FilAms Among The Remarkable And Famous, Part 76

Filipinos have been in the United States since the 16th century, yet many of their stories remain untold. For the past years, Positively Filipino has been running a series on notable Filipino Americans who have made their marks in this country. There are hundreds, or maybe even thousands more, that need to be added to this story, and we need your help. If you know of a Filipino American who deserves to be included in this line-up, please send us their names and any supporting documents you may have to pfpublisher@yahoo.com. For now, we are including only those who are currently active and visible in the media and the community, regardless of their religious, sexual or political orientation. Thank you.

Isabella “Isa” Camille Briones, Actor

Isabella “Isa” Camille Briones (Photo by Gage Skidmore/Creative Commons)

Briones is best known as Dr. Trinity Santos in the medical drama, The Pitt, but she has also worked extensively in theater, becoming the youngest performer in the first touring company of Hamilton at age 19 and later making her Broadway debut as Eurydice in Hadestown. Starting on April 1, Briones will assume the role of Connie Francis from Sarah Hyland in Just in Time, the musical about Bobby Darin on Broadway.

Briones was born in London, England to Jon Jon Briones and Megan Briones. Her family members are all musical theater actors. She is Filipino on her father's side and Swedish and Irish on her mother's. Her parents met in Stuttgart while auditioning for Miss Saigon. She was ten months old when her family moved from London to New York City, where she began work as a model at age three. In 2006, when Briones was seven, her family moved to Los Angeles. She learned acting and singing at home from her parents. She majored in theatre and musical theatre at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.

For her role in The Pitt, she cited the importance of the series' work in representing Filipino contributions to the American health care system, saying it had "never really been addressed before in this way. We haven't seen a lot of Filipino actors in medical shows before, and now we finally have that chance." As part of the series’ primary cast, Briones received the award for Ensemble in a Drama Series at the 32nd Actor Awards (formerly SAG).

Aaron-Matthew Lariosa, Journalist

Aaron-Mathew Lariosa (Source: LinkedIn)

Lariosa is a freelance defense journalist based in Washington, D.C. covering the South China Sea, U.S. military efforts in the Indo-Pacific and Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization with USNI News and Naval News. He is a graduate of American University with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and Affairs. In 2025, Lariosa spent three days aboard the Philippine Coast Guard cutter during an escort mission to Thitu Island in the South China Sea.  

Marlena A. DeCelle, Brigadier General

Brig. Gen. Marlena A. DeCelle (Source: National Guard)

On January 26, 2023, in Sacramento, California, then-Colonel DeCelle received her one-star rank during a promotion ceremony led by Maj. Gen. Matthew P. Beevers, becoming the first Filipino American general officer in the California National Guard. “I am the 5th generation to serve in the U.S. Army, dating back to the Spanish-American War,” DeCelle shared in a National Guard News interview. Her father, Michael, is a Navy veteran, and her brothers, Matthew and Michael, both serve as lieutenant colonels in the Army. Her path includes ROTC at the University of California-Davis and multiple leadership roles in the California Army National Guard. She currently serves as the Director of the Joint Staff for California National Guard. From 2023 to 2025, she held the position of Deputy Commanding General – Support for the 40th Infantry Division and served as the Joint Force Land Component Commander for the California Army National Guard.

Her civilian and military education includes a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College; a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Murray State University, KY; and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Sociology-Law & Society from the University of California, Davis. She also completed numerous military courses, including the Command and General Staff College, Adjutant General Corps Captain Career Course, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Course, and the Homeland Response Force Course. DeCelle’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal (with six Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Achievement Medal, the National Guard Basic Recruiting Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Parachutist Badge.

Jose Ralph Fernandez, Drone Videographer

Jose Ralph Fernandez (Source: Facebook)

Born and raised in Butuan, Fernandez initially studied nursing before discovering a deep passion for photography inspired by his father who had pursued it as a hobby in his younger years, he says. “While I was still studying nursing, I often found myself setting aside my anatomy books, completely absorbed in learning the craft of photography day and night.” He later expanded into videography, working on weddings and corporate productions and building his reputation in the Philippines. In 2016, he moved to Dubai after his wife accepted a nursing role there. “The prospect of moving to such an ultra-modern city was exciting, and the new environment provided invaluable experiences and growth,” he says. After completing a trial project, he became the first Filipino drone pilot and camera operator for Choppershoot, the UAE’s largest aerial filming company. In 2022, Ralph moved to the United States. “Moving to the US was inevitable for us; it was our long-term plan,” he says. “My wife has been my greatest supporter; she always motivates me to take the next step. Dubai honed us in every way. If we had gone straight to the US, I would not have made it this far.” He has since worked on productions including The Electric State and Peacemaker. “It was an exhilarating experience fulfilling a lifelong dream of working in Hollywood,” he says. “In reflecting on my life and accomplishments, my family stands as the achievement I cherish most,” he says. “I want them to know that with dedication and belief in themselves, their dreams are within reach and their goals attainable.”

Leah Milne, Associate Professor

Leah Milne (Source: leahmilne.com)

Milne is an Associate Professor of English teaching multicultural American and postcolonial literature at the  University of Indianapolis. Her work focuses on contemporary ethnic American literature, especially African American and Asian American, as well as postcolonial literature and theory and women and gender studies. Her book, Novel Subjects: Authorship as Radical Self-Care in Multiethnic American Narratives (University of Iowa Press), won the 2021 Midwest Modern Language Association Book Award. Novel Subjects examines self-care, ethnic identity and acts of authorship in multicultural American novels written by authors such as Toni Morrison, Gina Apostol, Carmen Maria Machado, Percival Everett, and Ruth Ozeki. She argues that they mobilize self-conscious fiction (or metafiction) to provide an alternative foundation for self-care.

Her co-authored second book, The Honeyfish Collective Presents Fieldnotes on Contemporary Black Poetry, is forthcoming from Duke University Press. She has also written op-ed articles for publications such as Newsweek, Ms. Magazine and The Hill. She received her doctorate in American literature from the University of North Carolina in Greensboro. 

Arbaina Kawilan, Speaker

Arbaina Kawilan (Source: Facebook)

Kawilan is a TEDx-speaker and the host of the Resilience Code. Her talk, “Safety Is an Inside Job,” introduces Emotional Alchemy, a framework built from her lived experience as a Philippine-born immigrant who rebuilt her life after domestic violence and systemic failure. Her talk brings attention to the barriers immigrant women face when leaving abusive relationships–how immigration status, financial risk and cultural pressure shape decisions that many people outside these systems never see. “I learned that safety is not something you wait for. It is something you build from within,” Kawilan says. “Emotional Alchemy came from the moments when I had to choose action in the middle of fear.” She speaks about learning immigration law, seeking protection through the Violence Against Women Act, and rebuilding stability after her case was dismissed. Her message focuses on resilience and the daily steps survivors use to move forward. She invites viewers to practice Emotional Alchemy through three steps: acknowledgement, transmutation and steady commitment to small wins. Born in Cotabato City, Philippines Kawilan now lives in Austin, Texas.

Maybelle Francisco, Immigration Lawyer

Maybelle Francisco (Source: maybellefranciscolaw.com)

Born in the Philippines and educated at the University of the Philippines, Francisco came to the United States with the same hopes and uncertainties that define the Filipino diaspora experience. She went to law school, built a career at the highest levels of corporate immigration — advising Fortune 500 companies and multinational organizations — and then walked away from that world to open a solo practice in New Jersey, serving the community she came from. She remembered what it felt like to not know if you had the right information, the right advocate, or the right support, and decided to be that for others. Her practice is built around personal attention, bilingual service in English and Tagalog, and a genuine belief that immigration is not just a legal process — it's a life chapter. Every petition she files carries someone's family, future, and identity in it.

Francisco obtained her Juris Doctor from Mitchell Hamline School of Law. She served as Vice President for Asian Pacific American Law Students Association.

Jonathan Quan, Judge

Judge Jonathan Quan (Source: Judiciary of Guam/Facebook)

Appointed in 2018, Quan is a Magistrate Judge for the Superior Court of Guam. He handles various criminal and civil matters, including pretrial release hearings and, recently, sanctioning a company for litigation misconduct. He has a background in private practice, as an Assistant Attorney General and in the Guam Army National Guard. He earned a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania (1993) and a J.D. from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles (1996). Quan was also a Major in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Army National Guard. Born in the Philippines and raised in Guam, he was a valedictorian at Father Duenas Memorial High School. 

Jesse Cruz, Chef and Author

Chef Jesse Cruz (Source: Instagram)

Cruz is an award-winning chef, author, entrepreneur, and philanthropist whose work exemplifies excellence, cultural representation and community leadership. As a proud Filipino American, Cruz has elevated the culinary landscape of Silicon Valley while honoring the values of discipline, hospitality, resilience and family that are deeply rooted in Filipino culture. As chef and co-owner of Kumako Ramen Den, he has helped lead the restaurant to multiple recognitions, including Best Japanese Restaurant, Best Restaurant and Best Ramen in Silicon Valley. Cruz himself has been voted Best Chef in Silicon Valley — a testament to both his craft and leadership.

Beyond the kitchen, Cruz is a two-time published author. His cookbook Washoku became an Amazon bestseller in the international cookbook category, bringing refined Japanese culinary traditions into homes around the world. His second cookbook, Kumako Den, further reflects his culinary philosophy, creativity, and dedication to excellence. Through his books, Jesse not only shares recipes, but also preserves culture, technique and discipline, inspiring aspiring chefs and entrepreneurs, especially within the Filipino American community.

Cruz’s impact extends beyond business success. As Founder and Vice President of the Jesse Cruz & Samuel Moran Foundation, he is committed to supporting students and expanding educational opportunities. He understands that true success is measured by how many lives one uplifts along the way. In an industry where leadership diversity matters, he stands as a visible example of Filipino excellence — breaking barriers, mentoring the next generation, and proving that cultural pride and global achievement can coexist.

Pamela Price, Runner and Media Executive

Pamela Price

A former competitive dancer and instructor for over 20 years, Price’s athletic path led her to trail running, obstacles and ultra-endurance challenges. She is a first-place finisher and OCR Champion, and has competed on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior and TBS’ Wipeout. Living with Behçet’s Disease, a rare autoimmune condition, Price runs and reports while actively advocating for the rare disease community. She is a board member and ambassador for the American Behçet’s Disease Association and the founder of @WeCareWhen, a global care-package and resource initiative supporting rare disease warriors worldwide. In addition to her work in running, she is a media executive serving as Vice President of LATF USA News and Executive Producer of the Hollywood Beauty Awards and Daytime Beauty Awards.

What began as an unconventional idea has now become a marathon tradition. While racing from Dodger Stadium to Century City, Price captures real, unscripted stories from everyday runners—first-timers, veterans, charity runners and comeback athletes—sharing the moments that matter most when miles get tough. Her ability to manage pacing, breath control, and live storytelling has redefined what on-course coverage can look like. A proud Filipina athlete, Price’s presence on one of the nation’s largest marathon stages reflects the evolving diversity of the Los Angeles running scene and the leadership roles runners now hold beyond the finish line. Beyond marathon day, Pamela is a familiar face across Southern California’s running landscape. She serves as host and MC for SoCalTrail seasonal trail races and Students Run LA (SRLA) races, where she mentors and inspires young runners.

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