Into 2020, Darkly

Uncertainty and heartbreak. Not a good portent of things to come as we start a new decade, but we slog on.

In the US, a source of tension (or one of them anyway) in immigrant communities is the forthcoming Census, a nationwide count that happens every ten years. PF Correspondent Cherie Querol Moreno talks to FilAm community advocates of Census 2020 to assuage fears of those who are worried that the Census will lead to their deportation. The assurance: under the law the Census Bureau is prohibited from sharing data with law enforcement. More importantly, to stand up and be counted means your communities will benefit from the distribution of government services and funding. Read "What Fil-Ams Should Know About the 2020 Census" to understand the full, positive benefits of participating.

We've seen the heartbreaking photos and videos of what could be the worst fire to happen on earth, in Australia. Veteran journalist/columnist Paulynn P. Sicam, who is right now in Penrith, New South Wales visiting her family, writes a personal account of how it is in "Australia: The Fire This Time."

Switching to a more pleasant topic, PF contributor Titchie Carandang-Tiongson writes about the art of Filipina Spanish artist Maria Mari Murga, whose recent exhibit in Washington DC was hailed by art lovers. Read "All The Light That She Can See" and marvel at her works. 

After all the holiday food tripping, time for a vegan meal. Here's our Happy Home Cook recipe from Richgail Enriquez for Mushroom Pusit.

And our In The Know links, ICYMI:

A Chinese crime wave hits Duterte’s Philippines as Pogos grow unchecked
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3043542/chinese-crime-wave-hits-dutertes-philippines-pogos-grow?utm_content=article&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR3k-ZFhCFy86dJzJoW8lRwYdKMHMFlNVjRhqtGC5N72N6IiKiA-Kl_eqFA#Echobox=1577411423

Sexism in the Philippines: In the Line of Fire
https://southeastasiaglobe.com/in-the-line-of-fire/?fbclid=IwAR1NRNusxZttR3IvY47Xb_173JcvSITygbr9t_-kXm-5t-H54GCVyYnkgss

#FilAmDecade: 10 Years of Filipino American History
https://www.facebook.com/notes/dr-kevin-nadal/filamdecade-10-years-of-filipino-american-history/10157817886364696/

Philippine Expressions Bookstore Owner Linda Nietes Honored By The Community
https://balitangamerica.tv/philippine-expressions-bookstore-owner-linda-nietes-honored-by-the-community/?fbclid=IwAR3BDvB3_KAj1RIxsSJbLWjDjhmtKmiYbJMzc1eb_JHJdPvufaFCLKK3EcI

For our Video of the Week, the Black Eyed Peas, along with the Voice Philippines’ Jessica Reynoso, perform at the closing ceremony of the recent Southeast Asian Games in New Clark City, Tarlac.