The probe continues on the controversial sex-for-flight scandal that rattled government, nongovernment organizations and other stakeholders as new witnesses came forward with their stories of abuse at the hands of people sworn to protect them.

Last December, new witnesses faced off with their alleged tormentors at a House of Representatives committee on OFW affairs hearing. The labor department issued a 4-month suspension order against a labor attache in Jordan involved in the controversy.

The issue prompted the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the DOLE to impose measures to prevent similar cases from happening again.

Among the reforms instituted by the DOLE involve the Migrant Workers and Other Filipino Workers Resource Centers, also known as Bahay Kalinga. The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) also suspended 4 recruitment agencies.

The fates of many overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) hung in the balance in 2013 after diplomatic controversies threatened their futures in their host countries.

In Taiwan, the death of Taiwanese fisherman Hung Shih-chen, who was killed by personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard in disputed waters off Batanes last May 9, sparked anger and placed the lives and employment of thousands of Filipinos working there in danger.

The issue was only resolved after Taiwan accepted President Aquino's formal apology. Those involved in the shooting were also brought to justice.

Meantime, in Hong Kong, the government is still bent on exacting justice and reparation for the Manila bus hostage tragedy that killed 8 Hong Kong tourists and left 7 others wounded three years ago.

Despite repeated warnings by the government, there are still kababayans who end up as drug mules or couriers of illegal drugs.

Last July, a Filipina drug mule was executed in China. She was nabbed on January 25, 2011 at an international airport. Authorities found in her luggage 6.198 kilos of heroin.

Vice President Jejomar Binay was all set to go to China to personally deliver President Aquino's letter of appeal to Chinese President Xi Jingping, but the trip got cancelled.

But while the government continues to appeal to authorities on behalf of Filipinos on death row, one senator believes that their punishment would serve as warning to other would-be drug couriers.

Former beauty queen-turned-cowgirl, Melanie Marquez, figured in a vehicular accident last December after her truck slid on clear ice and fell into a canal near the Utah-Arizona border.

She sustained a fractured spine and sternum. Luckily, her son Adam, who was also in the vehicle when the accident happened, sustained only minor injuries.

In May, a group of 9 women were out partying when tragedy struck. The limousine they were riding caught fire along San Mateo Bridge in San Francisco Bay Area. Five of them died of smoke inhalation and four where left injured.

But the probe result concluded that the fire was accidental in nature.

The women were celebrating a friend's wedding. The bride was among those who perished in the accident.

Meanwhile, a Filipino family's tour of Beijing also turned into a nightmare when a car plowed into a crowd at Tiananmen Square. Among the victims was a Filipino family of four. The wife died, and husband and two daughters were hurt.

The harrowing story of a 63-year-old Filipina at the hands of American immigration officers at the Seattle International Airport last October went viral.

The Pinay, who was traveling with complete valid documents, claimed she was harassed, insulted and deported by American immigration personnel.

She was interrogated for 6 hours without food and water.

Her experience generated a lot of reactions from Filipinos, especially on social media.

The family of the deported Pinay said they were not after punitive action but only wanted an apology for the ill-treatment Grande was subjected to.

When super typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan) struck central Philippines, among those who immediately responded were overseas Filipinos from all walks of life.

Filipino communities all over the world, and even those without ties to the devastated areas, united for a common cause: to extend help in whatever way they can to those affected by the calamity at the soonest possible time.

They organized relief missions and fund-raising activities. Many also supported those who had yet to hear from their relatives in typhoon-hit hometowns.

They likewise pushed for measures that would help Filipinos overseas whose home towns were destroyed by the typhoon.

They likewise pushed for measures that would help Filipinos overseas whose home towns were destroyed by the typhoon.