On the Ball

In California yesterday morning, we woke up to thrilling news: the unexpected 1-0 victory of the Philippines' Women's National Football Team at the FIFA World Cup in New Zealand. The win was doubly sweet: a historic first by a Philippine team in soccer, an underrated sport in a basketball-crazy country; and it was against the favored home team. For FilAms, some icing on the cake -- 18 out of the 23 players are FilAm; and the winning goal was by Sarina Bolden, a San Francisco Bay Area native. 

[Read about the team's victory in the In The Know links below, and Read Again PF Correspondent Criselda Yabes' pre-World Cup story.]

Another FilAm excitement is taking place in Broadway, where the musical Here Lies Love has opened to resounding acclaim. All performers are FilAms, a historic first in itself. PF Correspondent Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr. went to the show and looked beyond the considerable hype to write this honest appraisal of the immersive experience.

A certified heroine and a daughter's determination to tell her mother's story. This is what PF Correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino's newly released book, Every Ounce of Courageis about. Our editor Gemma Nemenzo writes the review.

He would have been 95 this year. We remember Dolphy, the beloved entertainment king who ruled the Philippines' comedy world for decades. July is the month of his birth and death (2012) so we are posting Bibeth Orteza's story on the making of his biography, which came out in Filipinas magazine in 2008. 

There's a new Filipino restaurant in Oslo, Norway and writer Jennifer Fergesen, thinks it could be the best Filipino restaurant in Europe. High praise indeed from someone who has eaten and written about Filipino food in many countries. Kain Neo-Filipino Bistro, ran by brothers Daniel and Dominic Vergara, offers brave and innovative versions of Filipino flavors, something only Michelin-trained chefs will attempt.  


Stories This Week

Romancing Imelda by Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr.

What Did You Do In The War, Mommy? by Gemma Nemenzo

New Nordic Meets Neo-Filipino by Jennifer Fergesen

Dolphy Is A Book by Bibeth Orteza

Read Agains:

Women Who Kick Aspiration by Criselda Yabes

It's Not Pinakbet If There's No Himbaba-O by Rochit Tañedo

[Recipe of the Week] The Happy Home Cook: Pinaupong Manok by Elizabeth Ann Quirino

[Video of the Week] Difference Between Harana And Kundiman


In The Know

Philippines beats New Zealand in historic Women’s World Cup first win
https://sports.inquirer.net/520654/philippines-beats-new-zealand-in-historic-womens-world-cup-first-win#ixzz88ZMVI5dM

‘We share blood’: The US-born players leading the Philippines’ World Cup charge

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/24/we-share-blood-the-us-born-players-leading-the-philippines-world-cup-charge?fbclid=IwAR3ragois4HKygWcKDB9SL0SGtrSPLOnXj2gylj4--SZHSnLGv_rGBb9k7g

Church starts process to make 13-year-old Ilocano girl a saint

https://www.rappler.com/nation/diocese-laoag-opens-cause-sainthood-ilocano-girl-nina-ruiz-abad/?fbclid=IwAR14Sntk4EYJ_bOn2iT8uAEBsea1Ye8SOO3uZRqRcyjb6u2QYaBwSLmOs3c

Former Janitor, Now Owner of a Pinoy Restaurant in Australia

https://www.businessnews.com.ph/former-janitor-now-owner-of-a-pinoy-restaurant-in-australia-20211111/?fbclid=IwAR2lTFuMh6EcHXaCFbrr_wofZErtRyqO7bImw1nXlOL_A0Wpfyou6iml8UE

Filipino Pop-Up Kultura Finds Permanent Home on Spring Street

https://carolinas.eater.com/2023/7/18/23798103/filipino-kultura-charleston?fbclid=IwAR2DMGsH7Q6x4TBQ3N2pJ0IG58klNedkt75oz4Lt2kmou3lpp1fZ2KGl9zc

Stateside Podcast: Detroit baker delivers “Filipino flavors in a familiar format”

https://www.michiganradio.org/podcast/stateside/2023-07-18/stateside-podcast?fbclid=IwAR1cEMdaNWIsy5GCvlaMb6IpEq502LWrjU4WoTjmwlDQqj3PSO24PGj0ve8

Tboli draws inspiration from tribal deity to top MSU graduating class

https://www.rappler.com/nation/tboli-draws-inspiration-tribal-deity-top-graduating-class-state-university-2023/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&fbclid=IwAR1PIH2PNA7ruUFvbTWdrgHXnbEHBdk_MMPPsXMzjzOicN77vbA5Oate25E


Don't Know Much About History?

The best way to learn history is to read the meticulously researched, factually accurate and objective works of credible historians and writers.

The best way to appreciate historical events is to hear the personal stories by or about those who were there.

Our lineup this week offers both. It begins with a son's narration of his father's monumental choice and heroism during the 1989 coup d'etat that almost toppled the Cory Aquino administration.

We're also reposting some stories related to this day, December 8, a holy day of obligation in the Catholic world (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) but also marks the beginning of World War II in the Philippines (1941) and the assassination of John Lennon (1981) (we have 2 Beatles stories from Lloyd LaCuesta and Marra PL. Lanot).

Part 2 of  former COMELEC chair Andres Bautista's series on the Philippine electoral process, focusing on political dynasties, is also in this issue.

And for a sumptuous feast (or to trigger your imagination of one), PF Correspondent and resident foodie Elizabeth Ann Quirino describes the Kapampangan Christmas table of a clan matriarch who literally cooked up a feast, one dish of which is our Happy Home Cook feature this week.

Video of the Week: SB19’s “Bazinga” tops Billboard Hot Trends Chart
Partner Post: Philippine International Aid’s Christmas Gift Package Campaign



In The Know (Standard Edition)

Tourism pause helps Philippines clean up island paradise
https://news.yahoo.com/tourism-pause-helps-philippines-clean-114222987.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

52 all-Pinoy reading, storytelling spaces launched to promote Filipino books, stories
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/artandculture/812662/52-all-pinoy-reading-storytelling-spaces-launched-to-promote-filipino-books-stories/story/?fbclid=IwAR3F1aNyKY36h_JwjcIBizaYHwkalxNFvBhKjxeHrAuR40Sgj_uYByr5u20

Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar Wins Asia's Best Historic Hotel Award
https://www.esquiremag.ph/life/travel/las-casas-filipinas-de-acuzar-international-award-a833-sa00171-20211126-src-spot?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20211127-fbnp-life-las-casas-filipinas-de-acuzar-international-award-a833-sa00171-20211126-src-spot-fbfirst&fbclid=IwAR2GIIsE7RHRZWxP8p4LTjo7vTjHpD1FWx71YVkAzPYmAxq5l4XU02zk-s4

Inside IKEA in Manila: tabò, capiz windows, woven lamps, and other Pinoy home stuff

https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/11/23/21/how-worlds-biggest-ikea-was-designed-for-pinoy-market?fbclid=IwAR0AAdsDt5bGz38gPNys0sPw3DSYETwmcdTd_I_w3JRAINeNcJtKEGYVxiQ

Fil-Am among 'Best New Chefs' highlights Filipino modern cuisine in U.S.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/11/29/21/fil-am-among-best-new-chefs-highlights-filipino-modern-cuisine-in-us/?utm_campaign=sharedpost&fbclid=IwAR2QHeTJMJb1B4XXDCYqmw4DVr4OgwJi6Xo1Fbs81miQ9lLi9hcnW1aZefM 

This almost 100-year old Cubao mansion is testament to a family’s deep affection for their heritage 
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/05/29/19/this-fabled-1929-mansion-in-new-manila-is-a-war-survivor-and-family-legacy?fbclid=IwAR08wPVfOF5JombMMoESaKvuIZegfnIACG4fh88awjunIVK8Pu6_iw9yxZU


Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino