The Philippines is aiming for a double triumph on the international pageant stage as Katrina Llegado and Felipe Marasigan officially depart for Poland to represent the country at the Miss and Mister Supranational 2026competitions. Llegado is seeking to bring home the Philippines' second Miss Supranational crown, following Mutya Datul's historic victory in 2013. She is also the final titleholder from the Miss Philippines 2025 batch to compete internationally, marking the culmi

The Philippine pageant scene is in full swing as beauty and personality competitions continue to celebrate Filipino talent, culture, and excellence while selecting the country's next representatives to the international stage. One of the highlights of the season was the Binibining Pilipinas National Costume Competition, where candidates dazzled in elaborate creations inspired by their hometowns, heritage, and Filipino identity. The coveted Best in National Costume award will

“Maybe for someone like Iga who’s won so many slams, or someone like Serena or Venus, this achievement may seem small… but for someone who grew up in the Philippines.” These heartfelt words from Alex Eala resonated deeply not just with Filipinos, but with an entire nation that watched her journey with pride and emotion. It was a moment that brought many to tears, capturing the essence of what her success truly represents. Eala recalled her humble beginnings, saying, “I went t

NEW YORK - Filipino artist Romeo Cortez has achieved another milestone in his distinguished art career after receiving international recognition at the Pastel Society of America (PSA) Annual Juried Exhibition, one of the world's most prestigious exhibitions dedicated to pastel painting. Cortez was among only 125 artists selected from 1,043 entries submitted by painters from the United States and around the world for the exhibition, titled "Enduring Brilliance," held at the Na

Hazleton - Time is slow here in Eagle Rock Resort, and I think I will be here for as long as I can, said our host Ziggy Cancio as he drove us, a bunch of journos, to lunch in downtown Hazleton (a township) in Pennsylvania. On the last day of spring, the wind and sun were soft but the foliage had turned deep green, so it was ready for summer. Eagle Rock, I soon learned, has 80 percent of its properties owned by Filipinos. With the initiative of the nonprofit Prayer4Alex, the r

NEW YORK - On Manhattan's Lower East Side, Kalye is redefining Filipino dining by bringing the bold flavors, vibrant traditions, and communal spirit of Philippine street food to one of the world's most competitive culinary capitals. Named after the Tagalog word for "street," Kalye draws inspiration from the bustling food stalls and neighborhood eateries found across the Philippines. Since opening in 2021, the restaurant has become a destination for diners seeking nostalgia-dr

JERSEY CITY, N.J. - A wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Dr. José Rizal Plaza in Jersey City to commemorate the 165th Birth Anniversary of Philippine national hero Dr. José Rizal. The event was spearheaded by the New Jersey Chapter of the Knights of Rizal and attended by distinguished officers and members from the organization’s Eastern Region, New York, and New Jersey chapters. Among those in attendance were USA Eastern Regional Commander Sir Emmanuel Malasig, MD, KGOR;

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have introduced a resolution recognizing the 120th anniversary of Filipino immigration to Hawaiʻi and honoring the enduring legacy of the pioneering Filipino plantation workers known as the Sakadas. House Resolution 1330, introduced on May 29, 2026, commemorates the arrival of the first 15 Filipino laborers to Hawaiʻi in 1906. Their journey marked the beginning of sustained Filipino immigration to the United States and laid the fou

Dr. Marivir Montebon Photo New York - Chef Anton Dayrit transported us all close to the Philippines, gastronomically that is, with a sumptuous array of Filipino coconut-infused dishes, in celebration of the 128th Philippine Independence Day here in the Big Apple. While anticipating the third game of the New York Knicks (who won by a miraculously perfect one point) that evening on June 10, we enjoyed a fine dining experience with coconut-centered cuisine. It was tendered by

QUEENS, N.Y. - The race for New York's 12th State Senate District is intensifying as Assemblymember Steven Raga and community organizer Aber Kawas showcase competing visions for Queens voters ahead of the June 23 Democratic primary. Raga recently secured endorsements from seven major labor unions, including the New York State AFL-CIO, District Council 37, New York State United Teachers, and the New York State Nurses Association, further strengthening his position as the labor

New York - Celebrating a milestone in the victorious month of May is 2nd Lieutenant Mi-ae Hope Clemente Nkulu who graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY on May 23, 2026. Nkulu is the first female of Filipino-Congolese American to become a West Pointer. This historic achievement serves as an inspiration to her family, her community, and future generations of leaders. She is the youngest of three daughters of Rhia and Noel Nkulu of Arizona. She stan

NEW YORK — Several Filipino military officers and cadets brought pride to the Philippines after earning honors and completing training in prestigious military institutions in the United States. Three Philippine Army officers received top distinctions after completing the Public Affairs Course for International Students 010-2026 conducted by the U.S. Department of Defense at the Defense Information School in Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. The international training program wa

NEW YORK - Thousands of faithful devotees gathered at St. Patrick's Cathedral on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan in prayer and thanksgiving to commemorate the Centennial Anniversary of the Canonical Coronation of Our Lady of the Rosary of Manaoag. The sacred celebration marked 100 years of deep Marian devotion, unwavering faith, and countless testimonies of grace associated with the beloved image of Our Lady of Manaoag, one of the most venerated Marian icons in the Philippines. Dev

The Catholic faithful in the United States and the Philippines are offering prayers and gratitude after Pope Leo XIV officially accepted the retirement of Filipino Auxiliary Bishop Alejandro Aclan of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The announcement was made by the Holy See on May 22, marking the end of Aclan’s active episcopal ministry after decades of dedicated service to the Church. Aclan, one of only six Filipino bishops serving in the United States, submitted his resignat

Damayan Facebook NEW YORK - Filipino migrant workers and community advocates gathered last Saturday for a “Workers Bill of Rights Workshop” organized by Damayan Migrant Workers Association, where participants learned about critical labor protections and shared personal experiences involving workplace rights violations. The workshop focused on government-mandated employee protections, including Protected Time Off and other workplace rights aimed at safeguarding workers from ab

Members of the P-pop girl group BINI were honored at the Senate of the Philippines following their historic performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival held in Indio, California last April. The group personally received Senate Resolution No. 46, formally recognizing their achievement as the first Filipino act to perform at Coachella one of the world’s most prestigious and influential music festivals that features internationally acclaimed artists and draws tho

NEW YORK - The race for an open State Senate seat in Queens is shaping up to be highly competitive, with Assemblymember Steven Raga and Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidate Aber Kawas reporting nearly identical fundraising totals. Both candidates are seeking to succeed Michael Gianaris, the longtime deputy majority leader who is set to retire. Recent campaign finance filings show that Raga and Kawas each raised approximately $39,000 during the latest reporting pe

NEW JERSEY — The Borough of Bergenfield has announced the passing of former Mayor Robert Rivas on April 23, 2026. He was 78. Rivas made history as the first Filipino American to serve as mayor of Bergenfield, holding office from 1999 to 2003. Bergenfield Mayor Arvin Amatorio paid tribute to Rivas, describing him as “a pioneer, a mentor, and a friend to so many.” “Rivas broke barriers and paved the way for future generations, showing what is possible through dedication and ser

A lighthearted remark from a local resident, Noy Dulay, sparked a broader conversation about the growing presence of vloggers in communities today. “Almost everyone in our town is a vlogger now,” he joked. Though said in jest, his comment reflects a reality shaped by rapid digital transformation. With the widespread availability of smartphones and easier access to the internet, more people are now documenting and sharing their daily lives online. Platforms that once catered t

The Association of Fil-Am Teachers of America (AFTA), the oldest Filipino American teachers organization in the United States, has congratulated three Filipino American educators on their promotion to assistant principal positions within the New York City Public Schools system, highlighting their achievements as a milestone for the growing Fil-Am presence in educational leadership. Recognized were Melvin Damaolao and Jal Raval of Bronx International High School, and Marlyn Cl