Follow the Caroming Ball

Billiards. The game that is revered by a large number of Filipinos and has triggered thousands of missed classes by high school and college students is given due reverence by PF Correspondent Myles Garcia's story on "Filipino Wizards of the Pool Table." Read about Efren Reyes, the world champion, who has put the Philippines on the billiards world map, along with Django Bustamante, Dennis Orcullo and others who have carved out a niche in the country's billiards hall of fame.

June is Pride Month and our Philippine-based correspondent Rene Astudillo looks at the status of the Filipino LGBT movement and the realities it has to confront. In "Pride and Prejudice in the Filipino LGBT Community," there are reasons for both fear and hope.

Today marks the 158th anniversary of the birth of our National Hero, Jose Rizal. Here are some Read Agains to remind us why, 123 years after his death by musketry, his life still commands interest:

Jose Rizal, The Oracle by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Jose Rizal and His Dueling German Friends by Penelope V. Flores

Rizal’s Cook Remembers a Good Man by John Silva

Jose Rizal, Martial Arts Warrior by Rene J. Navarro

And for the Happy Home Cook, here's a repeat posting of Elizabeth Ann Quirino's Sabaw ng Munggo Guisado, said to be Jose Rizal's favorite dish: The Happy Home Cook: Sabaw ng Munggo Guisado

In case you missed reading them, here are links to interesting stories:

Filipina finds freedom after living as family slave in US for decades
https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/06/12/19/filipina-finds-freedom-after-living-as-family-slave-in-us-for-decades?fbclid=IwAR0aPgIHWHWu452LUkKLRmPtay2gQOu7fftpKFZ6T99NC7QsegU3M_XGdZ8

'You know you're Filipino when …': Winnipeggers share an insider's look at their culture
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/you-know-you-re-filipino-when-video-heritage-month-1.5169205?fbclid=IwAR223UUI09SDeOA1GrpKBnTK3a7TcdBfVII0gNQnMCFQRY9EfxHv0b9QdII

The Most Prominent Families in Manila
https://www.townandcountry.ph/people/heritage/most-prominent-families-in-manila-a1590-20190614-lfrm7?utm_source=Facebook-TC&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20190615-fbnp-people-most-prominent-families-in-manila-a1590-20190614-lfrm7-fbfirst&fbclid=IwAR0myaulY5dib2cnXekN_1wk1ElRdK9yzDnF_dgIOtzF_OOec4jlhqhdrPc

Tito Al’s Success Story: It Started with Chicharron
http://www.manilamail.us/?p=8340&fbclid=IwAR1vY83DJ0zqznK5PiUonJLvx2j7yiVFYoFJw3lj3rvzGlNQayVXOqPTNPg

The Long and Tumultuous History of the Humble Banana Ketchup
https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/lifestyle/the-history-behind-the-invention-of-banana-ketchup-a1729-20180622-lfrm?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20190527-fbnp-culture-the-history-behind-the-invention-of-banana-ketchup-a1729-20180622-lfrm-fbold&fbclid=IwAR2zHOPb4dKCQGP-EYU4NiHf7JVoGQTLs_NXYohzoYTkRb2qi7cz61Xlm38

For Video of the Week, Lea Salonga sings “A Whole New World” with Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’s Vince Rodriguez.

Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Looking Back

As Filipinos the world over gear up to celebrate another Philippine Independence Day, it's a good time to learn about the two-day visit of President Manuel Luis Quezon and his family to Washington, D.C. 76 years ago, the only Philippine president to stay at the White House. Titchie Carandang-Tiongson who, along with her husband Erwin and two sons, are digging up Philippine history in Washington, D.C., writes the historical account.

Another Washington, D.C. story is Myrna Montera Lopez's profile of Santiago "Sonny" Busa, Jr., an outstanding FilAm who was a military officer, a diplomat, an academic and a community leader, among the many roles he has distinguished himself in.

And switching to the motherland, Prof. Michael Gonzalez teams up with student journalist Meeko Angela Camba to introduce the work of Gerry Tan, a sound artist, who is "weaving sound from a tapestry."

Our In The Know links for this week:

Inside a Philippine City Seized by ISIS Loyalists
https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/asia/100000005858523/isis-loyalists-marawi.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=photo-spot-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

Inside the Controversial World of Slum Tourism
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/features/photography/history-controversy-debate-slum-tourism/

Five Blood Transfusions, One Bone Marrow Transplant — All Before Birth
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/25/health/fetal-bone-marrow-transplant.html

Valencia Brothers Seek to Represent Filipino American Experience Through Food
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Lasa-Restaurant-Filipino-483165571.html

For our Happy Home Cook, Chef Richgail Enriquez features her vegan version of Munggo Guisado.

For Video of the Week, Youtube comedian Jeppy Paraiso is back with his Tita series.

Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Jazz, Race and Churches

A MacArthur Foundation "genius" award is no small thing to scoff at (Google it and see how prized it is) and Han Ong, our featured author/playwright this week, is one of them. Contributing writer Elaine Elinson writes about this Filipino Chinese American phenom whose latest work, Grandeur, about another enigmatic genius Gil Scott-Heron ("godfather of hip hop") is currently being staged at San Francisco's Magic Theater. Positively Filipino readers get a 20% discount until the end of the play's run on June 25 so don't miss this rare chance to bask in the magic of genius.

Speaking of awesome, some churches in the Philippines definitely fall under this category as Ortigas Foundation Executive Director and PF Correspondent John Silva shows us in "Exceptional Philippine Churches." Keep this guide handy for your next visit to the Philippines.

Racial slur or First Amendment right? The US Supreme Court allowed an Asian American band to use the name "The Slants" under the Freedom of Speech provision. Contributing writer Ed Diokno however declares the name "A Racial Slur By All Means." What do you think?

Some historical Read Agains:

Liana Romulo's report on her distinguished grandfather's singular feat, "When Lolo's Debating Team Vanquished America"

Dr. Penelope V. Flores' popular essay, "How Filipinos Got Their Surnames"

And for your reading pleasure, a smorgasbord of In The Know links: 

The Battle for Marawi City
http://time.com/marawi-philippines-isis/

Hiding Christians in the Basement: Fear and Heroism in a Philippine War Zone
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/17/world/asia/marawi-philippines-islamic-state-christians.html

‘Clean your weapons,’ Iligan mayor tells gun owners as military bares Maute plan for city
http://www.interaksyon.com/clean-your-weapons-iligan-mayor-tells-gun-owners-as-military-bares-maute-plan-for-city/

Rizal's life in Germany revisited in new map
http://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/arts-and-culture/173328-rizal-life-germany-revisited-new-map

Señorita Bread Is a Carb Addiction Waiting to Happen
https://modernluxury.com/san-francisco/story/senorita-bread-carb-addiction-waiting-happen

Author/foodie and PF Correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino shares with us her version of "Sabaw ng Munggo Guisado" which, she discovered, was Jose Rizal's favorite dish to cook while in exile in Dapitan.

Our Video of the Week: Australia's Marc Fennell interviews Lea Salonga on her career on Broadway.


Special Discount for Positively Filipino Readers

Grandeur will run until June 25. Readers of Positively Filipino can use the code GRANDEUR20 for 20% off tickets to GRANDEUR.[This offer expires on June 25, 2017. Discount is available on all seats. All seats are best available. Offer not valid on previous purchases and cannot be combined with any other offer. All tickets are subject to availability. Subject to change. Service charges apply to all orders.]

For tickets: http://magictheatre.org/

Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino