Filipino Set to Join Ranks of Youngest Int’l Lawyers

Josef Maynard Borge Erece (Source: Rappler)

Josef Maynard Borge Erece, 27, is bound to join the ranks of the youngest international lawyers today. Born in New Zealand to parents from Baguio City on October 29, 1996, Jozef was admitted to the roll of barristers and solicitors by the Supreme Court of Queensland in September 2015. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Southern Queensland and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Queensland University of Technology earlier that year, at the age of 18 (See Rappler for story).

Four Filipinos and Fil-Ams Nominated for James Beard Awards

(Top left) Erwan Heussaff, (Top Right) Chef Aaron Verzosa (pictured here with wife and Archipelago co-founder Amber Manuguid), (Lower Left) Chef Vince Bugtong, (Lower Right) Chef Margarita Manzke (Source: Spot.ph)

The James Beard Awards 2023 nominee list includes four Filipino and Filipino-American figures with amazing contributions to the food world (See Spot.ph for story). 

US Senators Reintroduce Bill to Reunify Filipino WWII Vets and Families

US lawmakers reintroduced a bipartisan bill to speed up the visa process for children of Filipino World War II veterans. the Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act was reintroduced by Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Representatives Ed Case (D, HI-1) and Jen Kiggans (R, VA-2) to exempt the sons and daughters of Filipino WWII veterans from numerical limitations on immigrant visas (See NextShark.com for story). 

Meet Fil-Am Vice Chair of Harvard Board of Overseers' Executive Committee

Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine (Source: harvard.edu)

Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine ’92, M.P.P. ’96, a nonprofit leader focused on healthcare delivery and biomedical research, will serve as vice chair of the Harvard University Board of Overseers’ executive committee for the 2023-24 academic year (See the Harvard Gazette for story).

UP Law Team Bags Championship in World Moot Court Competition

A team of 7 students from the UP College of Law bagged the championship trophy for the 2022-2023 Price Media Law Moot Court Competition International Rounds. Oxford University hosted the competition regarding media and ICT law. The UP Law team battled with the City University of London for the finals (See Abogado.com.ph for story).

PH's Batanes Beats Famous Asian Destinations for Top Spot

Batanes in the Philippines, a remote and unspoiled paradise located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, has been named the top destination for world travelers by The Travel, beating out famous Asian destinations such as the forests of Indonesia, the beaches of Thailand, and the temples of Bhutan and Japan (See GoodNewsPilipinas.com for story).

Millennial Mom Sells 300-400 Kilos of Books a Day in Cavite Shop

Kath Alonzo

Kath Alonzo, a Caviteña mother of two, runs a 300-square meter book shop in Cavite called Bookchigo, a portmanteau of the word “book” and the Japanese word “chigo” which means “children.” Pre-loved books can go for as low as P100 per kilo by ordering online—Kath and her staff hold live selling twice a day and post available books on Facebook—or by visiting the store located in Lalaan 1 in Silang, Cavite (See ABS-CBN News for story). 

Meet First Ever Fil-Am Member of Chicago's City Council

Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth

Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth made history last April 4 when she won an upset victory as Alderman over her opponent Joe Dunne in the runoff election, making her the first Fil-Am alderwoman to be elected to this city’s council in 185 years (See INQUIRER.net for story).