Remembering

We've seen it happen many times -- from unimaginable tragedies spring unbelievable acts of kindness.We saw it in Houston, in Paris, London, Leyte, New Orleans, even in the war-ravaged countries of the Middle East. And we can never forget how the world became one in the aftermath of the 9/11 attack in New York. On the 16th anniversary of this tragedy of tragedies, as we reel from nature's wrath and political tsunamis, we are reposting first-person accounts that will forever be etched in our hearts. Remember 9/11 with "The Anguish Lingers," G. Mayumi Querubin's interviews of Filipino families who lost loved ones.

Read Again the memories of those who were there that day: http://www.positivelyfilipino. com/magazine/9-11-day-of-days.

We continue our Hometown series with writer/author/teacher Oscar Peñaranda's compilation of heartwarming stories of his boyhood days in Barugo, Leyte and Manila, where he and the Pasig River are "old friends." Peñaranda claims his share of oddball relatives and misadventures that spice up his recollections, making this one of the most potent distillations of childhood memories we've published so far.

And for this issue of memories, Manila-based writer Menchu Aquino Sarmiento tells us about her close encounters with the most famous Filipino writer of all time in "Love, Youth and Nick Joaquin." That those chance meetings with the inimitable -- and unpredictable -- author made an indelible impact on the aspiring writer is an understatement, and you'll see why.

A fitting back-to-school dish for your children is Misua Soup, where our resident foodie Elizabeth Ann Quirino added a few of enhancements of her own to make this rendering not quite your Nanay's recipe.

And for your reading pleasure, our In the Know links:

Problem: A Massive Teacher Shortage. Solution: The Philippines https://www.nbcnews.com/politi cs/politics-news/problem- massive-teacher-shortage- solution-philippines-n793831

This Pinoy athlete had the SEA Games gold in the bag, but he happily settled for a silver.
http://www.interaksyon.com/this-pinoy-athlete-had-the-sea-games-gold-in-the-bag-but-he-happily-settled-for-a-silver-heres-why/

What it means to be a Palanca winner
https://www.rappler.com/ life-a nd-style/arts-and-culture/1808 66-carlos-palanca-memorial- awards-2017-butch-dalisay?utm_ source=facebook&utm_medium= social&utm_campaign=life-and- style

Zobel brothers share insights on surviving, thriving
http://business.inquirer.net/2 36223/zobel-brothers-share-ins ights-surviving-thriving

Last but not least, our Video of the Week: go back in time to the Philippines in 1950s through a promotional documentary by Coca-Cola.

Heroes and Duplicities

August is the month of Filipino heroes and one of them is August-born Manuel Luis Quezon, president of the Philippines during the Commonwealth period. Quezon initiated a shining moment in our country's heritage when shortly before World War II, he opened the country's shores in welcome to European Jews fleeing the impending Holocaust. Historian Ambeth R. Ocampo writes about Philippine-Jewish relations and the magnanimity of Quezon in "Quezon Saved Jews from the Holocaust." We commemorate the legacy of Quezon on his 139th birthday on August 19.

Another history lesson, this time from lawyer Saul Hofileña Jr., whose book Under the Stacks, unearths some previously ignored or unknown facts of Philippine colonial history. Veteran journalist Sylvia L. Mayuga introduces us to "A Man and His Book: Unmasking Duplicities of the Past," an eye-opener and a must-read (both the book and this review) to understand the deep roots of the Muslim conflict in Mindanao.

We continue our Hometown series with Toronto-based writer Patria Cabatuando-Rivera's story of growing up in Nueva Ecija and revisiting her childhood haunts in the towns of Peñaranda, Gapan and Santa Cruz. 

Our Happy Home Cook recipe this week is Liver in Bistek Sauce, one of the recipes in Gerri Barangan-Korten's book, Sagana. 

And another list of links to interesting stories is compiled in our In The Know section:

Duterte: Marcos family willing to open, return ‘wealth in question’
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/926476/president-rodrigo-duterte-marcos-family-ill-gotten-wealth-gold-bars-ferdinand-marcos

Philippines' communist rebellion: A new generation
http://bworldonline.com/philippines-communist-rebellion-new-generation/

Manila's 12 Oldest Restaurants and What They Look Like Now
http://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/food-and-drink/old-restaurants-manila-a1729-20170505-lfrm

Tagalog-speaking Qatari teen thanks Pinay nanny; says he owe her a lot for his upbringing
http://kickerdaily.com/posts/2017/08/tagalog-speaking-qatari-teen-thanks-pinay-nanny-says-he-owe-her-a-lot-for-his-upbringing/

51 Old Colorized Photos Reveal The Fascinating Filipino Life Between 1900 - 1960
http://www.filipiknow.net/old-colorized-photos-philippines/

Our Video of the Week takes us to Brooklyn where Nick Solares, host of The Meat Show, feasts on sisig, adobo and Filipino bbq at F.O.B., the Filipino food destination in the Cobble Hill neighborhood.

Letters of Love

Have you ever personally experienced up close an event so profound, so impactful that you are forever haunted by it? For retired ace broadcast journalist Ken Kashiwahara, who has seen more than a regular person's share of historical moments, nothing compares with August 21, 1983 when he flew to the Philippines to accompany his brother-in-law. 

That brother-in-law was Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino who, as the whole world knows, was assassinated that day as he was escorted down the plane in Manila. In a poignant video footage during those chaotic moments, Ken was seen insisting that he should go with Ninoy, but was told to sit down. The rest of the story remains a painful history, for Ken and the country. Here he writes a "Letter to Ninoy," recalling the tense months the family spent preparing for his return to the Philippines.

Another letter, this time an appeal on behalf of our Filipino veterans who will be bestowed the Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) in October. Major General Antonio Taguba, chair of the nonprofit Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP), asks for your help in purchasing 10,000 bronze replicas of the single CGM medal, to be given to veterans and their families. A well-deserved recognition long overdue. 

Our publisher, Mona Lisa Yuchengco, revisits three places that have personal meaning to her: Tagaytay (for Antonio's and Balay Dako restaurants), Bacolod (for Balay ni Tana Dicang) and Davao (Eden Nature Park and Child Alert Mindanao). Enjoy her photos and plan your trips.

For master bakers and daring amateurs, Elizabeth Ann Quirino shares her recipe of the popular Kapampangan delicacy, Pan de San Nicolas. Known as a curative cookie, it's a difficult recipe so we're posting it way ahead of the feast day of San Nicolas de Tolentino on September 10 so you have time to face up to the challenge. 

Again, we have an interesting lineup of In The Know links for your reading pleasure:

Dear Filipino Americans, Let’s Talk About Charlottesville
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/dearfilipinoamericans-lets-talk-about-charlottesville_us_599723d9e4b03b5e472cef1c

HK domestic workers: A tribute to true heroes
http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/balikbayan/voices/56940-hk-domestic-workers-tribute

2017 SEA Games: PH gymnast claims gold in uneven bars event 22 years after mom's feat
http://cnnphilippines.com/sports/2017/08/22/2017-SEA-Games-Kaitlin-De-Guzman-fifth-gold-medal-Philippines-uneven-bars-gymnastics.html

Refugee remembers kindness of the Philippines
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/columnists/falkenberg/article/Refugee-remembers-kindness-of-the-Philippines-5015096.php

For our Video of the Week, Fil-Am stand-up comedian JoKoy talks about Filipino mothers, familiar to all young Fil-Ams.