Olivia Rodrigo Named ‘Billboard Woman of the Year’

Olivia Rodrigo

Filipino American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo was named Billboard’s Woman of the Year for 2022 following her explosive 2021 when she debuted with her record-breaking single “Driver’s License” and released her first album “Sour” (See Manila Standard for story).

Biden Names Fil-Am to Top Small Business Admin Regional Post

President Joe Biden has appointed Filipina American Geri Sanchez Aglipay as Small Business Administration regional administrator for the Great Lakes region. Aglipay, a second-generation American, will oversee SBA programs, offices and operations in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin (See INQUIRER.net for story).

PH Pastor Apollo Quiboloy ‘Wanted’ by FBI for Sex Trafficking

Pastor Apollo Quiboloy is wanted by the FBI on allegations of “conspiracy to engage in sex trafficking by force, fraud and coercion and sex trafficking of children; sex trafficking by force, fraud, and coercion; conspiracy; (and) bulk cash smuggling.” The FBI issued “Wanted” posters for Quiboloy and suspected accomplices Teresita Tolibas Dandan and Helen Panilag (See Manila Standard for story).

Filipinos Win 2 Historic Firsts at Sundance Film Festival

Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan (left), director of ‘The Headhunter’s Daughter,” and Martika Ramirez Escobar, director of “Leonor Will Never Die.”

For her directorial debut, the film-within-a-film “Leonor Will Never Die,” Martika Ramirez Escobar was given the Special Jury Prize for Innovative Spirit at the World Cinema Dramatic section, making her the first Filipino feature film director to win at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival. Meanwhile Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan, earned the country’s first-ever Sundance win for a short film with “The Headhunter’s Daughter” (See INQUIRER.net for story).

Sinigang Named World's Best Soup

Sinigang has been named the Best Soup in the World by Taste Atlas – and rightfully so – during the international food database’s annual 2021 Awards! The Philippine native soup of sour broth, veggies, and meat has been globally recognized yet again for a second consecutive year (See Rappler for story), 

Ivory Aquino Cast as First Trans Character in DC Comics Film 'Batgirl'

Ivory Aquino

Ivory Aquino (“Tales of the City,” “When We Rise”) has been cast in the HBO Max feature film “Batgirl” as Alysia Yeoh, the best friend of the titular superhero, a.k.a. Barbara Gordon (Leslie Grace). Both Aquino and Yeoh are transgender, marking the first time a live-action feature film adaptation of a DC Comics title will feature an openly trans character (See Variety for story)..

PH Women's Football Team Qualifies for FIFA Women's World for First Time

The Philippines’ Women’s Football Team, the “Malditas” (Source: GMA News)

In Pune, India, the Philippine national women's football team booked the country's first appearance in the FIFA Women's World Cup after defeating Chinese Taipei on penalties, 4-3, in the quarterfinals of the 2022 AFC Asian Women's Cup (See GMA News for story).

Butuan Wins $1M in Bloomberg Tilt for Improving Farmers' Lives

Bloomberg Philanthropies chose Butuan City as one of the 15 winning cities of the 2021-2022 Global Mayors Challenge.. The 15 winners were recognized for designing the boldest and most ambitious urban innovations to emerge from the pandemic (See ABS-CBN for story)..