On the Ball

In California yesterday morning, we woke up to thrilling news: the unexpected 1-0 victory of the Philippines' Women's National Football Team at the FIFA World Cup in New Zealand. The win was doubly sweet: a historic first by a Philippine team in soccer, an underrated sport in a basketball-crazy country; and it was against the favored home team. For FilAms, some icing on the cake -- 18 out of the 23 players are FilAm; and the winning goal was by Sarina Bolden, a San Francisco Bay Area native. 

[Read about the team's victory in the In The Know links below, and Read Again PF Correspondent Criselda Yabes' pre-World Cup story.]

Another FilAm excitement is taking place in Broadway, where the musical Here Lies Love has opened to resounding acclaim. All performers are FilAms, a historic first in itself. PF Correspondent Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr. went to the show and looked beyond the considerable hype to write this honest appraisal of the immersive experience.

A certified heroine and a daughter's determination to tell her mother's story. This is what PF Correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino's newly released book, Every Ounce of Courage, is about. Our editor Gemma Nemenzo writes the review.

He would have been 95 this year. We remember Dolphy, the beloved entertainment king who ruled the Philippines' comedy world for decades. July is the month of his birth and death (2012) so we are posting Bibeth Orteza's story on the making of his biography, which came out in Filipinas magazine in 2008. 

There's a new Filipino restaurant in Oslo, Norway and writer Jennifer Fergesen, thinks it could be the best Filipino restaurant in Europe. High praise indeed from someone who has eaten and written about Filipino food in many countries. Kain Neo-Filipino Bistro, ran by brothers Daniel and Dominic Vergara, offers brave and innovative versions of Filipino flavors, something only Michelin-trained chefs will attempt.  

---

Stories This Week

Romancing Imelda by Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr.

What Did You Do In The War, Mommy? by Gemma Nemenzo

New Nordic Meets Neo-Filipino by Jennifer Fergesen

Dolphy Is A Book by Bibeth Orteza

Read Agains:

Women Who Kick Aspiration by Criselda Yabes

It's Not Pinakbet If There's No Himbaba-O by Rochit Tañedo

[Recipe of the Week] The Happy Home Cook: Pinaupong Manok by Elizabeth Ann Quirino

[Video of the Week] Difference Between Harana And Kundiman

---

In The Know

Philippines beats New Zealand in historic Women’s World Cup first win
https://sports.inquirer.net/520654/philippines-beats-new-zealand-in-historic-womens-world-cup-first-win#ixzz88ZMVI5dM

‘We share blood’: The US-born players leading the Philippines’ World Cup charge

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/24/we-share-blood-the-us-born-players-leading-the-philippines-world-cup-charge?fbclid=IwAR3ragois4HKygWcKDB9SL0SGtrSPLOnXj2gylj4--SZHSnLGv_rGBb9k7g

Church starts process to make 13-year-old Ilocano girl a saint

https://www.rappler.com/nation/diocese-laoag-opens-cause-sainthood-ilocano-girl-nina-ruiz-abad/?fbclid=IwAR14Sntk4EYJ_bOn2iT8uAEBsea1Ye8SOO3uZRqRcyjb6u2QYaBwSLmOs3c

Former Janitor, Now Owner of a Pinoy Restaurant in Australia

https://www.businessnews.com.ph/former-janitor-now-owner-of-a-pinoy-restaurant-in-australia-20211111/?fbclid=IwAR2lTFuMh6EcHXaCFbrr_wofZErtRyqO7bImw1nXlOL_A0Wpfyou6iml8UE

Filipino Pop-Up Kultura Finds Permanent Home on Spring Street

https://carolinas.eater.com/2023/7/18/23798103/filipino-kultura-charleston?fbclid=IwAR2DMGsH7Q6x4TBQ3N2pJ0IG58klNedkt75oz4Lt2kmou3lpp1fZ2KGl9zc

Stateside Podcast: Detroit baker delivers “Filipino flavors in a familiar format”

https://www.michiganradio.org/podcast/stateside/2023-07-18/stateside-podcast?fbclid=IwAR1cEMdaNWIsy5GCvlaMb6IpEq502LWrjU4WoTjmwlDQqj3PSO24PGj0ve8

Tboli draws inspiration from tribal deity to top MSU graduating class

https://www.rappler.com/nation/tboli-draws-inspiration-tribal-deity-top-graduating-class-state-university-2023/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&fbclid=IwAR1PIH2PNA7ruUFvbTWdrgHXnbEHBdk_MMPPsXMzjzOicN77vbA5Oate25E

---

A Christmas Far from Home

It's not every year that we get to come out on Christmas Day so here are some good stories to read when you're either revving up for the family reunion or relaxing after a long active day.

How do Filipino immigrants celebrate Christmas? We cook up a storm both of dishes dear to our hearts and memories that sustain us when the homesickness bug bites, which often happens during the holidays. That's what PF Correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino does in "Last Christmas," her recollection of the time she and her family said goodbye to their life in the Philippines.

For Cherie Querol Moreno, also a PF Correspondent, another celebration: her annual trek to Europe with her husband to celebrate their wedding anniversary. This year they went to Spain, met up with some very interesting kababayans, and told us about it in "Modern Pilgrims Find Each Other in Northern Spain." 

And if you need one more dish for today, or the days when you're sick of leftovers, try this recipe from Elizabeth Ann Quirino: Biko Kulabasa, a Kapampangan creation.

Here are some interesting In The Know links to enjoy:

A trial in the Philippines offers a ray of hope for democratic institutions
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/12/19/trial-philippines-offers-ray-hope-democratic-institutions/?fbclid=IwAR01oYDOAstmQAiDYzk1mPu9M_PXLtZ-p72pyRiR-AZb4yAjy6n2SGzqtOQ

Finland's Filipino Food Favorites: 6 Restaurants Championing Pinoy Flavors in Helsinki
https://www.clickthecity.com/travel/a/38597/finlands-filipino-food-favorites-6-restaurants-championing-pinoy-flavors-in-helsinki?fbclid=IwAR0cdN6AY07px8YvEBY3VOPfNLYgXVCfvo0xDx0nDYm697iN41QMAI0pGiM

Betty Ann Besa-Quirino’s List of 18 Favorite Kampampangan Sweets and Dishes For The Holidays
https://kaplistorian.blogspot.com/2016/12/30-betty-ann-besa-quirinos-list-of-18.html?fbclid=IwAR1DWF882NCHRy4lKOky44TeKfGgS4VXMLKFs8o-aw8MEGJpl7Mczim_6x0

How Filipinos can take an active part in sustainable tourism
https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/353295/how-filipinos-can-take-an-active-part-in-sustainable-tourism/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR3q5N-KaAUzK6tvhNYjMOzwzU12R1_gZT7ztyt9rTQLszzse0H3pBmz-Zo#Echobox=1576326036

U.S. Requiring Social Media Information From Visa Applicants
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/02/us/us-visa-application-social-media.html?fbclid=IwAR2sqNiZaXliF6vKTXyp5WfalaKDKBd1mE_WxjsWF73YOsLqnryDVg0zUPM

For Video of the Week, CNN Philippines’ The Story of the Filipino features billiards’ great Efren “Bata” Reyes.

Victory at Sea

The biggest news as we were preparing this issue was the UN-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration’s decision to uphold all aspects of the Philippine case vs. China over territorial rights to the South China Sea, aka the West Philippine Sea. China, as expected, rejected the decision. So what happens now? To be able to understand this complex issue, Positively Filipino had published stories that hopefully led to a better understanding of how this conflict has affected the lives of Filipinos in the area.  Here are some of the stories worth reading again:

“The Philippines and China: Conflict or Cooperation” by China expert Chito Sta. Romana explains the historical roots of the conflict;

“Legal Warfare Between the Philippines and China” also by Chito Sta. Romana, discusses the realities of negotiating with China;

“South China Sea Row -- A Waiting Game” by veteran journalist Criselda Yabes gives insight on the human aspects of the conflict;

Meanwhile, contributor Patricio Abinales provides an insightful look into the linguistic impact of President Rodrigo Duterte's emergence on the national scene. "Duterte: A Chico de Calle, But a Good One," is written by a Mindanawan, which gives it heft.

On the lighter side, first-time contributor Michael Magnaye takes us to Washington, DC where he partakes of a meal in the Filipino-owned restaurant called Bad Saint, a hot item on the capital's culinary scene.

Our Happy Home Cook recipe this week celebrates summer with our food expert Elizabeth Ann Quirino's Watermelon-Cucumber-Tomato Salad with Feta Cheese and Mirin Dressing.

For our Video of the Week, young Fil-Am R. V. Mendoza gives us a tutorial on Why Black Lives Matter for Filipinos.