Breathe and Refresh

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Jose Rizal

Time to take a breather after that hectic Christmas celebration. 

For your pleasurable relaxation and a dash of significant history, here's a compilation of stories we have published on Jose Rizal, the Philippines' National Hero, who remains an enigmatic person of great interest among our readers.

Through the ten years that PF has been publishing, we've had an array of Rizal stories usually in the months of June (his birth month) or December (his death month). We noted that these stories brought in a higher-than-usual readership, indicating a continuing curiosity, if not lifelong love, for this renaissance man who lived a brief but very consequential life.

Rizal was executed by the Spanish colonialists on December 30, 1896. He was 35. 

Rizal’s Great Loves by Penélope V. Flores

Rizal’s Cook Remembers A Good Man by John L. Silva

José Rizal And His Dueling German Friends by Penélope V. Flores

Jose Rizal, Martial Arts Warrior by Rene J. Navarro

‘The Month Of December, 1872’ Dr. José Rizal’s Rough Draft by Penélope V. Flores

Some Not Very Well Known Facts About Rizal’s Trial And Execution by Rodolfo A. Arizala

Jose Rizal, The Oracle by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

[Video of the Week] GomBurZa Teaser Trailer

Anti-Asian Hate Watch

New booklets teach communities ‘How to Report a Hate Crime’
https://www.dailynews.com/2023/12/14/new-booklets-teach-communities-how-to-report-a-hate-crime/

The Big Tell 2019: Peacock: Exeter, The Anti-Filipino Riot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmEQRtBXEhI

Salt Lake City police investigate salon break-in, vandalism as hate crime
https://www.sltrib.com/news/2023/12/11/salt-lake-city-police-investigate/

Funding provided by the State of California.

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Staff

Armchair Tourists

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There is wisdom in staying put at home this week as the earth heats up to unprecedented levels, as millions of people do some revenge travel (to make up for the lost years of the pandemic), and airlines are still in the midst of sorting out their scheduling and understaffing messes. Faced with such chaos in real-world traveling, it's a good idea to sit back and consider better travel options, like waiting till later this year to embark on your dream journey.

For the armchair traveler we have a collection of stories that can guide you to exotic places and experiences (see our Read It Again reposts below). But first, enjoy this week's travel story on Türkiye (formerly Turkey), the most famous transcontinental (located in two continents) city in the world. PF Correspondent Myles Garcia writes about his fascination for the place.

A different kind of leisure is the pleasure one gets from collecting objects of desire. PF Correspondent Virgilio Reyes Jr. has a unique collection -- miniatures -- gathered from his travels and postings as a member of the Philippine diplomatic corps (he was ambassador to multiple countries). 

Our list of the remarkable and famous in the FilAm community this week includes the stage actress who plays Imelda Marcos in Here Lies Love, the immersive musical that opens on Broadway next week. Those who will be in New York City then, take note.

Stories This Week

Istanbul Was Constantinople by Myles A. Garcia
Miniatures: It’s A Small World by Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr.
Fil-Ams Among The Remarkable And Famous, Part 49 by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Read Agains

A Magical Tour Of The Beatles Hometown by Lloyd LaCuesta
11 Great Beaches You Probably Haven’t Been To by Manuel Hizon
Queasy Rider: My Tribute To America by James Sobredo
Hanoi Diary: Vietnam's Beautiful Peace by Patria Cabatuando-Rivera

[Cook It Again] The Happy Home Cook: Pan De San Nicolas by Elizabeth Ann Quirino
[Video This Week] 2023 U.S. Women’s Open Champion Allisen Corpuz

In The Know

Half-Filipina Allisen Corpuz wins US Women’s Open for 1st major title
https://www.rappler.com/sports/golf-results-allisen-corpuz-us-women-open-july-9-2023/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=Social&fbclid=IwAR0DIR92SCo4T-9pcmE-_G8VIxb9IFcw-knETQGYGIoNfMAq8pj9MyBmnCI

A New Decade, A New Album, A New Life—Olivia Rodrigo’s Next Chapter
https://www.vogue.com/article/olivia-rodrigo-august-cover-2023-interview?fbclid=IwAR0z7zbbPPhZzgA9N6pqlsJhL3zvkujBXghUpzFEJr-LrEwgqIn2G2xyAQs

Carnegie Corporation names Bishop Oscar A. Solis a 'Great Immigrant, Great American'
http://www.icatholic.org/article/carnegie-corporation-names-bishop-oscar-a-solis-a-great-59217394?fbclid=IwAR0jHCzStpSKu2ZSbCVEiJ6HlicGo9c5FncY3-TtqoQzCmth0cMWqLrsndU

The Story Behind the 'Rediscovery' of Jose Rizal's Brain Fragments
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/jose-rizal-brain-fragments-backstory-a2017-a2836-20230705-lfrm2?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20230705-fbnp-long-reads-jose-rizal-brain-fragments-backstory-a2017-a2836-20230705-lfrm2-fbfirst&fbclid=IwAR21kSCLvQcvPM0g1F-shD5eU0XGFFDTND-dSpXlOFa5QsvN4E2xLqZ2ooo

Yotam Ottolenghi’s Filipino-inspired recipes: pork lumpia, coconut prawn stew, pandan custards
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2022/feb/05/yotam-ottolenghi-filipino-recipes-pork-lumpia-prawn-coconut-stew-pandan-tapioca-custards?fbclid=IwAR0-BlSX3EXG5YMXD8QKiKpRvGXDs3TRa_pjyx6JKKj7JeSc1zZiQbueSkw

‘I didn’t want to give up my culture’: vegan chefs reimagine Filipino dishes
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jul/01/vegan-chefs-phillippines-meat-dishes 

Filipino bakery at 40 is a Maui, Hawaii institution
https://usa.inquirer.net/132939/filipino-bakery-at-40-is-a-maui-hawaii-institution?fbclid=IwAR1nI9C4DSMXnPPe4rdDuVb4J7dqIBbkkwaU2pQNB3FW2I3JBD7VfSKzWas

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Staff

Sesame Mucho

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In the early 1980s, Filipino children were introduced to two lovable muppets -- Pong Pagong and Kiko Matsing -- in the educational TV program, "Sesame." The two muppets were created by the Children's Television Workshop (CTW), producer of Sesame Street, in a partnership with the Philippine Sesame Street Project (PSSP). Under the partnership, CTW also trained key PSSP creative staff, including the puppeteers, in the Sesame Street model of educational TV -- curriculum-based segments, age-focused and fun.

"Sesame," the program, eventually became the famous "Batibot" and PSSP became the Philippine Children's Television Foundation (PCTVF), but the concept, format, and Pong Pagong and Kiko Matsing remained. The program aired five days a week for a remarkable 18 years, bringing forth an actual "Batibot generation" whose formative years were guided by the show, the same way generations of American children were reared on Sesame Street.  

When the partnership between CTW and PCTVF expired in the 1990s, CTW claimed back Pong and Kiko, the muppets. Unfazed, PCTVF created locally made muppets for Batibot. Sesame Street's Filipino connection ended then.

Fast forward to 2023, and CTW, now known as the Sesame Workshop, recently introduced in Sesame Street,  a Fil-Am muppet named TJ, mirroring a four-year old child living in Daly City. Conceptualized by Fil-Ams, TJ's creation followed the same rigorous attention to details that made Pong and Kiko so endearing to Filipino children. This week, we bring you the background story of TJ's creation, from PF Correspondent Anthony Maddela. 

We are noting three significant events in this issue: Philippine Independence Day (June 12), Jose Rizal's birthday (June 19) and Father's Day (June 18). We hope you enjoy our lineup this week.

Stories This Week

A Muppet For All Reasons by Anthony Maddela

In My Father’s Two Worlds by Nanette Carreon-Ruhter

Meet Miss Texas America And Her Mom’s Tulong Foundation by Jocelyn Alvarez Allgood

Paco, Manila – Call It By Its Name by Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr.

[Read Agains]

A Valiant People's Army by John L. Silva

Why June 12 Is Different From Other Days by John L. Silva

Untold Lessons From My Father by Ed Diokno

Jose Rizal, Martial Arts Warrior by Rene J. Navarro

[Cook It Again] Dishes For Independence Day by Chef Marvin Gapultos

[Video of the Week] Immigrant Heritage Month

[Partner] 14th Annual Our Family, Our Future ALLICE 20th Jubilee Event Aims To Empower Older Adults, Stop Hate by Cherie M. Querol Moreno

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Staff