June 17, 2020

Press Freedom Is Under Siege

June 17, 2020/ Gemma Nemenzo

As part of the global media community, we stand with our colleagues in condemning and resisting all attempts by the Duterte administration to muzzle the freedom of the press, a sacred principle enshrined in the Philippine Constitution.

We note with increasing alarm the various ways such muzzling has taken form -- from harassment, threats, and the filing of unjust cases, to closure of media outlets and outright murder of journalists. We are not willing to ignore or let pass the "death by a thousand cuts" directed at the press by a regime that has no concept of accountability and whose understanding of democracy is tenuous and self-serving.

In her article in the Atlantic about Monday's conviction of Maria Ressa and Reynaldo Santos of the crime of cyber-libel, Sheila Coronel, veteran journalist and dean of the Columbia University School of Journalism, says it best: "This is how democracy dies in the 21st century: in a musty courtroom, with a judge invoking Mandela. There are no power grabs in the dead of night, no tanks rolling down the streets, no uniformed officers taking over TV stations. Just the steady drip, drip, drip of the erosion of democratic norms, the corruption of institutions, and the cowardly compromises of decision makers in courts and congresses."

[Read Sheila Coronel's full article here: https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2020/06/maria-ressa-rappler-philippines-democracy/613102/?fbclid=IwAR3wJ69TjZvBqvP6TdNQ0Rp7pJEgIUNzJb7IKfxMg_YpNqiWBWzFgB3hJl8]

We at Positively Filipino give our full support to Maria Ressa, Reynaldo Santos and other real journalists in upholding press freedom by continuing the fight against the legal and actual terrorism foisted on Philippine media. Along with the closure of ABS-CBN broadcasting network and the pending Anti-Terrorism Law that imperils constitutional rights of political critics, it is clear that the Duterte administration does not respect press freedom and other civil liberties and no longer pretends that there is such a thing as democracy in the country.

This Week's Stories:

Filipinos For Black Lives By Richard “D-cal” Dacalos

On The Asian Cop Who Did Nothing As George Floyd Lay Dying By Benjamin Pimentel

Fil-Ams Among The Remarkable And Famous, Part 6 By Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Ramon De Ocampo Narrates It All For You By Walter Ang

Read Again: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/jose-rizal-martial-arts-warrior

The Happy Home Cook: Beer Boneless Bangus Belly by Rene Astudillo

Video of the Week: The Philippine Department of Tourism’s tribute to 10 million Filipino workers around the world: Noypi Ka Nga Astig!

In The Know

This Is How Democracy Dies
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2020/06/maria-ressa-rappler-philippines-democracy/613102/?fbclid=IwAR11rQrkKVjLYk5L1k2NxKjWJF_y0JcJ8JVS4tujTLM65tkTfEgabX4ZTBE

Maria Ressa: The celebrated Philippine news boss enraging Duterte
https://news.yahoo.com/maria-ressa-celebrated-philippine-news-014051537.html

Filipino American Activists Honor History, Take to the Streets in Solidarity With Black Lives Matter Movement
https://www.kqed.org/news/11823900/filipino-american-activists-remember-history-and-take-to-the-streets-in-solidarity-with-black-lives-matter-movement?fbclid=IwAR09UX_i04Ur3hOmqltIXZhUvf7c-Aqp73aJI1C0t6QzT4iSFI-q4in7L6o

The Philippine Gov't Banned Rallies, So Protestors Threw a 'Party' on Independence Day Instead
https://www.vice.com/en_asia/article/935ada/philippine-government-independence-day-rallies-protests?utm_campaign=sharebutton&fbclid=IwAR1zBhWUfH2FpL6uKbH_Laf0GRJXqxXWl3iDTxGLyH7FcVs0uC7Ric6x_Gw

Meet the Filipino offering 200 free meals a day to Dubai’s jobless migrants during coronavirus shutdown
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3088480/meet-filipina-offering-200-free-meals-day-dubais-jobless?fbclid=IwAR1IKTynta2UOzJ_IGeZvgAKZ2Xo2VBSUVigHNxLQkIfMNrV3lRI_LGA6ts

Lost Footnotes in History: Why Texas Was Once Called New Philippines
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/new-philippines-a00304-20200614?fbclid=IwAR0e6YcNmTxAJbb_R8eadX0CIHsyjq9HCcj89_AyDet-UcoAzCvdTnVCARc

Beyond Einstein: A young Pinoy physicist shines light on black holes, dark energy
https://news.abs-cbn.com/spotlight/06/07/20/beyond-einstein-a-young-pinoy-physicist-shines-light-on-black-holes-dark-energy?fbclid=IwAR0daBfA7RvSMswbYXNO0QsmTdcGcvZ5ZlDE6AVvNifZH4aQNZWHoQjCIuo

June 10, 2020

A New Generation Heeds the Call of the Times

June 10, 2020/ Gemma Nemenzo

Our generation who grew up in the Philippines has had our share of pivotal historical moments when we felt the world shifting, for better or for worse. The First Quarter Storm of 1970, the declaration of martial law in 1972, the assassination of Ninoy Aquino, and the biggest one of all, the EDSA People Power Revolt in 1986 -- all these were monumental events we have lived through. Now, I can’t help but watch with pride as younger Filipino Americans across the country take action.

In the past week we've witnessed an uprising--in reaction to the brutal murder of George Floyd--unlike any other I’ve seen since moving to the U.S. in 1988. Many from my children’s generation, and even younger, have shown their support by joining the massive protests that have sprung up in large and small cities, and surprisingly, even in some rural towns not typically known for mass actions.

What I am most intrigued about are all the new ways to show resistance beyond the protest signs. Of those who are not at marches, many are at home grappling with the larger questions: Why were Fil-Ams able to ignore how we treat black rights issues for so long? How can I start a conversation with my parents and relatives? How do I challenge casually uttered racist comments when they come up?

Social media have opened up a new avenue for action, from reposting content, rapidly sharing petitions and letters to politicians, to enabling Fil-Ams to engage their circles more deeply. My daughter Maia launched ongoing discussion groups via Zoom for Asian Americans to unpack questions of identity, learn more about Asian American history, and build solidarity with their African American friends. She announced it on her Instagram account and expected 15 attendees, but 80 people showed up.

Her husband, Jensen, a passionate cyclist, rallied his friends and his bike community to donate to black causes by committing to bike one hour for every $100 donated. He expected $1,000, but raised nearly $7,000. Last weekend alone, he completed 37 hours. Friends joined him on the ride for hours at a time to show their support. When they saw donations pour in for the largest foundations, Jensen chose four lesser known black causes for the collective donation, to raise awareness about them and redirect the next round of giving.

Their peers are buzzing with ideas about what they might do next to keep up the momentum: organizing teach-ins with other people of color; putting pressure on their employers; volunteering their time; offering their skills in video editing, graphic design, fundraising; and the list goes on.

All of these -- the questioning, the soul-searching, the creative initiatives, the springing into action -- have made a septuagenarian like me, already a veteran of marching and protesting, teary-eyed and incredibly hopeful. Yes, our children have taken up the baton of change. Yes, the world will be a better place in their hands. And yes, they might be able to talk sense to their elders (some of whom are saying some pretty ignorant, disgusting and wrong comments about the current turmoil), as long as they are willing to listen and learn.

This week in Positively Filipino:

Why The ‘Anti-Terror’ Bill Imperils Philippine Democracy By Ernesto M. Hilario

How Filipinos Are Coping With COVID-19, Part One: Canada, Singapore, UK, Italy
By Cecilia Manguerra-Brainard

Mark Dacascos Defines Cool Onscreen And In Quarantine By Anthony Maddela

Fil-Ams Among The Remarkable And Famous, Part 5 By Mona Lisa Yuchengco

[Partner] Reflections On June 12, 1898: Philippine Declaration Of Independence Amid A "Dangerous International Environment" By Dr. Frank Jenista

Read Again: A Black Man’s Burden By Rene G. Ontal

Cook Again: The Happy Home Cook: Adobong Dilaw, A Timeless Recipe By Elizabeth Ann Quirino

Video of the Week: Wake Up in the Philippines from the Philippine Department of Tourism

ITKs: Timely Stories from other Publications

Stories from the Frontlines: Filipinos in the U.S. on George Floyd, Protests, Racism, and Fear
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/george-floyd-protests-a00202-20200604-lfrm4?fbclid=IwAR0nwDoRwHlnlLIgH_RKKxmsHuACwBlWvssxtiK2PqMZXRBCw9BfpF_VP-Q

Shooting the Invisible, With Photographer Xyza Cruz Bacani
https://waytogo.cebupacificair.com/xyza-cruz-bacani-photography/?fbclid=IwAR3qXI1TGO3WlvE2lkU9mNByr6srsgVsR5PCd2pA-Ic3EcQOQmxvMGB9-rI

In a Philippine indigenous stronghold, traditions keep COVID-19 at bay
https://news.mongabay.com/2020/04/in-a-philippine-indigenous-stronghold-traditions-keep-covid-19-at-bay/?fbclid=IwAR13p6hXxv048tp-dfeMugOp_ocpFkiF18UxiQJb1asHzcifXr8i22foObQ

These horrifying ‘human zoos’ delighted American audiences at the turn of the 20th century
https://timeline.com/human-zoo-worlds-fair-7ef0d0951035

These Two Labour Leaders Were Assassinated 40 Years Ago In Seattle
https://philippinecanadiannews.com/canada/editorial-celebrating-the-legacy-of-filipino-labour-unionism/?fbclid=IwAR3lrHvkarFoqDiF6UlUZaM39WhDV3p1TiJg5CthPlfYSOpv4TbSzMGbvYo

Top 10 Books of Filipino Stories for Children
https://www.tagaloglang.com/top-10-books-of-filipino-stories-for-children/?fbclid=IwAR0r6kDOAmX6PzJYsx87QIIagRt6Nv2s0huRgM35ywiKnQKukTvOdjrcsY8

June 03, 2020

Take a Stand Against Racism

June 03, 2020/ Gemma Nemenzo

The civil unrest that is now engulfing our adopted country behooves all of us who are part of this American tapestry to examine our consciences and take a stand. That this is happening now within the context of a global pandemic that has already claimed, at this moment of writing, 107, 468 American lives, including a large number of people of color like us, is a tragedy. Yet it is also an opportunity.

We, the Positively Filipino staff, solidly stand beside our African American brothers and sisters in condemning the lynchings that they continue to bear, and the racism and social injustice in various manifestations that they -- and we -- have to live with daily.

We condemn as strongly the hate crimes against Asians, including Filipino Americans, that have risen to an alarming level amidst this pandemic.

We denounce the insidious attempts of hate groups and criminals who are inciting and/or converting rightful protests into mass violence and looting to pursue their own nefarious agendas.

We are deeply saddened by the absence of a credible and effective moral leadership in this time of crisis.

We recognize that the struggle against racism will continue to be the biggest challenge of our lifetime. We've learned how it was in the past, when our manongs had to endure and fight against the lynchings and outright discrimination directed at them; we are witnessing it starkly today as we watched George Floyd getting murdered, a white woman falsely accusing a black man of assault, and people hurling racist diatribes to random Asian Americans, blaming them for the coronavirus. Yes, there is still so much more work to be done.

But as we struggle to survive in the midst of a relentless virus, we also have a rare opportunity to look inside ourselves and accept some fundamental truths about the rightful place we occupy as immigrants and residents/citizens of this country: first, whether we like it or not, we belong to the category of people of color; second, whether we like it or not, racism is an issue we -- as well as our children and grandchildren -- will have to contend with and fight against; and third, before we can effectively oppose racism, we have to purge it out of ourselves first.

So let's not waste the opportunity -- as our cities burn, as we shelter-in-place -- to have conversations with our families, our neighbors, our friends, everyone we encounter every chance we get, about what it really means to claim our place in this American sun. Let us listen to our American children who, because of actual experience or a broader world view, may have a better understanding of the roots of this unrest and the need to stand in solidarity with those who are working their way towards creating a more just and equitable country.

More importantly, as we understand more, we should do more. As events of the past few days have shown, we no longer have the luxury of apathy. Or inaction. We have to have our voices heard through our stories, our advocacies, our participation and support of peaceful mass actions, and more importantly, through the ballot box.

We're all in this together, not just in stopping the spread of Covid-19 but also in ridding this society of the cancer of racism.

Our stories this week:

"Why We Must Have Uncomfortable Conversations" by Constante Quirino

"Love (and Life) in the Time of Coronavirus, Part 4" by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

"Coronavirus Hits Home" by Anthony Maddela

"Exploring Your Final Options" by Myles A. Garcia

"Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous, Part 4" by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

And we certainly can use a cocktail this week so here's Elizabeth Ann Quirino's recipe for a Mango Tango Cocktail for the Happy Home Cook.

Our links to stories you'll want to read:

U.S. Asians, harassed over coronavirus, push back on streets, social media
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/u-asians-harassed-over-coronavirus-111755020.html

The secret to Filipino resilience
https://www.ucanews.com/news/the-secret-to-filipino-resilience/88152

‘Out-of-the box’ tracing helps Baguio contain COVID-19 spread
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1282085/out-of-the-box-tracing-helps-baguio-contain-virus-spread?fbclid=IwAR2x21SIpkU7C04m4S_QVzDde5mjWzrfLXagUOEao35rK3nGsEK8PEg-WEk