Fil-Am cancer survivor to bear Olympic torch

A Filipino-American who survived thyroid cancer will have the honor of bearing the Olympic torch as it journeys in the United Kingdom (UK) for the London Olympics.

According to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) news, Rodolfo Sebastian Carlos was among the people chosen by the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) to be Olympic torchbearers because of their inspiring personal stories story or the impact they made on their communities. On June 30, he is scheduled to pass on the torch in Willenhall. Read more

OFW hero returns from Syria

Filipina Alma Bella Guiao did not just think of her own safety. Faced with the crisis in Syria, she reached out to her fellow Filipinos and helped them in their hour of need.

Guiao was among 10 female overseas Filipino worker (OFWs) who were repatriated this week and was fittingly honored by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in a simple ceremony upon her arrival from Damascus at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Read more

Another Pinay lights up Broadway

Another Filipino-American singer/actress is entertaining audiences in Broadway by appearing in Stephen Schwartz’ musical, Godspell.

Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, who sings the musical’s signature song “Day by Day,” has music in her blood, being the granddaughter of the Queen of Kundiman, Sylvia La Torre. Read more

PPUR makes it more fun in the PH!

More local and foreign tourists are expected to flock to Palawan and explore the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) after it made the official list of the New7Wonders of Nature.

The 8.2-kilometer river was officially declared as a winner by no less than Bernard Weber, New7Wonders founder-president. PPUR is the second to make it to the official list after Jeju Island. Read more

On top of the world

Mountaineer Romi Garduce made history as the first Filipino to reach the seven summits in the seven continents–Pito para sa Pilipino–after he planted the Philippine flag on the peak of Vinson Massif in Antartica on January 5 (January 6, Philippine time).

Accompanied by five other climbers, Garduce was able to complete his journey in six days thanks to favorable conditions, according to a Manila Bulletin report. Read more

New shepherd leads Archdiocese of Manila

BY MARIA DIVINA SOLANO

The Catholic Church in the Philippines rejoiced as a new shepherd, Archbishop Luis Antonio G Tagle, was installed last December 12 to lead the Archdiocese of Manila.

Tagle, 54, a native of Imus, Cavite, was chosen by Pope Benedict XVI to take over as 79-year-old Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales stepped down after eight years of service. Read more

Radio show in Dubai features world-class Pinoys

BY ART LOS BAÑOS

Now on its second year, Filipino Excellence in the Middle East (FEME) radio show continues to highlight the outstanding achievements of Filipinos abroad.

The November 15 episode featured Filipinos excelling on the world stage, including Jonathan Eric Defante, a 22-year old sales associate in Dubai, who was named as one of three Honorary Citizen Ambassadors of the United Nations (UN) in 2011. Read more

Only in the PH: longest croc in the world!

The Philippines, home of the Guinness World Records’ shortest man, 18-year-old Junrey Balawing, is now also known for having the longest saltwater crocodile on the planet, Lolong.

According to GMA News TV, Australian zoologist Dr Adam Britton was tasked by Guinness to make the official measurement and has recorded a length of 20 feet and 1 inch. Thus the Philippine croc has supplanted World Record holder Cassius Clay, an Australian reptile, which only measures more than 17 feet long. Read more

Pinoys in UAE push for entrepreneurship

BY ART LOS BAÑOS

Filipinos in general are not known for being business-minded unlike the minority yet very rich Chinese-Filipinos. In the Middle East, almost all kababayans (ie fellow Filipinos) are salaried professionals, service staff, skilled workers and household service workers (HSWs).

The September 20 episode of Filipino Excellence in the Middle East radio show in Dubai encouraged listeners to have lakas ng loob or take the risk to go into business. Read more

From drilling oil in Libya to selling groceries with DOLE’s help

STORY FROM DOLE WEBSITE

When Freddie M Siruma came home last March from the desert of Tripoli, Libya as one of the thousands of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) repatriated from that civil war-wracked country, he resolved not to go back anymore as an OFW.

Siruma, 42, husband to Arlene and father to Alfred, 20, Sherilyn, 17, and Charmaine, 14, was a mechanic at the Arab Drilling & Workover Company since 1996. Read more

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