Letters of Love

Have you ever personally experienced up close an event so profound, so impactful that you are forever haunted by it? For retired ace broadcast journalist Ken Kashiwahara, who has seen more than a regular person's share of historical moments, nothing compares with August 21, 1983 when he flew to the Philippines to accompany his brother-in-law. 

That brother-in-law was Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino who, as the whole world knows, was assassinated that day as he was escorted down the plane in Manila. In a poignant video footage during those chaotic moments, Ken was seen insisting that he should go with Ninoy, but was told to sit down. The rest of the story remains a painful history, for Ken and the country. Here he writes a "Letter to Ninoy," recalling the tense months the family spent preparing for his return to the Philippines.

Another letter, this time an appeal on behalf of our Filipino veterans who will be bestowed the Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) in October. Major General Antonio Taguba, chair of the nonprofit Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP), asks for your help in purchasing 10,000 bronze replicas of the single CGM medal, to be given to veterans and their families. A well-deserved recognition long overdue. 

Our publisher, Mona Lisa Yuchengco, revisits three places that have personal meaning to her: Tagaytay (for Antonio's and Balay Dako restaurants), Bacolod (for Balay ni Tana Dicang) and Davao (Eden Nature Park and Child Alert Mindanao). Enjoy her photos and plan your trips.

For master bakers and daring amateurs, Elizabeth Ann Quirino shares her recipe of the popular Kapampangan delicacy, Pan de San Nicolas. Known as a curative cookie, it's a difficult recipe so we're posting it way ahead of the feast day of San Nicolas de Tolentino on September 10 so you have time to face up to the challenge. 

Again, we have an interesting lineup of In The Know links for your reading pleasure:

Dear Filipino Americans, Let’s Talk About Charlottesville
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/dearfilipinoamericans-lets-talk-about-charlottesville_us_599723d9e4b03b5e472cef1c

HK domestic workers: A tribute to true heroes
http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/balikbayan/voices/56940-hk-domestic-workers-tribute

2017 SEA Games: PH gymnast claims gold in uneven bars event 22 years after mom's feat
http://cnnphilippines.com/sports/2017/08/22/2017-SEA-Games-Kaitlin-De-Guzman-fifth-gold-medal-Philippines-uneven-bars-gymnastics.html

Refugee remembers kindness of the Philippines
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/columnists/falkenberg/article/Refugee-remembers-kindness-of-the-Philippines-5015096.php

For our Video of the Week, Fil-Am stand-up comedian JoKoy talks about Filipino mothers, familiar to all young Fil-Ams.