday recognized journalists, including Rappler’s Maria Ressa and the slain Saudi columnist Jamal Khashoggi, as its 2018 Person of the Year in what it said was an effort to emphasize the importance of reporters’ work in an increasingly hostile world, reports Inquirer.net.

Fil-Am Singer H.E.R. Gets 5 Grammy Nominations

H.E.R.

Filipino American R&B musician Gabriella Wilson, also known as H.E.R., snagged 5 Grammy nominations — including Best New Artist and Album of the Year, reports Balitang America.

Warner Bros. to Film Arnel Pineda's Journey

Arnel Pineda

Warner Bros is re-teaming with its Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M. Chu to chronicle the journey of Arnel Pineda, a Filipino singer rescued from obscurity by a YouTube video that led him to become the lead singer of the iconic ’80s arena rock band Journey (Deadline.com).

Rappler's Ressa Confirms Arrest Warrant Against Her

Maria Ressa (Source: Twitter)

Rappler chief executive officer and executive editor Maria Ressa confirmed that an arrest warrant had already been issued against her on charges of tax evasion (Inquirer.net).