Thirty five years ago this week, the uprising that came to be known as the EDSA People Power Revolt happened in the Philippines. The memories and the hopes have dimmed now, commemorations have dwindled to almost zero.

EDSA '86 was the confluence of decades-long efforts by various sectors of Philippine society to end the Marcos dictatorship, and on this goal alone, it succeeded without the widespread bloodshed that normally accompanies similar uprisings.

EDSA '86, however, was hardly a revolution, as the initial euphoria labelled it. The People Power Revolt did not change the power structure of the country, it merely changed -- or in a lot of cases, restored -- the people who would hold that power.

For whatever woes and disappointments EDSA '86 later spawned, it was still, on its own, a truly historic moment in our homeland's history, one that we should always be proud of. Now that the world is watching Myanmar go through its own people power revolt, we Filipinos can sympathize and cheer them on. Yes, we've been there; we know what it takes.

On March 3, Positively Filipino will hold its second webinar in 2021, "An Open Door: The Philippines as Refuge for Jews Fleeing Nazism" and we hope you will join us in celebrating another reason to be proud -- the decision of then Philippine president Manuel L. Quezon to welcome to our country Jews who were fleeing Nazism in Europe. The flyer below shows how to register for this free Zoom event.

Our Stories This Week

Cesar Climaco: The Life And Times Of A Democracy Icon By Eduardo C. Tadem

[New Webinar] An Open Door: The Philippines As A Refuge For Jews Fleeing Nazism

[Opinion] Lent And Rush Limbaugh By Andres D. Bautista

[Opinion] Take Part In The American Project (A Postscript To Black History Month) By Thelma King Estrada

More Fil-Am Winners In The 2020 Elections By Mona Lisa Yuchengco

[PARTNER] Repeal The Rescission Act Of 1946 By Jon Melegrito

The Happy Home Cook: Vegan Tinola By Chef Richgail Enriquez

Video of the Week: Memorare Manila - 2021

In The Know

Pinoy engineer in Perseverance journey credits Baguio schooling for science roots
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/19/21/pinoy-engineer-in-perseverance-journey-credits-baguio-schooling-for-science-roots?fbclid=IwAR2PvIsGk91-2ug77_QEMMFWWW8hq_KpQluPSx8fNw9Mf8ARSdJuI3rxbjM

IN PHOTOS: Intramuros museum Casa Manila gets a stunning makeover
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/02/18/21/in-photos-in-time-for-its-reopening-intramuros-museum-casa-manila-gets-a-stunning-makeover?fbclid=IwAR0TuC7-Mu43mjghYfayQeKS2Jmbed6lucvXipfgxVVpYSnob75ZVsj8GzQ

‘It tasted like my childhood’: How a new generation is bringing Filipino flavours to Toronto
https://www.thestar.com/life/food_wine/2021/02/18/it-tasted-like-my-childhood-how-a-new-generation-is-bringing-filipino-flavours-to-toronto.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=Life&utm_content=filipinofoodtoronto&fbclid=IwAR35IsDZLQ0wuJgjtgqvcXMqZvc9gu98fKzLwnQUqzY8KBHB51Ap7gOshPQ

IKEA PH taps Filipino artisans for custom-made textile products
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/02/16/21/ikea-philippines-rags2riches-sewing?fbclid=IwAR1Iv2e_JyXbb8wGhdEcXJOiFAvVNV4XQ2Eg-Lvd0JMpn9ajqyWPgAx-mLk

These 6 Filipinx Recipes Turn Pantry Staples Into a Cozy Winter Menu
https://www.bonappetit.com/gallery/melissa-miranda-filipinx-pantry-recipes?fbclid=IwAR2f4ysQ-qHrne9dGjRS-KPAnDEwkLjLb3S6aDC97uc2S5q4z5D9YA-uJeE

Recent reports about the rise in the number of assaults on Asian Americans, particularly the elderly, in 47 states is seriously concerning. It's not just happening here in the US; some countries in Europe have also had incidents. And if you think that only Chinese are affected (owing to the previous administration's anti-Chinese rhetoric regarding the virus), think again. A Filipino, Noel Quintana, was slashed in the face while in a New York subway a few weeks ago and required almost 100 stitches. Just yesterday, an elderly Filipina was punched in the face in San Diego. These are not isolated cases. Time and again, Fil-Ams have been victimized by racist tirades during this pandemic. The twin scourges of hatred and ignorance do not after all distinguish among Asians; to them we all look alike.

So be careful out there. If you want to be updated on the situation, check out the Stop AAPI Hate web site (stopaapihate.org). And make sure you yourself do not do the hating.

If you missed our webinar last night on Philippine-American "Relations"-- Romance and Heartbreak Among Filipino and American Celebrities in Washington, D.C., 1898-1946, here's the link to the recording: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/webinar-video-philippine-american-relations-romance-and-heartbreak-among-filipino-and-american-celebrities-in-nbspwashington-dc-1898-1946

Our issue this week introduces the FilAms who won their races in the 2020 elections, and it's a record number. ["Empowerment: Fil-Am Winners in the 2020 Elections"]. We also feature Kanlungan, a web site that honors Fil-Am covid frontliners who gave up their lives so others can live ["Kanlungan Honors Unsung Health Care Heroes"]. International travel during this pandemic is not for the faint-hearted as our First Person story describes ["Journal of a Pandemic Traveler"]. Finally, our Partner post brings good news to H1-B visa applicants.

For those harsh winter blues, how's about treating your love ones to Triple Chocolate Champorado, a repost of Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo's own recipe.

For our Video of the Week, here's a feature on Baybayin, the ancient Filipino writing that's being revived.