Across Miss Universe

Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel (Photo by Gerald Herbert/AP)

You would think that after having had four Miss Universe winners (in 1969, 1973, 2015 and 2018, making the Philippines the fourth winningest country), Filipinos would be blasé or, at the very least, mellow about the 71st Miss Universe pageant held last weekend in New Orleans. But the celebration that accompanied the Fil-Am Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel's win was loud (in the arena) and zealous.  Filipinos worldwide feel proud and validated, as we are, even if the country she represents is not the Philippines. To know more about R'Bonney, whose unique name came from her father, Remigio Bonzon Gabriel's nickname R'Bon, read our "Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous, Part 41" and the "In The Know" section below.

Mahjong, that seductive, addictive table game many Chinese and Filipinos swear allegiance to, is the subject of a fascinating story by Honolulu-based writer Nanette L. Ruhter as she recalls her growing up among her elders' close-knit mahjong community. Just in time for Chinese New Year (Year of the Rabbit) on Sunday, January 22.

We're already on our 41st list of Fil-Ams Among the Famous and Remarkable and there's no end in sight. Who made it this time? Check it out.

A story that will make you Smile: PF Correspondent John Silva posted this short but heartwarming report about this electrician who loves to read literature.

The Filipinos and Chinese have a centuries-long history that has resulted in the blurring of ethnic lines. Read Again Michael Gonzalez's "Porcelain and Pansit: The Philippine Chinese." 

Former student leader/activist Jaime FlorCruz comes full circle as the current Philippine ambassador to China. Read Again his narrative of his very interesting life in "Forty Years in China: From Stranded Activist to International Journalist."  

Speaking of Chinese New Year, here again is the recipe for Chinese Peanut Cookies from PF Correspondent and cookbook author Elizabeth Ann Quirino.

[Video of the Week] Sinulog Grand Parade 2023

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In The Know

Who is R’Bonney Gabriel, Miss Universe 2022?

https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/pageants/things-to-know-rbonney-gabriel-miss-universe-2022/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&fbclid=IwAR1tgBcbSYtVHa-hUvGTXR9kY20XEHSYCx8KIm2A57rLtdbdbiTQNKUc09A

Eng Bee Tin and Ma Mon Luk: How Chinese Cuisine Integrated Itself Within Filipino Cuisine & Culture

https://www.chinoy.tv/eng-bee-tin-and-ma-mon-luk-how-chinese-cuisine-integrated-itself-within-filipino-cuisine-culture/?fbclid=IwAR3MZfePE9kCR3et0QNZi9j0J98rI964ooElyu-246mTTpplwKOAVr0u9t4

Who foots the bill for Marcos’ Davos trip?

https://verafiles.org/articles/who-foots-the-bill-for-marcos-davos-trip?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1_QCAKx3YLT6shTM0--ihtSpbMkRsOc1CDxgWPo5yiVO7ikYB3dewLwow#Echobox=1673619646

As a Filipino American, Dungeness Crab Was Part of My OG San Francisco Childhood

https://www.kqed.org/arts/13923127/dungeness-crab-fishing-filipino-american-treasure-island-san-francisco

‘Here Lies Love,’ an Imelda Marcos Disco Musical, Will Play Broadway

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/12/theater/here-lies-love-broadway.html?smid=tw-nytimesarts&smtyp=cur&fbclid=IwAR0IIAy1n1CDm2bYNrF6qPGI3OZafYn5OdsZKk7Q-y_jU5DB4FhZ-I-4VPY

Movie stars and anti-Filipino race riots: The secret history of San Francisco’s Macintosh Studios

https://www.sfgate.com/sfhistory/article/A-luxury-San-Francisco-suitmaker-that-inspired-a-16133069.php?fbclid=IwAR2ukalKvD2TtXoPTbcle0_j75tutPOcJ-jo1HsPpfIo8y3I2tMmnv6yCUc

Remembering Carmen Guerrero Nakpil’s cultural battle with Gina Lollobrigida

https://verafiles.org/articles/remembering-carmen-guerrero-nakpils-cultural-battle-with-gina-lollobrigida?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2QzGkuitxMvDUB4yFmaO3X57vwKSxfGup_dZroGeFp0N6zyLi-KR__X_w#Echobox=1673940469

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Past and Pastime

Often overlooked in the history of American student activism is 1968 Third World students' strike in San Francisco State (University), which led to the formation of the first ethnic studies college in the country. Read all about the Filipino American students' leading role in that upheaval in Juanita Tamayo Lott's "PACE, A Critical Link in Filipino American History." 

But history is not all Big Politics. Read Bibeth Orteza's hilarious recollection of her frustrated quest for romance on campus just when the Big Politics of Marcos' Martial Law was descending on the Philippines.

For a dose of nostalgia, join our raconteur Myles Garcia as he lays his hands on one of Manila's favorite pastimes,  "Oh, How I Miss Manila Mahjong." 

We would like to thank our writers who won in the recent 7th Annual Plaridel Awards of the Philippine American Press Club, USA:

Rene Astudillo, Plaridel Award for Best International Story, “Will the Philippine Jeepney Soon Be Extinct?” http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/will-the-philippine-jeepney-soon-be-extinct

Elizabeth Ann Quirino, Plaridel Award for Best Tourism Feature Story, “Savoring Hidden Flavors of the Philippine Kitchen”
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/savoring-hidden-flavors-of-the-philippine-kitchen

Titchie Carandang-Tiongson and Erwin Tiongson, Plaridel Award for Best Profile Writing, “The Untold Story of Nina Thomas: The American Woman Who Could Have Been First Lady of the Philippines” http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-untold-story-of-nina-thomas

France Viana, Plaridel Award for Best Entertainment Story, “Myth, Magic and Madonnas In Eye-Opening Philippine Art Exhibition” http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/myth-magic-and-madonnas-in-eye-opening-philippine-art-exhibition

Rey E. de la Cruz, Honorable Mention for Best Profile Writing, “Happy Beneath the Sea”
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/robert-suntay

Rey E. de la Cruz, Honorable Mention for Best Feature Story, “Dear Satu: Letters Tell the Story of Our Lives”
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/dear-satu-letters-tell-the-story-of-our-lives

Lisa Suguitan Melnick, Honorable Mention for Best Entertainment Story, “Incarcerated 6x9 Gets You on the Cell-ular Level”
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/dance-theater-review-incarcerated-6-x-9-gets-you-on-the-cell-ular-level

Elizabeth Ann Quirino, Honorable Mention for Best Food Story, “Tupig from Tarlac,”
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/tupig-from-tarlac

For Filipino American History Month, we recommend the following Read Again stories:
“An Ilongot Murder Mystery” by Michael Gonzalez: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/an-ilongot-murder-mystery

“Fil-Am Olympic Great Vicki Manalo-Draves” by Ed Diokno: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/fil-am-olympic-great-vicki-manalo-draves

For our [In The Know] Links:

Soldiers in Facebook’s War on Fake News Are Feeling Overrun
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/09/business/facebook-philippines-rappler-fake-news.html

Wanted: More Public Libraries
https://opinion.inquirer.net/116595/wanted-public-libraries

Gov. Brown rejects ethnic studies bill, saying high school students are overburdened
https://www.dailybulletin.com/2018/10/02/gov-brown-rejects-ethnic-studies-bill-saying-high-school-students-are-overburdened/

For Happy Home Cook, Chef Paolo Espanola dishes his take on a Filipino classic, Pansit Molo.

For Video of the Week, Center for Asian American Media remembers Professor Dawn Bohulano Mabalon, through her film collection on her family's history.