PinoyBuilt — Stories of Filipino America

My Ancestry DNA — Journeys by Parent Published on January 9, 2026.  By J.F.R. Perseveranda I recently explored my Ancestry DNA results in the new Journeys by Parent feature — and what a meaningful discovery it was! My two main regions by parent came back as: Bicol — rich in history, culture, and fiery spirit. Central Luzon & North Central Calabarzon — lands of plains, rice fields, and deep Filipino heritage. Seeing these regions connected to my parents on paper — and now in DNA — was emotional and powerful. It reminded me that while we may live across oceans or continents, the roots of who we are run deep in the places and stories that make us. It truly is a small world after all. Let’s All Get Connected If you haven’t yet, I invite you to create a free account at Ancestry.com . Upload your DNA results or *order a DNA kit* — and start building your family tree. Connecting with family, past and present, is one of the most rewarding journeys you can ...

92% Filipino, 8% China & Taiwan: Reading My AncestryDNA Results Through Filipino History When my AncestryDNA results came in, I wasn’t chasing a dramatic revelation or a foreign surprise. I wasn’t hoping for a plot twist that would somehow redefine who I am. What I received instead was something far more meaningful—something that confirmed not just identity, but history . 92% Filipino 48% Northern & Central Philippines 34% Luzon 10% Central & Southern Philippines 8% Eastern & Central China & Taiwan At first glance, these numbers might look like simple data points. But for anyone who understands the Philippines—its geography, its migrations, its fractures and continuities—this breakdown tells a layered story of movement, survival, and rootedness . This post isn’t about DNA as destiny. It’s about DNA as a map —one that makes sense only when read alongside history. Filipino Isn’t One Place—It’s an Archipelago ...

Former president of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos, came into power on the back of a populist campaign that promised to, among other things, make the country great again. He made close ties with the military, declared martial law in 1972, and was accused of countless human rights abuses. Marcos also began to siphon money out of state coffers while enriching his closest friends and allies at the same time. In this first episode of Big Steal, we learn how the former president, became one of the richest, and most corrupt men, in Southeast Asia, until it all came crashing down.

ABC News: A look at how Asia’s strict protocols have helped contain the coronavirus. The USA, Americans, can learn from this.

The Spanish Speaking Asian and the Asian Looking Latino By Tabitha Reyes | contributor "Then why is your last name Reyes?" — Navigating the "othering" of the Fil-Am experience and the complex search for belonging in the California diaspora. "Are you Chinese?" "No, I'm not." "So are you Mexican?" "Nope." "Then why is your last name 'Reyes'?" Throughout my childhood, I've been asked these questions. My basic response was to explain that the Philippines was once colonized by Spain. People would respond with an apologetic "Oh". Since I was small, I've had issues with the way that I racially identified, being that I mainly ethnically identified with my Filipinx heritage. The question of whether the Philippines was located in Asia or the Pacific Islands followed me constantly, but I never even thought about iden...

This was the @mamuinthesea block on @StephenCurry30 that earned him his MVP merch. pic.twitter.com/3c46y93DNW — SLAM PH (@SLAMonlineph) September 6, 2016

MANILA, Philippines: Filipina chef Margarita Fores is Asia's Best Female Chef for 2016, according to Asia's 50 Best Restaurants awards. Margarita is the chef behind renowned local restaurants like Cibo , Grace Park , and Lusso . She prepared the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit welcome dinner for APEC leaders, together with Via Mare founder Glenda Barretto. Asia's 50 Best Restaurants was launched in 2013 and takes in six voting regions: India & Subcontinent; South-East Asia – South; South-East Asia – North; Hong Kong, Taiwan & Macau; mainland China & Korea; Japan. The list is created by the Diners Club® Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, an influential group of over 300 leaders in the restaurant industry across Asia, each selected for their expert opinion of Asia’s restaurant scene. #BreakingNews : @MargaritaFores has just been named Asia’s Best Female Chef! https://t.co/RQe4rLPJ68 pic.twitter.com/HqN3gA00EQ — Asia's 50 Best ...