And Along Comes 'Larry the Musical'

A shout-out to Northern Californians: if you haven't yet, hie over to the Brava Theater in San Francisco to watch the superhit "Larry the Musical." Night after night, it gets a standing ovation from the audience, and that's quite a major statement in the [jaded] culture mecca of the San Francisco Bay Area. PF contributor and FilAm history enthusiast Elena Buensalido Mangahas, herself a theater veteran, hails the show for both its historical and theatrical significance.

April is Filipino Food Month, a celebration which started in 2018 in the Philippines and has since expanded to encompass the global Filipino diaspora, thanks to the foodie culture bearers who have elevated Filipino food to international standards. Veteran Filipino food writer Micky Fenix, who is also the president of the Food Writers Association of the Philippines, gives us a backgrounder on how this officially sanctioned (by the Philippine government) 30-day celebration and offers a path forward for future activities.

Retired FilAm professor James Sobredo attended the recent global summit on nursing held in Iloilo City where the real state of nursing as a profession in the Philippines and other countries was discussed extensively. While the worldwide appetite for hiring Filipino nurses continues unabated, working conditions are not always ideal. Filipino nurses in the US were at the forefront of the Covid-19 pandemic which resulted in a disproportionate number of fatalities among them. The big income gap between nurses in Philippine hospitals vs. those employed abroad has resulted in a nurse shortage in Philippines. How to solve this conundrum is a question for the current and future generations of Filipino health workers and policy makers.

On an entirely different note, first-time PF contributing writer Yugel Losorata profiles Ted Reyes, the multi-talented former leader/composer and lead singer of the Filipino band The Freesouls. Reyes has since moved to the US to seek a wider stage for his considerable creative abilities. 

Though Women's History Month is over, we continue to honor women who played important roles in our lives. Toronto-based poet/author Patria Cabatuando-Rivera pays tribute to her unforgettable elder sister in "My Ate Nene, With Flowers in Her Hair."

Around this time every year, we commemorate the Bataan Death March which happened on April 10, 1942. Some 75,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war were made to do the arduous trek of about 65 miles. Read Again the account of Filipino veterans advocate Jon Melegrito when we joined re-enactment of the march a few years ago in New Mexico. For him, it was personal. His father was one of the survivors of that WWII tragedy. https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/re-enacting-the-bataan-death-march-a-personal-journey

[Video of the Week] Tradisyon: Serving Accessible, Traditional Filipino Comfort Food At New York City

[Webinar] Nurse Unseen: The Role Of Filipino Nurses During The Pandemic And How They Became Victims Of Anti-Asian Hate

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Anti-Asian Hate Watch

Vandalism at Chicago mosque investigated as possible hate crime
https://asamnews.com/2024/03/19/downtown-islamic-center-chicago-mosque-vandalism-hate-crime/

A man was arrested after he verbally assaulted, pepper-sprayed an Asian gas station owner because the suspect wanted to pay in all coins
https://ca.style.yahoo.com/man-arrested-verbally-assaulted-pepper-014758333.html

Anti-Asian hate attack unites community in Portland, OR
https://asamnews.com/2024/04/01/senior-citizen-concussion-attacked-with-log/

As Attacks on Asian Americans Regain Spotlight, SF Group Seeks to Soothe Community
https://www.sfpublicpress.org/as-attacks-on-asian-americans-regain-spotlight-sf-group-seeks-to-soothe-community/

Sinophobia unmasked: The racism pandemic
https://mronline.org/2024/03/25/sinophobia-unmasked-the-racism-pandemic/

Funding provided by the State of California.

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In The Know

‘Tubaw-inspired’ provincial capitol building to rise in Maguindanao Norte
https://mindanews.com/top-stories/2023/08/tubaw-inspired-provincial-capitol-building-to-rise-in-maguindanao-norte/?

TIPS: What you'll need to apply for a US tourist visa
https://philstarlife.com/living/163945-tips-us-visa-application?page=2

Mall of memories: Greenbelt 1’s closure evokes fond memories
https://bilyonaryo.com/2024/04/01/mall-of-memories-greenbelt-1s-closure-evokes-fond-memories/property/?

BIZ BUZZ: PAL ready for takeoff to Seattle
https://business.inquirer.net/452746/biz-buzz-pal-ready-for-takeoff-to-seattle?

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Good-Bye to All That, Hello Again

This is our first issue for 2021 and it marks the beginning of the 8th year of Positively Filipino.

It is also the start of the third decade of the 21st century so we send you our fervent wishes for auspicious years ahead.

Before we write 30 (an old journalism term to denote the end of a submitted manuscript) to 2020, here are our Most Read stories for the year. Whether you're re-reading them or reading for the first time, we hope you'll enjoy them as much as thousands of readers have.

Stop and Smell the Power of Filipino Cooking By Elizabeth Ann Quirino
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/stop-and-smell-the-power-of-filipino-cooking

Colonization’s Impact on Manila By Nathaniel “Dinky” von Einsiedel
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/colonizations-impact-on-manila

The Colonial Legacy of Racism Among Filipinos By Michael Gonzalez
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-colonial-legacy-of-racism-among-filipinos

Connecting the Pots, Food from the Philippines to America By Elizabeth Ann Quirino
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/connecting-the-pots-food-from-the-philippines-to-america

A Compassionate Healer and Fierce Fighter for Fellow RNs By Cherie Querol Moreno
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/a-compassionate-healer-and-fierce-fighter-for-fellow-rns

Imelda’s Debt, Which Keeps On Going By Myles Garcia
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/imeldas-debt-which-keeps-on-going

Filipinescas – La Orosa’s Heroic Spirit By Virgilio Reyes, Jr.
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/filipinescas-la-orosas-heroic-spirit

Lest the Old Feuds & Scandals Die Away By Myles Garcia
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/lest-the-old-feuds-amp-scandals-die-away

Why We Must Have Uncomfortable Conversations By Constante G. Quirino
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/why-we-must-have-uncomfortable-conversations

On Filipino Culture, In the Wake of Barkadagate By Kat Velayo Greenberg
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/on-filipino-culture-in-the-wake-of-barkadagate

Stories of the Week 

A 2020 Year-Ender Of Sorts 

Unmasking Trump’s Election Loss By Andres D. Bautista 

Up Close With The Stars By Gemma Nemenzo 

The Ninja Warrior With A Rare Nemesis By Anthony Maddela

The Happy Home Cook: Crab In Coconut Sauce (Ginataang Alimango) By Chef Roline Casper

Video of the Week: Balik Pilipinas

In The Know

Women journalists in the Philippines: 'We transcend fear every day'
https://www.rappler.com/nation/women-journalists-in-the-philippines-we-transcend-fear-everyday?mc_cid=ce14b916ac&mc_eid=5b1f08a2af

Former toothpaste model in PH now a leading man in US
https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/12/29/20/former-toothpaste-model-in-ph-now-a-leading-man-in-us

David Medalla, Inventive Artist at Center of London’s Scene, Has Died at 78
https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/david-medalla-dead-1234580360/

Number Fever: The Pepsi Contest That Became a Deadly Fiasco
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2020-08-04/the-inside-story-of-pepsi-s-philippines-bottle-contest-fiasco?utm_campaign=news&utm_medium=bd&utm_source=applenews

The Cruise Ship Suicides
https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2020-cruise-ship-suicides/?utm_source=twitter&cmpid=socialflow-twitter-businessweek&utm_content=businessweek&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&fbclid=IwAR2iAl3rKJPgr6peuikvYZZLxYEL_REGbQ-xXK2fyAF5YDmHVKaeWzMcQF8

To reprise her 'Karate Kid' role in 'Cobra Kai,' Tamlyn Tomita had some ground rules
https://news.yahoo.com/reprise-her-karate-kid-role-204635077.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

ABS-CBN Shutdown: Once More, the Trauma

One Saturday morning in September 1972, I left for work early because it was going to be a busy day -- we were going to shoot a promo announcing the first nationwide broadcast of ABS-CBN, then as now, the Philippines' largest network. The sight that confronted me was chilling: Metrocom soldiers in full battle gear were guarding the gates of the sprawling complex in Bohol Avenue, Quezon City. Across the street, my fellow employees gathered, faces perplexed and fearful. It took a while before the collective whisper reached me: martial law had been declared, and just like that we lost our jobs, our personal stuff in our offices inside, and our freedom.

I didn't realize how deeply embedded that trauma is in my psyche until I woke up this morning to the news that ABS-CBN, the network that has since expanded tenfold since our time, has been ordered closed by the Duterte administration's National Telecommunications Commission. Once again, I felt shivers down my spine. The end was just as dramatic as 1972 -- one minute viewers were watching a regular news program; the next, the screen just went dark.

Beyond the legalese and the sycophantic justifications, we know that ABS-CBN has once again fallen prey to political vindictiveness that goes all the way to the top. It was that way in 1972, albeit under different circumstances; it is the same reason now. Talk about ill-timed and ill-conceived. With the country reeling from a pandemic and its subsequent economic turmoil, when information dissemination is vital, the nation's largest broadcast network is silenced. 

This story of course is just beginning. It took 14 years and a dictator's ouster for ABS-CBN to rise again. Will history repeat itself?

Our stories this week:

US Marines veteran and military brat Alex G. Fabros Jr. tells a cautionary tale of how an epidemic victimized his childhood friends in "Do You Remember Polio?"

Retired Philippine ambassador Virgilio Reyes Jr. relates his Covid-19 story in "Living with Corona, a New Yorker's Perspective."

For those in search of good books to read in quarantine, history professor Vicente L. Rafael shares his "Lockdown Reading List: Filipino Fiction (Mostly)."

To celebrate Mother's Day, I wrote down my thoughts on motherhood, "Love, Patience and Renewal."

Read Again Carolyn Prasad's touching tribute to her "mail-order bride" mother, "The Making of a Matriarch." 

And Cathy S. Babao's story about "A Lesson My Mom, the Actress Caridad Sanchez, Told Me" 

For the Happy Home Cook, treat yourself to a repeat of Elizabeth Ann Quirino's Mango Refrigerator Cake, because it's May and mangoes are in season. Plus, hopefully, you've been good in quarantine. 

Here are this week's links to stories you have to read: 

Commentary: Racism is the other virus sweeping America during this pandemic
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-coronavirus-asian-americans-morita-20200420-ep3bmn3tincczfihw3qvl64boa-story.html?fbclid=IwAR3G9NjNjFhxwBKVTWFSZWMbo5XjmyezMeB7APFYs4LGQ-QxirXK-6KwZ5s

Philippine nurses, long treated like exports, now told to stay home to fight coronavirus
https://news.yahoo.com/philippine-nurses-long-treated-exports-013256696.html

The Philippine Peso’s Resilience Is a Risk to the Economy
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/philippine-peso-resilience-risk-economy-221454976.html

'Second tragedy': Cremation traumatises in virus-hit Philippines
https://news.yahoo.com/second-tragedy-cremation-traumatises-virus-hit-philippines-043849393.html

The Heartbreaking ‘Last Shift’ of a New York City Nurse
https://ph.news.yahoo.com/heartbreaking-last-shift-york-city-170412559.html

Which ABS-CBN businesses can still operate after NTC's cease and desist order?
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/05/20/which-abs-cbn-businesses-can-still-operate-after-ntcs-cease-and-desist-order?fbclid=IwAR1w8Z5dLemXle9LzpyL28VeNw0VTv3vuoX0xlYzQi9h4l9LCMC7iVNJTYM 

For video of week, the Filipino-American Airmen community of the US Air Force put together their version of the “Don’t Rush Challenge” on social media