Houston, We Have Another First Fil-Am Texas Pageant Queen

Miss Texas USA R’Bonney Gabriel

One more Filipino American was crowned beauty queen, this time in Houston, and in another Miss Texas pageant. R’Bonney Gabriel, 28, was crowned Miss Texas USA in a Houston ceremony, the first Filipino American to win the title. As Miss Texas USA, she will represent the state in the Miss USA pageant, the winner of which competes in the Miss Universe competition in December (See INQUIRER.net for story)..

Fil-Canadian Olympic Medalist to Swim for PH

Kayla Sanchez (Source: Twitter)

Filipino Canadian Olympic medalist Kayla Sanchez, 21, will be swimming for the Philippines in international competitions. Swimming Canada granted Sanchez her release after the world championship in Budapest, Hungary (See INQUIRER.net for story).

Top Filipina Student in Canada Gets Governor General's Academic Medal

Jonhel Patricia Lim (Source: FB)

Niagara College’s top Filipina student, Jonhel Patricia Lim Ampil, was awarded the Governor General’s Academic Medal, the most prestigious honor a student can receive in recognition of academic excellence in Canada (See GoodNewsPilipinas.com for story).

Filipina Nurse in UK Represents Nat'l Health Service in George Cross Awards

May Parsons (left)

UK-based Filipina nurse May Parsons, who administered the first approved COVID-19 vaccine in the world in December 2020, represented the National Health Service in receiving the George Cross award from the Queen on July 12 (See Rappler for story).

Ex-Domestic Worker Graduates Magna Cum Laude

Grace Labrador Bacus

Former domestic worker Grace Labrador Bacus, 30, inspired many people on social media when she shared the story of how she was able to finish her studies. Grace earned a bachelor's degree in Education, major in English and graduated as magna cum laude from Talisay City College in Cebu (See SmartParenting.com.ph for story)

Fil-Am Designer Collaborates with Shoe Giant Vans

DJ Javier

When Filipino American artist and graphic designer DJ Javier was designing the shoes for his biggest collaboration with shoe manufacturing giant, Vans, all he could think about was to pay tribute to his father, Liberato (See Asian Journal for story)..

Fil-Am Steven Raga Wins Queens, NY Primary for State Assembly

Steven Raga

Community leader Steven Raga won the Democratic primary elections for the New York State Assembly, the closest a Filipino American has ever reached in a race for a State-wide office. If elected, he will be the first FilAm to be elected to the New York State and the first to hold political office in Albany (See Inquirer.net)

First Fil-Am Councilor of Duarte, California Dies at 49

Mayor Pro Tem Tzeitel Paras-Caracci, the first Filipino American to be elected to the Duarte City Council in California, died on June 25th at age 49 following a nearly three-year battle against lung cancer. She served as the City of Duarte’s mayor in 2006, 2011, 2015, and 2019 (See the FilAm.net for story).