Two Women

Two women making and writing history are the subjects of our two profiles this week.

From Honolulu, Dr. Belinda "Lindy" Aquino, founder of the University of Hawaii's Philippine Studies Program and author/esteemed professor/historian/activist, is profiled by Pepi Nieva in "Stranded in Paradise: How Lindy Aquino Became Hawaii’s Foremost Authority on the Philippines."

From London, Candy Gourlay, the critically acclaimed author of Bone Talk and the children's book, Is It A Mermaid?, is interviewed by UK-based writer Joy Watford in a piece titled "In Her Own Write."

And this being Women's Month, let's honor two women who had captured the nation's hearts through their music, their acting and their presence in the public eye. 

Read Again: 

Film critic Mauro Feria Tumbucon Jr.'s affectionate tribute to the one and only superstar, "The Timeless Nora Aunor." 

And a granddaughter shows her love for her beloved grandmother, Armida Siguion-Reyna of "Aawitan Kita" fame,  who recently passed away.

Our Happy Home Cook recipe is a sure favorite -- Paksiw na Bangus.

Here are our In The Know links this week: 

How ISIS Is Rising in the Philippines as It Dwindles in the Middle East
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/09/world/asia/isis-philippines-jolo.html

'They fooled us': the men who left ISIS in the Philippines
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/09/they-fooled-us-the-men-who-left-isis-in-the-philippines?fbclid=IwAR0S1JOGP0McJhkAiu6ftGVUkIjwLxO7N6x_M06VfVU3aogvnTvfIFGypfU

Get to know the women National Artists and Scientists
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/87875-women-national-artists-scientists?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR0fnYYPYcAsKjHKcqzeW1U6HXvKCQRISezxxWca0t2svyW2KxKaeTDsTSA#Echobox=1552007205

40 poorest provinces in the Philippines 
http://onemediaph.com/40-poorest-provinces-in-the-philippines/?fbclid=IwAR1TqpzJPJKnS5tWvTbooleE6h70L7gPZmTDhxuNubwbmyGHBsLIvTj00Fc

Job Very Well Done: Philippine Airlines (A350-900) in Business Class From Manila to JFK
https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/philippine-airlines-a350-business-class/?fbclid=IwAR3K4zgRPjv00Ai1eIA61oFF76yF7ySVPci34ASPJJiKmJ1_5qo3ObV3Z20

For our Video of the Week, we feature the cultural preservation project called “Documenting and Preserving Mangyan Scripts in the 21st Century”

Emotional Turbulence

Such an emotional political week both in the Philippines and the US so let's take a break from the volatility and read some stories that will calm us down.

Lou Gopal, author of ManilaNostalgia.com, shared with us his very detailed and picturesque memories of the grand, ol Manila Hotel, the setting of so much history. social events and yes, scandals. His piece is a long one but it's worth every minute of your time. And it's good, especially for young readers, to know about Manila in the bygone days, when grace, elegance and discretion were iron-clad rules, not today's vulgarity and uncouth-ness.

From London, Emmily Magtalas-Rhodes catches up with acclaimed author Candy Gourlay whose two books, Tall Story and Shine, have racked up some pretty impressive awards and recognition not just in the Philippines but internationally.

For our Happy Home Cook, Elizabeth Ann Quirino tries out Leche Flan Sous Vide. Now I had to google what sous vide is and it's a method of cooking that involves steaming in plastic bags. If you're thinking of trying it out, here's a simple recipe for you.

Lastly, in our Video of the Week, History Asia's Jamie Dempsey features the Manobo priestesses' tradition of weaving their life stories into a wonderful cloak.