Proud of Our Rainbow

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We’re kicking off Pride Month with what else but an inspiring LGBTQ+ story.

Taylor Sheesh — the stage persona of Mac Coronel, the viral Filipino drag performer whose uncanny tribute to Taylor Swift captured the hearts of Swifties around the world — is the subject of an upcoming documentary, Taylor Sheesh: A Swiftie Love Story. The film is directed by acclaimed Filipino American filmmaker Ramona Diaz, whose award-winning documentaries include Imelda, Motherland, and A Thousand Cuts.

Why the shift from the weightier subjects Diaz is known for? As writer Mima Holt reports, the director explains: “I have always been drawn to spectacle, both big and small. Throughout my career, I have focused on stories about gender and identity. So when Mac Coronel, also known as Taylor Sheesh, captured my attention in 2024 during the widely publicized Eras Tour, I was immediately intrigued.”

Meanwhile, at the University of San Francisco, a major honor was bestowed on one of the most influential Filipino Americans of our time. Jose Antonio Vargas — the Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, content creator, and tireless advocate for immigrant rights — received an honorary Doctor of Humane Studies degree, honoris causa. Widely recognized as one of the nation’s most courageous voices for undocumented immigrants, Vargas delivered a powerful commencement address to graduates of USF’s College of Arts and Sciences graduate school. We also invite readers to explore the conferment speech delivered by PF Publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco. ["To You, 'These Yet to Be United States'"]

As we celebrate Pride Month, we honor the contributions, resilience, and stories of LGBTQ+ members of our Filipino and Filipino American communities. We stand in solidarity with those working toward a more inclusive and equitable world, and we remain committed to amplifying voices that reflect the rich diversity of our community.

This Week’s Stories:

Taylor Sheesh, a Swiftie Love Story by Mima Holt

To You, ‘These Yet to Be United States’ by Jose Antonio Vargas

Cirio Siblings Prove Ballet Is Alive and Well by Anthony Maddela

[Read It Again]

Bourdain’s Last Famous Badass Words by Chef Claude Tayag

A Love Letter to My Dad and “Mom” by Nikki Vilas

My Father and Gay Pride by John L. Silva

[Partner] New Green Card Processing Rules Create Fear and Chaos in Immigrant Communities

[Video of the Week] Filipino labor leader Larry Itliong being remembered on Farmworkers’ Day

In The Know

Olivia Rodrigo Tried Writing Love Songs. Then Life Got Messy.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/arts/music/olivia-rodrigo-new-album-interview-popcast.html?

Pinay Biotech Founder Using AI to Advance Medicine
https://www.facebook.com/reel/884155078050999

Knicks vs Spurs NBA Finals is historic Filipino Am representation
https://asamnews.com/2026/05/31/knicks-vs-spurs-nba-finals-is-historic-filipino-am-representation/

Jordan Clarkson and Dylan Harper on what it means to represent the Philippines
https://www.instagram.com/reels/DZGHdSbxFCJ/

DTI sees ube, calamansi as export 'rising stars' amid coconut gains
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/economy/989675/dti-sees-ube-calamansi-as-export-rising-stars-amid-coconut-gains/story/?

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Staff

Critical Myth Theory

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One of the very first books I bought when my children and I immigrated to the US more than 30 years ago is Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen. I knew that they were in for American history from a certain point of view so it was important to prepare for some counter-mythmaking. The book was too complex for my little kids to appreciate at that time but its presence in our bookshelf was a constant and symbolic reminder that stories/lessons (particularly historical ones) passed on as "facts" should be examined before they are believed. 

I just reread Loewen's chapter on "The Truth About the First Thanksgiving" because, well, it's Thanksgiving. This "feel-good" holiday is not as pure and innocent (and celebratory) as has been drummed into American schoolchildren through generations. There was another side to the story and it was dark and diabolical, involving, among other things, the slaughter of Native Americans. This ugly side has been exposed by other historians, not just Loewen. 

Historical myth-making or revisionism is not limited to long-ago events; some evil souls are even trying to rewrite contemporary history -- events that many still living can easily remember and expose as lies. (I'm looking at you, martial-law-as-golden-age liars.)

"The antidote to feel-good history is not feel-bad history but honest and inclusive history," Loewen says. It means "...allowing students to learn both the 'good' and the 'bad' side...." 

It is in this same spirit that we encourage you to read "The Conservation President's Troubling Legacy," our lead story this week about President Theodore Roosevelt whose monumental legacy is the protection of millions of acres of land that we visit and appreciate to this day. Roosevelt, however, was also a hard-core imperialist who considered Filipinos as an inferior specie. First-time PF contributor Mikko Jimenez, a conservation biologist and academic, de-mystifies the 26th US president.

There's nothing mystifying about our Living Legends series which hails the very real achievements of some Filipino Americans. Part 2 of Mona Lisa Yuchengco's compilation features Historians and Archivists, the Academe and the Arts. 

Sisig, that crispy, savory pork sensation that has surpassed adobo and lumpia as the Filipino dish of choice, has an interesting -- and accidental -- beginning, as chef and food historian Claude Tayag relates. And to top his delectable story, Claude is sharing his own recipe for this Pampangueño delicacy, for the Happy Home Cook.

Our Video of the Week is a short video documentary on the disappearing art of making Asin Tibuok in Bohol, one of the rarest salt in the world.

Read Again:

We commemorate the 147th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio on November 30:
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/andres-bonifacio-the-other-national-hero

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Golden Diaz

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Filipinos all over the globe had a generous dose of euphoria on Monday, July 26 when Hidilyn Diaz won the Olympic gold medal for the women's 55-kg weightlifting event in Tokyo. Not only did the 30-year old Zamboanguena best all others, including the favored 20-year old Chinese competitor, she also set two world records. With her win, the Philippine National Anthem was finally heard in the Olympics, for the first time since the country started competing 97 years ago. It was a "bucketful-of-tears" minutes as the anthem played and Hidilyn stood on center stage saluting and crying. Still is, when you watch the video again.

Hidilyn's victory is a timely reminder that our nation glories in the achievements and the hard work of its people. It's not a nation of harebrained functionaries who implement the law through killing or who willingly kowtow to a stronger power to gain favors. It was ironic that a few hours before her win, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was giving a rambling State of the Nation speech where he vowed once again to impose law and order by killing drug dealers, among other atrocious statements. 

On this side of the Pacific, it is also worth noting the Olympic gold medal of Lee Kiefer in the individual foil (fencing) event. Kiefer's mother is Filipina. 

Our stories this week focus on food: Manila-based foodie John Silva rhapsodizes on the various superb cuisines of the exclusive resort, Balesin; Los Angeles-based PF Correspondent Anthony Maddela's take on Filled (or Filipino-Led) Market, an open bazaar that sells food and other things close to everyone's hearts; and documentary producer Jennie Celdran's love notes on Cebu lechon. 

Speaking of lechon, if you ever have some left over, here's what to do with it: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-happy-home-cook-paksiw-na-lechon-roast-pork-in-homemade-liver-sauce-and-vinegar?rq=lechon

In The Know

A PROMISE FULFILLED: Hidilyn Diaz lifts the Filipino people with historic Olympic gold
http://www.fullcourtfresh.com/mainnews/a-promise-fulfilled-hidilyn-diaz-lifts-the-filipino-people-with-historic-olympic-gold/?fbclid=IwAR0Ui_EvelfROX7yNr4vkxQNl1OHhBtsb328FmbkrdLXjz-ZYc7rRt3ae0Y

VALORANT's popularity in the Philippines, SEA 'a welcome surprise' for Riot Games
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/valorant-popularity-philippines-sea-welcome-surprise-riot-games-015450648.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

Meet the war hero who invented banana ketchup
https://nextshark.com/banana-ketchup-maria-orosa-war-hero-philippines/

No Asian hate can stop this Filipino food truck in Utah from selling sisig and lechon kawali
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/features/07/16/21/no-asian-hate-can-stop-this-filipino-owned-food-truck-in-utah

How Does the Philippine Spanish Accent Sound Like?
https://lajornadafilipina.com/arts-and-culture/philippine-spanish-accent/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ReviveOldPost&fbclid=IwAR3E3o5myku7NGaTXUP5e_IEaX6OmOFVZVoMzx5DG7YaBbzG2galQGViIAI

The Last Tattooed Women of Kalinga—Jake Versoza On His World-Renowned Photography Series
https://ph.asiatatler.com/life/jake-verzosa-the-last-tattooed-women-of-kalinga-book-exhibition

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino