By Liezel Longboan

September is East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) Heritage Month in the UK 鈥� a time to celebrate our heritage, reconnect with our communities, and reflect on how far we鈥檝e come. In recent years, Filipinos and other ESEA communities have become more visible, vocal, and engaged. Yet, there are still those who choose to dismiss or ignore the contributions we continue to make in the UK.

The recent on Apple Moorhouse and her family in Halifax has been a painful reminder of this reality 鈥� but it has also galvanised Filipinos to take a stand. Across social media, I鈥檝e seen kababayans (fellow Filipinos) openly sharing their reflections: whether as newly arrived migrant workers, first-generation parents, or long-time residents, many have been voicing their own experiences and perspectives on sensitive topics such as racism and belonging. Kanlungan Filipino Consortium has issued a in the wake of the incident.

What has been equally striking is the solidarity beyond our own community. Messages of support for Apple and for Filipino healthcare workers have poured in from across the UK. Reform Watch founder 鈥檚 Facebook has already been shared more than 3,000 times, an encouraging sign that many are willing to stand with us. A concerned Halifax local, Mick Coughland, has organised a community picnic on the same park where the attack happened on 14 September. He said that he was shocked at seeing the video and “made me want to do something positive against the anger and racism and provide a platform – however low key to show solidarity with Apple – also to state racism has no place in our communities.”

Even the Daily Mail has given the incident a good .

Reflecting on this year’s theme for the celebration, Reframing Resilience, I can’t help but think of resilience as collective healing and resistance. As we heal from intergenerational trauma brought about by our colonial and migration experience, we are growing in confidence individually and collectively, and in the process, are becoming more capable of resisting anything that diminishes our dignity and that of others. I believe our community has shown resilience in the face of this recent incident:

• Apple鈥檚 decision to speak out: By sharing her experience publicly, she showed courage and confidence. As one British commenter noted, a decade ago she might not have dared say anything 鈥� but today, she chose to speak up and demand accountability.
• Our community鈥檚 growing capacity for dialogue: Filipinos are finding the space to discuss racism 鈥� even when opinions differ 鈥� and that, in itself, is real progress.

Taken together, these shifts signal that Filipinos in the UK are more open to engaging in difficult conversations about race, identity and belonging. The outpouring of kindness and solidarity from outside the Filipino community is another step forward.

But visibility and courage must be matched by action. It鈥檚 time for the government to focus on creating jobs, tackling poverty, and addressing the structural inequalities that allow racism to fester.

Updated on 5 Sept to add the photos of the couple who attacked Ms Moorhouse.

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“Comfort” is a fictional retelling inspired by the multiple harrowing stories of Filipino “comfort women” 鈥� young girls who were captured and forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II. While much of global wartime history focuses on battlefield heroics and political shifts, “Comfort” sheds light on a chapter often left in the shadows: the personal, painful and courageous experiences of women whose stories have been silenced for decades.

Written by Giannine Tan and directed by Elisabeth Tu, “Comfort” is set against the backdrop of one of the darkest periods in Philippine history. The play delves into the lives of young Filipinas caught in the unforgiving tides of war. Through a poignant blend of narrative, memory, and imagination, the production honors the strength, resilience, and humanity of these women. It explores what it means to survive the unimaginable 鈥� and the long journey toward reclaiming one鈥檚 voice.

This educational production goes beyond historical retelling. It is a reflection on the intergenerational impact of trauma, the silences passed down through families and communities, and the importance of breaking those silences to heal and move forward. While the subject matter is sobering, “Comfort” also makes space for tenderness, humor, and hope 鈥� capturing the full complexity of the human spirit in times of crisis.

Audiences are invited to bear witness to a story that is both deeply personal and historically significant. As the characters attempt to speak their truth and reclaim their agency, “Comfort” invites viewers to learn with them, laugh with them and grieve with them. It is a call to remember, a call to reflect and a call to never forget.

At its core, “Comfort” is not just a story about war. It is a story about the greys in war, survival, dignity, and the urgent need to confront the past in order to shape a more just future. In retelling these stories, the production challenges us to confront the horrors of war 鈥� not only in its violence, but in the generations of lives forever altered in its wake.

“Comfort” will be performed as part of the 2025 Camden Fringe Festival from August 19 to 22 at 3:00 PM daily at the Etcetera Theatre, located in Camden Town, London.

Join us in this vital act of remembrance and resistance.

For any enquiries, please contact Giannine Tan through comfort.ww2play@gmail.com

Tickets are sold in 

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By Liezel Longboan

Behind Consul General Rhenita Rodriguez鈥檚 warm smile is a seasoned diplomat with a deep commitment to the welfare of overseas Filipinos. After six years as Deputy Head of Mission at the Philippine Embassy in London, 鈥淐onGen Rhen,鈥� as she is affectionately known, reflects on the connections she鈥檚 forged with the Filipino community and the challenges they continue to face.

No, she won鈥檛 miss the long hours or heavy workload. But she speaks with emotion about the daily rhythms of her work, her colleagues, and 鈥� most of all 鈥� the Filipino community that made her London posting meaningful.

鈥淚 will miss the Filipino community,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 will miss attending Filipino activities and events.鈥� From raising the Philippine flag to celebrate Philippine independence day at Cardiff Castle to joining the feast of the Sto. Ni帽o in Kilburn, she has been a visible and supportive presence at countless events organised by Filipinos across the UK.

From journalism to diplomacy

Originally from Tarlac, Ms. Rodriguez was only 16 when she began studying journalism at the University of the Philippines in Baguio 鈥� a safe and manageable distance from her hometown. Her career path began in the media, first as a local radio anchor, then as a news writer for IBC 13 and followed by a short stint at a trade magazine.

She had been working for several years as an editor at a business process outsourcing company when she learned about the Foreign Service Officer exam, one of the toughest in the Philippine civil service. 鈥淚 wanted to contribute to foreign policy鈥� to see the world and experience other cultures,鈥� she said. She passed on her first attempt 鈥� a feat befitting a Mensa member.

A mission to protect and support overseas Filipinos

Beyond community engagement, Consul General Rodriguez has worked to extend consular services to Filipinos outside London. She credits Ambassador Teodoro Locsin Jr. for spearheading efforts to reach Filipino communities across the UK’s four nations and beyond. In recent months alone, the Embassy has held outreach missions in Cardiff, Plymouth, Cornwall, Chichester, Guernsey, and Inverness.

Ms. Rodriguez emphasises that the entire Embassy team 鈥渨orks as one鈥� in serving the community, even if their roles are distinct. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), through the Migrant Workers Office鈥揙verseas Workers Welfare Administration (MWO鈥揙WWA), assists overseas Filipino workers. Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) consular team supports students, dual citizens, tourists, and permanent residents.

We will continue to support our…kababayans here in the UK should there be any effects from the proposed changes in immigration policy.

She stresses that Filipinos in need can turn to the Embassy for legal aid, financial assistance, temporary shelter, and repatriation support should they wish to go back to the Philippines.

Regarding proposed stricter immigration changes under the UK鈥檚 Labour government, Ms. Rodriguez assures the community: 鈥淲e will continue to support our…kababayans here in the UK should there be any effects from the proposed changes in immigration policy.鈥�

Embassy ties with Filipino nurses

The Embassy maintains strong relationships with Filipino nursing organisations, including the Filipino Nurses Association (FNA), the Philippine Nurses Association鈥揢K (PNA-UK), and the Filipino Senior Nurses Alliance (FSNA). Beyond formal neetings, Ms. Rodriguez connects with Filipino nurses during community events and informal conversations.

She recalls the early days of the pandemic as particularly difficult. Filipino nurses approached the Embassy with urgent concerns, including the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) and being required to work despite being unwell. The Embassy , which coordinated with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). As a result, PPE was swiftly provided 鈥� not just for Filipino nurses but for other NHS staff as well.

She recognised the value of Filipino nurses speaking up and presenting their needs to the Embassy. 鈥淲e really appreciate that they came to us to with their concerns and we immediately raised their concerns with our contacts and counterparts,鈥� she said.

More recently, Filipino nurses have raised issues around the UK鈥檚 English language requirements and the non-recognition of Philippine nursing degrees. Ms. Rodriguez said the Embassy staff are set to meet the nurses to discuss these matters. To be able to practice as a nurse in the UK, overseas nurses must pass an English proficiency exam and a test of competence.

Lost passport? Here鈥檚 what to do

While the Embassy handles policy-level work, it also responds to individual needs. One recurring issue is passport loss, especially among Filipino domestic workers fleeing abusive employers who have confiscated their documents. Survivors of trafficking and modern slavery are often unsure how to report these incidents, especially if the passport was not 鈥渟tolen鈥� in the legal sense.

Ms. Rodriguez advises that affected individuals can report the loss via the UK鈥檚 Report My Loss platform and are encouraged to seek assistance directly from the Embassy.

鈥淚 invite them to come to the Embassy so we can guide them through the process,鈥� she says.

A deeper appreciation for Filipinos in Britain

One moment that continues to resonate with Ms. Rodriguez came during Ambassador Locsin鈥檚 credential presentation to King Charles III in May 2023. The King acknowledged the sacrifices of Filipino health workers during the pandemic:

鈥淲hen there were no vaccines and no medicines,鈥� he told the Ambassador, 鈥淔ilipino nurses had one more medicine 鈥� they removed their gloves and held the hands of the dying so they could go gently into the night.鈥�

While she appreciates such tributes, the Consul General remains grounded in the ongoing challenges Filipino workers face 鈥� from mental health concerns to immigration uncertainty and exploitative labour conditions.

Looking ahead

Ms. Rodriguez will return to the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, where she will work on the Asia and Pacific Affairs portfolio. Filipino groups in the UK have been holding despedida (farewell) gatherings in her honour.

When asked about her legacy, she pauses and says simply:

鈥淚 would say that it is bringing Filipinos together.鈥�

Her warmth, dedication and tireless advocacy for overseas Filipinos will surely be remembered long after she leaves London.

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By Junart Kim Nieva

Today marks the 133rd anniversary of La Liga Filipina, a founded by Jos茅 Rizal, considered as the national hero of the Philippines. Despite Rizal鈥檚 non-violent efforts to unite the country through La Liga, Spanish authorities arrested and exiled him to Dapitan. Four years later, in 1896, Rizal was executed 鈥� his death becoming a catalyst for the Philippine Revolution. As we remember this moment, I am drawn to reflect on Rizal鈥檚 life, especially his time in Britain. This period feels particularly meaningful for me, not just as a Filipino, but as a member of the diaspora living in the same city where he once walked, studied, and dreamed.

A Filipino scholar in London

On May 24, 1888, Rizal first set foot in the United Kingdom, arriving in the port city of Liverpool after a long voyage from New York aboard the SS City of Rome. From Liverpool, he traveled to London, where he spent several months immersed in study and reflection. Rizal stayed with the Beckett family at 37 Chalcot Crescent near Primrose Hill, a quiet street not too far from the famous Regent鈥檚 Park and Camden Market. A in his honour. While this may be just another historical sign for many Londoners, for me, and hopefully for many other Filipinos, it鈥檚 a powerful reminder that despite being thousands of miles away from home, Rizal never stopped working for the betterment of his people.

There鈥檚 also a more personal side to this story. During his stay with the Beckett family, he formed a warm friendship with Gertrude 鈥淕ettie鈥� Beckett. The young Gettie admired Rizal鈥檚 intellect and gentle manner. Our national hero, ever the gentleman, remained kind but distant. His heart, after all, was committed to a greater love 鈥� his country. In many ways, it鈥檚 that quiet sacrifice, that deliberate distance from comfort and romance, that speaks to the core of Rizal鈥檚 nobility.

I have visited this location many times and still remember the feeling of standing outside the very house where Rizal once lived. I could almost picture him at his desk, surrounded by books and papers as he thought of the Philippines. Rizal鈥檚 former address is now privately owned, but it is worth visiting. The closest underground station is Chalk Farm, on the Northern Line. A few blocks away, the quiet beauty of Primrose Hill Park offers a panoramic view of the city. It鈥檚 not hard to imagine Rizal strolling here on weekends, reflecting on his homeland. London, at that time, was teeming with ideas鈥攐f freedom, revolution, science, and literature. Rizal immersed himself in this intellectual atmosphere, which sharpened his voice as both a reformist and a nationalist.

Rewriting Philippine history at the British Museum

During his stay in the British capital, Rizal dedicated himself to research at the British Museum. There, he worked tirelessly to ,鈥� a 17th-century chronicle of early Philippine society. It was there, under the guidance of his friend and mentor Dr. Reinhold Rost, that Rizal found the support he needed to access rare historical documents. Rizal鈥檚 annotations were not simply scholarly notes; they were acts of resistance. He challenged colonial distortions, reclaiming a history that was rich, dignified, and uniquely Filipino. He believed that by understanding our past, we could better shape our future. The fact that his name and London address exist in the museum archives is deeply moving.

A few years ago, during our Knights of Rizal European Regional Assembly, several members, along with family and friends, had the chance to see his actual signature in an old, preserved logbook at the British Library. The Knights of Rizal is which aims to honour and uphold the ideals of Rizal. Seeing the logbook with Rizal’s signature makes his presence in the city feel not just symbolic, but tangible. Even amidst his research and other activities, Rizal continued to write letters and essays.

His 鈥淟etter to the Women of Malolos,鈥� written during his stay in London, remains one of the most powerful statements on gender equality and education in our national literature. He also laid the groundwork for an international association of Filipino scholars 鈥� an ambitious idea far ahead of its time. Although it did not materialise, I am proud that today there are many organisations dedicated to the promotion of Philippine history, culture and arts, as well as fundraising activities for various charitable initiatives.

Rizal鈥檚 enduring inspiration

Today, as a Filipino living in the UK, I see Rizal鈥檚 story as more than a chapter in a textbook. I see it as a living reminder that we Filipinos carry a responsibility, too. His example challenges us to remain engaged, to speak for truth, and to contribute meaningfully to our communities, even when we are far from home. As a member of the prestigious Knights of Rizal, I find deep meaning in the fact that Rizal chose to undertake these activities here in Britain. At the time, London was a global center of free thought and constitutional democracy. Rizal admired the British system for its relative fairness and liberties 鈥� values he hoped to see one day reflected in the governance of our homeland.

As we remember Rizal鈥檚 founding of La Liga Filipina 133 years ago, I invite my fellow Filipinos, especially those living in the UK, to reflect on the life of a man who gave so much without asking for anything in return. Let us not only remember him as a hero of our history but as a fellow traveler who once walked the same roads as we do now, facing loneliness and adversity with courage and grace. Greatness doesn鈥檛 always come from grand gestures; sometimes it comes from a pen, a bench at the library, a rented room in a quiet neighborhood, or a letter written at night for a motherland far away.

Dr. Jose Rizal鈥檚 legacy in Britain is written in the lives of Filipinos who continue to uphold his ideals wherever they may be. May we continue to share his journey, not just as history, but as a living call to be curious, courageous, and committed to something larger than ourselves.

Mabuhay si Dr. Jose Rizal! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!

About the author

Sir Junart Kim S. Nieva, KCR, is an active member of the Knights of Rizal 鈥� London Chapter UK. He is passionate about Philippine history, heritage and preservation, diaspora engagement and promoting the Rizalian values through education and cultural outreach. His interests include travelling, writing, community organising, charitable works and youth empowerment. He regularly participates in Filipino-British civic initiatives and events that strengthen Filipino identity. For inquiries and collaborations, or speaking engagements, he may be contacted at jks.nieva@gmail.com.

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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. 

Here are books by five 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, 美女一级特黄大片 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 美女一级特黄大片, 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 美女一级特黄大片?

Founded in 2020, 美女一级特黄大片 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.

美女一级特黄大片 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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By Renee Karunungan-Edwards

I vividly remember the morning I received my first from Duterte supporters back in 2016. It was a weekend. The day before, I had written a Facebook post criticizing Rodrigo Duterte while waiting for my laundry at the neighbourhood laundromat. The next morning, as I made my usual green tea and oatmeal, I opened Facebook鈥攁nd the floodgates of hell opened with it.

Thousands of messages flooded my inbox, most of whom were Duterte supporters, attacking me in various ways. They ranged from petty insults, calling me fat, ugly, and stupid, to chilling threats against my life and my family. My heart raced as I opened each message, unsure what I needed to do next and if I would take the threats seriously.  I knew many were emboldened by the anonymity of the Internet, hiding behind their screens and believing themselves untouchable. But the truth is, they weren鈥檛. Actions have consequences.

At the time, I lived alone in the Philippines. Alarmed, I informed my colleagues and reported the threats to the police who initially said they could do nothing. So, as a precaution – just in case the threats came to reality – I posted the threats publicly. That decision led Filipino human rights groups and lawyers to reach out, helping me file charges against 22 individuals under the country鈥檚 and the .

That was nine years ago. Since then, subpoenas have been sent, hearings scheduled, and the case drags on. In those years, I moved to the UK, pursued a PhD, and turned my experience into , intolerance, and hate speech on Facebook during the Duterte regime. 

Online hate speech is alive and well in the UK too as shown by the that took place across the country in the summer of 2024. However, justice was swift – within weeks, and convicted for stirring up hatred on social media, with one sentenced to 38 months.   

Social media has become a battlefield for political discourse, a war zone of morality and ideology where only those with the thickest skin can survive. Nowhere is this more evident than on Facebook, the in the Philippines. My research found that pro-Duterte influencers dominated this space, using posts laced with incitements to violence, hate speech, and extreme intolerance. Here, threats to kill are as casually tossed around as memes and stickers.

Facebook is a place where civility, once the foundation of respectful political discourse, has become scarce. By civility, I do not mean the absence of anger or strong language, but rather the presence of respect: a willingness to engage in disagreement without resorting to dehumanisation. On Facebook, that principle has all but vanished.听

Now, with Duterte鈥檚 arrest by the ICC, his supporters are back, spewing hatred not just at those who welcome his detention, but even at families of drug war victims. What lessons have we learned? Apparently none.

Once shocking, 鈥� or attacks and threats against individuals and groups 鈥� has become mundane. Death threats are now just another comment on a thread. This is the legacy of Duterte鈥檚 rhetoric, where glorifying violence was standard practice, extrajudicial killings were normalised and public discourse followed suit. My research confirmed that among pro-Duterte influencers, posts containing hate speech had the highest average engagement. The more violent the message, the more viral it became.

It is disturbing that this comes from a country deeply rooted in religious traditions. How does a supposedly devout nation support a leader who openly admitted to murder? Perhaps the answer lies in a machismo, and blind obedience. In a system that rewards silence and punishes dissent, the strongman thrives 鈥� while those who challenge him are seen as threats, not just to power, but to tradition itself.

Is it still possible to engage in political discourse online without being attacked? Occasionally, I鈥檝e encountered Duterte supporters who debate respectfully. But when emotions run high, civility crumbles. However, incivility starts to happen when things heat up and emotions get high. And it鈥檚 not unusual. Emotions play a huge role in political discourse. We cannot detach our politics from our values 鈥� it is personal. 

Yet incivility, as I explored in my research, is not always bad. It can be productive, even necessary, in democratic spaces. Disruption can highlight inequality and injustice. But intolerance and hate are different. When disagreement turns into dehumanisation, democracy begins to erode. Intolerance silences, isolates, and excludes. Hate incites real-world harm. These are not just online issues; they have real-life consequences. 

Where do we go from here? Clearly, threatening lives cannot become casual, throwaway remarks. I doubt these people would walk up to someone in the street and say the things they say online. But the Internet鈥檚 anonymity strips away accountability, making it both powerful and dangerous.

There are lessons to be learned 鈥� and initiatives, including my own research, that aim to tackle online hate speech. But Facebook has failed miserably at moderating this space. Their interventions, when they do come, are too little, too late. 

Beyond policy changes, what we genuinely need is cultural change. We need to recognise that participating in democracy comes with responsibility. That . That anger can be valid, but it must not turn into hate.

To those who continue to weaponise social media for political gain: What you post has power. And that power can either heal鈥攐r destroy.

In the end, the fight is not just for the truth. It is for our humanity. If we cannot engage politically without tearing each other apart, then we are not just losing arguments 鈥� we are losing democracy itself.

About the author

Dr. Renee Karunungan has a PhD in Political Communication from Loughborough University. She currently works as a communications specialist for charities and think tanks across the UK and EU.

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