Tenacity and Defiance

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At a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs are facing challenges across the country, San Francisco State University's College of Ethnic Studies reminds us that some hard-won victories are worth defending. The nation's first College of Ethnic Studies was born not in a boardroom but in the streets and classrooms—through the student movements of the late 1960s, a historic six-month strike, and years of determination by those who believed that our stories belonged in the curriculum.

Among those pioneers was Filipino American professor Daniel P. Gonzales, one of the college's most colorful and influential figures. As PF resident historian Alex Fabros writes, "Gonzales' importance lies in the bridge he forged among those worlds—student activism, Filipino American organizing, Asian American curriculum, and the long-term institutional survival of the field." In "A Pathbreaker for Ethnic Studies," Fabros brings to life a generation that fought to make sure future generations could see themselves reflected in America's classrooms.

From Filipino American history, we turn to Philippine history with Mga Daso: Stories of Martial Law in Bikol. This moving new collection revisits a difficult chapter in our nation's past through stories of resistance, sacrifice, resilience—and even the unexpected moments of hope and laughter that helped people endure.

This week's Hometown feature takes us back to Masbate through the eyes of retired Filipino diplomat Maria Antonia Bosa Van Espen-Boonen. Her recollections of the province, the city, and the everyday moments that shaped her youth remind us that home is as much about memory as it is about place.

And finally, for anyone longing for a slower pace—or remembering a time before notifications and endless scrolling—PF contributing writer Claire Mercado Obias invites us to rediscover the pleasures of the "Analog Bag." Sometimes the best way to reconnect is to step away from our screens and return to the simple joys that once filled our days. You may find that what feels like a new trend is really a homecoming.

[Read It Again]

A Childhood in Pila, Laguna by Maria Clarissa Palileo

Inside the Walled City of Intramuros by Renz Mae Ladroma

[Video of the Week] The Filipino Oscar Nominee Who Walked Away From Disney To Tell Filipino Stories

In The Know

Wimbledon honors Alex Eala with Tagalog post after breakthrough win
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/content/993841/wimbledon-honors-alex-eala-with-tagalog-post-after-breakthrough-win/story/

Colorado Springs Commemorates Dr. Jose Rizal’s 165th Birth Anniversary at Rizal Monument
https://pcgsanfrancisco.org/colorado-springs-commemorates-dr-jose-rizals-165th-birth-anniversary-at-rizal-monument/

16 Michelin-recognized Filipino restaurants around the world
https://www.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/food-travel/2026/7/4/16-michelin-recognized-filipino-restaurants-around-the-world-1616?

Fil-Am artist behind World Cup poster launches New York art project
https://usa.inquirer.net/202176/fil-am-artist-behind-world-cup-poster-launches-new-york-art-project

Bretman Rock 'waited 27 years' to tell Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson he was named after him
https://philstarlife.com/celebrity/254400-bretman-rock-tells-dwayne-the-rock-johnson-he-was-named-after-him?

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Staff

We'll Always Remember

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Today marks the 50th anniversary of the official declaration of martial law in the Philippines. The public announcement came two days later, on September 23, 1972, to give time for the military to round up the oppositionists and the dissidents and put them in jail.

As you read this, please take a moment of silence to remember those who lost their lives or have been permanently scarred by martial law: the imprisoned, the tortured, the raped, the abused, the salvaged, the disappeared, the dispossessed, the harassed, the displaced, the impoverished, the war victims and those who suffered the brunt of plunder and bad policies (we particularly remember the children of Negros during the 1985 famine).

Let's also remember our allies, those who risked life and limb to help mitigate the harm of martial law: the Filipinos abroad who did their part in exposing and opposing the dictatorship, the nuns and priests, the activists, the journalists (particularly the women writers), the movie makers, the academics, the documentarists who kept records, the authors, the businessmen who secretly supported the anti-martial law forces, the international humanitarian groups, the young military officers who organized to oppose the regime. Most of all, let's remember the ordinary people who offered support to the hunted and oppressed, whether it was shelter for the night or sustenance for the days ahead.

We remember through our stories this week:

A general's recollection of opposing martial law in theory

A Mindanawan's recognition of his psychological scars

Two Tony's -- Hilario and Tagamolila -- the early martyrs

We remember through films: Vince Tañada's Katips, the recent blockbuster and awards sweeper, now showing internationally; and

Batas Militar, the 1997 documentary which you can watch through the link be;low until September 30.

Today and always, WE WILL NEVER FORGET. 

More This Week

[Cook It Again] The Happy Home Cook: Vegetable Lumpiang Shanghai by Chef Richgail Enriquez

[Video of the Week] Executive Class: The Henry Suites MiraNila

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Staff

This Month, We Remember

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When the First Quarter Storm erupted in the Philippines in January 1970, everyone who was living there knew that it would be an extraordinary, historic decade -- both in the good and bad sense. Unrest was widespread as manifested by increasingly large and frequent demonstrations against the government. Students, workers and peasants worked together to demand social justice and structural reforms. Many joined the revolutionary underground, providing a life force to the New People's Army. 

The buzzwords were plenty: Maoism, imperialism, bureaucrat capitalism, fascism, "Makibaka Huwag Matakot," "Marcos Papet Diktador Tuta" were the more popular ones. There were attempts at arms smuggling and bombings which culminated in history-changing events: the Plaza Miranda bombing of the Liberal Party miting de avance in 1971, the subsequent suspension of the writ of habeas corpus (a new term and concept we had to learn), and the declaration of martial law the year after.

Fifty years later, which is this month, martial law continues to inflame emotions and incite debates. Each Filipino remembers it in one's own way, each memory valid if recalled honestly. For the privileged who benefited from it, those were good times; for the victims of its atrocities, their stories must be retold as history lessons. For most of the population, it was a slow burn towards anger; after all, despite the dictatorial decrees and military heavy-handedness, it was still possible to live a simple, under-the-radar existence. Until it wasn't.

It took 14 years before "tama na, sobra na" was on most people's lips, but that's another story.

This month we remember. And do our part in making sure that no one will forget. 

Aside from our collection of stories, Positively Filipino is also sponsoring the two-week FREE showing of the acclaimed movie by Ramona Diaz, "Imelda." Watch it here: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/ramona-diazs-imelda-2003

We also invite San Francisco Bay Area folks to watch a new and important documentary film, "11,103" on Saturday, September 17. See details below.

FREE! To RSVP please visit: https://bit.ly/11103BayAreaPremiere

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Staff