They call themselves Alaskeros, Filipinos who are seasonal workers in the fish canneries of Alaska. In his youth, author/poet/beloved teacher Oscar Peñaranda was one of them, but he did something more than scaling and slicing salmon. He chronicled in vivid detail the grit, the color, the toughness and of course the joy of being an Alaskero, a job or a circumstance that lends itself to a lot of riveting stories. Here, in "Pieces of the (Midnight) Sun: Sketches of An Alaskero" are those stories, with some name changes for privacy.

What is a Poet Laureate and what does she have to do? Apparently plenty, as Filipino American poet Aileen Cassinetto describes her day. She was chosen by the San Mateo County (California) Board of Supervisors as its third Poet Laureate, the first Asian American to be thus honored. In addition to telling us what her mandate is, Aileen shares the poem she wrote and read before the county board's first meeting this year.

This week, we join our homeland in mourning the passing and celebrating the life of Armida Siguion-Reyna, TV personality and cultural activist, who long-lasting TV show, "Aawitan Kita," preserved the legacy of Filipino music, particularly the kundiman. Read Again the profile written by her granddaughter, Sara Siguion-Reyna, "We Call Her Mahal."

To add flavor to your Valentine's Day, how's about baking some Meringue Cookies with Toffee, a recipe from PF Correspondent and cookbook author Elizabeth Ann Quirino for the Happy Home Cook.

And here's a Read Again that should make you appreciate better your unencumbered Valentine's Day: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/when-hilario-met-sally-the-fight-against-anti-miscegenation-laws

Here are our In The Know links for your reading pleasure:

Journalists, institutions decry 'absurd legal attack' against Rappler
https://www.rappler.com/nation/222921-journalists-institutions-decry-absurd-legal-attack-against-rappler?fbclid=IwAR10bwPmbR03zPzJFTXBM4AkKlke0sxwSOKlrq3TJoVs-BRXx_E0rll7f4Y

History of New Manila & Doña Magdalena Hemady
https://lakansining.wordpress.com/2019/02/06/quezon-city-the-history-of-new-manila-dona-magdalena-hemady/?fbclid=IwAR2xfo8QBIsxQJ2KRBP0oOorhqOLix9fWXSPY9b99JHL50PPlSInGFO8QJA

This place in Metro Manila takes you on a gripping Martial Law tour
https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/travel/ph-travel/146918-martial-law-tour-bantayog-ng-mga-bayani?fbclid=IwAR0iZ9vTP-Ms_cKMJynrFQIZZpOJDSSX6MW72WzYAph7VLxbistXjuq_LNQ

'Comfort women' activist, dead at 92, fought for reparations 'until the end'
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/comfort-women-activist-dead-92-fought-reparations-until-end-n964936?cid=sm_npd_nn_fb_aa&fbclid=IwAR10bwPmbR03zPzJFTXBM4AkKlke0sxwSOKlrq3TJoVs-BRXx_E0rll7f4Y

For Video of the Week, educator Dr. Carl E. Balita posted an informational video on facebook on the importance of the Philippines to the world.