Young Love and Vengeful Murders

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A sweet experience of teenage love in a lively neighborhood did not anticipate the unspeakable tragedy that would befall that community and the nation. 

An American husband resolved his long-denied personal pain through the communal mourning enabled by his  Filipina wife's close-knit clan.

A metaphorical "call to arms" for the forthcoming Philippine elections from someone who knows what it takes.

These and a tribute to our modern-day heroes -- Filipino health care workers in the Covid frontlines who gave up their lives so others will live -- mark the beginning of our Year of the Tiger offerings this week.

Here's more: a relevant Read Again now that the Tallano hoax is getting some air time in the Philippines as it relates to the alleged Marcos gold. Myles A. Garcia's "Philippine Hoaxes: of Cabbages and Kings, Grifters and Trolls" is a wild ride through some mind-boggling claims that no one in his right mind should take seriously. (But apparently some people do!).

Our Video of the Week features a tribute to Stella Abrera, the first Filipina prima ballerina of the renowned American Ballet Theater (PF has featured her twice.) She retired in June 2020 when the Covid pandemic was at its height, so her farewell dance performance in "Giselle" had to be cancelled.

Top the week off with Elizabeth Ann Quirino's recipe for Chinese Peanut Cookies. We posted this to celebrate the Year of the Rooster 2017 but it works just as well for the Year of the Tiger 2022.

In The Know (Philippine Election Edition)

Hindsight No. 3: A False Nostalgia
https://penmanila.ph/2022/01/31/hindsight-no-3-a-false-nostalgia/?fbclid=IwAR0BQE0Wx-Q7X-PaVoTE1XAczlIzW3R73n4BvB5bhcj-Sf-IS82hW5Jz5sw 

Boy Abunda takes on Lacson, Marcos and Robredo
https://verafiles.org/articles/boy-abunda-takes-lacson-marcos-and-robredo

Marcos Sr. on Marcos Jr.
https://opinion.inquirer.net/149062/marcos-sr-on-marcos-jr?fbclid=IwAR3asRZyiiUzeXeH8_mELmmCdB5duDuI_SgisxlFdC2xrz1yGZWbsVgTSCw

Philippines' presidential bet Marcos shuns talk of past atrocities
https://news.yahoo.com/philippines-presidential-bet-marcos-shuns-070101576.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

[OPINION] What if Ka Leody had been invited to the Soho interview?
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/opinion-what-if-ka-leody-invited-soho-interview/?fbclid=IwAR0vSeNqRRqZM8f9Uaarvsktw2uiN7JPkQQhqVpKj-TJBtmfGDAFKM361nc

Sui Generis
http://us4.forward-to-friend.com/forward/show?u=81b6ec9d9be6b6261a822deb0&id=3b03af597c

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Standing Up to a Heavy-Hand

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This is the worst of times; but it could also the best of times. President Trump disallows the entry of refugees from seven "terrorist" countries. Fortunately, people around the world would have none of it. They showed humanity’s best values of compassion and solidarity by staging firestorms of protests worldwide.

The vagueness of the order led to chaos in ports of entry that victimized even legitimate visa holders. An incident at LAX airport on the day of Trump's inauguration leads us to question whether immigration officials had already been given instructions to stop and question non-U.S. citizens even before the executive order was made public.

Meanwhile, many Filipinos are joining The Resistance as Positively Filipino Correspondent Cherie Querol-Moreno reports in "Marching for Justice Around the World."

On a calmer note, Correspondent Rey de la Cruz profiles Leonardo Cunanan, an artist-musician now based in Canada. Correspondent Anthony Maddela catches up with Stella Abrera, principal dancer at the American Ballet Theatre.

Our Happy Home Cook recipe: Beef Chayote Soup from new Correspondent Rene Astudillo.

For our Video of the Week, Mikey Bustos presents the different reactions Filipino pageant fans exhibit during the Miss Universe contest.

Here are our In The Know links for this week:

From the New York Times: Duterte’s Free Birth-Control Order Is Latest Skirmish With Catholic Church

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/27/world/asia/philippines-free-contraception-duterte.html?emc=edit_tnt_20170127&nlid=57507146&tntemail0=y&_r=1

From The Asia Foundation, Steven Rood reflects on his 17 Years As Country Representative In The Philippines

http://asiafoundation.org/2017/01/18/reflecting-17-years-country-representative-philippines/

From Yahoo, Philippines invasive plant could fuel the country's kitchens

https://www.yahoo.com/news/philippines-invasive-plant-could-fuel-114459236.html?.tsrc=fauxdal

 

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Blazing Trails and Digging Up Memories

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If you're in Washington, D.C. next week (January 27-31), consider yourself lucky to be able to watch Stella Abrera, the first Filipina American principal dancer of the American Ballet Theater. Stella will be dancing in "Sleeping Beauty," Tchaikovsky's well-loved creation, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts. For those who will miss this star performance, we have Anthony Maddela's feature, "Stella's Star Turn" for you this week.

Another must-see, if you're in New York, is "Allegiance," the gripping musical about a little known tragedy in American history -- the internment of Japanese Americans in remote camps during World War II simply because they were of Japanese heritage and therefore suspected of not being loyal Americans. This is George Takei's story and he appears here with Lea Salonga who gives another masterful performance in Broadway. Joyce Ibardolasa, who flew to New York to watch the musical, gives us her take on this memorable -- and timely -- piece of theater. Something not to be missed, if you're in the Big Apple.

Speaking of memories, Isabel Taylor Escoda shares one she can never forget: her meeting with Hollywood hotshot Tyrone Power when she was 12. It was 1950 and the dashing star was in the Philippines to film the movie, "An American Guerrilla in the Philippines," another story that emanated from WWII.

And still another commemoration: the centenary of literary giant NVM Gonzalez brought together 17 writers, educators and cultural workers to the Philippines for a workshop organized by NVM's son, Myke. In "Pilgrimage to a Literary Legacy," Lisa Suguitan Melnick takes us with her to UP Diliman and Mindoro for a week she'll always remember.

Our Happy Home Cook feature this week: two recipes for Bicol Express from the book Pulutan: From the Soldiers' Kitchen by Elmer Cruz and Emerson Rosales. The two were Navy ensigns when they were incarcerated for participating in the 2003 "Oakwood mutiny," a failed military rebellion. With the considerable free time they had in prison, and fueled by their love for food and drink, the two compiled recipes from various sources into this one-of-a-kind book.

And our Video of the Week: we can't get enough of Miss Universe Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach's media blitz, this time on New York's Hot 97 radio where she talks about how she trained for Miss Philippines, admits to a big crush on James Franco and hints at a future political career. Quite a witty and delightful subject, this Pia. 

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino