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Historical parallels: insurgencies, political dynasties, and corruption scandals Part 2
By Cesar Polvorosa Jr. Encomienda Legacy Spanish colonialism implanted deeply unequal class structures across both the Philippines and Latin America. Through systems resembling encomiendas or feudal arrangements, land, wealth, and political power became concentrated in the hands of narrow elites. Over generations, this produced entrenched political dynasties, oligarchic control, regional strongmen, and persistent inequality. Political […]
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Finding the Philippines in Mexico Part 1
By Cesar Polvorosa Jr. Standing on the sun-warmed shore of the Yucatán Peninsula during my son’s wedding, watching Caribbean waves roll gently onto the Mexican coast, I was struck by an unexpected sense of familiarity. It felt like the comforting embrace of home. The feeling went beyond the tropical sway of coconut palms and the […]
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Evangeline Paredes at 110: A birthday gift to America
By Bing Branigin and Jon Melegrito Evangeline Abellera Paredes turned 110 years old on July 26. Her exemplary life of service to this country is inspiring and empowering. To honor her birthday is to celebrate a gift to America. Possibly the oldest citizen in the nation’s capital, Vangie – as she is affectionately called by […]
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Marco Rubio steps into the eye of the Philippines-China storm
The FilAm Editorial U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio likely did not expect his first official visit to Asia to coincide with one of the most volatile moments in the Philippines-China maritime dispute. His trip to Manila for the ASEAN Regional Forum Foreign Ministers’ Meeting came as tensions between the two countries escalated over allegations […]
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1st-ever New Jersey Asian American leadership summit kicks off at Princeton
By Ferlie Andong The Asian American Leadership Summit, the first‑ever convening of its kind was held at Princeton University on July 17 – 18, 2026 and was made possible through AAPI NJ and the Asian American Coalition of New Jersey. It brought together leaders from different sectors and offered topics that ranged from education, policy, […]
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‘Manila’s Finest:’ When history speaks the truth
By Cristina DC Pastor “Manila’s Finest” is not merely another police drama. It is a period film that recreates a turbulent chapter in Philippine history through oral research, personal memories, and lived experiences. Set in 1969 Manila, just before the declaration of Martial Law in 1972, the film follows Captain Homer Magtibay, portrayed by Piolo […]
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BEYOND THE VISA Stricter public charge rules effective September; be sure to get your I-485 ready
By Licelle Cobrador On July 20, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) repealed the Biden Administration public charge rule, effective September 18, 2026. This will allow the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) to deny green cards to anyone deemed likely to rely on government assistance, such as SNAP or food stamps, […]
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‘The Odyssey:’ A love story amid political turmoil, greed and corruption
By Wendell Gaa Christopher Nolan, in my opinion, is one of the modern era’s greatest filmmakers, and his newest movie “The Odyssey” is more than a validation of that fact. I had the chance to watch this latest piece by the English director in an IMAX theater here in Ankara, Türkiye, along with a couple […]
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‘Making noise’ in the nation’s capital July 22 to 25
By Jonathan Melegrito Filipino American students and scholars, artists and healers, public officials and community leaders from across the United States are gathering this week in the nation’s capital for the 21st Biennial National Conference of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS). Framed by the theme “PiNoise on the Potomac: Monuments to Change,” the […]