Food and Heroes

In a small coastal town named Borgarnes (pop. 1,500) in Iceland, a Filipino restaurant, Matstofan, has been serving Filipino food with Icelandic touches  for over two decades. First-time PF contributor Jennifer Fergesen took a bus from Reykjavik, Iceland's capital 70 km away, to see how Cora Villanueva Grönfeldt runs her restaurant, which has the distinction of being the northernmost Filipino restaurant in the world.

From Matstofan comes our Happy Home Cook recipe of the week, Rhubarb Sinigang, definitely a touch of the unique.

Aspiring young writers, some barely in their teens, in Manila can now get valuable writing inspiration and lessons from Write Things, formerly known as Where the Write Things Are, ran by the children of journalist/author Neni Sta. Romana Cruz. Roel, her son, writes about their vision of creating a writing community of young Filipinos.

We can't let go of the month of August without reminders of the heroes of our past. Read Again:

"Andres Bonifacio, the Other National Hero," by Dr. Penelope V. Flores. On August 23, 1896, Bonifacio led the historic revolutionary moment immortalized as the Cry of Balintawak. 

President Manuel L. Quezon, born August 19, 1878, is remembered for many things, one of them an unparalleled humanitarian act not commonly known. We share historian Ambeth R. Ocampo's story on how "Quezon Saved Jews from the Holocaust." 

And more good reading you might have missed from other publications: 

Activist priest recounts 'close call' with death squad
https://www.rappler.com/nation/210477-amado-picardal-priest-threats-davao-death-squad

The people left behind by Philippines' brutal war on drugs - photo essay
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2018/aug/14/death-drugs-duterte-philippines-poor-bear-brunt-of-narco-crackdown

Fil-Am author Erin Entrada Kelly on bullying, hope, and her new Filipino folklore-inspired book
http://cnnphilippines.com/life/culture/literature/2018/08/24/erin-entrada-kelly-interview.html

Watch: How Chicken Adobo Unites the 7,000+ Philippine Islands
https://www.eater.com/2018/8/22/17769936/best-chicken-adobo-nyc-filipino-food-video

and for Video of the Week we feature Norman King,the first aeta to graduate from the University of Philippines.

Sea Finds and a Desert Run

Pearl is one of three birthstones for June, and PF Contributor Myles A. Garcia sends in a timely story about some of the biggest pearls in the world found mainly in Palawan, including the Lao-Tzu pearl whose provenance almost reads like a crime thriller. Read "Pearls of the Orient Seas" and be amazed.

What pushes a man to run the Badwater ultramarathon, the world's toughest footrace? Ben Gaetos, an LA-based architect and probably the first Filipino to finish this extremely rigorous race, explains why he did it in "The Stubbornness of a Long-Distance Runner."

It's considered a delicacy in northern Philippines but for journalist/food connoisseur Rene M. Astudillo, "pinikpikan" is a no-no in his book. Find out why in "Why I Won't Eat the Cordilleras' Popular Pinikpikan."

Be amused at some of the funny signs one encounters in the Philippines. 

One of the best essays about Rizal is a must-read in our In The Know list this week:

“Death Is A Night Wind”
http://www.caravanmagazine.in/reviews-essays/jose-rizal-poem-haunts-philippines-today

The wrecking-ball president
https://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/205469-rodrigo-duterte-wrecking-ball-president

Manila City gov't is planning to destroy its last park
http://nolisoli.ph/44441/arroceros-forest-park/

Duterte signs Philippine Mental Health law
https://www.rappler.com/nation/205425-duterte-signs-mental-health-law-services-philippines?utm_source=The+Daily+wRap&utm_campaign=43223b578b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_06_21_04_31&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b3868977d4-43223b578b-95400069&mc_cid=43223b578b&mc_eid=0c0639d4af

For the Happy Home Cook, another simplified version of a Filipino favorite -- cassava cake -- from Melanie Q. Suzara.

For Video of the Week, Safeguard Philippines features Norman King, the first Filipino Aeta to graduate from the University of the Philippines.