Living abroad seems to be the trend of Filipinos who wants to earn more. Thousands of Filipinos left their family and they've chosen it not for their own good. They do it for their entire family or could be for the entire clan.

Today, I will feature outstanding Pinoy working abroad. When give our best in everything we do, these achievements wouldn't be too far away from our grasp.

(1) Fil-Am midwife named 'CNN Hero of the Year’ December 12, 2011

International news network CNN on December 12 named Robin Lim, a Filipino-American midwife in Indonesia, as its second Hero of the Year who is of Filipino descent.

The 54-year-old Lim, whose mother is Filipino-Chinese, built “birthing sanctuaries” for Indonesians who need maternal and general health care.

In 2009, another Filipino – Efren Peñaflorida – became CNN Hero of the Year for his Kariton classroom project that aims to educate street children.

(2) US President Obama confers award on UP engineering grad December 26, 2011

United States president Barack Obama recently conferred on a US-based Filipino engineering professor a US Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring.

The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco reported that Obama conferred the award on Dr. Amelito Enriquez and eight other recipients in Washington D.C. Enriquez graduated from the University of the Philippines in 1984 with a degree in Geodetic Engineering.

He went to the United States in 1987 where he continued his studies, earning an M.S. in Geodetic Science at the Ohio State University and a Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering at the University of California Irvine.

(3) US Congress fetes two Fil-Ams for earning papal awards December 30, 2011

The United States Congress formally feted this December two Filipino-Americans for earning the Papal Benemerenti Award earlier this year for their services to the church and their community.

The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco reported that House Resolution 171 was formally presented on December 23 to honor Titus Versoza and Nellie Hizon.

"Passed on October 10, HR 171 is entitled 'Resolution congratulating and commending Titus Versoza and Nellie Hizon, Filipino-Americans, for receiving the Benemerenti Award conferred by no less than Pope Benedict XVI for their dedicated service in churches in the United States,'" the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

(4) Ultra marathoner Cesar Guarin completes Australia leg of global run December 6, 2011

After running for 41 days and covering more than 2,000 kilometers, Filipino ultra-marathoner Cesar Guarin finished the Australia leg of his Global Run, considered as the world's toughest run ever.

This is the fifth leg of Guarin’s Global Run, which he embarked on after an injury disqualified him from joining the Olympics.

Guarin, an alumnus of the University of the Philippines, has run more than 11, 500 kilometers for the first four legs of his ultra-marathon: Trans Pilipinas (1983), Trans USA (1985), Trans Europe in 1992, and US-Canada in 2009. The Global Run is expected to end in 2016.

(5) Pinay fashion mogul Josie Natori brings her global brand to Asia December 10, 2011

United States-based fashion mogul Josie Natori is setting her sights on being a force globally, starting with the Philippines and neighboring Asian countries.

The Philippine-born designer has been known in the United States as a force in fashion and design since she founded The Natori Company in 1977.

“We’re big in the United States now, how about being bigger in the Philippines and in Asia?” Natori said in an interview with the Asian Journal.

(6) Charice stands out on 'Glee' April 20, 2011

Internationally-renowned singer and actress Charice (Charmaine Clarice Relucio Pempengco) spoke earlier this year with GMA News about her thoughts about her family, friends, Filipino fans, and her career, especially her stint in the hit TV series "Glee."

In October this year, Charice's father was murdered but the phenomenal singer remains strong and continues to inspire many.

(7) Global Pinoy Ramon Orlina: From atelier to 'atalyer' December 2, 2011 Old video but hopefully I can find recent youtube videos

World renowned Filipino sculptor Ramon Orlina's name is almost synonymous with an atelier featuring world-class glass sculptures. A little known fact about him though is that he's also into "atalyer" or a talyer (automotive shop) that produces "art cars."

An art car is a vehicle "redefined" as a work of art. During the recent "Manila Auto Salon" competition and exhibit at the SMX Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City from November 24 to 27, Orlina's "Art Car" was cited as the Best Mural of the show.

In November, Orlina — a two-time recipient of the Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN) Award in Visual Arts—was chosen as one of the speakers at the Art Forum of the Contemporary Art Glass in Asia - Cultural Exchange Program in Hong Kong.

(8) Fil-Am elected mayor of Hercules City in California June 22, 2011

Filipino-American Myrna Lardizabal-de Vera, was recently elected mayor of Hercules City in California.

A native of Cebu, De Vera is the fifth Filipino-American to become mayor of the city, according to a report on GMA News TV Live.

The report said De Vera became a Hercules City council member and vice mayor before getting the mayoralty seat last January.

(9) New York Times commends Fil-Am nurse for contribution to health care December 20, 2011

A Filipino-American nurse was recognized by the New York Times for his contribution to the healthcare industry in the New York metropolitan area, an online report said.

An article posted on the news site Asian Journal said Fil-Am nurse Michael Tagadaya received the New York Times’ 2011 Tribute to Nurses Award for Innovation and Leadership.

(10) Pinoy photographer George Tapan wins National Geographic contest December 28, 2011 Veteran Filipino lensman George Tapan's photo in Palawan, “Into the Green Zone,” was named first place winner in the Places category of the National Geographic photo contest, besting about 20,000 entries from 130 countries.

The winning photo, taken at Onuk Island in Balabac, Palawan, features two human subjects—a girl in pink and a man on a boat— in a wide panorama under a rainbow that stands between the clear green waters and the blue skies.

(11) Fil-Am UP grad is new Seton Hall University president October 20, 2011

Filipino-American was installed as president of Seton Hall University (SHU) in the United States, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

Esteban was appointed as the first Fil-Am and first Asian-American president of the 155-year-old Catholic university in South Orange, New Jersey in January this year but was installed only last October 14.

Esteban is also the university's first lay president in a generation. He was born in the Philippines and graduated from the University of the Philippines, where he earned two degrees: Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Master in Business Administration.

Source: GMA News. RJMD/VVP