Fil-Am Surgeon Lets Patients PayBills With Volunteer Work

Dr. Demetrio Aguila

People Magazine and CBS News are bringing attention to Dr. Demetrio Aguila, a Filipino American surgeon in Nebraska who is letting his patients pay off their medical bills with hours of volunteer work (See Inquirer.net for story).

PH Drops 14 Notches in Global Corruption Index

The Philippines received a lower ranking in a global corruption index, dropping 14 places from its 2018 rank, the Transparency International said (See ABS-CBN News for story). 

54% of Filipino Families Rate Selves as Poor -- Highest in 5 Years

Fifty-four percent of Filipino families considered themselves poor during the last quarter of 2019 – the highest self-rated poverty recorded by the Social Weather Stations in five years (See ABS CBN News for story).

Oxnard, California Has Its First Fil-Am Police Commander

Marc Amon

The city of Oxnard, California now has its first Filipino American police commander, Marc Amon, who has been with the Oxnard Police Department for the past 24 years. He moved up the ranks on Saturday, January 11 and will be in charge of the East District of the city (See Asian Journal for story).

How 'The Filipino Instant Pot Cookbook' Hit the Spot

The Filipino Instant Pot Cookbook is a surprise bestseller that was launched in time for the December 2018 holiday season. Yet, it’s no surprise it would be welcomed by Filipino and non-Filipino Instant Pot enthusiasts at a time when the “Filipino Food Movement” is on its steady rise (See Inquirer.net for story).

Ex-Aide of Imelda Marcos New York's No. 2 Tax Cheat

Vilma Bautista

A former aide of Philippine ex-first lady Imelda Marcos is New York state’s No. 2 most delinquent taxpayer, according to public records ((See Inquirer.net for story).

Fil-Am Is First Woman of Color to Rise to Full Professor at USC

Karen Tongson

Karen Tongson, a Filipina America, became the first woman of color to rise to the rank of full professor in the University of Southern California’s English department. Tongson was with USC’s Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences as an associate professor teaching courses in English, gender studies, and American studies and ethnicity (See Asian Journal for story).

PH Cacao Brand Named Among Top 20 in the World

Jose Saguban

Philippine cacao was judged among the Top 20 Best Cacao Beans in the World, and Jose Saguban, the Auro Chocolate cocoa farmer from Davao who made it happen, was in Paris to receive the award (See Good News Pilipinas for story).