Everyone who buys online in the Philippines know how convoluted it can be. Now a startup called Paymongo claims to have streamlined the process and has in fact garnered some precious endorsement via investments from the famous Silicon Valley tech incubator, Y Combinator. Find out how four intrepid young men, including this story's author, former presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda, was able to gain a foothold in Silicon Valley in "Paymongo -- A Filipino Startup in Silicon Valley."

FilAm novelist Randy Ribay, whose latest book, Patron Saints of Nothing, is longlisted for the National Book Award, offers some inspiring thoughts for aspiring authors in "Randy Ribay, The Writer as Fire Stealer," in an interview by fellow novelist Rafaelito V. Sy.

A trip to sites featured in Game of Thrones led to some interesting discoveries in Ireland. Our publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco tells us about it and introduces some Filipinos for "Pinoyspotting and Other Discoveries in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland."

Our Happy Home Cook recipe for Pompano with Chili and Pineapple comes from a new cookbook from well-seasoned chef/entrepreneur Beth Romualdez. Her book is aptly called Cooking Lessons.

In case you missed them, some links to interesting reads:

Nene Pimentel: Courageous stalwart of democracy
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/profiles/242962-nene-pimentel-obituary?utm_source=Rappler+Subscribers&utm_campaign=ec43cbba1c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_10_21_02_15_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d18b1557b8-ec43cbba1c-96223989&mc_cid=ec43cbba1c&mc_eid=0c0639d4af

“You’ll never grow hungry in Tondo:” Where to eat in Mayor Isko’s ‘hood, an expert’s guide
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/features/10/05/19/youll-never-grow-hungry-in-tondo-where-to-eat-in-mayor-iskos-hood-an-experts-guide?fbclid=IwAR0QC-gWnghO91AxKP1zIUvVT6S0XDa9lN6JA4dlTmO11u3qlkAHLd6ZZCs

Magellan’s Death: A Detailed Description by Antonio Pigafetta
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/magellans-death-history-a00293-20190425-lfrm2?fbclid=IwAR1xppRFHokrmeEj94Be-d2jQqSWFgjPYWEFMGVmuNQLIqfA54DnRGlSgwE

Larry Itliong, Forgotten Filipino Labor Leader
https://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/19/us/larry-itliong-forgotten-filipino-labor-leader.html

Angela Dimayuga’s 10 Essential Filipino Recipes
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/07/dining/filipino-food-recipes-angela-dimayuga.html

Our Video of the Week is the rousing political commentary cum satire performed by the University of the Philippines Visayas cheering squad.