Surprises

When Manila-based journalist Manny Mogato got the dawn phone call that announced his winning the 'Holy Grail' of journalism -- the Pulitzer Prize, he was shookt, as contributing writer Kelly B. Vergel de Dios describes his reaction. Only one other Filipino from the Philippines has won the coveted award -- Carlos P. Romulo -- and that was 76 years ago. (Four FilAms have won the Pulitzer: Alex Tizon, Jose Antonio Vargas, Byron Acohido and Cheryl Diaz Meyer.)

In Amsterdam, long-time resident Franklin M. Bobadilla got the surprise of his life when the priest in De Krijtberg Catholic Church asked during a sermon one Sunday: "Did you know that we have a Filipino saint in this church?" Find out why in "An Encounter of a Special Kind."

While the 46th anniversary of the proclamation of martial law in the Philippines has come and gone (September 21) we will be continuing our collection of martial law stories, so send in yours to martiallawstories@gmail.com.

This week we have two:

Fil-Am activist Jeanette Gandionco Lazam recalls her harrowing experience leaving the country after the declaration, in "Who Is Marshall Law?"

Our publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco writes publicly for the first time about an extortion plot by a certain Commander David. Her piece, "My Thriller in Manila," is stuff for novels.

links to keep you In The Know:

How Manila has become a portrait of ugliness
https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/66882/how-manila-has-become-a-portrait-of-ugliness/

Utah Valley University President Welcomes Students Using 6 Languages in Crazy Impressive Video
https://nextshark.com/utah-valley-university-president-welcomes-students-using-6-languages-crazy-impressive-video/

Duterte critic arrested as 'darkness and evil' prevail in Philippines
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/sep/25/duterte-critic-antonio-trillanes-iv-hits-out-at-darkness-and-evil-philippines

Schoolgirl, 12, honored for saving Philippine flag
https://globalnation.inquirer.net/10317/albay-girl-honored-for-saving-philippine-flag

For our Happy Home Cook, actress Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo's recipe for Thai Beef Lettuce Wrap. 

For Video of the Week, Balitang America covers the book launch of Jose Antonio Vargas.

Marriage Migrants and the Price They Pay

This week, we situate our stories in two of our Asian neighbors, the first as a source of financial succor at the cost of marital practicalities, the second as a place for discovering new sites and experiences.

Manila-based journalist and community activist Rochit I. Tañedo covers the fate of Filipinas who choose to marry South Korean husbands in their quest for a better life for their families. In "Pinay Migrants Gasp for Air in South Korea's Closed Society," the realities of mixed marriages in a society that both embraces and looks down on the concept are poignantly described.

In "Taking It Easy in Japan Islands," PF Correspondent Criselda Yabes takes us with her on her meanderings in the land of Mount Fuji, goddesses and public baths.

From another PF Correspondent, Serina Aidasani, comes a profile of noted pianist Charisse Baldoria, who also sees herself as a writer, photographer, composer and cultural worker whose compositions salute her cultural roots as a Filipino.

Some compelling stories are in our In The Know lineup this week:

Reuters journalists win Pulitzer for reporting on Philippine 'drug war'
https://www.rappler.com/nation/200391-reuters-journalists-win-pulitzer-2018-report-war-on-drugs-philippines

How a secretive police squad racked up kills in Duterte's drug war
https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/philippines-drugs-squad/

The Filipino tribe that hangs its dead from cliffs
http://www.bbc.com/travel/gallery/20180405-the-filipino-tribe-that-hangs-its-dead-from-cliffs

Meet Davao's Willy Wonka who put PH chocolate on the world map
http://news.abs-cbn.com/life/04/17/18/meet-davaos-willy-wonka-who-put-ph-chocolate-on-the-world-map

12 Longtime Pampanga Businesses That Are Still In Existence Today
https://kaplistorian.blogspot.com/2018/04/78-12-longtime-pampanga-businesses-that.html

Our Happy Home Cook recipe this week comes from Chef Barb Batiste, whose Big Boi restaurant in LA we featured last week. Here's her own recipe for Chicken Adobo.

For our Video of the Week, we feature Houston-based Filipino Food Truck, “Flip n' Patties.”