My love for reading and books started when I was young. My parents, especially my father, encouraged my siblings and me to read. It started with Dr. Seuss and then moved to the great classics like Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy, and the Bronte Sisters. At school, we were encouraged to read both Filipino and foreign books. I grew up reading Jose Rizal, Bob Ong, Lualhati Bautista, Amado V. Hernandez, F. Sionil Jose, Nick Joaquin, and so much more.

But after a couple of months, the homesickness finally hit me. There was this nagging feeling and yearning that I couldn鈥檛 shake off. I found myself longing for books by Filipino writers. I began searching for them here in the UK, realising that as a minority in a foreign land, the representation of one鈥檚 culture and identity isn鈥檛 just important 鈥� it鈥檚 essential. I knew that Filipino writers would understand what it feels like to live away from our motherland, to carry that constant pull to return home.听

Here are books by four Filipino writers in the UK that you should definitely check out:

1) War Dove by Troy Cabida

War Dove is a published by Bad Betty Press in 2020. This poetry collection reflects mostly of Cabida鈥檚 journey of coming to terms with one鈥檚 self while also protecting and defending one鈥檚 self from the harshness of society. I felt a particular connection to several poems, especially Phonetic, Bonds, and Calatagan, 2019.

In the poem 鈥淧honetic鈥�, I commend how he has captured one of the traits that Filipinos are known for: resilience. I cannot forget this line when I first read it:

鈥淭agalog is a tactile being,

arms and feet familiar to earth and sun,

to years of toil and exhaustion.鈥�

Reading this line made me realise how we Filipinos work hard; we worked hard to gain our independence from our colonisers as we work hard today to gain freedom from the hardships of life.

The last poem in this collection called 鈥淣ot Dying for London鈥� has also caught my attention, its word play and creativity is just superb:

鈥渄ying                        as in Sunday evenings talking to a bridge/as in rejecting a hug/as in a sleeping drunk/as in your back as a symphony of cracks/as in the path I chose/as in a side effect of truth/as in a side effect of silence/as in not speaking鈥�

Cabida鈥檚 poetry collection is lyrical, well-crafted and resonates deeply into the soul. I highly recommend reading it in one鈥檚 own time as these words need to be savoured slowly with a good cup of tea or coffee.

2) Moments That Made Us by Joan Cruz

A debut poetry collection independently published in November 2020, Moments That Made Us is a true reflection of what nursing is all about. This collection is divided into three parts. 

The first part mainly describes not only the struggles but also the little joys and delights of being a nurse. The very first poem 鈥淟egacy鈥� is an embodiment of Florence Nightingale:

鈥淲e sprung from a woman鈥檚 courage,

a caring heart and a vision so clear

With wise words, she had taught us,

鈥淗ow very little can be done under the spirit of fear.鈥�

So that during times of turmoil,

we can rise to be who we need to be

Unseen heroes that are nurses,

Nightingale鈥檚 living legacy.

The second part consists of poems that tell stories about people and their illnesses (cancer, dementia, stroke); that these people are human beings that are more than their illness or disease. Also included in this part of the book are poems about existing social issues: homelessness, drug misuse, domestic violence and struggles with mental health. 

鈥淭he CAT scanner bared your bones but not your spirit.

Underneath crushed bone, you are not broken where it counts.

And from there, one day, may you find it in you

to sprint without turning back,

To pack your bags together with all the reasons that kept you

from letting go of the man

who鈥檚 greatest kindness in this life

was knocking you out cold.鈥�

As for the third part, all poems echo the experiences of an NHS frontliner during the COVID pandemic. More than the hardships comes the compassion and true essence of Nursing during an unprecedented time. As they face death while they go into their shifts every time, their courage and tenacity didn鈥檛 falter even if it means they would also catch the disease and die alone.

鈥淲hile you were out there clapping,

You thought you saw people bowing their heads.

This is our life, not a curtain call,

They were not bowing, they were dropping dead.鈥�

Truly a gem, this poetry collection is a quintessential homage to all nurses and healthcare professionals all over the world. 

3) Antiemetic For Homesickness by Romalyn Ante

Also a debut poetry collection published by Chatto & Windus in July 2020, Antiemetic For Homesickness is a remarkable literary work as it has been and shortlisted for the Jhalak Prize 2021. 

This book captures the essence of the experiences of OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) and Filipino migrants: the homesickness, longing and struggles of being away from Inang Bayan. Perhaps among all the poems in this book, every OFW could easily relate to the heart-felt poem entitled 鈥�Notes Inside A Balikbayan Box,鈥� below

鈥淒ear son,

In my place, here is a Balikbayan box.

Here are the LeBron James rubber shoes (size 9)

and the video game tapes to replace all the palm cakes

I owe you for every Simbang Gabi and PTA meeting

I could not attend. I promise I鈥檒l be there for Christmas.

I know I鈥檝e been saying this for a decade now.鈥�

Through the whole book, Ante voices out the pain of the parents who leave behind their kids to seek greener pastures elsewhere, and the pain of the children who are left behind.

鈥淏ecause my mother has followed the sunset,

because she has burnt her lips on mash and gravy

in a three-minute lunch break.

Because she calls me Anak 鈥� my child, my baby.

She asks, What do you want for Christmas? for your

产颈谤迟丑诲补测?鈥�

The poem 鈥淗补濒蹿-别尘辫迟测鈥� is an ode to all Filipino nurses working abroad: 

鈥凄谤耻驳:

Migrationazoline (available in full or half-empty bottles)

Side effects:

鈥� drowsiness/vertigo/nausea

鈥� behavioural changes

鈥� weight loss (when you deprive yourself of a steak bake

and ceaselessly convert pounds to peso)

鈥� severe acne (unknown relatives who demand money)

鈥� low mood (on occasions as Noche Buena)

鈥� bloating (as you yearn for the sweetness of lanzones or

see flakes of desiccated coconut in the black November

sky)

鈥� intermittent euphoria (when you hand the bald girl her

crocheted unicorn hat and her mother the discharge

form)

鈥� acute insomnia (when a child on a stretcher is rushed

through the door 鈥� his face blood-soaked, and for a

second you think of the one you left back home)鈥�

Over all, Ante鈥檚 poetry collection explores the complexity of longing for your home country and belonging to a new country where you try to live and survive. All through out, the book is studded with familiar Tagalog words, which for me upon reading these words evoke a true yearning of coming back home. I hold this book close to my heart as I relate to it so much. 

4) The Philosopher Joel by Danny Obillo

A , this book is published by independent publisher A Tree In Bani in 2020. The story starts as a foreigner wanders off in the province and meets Joel, a local, in such an unconventional way. Soon, Joel invites the foreigner to come with him to show him around and partake with the province鈥檚 fiesta as well.

Along the way, the foreigner and Joel develops a unique friendship, with mostly Joel sharing his philosophical insights on almost everything (including multos and his fascination of siopao), which mainly confuses and amazes the foreigner at the same time.

The writing is witty and funny, from Joel鈥檚 Filipino accent, exchanging the Fs and Ps or the Vs and Bs, to finding the characters in embarrassing and unforgettable situations. But don鈥檛 let that fool you, as this book is packed with profound understanding of the history of humankind. 

鈥�He claimed that dead stars cannot die again, not with the porce of a million exferiences nor with the will of the most desperate mind. Whateber it was he looked for was contained somewhere within those worlds and it was his duty to crack open space so he could see its contents.鈥�

This book also showcases how truly Filipinos are hospitable and trusting, taking in a stranger and developing a human connection I鈥檓 sure any foreigner would treasure.

5)  Tall Story by Candy Gourlay

First published in May 2010 by David Fickling Books, Tall Story tells the story between half- siblings Andi and Bernardo who both live worlds apart but yet has so many things in common, especially basketball. Told between alternating viewpoints of Andi and Bernardo, their relationship as brother and sister seem to flourish now that they are closer, only that both characters needed to adjust to changes in their lives as Bernardo comes to the UK to live with his family.

As Bernardo stepped into the UK, he was greeted by the sight of a small, energetic girl beaming up at him. Andi’s eyes widened in astonishment as she beheld her brother’s towering height, standing at an incredible eight feet. He was not just tall; he was a gentle giant. Initially taken aback by Bernardo’s extraordinary height, Andi soon found herself drawn into his “magical” world. Together, they discovered the wonders of a unique sibling bond, overcoming their differences and embracing the joys of being family.

Gourlay鈥檚 incorporation of Philippine mythology into the story in such a unique and creative way makes this book not only a perfect read for children and adults alike, but also a captivating journey through the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines, blending timeless tales with modern storytelling to create an experience that resonates with readers of all ages. 

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By Liezel Longboan and Jacob Delos Santos

Filipinos across the UK have voiced deep concern over the Labour government鈥檚 recently announced plans to tighten immigration rules. In a major policy speech on 12 May, Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed to of Britain鈥檚 borders and reduce net migration, signalling a dramatic shift in the country鈥檚 immigration stance.

Labour鈥檚 newly released , Restoring Control Over the Immigration System, proposes sweeping reforms, chief among them a ban on the recruitment of overseas care workers. The government cites low domestic recruitment, poor sector pay, and worker exploitation as reasons behind the decision.

The news triggered heated discussion among Filipinos on Facebook groups and community forums. In response, 探花视频 hosted an on 15 May to help unpack the white paper鈥檚 implications. The video has been watched by 3,900 viewers.

While the white paper remains under consultation and lacks a full implementation timeline, it lays out a stark shift in the UK鈥檚 immigration approach, prioritising high-skilled, high-wage labour and significantly tightening the eligibility criteria to study, work and settle in the UK.

Impact on Filipino healthcare workers

Filipinos working in health and social care will be among the hardest hit by these reforms, said Crystal Dias, an immigration solicitor and founder of . Currently, 50,180 Filipino nurses and midwives are registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, making them the of international staff after India. Although there are no data available on Filipino carers, it is widely known that .  

With the impending ban on overseas carers, Dias asked, 鈥淲here are they going to get the workforce?鈥� She said the Conservative government has been saying they need to train more people to work in the sector for the last 14 years and asked, “What’s happened to their plan?”

Jay Trondillo, a senior care home regional director and president of (FIC), echoed these concerns. “It will be interesting to see what sort of strategies that the government have in terms of supporting the sector. What investments are there? Are they proposing to increase training for people to come and have a career in care? Will there be funding?…What does that look like and what does the pay look like to encourage people to work in this industry?鈥�

Trondillo said the association is monitoring the developments closely and will issue a formal response once there is more clarity.  Filipinos in Care is a national association of Filipinos working in the adult care sector. 

“A political move”

鈥淚 believe this is not a well thought-out set of policy changes. This is more of a political move,鈥�  said Edgar Jr Baylon, an employment rights advocacy officer at the . He believes that the policy is divisive, with people being labelled as low-skilled or high-skilled. 

Baylon said that the government needs to support vulnerable workers. “Migrant workers experience all forms of abuses and oftentimes because of the lack of safeguards and the support from the government,” he said.

During the briefing, an attendee named Pauline remarked: 鈥淭he government is going after those that are easier to control to show UK voters that they’re doing something about immigration. The real issue in the UK public鈥檚 mind is the boats coming from across the channel, and the government is struggling to control that. What they’re doing with the white paper is a dead cat.鈥�

In public relations (PR), “dead catting” is a aimed to divert people’s attention from an issue by releasing alternative, often amusing, stories to the media.

Analysts say that Labour鈥檚 tough stance on immigration is a response to Reform UK’s success at the recent local elections. But while Labour attempts to court Reform voters, the latest YouGov鈥檚 polls suggest that it’s , who are now switching to the Liberal Democrats and Greens.

Stay informed and engaged  

Despite the more challenging outlook, panellists agreed that the proposed changes are merely plans until approved and ready to be implemented. They urged the audience to stay on top of the news.

Jay Trondillo hopes that things can still change. 鈥淔or example, in 2015, the government exempted the nurses from the 35K ILR (indefinite leave t remain) income threshold after a strong backlash from the NHS and the unions. Also, the care workers were added to the shortage occupation list after lobbying by the care providers during the COVID-19 recovery. 

鈥淎nd just last year, the initial ban on dependents for care workers was softened with an in-country switching exemption. So surely, as a community, we have our say here as a stakeholder, and even media and public opinion have successfully changed this based on precedents. So there’s something that can do.鈥�

What migrants can do now

“You can鈥檛 control policy, but you can control your response,鈥� said Crystal Dias.  She advised the audience to prepare for possible changes and 鈥渇uture-proof鈥� themselves. Here’s her advice: 

• Secure your status early: Renew visas or apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) before new rules take effect.
  
• Upskill: Take UK-accredited qualifications to meet new RQF levels.
  
• Prepare for language tests: new rules may require B1 and B2 English levels for both workers and their dependents.
  
• Rely on trusted sources: Follow the UK Home Office, accredited immigration advisers, trusted news and information sources
• Be engaged. Write to your MPs and give your position on this issue.

鈥淲e need to make our voices heard,鈥� said Edgar Baylon of SEEAC. 鈥淪o if they are saying a lot of things against migration and we remain silent about this and we don’t give our own ideas about this issue, then鈥hey will think that this is actually true.鈥�

About the author

Jacob Delos Santos is a master鈥檚 student at SOAS, University of London. Originally from Marikina City, he now lives in Oxfordshire, working in medical advertising at IPG Health.

Beyond journalism, Jacob enjoys anime, swimming, and cooking vegan Asian dishes. His favorite fruit? Fresh mangoes from his family鈥檚 province in Zambales.

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Filipino-British families in Reading are gearing up to run the 2025 Green Park 3K Mini-Marathon on 1 June 鈥� all to raise 拢3,000 for 探花视频, a nonprofit media platform that works to amplify the voices and stories of Filipinos across the UK.

A portion of the funds will also support , a celebration that brings together families and friends to enjoy Filipino traditional games and food.

BFBA president Clarissa Dyson, said “We are grateful to for part dedicating much needed funds to help celebrate part of our culture that make us all happy, bring unity and team spirit and most especially keep the spirits alive of our tradition and culture.”

You can donate to their .

Families run together for a cause

Three Filipino-British families in Reading will take to the track on race day: Lee Levett and his son, Leo, 7; husband-and-wife team Angelica Delgado-Campo and Ryan Campo, their two daughters, Alexa, 8 and Arya, 6 and; Liezel Longboan, husband Harry Kretchmer and their son, Owen, 8.

These families are not just running 鈥� they are standing up for representation, storytelling, and cultural pride.

Why support 探花视频?

Founded in 2020, 探花视频 is run entirely volunteer-run. It offers media coverage, advertising, media training, and events to strengthen community groups, businesses and individuals.

In 2024, it organised a nursing careers event, bringing together new and experienced nurses to share their experiences on how to navigate and succeed in their profession. It also offered a press release writing workshop to help businesses and community organisations learn to promote their work in their local areas.

探花视频 has trained and mentored at least 25 interns – mostly from ethnic minority backgrounds – who have learned skills in journalism, marketing, web and graphic design. Many of them are second-generation Filipino-British who are keen to keen to explore their heritage and express their views.

It was first news outlet to raise the issue of the lack of robust data about Filipino nurses in the NHS during Covid. It was also the first to cover the inclusion of the Filipino ethnic category in the NHS staff record.

The website offers legal advice and parenting columns that specifically address the concerns of the Filipino community.

Support the voices of a growing community. Donate to their

Updated: 18 May 2025

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Following their successful showcase at聽, writers Dominique La Victoria and Melisa Camba are taking their new musical,聽, to London on Friday, 9 May, 7:30pm, at Upstairs at the Gatehouse theatre as part of the聽聽new musicals showcase.

This Is My Name is inspired by the daring story of Filipino historical figure Maria del Rosario Gil y Montes de Sanchiz, who, in 1869, defied Spanish colonial rule by attending a ball wearing ribbons in her hair, saying “Viva la libertad (Long live freedom)!” The musical features a multilingual book and songs that blend Filipino kundiman and pop with contemporary musical theatre sound.

La Victoria and Camba have recently wrapped up a yearlong mentorship program with Birmingham Hippodrome鈥檚聽, which culminated in a showcase on 6 March that was well-attended, notably by representatives from the聽.听

, Head of New Musicals at Birmingham Hippodrome, says, 鈥淭hey [La Victoria and Camba] are incredibly passionate about their subject matter and are so excited to introduce the story of this Filipino historical character […] whose story has been lost in history. The honouring of that person with their kind of imagined history is really gorgeous and quite exciting.鈥�

An excerpt of the musical will be featured in聽, a showcase featuring snippets of six in-development musicals by some of the West End鈥檚 best emerging writers. Hosted by stand-up comedian Farah Sharp (named 鈥極ne to watch鈥� in the Funny Women Awards and featured on BBC Radio 4) and created by the team behind Olivier-nominated The Choir of Man, expect to see a variety of exciting, diverse new shows at various stages of their development.

Jack Blume, producer of Before It Hits, says 鈥淲ith such a flourishing scene of new Musical writing in the UK, we are thrilled to present a selection of delicious tasters from a variety of new shows by a diverse pool of writers, and to be lifting the veil from the lengthy development process. Wouldn鈥檛 it have been cool to see 15 minutes of Hamilton, before it was Hamilton?鈥�

This Is My Name will be performing on Friday, 9 May at 7:30 pm. Tickets are available at .

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By Julienne Raboca

Ten years after arriving in the UK, Lady San Pedro shares how her upbringing in Manila prepared her to create innovations that resonate across cultural divides in London鈥檚 competitive design industry.

“Growing up in Manila exposed me to a broad spectrum of low-income and high-income communities,” she says. “Exposure to this economic reality helped shape my approach to design by understanding the people I design for, and being attuned to their varied needs, aspirations, lifestyles, and motivations.”

San Pedro is the Director of Innovation for Mrs Wordsmith, an focused on empowering young people with literacy skills. Her work involves developing products, programmes and partnerships that foster meaningful engagement across the UK, US, and beyond, including adapting award-winning illustrated books for non-native English speakers in multiple languages.

Finding freedom in London’s creative scene

When Lady San Pedro relocated to London in 2015, accompanied by her golden retriever and Persian cat after a stint in Barcelona, she entered a competitive design landscape where her Filipino perspective would prove to be both a challenge and one of her greatest assets.

“I had no network when I first moved,” she recalls. “It was jarring to be confronted by the fact that people here were unfamiliar with my provenance and credentials.”

But what might have intimidated others became an unexpected advantage. Free from preconceptions, San Pedro found her work evaluated on its merits rather than connections. “That same thing made it reassuring when people took a genuine interest in my achievements,” she says.

London鈥檚 design industry, she realised, valued holistic creative identities. “I felt that the decision-makers I attracted really paid attention to my portfolio, profile, social presence and blog at the time,” she says.听This perspective led her to refine her work with intentionality, shaping a career marked by increased nuance, strategy and vision.

San Pedro’s career spans global creative agencies including McCann, TBWA and Leo Burnett. These experiences, she says, “developed my acumen for strategy, which is essential for leaders in design and innovation. Any project, product, or programme needs a purpose and a plan!”

London’s dual emphasis on commercial viability and creativity provided a promising canvas. “I like to advocate for work that is both beautiful and meaningful,” San Pedro says. “London is a great city for this. With so many simultaneously cool, mission-driven startups and studios, I feel lucky being in a space that values commercial impact as much as creative achievement.”

Her ability to balance both artistic and strategic objectives has brought her notable success. Her work in children’s literacy, for example, has earned recognition. Her designs for Mrs Wordsmith鈥檚 Word Tag for Schools won Children鈥檚 Home Learning Product of the Year at the Digital Education Awards in 2024 while Storyteller鈥檚 Word a Day received gold at the Parents’ Choice Awards, alongside accolades from the Mom鈥檚 Choice Awards and Tillywig Brain Child Award in 2019.

Beyond these honours, San Pedro contributed to UNICEF’s Design Toolbox for Children’s Well-being in 2024 and has established partnership programs with the NSPCC Children’s Charity to safeguard vulnerable children.

On leadership: Be less cautious, be more candid

Her experiences as a woman in leadership have reinforced the importance of confidence and decisiveness. “Men still dominate leadership because they speak and act faster, with less preparation.”

Her observations have led to personal growth strategies. “I’ve observed women feel the need to perfect their work or their language before proceeding and therein lies a gap to make an impact,” she explains. “I’ve taught myself to be less cautious and more candid in this sense. You move forward faster.”

This recognition has enhanced her efforts to mentor emerging female talent. In 2024, she worked with the Diana Award in 2024, guiding young women into design and leadership roles. “The young women I mentored at an East London high school planned a social action project around the theme of misogyny to highlight the pressing need to support women and girls,” she shares. “Leadership here meant paying attention to give relevant support; paying attention to the facilitators who do this for a living and paying attention to the mentees who struggle to feel seen and understood.”

Cultural fluidity as design advantage

In her work in children’s educational technology, San Pedro emphasises user-centred approaches. “It’s important for design to be influenced by the people it serves,” she says. “In the children’s space, this means gathering insights not just from students but also from their teachers and caregivers through focus groups, pilots, and other research methods.”

This approach has produced tangible improvements. “Insights from these efforts have led us to refine content in apps, the size and weight of books, and graphic elements within interfaces, making them more effective or enjoyable to use.”

Her foundational work in Manila has made her aware that users from different backgrounds have diverse needs. This sensitivity has informed her work across borders. Her first design role in London, focused on sustainability at provenance.org, saw her work featured in Forbes, BBC News, Fast Company and Financial Times. Later, her contributions to children鈥檚 educational technology led her to shape UNICEF鈥檚 framework for Child Rights and Business.

Seeing success beyond titles

San Pedro鈥檚 approach to leadership defies conventional goal-setting. “On standards versus goals, it’s an approach I hold as a personal ethos rather than a checklist to complete,” she explains. “It was never a fixed goal to win any particular design award, or work in children’s literacy, or design for sustainability, or even live in London at all. Setting a standard for beautiful, meaningful work has naturally led me down these paths.”

All said and done, San Pedro鈥檚 most fulfilling project remains deeply personal. “I loved for Italian heritage brand Alberto Guardiani,” she says. The design featured “a slim butterfly wing piece propping up a red, round-toe pump,” with subsequent seasons introducing “sandal and boot versions, in a range of colours and materials.”

Her design was featured in Vogue, Vanity Fair, Elle, and other titles. But the recognition was secondary to the personal significance. 鈥淯nlike everything else I design, I designed it for myself.”

San Pedro’s definition of success has evolved with her career. “I don’t view success as a goalpost but as an orientation,” she reflects. “I follow a lot of industry accounts to stay up to date. I read about innovation in intersecting fields. I attend in-person talks with authors and designers and ask them lots of questions.”

San Pedro discovers niche areas of practice in her quest to feed her curiosity: 鈥淚 take workshops on table setting or calligraphy,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 do all these all on my own because you really cannot wait for your friends or colleagues to be free to go with you!鈥�

Unlike her early career when she “benchmarked success on a title,” San Pedro now finds fulfilment in “the active, lived experience” 鈥� including London’s cultural offerings. “I’m a city girl and love all the cultural and culinary offerings of the city. London feeds my appetite for art, design, film, stage, wining, dining and fitness.”

Looking back, San Pedro admits surprise at her own journey. “My younger self would be surprised I’m even here! It was never a plan to live or work abroad,” she says. “In spite of my strong interest in world cultures, it didn’t occur to me that I would want to experience them through travel or migration.”

For young Filipino women looking to follow her path, San Pedro’s advice is simple: “Find the ideas you want to work on. Work on them and the rest will follow!”

About the author

Julienne Carlos Raboca is a London-based journalist with over a decade of international experience in digital marketing, content management, and communications. After 10 years in Hong Kong, she is now working as a commodities reporter at Fastmarkets, having completed an MA in Journalism, Media and Globalisation as a European Commission scholar at Aarhus University and City, University of London.

Updated: 9 May 2025

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In 2025, audiences across the North are invited to experience AKA Theatre Company鈥檚 exciting new folk musical The Flood.

Based on true accounts of flooding in the Calder Valley, this show invites audiences to celebrate hope, creativity, and the strength of community in the face of disaster.

On Boxing Day 2015, the picturesque town of Hebden Bridge was devastated by the worst floods in a century. Homes and businesses were submerged. Lives were turned upside down. Yet, amidst the chaos, the spirit of the Valley rose. Neighbours joined forces, artists found new inspiration and Hebden Bridge rebuilt itself stronger than ever.

Performed by a cast of five talented actor-musicians, the show blends live traditional music and heartfelt storytelling to celebrate the strength of community.

鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled to launch The Flood at Leeds Playhouse before taking it to audiences in York, Manchester, and other communities,鈥� says director Lucie Raine.

鈥淭his is a story about what it means to come together when everything falls apart. It鈥檚 not just a play 鈥� it鈥檚 a tribute to resilience and creativity, inspired by Hebden Bridge and its people. It鈥檚 a celebration for all communities who have faced adversity and emerged stronger.鈥�

The Flood premieres at Leeds Playhouse (19th April) and will then tour to Chester Storyhouse (24th – 26th), The Atkinson Southport (1st May), Georgian Theatre Royal Richmond (2nd May), 53Two Manchester (7th – 8th May), Friargate Theatre York (9th – 10^th May), Hull Truck Theatre (13th May) and Hebden Bridge Little Theatre (16th – 17th May).

For tickets and more information, visit , or contact the Box Office at 0113 213 7700.

AKA Theatre Company is a company. With the motto 鈥淪eeking freedom through limitations,鈥� their aim is to highlight and cater to original works of upcoming artists and creatives that want to share their stories and ideas in a safe space. Freedom of collaboration and artistic expression.

Leeds Playhouse is one of the UK鈥檚 leading producing theatres, known for its vibrant programme of world-class productions. For over 50 years they have been committed to sharing stories that inspire, challenge, and connect communities across Leeds. They were recently recognised at the UK Theatre Awards where they were named the Most Welcoming Theatre 2022.

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By Jacob Delos Santos

The arrest of former Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday has triggered a wave of online disinformation, with his supporters flooding social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube with unverified claims and falsehoods.

On 11 March, on the strength of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for crimes against humanity he allegedly committed between November 1, 2011 and March 16, 2019.

Human rights groups estimate that up to 30,000 people were killed under Duterte鈥檚 watch, from his tenure as mayor of Davao City to his presidency, where he spearheaded a violent 鈥渨ar on drugs鈥� that drew international condemnation.

Duterte鈥檚 arrest has deeply polarised Filipinos worldwide, leading to street protests both in the Philippines and in The Hague. Online, the divide has played out through a flood of misleading, unverified, and false reports, largely pro-Duterte, according to VERA Files, .

鈥淓very day since Duterte鈥檚 arrest, we have concerning it and the ICC (International Criminal Court). Overwhelmingly, the disinformation is pro-Duterte,鈥� Celine Samson, head of the online verification team at VERA Files, told the Philippines Star.

Here, we break down some of the false, misleading, and unverified claims that have been spreading online.

FALSE: Trump issues statement in support of Duterte after his arrest

Social media posts have circulated a , allegedly covered by Fox News, voicing support for Duterte.

Despite Trump鈥檚 historically warm relationship with Duterte, he has not issued any statement regarding the arrest. Facebook has now flagged these posts as false information, citing third-party fact-checkers.

FALSE: The ICC has no jurisdiction over the Philippines

A widely shared claim by Duterte鈥檚 supporters is that the ICC lacks jurisdiction because the Philippines withdrew from the court in 2019.

However, the committed while the Philippines was a state party to the Rome Statute, the treaty that established the ICC. This means it still has jurisdiction over Duterte鈥檚 alleged crimes, reported to have been committed between 2011 and 2019.

To date, 53 complaints have been filed against Duterte with the ICC, including by Rise Up for Life and Rights, an organisation advocating for families of extrajudicial killing (EJK) victims.

FALSE: Duterte is only accused of 43 extrajudicial killings

Some Duterte supporters have downplayed the number of alleged killings committed during Duterte’s time. They claim that the arrest warrant only , contrary to 6,000 to 30,000 deaths cited by human rights groups.

However, the warrant explicitly states that there are 鈥渞easonable grounds to believe鈥� that widespread attacks against civilians took place over several years, with “thousands of deaths.” The 43 cases referenced in the warrant are merely “a sample” used for legal analysis.

The warrant also uses the phrase 鈥渁t least鈥� to qualify the number of crimes alleged to have been committed against civilians.

FALSE: Duterte 鈥榳ent missing鈥� from ICC detention center

A claim made by former executive secretary Salvador Medialdea suggests that from the Scheveningen detention center on March 13, with some alleging that the ICC had 鈥渒idnapped鈥� him.

However, the ICC immediately refuted this, stating that Duterte was undergoing routine medical checks, a standard practice for all new detainees.

鈥淲hen a suspect arrives in ICC custody, the Court takes measures to protect their health and well-being,鈥� the ICC confirmed in a statement.

Manipulated videos: Protests taken out of context

In an effort to bolster the narrative of global support for Duterte, some social media accounts have shared videos of large crowds from Argentina and Serbia, falsely claiming they were pro-Duterte protests.

The ICC has since released a clarifying Duterte鈥檚 legal situation, rights as a suspect, and next steps in the case.

In order to help distinguish fake news online, VERA Files’ Cecile Samson advises the public to 鈥淐heck, check and check, before you believe anything on the internet.鈥�

She continues, 鈥淐heck your emotions. Does a post make you enraged, sad, incredibly happy? Bad actors use people鈥檚 emotions to make you click on their posts, and more clicks mean more money to them.鈥�

About the author

Jacob Delos Santos is a master鈥檚 student at SOAS, University of London. Originally from Marikina City, he now lives in Oxfordshire, working in medical advertising at IPG Health.

Beyond journalism, Jacob enjoys anime, swimming, and cooking vegan Asian dishes. His favorite fruit? Fresh mangoes from his family鈥檚 province in Zambales.

The post Fact or fiction? Disinformation surges online after Duterte鈥檚 arrest by the ICC appeared first on 探花视频.

It has been an incredible year for Filipinos in Care, the first and only organisation for Filipinos working in the health and care sector in Britain. They are celebrating their first anniversary on 5 April, 10 AM at the Holiday Inn Kensington Hotel W8 5SP.

As they mark their founding anniversary, they invite everyone to join them at this free event in celebrating the resilience, dedication, and success of Filipinos in the social care sector.

This is a FREE event with limited tickets. Register here to attend:

Hear real stories of challenges, triumphs, and the strategies that helped our community thrive. This is more than just an event 鈥� it鈥檚 a moment to connect, inspire, and uplift one another!

Don鈥檛 miss this chance to be part of a meaningful celebration.

The post Filipinos in Care: Celebrating a year of success appeared first on 探花视频.

By Jerome Babate

For John Alex Maramba Melencio, nursing has never just been a profession 鈥� it is a calling, a journey of perseverance and a testament to the power of unwavering commitment. At just 31 years old, he achieved a milestone that many only dream of 鈥� becoming a senior clinical site manager at St. Bartholomew鈥檚 Hospital in London, one of the world鈥檚 most prestigious teaching hospitals.

Reflecting on his journey, he shares, 鈥淚 never imagined rising to this position so soon, especially as a Filipino nurse in the UK. But I鈥檝e always believed that hard work, continuous learning, and faith can open doors.鈥�

A strong foundation in the Philippines

John Alex鈥檚 career began in the Philippines, where he built a solid foundation in patient care. He gained valuable experience at Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital and St. Luke鈥檚 Medical Center 鈥� Quezon City, first as a maternal and child nurse and later as an emergency care nurse. His natural leadership abilities soon led him to managerial roles in the Emergency Department at Marikina Doctors Hospital and Medical Center.

However, he sought greater challenges, and in 2016, he moved to the United Kingdom, starting as a band 5 staff nurse, an entry level role in the health service.

Dedication to learning

Many nurses from the global majority typically take years to reach a band 8 or a senior leadership role. But through sheer determination, John Alex defied expectations, rising through the ranks in just a few years.

鈥淭here were doubts 鈥� people wondered if I was moving too fast,鈥� he admits. 鈥淏ut I knew that if I put in the effort, pursued the right education, and proved my capabilities, I could achieve more.鈥�

John Alex鈥檚 credentials speak volumes about his dedication to lifelong learning. He holds active nursing licenses in the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and the United States. His impressive academic portfolio includes a Postgraduate Diploma in Cardiorespiratory Nursing from Buckinghamshire New University, a Nurse Executive Board Certification from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, and recognition as a Certified Medical-Surgical Nurse by the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses (USA).

In addition, he holds a Master of Arts in Nursing from the University of the Philippines, where he specialised in Maternal and Child Health and graduated magna cum laude from Far Eastern University 鈥� Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation. Currently, he is pursuing two additional master’s degrees 鈥� one in International Health at the University of the Philippines 鈥� Open University, and another in science at Buckinghamshire New University.

Leading a prestigious hospital

As senior clinical site manager, John Alex is the most senior person on duty out of hours, overseeing the entire hospital鈥檚 operations during evenings, nights, and weekends. He manages patient flow, emergency responses, and bed capacity, making critical decisions that affect both clinical and operational aspects of the hospital. Even junior doctors often turn to him for guidance.

鈥淚n the Philippines, doctors traditionally hold the highest ranks, and nurses rarely get decision-making roles at this level,鈥� he notes. 鈥淏ut here, I have the authority to make hospital-wide decisions. This is proof that Filipino nurses can be recognised as leaders in world-class institutions.鈥�

Challenging the status quo

John Alex hopes his success inspires other Filipino nurses to aim for leadership roles. 鈥淲e need to break the mindset that nurses are only meant to follow doctors鈥� orders. We are highly skilled professionals capable of leading, managing, and innovating.鈥�

His leadership is deeply influenced by Dr. Jean Watson鈥檚 Theory of Human Caring, which emphasises holistic, compassionate care. 鈥淭rue nursing is giving oneself wholeheartedly,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not just about treating illness 鈥� it鈥檚 about making sure patients feel cared for in every way.鈥�

A beacon of inspiration

Outside of work, John Alex enjoys traveling, watching movies and anime, reading, and cooking Filipino dishes. He believes a well-rounded life enhances his ability to connect with both patients and colleagues.

One of his guiding principles is simple yet profound:
鈥淟et your faith be bigger than your fear.鈥�

From Band 5 staff nurse to band 8 senior clinical site manager, John Alex鈥檚 rapid rise challenges systemic barriers and sets a new standard for Filipino nurses worldwide. His story is a powerful reminder that with education, perseverance, and a commitment to excellence, Filipino nurses can take on senior leadership roles in globally renowned healthcare institutions.

鈥淚f there鈥檚 one thing I want others to take from my journey, it鈥檚 that we are capable of so much more than we think. Don鈥檛 be afraid to dream big.鈥�

About the author

Jerome Babate, RN, PhD, is the Executive Director of the  based in Sydney, Australia.

The post Dreaming big: A Filipino nurse鈥檚 journey to senior leadership in the UK healthcare system appeared first on 探花视频.

“Thank you for being here, thank you for being part of Britain…This (referring to 10 Downing Street) is my home where I live and work. It is yours as much as everyone else’s.”

These were the words of Prime Minister Keir Starmer at the first Lunar New Year reception he hosted at Downing Street for the East and Southeast Asian community on 10 February. Despite the wet and cold weather, around 100 attendees from diverse sectors 鈥� including the civil service, charity, politics, technology, health, business, and arts and culture 鈥� gathered for the evening reception.

Among them were seven Filipinos led by Lotis Bautista, ward councillor for King鈥檚 Cross and chair of the . They were joined by Myla Arceno, Labour councillor for Stevenage and an NHS physiotherapist, and Zahra Lee Spencer, a hospice manager and committee member of the same Labour group.

Liezel Longboan, founder and director of 探花视频, reflected on the significance of the occasion. 鈥淏eing in that room with others who trace their heritage to East and Southeast Asia reaffirmed our place in Britain’s migration history. The difference today? We are more visible. We are taking up space in all aspects of British life.鈥�

Adrian Rabe, head of the Real World Evidence Centre of Excellence for Boehringer Ingelheim UK and Ireland, noted the Prime Minister鈥檚 recognition of the Asian community’s role in shaping a progressive and diverse Britain. He said Mr Starmer鈥檚 speech aligns “with Labour鈥檚 manifesto on enhanced migration routes that encourage the best and brightest in the world to come to the UK.”

The reception was not just about policy discussions and networking, it was also a celebration of culture. Dumpling鈥檚 Legend provided delicious dim sum, encouraging networking and conversation, while the entertained everyone with their vibrant lion dance. 鈥淚t was a warm, homey celebration,鈥� Mr Rabe remarked. 鈥淚t recalls a time when 10 Downing Street was open to the public, allowing ordinary citizens to feel physically closer to the government.鈥�

For Froi Legaspi, lead organiser at , the event was an opportunity to foster unity among different East and Southeast Asian communities. 鈥淥nly by working across differences can we build a stronger, more united nation鈥攐ne that is ready to take on the challenges of the 21st century together.鈥�

Mark Gadong, a Scrum product manager and founder of the East-Southeast Asian Employee Group at Sky, shared his thoughts on LinkedIn. 鈥淢aking new friends in politics, discussing the immigration process for Filipinos (which me and my wife are both experiencing right now) as well as connecting with peers excelling in representing ESEA culture in their own fields reminded me that there is much more work to do; but we are being seen and it makes the effort worthwhile.鈥�

The event at 10 Downing Street underscored the growing visibility of Filipinos and other East and Southeast Asians in Britain, highlighting their contributions and the importance of continued engagement in the country鈥檚 social and political landscape.

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