Talking About Tariff

When Philippine President Bongbong Marcos met with US President Trump at the White House over a week ago, it resulted in a one percent reduction of tariffs on Philippine exports, from the original 20 percent to 19 percent. No tariffs will be imposed on US goods to the Philippines. A lopsided trade deal? Perhaps but, as our writer Rene Astudillo (who writes as Politikal Pinoy on Facebook) opines, it need not be the be-all and end-all of US-Philippine trade deals. In fact, the Philippines can turn it into a competitive advantage, he says. How? Read "Trump's Tariff Need Not Hurt PH" for a different take on this issue.

Kulintang in the Alps? Read about how Conrad Benedicto, a kulintang player, brought the traditional instrument of Maguindanao to Switzerland to celebrate Philippine Independence Day with the Filipino-Swiss community in Chur and Bern. 

More remarkable FilAms in PF publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco's continuing and growing compilation, now in its 69th edition.

We wish you all a meaningful and comfortable August, weather-wise, as the world deals with torrential rains, flooding, extreme heat and war crimes.

[Read It Again]

Leaving Gaza by Chupsie Medina
June Dalisay, Art Healer by Serina Aidasani
Mark of Four Waves by Mel Orpilla

{Video of the Week] Filipino Couple Walks Down Flooded Aisle on Wedding Day

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In The Know

Jollibee named best fried chicken in U.S. in editor-reader poll
https://asamnews.com/2025/07/18/fast-food-fried-chicken-poll-usa-today/ 

9 Independent Bookstores in the Philippines to Discover Your Next Read
https://rollingstonephilippines.com/culture/books/9-indie-bookstores-in-philippines/

The Tragic Story of the Passing of 24 Filipino Boy Scouts Involved in a Plane Crash
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/filipino-boy-scouts-plane-crash-true-story 

Kara David & Karmina Constantino on the Lola Who Taught Them the Power of Words
https://www.spot.ph/newsfeatures/newsfeatures-peopleparties/111678/meet-the-woman-who-shaped-kara-david-and-karmina-constantino?

108-year-old Fil-Am shares tips for a long, happy life
https://usa.inquirer.net/154417/108-year-old-fil-am-shares-tips-for-a-long-happy-life

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Have a Joyous, Restorative Holiday Season!

Wherever you are, whatever your beliefs, we wish you all a joyous and enchanting season with your family and friends of choice.

Who doesn't love Filipino fruit salad -- that sweet, creamy concoction made from canned fruit cocktail, condensed milk and heavy cream that accompanies most Filipino holiday feasts? Fil-Am writer Jen Palmares Meadows offers a tribute to her dad who learned to make this fave dessert not in the Philippines but in the US, and makes the dish a metaphor for all the things immigrants go through in their quest not just to belong but also for their American children to have a taste of their heritage. "My Father's Fruit Salad" is a savory read in time for the biggest holiday celebration of the year.

We know of many art and artists but few know about the tedious, exacting demands of art restoration, mainly because there are relatively few of them around. Which makes PF Correspondent Serina Aidasani's feature on June Poticar-Dalisay a valuable contribution to our art knowledge. "June Dalisay: Art Healer" gives us a peek into a craft that is unique, important and necessary. 

Here are some heartwarming Christmas stories to Read Again:

http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/lulus-fifty-peso-christmas-gift

http://www.positivelyfilipino. com/magazine/theyre-all-we- shall-ever-want-for-christmas

And if you're still looking for books to give and some interesting stories to read, check out our In The Know list this week:

Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo's 27 Books to Give as Christmas Gifts
https://www.spot.ph/newsfeatures/the-latest-news-features/72308/filipino-books-christmas-gifts-a1877-20171212-lfrm8

The Party's Over
https://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/191559-party-over-keeping-democracy-alive-philippines-yearend-2017?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=thought-leaders

Faking your own death: How the Philippines became the global leader for a macabre trade
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/faking-own-death-philippines-became-172955277.html

The Sun Writers Club: Meet the maids reporting Hong Kong’s hidden stories
https://coconuts.co/custom-feature/sun-writers-club/

Egg-Yolk Hair and a Glitter Cake: Chef Angela Dimayuga gets ready to party
https://www.thecut.com/2017/12/profile-chef-angela-dimayuga.html?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=s3&utm_campaign=sharebutton-b

For another sumptuous Christmas meal that you can make yourself, PF culinary correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino shares her recipes for Pancit Sotanghon with shrimps, ham and vegetables; Carne Asado Kapampangan and Bibingka. 

For Video of the Week, David DiMuzio, an American singer who won online fans through his Tagalog language cover songs, offers advice to Filipinos who struggle with money.