Baguio, What the Hell?

If you've been to Baguio recently and can remember the Baguio of yesteryears (peaceful, romantic, the air replete with the aroma of pine trees), you know that the Philippines' summer capital has some big, big-city problems (traffic, crime, congestion, pollution). But banning cussing in public? Baguio-based PF correspondent Rene M. Astudillo reports on the recent city government ordinance -- questionable, unenforceable -- that  makes one wonder if taxpayers' money is truly wasted on legislators. (Read "Baguio City Goes Cuss-Free, or Will It?”)

Speaking of nostalgia, PF Correspondent Myles A. Garcia shares his memories of a trip to a London suburb he won't forget, and how he racked up mileage miles on the late, lamented Trans World Airlines (TWA). ("The Night I Drove to Bexleyheath")

We missed out on commemorating the 145th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio last week so here's a fitting Read Again from cultural historian Penelope V. Flores on the Philippines' other National Hero.

Our In The Know links this week:

Filipino-American Vet Says Starbucks Barista Wrote Racial Slur On His Cup
https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2018/12/01/filipino-american-starbucks-racial-slur-cup/?fbclid=IwAR0GRRm8tyIa8RyLBb3p3RRVVuEA3wNc0b79bMl1zTBufLT0dSL6y0Ye7T8

The hardest job in Silicon Valley is a living nightmare
https://www.fastcompany.com/90263921/the-hardest-job-in-silicon-valley-is-a-living-nightmare 

This year’s buffet of Fil-Am and Fil-Canadian cookbooks
https://usa.inquirer.net/17026/this-years-buffet-of-fil-am-and-fil-canadian-cookbooks#ixzz5YoRgHV2l 

Meet a history-making White House executive chef
https://share.america.gov/meet-history-making-white-house-executive-chef/?fbclid=IwAR3tPVAMoMiUnxRmFLrrXhd0QqHq1e07y2LwJalIQSEpNAWZh9PsAz0AsAU 

If you're starting to stress out with your planned Christmas menu, here's something to ease the tension somewhat: our Happy Home Cook recipe for Instapot Leche Flan, another of Elizabeth Ann Quirino's time-saving shares. 

In our video of the week, the story behind the well-loved Filipino Christmas carol “Pasko na, Sinta ko.”

Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Homestretch

Overseas Filipinos who are registered voters should have their ballots by now and those who are still deciding on who to vote for have a lot of thinking to do.

We have put together a folio of stories which we hope can help or, at the very least, amuse:

The battle for the vice presidency has now come down to two candidates: Leni Robredo and Bongbong Marcos. Take your pick.

Veteran political observer Randy David presents his views about the presidential frontrunner, Rodrigo Duterte. 

Myles Garcia anticipates what will happen if Bongbong Marcos becomes vice president.

Turning to better subjects, tai chi master Rene Navarro narrates his harrowing experience practicing his routine in a public park in "Tai Chi Chuan Sword and the Cop."

History buff Jonathan Best takes us to the Ateneo Library's American Historical Collection in "Dig Into the American Period in the Philippines at Ateneo."

For our Happy Home Cook recipe, another gem from culinary guru Nora Daza: Royal Russian Salad and Homemade Mayonnaise.

And for our Videos of the Week, our favorite national dance, the tinikling, is featured again in these two videos hitting the social media.  

Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino