Talking About Our Generations

We are posting this week the key findings of the Pew Research Center's comprehensive study of Asian American experiences and attitudes, gathered from its national and multilingual survey done in 2022-2023 and its 66 focus groups in 2021. Though there are not many surprises, it's interesting to note some generational differences as well as attitudinal perceptions between first-generation immigrants and their children/grandchildren.

We're also running the four winning essays of the 2022 Doreen Gamboa Fernandez (DGF) Food Writing Award this month, starting with the first prize winner, "Reclaiming Philippine Ube" by Reynadel Cayetano. Did you know that ube is a healthier alternative to other yam varieties because of its higher antioxidant content? And that Bohol is the province best known for ube?

Enjoy too our other stories this week:

A poet's long drive to Albany, Georgia to watch a neighborhood Filipino basketball team play brought him back in touch with his roots, his culture and his palate.

A Fil-Am visual artist pays tribute to her late, unheralded great aunt who played a big role in winning WWII for the US. 

More remarkable Fil-Ams whose accomplishments are nothing to scoff at.

As we smell and taste Christmas in the air, here's a reminder of a Filipino Christmas from one of our earliest issues:

https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/2012/12/12/karoling

And here's what our Filipino tastebuds hanker for every Christmas season: 

https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/our-christmas-table

[Video of the Week] Maria Ressa Interviews Leila de Lima



In The Know

AFP chief sees retaliatory attack in Marawi bombing
https://mb.com.ph/2023/12/3/afp-chief-sees-retaliatory-attack-in-marawi-bombing

Will Philippines’ revived peace talks end rebel conflict for good or ‘aid the enemy’?
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3243573/will-philippines-revived-peace-talks-end-rebel-conflict-good-or-aid-enemy

Civilian convoy to South China Sea gets NSC nod
https://www.bworldonline.com/the-nation/2023/11/28/560257/civilian-convoy-to-south-china-sea-gets-nsc-nod/

Ma’am Jo’s killing was a nightmare. Her dreams for the Teduray tribe are alive.
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/jocelyn-palao-killing-nightmare-dreams-teduray-tribe-alive/

In Hawaii, a humble effort to give anti-Marcos cartoons from the past a second life
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/hawaii-effort-filipino-opposition-preserve-anti-marcos-political-cartoons/

Gov't, communist rebels agree to resume peace talks
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/28/23/govt-ndfp-agree-to-resume-peace-talks


Feelings

Political hatred.

Such is the state of our current world that this phrase is now being uttered in public more frequently. And felt privately by many. Ukrainians in the midst of war with Russia feel it, citizens of Middle Eastern countries have been suffering through it for decades, Filipinos still reeling from the results of the recent elections are working their way out of it, and yes, a growing number of Americans are acting on their toxic feelings with tragic consequences. 

Already. there have been 198 mass shootings in the US in the 19 weeks of 2022, the latest of which was perpetrated by an Asian man against fellow Asians in a church in Southern California last weekend. The stats are truly scary: a 339 % increase of crimes against Asian Americans including Filipinos in 2021 (compared to the previous year). Not a happy thought for this Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month of May.

What causes someone to snap and run amok? It's a highly complex brew of mental, psychological and yes, political (including racism) issues that only trained mental health professionals can mitigate. But we can help by being vigilant in recognizing early indicators: if someone you know is exhibiting signs of extreme distress and unbridled emotions, it is time for an intervention. Getting that person to seek mental health treatment is important, but equally important is to make sure the person has no access to firearms. Or poison.

May is not just AAPI Heritage Month, it is also Mental Health Awareness Month. Let's do our part in celebrating both. 

This Week’s Stories

How To Respond To Anti-AAPI Hate by Cherie M. Querol Moreno

A Soldier And A Gentleman by Craig Scharlin

Banished But Unbowed by Fiona Basile

A Marcos Government And The Pink Movement by Randy David

[Cook It Again] The Happy Home Cook: Vegan Nilaga

[Video of the Week] Painting with Soil in the Philippines


In The Know

The Marcos Restoration: 30 Years In The Making
https://www.asiasentinel.com/p/marcos-restoration-30-years-making?s=r

The Triumph of Marcos Dynasty Disinformation Is a Warning to the U.S.
https://www.newyorker.com/news/dispatch/the-triumph-of-marcos-dynasty-disinformation-is-a-warning-to-the-us?fbclid=IwAR2yPEbJIjzamDspQOYZmfA76F4eZa621_0CuS8Pq1G5-jqJS_HhWFn7k9k

'Reginald the Vampire' Star Jacob Batalon Talks Filipino Pride In Honor Of AAPI Heritage Month
https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/reginald-the-vampire-star-jacob-batalon-filipino-pride-aapi-heritage-month?fbclid=IwAR0Qj10vb4tcIPBljDhHLWzLx4-erkk5Xo8g51N1IODGklRKo_FZflbjH_0

12 Other Countries Filipinos Can Visit with a U.S. Tourist Visa
https://www.esquiremag.ph/life/travel/countries-filipinos-us-visa-sa00192-20220313-src-preview?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20220511-fbnp-life-countries-filipinos-us-visa-sa00192-20220313-src-preview-fbfirst&fbclid=IwAR3GDqEEEpUoF3Q_WizJbGrLCb7MoVpQqZbGUPBxfORKPo_maRnP0IyfL6w

The story of Adarna House began during the Marcos years
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/books/05/16/22/the-making-of-adarna-house-publisher-of-childrens-books?fbclid=IwAR0TFzpocs1NEPUlKNcHY9I3fgEJvjbPQhLEM-ub1X8xxLZp4O-6i4Z44Z4

These 7 Universities Are the Top Philippine Schools for Computer Science Courses
https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/lifestyle/best-computer-science-universities-philippines-lfrm-a2749-20220407-src-candy-lfrm?utm_source=Facebook-EsquireMoney&utm_medium=Siteshare&utm_campaign=20220501-fbnp-culture-best-computer-science-universities-philippines-lfrm-a2749-20220407-src-candy-lfrm-fbold&fbclid=IwAR1f8xSfQKq5v0PWxT1VbUnHlrGo2hNoQq65j4axZfdV7Cg7yECxHpHEgu8

10 heritage treasures of Old Manila, then and now
https://www.philstar.com/nation/2022/05/01/2174329/10-heritage-treasures-old-manila-then-and-now?fbclid=IwAR1zf69R3AY-Gx5P1moD-Lqo_kmzFYly6VRYMwaSomy63q-_VVR_n9bySB8

This New Restaurant in Paris Shines the Spotlight on Filipino Flavors
https://www.esquiremag.ph/food-and-drink/food/reyna-restaurant-pari-a2435-20220514-src-spot?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20220514-fbnp-food-and-drink-reyna-restaurant-pari-a2435-20220514-src-spot-fbfirst&fbclid=IwAR0PbmLr9o_UoJMgWeg_lNA7toN20XN3ha9ik3QFqkmvv3GqkAbMCVrcohk


Golden Diaz

Filipinos all over the globe had a generous dose of euphoria on Monday, July 26 when Hidilyn Diaz won the Olympic gold medal for the women's 55-kg weightlifting event in Tokyo. Not only did the 30-year old Zamboanguena best all others, including the favored 20-year old Chinese competitor, she also set two world records. With her win, the Philippine National Anthem was finally heard in the Olympics, for the first time since the country started competing 97 years ago. It was a "bucketful-of-tears" minutes as the anthem played and Hidilyn stood on center stage saluting and crying. Still is, when you watch the video again.

Hidilyn's victory is a timely reminder that our nation glories in the achievements and the hard work of its people. It's not a nation of harebrained functionaries who implement the law through killing or who willingly kowtow to a stronger power to gain favors. It was ironic that a few hours before her win, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was giving a rambling State of the Nation speech where he vowed once again to impose law and order by killing drug dealers, among other atrocious statements. 

On this side of the Pacific, it is also worth noting the Olympic gold medal of Lee Kiefer in the individual foil (fencing) event. Kiefer's mother is Filipina. 

Our stories this week focus on food: Manila-based foodie John Silva rhapsodizes on the various superb cuisines of the exclusive resort, Balesin; Los Angeles-based PF Correspondent Anthony Maddela's take on Filled (or Filipino-Led) Market, an open bazaar that sells food and other things close to everyone's hearts; and documentary producer Jennie Celdran's love notes on Cebu lechon. 

Speaking of lechon, if you ever have some left over, here's what to do with it: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-happy-home-cook-paksiw-na-lechon-roast-pork-in-homemade-liver-sauce-and-vinegar?rq=lechon

In The Know

A PROMISE FULFILLED: Hidilyn Diaz lifts the Filipino people with historic Olympic gold
http://www.fullcourtfresh.com/mainnews/a-promise-fulfilled-hidilyn-diaz-lifts-the-filipino-people-with-historic-olympic-gold/?fbclid=IwAR0Ui_EvelfROX7yNr4vkxQNl1OHhBtsb328FmbkrdLXjz-ZYc7rRt3ae0Y

VALORANT's popularity in the Philippines, SEA 'a welcome surprise' for Riot Games
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/valorant-popularity-philippines-sea-welcome-surprise-riot-games-015450648.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

Meet the war hero who invented banana ketchup
https://nextshark.com/banana-ketchup-maria-orosa-war-hero-philippines/

No Asian hate can stop this Filipino food truck in Utah from selling sisig and lechon kawali
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/features/07/16/21/no-asian-hate-can-stop-this-filipino-owned-food-truck-in-utah

How Does the Philippine Spanish Accent Sound Like?
https://lajornadafilipina.com/arts-and-culture/philippine-spanish-accent/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ReviveOldPost&fbclid=IwAR3E3o5myku7NGaTXUP5e_IEaX6OmOFVZVoMzx5DG7YaBbzG2galQGViIAI

The Last Tattooed Women of Kalinga—Jake Versoza On His World-Renowned Photography Series
https://ph.asiatatler.com/life/jake-verzosa-the-last-tattooed-women-of-kalinga-book-exhibition


Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino