Who says you can’t do it all? These Filipinas just did! It might be raining in Manila but around the globe, Pinays are making it shine. From tennis courts in New York to chess boards in Abu Dhabi, triathlon tracks in Latvia, and even the hallowed halls of UCLA, these Pinays are racking up wins, breaking barriers, and proving that Filipino talent has no limits. So if you need a daily dose of sunshine and inspiration to beat the gloom, read on!

Alex Eala bows out after historic US Open run

Alex Eala gave Filipinos something to cheer at the 2025 US Open even though her inspiring journey concluded in a hard-fought second-round clash. After her thrilling first-round victory over Denmark’s Clara Tauson, a former junior world No. 1, 19-year-old Eala became the first Filipina ever to win a main draw match at a Grand Slam. The win also boosted her WTA live rankings from 75th to 66th.

Eala, then, faced Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in Round 2. Bucsa, ranked world No. 95, proved to be the more consistent figure on the court, defeating Eala in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, in just 82 minutes.

Despite the loss, the defeat “carried no sense of failure,” as ESPN puts it. Eala’s historic milestone remains and her performance hinted at even greater things to come.

Eala summed it best on Instagram: “US Open ‘25, what an experience! I’ve never in my life felt so loved on a tennis court, and for that, I thank you all from the bottom of my heart. I wished I could’ve gone deeper this week, but it wasn’t meant to be. I’ll be back stronger, but for now, it’s back to work! Salamat, New York!”

Janelle Mae Frayna makes history with undefeated gold in Abu Dhabi

Woman Grandmaster Janelle Mae Frayna just proved she’s an unstoppable force on the chessboard. The Filipina trailblazer carved her name in history at the 31st Abu Dhabi International Chess Festival after sweeping the Ladies Blitz category with seven wins and two draws.

“This is my first time playing in the Abu Dhabi Chess Festival. Thank you to our Pinoy friends who made us feel at home,” Frayna shared days before her victory. “It’s one tough tournament, but I will surely give my best.” And she did exactly that.

As the Philippines’ first and only Woman Grandmaster, Frayna’s latest feat comes as no surprise to anyone who’s been following her steady rise. Already a three-time and current Philippine Women’s Chess Champion, she continues to raise the bar for Filipina athletes everywhere.

Kira Ellis claims gold at Europe Triathlon Junior Cup

Eighteen-year-old triathlon standout Kira Ellis just showed how Pinays power through comebacks. At the 2025 Europe Triathlon Junior Cup in Riga, Latvia, she struck gold in the Junior Women’s division with an undefeated finish of 1:05:07, topping Belgium’s Luca Vanderbruggen (1:05:17) and Germany’s Sarah Walter (1:05:22).

Her breakdown of the sprint event is impressive: 12:09 swim, 34:27 bike, and 17:41 run. It’s no wonder Ellis has been drawing attention for her potential on the international stage, including being considered a strong contender for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“Honestly, I was just happy to be back on the start line after not racing for a while. This year has been quite tough for me.. But to me, just getting on to a start line again was all I’ve wished for,” she wrote on Instagram.

“This race will always be a special memory for me. Riga, you truly have my heart, what a race,” she added.

Fil-Am filmmaker Celine Shimizu takes the helm at UCLA film school

Filipinas excel not only in sports but also in academics. Fil-Am filmmaker and scholar Celine Parreñas Shimizu’s impressive resume is proof. Shimizu has just stepped into one of the most influential creative posts in the U.S. as Dean of UCLA’s School of Theater, Film and Television. Appointed in July, she now leads the very school where she earned her degree before going on to earn a Ph.D. from Stanford.

Her career is nothing short of cinematic: Shimizu has authored groundbreaking books on race, sexuality, and storytelling, and has held leadership posts as Arts Dean at UC Santa Cruz, Director of the School of Cinema at San Francisco State, and Professor of Asian American, Feminist, and Film and Media Studies at UC Santa Barbara.

Shimizu’s impressive resume is a moment of pride for Filipinos everywhere. It’s proof that world-class talent and leadership have no borders, and it reminds the rest of us, especially women, to dream bigger.

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