American Tapestry
/Fermin Tobera, a 22-year-old Filipino farmworker, was asleep for the night when a mob of white men fired shots at the bunkhouse where he and other Filipino laborers were billeted. The lone bullet that pierced his heart inflamed what was already a powder keg between whites vs Filipino workers, and led to the infamous Watsonville riot of 1930.
[Here's more about the anti-Filipino riots in Central California: In the Heat of the Night: The Exeter and Watsonville Riots 1929-1930]
Ninety two years later, Tobera, largely unacknowledged in the annals of Fil-Am history, is being honored with a mural in the California town (now a city) where he lost his life. The Tobera Project, steered by Roy Recio Jr. and other community leaders, got a boost in 2020 when the Watsonville City Council issued an apology to the Filipino community for the 1930 race riots. Since then, an exhibit titled "Watsonville is in the Heart" has been set up to show Filipinos' pivotal role in shaping the history of the city.
It's never too late to correct historical omissions and mistakes. PF contributing writer Harvey I. Barkin reports on "Fermin Tobera: From Historical Footnote to the Big Picture."
Two Filipino Americans are staking their claim in the American tapestry. Averie Danielle Bishop wowed judges with her articulateness and her community-oriented vision to win the Miss Texas title, the first Asian American to hold the title. Next stop: the Miss America contest in December. Texas resident Gus Mercado reports.
Recent Yale grad Reina Bonta completed her first film, LAHI, which pays homage to her Filipino and Hawaiian ancestries, and dedicates the film to her grandmother, Cynthia, a long-time community activist. PF Correspondent Cherie Querol Moreno tells us more.
From across the pond, the future of the West Philippine Sea, specifically the Ayungin Shoal, is at stake as a new Philippine administration takes over. Retired editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer Rosario A. Garcellano shares with us her piece on this issue.
Florentino Peñaranda was a revolutionary leader in Leyte during the Philippine-American War at the turn of the 20th century. More than a century later, his grandson, the writer/professor Oscar Peñaranda, by a lucky stroke of serendipity found the actual revolutionary flag of his lolo. Here's how it happened: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/a-reunion-of-strangers
Fifty six years ago this month, the Beatles performed in Manila. Marra PL. Lanot was there and here is her story: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-beatles-in-the-philippines
[Cook It Again] http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-happy-home-cook-nora-dazas-humba
[Video of the Week] Igorot Stone Kingdom
In The Know
Drug killings leave agony, savage facet to Duterte’s legacy
https://apnews.com/article/religion-philippines-manila-rodrigo-duterte-government-and-politics-9bf4c87a395f6f0d90ebd4637e74c1ea?fbclid=IwAR26u4LW7WF1_TjtP8Rkea2_A9SNlclYiyxUmIr6uoF3fO0CB8y2PadxGu0#l533g1wla7upnglq9b8
Manila bakeshop says it’s anticipating ‘long fight ahead’ after advisory goes viral
https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2022/07/01/221086/manila-bakeshop-anticipating-long-fight-ahead-after-viral-advisory/?fbclid=IwAR24AzNdhxUG9BEQzxgoQgT2cAIDQJYTK1catTG4HS613lV3Q3ZBL2kkz20
A New Generation of Filipino American Chefs Is Finding Joy and Community in Cooking Their Heritage
https://www.foodandwine.com/chefs/new-generation-filipino-american-chefs
'Kayo ang himala': Nora Aunor dedicates National Artist honor to fans
https://www.philstar.com/entertainment/2022/06/30/2192050/kayo-ang-himala-nora-aunor-dedicates-national-artist-honor-fans?fbclid=IwAR0bD11TxuomfW_Bf8Lnm9uEbOF4ex7mDnL1YfUPiL-Jqr25Gms2SFcgwA4
This Filipino sneaker brand is leaving footprints of positive change and growing a fandom of creatives
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/style/necessary-style/06/21/22/pinoy-sneakers-proudly-made-with-sustainable-practices?fbclid=IwAR38bhSM3I9PU0P5zQB9u2XwhyM2UeVyH3r6nGd8bbVNsTxvnl9HW1_C9kA
"See and Missed": New York artist brings attention to Filipino history of Morro Bay
https://www.kcbx.org/arts-and-life/2022-06-28/see-and-missed-new-york-artist-brings-attention-to-filipino-history-of-morro-bay
‘Whether It’s Charice or Jake Zyrus, I’m a Singer’
https://www.gq.com/story/jake-zyrus-profile?utm_source=facebook&utm_brand=gq&utm_social-type=owned&mbid=social_facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR0B_J8_4V0pgEjgHTh8aCzTmMjuNSF47s4ZucWp9abalDaBuVlV0splXM0
