Bright Spots

/

What a difficult and emotionally draining past few days it has been — not only for our homeland, but for the world at large. In moments like these, it's tempting to just tune out, step away from the noise, and simply wait for calmer days ahead. Yet as an information outlet committed to keeping our community informed, we also have the responsibility to stay engaged and aware, even when the headlines are frustrating, unsettling, and exhausting.

Thankfully, amid the uncertainty, there are still bright spots that remind us of the strength and resilience of the Filipino spirit — especially among our kababayans who continue to make their mark in their adopted countries and chosen professions through talent, hard work, and dedication.

This week’s issue celebrates Filipinos who continue to inspire and make us proud:

• “Hard Hats: Filipino Civil Engineers in the Middle East” by Michael G. Lucero shines a spotlight on the Filipino professionals whose expertise and perseverance helped shape many of today’s modern Middle Eastern cities;

• Part 4 of publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco’s continuing series on Overseas Filipino Achievers honors Filipino men, women — and even a child — who have built successful lives overseas while remaining deeply connected to their Filipino roots;

• In Southern California, Anthony Maddela profiles “Santa Monica’s Uncrowned King of Real Estate,” Gary Limjap, whose story reflects both entrepreneurial grit and success in one of America’s most competitive real estate markets;

• Meanwhile in Manila, contributing writer Alma Cruz Miclat introduces us to “Sari Dalena: A Film Guerrera,” an acclaimed filmmaker whose artistic heritage, award-winning body of work, and fearless storytelling continue to elevate Philippine cinema on the global stage.

[Read It Again]

Justin Jones – Black, Filipino, Civil Rights Activist by Leny Mendoza Strobel

Sampling La Vida Local Along the Amazon by Chibu Lagman

La Vida Local on the Amazon, the Sequel by Chibu Lagman

[Video of the Week] Meeting Filipinos in the Arctic

Former Philippine ’drug war’ police chief runs away from government agents to avoid international arrest warrant
https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/13/asia/philippines-dela-rosa-icc-arrest-warrant-intl-hnk

Fil-Am investigative journalist Pablo Torre wins Pulitzer Prize
https://peopleasia.ph/fil-am-investigative-podcaster-pablo-torre-wins-pulitzer-prize/?

For Moros, The Price of Peace is Life
https://www.rappler.com/features/newsbreak/in-depth/moros-price-peace-life/index.html

Hand-carried air fryer and other stories from a Dubai repatriation ballroom
https://www.rappler.com/people/air-fryer-stories-dubai-repatriation/?

Disney cruise workers busted in child porn sting, hauled off ships for deportation
https://www.ktvu.com/news/disney-cruise-workers-busted-child-porn-sting-hauled-off-ships-deportation?

Sharing Culture
https://www.facebook.com/reel/1161894039391470

/ /
, , , , ,

Staff

Festive May

/

For Filipino Americans, the month of May hits different. It's packed with commemorations that impact who we are, what we carry, and how we show up for each other.

It’s AAPI Heritage Month, Older Americans Month, and Mental Health Awareness Month. It’s also Lupus and Arthritis Awareness Month. Then you’ve got days that hit on a deeper level—World Press Freedom Day, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day. Each one connects to our community in real, personal ways.

And back home? May is fiesta season. If you grew up in the Philippines—or grew up hearing the stories—you already know: this is one of the most joyful times of the year. Lots of food, parades, music, reunions. That kind of energy stays with you, even from across the ocean. Honestly, it rivals December.

We’ll be highlighting these moments through the stories we share this month. We might not cover everything, but we’ll do our best to honor what matters—and make it feel real, relevant, and close to home.

Here's our lineup this week:

"Mama's Last Lesson" by Nanette Carreon-Ruhter, a touching remembrance of her mother's indelible presence in her life;

"The Eye Doctor, The Nurse and the Fine Print of Aging" by Alex S. Fabros, Jr., both heartbreaking and funny on what he has lost and what he has found as he lives through the vicissitudes of age and ailment;

"You Can Go Home Again -- the Blairs Did" by Meyen Quigley, giving lie to Thomas Wolfe's famous line about not being able to return to where you came from;

"Southern Encounters: A 'Mindanawan' Identity" by Patricio N. Abinales, an eye-opening account of his revisit to the region of his birth and its current realities."

We've got more in our Read It Again, our Video of the Week, and our In The Know links below, as well as in our Global News Briefs (In Brief — Positively Filipino | Online Magazine for Filipinos in the Diaspora) and Community News sections (Community News — Positively Filipino | Online Magazine for Filipinos in the Diaspora).

[Read It Again]

Mother Tributes: Thanks for the Memories, Mom! By Mona Lisa Yuchengco

A Hundred Mangoes in a Bottle by Elizabeth Ann Quirino

[Video of the Week]

Purple Ube has gone global. What it means for Filipino farmers.

In The Know

BINI receives Billboard Global Force Award: ‘A milestone, a responsibility we carry’

https://www.rappler.com/people/artists/bini-billboard-global-force-award-2026/?

Olivia Rodrigo's 'SNL' hosting debut: A Jake Paul callback, a 'Drivers License' DMV parody and two new songs

https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/article/olivia-rodrigos-snl-hosting-debut-a-jake-paul-callback-a-drivers-license-dmv-parody-and-two-new-songs-150300055.html

Who is Bea Millan-Windorski, Miss Universe Philippines 2026?

https://www.rappler.com/people/profiles/miss-universe-philippines-2026-winner-bea-millan-windorski/?

Women of the tides: Holding the line in Dahican

https://mindanews.com/top-stories/2026/04/women-of-the-tides-holding-the-line-in-dahican/

Hantavirus outbreak on cruise ship with 38 Filipino crew: What we know so far

https://www.rappler.com/philippines/overseas-filipinos/hantavirus-outbreak-mv-hondius-ship-ofw-crew-may-2026/

/ /
, , , , , ,

Staff

Intrepid Nurses

/

Filipino nurses have long been celebrated around the world—not just for their skills, but also for their heart. As Ban Ki-moon once said, “Filipino nurses are known worldwide for their compassion and dedication.” That reputation didn’t happen overnight. It’s been built over generations of care, grit, and quiet sacrifice.

For many in the Filipino diaspora—whether you grew up hearing stories from titas who worked double shifts abroad or saw relatives leave for opportunities overseas—our lead story this week hits close to home. Over the past few decades, thousands of Filipino nurses have pursued careers abroad, drawn by better pay and working conditions. It’s a point of pride, showing how valued they are globally—but it also comes with a cost, as families are separated and the Philippines itself feels their absence.

What’s often overlooked is that this global journey started much earlier than most people think.

Back in 1914, a group of Filipino nurses traveled all the way to France during World War I. These weren’t just any nurses—they were pioneers. Some had trained at the newly established Philippine General Hospital, while others were educated even earlier by French religious orders like the Daughters of Charity and the Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres.

Imagine the leap that took: young Filipina women, traveling halfway across the world, stepping into war zones far from home. They worked in brutal conditions—overcrowded camps, limited supplies, and the constant presence of death. Yet they pressed on, tending to wounded soldiers who saw them as both unfamiliar and lifesaving.

Filipino American historian Alex Fabros captures this history powerfully, sharing a line from one nurse’s diary: “Europe is cold and wounded and it looks to us brown women for warmth.” It’s a striking image—one that still resonates today, especially for diaspora communities who understand what it means to care for others in places far from home.

That’s why this story, “Hands That Healed the World: First Filipina Nurses in Europe,” matters. It’s not just history—it’s a reminder. Of where we’ve been, of the sacrifices made long before us, and of the humanity that continues to define Filipino nurses everywhere.

This Week’s Stories

Hands That Healed the World: First Filipina Nurses in Europe by Alex S. Fabros, Jr.

FilAms Among The Remarkable And Famous, Part 77 by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Federico Dominguez, Painter of Folklore by Rey E. de la Cruz

Tribute to a Master Gardener by Georgina Reyes Encanto

[Partner] Remembrances along the River by Jon Melegrito

[Read It Again]

My Family and the 1939 Filipino Brussels Sprouts Strike by Richard Tenaza

From Spain to Delano—The Radical Roots of Farm Workers Unions by David Bacon

[Video of the Week] The Ultimate Filipino Summer Desserts Guide

/ /
, ,

Staff