IKEA Philippines to Hire 500 Workers

IKEA Philippines on Thursday, November 19, said it is looking to hire 496 workers as it prepares to open its online store ahead of its physical store in the 2nd quarter of 2021 (See Rappler for story).

PH Student Wins Int'l Prize for Invention Using Crop Waste

Carvey Ehren Maigue

Carvey Ehren Maigue, 27, got the first-ever sustainability prize given by The James Dyson Award for his invention made of discarded fruits and vegetables that absorbs stray ultraviolet rays from the sun and turns them into renewable energy. Mapua said Maigue's invention won against nearly 1,800 entries from all over the world (See CNN Philippines for story).

Filipina Transgender First to Compete in New Zealand Beauty Pageant

Arielle Keil

Arielle Keil, a 26-year-old creative advertising student and who was crowned Miss Intercontinental New Zealand 2020 in early November is the first transgender woman and first Filipina to represent the country in the beauty pageant (See Yahoo News for story).

'The Crown' Mocks Imelda Marcos

In the fourth season of the The Crown, which is now streaming on Netflix, none other than Imelda Marcos gets a special shout out in a brilliant scene where Princess Margaret, played by the immaculate Helena Bonham Carter, imitates—and lightly mocks—the infamous former first lady (See EsquireMag.PH for story.)

City of Watsonville Apologizes for 1930 Anti-Filipino Race Riots

The City of Watsonville officially apologized to the local Filipino community for the 1930 anti-Filipino race riots, in which a Filipino farm worker was shot dead during several days of violence directed at Filipinos by white males (See Inquirer.net for story).

Fil-Am to Represent Coral Springs at Miss Teen USA Pageant

Matea Smith

Filipino American Matea Smith, “Miss Coral Springs Teen USA,” will represent Coral Springs at the Miss Florida USA®/Miss Florida Teen USA® Competition in April 2021 (See Inquirer.net fr=or story)

NJ Town Honors Ailing, Recently Retired Filipino-Am Cop

Police sargeant Joseph Luistro

Family, friends and colleagues tearfully honored Filipino American police sergeant Joseph Luistro on his retirement, wishing him well after 27 years of service, in which he was credited with helping diversify the township’s police force (See Inquirer.net for story).

Fil-Am+ Is San Diego, California's New Mayor

San Diego Mayor-elect Todd Gloria

Filipino American Todd Gloria, a former member of the California Legislature, was elected Mayor of San Diego, becoming the first openly LGBTQ+ person and first person of color elected to that position in the state’s second-largest city and the US’ eighth-largest. He is also the first Democrat to win the post since 2005 (See Inquirer.net for story).