Talented Pinoy

NEW YORK - Fashion designer Bessie Bessana traded the runway for the racecourse, completing the TCS New York City Marathon after a journey marked by injury, exhausting workdays and determination. At 41, Bessana returned to the iconic race he first ran at 25. His self-reported unofficial finish of 5 hours and 56 minutes represented more than a time on the clock—it marked the fulfillment of a dream he once feared was out of reach. “It’s a goal I thought I would never be able to

NEW YORK - Seventy Filipino American educators who have served New York City public schools for more than two decades were honored by the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) in partnership with the Association of Fil-Am Teachers of America (AFTA), led by President Rena Pedaria. The recognition celebrated teachers from the classes of 2003 and 2004 for their dedication, perseverance, and contributions to generations of students. Pedaria said the honorees represent the first bat

NEW YORK, NY – The Filipino American community gathered at the Philippine Center in Manhattan for the 2026 Carboloading Reception, honoring and sending off Filipino runners preparing to participate in the iconic TCS New York City Marathon. The reception brought together Filipino American organizations, running clubs, sponsors, friends, and supporters to celebrate the dedication and perseverance of Filipino runners who will take on the challenging 26.2-mile race across New Yor

NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK - Nassau County marked a historic milestone with the celebration of its first Filipino American Heritage Month at the County Executive Building, recognizing the rich culture, history, and lasting contributions of Filipino Americans to the county and the broader American community. The inaugural celebration brought together government officials, community leaders, Filipino American organizations, and cultural performers in a meaningful tribute to the Fi

WOODSIDE, Queens - Filipino American heritage took the spotlight in Woodside as the community celebrated its first Filipino American History Month (FAHM) Little Manila Parade & Block Party on Sunday, October 18. The occasion brought a celebration of identity and belonging to a neighborhood that generations of Filipino Americans have helped shape. With music, cultural performances, food and community activities on the program, the gathering offered space to celebrate shared ro

PTIC New York Philippine fashion heritage is taking the spotlight at Yale University through HABI: A Philippine Textile Exhibition, a month-long showcase celebrating the color, craftsmanship and cultural stories woven into traditional Filipino fabrics. Presented at Yale’s Luce Hall, the exhibition brings together textiles from communities across the Philippines, offering U.S. audiences a closer look at the artistry behind the country’s centuries-old weaving traditions. Severa

Filipino-American leaders from across Alaska came together in Fairbanks for the state’s first Alaska Filipino Leadership Convening, a milestone gathering that celebrated community, culture and leadership during Filipino American History Month. Held Oct. 2 and 3, the two-day event brought together representatives from nine Filipino organizations across Alaskaunder the theme, “Lifting Filipino Voices: Strengthening Community Connections.” The gathering aimed to build stronger t

NEW YORK - The Philippine Independence Day Council, Inc. (PIDCI) has concluded its election for a new set of officers for 2027, with longtime Filipino-American community leader Mariano “Nonong” Aquino Jr. elected president. Aquino will succeed 2026 PIDCI President Ofelia “Lea” Frain and take the helm of the organization responsible for staging New York City’s annual Philippine Independence Day Parade and related celebrations. Aquino has held several leadership positions in PI

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) and the Association of Fil-Am Teachers of America–Philippines Chapter, Inc. (AFTA-PCI) are looking to expand their partnership to support literacy, teacher development, and educational opportunities for Filipino learners in the Philippines and abroad. During a courtesy visit to the CFO, AFTA-PCI officials shared plans to broaden their teacher-training and student-support programs following the successful 2026 Balik-Turo Caravan held

A total of 868 Filipino nurses preparing to work in the United States participated in a series of special pre-departure seminars organized by the Migrant Workers Office of the Philippine Embassy in 2026. The Migrant Workers Office concluded its Special Pre-Departure Orientation Seminar (SPDOS) series on September 15, with 187 Filipino nurses bound for U.S. healthcare jobs joining the final virtual session of the year. The March 17 seminar drew 418 participants, while 263 nurs

Filipina tennis star Alex Eala quietly returned to the Philippines on the evening of September 13, arriving at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 without the usual fanfare surrounding one of the country’s biggest sports stars. According to Abante News Online, Eala arrived shortly after 9 p.m. after traveling from Japan aboard a Nippon Air flight. She was seen leaving the airport quietly, with no major welcoming ceremony or public announcement of her arrival. Her ho

Filipino-Canadian political representation is taking center stage in several Canadian cities as candidates seek seats on city councils and school boards in the 2026 municipal elections, including races in British Columbia and Ontario. In Surrey, British Columbia, at least three Filipino-Canadian candidates are seeking seats on City Council: Noemi Victorino, Narima Dela Cruz and Dan B. Carlos. All three appear on Surrey’s official list of council candidates for the October 17

Filipino tennis sensation Alex Eala is taking her US Open momentum from the court to the fashion capital of the world, making a high-profile appearance at New York Fashion Week just as international attention surrounding the young star continues to grow. Eala attended the prestigious Tory Burch fashion show, adding a major fashion moment to what has already been a breakthrough period for the rising Filipino athlete. But behind the cameras and fashion headlines was a personal

American rising star Iva Jovic ended Alexandra “Alex” Eala’s US Open campaign after surviving a dramatic three-set battle, 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The highly anticipated third-round showdown lived up to the hype as the two friends traded momentum before Jovic pulled off a late comeback to reach the fourth round. Eala refused to go quietly after dropping the opening set, storming back to take the second, 6-3, and force a deciding set. The Filipi

NEW YORK - The highly anticipated US Open showdown between Filipino tennis star Alexandra “Alex” Eala and American rising star Iva Jovic will be played on the sport’s biggest stage Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday, September 5. The third-round match had been expected to draw another huge crowd following the massive fan support surrounding Eala at Flushing Meadows. Arthur Ashe Stadium, which seats more than 23,000 spectators, is the largest tennis stadium in the world. The move

A growing debate over court assignments at the 2026 US Open has sparked outrage among tennis fans, with questions being raised about whether popularity and commercial appeal are beginning to influence who receives the tournament’s biggest stages. At the center of the controversy is rising Filipina star Alexandra “Alex” Eala, who was scheduled to play on the major stage of Louis Armstrong Stadium, while World No. 2 Elena Rybakina, a Grand Slam champion and one of the leading c

NEW YORK - Filipino American tennis player Andre Ilagan is getting his shot at the US Open after receiving a wild card into the men’s qualifying tournament following the strongest stretch of his professional career. The 25-year-old Honolulu native, whose parents immigrated to Hawaii from the Philippines, will compete at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, Queens, as he attempts to earn a place in the main draw of one of tennis’ four Grand Slam tourna

Catarman Doctors Hospital, Inc. (CDHI) continues to strengthen its role as a trusted private healthcare provider in Northern Samar, delivering accessible medical services while investing in technology, facilities, and professional healthcare personnel to better serve patients and families in Catarman and nearby communities. Located along Diversion Road 2 in Barangay Bangkerohan, Catarman, CDHI is a 41-bed, PhilHealth-accredited Level 1 General Hospital offering a broad range

NEW YORK - The Philippines emerged as the leading Southeast Asian destination for travelers from the United States among countries with available January-to-May 2026 data, as tourism officials push to attract as many as 1.2 million U.S. visitors this year through expanded air connectivity, digital marketing and new tourism products. Maria Corazon Jorda Apo, director of the Philippine Department of Tourism’s New York Office, presented the figures during a Media Hour at the Phi

Rising tennis star Alexandra “Alex” Eala is rapidly proving that she is more than just a promising athlete, she is becoming one of the sport’s most marketable superstars and a true box office draw. With her recent performances, Eala has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to attract fans, fill stadiums, and generate excitement wherever she competes. Watching Alex Eala’s rise in the international tennis scene, it is clear that she embodies what marketers and organizers call

ANYBODY can win the Mubadala DC Open, a tennis tournament, which, in terms of prestige, sits below the four Grand Slam tournaments: Wimbledon, The US Open, The French Open, The Australian Open. But not all tennis players in the world can beat truly four world class Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) behemoths en route to capturing the Mubadala DC Open, recognized as the only combined ATP 500 and WTA 500 joint event globally, held annually at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis C

UAAP basketball player and model Aaron Beau Davis of Albay has been chosen to represent the Philippines at the Mister World 2026 pageant, which will be held later this year. Davis bested 17 other candidates from across the Philippines and Filipino communities abroad during the national competition held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater on August 2. Despite inclement weather, families, friends and pageant enthusiasts flocked to the venue to support the contestants. Sean K

US Open Tennis Championships Photo via Facebook NEW YORK - What initially appeared to be another frustrating weather interruption may have become the turning point Alex Eala needed in the biggest match of her career. Eala struggled to find her best rhythm during the opening stages of the Mubadala DC Open women’s singles final against top-seeded American Jessica Pegula on Sunday. Pegula controlled the important points and captured the first set, 6-4. The match had already star

New York City – The Asia Society theatre was full, and the applause after the film was immense on the East Coast premiere of the movie Sisa, starring the enchanting Hilda Koronel and written and directed by Jun Robles Lana. ‍Sisa, an entry to the 49th Asian American Film Festival, started remarkably well. It’s a period piece set at in the early 1900s, where the waning resistance of Filipinos against the new colonialist America took place. ‍The movie is valuable for bringing