Overseas Filipino Achievers, Part 4

In keeping with Positively Filipino’s goal of celebrating the 13-million-strong (and counting) Filipino diaspora, we are launching a new series titled Overseas Filipino Achievers. The series recognizes outstanding Filipinos making their mark in various countries around the world. It builds on our popular and long-running feature, “FilAms Among the Remarkable and Famous.”

But we need your help. If you know Filipinos outside the Philippines and the United States who are doing exceptional work in their adopted countries, please send their names, supporting documents or links, and photos to pfpublisher@yahoo.com.

UNITED KINGDOM

Maila Reeves, Wellness Consultant

Maila Reeves (Source: LinkedIn)

Reeves is a British Filipina strategist and founder of The Infinity Code, focused on longevity, modern luxury, and intelligent living. With a foundation in law and international business, she helps high performing individuals and brands design systems that support long term health, clarity, and impact. Her work reframes luxury as precision, sustainability, and strategic self-mastery. Transitioning from a career as a barrister, she is now a dedicated businesswoman, investor, and advisor focused on cutting-edge consumer health tech. In addition, Reeves is the co-founder of Bio Atelier, a luxury brand of science-led longevity supplements. The brand launched with a debut range of clean, clinically supported NAD⁺ formulations, solidifying her role as an innovator in the consumer wellness space.

Emmily Magtalas Rhodes, Author

Emmily Magtalas Rhodes (Photo courtesy of Emmily Magtalas Rhodes)

Born in Manila, Rhodes worked as a staff writer for Filipinas Magazine, a Filipino American publication in the San Francisco Bay Area before moving to Edinburgh, Scotland after she got married. She is currently living in an English spa town with her husband and two boys. In 2020, she published What It Means to be Malaya, inspired by “the dwende, a creature in Philippine mythology. She explains: “Myth and folk horror fascinate me. Growing up, I heard various stories about these mythical beings, as well as people’s differing reactions to them. Some believed in them implicitly, while others were dismissive of their literal existence. I wanted to explore the reasons for this belief or non-belief.” Her advice to writers working on their first story: “Read a lot and write a lot. It’s when you’re doing the work that the magic happens.”

COLOMBIA

Manuel Teodoro Bermudez, Journalist

Manuel Teodoro (Source: Alchetron)

Born in 1960 in New Orleans to a Filipino and a Colombian mother, Teodoro majored in journalism from the University of Miami and started his career in 1984 as an editorial assistant for CBS News. Later he moved to Univision as a reporter and producer and became their correspondent in the Philippines. While there, he also anchored the evening news program "Newswatch" of the RPN television network.

He later became the Hispanic New York based-correspondent for CNN. In 1994, he went to Colombia as correspondent for CNN and presenter of Noticiero CM&. Two years later he moved to Caracol TV, where he directed and hosted the 60 Minutes-like Séptimo día ("Seventh Day") newsmagazine, which, despite its success, was canceled in 2000 because of the large number of lawsuits against the show. In 2007, Teodoro moved back to Caracol TV to direct and co-host, with Silvia Corzo, a new season of Séptimo día, which premiered 10 June 2007.

He was also a correspondent for Spanish media giant Univision and NBC in Los Angeles. He has a total of 14 awards, including two Emmys. Teodoro is also a partner in a communications company that specializes in crisis management, spokesperson training, digital reputation management, and crafting effective corporate presentations.

ITALY

Megan Chloe Quiambao, Child Model

Megan Chloe Quiambao (Source: Janelle So/Youtube)

In 2022, at six years old, Quiambao was already the face of kids’ fashion in billboards around the world, modeling for famous brands like Gucci and Burberry. Born and raised in Milan to Filipino parents Augil, a tattoo artist, and Loevelyn, an entrepreneur, Quiambao loved to pose for pictures. She was discovered by a Milan-based photographer who was looking for an Asian-looking kid to model for a project. Leovelyn says Megan has expressive eyes. “Until now, I still couldn’t believe how she did all of those things. When she is in front of the camera, she becomes this different kid, playful, comfortable, and happy. It is weird to say this, but she looks like she belongs there.” Quiambao started receiving offers for a Filipino TV series and a show on Italian TV. But Augil and Leovelyn says Megan’s formal education is their first priority.

Zargon, Hip-hop Artist

Zargon (Source: Youtube)

Zargon, a Filipino underground hip-hop artist based in Milan, is known for his gritty, immigrant-experience-driven rap and tracks like Tsongke Everyday and Pinoy Gangsta Rap Is Back. He bridges Filipino hip-hop with European underground scenes, and recently toured the Philippines. He emigrated to Milan as a teenager, initially facing language barriers before establishing himself in the underground scene. Known as a Pinoy Gangsta rapper, his content often focuses on life struggles, loyalty, and street narratives. He has released several official music videos, including Loyalty and Tsongke Everyday, which has garnered millions of views on YouTube. He is active on platforms like YouTube Music and Shazam. 

SWITZERLAND

Sebastian Esai Eco Eviota, Swiss Guard

Sebastian Esai Eco Eviota (Source: Teri Bautista/Facebook)

In January 2022 Eviota, or Baste as he is known, received a letter informing him that he was formally admitted to the Pontifical Swiss Guard of the Vatican. Born in Davao City to a father from Surigao City and a mother from Agusan del Sur, Eviota moved to Switzerland in 2009 together with his sister on a family reunification visa. He became an active member of the Youths for Christ in Europe. After he finished two-year basic training and served in the 13th Infantry Battalion, Eviota became a second lieutenant in the Swiss Army. He is the second Filipino to be included in the Swiss Guard but the first member of full Filipino origin.

Donna Avellana Kunzler, Author

Donna Avellana Kunzler (Source: EMEA Recruitment)

Kunzler, born and raised in Cavite, Philippines, lives in Zurich with her husband and a daughter. She is currently the Head of Procurement Process Excellence & Digital Transformation for ABB’s Robotics and Discrete Automation business, a board member of neurotechnology company Limbic Life, for the non-profit Breaking Silence Movement, and is the Swiss Country Editor for Roots & Wings magazine. She self-published her book, The Overseas Fabulous Pinay: a modern Filipina’s handbook on how to thrive abroad to realize her advocacies on women empowerment, education, and foreign workers’ welfare. It has won the Best Independent Book Award (BIBA) 2021 for Nonfiction –Living Abroad, Gold Award in Literary Titan Book Awards 2021, Gold Award in the Nonfiction Book Awards 2020, and was a finalist in the Travel and Guidebooks category in Global Books Awards 2022 and Best Book Design category in the International Book Awards 2020.

Joanna Arca-Wennstroem, Community Leader

Joanna Wennstroem (Source: Facebook)

Wennstroem is a prominent member of the Filipino community in Switzerland and is recognized for her leadership and work with the Philippine Embassy, often referred to with the cheer “Go, Gabriela Joanna Go.” She is a founding member and Advisory Board Member of ENFID-Switzerland (European Network of Filipino Diaspora). She is sometimes called a “modern Gabriela Silang in the context of her leadership.”

SWEDEN

Jenny Syquia-Skarne, Model Actress and Fashion Designer

Jenny Syquia-Skarne (Source: The Southern Project/Facebook)

After a whirlwind courtship, Syquia married actor Gabby Concepcion in Las Vegas. They had a daughter, Clole, who became a TV host and performer in the Philippines in addition to winning the Miss Earth Sweden title in 2016. Their marriage was annulled in 1996. Syquia married Filip Skarne in1997 and had another daughter Flippa Babes. She began her career in fashion in New York where she worked as a fashion assistant at Vogue, assisting senior editors and gaining early industry experience that later informed her work in fashion, media, and design. In 1994 Syquia founded and became the editor-in-chief of Bride Philippines magazine. Syquia began her movie career in 1996. She signed an eight-picture contract with Viva Entertainment. Along with half-sister Christine, Syquia founded the handbag and accessories line Charm & Luck in 2004. They received $9 million in funding from Capstone Trade in 2006. Celebrities such as Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Simpson, and Paris Hilton were customers. In 2007, the firm was nominated for Best Accessories company at the Dallas Fashion Awards. By 2008, their "kitschy, fun styles" were carried in more than 1,700 stores in 25 countries, including Dillards, Nordstrom, Bloomingdale’s, and Lord & Taylor. After the birth of her second daughter, Syquia decided to become a full-time mother.

In December 2025, Syquia appeared on the digital cover of Tatler Philippines and was featured in an in-depth cover story in the print edition, which highlighted her international career and life in Stockholm.

Source: Google and Wikipedia

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