It's almost Valentine's Day so let's talk about lust.

Oscar Peñaranda, beloved teacher of many, poet/author and master raconteur, recounts his young, wild days as an Alaskero (Filipino cannery worker), when dark nights, stinky corners, and hordes of mosquitoes did not stop lonely hearts from having intimate parties for two. "Lust Among the Ruins" is LOL funny. And poignant. A salve for pandemic Valentine blues.

Another kind of love, this one for the fave candy of one's childhood. PF Correspondent Rey E. de la Cruz reignites his love for White Rabbit, the candy created in Shanghai, and finds kindred spirits almost everywhere. ["Down the 'White Rabbit' Hole"]

When our publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco started the series of notable and famous/infamous Fil-Ams, she thought it would just take a few chapters. But names kept cropping up as friends and readers sent in their suggestions, so now "Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous" is already Part 15 (with more coming in our future issues; watch out for them).

Since February is Black History Month, it's a good time to commemorate Pvt. David Fagan, a Black American soldier sent to the Philippines to fight the Filipino rebels at the onset of the Filipino-American War of 1898-1902. Fagan chose to defect to the Philippine forces and fight the Americans. Read Again Rene G. Ontal's timeless retelling of "A Black Man's Burden."

And for more stories about romances and heartbreaks, join us for our webinar on February 16. See below for details.

Our Stories This Week

Lust Among The Ruins By Oscar Peñaranda

Down The ‘White Rabbit’ Hole By Rey E. de la Cruz

Fil-Ams Among The Remarkable And Famous, Part 15 By Mona Lisa Yuchengco

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

The Happy Home Cook: Boneless Bangus Donburi By Rene Astudillo

Video of the Week: Team Kidlat in Marawi and Tagoloan

In The Know

Europe's Army of Filipino Domestic Workers
https://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/modern-slavery-europe-s-army-of-filipino-domestic-workers-a-93346a29-3899-470c-9221-4cf7000295aa

Indigenous Filipino Fabrics Are Making a Comeback
https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/design/philippine-indigenous-fabrics-are-making-a-comeback-a00225-20171017-lfrm?fbclid=IwAR36DHhb2DRBcGcM7CZL7xxrrUYluH7aYsNEPIiFMy7SDFLOGtHz5F1KkBk

Journey Frontman Arnel Pineda on the Band’s New Record, Dreams of a Steve Perry Reunion
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/arnel-pineda-interview-journey-album-steve-perry-1117594/?fbclid=IwAR0fmFaKIdQVOywspJYRc5vylOOZA6JCDocVoCUsTVYpSauhDWjSJEpp6rs

The Original Chefs From Bad Saint Open the Fil-Am Fast Food Counter of Their Dreams
https://dc.eater.com/2021/1/27/22250817/pogiboy-opening-past-bad-saint-chefs-jollibee-inspired-tom-cunanan-the-block-dc?fbclid=IwAR3x1vkKluOcLfSrLfvWfjhMF0e-QPHscpivWbo9AknWt4bimJwE926Fjws

Girl, 12, leads fundraising for coral rehab in Camiguin
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126886?fbclid=IwAR2P75j0Mn1FrXYDUBtALMxUfjJYjnGNCUTwUMkZZPBzPM8vgU-hcovdwZw

Seattle mural to depict Filipino and Fil-Am history
https://usa.inquirer.net/63055/seattle-mural-to-depict-filipino-and-fil-am-history?fbclid=IwAR3XhNuXT5LOOozCyr5vJdmn51yhKjv0auQt7AsP5BnTs_LZrpdowPdByYM

When I first saw the graphic memoir of Malaka Gharib, my first thought was, why is this author included in a Filipino American book festival? Turns out she is Filipino Egyptian, brought up in southern California by her Filipino mother, and spends her summers in Egypt with her father. This unique background is material enough for an interesting memoir, but Malaka is much more than the ethnicity of her genes. A cartoonist of no mean talent, she contributes to the New Yorker and works for NPR, in addition to some non-profit involvements. PF Correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino profiles her. ["Watch Out World: Journalist-Artist Malaka Gharib Inspires Action with Cartoons]

Those who grew up in the Philippines in the 1950s to the 1970s will remember the "Weapons of Moroland," a wooden wall decor shaped like a shield with miniature swords pasted on it. We had one, I'm sure your parents or grandparents owned one too. Washington DC-based historical researcher Erwin R. Tiongson digs into the provenance of the decor and unearths some disturbing beliefs attached to this cultural icon. ["'Weapons of Moroland' and our Homes"]

Long-time Quezon City residents will remember its dynamic former mayor, Adelina S. Rodriguez, who was also the first lady of the province of Rizal since her husband, Isidro Rodriguez, was then the governor. Mrs. Rodriguez has just celebrated her centennial birthday, good enough reason for her nephew-in-law Men Sta. Ana to honor her with a tribute. ["Tia Daling: One Hundred Years of Zest, Happiness, and Meaning"]

Our Happy Home Cook recipe this week is the third of celebrity chef Sandy Daza's recipes that he is sharing with PF, from his recently released cookbook, "Cooking with Sandy." We hope you enjoy Sandy's version of "Vermicelli Spring Rolls."

Video of the Week: The world's "most under-appreciated cuisine" shows travel journalist Jonathan Legg exploring Filipino food

Our In The Know links this week, ICYMI.

Biden holds big lead over Trump with Asian American voters, survey says
https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-09-15/biden-trump-aapi-voters?fbclid=IwAR3mHBKnI9cC83DbLX4gxsggHlofGFU5cToYt90bRUVq-rEHW2mysbKl_-k

Child Pornography Industry Booms in the Philippines, World Capital of Cybersex Crime
https://www.esquiremag.ph/money/industry/pandemic-revenue-child-exploitation-a00304-20200916?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20200916-fbnp-money-pandemic-revenue-child-exploitation-a00304-20200916-fbfirst&fbclid=IwAR2lMf9ouDzbC_yxZemkweNHGGmE_EdERaiknhAxXSa-izpJuDnUzODexNA

Martial law museum to rise on UP Diliman campus
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1337779/martial-law-museum-to-rise-on-up-campus?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1600642585

Pio Abad – interview: ‘The backbone of my practice is family: personal and political narratives entwined’
https://www.studiointernational.com/index.php/pio-abad-interview-the-collection-of-jane-ryan-william-saunders-ferdinand-imelda-marcos-phillilpines

Korean Dramas: Why Filipinos Can't Get Enough
https://www.reportr.world/news/why-filipinos-can-t-get-enough-of-korean-dramas-a4713-20200918-lfrm?fbclid=IwAR389V5n5hpH_HDSAz3GCYsico-I8IapPo8YWLkc63gv8HtpBF2FbqGbP3I

In Hawaii, a man lost his surfboard. It reappeared in the Philippines
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/in-hawaii-a-man-lost-his-surfboard-it-reappeared-in-the-philippines/ar-BB19g9rp?ocid=msedgntp