Asianapost

Delta Air Lines announced it will be launching its first-ever nonstop flight service between Los Angeles and the Philippines.
Details: https://ktla.com/news/local-news/delta-first-nonstop-service-la-philippines/

International Profile: The Pageant to Television Transition of AZ Martinez
Filipino media personality Azriel “AZ” Atira Martinez Coloma, widely recognized in the entertainment industry as AZ Martinez, has forged a distinctive career path by transforming her victory in an international pageant held in the United States into a successful mainstream television career.

The US International Breakthrough
Martinez first gained significant international recognition through her participation in the competitive pageant circuit across the United States. She previously earned the title of Miss Elite Philippines under the esteemed Hiyas ng Pilipinas organization, which is known for selecting representatives for international beauty contests. She then traveled to Florida, USA, to compete on behalf of her country.
On September 2, 2023, Martinez was crowned Miss Summit International during the pageant held in Florida. Her victory was notable as it marked a rare consecutive win for the Philippines in this specific global competition. Additionally, she was appointed as a Philippine Youth Ambassadress by the Philippine Youth Organization, further elevating her profile. MissSummitInternational FilipinoActress Kapuso ShowbizPh

Hundreds of Catholic devotees in the Philippine village of Bibiclat wrapped themselves in dried banana leaves and covered their bodies with mud as part of a traditional religious ritual. This spirited display of faith honors St. John the Baptist, the village’s patron saint. The Taong Putik, or Mud People, festival, held annually in this remote area of the Philippines—Asia’s largest Catholic nation—serves as a solemn thanksgiving for miracles attributed to the saint and as a fulfillment of vows made in prayer by local villagers seeking divine guidance and blessings. Participants often spend hours preparing for the event, sometimes fasting or performing other acts of devotion prior to the festival.. credit: apnews photoAPNews photo: Aaron Favila

News Brief: A new community investment is set to break down financial barriers for first-generation students at Florida International University. The Miami-Dade County Asian American Advisory Board recently announced a generous $5,000 scholarship donation, enhanced by a heartfelt $1,500 personal gift from Chairman José Keichi Fuentes, along with support from Becker and Poliakoff, P.A. Thanks to Florida’s state matching initiative, this $6,500 contribution will grow into an impressive $19,500 in scholarship funds ready to transform lives. FIU Foundation CEO Ken Hall and the university community warmly thanked the board for their inspiring commitment to shaping the next generation of academic leaders.

This gift holds particular significance as it symbolizes the collective contributions of current and former AAAB members who supported the Board’s 25th Anniversary and Community Appreciation Gala. Their generosity helps create opportunities for first-generation students, many of whom are the first in their families to pursue a college degree, enabling them to achieve their educational aspirations and positively influence the future of their families and communities.

Press Desk Update: Exclusive Reader Passes for WAT3R Fest

As part of our upcoming news coverage and exclusive artist interviews at WAT3R Fest at the Sunset Cove Amphitheater, our newsroom has been granted a limited number of complimentary passes specifically for our readers.

We are giving these passes directly back to our South Florida community through a randomized selection draw. To enter our reader selection pool, send a direct message to our official account with the keyword “PASS”.

*Note: Selected recipients will be briefly featured on our official media channels live from the festival grounds to celebrate local community representation.