Maternal Instincts

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Since the beginning of May, we've been asking for and posting travel stories to help you with your post-Covid travel plans. 

What we haven't done yet is post stories about people and places in the Philippines that travelers, both local and foreign, should include in their itineraries. One of them is the PatisTito Garden Cafe and B&B in San Pablo, Laguna where its main attraction, the superbly talented fashion designer-artist-social activist Patis Tesoro lives, works and displays her singular creations.

Patis, despite her successes, is no stranger to pathos and tragedy but her story is one of survival and passion. PF publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco tells us about her visit to the colorful, eclectic world of Patis Tesoro.

A month that honors mothers should rightfully end with a tribute to a remarkable mother.  The late Estrella Macute Echavez was one dynamo of a woman who never let anything - not war, not immigration, not economic difficulties - stop her from shining. Her son, Tim Salaver, honors her and invites readers to concerts in her honor.

Speaking of mothers, here's some very welcome help for new, overwhelmed ones: Chiyo, a New York-based meal delivery service has a nutritious meal kit for mothers that can be delivered anywhere in the US. The company is co-founded by Fil-Am postpartum chef Jennifer Jolorte Doro, who is also the company's Chief Culinary Officer. PF contributing writer Claire Mercado-Obias profiles the chef and the unique service.

Author/world traveler Cecilia Manguerra Brainard tours Belgium and unexpectedly digs up information about her alma mater, St. Theresa's College in Cebu and Manila.

This week marks the 6th anniversary of the Battle of Marawi, a tragedy of epic proportions. Read Again PF Correspondent Criselda Yabes' excellent reportage on the war: In the Rubble of Marawi — Positively Filipino | Online Magazine for Filipinos in the Diaspora

Our unique offering for the Happy Home Cook this week is shared by Jennifer Doro of Chiyo, an ideal dish for postpartum mothers: Kelp Noodle Pancit.

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Staff

May Is for Dancing and Feasting

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There's something about the month of May that feels like the psychological cobwebs and lethargy of winter have lifted and sunshine and celebrations have taken over. For Filipinos, particularly, May is fiesta time when many towns celebrate the feast day of San Isidro de Labrador, for instance, on May 15. San Isidro is the patron saint of farmers, and it's understandable that a still largely agrarian Catholic country pays homage to his patronage. Other towns have their own saints whose feast days fall on different months, but the May-born ones have the advantage of summer, when town folks are in the mood for celebrating.

In the US, there's a big list of commemorations in May, but the significant ones (for us) are the Asian American-Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Older Americans Month, Mental Health Awareness Month and of course, Mother's Day. 

Always in the spirit of celebration, we have new stories for you this week:

"Dancing with the Kalinga: Homage to a Brave Past" is Dr. Michael Gonzalez's riveting account of his visit to Kalinga province where he immersed in the musical traditions of the indigenous people and paid silent tribute to the late warrior/activist Macli-ing Dulag, who inspired and led the resistance to the massive dam project that would have drowned the lands and history of his people.

In "Incarcerated 6x9 Gets You on the Cell-ular Level",  PF Correspondent Lisa Suguitan-Melnick provides a sneak preview of the forthcoming dance theater creation of Alleluia Panis, whose name is synonymous with passion and artistry.

PF's resident food expert Elizabeth Ann Quirino introduces Chef Jam Melchor, an advocate of the Slow Food Movement, whose advocacy focuses on bringing back the traditional methods and dishes of Filipino culinary history. From the Chef, who is a Kapampangan, comes his recipe of Sisig Babi, our Happy Home Cook feature for the week. 

Here's our In The Know lineup:

The Philippines Genocide 3 million Filipinos Killed
https://britsinthephilippines.top/philippines-genocide-3-million-filipinos-killed/

Boracay: From pristine island to fragile paradise
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/201094-boracay-history-island-paradise-fragile-closure

Patis Tesoro
http://artinsite.org/2018/04/patis/

Sisig with egg and mayo? Thanks, but Kapampangans aren't having any of that
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/food/651699/sisig-with-egg-and-mayo-thanks-but-kapampangans-aren-t-having-any-of-that/story/?utm_source=GMANews&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=lifestyle

White Rabbit, China’s beloved homemade candy, tries to modernise whilst maintaining tradition
https://www.scmp.com/video/china/2142468/white-rabbit-chinas-beloved-homemade-candy-tries-modernise-whilst-maintaining

For Video of the Week, we feature the trailer of director Alexandra Cuerdo's documentary “ULAM: The Main Dish,” which will be shown on May 11, 2018 at the San Francisco CAAMFest.

Things To Do Before Bedtime

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In case you're not doing it yet, you can read Positively Filipino from your smart phone or tablet. Just bookmark the website, add the icon and enjoy the stories whenever, wherever you are. (See below for instructions on how to bookmark the page.)

Like you can imagine yourself  "Chasing Dolphins" at the Tañon Strait  as you take your lunch break. The Tañon Strait, off the island of Bais in Negros Oriental is where half of the 27 species of dolphins and whales found in the Philippines congregate, and it's quite a sight, as our regular contributor Criselda Yabes describes.

Or in case you are considering a relationship with a Kapampangan (a native of Pampanga Province) and want to have some insider info on their character, you can read cultural historian Robby Tantingco's "10 Things You Need to Know About Kapampangans" while taking the train on your way home from work.

And before you step into the supermarket to buy ingredients for your dinner, you can stop and savor this week's The Happy Home Cook recipe: San Miguel Steamed Manila Clams with Longanisa, as created by brothers Chase and Chad Valencia who are making waves in Los Angeles with their LASA pop-up restaurant, also featured here (Anthony Maddela's 'LASA: Rescuing Filipino Cuisine from the Doldrums').

When doing your daily walk, you can also check out our Pinoyspotting feature by our publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco who met some interesting Filipinos in Balboa Beach, Budapest and Berlin. Or watch our Video of the Week featuring the fun creations of famous Filipino couturier Patis Tesoro during the Independence Day Gala in Washington, D.C. this year.

While relaxing before bedtime, during this month that honors fathers, you can Read Again some stories to stir your hearts: Eva Alminiana Nieva Monroe's "The Ardor of My Father" and Robert V. Ragsac Sr.'s "You'll Never See Me Again."

Take Positively Filipino with you wherever you go, scroll through the variety of present and past stories, and you'll never have moments of boredom.

To add the Positively Filipino icon on your mobile devices, go to your browser, and open the PF website then choose "Add to Home Screen" the website (i.e., bookmark a website, www.positivelyfilipino.com).  This adds the PF icon to your home screen. So anytime you want to read Positively Filipino, you can just click on that icon and you will be brought directly to The Magazine.

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino