Wesley So Keeps US Chess Title

Filipino American Wesley So remained unbeaten in his title run, settling for a draw with fellow super Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura in the final round of the 2020 US Chess Championship (See Inquirer.net for story).

USF Offering 'Filipino for Black Lives Course' for Spring 2021

The University of San Francisco is offering a course called ‘Filipinx for Black Lives.’ This 4-unit Spring 2021 Sociology Special Topics course will examine how pre-migration events and institutions, and US immigration and settlement experiences, have shaped Filipino understandings of race/ racism, Blackness/ anti-Blackness, race politics, and racial solidarity in the US. It will meet MWF 2:15-3:20pm (fully remote), and fulfill elective requirements for SOC, AFAM, APAS, CDS, and YPSP. (CRN: 21614; Instructor: Evelyn Rodriguez)

Pope Names a New Filipino Cardinal

New Filipino Cardinal Jose Advincula, Jr.

 The first cardinal to hail from Capiz province, Archbishop Jose Advincula Jr., thought that the Vatican got the wrong “Jose” when Pope Francis announced on Sunday the appointment of 13 new cardinals of the Catholic Church (See Inquirer.net for story).

Covid Tally for Filipinos Abroad Now 11,203

Filipinos abroad infected with the coronavirus have reached 11,203 on Monday, as officials report four new cases from Asia and Europe (See Philstar for story).. 

PH Envoy to Brazil Yanked After Video Shows Her Abusing Helper

Ambassador Marichu Mauro

The Philippines recalled its ambassador in Brazil, Marichu Mauro, after the release of video clips showing her "berating and mistreating" her household staff (See Philstar for story).

Filipina Named to UN Trustee Board for Victims of Human Trafficking

Susan Ople

Former labor undersecretary and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) advocate Susan “Toots” Ople has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Trust Fund for Victims of Human Trafficking (See Business Mirror for story).

Virgin Coconut Oil Can Help Fight Covid-19—PH Science Secretary

Experiments have shown evidence that virgin coconut oil may help defeat the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), although further investigation is needed before a possible prevention or treatment option can be developed (See Inquirer.net for story).

First All-Female PAL Flight Deck Crew Flies to Riyadh

PAL’s all female crew (Source: Manila Bulletin)

The first all-female flight deck crew to operate a Philippines Airlines (PAL) widebody aircraft has landed in Manila from Riyadh on Thursday (See Manila Bulletin for story).