31 Years Ago This Month

Let's join our homeland in commemorating the 31st anniversary of the assassination of Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., a tragedy that changed the course of history. Read again "Ninoy's Final Journey," the up-close-and-personal recollection of then-ABC News correspondent Ken Kashiwahara, the martyr's brother-in-law.

Meanwhile, what do Portugal and the Philippines have in common other than Ferdinand Magellan (who was, in fact, Spanish)? A growing worldwide diaspora, that's what. Our regular contributor, Tiago Gutierrez Marques, who is Filipino-Portuguese, gives an insightful analysis of the two countries' labor export market in "Brain Drain, Portuguese Style."

Another good dissection, this time on the issues confronting the Asian male in America, is presented by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Alex Tizon in his book, Big Little Man.  In "Race and the Asian Male in America," another regular contributor Anthony Maddela offers an incisive review of Tizon's frank and fascinating memoir.

The yoyo's Filipino component is told by Luisa Igloria in "The Yoyo: A Story of Downs and Ups," which also provides a brief history of Filipinos in Chicago in the early- and mid-20th century.

Robin Williams is never far from our mind, just as he will always be in Chary Ozaeta-Gohh's memory of her encounter with the late lamented comedian. "A Moment with Robin Williams" is one of those testimonials on his goodness of heart.

Our Video of the Week is a BBC report that shows why the Philippines will always be a fascinating place.

And finally, my blog this week is about a recycled romance that many readers are probably familiar with.