On Stage, Underwater, and at a Certain Age

This week, we take you to the theater for a play on Filipino immigration, to the ocean with an underwater videographer and to a writer's personal journey towards becoming a septuagenarian.

Elaine Elinson, who did the exclusive interview for PF with novelist/playwright Jessica Hagedorn, now does a review of Gangster of Love, the play, showing at San Francisco's Magic Theater until May 11. She describes it as funny and heart-wrenching, which makes it a good one to catch -- and with a 20% discount for PF readers, why not?

PF Correspondent Rey de la Cruz profiles Robert Suntay, marine conservationist and underwater videographer, who talks about what it takes to film some awe-inspiring sights under the sea.

How does it feel to reach 70? PF Correspondent Myles A. Garcia feels it's time to do the things you didn't do in your youth.

Learn more about the US-Philippines Society from former Ambassador John F. Maisto, our Partner post this week.

We have some precious links in our In The Know collection this week:

US Military Bases Disguised as Philippine Bases are Here Again
http://www.preda.org/fr-shays-articles/us-military-bases-disguised-as-philippine-bases-are-here-again/

Meet the journalism student who found out she won a Pulitzer in class
https://www.cjr.org/the_profile/mariel-padilla-pulizter-cincinnnati.php

Documentary | Fake news in the Philippines: Dissecting the propaganda machine
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/rich-media/199895-fake-news-documentary-philippines-propaganda-machine?utm_source=The+Daily+wRap&utm_campaign=0cd94f25bc-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_04_22&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b3868977d4-0cd94f25bc-95400069&mc_cid=0cd94f25bc&mc_eid=0c0639d4af

Accident that amputated swimmer’s leg led to his Palaro 2018 journey
https://www.rappler.com/sports/specials/palarong-pambansa/200613-ortho-amputee-swimming-mark-salazar-palaro-2018?utm_source=The%20Daily%20wRap&utm_campaign=0cd94f25bc-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_04_22&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b3868977d4-0cd94f25bc-95400069&mc_cid=0cd94f25bc&mc_eid=0c0639d4af

We go vegan again for our Happy Home Cook recipe with Richgail Enriquez's Kaldereta Stew. 

For our Video of the Week, we feature the Philippines' Gourmet Gypsy Art Café, a restaurant which that specializes in ketogenic dishes and trains adults with special needs.

Drift and Remember

Let's take a break from the disturbing events happening on both sides of the Pacific, and enjoy some pleasurable drifting, remembering and reading.

PF Correspondent Criselda Yabes, once- and still partly a Parisienne, takes us on a stroll in the city she loves. In "Drifting in Paris" she discovers a city whose natives have become friendlier, a city that never fails to offer new discoveries even for long-time residents. 

In Manila, contributing writer Bella Bonner focuses on Boy Camara, the UP campus heartthrob of the early '70s, who captured the attention and imagination of Manila's theatergoers then when he became Jesus Christ Superstar. Beyond JCS, however, Camara's life took some dramatic turns and he talks about it for the first time in this interview.

How about some "adobo, apple pie and schnitzel with noodles", a combination that is actually a metaphor for the delectable mix of stories in PF Correspondent Myles Garcia's new book with that title and adding: "Not a cookbook but an anthology of essays on the Filipino-American experience and some..." Walter Ang stirs the pot with his review.

And having whet your appetite, here's San Francisco-based foodie Voltaire Gungab's own enticing concoction for the Happy Home Cook: Rice-Tapioca Pudding with Pineapple Sauce and Coconut Jam Cream.

There's no escaping the real world, so here are the In The Know links to various stories swirling around cyberspace:

Violent explosion at the Philippines' most active volcano, 'hazardous' eruption expected
http://abcnews.go.com/International/violent-explosion-philippines-active-volcano-hazardous-eruption-expected/story?id=52522540

A Fraught Time for Press Freedom in the Philippines
https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2018/01/17/578610243/a-fraught-time-for-press-freedom-in-the-philippines?utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social

What is Omidyar Network and why did it invest in Rappler?http://usa.inquirer.net/9632/omidyar-network-invest-rappler

Filipina Photojournalist Cheryl DIaz Meyer Sweeps Coveted White House Awards
https://www.townandcountry.ph/the-scene/current-events/cheryl-diaz-meyer-a00208-20180123-lfrm

Top 10 Ensaymadas in Manila
https://www.spot.ph/eatdrink/the-latest-eat-drink/72019/top-10-ensaymada-in-manila-2017-a1106-20171115-lfrm2

For our Video of the Week, Vicks Philippines presented the heartwarming story of Hernando Caja in its #touchofcare campaign, which shows how caring for others transforms lives.

Close Encounters of the Pinoy Kind

With millions of our kababayans living, working and enjoying life all over the world, what are the chances that you'll meet some in your travels? Definitely much much more likely than not meeting one at all (which happened to us in Rio de Janeiro, but then we didn't stay long enough).

We've introduced a new section called Pinoyspotting, and that's where we put photos of your encounters with interesting Filipinos you've met while you were on vacation, on assignment, on work travel, whatever. See our guidelines in this week's Pinoyspotting feature from Rey de la Cruz.

Another section we'd like to point you to is In Brief, daily capsule reports about Filipinos all over the globe -- a perfect way to stay in touch with the diaspora without spending too much time scrolling down or searching the news sites. Checking out Global Briefs regularly fits right into your busy schedule.

Meanwhile, in The Magazine, we have a variety of offerings for you this week: virtual sleuth Myles Garcia regales us with his research on "The 'Oldest' Filipino Film?" and our art director Raymond Virata reports on celebrated chef Tim Luym's creations in "Tofu With Love.”

Another celebrated Filipino, Major General Antonio Taguba (Ret.), shares with us his op-ed, "Why I Called Out the US Military on Torture," first published by the New York Times.

We are as sad as everyone else with the death of Robin Williams, and our publisher, Mona Lisa Yuchengco, writes a heartfelt tribute. We have also picked up the video tribute of Filipino American actor Dante Basco, who worked with Williams in “Hook” and the statement of Marsha Garces, Williams' second wife who he once jokingly described as “Finnipino.”

And from one of our partner organizations, the New America Media, an informative piece that any smart phone user should read, "Can You Trust That App?"

My blog post this week: “Good Night My Friend.”