What Indigenous Folk Arts Tell Us

When the Americans colonized the Philippines at the turn of the 20th century, they sought to portray Filipinos to the American public as "savages", requiring lessons in literacy and democracy. To stress their point, they brought "Igorottes" from northern Luzon to the US as human exhibits in such events as the St. Louis World Exposition of 1904. This massive, historic lie discounts the fact that among our indigenous tribes and mountain cultures, a sophisticated, homegrown culture has evolved since pre-Hispanic times. This culture manifests itself in folk arts and textile weaving, techniques handed down through the generations. Prof. Michael Gonzalez, a board member of The Hinabi Project, explains the history behind the beautiful ongoing "Cordillera Textiles and Folk Arts Exhibit" in San Francisco. Don't miss it if you're in the area.

If you're thinking of getting married in a Catholic church in the Philippines, here's a helpful eye-opener from PF Correspondent Rene Astudillo on the costs of having one. 

We continue to collect and post personal stories on martial law (and will keep on doing so until certain parties cease to attempt revising history, so Send Us Yours). This week, lawyer/academic Mariel Toni Jimenez writes about her recollections when she was a young girl in Manila and her aunt, Professor Dolores Feria, was arrested. 

It's been a year since the Marawi siege, a horrific year when the picturesque city in southern Philippines was reduced to rubble. Read Again journalist/author Criselda Yabes riveting account of a crucial military operation, "Escape Through Death's Door," after which read her "Marawi Update."

From Rene Astudillo, we have a recipe for Pork Quinoa Casserole for our Happy Home Cook. 

Here are links to stories you may have missed from other publications:

New Podcast Shares Uniquely Filipino-American Stories
https://www.colorlines.com/articles/new-podcast-shares-uniquely-filipino-american-stories?fbclid=IwAR1UX97glI9dqmZdhpGSDdXqwUgva1Ob08QDxShlN5EYgThXIoSwmt0Ga0s

From salted duck egg to sapin sapin: Filipino ingredients become ice cream flavors at Wanderlust Creamery
http://www.asianjournal.com/life-style/eat-drink/from-salted-duck-egg-to-sapin-sapin-filipino-ingredients-become-ice-cream-flavors-at-wanderlust-creamery/?fbclid=IwAR1bvutrX-fhMh1xTqWBdhaESfwQOAS6XfBOUTKnimyxwfaKzz-L3mPa-yQ

Duterte camp spent $200,000 for troll army, Oxford study finds
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/07/24/1721044/duterte-camp-spent-200000-troll-army-oxford-study-finds?fbclid=IwAR2-T9seV-XNWKzRl0djmVvBnQKyU8Bmy7n1Pw3GcsKhoVYSp4cxvIEr1U0

Philippines plastic pollution: why so much waste ends up in oceans
https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/health/article/2168819/philippines-plastic-pollution-why-so-much-waste-ends-oceans?fbclid=IwAR2HPr30UnmCZ6VisdjZ9RvYLn7KPwqouUngIQS8qeSf2YoqLFPHAaR8ezE

And in celebration of Larry Itliong Day for the Filipino American History Month, we are featuring a clip from Marissa Aroy’s “Delano Manongs” as our Video of the Week.

Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino