August 26, 2020

The Man Behind the Myth

August 26, 2020/ Gemma Nemenzo

Imagine this scenario: a poor, chaotic country is holding an election for president. On one side, the incumbent -- ruthless, cunning, steeped in the politics of power; on the other side, a very popular movie actor, beloved by the masses for his standard role as defender of the powerless, but with nary an experience in governance or political maneuverings. The actor would have won, but for the shameless "order" of the incumbent to her appointed election official (of which she was caught when a recording of her phone call was made public, now infamously remembered as "Hello Garci"), with the assistance of some of her loyal generals, for the manufacture of a million votes in her favor.

So now, 16 years later, we wonder: what if that election had been clean and the result an honest reflection of the will of the people, would a president, armed only with sincerity, honesty and an abiding faith in the rule of law, have changed the historical trajectory of our homeland? More curiously, would the masses' hunger for a strongman leader fighting on their behalf have been satiated with the actor/hero at the helm, and thus staved off the need for the authoritarian leader we now have?

On the occasion of what would have been his 81st birthday on August 20, Fernando Poe Jr.'s long-time personal and business manager Susan V. Tagle provides us an intimate profile of the man behind the myth.

Our Stories This Week:

The President Who Never Was By Susan V. Tagle

Fil-Ams Among The Remarkable And Famous, Part 8 By Mona Lisa Yuchengco

My Uncle, The Visual Artist By Ivan Kevin Castro

Read Again

Filipino, the language, is no longer what we knew it to be: https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/why-the-f-in-filipino-and-how-did-it-get-there

We commemorate this week the beginning of the Philippine Revolution against Spain, with a tribute to the man who led it: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/andres-bonifacio-the-other-national-hero

For our recipe of the week, we bring back Adobong Dilaw https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-happy-home-cook-adobong-dilaw-a-timeless-recipe?rq=adobong%20dilaw

In The Know

In the Philippines, A Community Fights to Protect Its Ancestral Lands
https://e360.yale.edu/features/in-the-philippines-a-community-fights-to-protect-its-ancestral-lands

Why The Philippines Has So Many Teen Moms
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/08/21/787921856/photos-the-hidden-lives-of-teen-moms

17 Unique Business Names that Reflect Filipino Humor
https://www.trendszilla.net/2020/05/28/17-unique-business-names-that-reflect-filipino-humor/?fbclid=IwAR1O3hM55VYhXbjQJTM87-TnFr5AsxmS19-sW5YNZpBvlqPQGfUutU98MK4

Immigrant finds strength, solace in Carlos Bulosan
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/190266/immigrant-finds-strength-solace-in-carlos-bulosan?fbclid=IwAR2Qi0K3qZE2TAUgV0PhwdrvQ1MPrbpTeY9TUp9jgVJlSFDczRAUcTJAmsI

July 15, 2020

Racism: Can We Talk?

July 15, 2020/ Gemma Nemenzo

We know how it is to walk on eggshells when we have to talk about politics and religion with our families and friends. It's a lot easier to take the cop-out route -- not to bring up anything controversial when we gather with people we love. But in the past two months, ever since we saw the gruesome video of George Floyd dying in the hands of the police and witnessed the emergence of Black Lives Matter and nationwide anti-racist protests, we have been forced to reckon with anti-Black attitudes in our midst, be it in us or in our circles. Add to this the alarming increase of pandemic-induced racist rants directed at Asians, including Filipinos, and we know that it's time to have a conversation about racism. But how do we do it without breaking filial bonds?

Last week we posted the written versions and the audio recording of Positively Filipino's first webinar on the historical roots of the Filipino colonial mind and of white supremacy in the US. Both provide an abbreviated but very timely education on how we were "programmed" to look at white as the superior race, and how White supremacy was legalized and embedded in US history -- the better for us to understand how we feel and why we should care.

In case you missed the lectures, here are the links:

https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-colonial-legacy-of-racism-among-filipinos

https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/white-supremacy-and-black-oppression-in-law-and-society

Last Monday, our second webinar focused more pointedly on "A Difficult Conversation," which tackled the prevailing racist attitudes among Filipinos and how to start a constructive conversation with our families about the issue. Our panelists, Professors Evelyn Ibatan Rodriguez of the University of San Francisco and Anthony Ocampo of Cal Poly Pomona, provided enlightening and valuable insights on the topic.

Next week, Thursday, July 23, join us with immigrant activist Jose Antonio Vargas and immigration attorney Lourdes Tancinco for our third webinar: Immigrants in the Time of Racial Unrest, Pandemic, and Trump

This Week’s Stories:

K-Dramas Might Save Us Yet By Criselda Yabes

Segundo Matias Jr., Master Storyteller By Rey E. de la Cruz

How Filipinos Are Coping With Covid-19, Part 3: Japan, Australia, New Zealand, And The Philippines By Cecilia Manguerra-Brainard

The Happy Home Cook: Bulgogi (“Fire Meat” Or Korean BBQ) By Jewel Allen

Video of the Week: Jo Koy's funny satirical take on "Filipino tupperware"

In The Know:

Crucial yet forgotten: the Filipino workers stranded by coronavirus
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/The-Big-Story/Crucial-yet-forgotten-the-Filipino-workers-stranded-by-coronavirus?utm_campaign=RN%20Free%20newsletter&utm_medium=daily%20newsletter%20free&utm_source=NAR%20Newsletter&utm_content=article%20link&del_type=1&pub_date=20200715190000&seq_num=2&si=%25%25user_id&fbclid=IwAR3K2Npkq0-BQ2iEwZlnhQTZvFCVj4J-fLPmuZNI___3Ssh_ZUq0cnvIdXY

Filipino American who had strict religious upbringing launches Queer Youth of Faith Day
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/filipino-american-who-had-strict-religious-upbringing-launches-queer-youth-n1231997?fbclid=IwAR3OWHeJBSpudzFbwlnwJMhOeIqtCUE3BsBloMtvVFAOQCPvDgFKkBUZFNI

Audiovisual Resources: West Philippine Sea
https://mongarilao.wordpress.com/2020/07/11/west-philippine-sea-audiovisual-resources/?fbclid=IwAR2WRzuswb8_V9XDba769o6em-2-_w_T0LpuUBmQCMRsNfINAhPT8Zk0FnU

Pandemic Highlights Health Disparities For Filipinos In Hawaii
https://www.civilbeat.org/2020/07/pandemic-highlights-health-disparities-for-filipinos-in-hawaii/

July 08, 2020

Racism History

July 08, 2020/ Gemma Nemenzo

In answer to the many requests of those who attended the first of a series of Positively Filipino webinars on "Racism and the Filipino American," held on June 29, 2020, we are posting in this week's issue excerpts from Dr. Michael Gonzalez's presentation on "The Colonial Legacy of Racism Among Filipinos" plus answers to questions posted to him during the webinar that were not answered, due to time constraints.

Likewise, we have Atty. William Tamayo's slide presentation on "White Supremacy and Black Oppression in Law and Society," the US side of the racism issue. We are also posting Bill's answers to questions on this topic.

Our second webinar will be on Monday, July 13 at 6 pm PDT/9pm EDT (9 am Tuesday July 14 in the Philippines). We hope you can join us for this very interesting -- and most likely difficult but definitely thought-provoking--conversation. Seats are filling up quickly so please register now at: bit.ly/PFDifficultConversation

We also invite you to spend this Friday night (Saturday morning Manila time) with Martin Nievera, Lea Salonga, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Apl.de.Ap, Ryan Cayabyab and other musical stars for the virtual concert/fundraising of Philippine International Aid. See Partner post below for details. On this one there's no need to register. Just go to Martin Nievera's Facebook page at the designated time and enjoy.