June 16, 2021

Light, at Last

June 16, 2021/ Gemma Nemenzo

Positively Filipino honored famous fathers with an inspiring webinar yesterday. It featured Sylvia Lazo, daughter of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo; Lindsay Keys, daughter of Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba; Rey Banatao, son of tech entrepreneur Dado Banatao; and Vicki Nievera, daughter of popular balladeer Bert Nievera. Hosted by Odette Alcazaren-Keeley, the event was a fitting celebration of Father's Day. Watch the recording here “Loving Kids Talk About Their Famous Dads”

As California, Vermont and other US states emerge from the darkness of a pandemic year, the process of reopening has triggered a slew of advice and caution, some serious how-tos on re-entering the social circuit, others offering funny cautionary tales about the post-Covid world. For seniors, undoubtedly the biggest demographic impacted by the pandemic, AARP, its trusted guardian angel, came out with a list of protocols for houseguests newly liberated to visit family. Occasional PF contributing writer Elena Buensalido Mangahas however thinks the list not too apt for Filipinos so she came up with her own, "The Fil-American Rule: Apologize Then Proceed." Do you have your own rules?

Our series of "Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous" is now on part 21, putting talent and achievements on display.

We're at the midpoint between two national celebrations -- Philippine Independence Day (June 12) and Rizal Day (June 19) so it's but fitting to post (and repost) stories that celebrate our Motherland's history and National Hero. First off, Harvey I. Barkin reports on a recent talk by noted historian Ambeth Ocampo on Rizal's visit to the US, "Rizal in the US: He Was Not Impressed." We also have the link to the actual lecture.

Here are other interesting Rizal stories:

"Rizal's Great Loves" by Penelope V. Flores

"Jose Rizal, Martial Arts Warrior" by Rene J. Navarro

Timed appropriately for these disturbing times, our Video of the Week presents a powerful, incisive short film, "Heneral Rizal." a production of Act One in the Philippines.

And continuing our Rizal tribute, here's a repost of the recipe for Tinolang Manok or Chicken Tinola, reportedly his fave dish.

In The Know

Trese: What Netflix's new occult anime reveals about the Philippines
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57424360?fbclid=IwAR2ifQf5T8CBDgrQwVHKb-6xnVpCujzE-5XchS-pNEBpXs6Ew6PUHP6PKTI

[Dash of SAS] Second chances in the only country in the world without divorce
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/dash-of-sas-second-chances-only-country-in-world-without-divorce?fbclid=IwAR2h6pPJqxtlWwkXeZUQ7ES5u91zm2Gi7kMLxhv8h7MYn8XR8DjXLBx2wBQ

Breaking down Filipino cuisine by region is harder than you'd think
https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2021/06/02/breaking-down-filipino-cuisine-region-harder-youd-think?fbclid=IwAR1WCSRmfIAsU99iR6vzUHuNBtc9j3XLMadbxsJM02hymoJS5YY6XlzEOk0

Filipino American nurses, reflecting on disproportionate Covid toll, look ahead
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/filipino-american-nurses-reflecting-disproportionate-covid-toll-look-a-rcna1112

NBA’s Jordan Clarkson restores vandalized Filipino food truck, decries Asian hate
https://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/nbas-jordan-clarkson-restores-vandalized-filipino-food-truck-decries-asian-hate/?fbclid=IwAR1iGw5-gjH4zaL3_2pMJnxao80m91Qxi4g6M9DvSkbTL0vMJ7OnZv1-hzo

7 Ancestral Homes and Heritage Buildings in the Philippines Turned Into Beautiful Dining Spots
https://ph.asiatatler.com/dining/ancestral-homes-and-heritage-buildings-turned-into-beautiful-dining-spots

August 05, 2020

They Who Heal Us

August 05, 2020/ Gemma Nemenzo

At the beginning of 2020, our world was still what we had known it to be. Our daily routines were simple: work; play; love; travel; enjoy.

Two weeks into the year, the Philippines suffered its first major tragedy, but it was localized. Taal Volcano erupted, spewing tons and tons of ashes that turned some parts of Batangas and Cavite gray, forcing large-scale evacuations and rendering farms and orchards dead.

And then Covid-19 happened towards the end of January and, just like that, the world as we knew it was completely upended. Within a few weeks, lockdowns would be imposed in almost all countries, businesses destroyed, international travel banned, and mass deaths became the norm.

We're now on the 8th month of the pandemic and the end is nowhere in sight. In the Philippines, 80 health care groups representing 80,000 doctors and a million nurses have petitioned the government for a "timeout" to recalibrate its strategy (or the lack of it) in fighting the virus because the entire health care system is now in danger of complete collapse, its frontliners exhausted to their human limits.

The US is not doing any better. The country is on top of the list in covid infections in the entire world and every day, records are broken for new cases. Toiling at the forefront, side by side with the doctors and other health care workers are the 150,000-strong Filipino nurses scattered in most states but mainly in California and New York, where they make up about 20 percent of the labor force caring for coronavirus patients. Do a Google search and you'll see many reports on how Fil-Am nurses have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Watch our Video of the Week -- a CBS news report by Fil-Am journalist Elaine Quijano on precisely this topic.

Our story this week on Zenei Cortez, the president of the California Nurses Association and co-president of National Nurses United, the US' largest nurses' union, is both a call to action and a tribute to these heroes of the moment, many of whom are our kababayans. PF Correspondent Cherie Querol Moreno reports.

Writer and long-time activist Bonifacio P. Ilagan gives us a capsule post-mortem on the real state of the nation, following President Duterte's address last July 27.

And, if you haven't yet, register for Positively Filipino's webinar on "Immigrants in the Time of Racial Unrest, the Pandemic and Trump" featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author Jose Antonio Vargas and veteran immigration lawyer Lourdes Tancinco. The webinar happens on Monday August 10, 6pm PST/ 9pm EST (Tuesday 9 am Manila time). Here's the link: bit.ly/ImmigrantsRacialUnrest.

Stories This Week

A Compassionate Healer And Fierce Fighter For Fellow RNs By Cherie M. Querol Moreno

The State Of The Nation In A Day By Bonifacio P. Ilagan

Master Watercolorist Josė Honorato Lozano—The Sequel By Myles A. Garcia

Architect With A Personal Touch By Rafaelito Sy

Read Again:
Murder Most Foul By Alex Fabros, Jr.

The Happy Home Cook: Instant Pot Beef Caldereta By Elizabeth Ann Quirino

Video of the Week: Asian Americans report increased discrimination, even as some work on the front lines of pandemic

[PARTNER] Watch It Again: Philippine International Aid’s Giving Hope to the Children 2020 Online Fundraiser

In the Know

Philippine capital returning to lockdown as virus surges
https://news.yahoo.com/philippine-capital-returning-lockdown-virus-055713263.html

Meet the Bay Area rapper working on a COVID vaccine
https://www.sfgate.com/sf-culture/article/Bay-Area-rapper-COVID-vaccine-Ruby-Ibarra-15450383.php?fbclid=IwAR1A8QZEyXedtt9yNbRqhh3zl_08lP16KKVnxNbotvvZp_YOYMEZ6UoWpMU

Why Filipinx Americans Should Be In Solidarity With Black Lives Matter: Lessons From American History
https://www.facebook.com/notes/filipino-american-national-historical-society-fanhs/why-filipinx-americans-should-be-in-solidarity-with-black-lives-matter-lessons-f/10158420594771602/

On Adobo and Anxiety
https://www.southernfoodways.org/on-adobo-and-anxiety/

Amy Schumer just shared her Emmy nomination with her nanny who is from the Philippines
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/07/30/20/amy-schumer-just-shared-her-emmy-nomination-with-her-nanny-who-is-from-the-philippines?fbclid=IwAR112EuPUsXXD2R31DL-KcyItX07l6euegi5MUvMAF1Rd-alBgsNFV2nktk

July 08, 2020

Racism History

July 08, 2020/ Gemma Nemenzo

In answer to the many requests of those who attended the first of a series of Positively Filipino webinars on "Racism and the Filipino American," held on June 29, 2020, we are posting in this week's issue excerpts from Dr. Michael Gonzalez's presentation on "The Colonial Legacy of Racism Among Filipinos" plus answers to questions posted to him during the webinar that were not answered, due to time constraints.

Likewise, we have Atty. William Tamayo's slide presentation on "White Supremacy and Black Oppression in Law and Society," the US side of the racism issue. We are also posting Bill's answers to questions on this topic.

Our second webinar will be on Monday, July 13 at 6 pm PDT/9pm EDT (9 am Tuesday July 14 in the Philippines). We hope you can join us for this very interesting -- and most likely difficult but definitely thought-provoking--conversation. Seats are filling up quickly so please register now at: bit.ly/PFDifficultConversation

We also invite you to spend this Friday night (Saturday morning Manila time) with Martin Nievera, Lea Salonga, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Apl.de.Ap, Ryan Cayabyab and other musical stars for the virtual concert/fundraising of Philippine International Aid. See Partner post below for details. On this one there's no need to register. Just go to Martin Nievera's Facebook page at the designated time and enjoy.