Torch Bearers

As the Philippines heals from the bruising rhetoric and divisiveness of the 2016 election, it is refreshing to know that the Filipino soul is alive and well among its torch bearers in various parts of the world.

In San Diego, California, there's Bernard Ellorin, an ethnomusicologist, promoting the kulintang as the natural accompaniment to the dance performances of the Samahan Filipino ­American Performing Arts and Education Center. Daisy Amos Laag profiles Ellorin in "A Career in 'Roots' Music."

In Stavanger, Norway, Manila-born and -raised Michelle "Alex" Mossige does her bit to promote Filipino culinary culture with her Adobo Afternoon pop-ups, reports Jacqueline Lauri, herself a Filipino culinary advocate, in "Adobo Afternoons in Norway." Mossige's version of Pork Adobo with Norwegian flair is our featured recipe in The Happy Home Cook this week.

In Vancouver, Canada, a group of Filipino artists, the Dimasalang III International Artist Group, draws inspiration from its leader, the renowned Sofronio Ylanan Mendoza, better known as SYM. Sandie Gilles writes about them in "Brush Strokes by the Untouchables."

Meanwhile, here's a welcome respite from the heat of weather and politics: Positively Filipino Contributing Writer Criselda Yabes guides us through bird watching havens in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in "Flights of Fancy."

If you're a Filipino culture bearer, check out our Partner post this week and add your name to the growing list.

In our Video of the Week, the Asian Law Caucus honors Filipino World War II veterans as AAPI Civil Rights Heroes.