Feast or Famine

This June has been a momentous month, in both bad and good ways. The Philippines is about to begin a new era on July 1 and, depending on which side you're forecasting from, there's a "feast or famine" dichotomy involved. The incoming administration will either be the best of times or the worst of times.

What is undeniable is it's bogged down by an inherited ignominy that involves dictatorship, unprecedented corruption, and attempts to rewrite history. How will it govern effectively with these historical albatrosses weighing it down? At this point, one can only surmise; the President-elect is characteristically reticent about his plans and policies, hinting only through his choice of people to head key positions, and most of them are unknown.

Meanwhile, as the curtain closes on the Rodrigo Duterte administration, here's an objective look at what he has done: Read Again Prof. Patricio Abinales' analysis, "Duterte's Mixed Legacy." 

And if you're still gobsmacked by the results of the May elections, here's a controversial take by political analyst/defeated candidate Walden Bello: [Opinion] A Disaster Waiting To Happen: Marcos Jr. And The 2022 Elections

And yet, there are silver linings as always. The 2022 roster of National Artists is an impressive and deserving lot. Leading the pack is Nora Aunor, the long-hailed superstar who started out as a singer and evolved into one of the best actresses the Philippines has ever produced. Movie expert Mauro Feria Tumbocon Jr. wrote a story on Nora for PF and it's as timeless as its title: The Timeless Nora Aunor

Seltzer water with Filipino flavors, anyone? That's NY-based Fil-Am Sandro Roco's Sanzo brand, available through such giant retailers as Amazon, Whole Foods and Target, among others. Sanzo comes in mango, lychee, calamansi and yuzu with ginger flavors as PF Correspondent Anthony Maddela reports.

This Makes Us Smile: Mommy’s Brew

The actress Caridad Sanchez's love affair with coffee, as described by her unica hija, Cathy Sanchez Babao.

Another Read Again, this time a last hurrah for Pride Month and exquisite writing by early PF contributor, Migs Bassig: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/2013/2/via-del-mar

And who can beat Filipino humor? Another sampling of Funny Signs: Forgive Us Our Signs 15

[Recipe of the Week] The Happy Home Cook: Bulanglang Batangas-Style With Crispy Tawilis And Calamansi Dipping Sauce

[Video of the Week] Halimaw


In The Know

Ressa says Philippine courts to decide Rappler closure order
https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-hawaii-honolulu-3fab6d6081c5fc57ca0dd307bdf433eb 

‘The Punisher’: Rodrigo Duterte’s violent reign as Philippines president to end
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/28/the-punisher-rodrigo-dutertes-violent-reign-as-philippines-president-to-end?utm_term=62bae63b411cb8a3e2ab3a5d96cff1b7&utm_campaign=GuardianTodayUS&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=GTUS_email

In the Philippines, Will Marcos Give the Media Hell Like Duterte Did?
https://niemanreports.org/articles/philippines-ferdinand-marcos-duterte/

Kumu Founder Roland Ros on How Social Media Can Spark Social Change
https://www.tatlerasia.com/power-purpose/technology/roland-ros-founder-kumu?utm_campaign=ASIA_DIG_FULL20220402&utm_medium=email&utm_source=tatlerasia.com

Liwayway magazine brings back physical circulation after changes due to pandemic
https://interaksyon.philstar.com/hobbies-interests/2022/06/21/219972/liwayway-magazine-brings-back-physical-circulation-after-changes-due-to-pandemic/?fbclid=IwAR0XdWL0uG6iuYCVt0A1JvYvNtIwXTOKr37FjlhqS_JdZ8a4bPt2KWTRK_4

It has the largest collection of late 19th century houses in PH, but the houses are fast disappearing
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/06/21/22/why-manilas-san-nicolas-district-needs-to-be-rescued?fbclid=IwAR2jTkxTMzOZ8O9CimVR5g62RcpBxoVtGY98mk-21ij7AyFih5ZGYhRpgds

What Manila Looked Like in Its Heyday
https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/lifestyle/manila-glory-days-a1729-20190408-lfrm?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20220622-fbnp-culture-manila-glory-days-a1729-20190408-lfrm-fbold&fbclid=IwAR2L3Yj2Vky2__-RIGlY0eQukYp7rfZdSfjTdoGyhaJqiyjTANbqAcYAADw