Self-Defense for Writers 101

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So you've completed your manuscript and you're ready to talk to a publisher. Before you plunge into the tricky world of publishing, you have to do your due diligence so your obra maestra will get the respect and the protection it deserves. Cecilia Brainard, who is both author and publisher, provides a primer on how to make sure you own the exclusive copyright to your work and other publishing legalities.

Part 44 of Mona Lisa Yuchengco's list of Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous drops here with another impressive lineup of achievers.

The 37th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution was marked with a new video of the event anthem, "Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo," this time featuring about 50 singers representing both the original People Power generation and Gen X'ers/millenials who are keeping the torch burning.

We say goodbye to this year's love month with community leader Antonio Meloto's reflection on unconditional love.

And to welcome Women's Month, what better way than to feature a culinary feast by food enthusiast Bella Yuchengco (who happens to be our publisher's sister) who cooked up a storm for a select group of friends. For those not lucky enough to be invited (which is most of us), food writer Reggie Aspiras gives us a blow-by-blow. 

For the Happy Home Cook, here's Bella's recipe for the Crab and Cucumber appetizer.

[Video of the Week] Panagbenga Grand Float Parade

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Staff

Life Choices

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At certain points in our lifetime, we will come upon a crossroad (or several) that will force us to make a choice. Should I or shouldn't I? Do I get off the fence and risk a burning or do I stay put and risk irrelevance, or worse, regret?

The Philippine elections on May 9, 2022 is one such crossroad that calls on every Filipino to do his/her part in forging a better direction for the country. How to do it when one is far away? Former COMELEC chief Andy Bautista offers guidance in "How Overseas Filipino Voters Can Wield Clout in May ’22 Polls." 

[To help you make your decision, check out the links we post below in the Philippine Elections 2022 section. And if you want to verify your registration to vote, here's our Partner post from the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco.]

Around this time 36 years ago, our homeland confronted the motherlode of crossroads with the People Power revolt (aka EDSA '86) which led to the ouster of a dictator and a different political path for the country. No one who was there during that three-day uprising, like first-time PF contributor Ed Garcia, can forget what they did to help history along. Read his "On the Eve of Insurrection" and another EDSA story in “Read Again” below.

On a personal level, the choice one makes when in a crossroad can alter the course of one's life. 

A young lawyer's summer job in a country district attorney's office changed his career path. Now Pelayo A. Llamas is slated to become the Superior Court Judge in Alameda County, California (he's running unopposed).

A third-generation Fil-Am in Seattle chose to parlay her environmental science degree into actual farming, and now, Ari de Leña supplies Filipino produce to restaurants, civic organizations and households in the area.

And a college student in the activist '70s, forced to endure a painful breakup, decided to focus on her career dreams and raise a family in Australia. Almost half a century later, she faced another crossroad when her teenage love returned and promised to stay.

Read Again

77 Hours: The Behind-The-Scenes At The 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution by Gemma Nemenzo

The Battle Of Manila, WWII by James Scott

This year is the 77th anniversary of the month-long (February 3-March 3, 1945) battle to liberate Manila from the Japanese in WWII. Here's how it happened.

Recipe of the Week: Pan-Seared Halibut Fillet

Video of the Week: Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo by Doctor Influencers for Leni

In The Know

The Philippines Has the World's Second Highest Number of Female Inventors
https://www.esquiremag.ph/politics/news/philippines-has-second-highest-number-of-female-inventors-a833-sa00171-20220222-src-spot?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20220222-fbnp-politics-philippines-has-second-highest-number-of-female-inventors-a833-sa00171-20220222-src-spot-fbfirst&fbclid=IwAR1HXYQ_8IGD3tGkl0Qe3T0gPvjsjdzKDfVVc7cnDj87qCy1nO5HJPTM-84

‘The Fabulous Filipino Brothers’: Dante Basco on How His Return to the Philippines Helped Tell His Story

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/fabulous-filipino-brothers-dante-basco-000941075.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

Roderick Hall: Obituary
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sfgate/name/roderick-hall-obituary?id=33037918

Jollibee debuts in Scotland with stores in Edinburgh and Glasgow
https://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/jollibee-debuts-in-scotland-with-stores-in-edinburgh-and-glasgow/?fbclid=IwAR2zQBYsBA3hDPe1KnPt6QBL7X5wfDygT53E_THmoYtWHazjy-CYfzHqP7s

This is the place to order Filipino home cooking in Toronto
https://www.thestar.com/life/food_wine/2022/02/10/this-is-the-place-to-order-filipino-home-cooking-from-in-toronto.html?fbclid=IwAR0mLE6RyYvK2in6d93Gt6KrcEDbx8LqiJZ23-UopZHAaS_lfv2FJdyPjcc 

A Dose of History: The Glory Days of Philippine Society Before World War II
https://www.tatlerasia.com/culture/arts/the-glory-days-of-philippine-society-before-world-war-ii?fbclid=IwAR0bqbvGM6qRVozSEXr74j-wvG4qw2q9LIhtlIjRVrpbSY9rATjF-t5svbY

Filipino settlers’ descendants in Louisiana show ancestral pride in new HBO Max series
https://usa.inquirer.net/92703/filipino-settlers-descendants-in-louisiana-show-ancestral-pride-in-new-hbo-max-series?fbclid=IwAR1bHS5do3MjpGKF43QQMcFnvF9XNP4cj8WUdgOjamhkC1ONJltqnvt6Ptw

Harana Market: Woodstock’s Asian Grocery-Deli Offers Filipino Flavors To The Catskills
https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2022/02/18/harana-market-the-dig/?fbclid=IwAR3FT-Vh5vBlyqKaZJH3BvZxFctjDUzBHrB6RUzHNGw9lLzwppyMkPAb5zc

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

There Will Always Be Spring and Women's History Month

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This week marks the beginning of Women's History Month and one full year of the Covid-19 crisis. Women's History Month is a recurring celebration, and PF wholeheartedly supports the spirit and intent of singling out a month dedicated to honoring women who came before us and the women who are right now making history.

But for the love of god,  let's hope this will be the only year we will commemorate a pandemic anniversary. Will it be too much to ask that Covid-19 be just a bad dream by this time next year? While the vaccines have shown us the proverbial light at the end of a long, dark tunnel, apparently it will take another year  before the activities we have indulged in before Covid, like international travel, will be safe. That is if we humans behave ourselves and follow the protocols. And if the variants turn out to be conquerable after all. Two big ifs.

Meanwhile, let's default to our usual coping routines and await with relish the brighter morning sun, the blooming  flowers, the warmer temps and the longer days. As sure as the hours tick by, spring will soon be upon us. It never fails. 

A Heads-up: Next Wednesday, March 10, Positively Filipino will host a webinar on the incidents of hate against Asian Americans and what we Filipino Americans can do about it. Watch out for announcements on the details. 

Our Stories This Week

On The 50th Year Of Philippine Studies At City College Of San Francisco: Is There Reason To Celebrate?
By Lisa Suguitan Melnick

How The US Derailed Philippine History In 1986 By Walden Bello

A Century-Old Saga: Holy Spirit College On Mendiola Street To Close In 2022
By Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr.

Finding A Lifetime Partner In Ten Lessons By Carolina Esguerra Colborn

Read Again

Lotis Key Kabigting on her need to go home: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/2013/5/going-home

Contributor Carleen Sacris writes about Filipina astrophysicist Dr. Reina Reyes: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/seeing-stars-with-reina-reyes

Cook It Again

The Happy Home Cook: Pesang Salmon (Filipino Fish Stew in Genger Broth with Tomatoes and Spinach) http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/pesang-salmon-filipino-fish-stew-in-ginger-broth-with-tomatoes-spinach

[Video of the Week] Cost of Living in the Philippines

In The Know

John ’79 and Susan Ocampo Make Game-Changing Donation to Innovation at Santa Clara
https://www.scu.edu/news-and-events/feature-stories/2021/stories/john-79-and-susan-ocampo-make-game-changing-donation-to-innovation-at-santa-clara-.html

Vico Sotto: From The Ateneo Classroom To The World
https://www.onenews.ph/vico-sotto-from-the-ateneo-classroom-to-the-world?fbclid=IwAR3hO0N4NplSJre_I3nMmQTfSHXayExZESDyvEfMZS7DxCl5I5mdTX57Tyc

Kids in the Philippines have not left their homes for a year
https://www.economist.com/asia/2021/02/18/kids-in-the-philippines-have-not-left-their-homes-for-a-year?fbclid=IwAR2f4ysQ-qHrne9dGjRS-KPAnDEwkLjLb3S6aDC97uc2S5q4z5D9YA-uJeE

Jordanian art scene’s rising star has Pinoy roots; loves adobo, too
https://dailybread.news.blog/2021/02/18/jordanian-art-scenes-rising-star-has-pinoy-roots-loves-adobo-too/?fbclid=IwAR3OzJr_zCGJ7qQygFw6xXS5Lcudf4X4nbF-eSj8J5ig5UDbza6_uzOi1RU

TONIGHT! REGISTER AT http://bit.ly/anopendoormovie

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino