Destinations

A historic meeting between the ailing Manuel Luis Quezon and a similarly ailing (although not quite as serious yet at that time) Carlos Bulosan in 1943 is the subject of Titchie Carandang-Tiongson's story this week. "When Bulosan Met Quezon" is a poignant read peppered with a hint of class tensions.

There's more to Sarangani than Manny Pacquiao and travel writer/environmentalist Bernard Supetran introduces us to its natural, cultural and adventure attractions that allows this province carved out of South Cotabato to hold its own among the Philippines' must-see destinations.

And of course, when we talk about our homeland, there's usually something ludicrous to laugh about. This time it's the "stairway to heaven" in EDSA that PF Correspondent Rene M. Astudillo reports on. See for yourself why there's so much fuss about it.

After all the sumptuous holiday dishes we've been featuring, how about a vegan dessert this time. For our Happy Home Cook recipe, we feature Richgail Enriguez's Vegan Maja Blanca. 

Our In The Know links this time around:

Facebook kicks out Filipino Channel Online, Trending News Portal, 314 other accounts for spamming https://technology.inquirer.net/82584/facebook-bans-philippines-twinmark-media-enterprises?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR00sAxH7UeHIQkTIgz-juQdZVGnKPR4wx7k3K6bXUwi_zAsq6v4Z1W_PWk#Echobox=1547198732

NY-listed China online education firm to tap 100,000 English teachers from Philippines
https://www.philstar.com/business/2019/01/05/1882327/ny-listed-china-online-education-firm-tap-100000-english-teachers-philippines?fbclid=IwAR2v3FBddkGsuJQa6ByY_GRatP0VeRchwIc9LJD0Y-z1LlE2GO0266km1AI

Up close with Catriona Gray
https://usa.inquirer.net/18401/exclusive-up-close-with-catriona-gray?fbclid=IwAR0DYFu074ZCADecJR1KVN4sQlClfm8jTgR9A_PW-BBF6xYou3lpyJNZ5b8#ixzz5cEW5tA7m&utm_expid=.XqNwTug2W6nwDVUSgFJXed.1

When You’re Born In Canada, You Learn How To Be Filipino Through Food 
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/al-donato/filipino-food-identity_a_23584183/?ncid=other_facebook_eucluwzme5k&utm_campaign=share_facebook&ec_carp=1469524042429100395&fbclid=IwAR3kw7fHTPEz1Quay6tDDxy-qnC92mBeHcPMbHxddve1-b7aw9VM5QESzIM&ec_carp=1469524042429100395

Susan & FPJ’s Movies in UNESCO’s Memory of the World
https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2019/01/03/1881743/susan-fpjs-movies-unescos-memory-world?fbclid=IwAR2B6Te9AkLKlkPS1rnU0OD0N0Iti-5GoZCb4ONN4pjdVlX4lySCGJITpCc

For Video of the Week, Inquirer Motoring Correspondent Ardie O. Lopez pays tribute to his grandfather, Irineo Odoy, who is the father of the U.P. Ikot Jeep.

Timeless Star of the Silver Screen

To fans of Filipino movies, Eddie Garcia is a towering institution, unmatched in the breadth and depth of his talent, his experience and in the variety of roles he has played in the 70 years he has been in the industry as actor and director. Author/poet and movie critic Marra PL. Lanot catches up with this quintessential actor and shares his views with us in "What Makes Eddie Run?'

A landmark victory that should be celebrated and pursued, not ignored. That's the maritime case that the Philippines filed against China before the International Court of Arbitration, a complex process that veteran journalist Marites Danguilan Vitug meticulously chronicles in her new book, Rock Solid: How the Philippines Won Its Maritime Case Against China. The book is reviewed for us by Dr. Patricio N. Abinales in "High Noon in the West Philippine Sea."

Bookending our lineup this week is "Lucky Charm," an essay by millennial writer Maia Boncan.

Starting with the above piece, we'd like to encourage our young readers to share their thoughts/views and their writing, for a series that we have tagged, "Our Turn."

If you're craving comfort food this cold season, how about trying out our Happy Home Cook recipe this week from PF Correspondent Rene Astudillo: Dinengdeng with Fried Bangus. 

And our links for stories you may have missed reading:

Where 518 Inmates Sleep in Space for 170, and Gangs Hold It Together
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/07/world/asia/philippines-manila-jail-overcrowding.html?fbclid=IwAR3xMdQXvsf3WhfVkDI_SJST2H3NWtdK1v9bqN85ONyiMn9cQN5uymxK1xs

Meet the Filipina Engineer Who Struggled in Math But Now Works at NASA 
https://www.spot.ph/newsfeatures/newsfeatures-peopleparties/76495/josephine-santiago-bond-filipina-engineer-nasa-a833-20190106-lfrm?ref=home_feed_1%3Futm_source&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20190106-fbnp-newsfeatures-josephine-santiago-bond-filipina-engineer-nasa-a833-20190106-lfrm%3Fref&fbclid=IwAR0S6jjWV9oQ3oUOCviw04_mAvtvy1GjpvwJRghlK4zNL9kzkP6ELXVLOOg

“Stay a While Longer, Doc”
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/specials/content/40/stay-a-while-longer-doc/?fbclid=IwAR13clgfoZCLsr_gZwWE3UW0ry3wW8wZ9MGtYazawdyLJOGgaMIOaWWnMiA

New Saliva-based Test Detects Malaria Before Symptoms Appear
http://news.ufl.edu/articles/2019/01/new-saliva-based-test-detects-malaria-before-symptoms-appear.php?fbclid=IwAR23dLuSPkYuKejtuJmxUjnnrJw1H1RYD9478XGHTz6K3RxsBKB0UVdMmrI

Darren Criss Wins at Golden Globes
https://deadline.com/2019/01/golden-globes-darren-criss-the-assassination-of-gianni-versace-ryan-murphy-filipino-american-1202530126/

For Video of the Week, Grammy-nominated recording artist H.E.R. (aka Gabi Wilson) was interviewed on the Late, Late Show with James Corden, where she acknowledged her Filipino heritage.

Hello, Young Readers

A glorious and hopeful 2019 to all.

We just looked into our 2018 readership stats and we're very happy to note that we got a lot more readers from the millennial generation. In fact, the majority (54%) of our readers last year were from the 18-34 age group, which is both surprising and gratifying. Since most of our stories are about history and culture, we'd like to think that young people look to Positively Filipino as a source of information and guidance (from elders like us) in navigating their collective history and heritage.

If you want to read or re-read our most popular stories of 2018, here are the links.

One of the major progress that happened in the Philippines in recent years is the passage of the RH (for reproductive health) Law that came about after years of wrangling between the Catholic Church and legislators. Dr. Marilen J. Danguilan, who was at the forefront of the struggle, has come out with a book that detailed the process of awareness, negotiations and passage of the bill. The RH Bill Story: Contentions and Compromises and its valuable lessons are discussed by Rep. Edcel Lagman here. (Read "A True Chronicle of the Reproductive Health Law's Odyssey")

PF Correspondent Serina Aidasani profiles Esmie Gayo McLaren, a Vancouver-based artist who recently had exhibits in Ottawa and New York.

Our Happy Home Cook recipe comes from San Francisco-based foodie Voltaire Gungab who came up with the scrumptious Bibingka Cakes with Lambanog-Lemongrass Syrup and Coconut Cream. 

Links for stories you may have missed are here:

A Mother and Daughter’s Unlikely Journey as Migrant Workers
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/27/lens/xyza-bacani-migrant-workers.html?fbclid=IwAR08u3-E-8NJckDP0pl6JEjyzo-4VCHhqkA6rGqcOWia-jJY5uTVgE-IQSQ

A Comic Novel Asks Who Gets to Write the History of the Colonial Philippines
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/26/books/review/gina-apostol-insurrecto.html?fbclid=IwAR0uLa-UMLfOhU_FzhZsW0TOsBSlipBg_MhJLCALxP9uZVIS9fat1fZJnbU

In Albay, protecting the sea leads to bountiful tanigue
https://www.rappler.com/nation/219014-albay-fishermen-catch-tanigue?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR3dtA-7Ap2btYMUFGaTi2IljkrWZe-_lbGttmBmgE1Drd2jOV3Bba9nju8#Echobox=1544962090

H.E.R. Has Been Writing Grammy Acceptance Speech Since She Was A Kid
https://start.att.net/news/read/category/news/article/rolling_stone-her_has_been_writing_grammy_acceptance_speech_sinc-rpenskemc?fbclid=IwAR132z4f1d_feBEO-GUCVhCxk29kWfxCe96KC_mZbNzzSlnOUbQ3RpUv9xs

This Netflix Anime Series could be a Game Changer for Philippine Mythology
https://www.vice.com/en_asia/article/xwj987/netflix-trese-anime-series-philippines-comics?utm_source=viceasiafb&fbclid=IwAR27AxlkfuQ2LLCCaaDk5lgxZnd4PEEIeCCKVPcxtEygnCnmUWFFsrXeEng

For video of the week, Food Insider features Manam, a new restaurant in Manila which presents a new twist on Pancit Palabok and other Filipino favorites.