Passion and Romance

Passion -- or the ability and persistence to pursue what your heart wants, no matter the odds -- separates genius from ordinary mortals. His passion for music made Ryan Cayabyab break his promise to his late mother, an opera singer, on her deathbed; it was also what drove him to drop out of business school and lie about his age in order to pursue his music. Of course, there's also talent -- and no doubt Ryan, now acknowledged as The Maestro -- has an inordinate share of that. But how did his music career begin? PF contributor and Ryan's sister-in-law Bella Bonner dug up family stories and shares them with us in "Music Man Ryan Cayabyab Came Up the Hard Way." Read it and be inspired.

Passion of the romantic variety enabled our Toronto-based contributor Corito Fiel to embrace all the good things and bad in a love affair with someone who made the earth move for her. In "Love and Magic in Baguio," she shares the story of her One Great Love, with whom she spent only two years before he passed on. 

And from our Seattle-based contributor Gia R. Mendoza, her curiosity and delight on her "First Glimpse of Cuba."

Let's not let up on romance this month, with our worthy Read Agains:

Manuel L. Quezon and his American fiancee: http://www. positivelyfilipino.com/ magazine/the-untold-story-of- nina-thomas?rq=Nina%20Thomas

Hilda Koronel and Becca Godinez and their new, happier lives: http://www. positivelyfilipino.com/ magazine/second-springs?rq= Hilda%20Koronel

Here are the links to the In The Know lineup this week:

In the Philippines, political trolling is an industry – this is how it works
https://www.opendemocracy.net/digitaliberties/jonathan-corpus-ong-jason-cabanes/in-philippines-political-trolling-is-industry-this

In an Anchorage professor’s letters to his family, the reality of racism is revealed
https://www.adn.com/arts/books/2018/02/17/in-an-anchorage-professors-letters-to-his-family-the-reality-of-racism-is-revealed/

Where heroes and kin used to tread
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/969562/where-heroes-and-kin-used-to-tread

Figure skating: Filipino skater got call to Olympics less than a month ago
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-olympics-2018-figs-m-phl-martinez/figure-skating-filipino-skater-got-call-to-olympics-less-than-a-month-ago-idUSKCN1G00AQ

If you feasted on Valentine's Day, here's a recipe to bring you back to a sensible diet: Richgail Enriquez's Vegan Arroz ala Cubana.

For Video of Week, upcoming comedian Jeppy Paraiso recently posted his latest for Valentine's. Paraiso broke out last Thanksgiving with his Filipino Tita videos on social media.

Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Mailbag - 02/21/2018

Hi Lisa,

I just read your article “My Husband Is A Philanderer” – Great Article!

This is another reason I love your paper – aside from the recipes and informative and educational articles and features, I do enjoy these first handwritings/articles that illustrate the high grade of Philippine literary ability – this should serve as an instrument of pride for all of us Filipinos abroad and make sure that we share and spread the word to those who have not yet realized this!

Kudos and more power to Positively Filipino!!

Tisa Nava

A Day for Love and Ashes

As you lavish your loves with love today, take note (if you're Catholic) that it's also Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Just sayin'.

Sophisticated, elegant, intricate and edgy -- words that best describe the creations of Dubai-based Filipino couturier Ezra Santos, whose EzraCouture is a favorite among Arab and European royalty and international celebrities such as Lady Gaga. PF Correspondent Serina Aidasani celebrates the artistry of this fashion icon, who has started combining traditional Filipino materials into his sumptuous gowns.

If you're a Baby Boomer, remember the courtship rituals of your youth? Veteran journalist/commentator Philip Lustre Jr. recalls the "tedious and laborious" process of wooing ladies before texting and social media took away the fun, in "Our Old-Fashioned Courtship: ‘Dalaw,’ 'Sundo,’ ‘Hatid’."

And what about if your husband is a philanderer? PF publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco's tongue-in-cheek piece will surely strike some chords.

Just to get you more in the mood for love, here are some stories of historical romances you might want to Read Again:

http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/romances-in-history

http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/2013/2/the-poet-and-the-women-he-loved?rq=jose%20corazon%20de%20jesus

For this auspicious combination of Valentine's Day and Ash Wednesday, our resident foodie Elizabeth Ann Quirino shares a delicious but un-sinful recipe for the Happy Home Cook: Pasta with Shrimps and Vegetables.

There's never a dull moment with our lineup of In The Know stories for this week:

EXCLUSIVE: New photos show China is nearly done with its militarization of South China Sea
http://www.inquirer.net/specials/exclusive-china-militarization-south-china-sea

SF looks to change law that lets mentally ill choose to stay on streets (in the article, Alice is Pinay)
https://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/SF-looks-to-change-law-that-lets-mentally-ill-12422969.php

'Dreamer' twins, hoping to enter the military, will either get deployed or deported
https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/12/politics/daca-twins-deported-or-deployed-tapper-cnntv/index.html

Ogie Zulueta stars in not your grandma’s ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’
http://usa.inquirer.net/10117/ogie-zulueta-stars-not-grandmas-streetcar-named-desire

Meet Lara Fernandez Barrios, the Woman Behind Some of Manila's Best-Looking Restaurants
https://www.spot.ph/newsfeatures/newsfeatures-peopleparties/69228/lara-fernandez-barrios-a198-20170208-lfrm

We're not letting up on romance with our Video of the Week, featuring Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion. Ignore the product and focus on the chemistry of the star-crossed love team. 

Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino