Characters

When Positively Filipino was just two months old in 2013, we asked our friends and readers to name the most awesome Filipino woman they would like or would have liked (if she is already dead) to have a long conversation with. I chose two, both famous writers and colorful characters -- Carmen Guerrero Nakpil, whom I never met in person, and Gilda Cordero Fernando whom I've met but never had the chance to be close to. Here's what I wrote: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/2013/3/awesome-women-carmen-guerrero-nakpil-and-gilda-cordero-fernando

I was reminded of this post because in this week's issue, we feature two colorful characters: Tita Aida (real name Nicky Calma), a popular transgender trailblazer/activist in the San Francisco Bay Area (profiled by Rafaelito V. Sy in "Listen to Your 'Tita Aida'") and Jaime Picornell, writer/raconteur/bon vivant whose recent death left many among Cebu City's alta sociedad bereft (Cecilia Manguerra Brainard writes about him fondly in "The Jolly Spaniard of Cebu."

Of course our ongoing series on Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous have a whole list of them, with part 26 featuring 13 Fil-Ams in a variety of professions who have made their mark in their respective fields.

Our Baguio-based correspondent Rene Astudillo sent a recipe for the Happy Home Cook who wants to cut down on rice: Thai-style Basil Pork with Chinese Pearl Barley.

And here's another Read Again: my fascination with backyards was renewed during our road trip across America. http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/gemma/backyards

For Video of the Week, we feature the six Filipinos who were honored in Ontario for their manufacture and distribution of face masks during the pandemic.

Be safe and get vaccinated.

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Let the Celebration Begin

Filipino American History Month this year promises to be chock-full of events, starting with the 4th Filipino American International Book Festival taking place this weekend in San Francisco. Throughout the month, there will be a Filipino film festival, several corollary events from Filbookbest (author talks, book launches in various states), art exhibits and the momentous awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal to Filipino WWII veterans in Washington DC before the month ends. Be sure to check out your nearest Philippine Consulates and local Filipino newspapers to keep up with these happenings. Of course, you can keep abreast in Positively Filipino too, so make sure you subscribe (it's free) by clicking on the Subscribe button. 

Why was October chosen as FilAm History Month? Read Again "Where Exactly Did 'Filipinos' First Land in California?", a well-researched piece by author/librarian Abraham Ignacio Jr., which traces the beginnings of Filipinos in the US.

In keeping with this month's theme, our Video of the Week is "A Filipino American Story," a capsule history of how Filipinos have made their presence felt in the greater American society. This video was made possible by the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) and AARP. 

One FilAm who is making waves in her chosen field is Chicago-based stage actor Christine Bunuan, introduced here in a profile by PF Correspondent Serina Aidasani. Bunuan staged her first solo show last December which she describes as both an immigrant story and a love story.

From the Philippines, contributor Bella Bonner extracts some colorful revelations from celebrity chef Sandy Daza and writes about it in "Delicious Sandy Daza." Daza whose culinary creds begin with being the son of the country's first celebrity chef, Nora Daza, has led an interesting life and has carved his own niche in that select circle that his mother started, with his own successful restaurants and his own TV show.  For Positively Filipino's Happy Home Cook, he shareshis recipe and technique in making that beloved Filipino dish, Kare-kare.

As always, our lineup of In the Know links provide you with a variety of stories that you may have missed:

Muslim solon resigns to return to community work
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/934952/muslim-solon-resigns-to-return-to-community-work#ixzz4uU824Ys9

Israel Honors The Philippines for Saving over 1,200 Jews during WWII. Thank you, Philippines!
http://samperkinzblog.com/israel-honors-philippines-saving-jews-saved-1200-jews-wwii-thank-philippines/

Lange Luntao on Education and Politics
https://www.teenvogue.com/story/lange-lunato-education-politics

8 of the Most Bizarre, Exotic Food in the Philippines
http://8list.ph/most-bizarre-exotic-food-philippines/