Legacies & Tributes

While I was doing the interviews for our lead story this week on Ramar Foods International, I couldn't help but feel vicarious pride at the success of this wholly Filipino-owned corporation. I've known Primo Quesada and his wife, Evangeline Poe, since we were in high school at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. That was decades ago.

As I was listening to Primo's narrative of how Ramar has become one of the leading manufacturers of ethnic food in the United States, I kept getting flashbacks of how they looked then (they haven't changed much; Evangeline, especially, is still a stunning beauty) and the party or two that my circle held in their family-owned Bonanza restaurant, on Highway 54, if I remember right. This doesn't speak well of my attention span, but I did manage to jot down the essential elements of Ramar's genesis.

Talking to the highly articulate next-generation Quesadas–Susie, Gabe and PJ–who are now running the company was quite a bonus. I hope you enjoy reading this Filipino success story. Some of you may want to point out that it's still not the complete history of Ramar, but as we say in our radio dramas, abangan ang susunod na kabanata (watch for the next episode).

Positively Filipino regular contributor Tony Robles' lyrical tribute to the late Filipino American poet, Jeff Tagami, is a joy to read. The words flow, the love is evident as Tony presents excerpts from his subject's exquisite poetry. Gone too soon, this talented, lovely man, Jeff, who chronicled the plights of the manongs through words that elevate and disturb.

This week marks the beginning of what we hope will be a regular feature in Positively Filipino: Video of the Week. We have been scouring YouTube for these gems that ought to be watched by Filipinos everywhere. And of course, we'd like to ask you to point us to those video clips that you or others have posted that you think should be shared.

Drop us a note at submissions@positivelyfilipino.com, facebook.com/PositivelyFilipino or Twitter @plusFilipino.