Steady Eddie

Former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos (Photo by Robert D. Ward, U.S. Department of Defense)

When news of the demise of former Philippine President Fidel V. Ramos (FVR) came out last weekend, many took to social media to post pictures with and/or pay tribute to the man. One of the most heartfelt ones was that of writer (and many things besides) Jose "Butch" Dalisay, Jr. who had ghost-written about 600 of the president's speeches. The Chief Executive and the speechwriter never met until much later when the presidency was over, and FVR became arguably the most visible and accessible ex-president to many people.

Though credited with having presided over a six-year period of relative peace and economic stability, President FVR's legacy is nonetheless tainted with issues he was accused of doing and not doing. What is unquestionable, however, was his commitment to restoring and preserving Philippine democracy, during the 1986 People Power Revolt and through the many coup attempts against the Cory Aquino administration thereafter.

His role in the overthrow of the Marcos dictatorship has assured him an indelible place in the roster of Philippine contemporary heroes. He was Steady Eddie, the veteran military commander who managed the rebel troop movements and the crucial psy-ops (his expertise) who helped win the day and ensured that Cory Aquino (as opposed to the civilian-military junta favored by the "other one") took over as President.

During one coup attempt against the Aquino government months later, FVR, who was already the Armed Forces Chief of Staff, couldn't be found by the media the night before and on the day of the alleged coup. It turned out that he was crisscrossing the country, visiting military camps and secretly meeting with the commanders to get their assurance that any troop movement in support of the coup would be quelled.

Say what you will of President FVR. He was no saint, but there's no irrefutable proof that he was a villain either.

This Week’s Stories

The President And His PaperMate By Jose Dalisay

[This Makes Us Smile] Freeway Marker Honors Late Fil-Am Leader Alice Bulos By Cherie M. Querol Moreno

Ricky Lee’s Life Is The Stuff Of Cinema-Verite By Pablo A. Tariman

Listen To Your Titas

Six Or Seven Meals A Day By Ralph Semino Galán

[Webinar Video] A Murder Most Foul (The Celine Archive)

[Cook It Again] The Happy Home Cook: Fish Tocino By Rene Astudillo

[Video of the Week] Family Feud Hosts Easter Sunday’s Jo Koy

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In The Know

Jo Koy shines light on family & culture in ‘Easter Sunday’ comedy
https://www.bostonherald.com/2022/08/01/jo-koy-shines-light-on-family-culture-in-easter-sunday-comedy/?fbclid=IwAR03fnMGqmlu34ExjMQuW5p6GDCb1fT-8FbcX7xKE3llNPbwOIo-XZOAfiI

A popular Filipino restaurant gets on a Netflix show. What happens next
https://www.latimes.com/california/newsletter/2022-08-01/dollar-hits-historic-filipinotown-los-angeles-essential-california?fbclid=IwAR0iyvzHfnhZ3bmm0iSIxAB20q7lCzteoaJtYfZohigI5lowf-6G661x5v4

3-M calls reporting child sex trafficking during pandemic in PHL 
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2022/08/01/3-m-calls-reporting-child-sex-trafficking-during-pandemic-in-phl/?fbclid=IwAR2-wDOcCoiilj0-xlnH9qQI4lb4UriIqKzObDzNO-BMBjk4zYqnH1tDwk4

The best Philippines islands: a local’s guide to the 10 prettiest islands
https://www.cntraveller.com/gallery/philippines-islands?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_social-type=owned&utm_brand=conde-nast-traveller-uk&fbclid=IwAR2NFA-L2DRhcdk3x5pSgktUjHAE1JZMm8vcHjD5sUOpsTB8t0Ty5GsfB94

From U.S. Prison to CEO of His Own Company: The Redemption of Sergio Syjuco
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/sergio-syjuco-CEO-excalibur-builders-a2017-20220523-lfrm4?ref=article_featured

Seed planted in SF State MBA program grows into mini-Filipino food empire

https://news.sfsu.edu/news-story/seed-planted-sf-state-mba-program-grows-mini-filipino-food-empire

Viral: His realistic miniature shanties were inspired by his former life as a batang riles
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/07/24/22/making-miniature-shanties-was-his-way-out-of-depression?fbclid=IwAR1ytLsHLrN1nbXH7jECQA847UGwbWriQT34ihnIvqwATaGyhlejB9doOE0

Bibingka Ranks 13th in the World’s Best 50 Cakes
https://sugbo.ph/2022/bibingka-ranks-worlds-best/?fbclid=IwAR3mHhV95-t8PLQkhB5sjPCHf-68T89LAvVZi_YtKhVo51CEgOaDnn_Tpfo

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A Ship for a Hero

What does it take for a US Navy ship to be named after a Filipino American naval hero? Positively Filipino's forthcoming webinar next Wednesday October 27 zeroes in on this important and intriguing topic. I hope you can join us. Get the details below and please help us spread the word.

We're now on part 3 of "We Stand On Their Shoulders," our tribute to deceased Fil-Am historical figures, as compiled by our publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco. This week's list covers community leaders, and notable achievers in the fields of medicine and the academe.

Retired Sony Pictures executive Fritz Friedman has left the private sector and is now a commissioner of the Arts and Culture Commission of the city of San Diego, California. San Diego mayor and fellow Fil-Am Todd Gloria tapped Friedman, who now heads his own production and marketing consulting firm in addition to his non-profit activities.

To mark the 77th founding anniversary of the United Nations, retired Ambassador Virgilio A. Reyes Jr. shares with us significant historical events that occurred during his time as Third Secretary of the Philippine Mission to the UN. It was a time of great upheaval in our homeland and Reyes, on his first diplomatic assignment, was there to witness the rumblings and ripples of history.

 For our young adult readers, get a heads up on Brown Boy Nowhere, a newly released novel by Fil-Am Sheeryl Lim, as reviewed by Audrey Bell, a freshly minted Fil-Am college student. 

PF Correspondent and resident foodie Elizabeth Ann Quirino shares a recipe for another perfect cold-weather treat, Lomi Noodle Soup with Pork, Shrimps and Vegetables.

For Video of the Week, Seattle’s KING-5 News features Dorothy Cordova of the Filipino American National Historical Society.

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In The Know (Philippine Election Edition)

As the Philippine election season heats up in preparation for the actual voting in 2022, Positively Filipino will be posting links to stories from other publications that we hope will educate, inform and clarify issues, and, more importantly, prod overseas Filipinos to vote.

Facebook Data shows Leni Leading
https://wilson-chua.medium.com/adds-report-shows-leni-leading-1669032eab95

Vulnerabilities of the automated elections
https://opinion.inquirer.net/145234/vulnerabilities-of-the-automated-elections?fbclid=IwAR3-3lEWPx4GrfMjDYgcRjMe5qkrJirl3Vkvdwl7bOitfQUXO2EpgIU9RXs

Sui Generis: Rule of law matters 
http://us4.forward-to-friend.com/forward/show?u=81b6ec9d9be6b6261a822deb0&id=cb4c02ee33

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In The Know (Standard Edition)

My Family Moved To The US For A Better Life. But What Does That Really Mean?
https://news.yahoo.com/family-wanted-white-americans-cousin-173834292.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

Shades of L.A.: The Filipino American Experience
https://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/blogs/lapl/filipino-american-history-month?ct=YTo1OntzOjY6InNvdXJjZSI7YToyOntpOjA7czo1OiJlbWFpbCI7aToxO2k6MTI2O31zOjU6ImVtYWlsIjtpOjEyNjtzOjQ6InN0YXQiO3M6MjI6IjYxNjkyYThiNGMxYWQ5NTYyNjYwOTkiO3M6NDoibGVhZCI7czo2OiIxNzYxMzQiO3M6NzoiY2hhbm5lbCI7YToxOntzOjU6ImVtYWlsIjtpOjEyNjt9fQ%3D%3D

The Government Is Never Incompetent: Power In The Pandemic Under Duterte
https://itsgoingdown.org/the-government-is-never-incompetent-power-in-the-pandemic-under-duterte/?fbclid=IwAR2jxy4IknfYdbBe9cgqr8MFWcI15WvcmmiurM88jAYFkjxEQxBarFNQdX8

‘We just need food’: Manila’s newly homeless tell stories of survival in lockdown – photo essay
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/oct/08/we-just-need-food-manilas-newly-homeless-tell-stories-of-survival-in-lockdown-photo-essay?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other&fbclid=IwAR10t4Bb8zducxk_q9a853F76ryEH4NcRpQ4QA3bWRDpahauIscLI4nWypI

4 Oldest Chinatowns in the World
https://www.traveltrivia.com/4-oldest-chinatowns-in-the-world/XqgZkXU1XQAGkiMB 

The Filipino actor from ‘Squid Game’ shares his struggles before his big break 
https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/series/meet-christian-lagahit-filipino-actor-squid-game?fbclid=IwAR0021ovkDd1IyP7ubwaEaHfESeu7dromm2_JJjLZHp90TfNQ34ZvfO45II

Anatomy of a Monique Lhullier Gown
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/06/style/monique-lhuillier-bridal-fashion.html?fbclid=IwAR0dWUay913cStNkQsuuJteZmsOpRoeDVY00R7Z_Doi3RppqB2BZoh93ujQ

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Pride, Joy, Sorrow and Confusion

As Filipino American History Month 2016 draws to a close, we focus on Stockton, California, home once upon a time to the largest Filipino American community in the early- to mid-20th century. The city in California's Central Valley celebrates the opening of the National Museum of Filipino American History, a project of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS). Read all about this seminal community achievement in our Partner post here. 

Another Stockton jewel is 22-year old singer/songwriter Kylle Thomasson, whose Filipino-African American- and Fijian roots define his music. First-time contributor Mariel Toni Jimenez profiles this adventurous performer in "Stockton's Pride and Joy."

While this month brings pride, it also brought sorrow with the passing of a beloved icon of the San Francisco Bay Area's FilAm community, Alice Bulos. Mrs. Bulos was the first FilAm to be appointed by a sitting American president (Bill Clinton) to a federal advisory panel. Cherie Querol-Moreno, one of the many who benefited from the late great lady's mentoring writes a loving farewell to "the most powerful Filipino American never elected."

Switching to our homeland, how do you explain a problem like [President] Duterte? Prof. Patricio Abinales attempts with "Kanto Boy Politics, the China Pivot and the Fil-Am."

And if you're visiting Chicago, be sure to visit the Mariegold Bake Shop and Fast Food where Millet de la Fuente Bagcus displays her entrepreneurial and culinary skills. Rey de la Cruz writes about this amazing lady who is often tagged "the Filipino mayor of Chicago." From Mariegold, enjoy a simple, everyday recipe for the Happy Home Cook: Garlic Butter Shrimp.

For Video of the Week, we feature the last segment of Filipino Americans: Discovering Their Past For The Future.