Our Sports Hall of Famers

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It may come as a surprise to this Instagram generation familiar with the accomplishments of Manny Pacquiao, Hidilyn Diaz, EJ Obiena and Carlos Yulo that once upon a time, during their grandparents' and even their parents' lifetimes, the terms "Filipino" and "sports champs" were very rarely used in the same sentence.

Once in a generation, there might have been a Flash Elorde or a Eugene Torre or a Paeng Nepomuceno who dazzled with their prowess, but they were flashes-in-the-pan, so to speak -- rare occurrences. Thus, it's no surprise that in the long history of sports, only ten Filipinos so far have been recognized as Hall of Famers in their respective arenas. Our Iloilo-based contributing writer Vicente Salas introduces the "Filipino Sports Greats and Hall of Famers," a slim list that will soon expand.

Nearer to the present, Fil-Am small businesses, other than the usual karinderya, hardly made a ripple even in the Fil-Am community beyond their neighborhoods. Today, Fil-Am entrepreneurs like Raibyn Cabiling of San Diego have established a presence in both mainstream and social media, peddling such products as t-shirts, headwear and an innovative "barongorak" that invokes Filipino culture. PF Correspondent Anthony Maddela reports.

The itch to travel is universal but does it have to be done alone? PF contributing writer Ian Layugan dissects the different facets of traveling solo, and presents words of caution and the challenge of daring.

What does it take to be surrogate mother/caregiver/mentor to a chess prodigy? Lotis Key, once a star in Philippine movies and theater, found herself assuming that role and wrote about it. Read Again "A Traveling Fool." http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/a-traveling-fool

His name no longer rings a bell so PF Correspondent Myles A. Garcia reintroduced him to a new audience. Read Again "Before Elorde and Pacquiao, There Was Luis Logan" on a boxing hero that should not be forgotten. http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/before-elorde-and-pacquiao-there-was-luis-logan

Always a comfort food, here's Sizzling Bangus Sisig for the Happy Home Cook: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-happy-home-cook-sizzling-bangus-sisig

[Video of the Week] The Fight Over Manila's Last Forests: Masungi Watershed

Not Too Shabby

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The recently concluded Olympics in Tokyo was the Philippines' most successful in its 97 years of participation. A medal haul of one gold, two silvers and a bronze from a delegation of 19 athletes is not too shabby for a country that hardly provides institutional support to its Olympic contenders. Here's an informative wrap-up of the Tokyo games by Olympic historian and PF Correspondent Myles A. Garcia. ["Filipino Sports Stars in the Land of the Rising Sun"]

Retired Ambassador Virgilio A. Reyes Jr. provides a valuable history lesson on the parallelism between the Spain during its civil war years (1930s) and the Philippine Commonwealth era. He shines a spotlight on Adelina Gurrea, a little-known (in the Philippines) Filipino-Spanish writer of that period who blazed trails with her writing and her life. ["Philippine Echoes of Spain's Civil War"]

K-pop may rule the pop music world today but P-pop, its Filipino counterpart, is making big waves too, according to Harvey I. Barkin who introduces PF readers to BINI, the P-pop girl band which is a creation of ABS-CBN's Star Hunt Academy in cooperation with MU Doctor, the Korean company of dance and vocal trainers that handled such phenoms as BTS. ["P-pop's BINI: Not Just Eye Candy"]

Fully vaxxed people are reportedly embarking on road trips this summer in the US. It was six years ago when my husband and I began our road trip across the US that took us over 33,000 miles and three months. Read Again my first report on our adventure of a lifetime.

For the Happy Home Cook this week, here's a repeat of a popular Filipino street food: Banana-cue! 

For Video of the Week, we feature the mansion Palacio de Memoria in Parañaque.

In The Know

Ilocano Shark: The War Hero Who Won the First Olympic Medal for the Philippines
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/teofilo-yldefonso-a00293-20210805?fbclid=IwAR3njoXsYKmZC-eqpUJRhTqSpbVThLvxnbt0bDb4Y3rPYG1pOF1O0yuX_hY

Will it take another street fighter to defeat Duterte?
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Will-it-take-another-street-fighter-to-defeat-Duterte?fbclid=IwAR2WpcP7gi-4lPkYZ_dj0vZ2-6FEaDGdlcPCLNoUrlOXwsWUqvYyF0vHRXE

Hernández: The Philippines' rich boxing history, revived by Manny Pacquiao, shines at Olympics
https://news.yahoo.com/hern-ndez-philippines-rich-boxing-140654696.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

Hidilyn Diaz: 5 Things You Should Know About The Filipina Olympic Champion
https://www.tatlerasia.com/culture/sports/ph-hidilyn-diaz-5-things-you-should-know?utm_campaign=ASIA_DIG_FULL20210806&utm_medium=email&utm_source=tatlerasia.com

Olivia Rodrigo Was Built 4 This
https://www.gq.com/story/olivia-rodrigo-profile

In Daly City, the Bayanihan Spirit Is Alive and Well
https://www.kqed.org/news/11883382/in-daly-city-the-bayanihan-spirit-is-alive-and-well?fbclid=IwAR0l0ydU1V1c64loNd1tFxeFi54noxceEJQLl84Y8_IlmiJaQPYbuX3Rsqg

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Dreaming of "Normal"

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In "normal" times --meaning the world as we knew it before Covid struck -- this month of August would have been vacation month in the western hemisphere, when tourists spread out to see places beyond their personal borders. Not anymore. For the fully vaccinated who have the capability to travel abroad during these risky times, destinations are now more targeted, the pandemic numbers checked regularly to determine the viability of visits. 

But still we dream of getting out of our comfort zones in exotic places offering unusual adventures. One of our stories this week is "In the Lapp of Luxury" by first-time contributor Alpha Puey who spent one memorable  winter wonderland vacation in Santa Claus land. This is essentially a Christmas story but who doesn't welcome a whiff of Christmas in August? Besides, for those interested in going on this adventure, it might take months to make arrangements, so read up and make plans.

And for those who prefer a staycation, here's an inspiring show to follow: G-Diaries featuring newlyweds Ernie Lopez and Michelle Arville focusing on people helping others. PF Correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino elucidates on this feel-good program that honors the legacy of Ernie's late elder sister, the well-known environmentalist Gina Lopez.

PF Publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco who compiles the Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous series made a list of all the names she has included in the compilation and was amazed that the total was already 359. Still counting, as we see some newly discovered Fil-Ams in Part 24.

For a summer treat, how about a Make Again recipe for No-Churn Ube Ice Cream, shared to us by Lulelyn Andres from Budapest. 

For Video of the Week, we commemorate the 40th day anniversary of the passing of President Benigno S. Aquino III with a tribute from his sister Pinky.

In The Know

Tagalog Is the Third Most Widely Spoken Language in Three U.S. States
https://www.esquiremag.ph/politics/news/tagalog-us-language-a00225-20210802?fbclid=IwAR0XcS0OJGmXdj_JCYOhZWV5M5ygWhpDi962ViFzJ7j10u1EYZ5hY4GpAAc

An Olympic romance: The love story of Hidilyn Diaz and her coach Julius Naranjo
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/07/28/21/an-olympic-romance-the-love-story-of-hidilyn-diaz-and-her-coach-julius-naranjo

20 Filipino Architectural Marvels That Have Stood The Test Of Time
https://ph.asiatatler.com/life/20-iconic-filipino-architecture-that-have-stood-the-tests-of-time

Venice Competition Philippines Title ‘On The Job’ Sets HBO GO Premiere in Asia, Reveals Trailer
https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/on-the-job-erik-matti-hbo-philippines-venice-1235029127/