Fil-Am Mary Magdalene Harrison, '60s Civil Rights Freedom Rider

Mary Magdalene Harrison

Six decades ago, in 1961, systemic segregation darkly dominated the Deep South of America. Philippine-born Mary Magdalene Harrison, adopted by an Asian American family, was a college student in 1961 when she was jailed for being a Civil Rights Movement Freedom Rider (See AsAm News for story).

Fil-Am Labor Hero Larry Itliong Inducted Into California Hall of Fame

Larry Itliong

Filipino American labor hero Larry Itliong was inducted into the California Hall of Fame on Tuesday, Oct. 12, for his leadership in civil rights and labor movements in California and the nation (See Inquirer.net for story).

Filipina Is Oregon's Teacher of the Year

Ethelyn Tumalad

Ethelyn Tumalad, a Philippine-born English and AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) teacher who started at Clackamas High School only four years ago has been named the state’s Teacher of the Year 2022 (See Inquirer.net for story).

Three PH Islands Among Conde Nast Traveler's Top Destinations

Three of the Philippines' most popular beach destinations have been included in Conde Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards this year. Siargao was voted by the travel magazine's readers as the Top Island in Asia with a score of 97.77. Palawan ranked third with 97.54, while Boracay landed on the eighth spot with a score of 93.26 (See ABS-CBN.com for story)..

PH Ice Skater Wins 2021 Finlandia Short Program

Sofia Frank (Source: Philstar.com)

Philippine National team newcomer Sofia Frank already made an indelible mark in the history books of Philippine figure skating, following a historic performance at the 2021 Finlandia Trophy women's short program on Saturday (See Philstar for story).

Nobel for Ressa Seen as Rebuke to Duterte

Maria Ressa

The Nobel Peace Prize for Philippine journalist Maria Ressa was hailed by many at home on Saturday as a rebuke on official attacks on the media, but there was no comment from President Rodrigo Duterte, a frequent critic of Ressa's news site (https://www.reuters.com/world/philippine-journalists-nobel-called-rebuke-duterte-who-remains-silent-2021-10-09/?fbclid=IwAR06Fv06SZA-8lJ_hEy2jA-sV3n8zrQEWR3TMGxmW9wguWI3j61lhnDnaZsSee Reuters for story).

Fil-Am Bretman Rock Is First Openly Gay Man on Cover of Playboy

Bretman Rock

Filipino American social media influencer Bretman Rock is the first openly gay man to grace the digital cover of Playboy Magazine (See Inquirer.net for story).

Openly Queer Pageant Winner to Represent PH at Miss Universe in December

Beatrice Luigi Gomez

Beatrice Luigi Gomez is set to become the first openly queer candidate to represent the Philippines at the 2021 Miss Universe pageant in December. Gomez, who identifies as bisexual, was crowned Miss Universe Philippines 2021 on Thursday, Sept. 30, Rappler reported.