Treasuring Mindanao

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For most of us who came of age in the 20th century in Manila and surrounding provinces, Mindanao has always been a frontier land -- remote, unknowable, somewhat scary. And violent. Our elementary and high school teachers glossed over Mindanao, foreign governments warned against visiting. What a shame!

In the last few decades, as Mindanao enjoyed relative peace, both domestic and foreign tourists have discovered the richness of the Philippines' second largest island -- its indigenous cultures, its natural beauty, its biodiversity, the wealth of opportunities it offers to water sports, and many other attractions that we missed out on when we were mired in prejudices against Mindanao.

In this issue, we have put together stories about Mindanao, with the hope that the lingering biases that may still inhabit readers' minds will finally be laid to rest.

• A Muslim Mindanaoan visits Tawi-tawi, the Philippines' southernmost province, and finds kinship.

• A Fil-Am cultural worker and his group is hosted by cultural groups in Cotabato for an unforgettable cultural immersion.

• A Manila-based community activist does a whirlwind tour of Zamboanga and discovers treasures.

From our archives, enjoy reading:

• A travel writer's visit to Sarangani, the district that Manny Pacquiao used to represent in Congress: 
https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/discovering-pacquiaos-sarangani

• A Mindanaoan academic debunks the myth that our Moro kababayans are prone to violence: Why Our Moro Brothers and Sisters Will Never Turn Fundamentalist — Positively Filipino | Online Magazine for Filipinos in the Diaspora

Also in this issue, our Earth Day offering on how an entrepreneurial couple has committed to the global environmental sustainability effort by setting up a sustainable, organic farm in Coron, Palawan.

And our Fil-Am compatriot, Rob Bonta, who is California's incumbent Attorney General, talks about the challenges in convicting hate crimes. 

[Video of the Week] Chef Rex De Guzman

Anti-Asian Hate Watch

3 senior advocates attacked in alleged hate crime
https://asamnews.com/2024/04/10/anti-asian-hate-racial-comments-san-francisco/

Asian American Community Reflects on Deadly Atlanta Shooting Three Years Later
https://www.theknightnews.com/2024/04/15/asian-american-community-reflects-on-deadly-atlanta-shooting-three-years-later/

AAPI coalition continues the fight against gun violence
https://asamnews.com/2024/04/13/gun-violence-politics-suicide-survivior-trump-civil-rights-asian-shooting-texas/

The FACC celebrates 70 years of Filipino culture and community in Colorado
https://www.cpr.org/2024/04/13/facc-celebrating-70th-anniversary-filipino-culture-community-in-colorado/

Man charged with hate crime in assault of Asian person in S.F.
https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/man-charged-hate-crime-assault-asian-person-s-f-19394662.php

Muslim American students allegedly punched & mocked
https://asamnews.com/2024/04/09/hate-crime-attack-university-of-texas-austin/

Funding provided by the State of California.

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Staff

Deja Vu in Mindanao

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Martial law in Mindanao fills up all the news slots in the Philippines since President Rodrigo Duterte declared it a week ago. We focus our In The Know listings on analyses and news reports, to get you updated on what has been happening:

How A Military Raid Triggered Marawi Attacks
http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/171245-marawi-crisis-isis-plan-bautista

More Details Emerge on How Duterte Made Martial Law Decision
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/05/26/1703846/more-details-emerge-how-duterte-made-martial-law-decision

Is Martial Law the Right Response to ISIS?
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/157444/martial-law-right-response-isis-threat

Why People in Mindanao don't mind Martial Law
https://lefthandedsnake.wordpress.com/2017/05/27/why-people-in-mindanao-dont-mind-martial-law/

Priest Says He and 200 Others Are Being Held Hostage in the Philippines
http://time.com/4798001/philippines-isis-militants-hostage-video/

As our Video of the Week, we feature journalist Howie Severino and the iWitness team of GMA7 network who flew to Marawi right after the martial law declaration to document the real situation in that war-torn city. Here's "Ilaw ng Marawi."

Switching to the more peaceful and enduring part of the Philippines, PF Correspondent Criselda Yabes visits Mayon Volcano for the first time and is rightfully awed. In "Volcano Lover," the well-traveled journalist realizes that "Mayon Volcano is the gorgeous lady you save for last." 

From Vancouver, Filipino artist Chito Maravilla is making waves with his eclectic art that a writer/collector describes as "Maravillaesque." PF Correspondent Rey de la Cruz reports.

Now that Memorial Day in the US has come and gone, summer barbecues are dominating family meals. PF Correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino has come up with a Peanut Sesame Pasta Salad that pairs well with the grilled meats and veggies that will surely be part of your summer table.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR HOMETOWN

Who can best shine a light on that nostalgic place where a part of you still resides than you, whose childhood memories are full of the wonders of growing up in that special place? Write about your hometown and/or send us an old photograph with a description of how your hometown looks and how it makes you feel. 

Send to pfeditor@yahoo.com and we will post them so the whole world can share the wonder.

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino