Walt Disney to Develop Animated Film By Fil-Am Director

Josie Trinidad

Walt Disney Animation Studios on Tuesday, Oct. 1, tapped four new directors, including Filipina American filmmaker Josie Trinidad, to helm upcoming original theatrical features for the studio (See Inquirer.net for story).

Filipino Nurses in NY Win Human Trafficking Lawsuit

A federal judge ruled that the owners of the Sentosa group of nursing homes violated the Trafficking Victims Protection Act by using threats of serious harm against more than 200 nurses from the Philippines. U.S. District Judge Nina Gershon found that the Sentosa nursing homes’ owners, Benjamin Landa and Bent Philipson, are personally liable for violations of the anti-trafficking law (See Inquirer.net for story).

Fil-Am Artist Draws Kids' Book by Bob Marley's Daughter

Artist John Jay Cabuay

When artist and art professor John Jay Cabuay was at his busiest in the final year of his master’s program at New York’s prestigious Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), he received an offer from his agent: “Bob Marley’s daughter, Cedella, is doing a children’s book and is really interested in your illustrations” (See Inquirer.net for story).

Fil-Am Becomes First Female Asian American Judge in Virginia

Maha-Rebekah Abejuela (Source: Inquirer.net)

Maha-Rebekah Abejuela, a former prosecutor, became the first Asian American woman to be a judge in Virginia on Sept. 27. According to the Washington Post, Abejuela is the daughter of Filipino immigrants (See AsamNews.com for story).

Ex-Miss U Gloria Diaz in Queenly Cameo in Netflix’s ‘Insatiable’

Gloria Diaz in Netflix’s “Insatiable” (Source: Netflix)

Filipina Miss Universe winner Gloria Diaz showed the world her queen’s walk in a cameo appearance on “Insatiable,” the hit Netflix series now on its second season (See GoodNewsPilipinas.com for story).

Fil-Am Kid, 6, Now Top US Chess Player at His Age

Scott Matthew Escalera (Source: Wikipedia)

A six-year-old Filipino American chess player is now the highest rated player at his age in the whole country, according to the latest United States Chess Federation (USCF). In the September ratings, U.S.-born whiz kid Scott Matthew Escalera ranked 22 in the under 7 group (See Inquirer.net for story).

Docu on 12-Year-Old Pinoy Volunteer Teacher Wins Cannes Gold

“Dagul” a 12-year old volunteer teacher (Source: GMA News)

The story of 12-year-old volunteer teacher presented in a documentary on GMA Network’s Reel Time, “Batang Maestro (Little Teacher),” won the Gold Dolphin at the 2019 Cannes Corporate Media & TV Awards held on September 26 in France, over entries from 51 countries (See GoodNewsPilipinas.com for story).

US Senate Body OKs Banning Entry of De Lima’s Jailers

Senator Leila De Lima

US Senator Dick Durbin lauded the Senate appropriations committee for passing the amendment he introduced together with Senator Patrick Leahy to prohibit the entry of any Philippine government official involved in the imprisonment of Senator Leila de Lima (See GMA News for story).