All Rise for Inspiring Filipino Women 

We join the world in celebrating International Women's Day this Friday by featuring Filipino women, each very different from the others but equally deserving of accolades and respect.

First, Whang Od, the oldest living -- and most famous -- mambabatok or tribal tattoo artist. Living in a tiny village called Buscalan in Kalinga, she has singlehandedly drawn tourists by the hundreds eager to get her tattoo imprint. First-time contributor (who is also my daughter) Maia Almendral Esteves shares her first-hand experience with the 102-year-old lady. 

And then there's Conchita "Ching" Baltazar whose loyal and exemplary service to both her employer and the community of OFWs in Hong Kong earned her the accolade "Bagong Bayani." This story from The Sun Hong Kong is written by its editor, Daisy CL Mandap.

In the US, an impressive number of Fil-Am women have been elected and/or appointed to plum public positions in their respective cities and counties. PF Correspondent Cherie M. Querol Moreno introduces this "Rising Wave of Fil-Am Women Political Pioneers."

And if you're into the tattoo mode, here's an interesting Read Again from Mel Orpilla, "Mark of Four Waves," which puts a historical context to indigenous Philippine tattoos.

In time for Lent, here's a Read Again recipe for the Happy Home Cook: Vegan Longganisa from our favorite vegan chef, RichGail Enriquez.

In case you missed them, our links to interesting stories so you'll be In The Know:

'Do you ever think about me?': the children sex tourists leave behind
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/mar/02/children-sex-tourists-leave-behind-fathers-visited-philippines?utm_medium=sundayedition.20190303.smartflab.421.2&utm_source=email&utm_content=article&utm_campaign=10-for-today---4.0-styling

Meet the Chinese Patriots of the Philippines
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/chinese-filipino-revolutionaries-heroes-a2212-20190206-lfrm?ref=taboola_related&fbclid=IwAR0bI8JZ1JWnfKgrZYDyRl7JnHiYQNo6a57mL4VwftEjZdbKE-duOj6WNao

A Walk to Remember: U.P. Organizes Commune Tour
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1089763/a-walk-to-remember-up-organizes-commune-tour?fbclid=IwAR282fuoBfZig5QwtYwaBaHjB7Vk_GrXGi9OfMtzXhJm_VJOAcswP9nxblo&utm_expid=.XqNwTug2W6nwDVUSgFJXed.1

Inspiring Loyalty, and Serving Chickenjoy at Jollibee
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/14/dining/jollibee-review.html

Our Video of the Week: another encounter between millennials and martial law victims.

Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino