Hate crimes in California in 2022 was at an all-time high, with a jump of 20% from 2021. [https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/attachments/press-docs/Hate%20Crime%20In%20CA%202022f.pdf]

While overall, anti-Asian hate crimes/incidents have gone down in number following the easing of the pandemic and its accompanying anti-Asian rhetoric, it is still alarming that there were almost 10,000 reported cases between 2020 and 2021 alone. [https://archive.vn/qO57S] These stats illustrate that Asians are easily vulnerable to attacks; a single spark of hate can still ignite a prairie fire.

It's not a time then for complacency. Or to even entertain (the premature and mistaken) relief that the tensions are over. As the recent beating of 75-year old Filipino American Amadeo Quintara in his own garage in Las Vegas by a white man shows, [see Corin Lujan's "Against Hate and Loathing in Las Vegas], hate is a living, breathing organism that will always be a threat, no matter how much we wish it away.

With this issue, Positively Filipino begins a partnership with the State of California and its agencies, the California State Library, the Department of Social Services and the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate campaign. Through a state grant, PF will take an active role in providing historical and current information about anti-Asian hate crimes, assist in the documentation of incidents, and disseminate strategies on prevention and de-escalation. Our Act Against Hate section in the magazine and social media will be a valuable community resource for everyone who supports the struggle against hate, racism, discrimination and violence against Asians.

Have you or someone you know experienced an instance when you felt targeted and afraid? Tell us about it at actagainsthate@positivelyfilipino.com. When did it happen? How did it happen? What did you do about it? It may not be something monumental -- murmured curses about your ethnicity, a deliberate bumping that threw you off-balance, being refused service, being sneered at during your daily walk -- all these little slights that we often just ignore, add up. And to keep silent gives the perpetrators the green-light to proclaim their bigotry.

So let us, as a community, raise our voices against hate in whatever form. Together we can stop, prevent, document, and de-escalate ethnic tensions while making sure that we ourselves are free of anger and prejudice.

This week, we also begin a series on Bridge Generation personalities, as profiled by historian/chronicler Peter Jamero in his monthly blog called Peter's Pinoy Patter. First up, Don Velez, 85, whose woodworking products are available on Etsy.

Stories This Week

Against Hate And Loathing In Las Vegas by Corin Ramos Lujan

The 'Woodjammer' by Peter Jamero

Badoc Island: Ilocos Norte’s Little Secret by Ian Layugan

Nina Daza Puyat’s Culinary Mission by Claire Mercado-Obias

[Recipe of the Week] The Happy Home Cook: Lumpiang Shanghai With Sweet And Sour Sauce byNina Daza Puyat

[Video of the Week] Bataan Death March Anniversary

Read Agains

A Reunion Of Strangers by Oscar Peñaranda

Remembering Leonard Ralph Casper by Cecilia Manguerra-Brainard

In The Know

An unlikely provocateur, Miss Texas, takes on the state’s GOP leaders
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2023/06/30/averie-bishop-miss-america-texas-platform-diversity/?utm_campaign=wp_main&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR2oJmngWsEVcX13CEL_VjQ7gk7q87csivTctzJxd3NaoPapkqXwZXhqM58

Why Baclaran Church was named ‘important cultural property’ in the Philippines
https://www.rappler.com/nation/history-why-baclaran-church-named-important-cultural-property-philippines/?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&fbclid=IwAR0dIjbKzCZPZFA7UmajG7m-1Zx0vBkaCqyjRwMsmToBRxH0qCA_UZGINCk

'I Am Fury': Filipino Photographer Captures Stunning Shot of Mayon Volcano Spilling Lava
https://www.esquiremag.ph/politics/news/filipino-photographer-edwin-martinez-mayon-volcano-lava-a00203-20230703?ref=article_featured

Why are Fireflies Vanishing in the Philippines?
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/why-are-fireflies-vanishing-in-the-philippines-a00293-20200923?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20230627-fbnp-long-reads-why-are-fireflies-vanishing-in-the-philippines-a00293-20200923-fbold&fbclid=IwAR1MwFXukfJ4rHXxqrNsFg9AckfTSXrgI6TWp1lPDU-9U1pGZbqmUFcSWns

'Paraluman' in Huling El Bimbo video met a sad end; actress who played her has a happier story
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/music/07/02/23/whatever-happened-to-the-girl-in-huling-el-bimbo-video?fbclid=IwAR2qLIuock7BFGaNVcqTf3wdHkoCEjgJrvAQeP95aNLVnsx6SrYQdweoyso

Kai Sotto all set for NBA Summer League as Magic roster, schedule revealed
https://www.rappler.com/sports/nba/kai-sotto-all-set-summer-league-orlando-magic-roster-schedule-2023/?utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR101n1pPbNsmqPrJ-lH_0H3hQQw2q56vC0ZLlLgWEGdL_sYasxQDT5Yt4c

Today marks the 50th anniversary of the official declaration of martial law in the Philippines. The public announcement came two days later, on September 23, 1972, to give time for the military to round up the oppositionists and the dissidents and put them in jail.

As you read this, please take a moment of silence to remember those who lost their lives or have been permanently scarred by martial law: the imprisoned, the tortured, the raped, the abused, the salvaged, the disappeared, the dispossessed, the harassed, the displaced, the impoverished, the war victims and those who suffered the brunt of plunder and bad policies (we particularly remember the children of Negros during the 1985 famine).

Let's also remember our allies, those who risked life and limb to help mitigate the harm of martial law: the Filipinos abroad who did their part in exposing and opposing the dictatorship, the nuns and priests, the activists, the journalists (particularly the women writers), the movie makers, the academics, the documentarists who kept records, the authors, the businessmen who secretly supported the anti-martial law forces, the international humanitarian groups, the young military officers who organized to oppose the regime. Most of all, let's remember the ordinary people who offered support to the hunted and oppressed, whether it was shelter for the night or sustenance for the days ahead.

We remember through our stories this week:

A general's recollection of opposing martial law in theory

A Mindanawan's recognition of his psychological scars

Two Tony's -- Hilario and Tagamolila -- the early martyrs

We remember through films: Vince Tañada's Katips, the recent blockbuster and awards sweeper, now showing internationally; and

Batas Militar, the 1997 documentary which you can watch through the link be;low until September 30.

Today and always, WE WILL NEVER FORGET.