Filipino caregiver paid off terrorist to save herself and her employer

Nitza Hefetz with Camille Jesalva (Photo by Shalu Shalom, Ynet)

A quick-thinking Filipino caregiver saved her life and that of her 95-year-old employer Nitza Hefetz on October 7  by giving a Hamas terrorist who had broken into their Gaza border home the savings she had prepared for a planned trip to the Philippines two days later. (Story from The Times of Israel)

Fil-Ams Are Popularizing the Barong Tagalog

The barong Tagalog — which translates loosely to “dress of the Philippines” and is often abbreviated to barong — has surged in popularity with Filipinos across the diaspora as a point of national pride and style (See CNN for story).

SF MOMA Opens First Retrospective of Artist Pacita Abad

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) announces the first retrospective of Pacita Abad, on view October 21, 2023–January 28, 2024. Featuring more than 40 major works, including many rarely seen by the public, this exhibition is the most significant U.S. presentation of the artist’s multifaceted and mesmerizing art practice (See SFMOMA for story).

Fourth Filipino Killed in Israel

Another Filipino worker died in Israel, the fourth Filipino identified as killed by Hamas militants in their daring attacks in southern Israel last October 7, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced (See Business Mirror for story).

Removing EDSA Revolt from List of Nat'l Holidays Won't Alter History -- Imee Marcos

Excluding the anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolt from the list of national holidays for 2024 cannot alter the truth about the historic uprising that toppled their late father’s dictatorial regime, Sen. Imee Marcos said on Sunday (See INQUIRER.net for story).

PH Named Asia's Leading Dive Spot for Fifth Time

(Source: Rappler/Gregg Yan)

The Philippines won for the fifth consecutive year as Asia’s Leading Dive Destination at the 2023 World Travel Awards (WTA) Asia and Oceania Gala Ceremony (See Rappler for story).

Bust of Juan Luna Turned Over to PH Nat’l Museum

The bust of Juan Luna (Source: CNN Philippines/Salcedo Auctions)

The MIB Capital Corporation has officially turned over the bronze bust of Filipino artist Juan Luna to the National Museum. The bust by Spanish sculptor Mariano Benlliure was sold by a scrap dealer to sculptor Irineo Cristobal for P5, eventually being owned by artist and antique store owner Elsie “Inday” Cadapan, who sold it to the MIB Capital Corporation in 1979 (See Rappler for story).

Two Filipinos Die in Hamas Attack, One More to Be Verified

At least two Filipinos died in the attacks by Hamas militants on Israel at the weekend, according to Philippine authorities. The victims were a 33-year-old female caregiver named Angeline, from Pangasinan, and a 42-year-old man from Pampanga (See Businessworld.com for story)