Positively Filipino honored famous fathers with an inspiring webinar yesterday. It featured Sylvia Lazo, daughter of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo; Lindsay Keys, daughter of Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba; Rey Banatao, son of tech entrepreneur Dado Banatao; and Vicki Nievera, daughter of popular balladeer Bert Nievera. Hosted by Odette Alcazaren-Keeley, the event was a fitting celebration of Father's Day. Watch the recording here “Loving Kids Talk About Their Famous Dads”

As California, Vermont and other US states emerge from the darkness of a pandemic year, the process of reopening has triggered a slew of advice and caution, some serious how-tos on re-entering the social circuit, others offering funny cautionary tales about the post-Covid world. For seniors, undoubtedly the biggest demographic impacted by the pandemic, AARP, its trusted guardian angel, came out with a list of protocols for houseguests newly liberated to visit family. Occasional PF contributing writer Elena Buensalido Mangahas however thinks the list not too apt for Filipinos so she came up with her own, "The Fil-American Rule: Apologize Then Proceed." Do you have your own rules?

Our series of "Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous" is now on part 21, putting talent and achievements on display.

We're at the midpoint between two national celebrations -- Philippine Independence Day (June 12) and Rizal Day (June 19) so it's but fitting to post (and repost) stories that celebrate our Motherland's history and National Hero. First off, Harvey I. Barkin reports on a recent talk by noted historian Ambeth Ocampo on Rizal's visit to the US, "Rizal in the US: He Was Not Impressed." We also have the link to the actual lecture.

Here are other interesting Rizal stories:

"Rizal's Great Loves" by Penelope V. Flores

"Jose Rizal, Martial Arts Warrior" by Rene J. Navarro

Timed appropriately for these disturbing times, our Video of the Week presents a powerful, incisive short film, "Heneral Rizal." a production of Act One in the Philippines.

And continuing our Rizal tribute, here's a repost of the recipe for Tinolang Manok or Chicken Tinola, reportedly his fave dish.

In The Know

Trese: What Netflix's new occult anime reveals about the Philippines
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57424360?fbclid=IwAR2ifQf5T8CBDgrQwVHKb-6xnVpCujzE-5XchS-pNEBpXs6Ew6PUHP6PKTI

[Dash of SAS] Second chances in the only country in the world without divorce
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/dash-of-sas-second-chances-only-country-in-world-without-divorce?fbclid=IwAR2h6pPJqxtlWwkXeZUQ7ES5u91zm2Gi7kMLxhv8h7MYn8XR8DjXLBx2wBQ

Breaking down Filipino cuisine by region is harder than you'd think
https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2021/06/02/breaking-down-filipino-cuisine-region-harder-youd-think?fbclid=IwAR1WCSRmfIAsU99iR6vzUHuNBtc9j3XLMadbxsJM02hymoJS5YY6XlzEOk0

Filipino American nurses, reflecting on disproportionate Covid toll, look ahead
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/filipino-american-nurses-reflecting-disproportionate-covid-toll-look-a-rcna1112

NBA’s Jordan Clarkson restores vandalized Filipino food truck, decries Asian hate
https://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/nbas-jordan-clarkson-restores-vandalized-filipino-food-truck-decries-asian-hate/?fbclid=IwAR1iGw5-gjH4zaL3_2pMJnxao80m91Qxi4g6M9DvSkbTL0vMJ7OnZv1-hzo

7 Ancestral Homes and Heritage Buildings in the Philippines Turned Into Beautiful Dining Spots
https://ph.asiatatler.com/dining/ancestral-homes-and-heritage-buildings-turned-into-beautiful-dining-spots

On this Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we Filipino Americans join our brothers, sisters, and forebears, who originally came from across, or within, the Pacific Ocean, in celebrating our presence in our adopted country and our uniqueness from one another. We also stand strongly against the voices of hate who would ignore our contributions and deny us the right to be here.

This year’s heritage month has brought a sharper focus on AAPI achievements in mainstream news media, entertainment, literature, government, and in American society as a whole. Kamala Harris became the first Asian American to be elected vice president. There have been several Asian American appointments, including Filipino Americans, to high national, state, and local offices. These contributions stand in sharp contrast to the racist attacks, including physical violence, against Asian Americans since the pandemic began. By March this year there had been some 3,800 reported incidents of racism directed against Asian Americans. The bigotry has been so appalling that no decent person can remain unmoved.

Asian Americans have not taken these unwarranted attacks lying down. Protests against bigotry and xenophobia are being held across the country. Prominent Asians are speaking out against anti-Asian hate. Webinars are buzzing with discussions on racism, on our place in U.S. history, and with efforts to understand the roots systemic racial prejudice in the evolution of American democracy.

These bracing developments indicate that we Asians are asserting ourselves as fully contributing members of American society, no longer the silent, self-effacing, "model" minority that we have been perceived to be.

But where does the Filipino American fit in the emerging AAPI narrative? Our doctors, nurses, and hospital workers keep America’s health care system running, and our professionals and clerical workers keep corporations humming. Where is the Filipino American in the "best of" lists that have included Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian names?

We are steadily getting there, as our new generations come to their own; but we must still persist in our collective quest to make our voices heard. We need to build comparably strong political muscle that can help bolster that of other Asians. But we also need to rid our consciousness of vestigial colonial mentality, of our own animus against other people of color, of wanting only to fit in. Only then we can become a more visible strand in the fabric of the social construct called Asian America.