VFW Elects Fil-Am to High Command

Duane Sarmiento

Filipino Americans attending the 122nd Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. (VFW) National Convention were all smiles on Aug. 3 because the organization elected Filipino American Duane Sarmiento its new Junior Vice Commander (second in line) (See Inquirer.net for story).

Canada's Liberal Party Taps Another Filipina to Run for Parliament

Rechie Valdez

The Liberal Party of Canada (LPC) on Aug. 15 acclaimed Filipino Canadian entrepreneur Rechie Valdez as it candidate for Mississauga-Streetsville, hours after the snap election was announced (See Inquirer.net for story).

PH Willing to Accept Refugees from Afghanistan

The Philippines will open its doors to Afghans fleeing Taliban rule, said Malacañang on Tuesday, August 17. President Rodrigo Duterte's spokesman, Secretary Harry Roque, said this is in line with the country's long history of taking in asylum seekers, starting from World War I (See Rappler for story).

Personal Remittances Beat Pre-Pandemic Level at $16.6B

Personal remittances from overseas Filipinos (OFs) hit $16.6 billion in the first half of 2021, slightly higher than the 2019 level or before the coronavirus pandemic (See Rappler for story)

Ethnic Group in PH Has Highest Level of Denisovan DNA in the World

A study analyzing the genomes of nearly 120 ethnic groups in the Philippines has identified that one population, the Ayta Magbukon, have the highest level of DNA derived from Denisovans, an extinct human subspecies, recorded to date (See Technology Networks for story).

Filipino Bags Gold in Debate Olympics

Robert “Toby” Leung (Source: ANC)

Robert “Toby” Leung, a Grade 12 student from Philippine Science High School – Baguio Campus, was awarded the ‘gold medal’ at what is considered the Olympics of high school debates (See ABS-CBN for story).

Virginia Road Markers to Honor Filipinos in US Navy Who Settled in the State

Virginia officials want to honor the legacy thousands of U.S. Navy recruits from the Philippines, who have settled in Hampton Roads, with a historical highway marker in Virginia Beach, Virginia (See Inquirer.net for story).

Giants' Icon McCovey's Filipina Wife to Auction Prized Memorabilia

San Francisco Giants baseball memorabilia

Estela Bejar McCovey, widow of San Francisco Giants icon Willie McCovey, is putting up his collection of baseball memorabilia for auction, saying, “It’s time these go to people who will really take care of these things.” (See Inquirer,net for story)