Dreaming of "Normal"

In "normal" times --meaning the world as we knew it before Covid struck -- this month of August would have been vacation month in the western hemisphere, when tourists spread out to see places beyond their personal borders. Not anymore. For the fully vaccinated who have the capability to travel abroad during these risky times, destinations are now more targeted, the pandemic numbers checked regularly to determine the viability of visits. 

But still we dream of getting out of our comfort zones in exotic places offering unusual adventures. One of our stories this week is "In the Lapp of Luxury" by first-time contributor Alpha Puey who spent one memorable  winter wonderland vacation in Santa Claus land. This is essentially a Christmas story but who doesn't welcome a whiff of Christmas in August? Besides, for those interested in going on this adventure, it might take months to make arrangements, so read up and make plans.

And for those who prefer a staycation, here's an inspiring show to follow: G-Diaries featuring newlyweds Ernie Lopez and Michelle Arville focusing on people helping others. PF Correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino elucidates on this feel-good program that honors the legacy of Ernie's late elder sister, the well-known environmentalist Gina Lopez.

PF Publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco who compiles the Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous series made a list of all the names she has included in the compilation and was amazed that the total was already 359. Still counting, as we see some newly discovered Fil-Ams in Part 24.

For a summer treat, how about a Make Again recipe for No-Churn Ube Ice Cream, shared to us by Lulelyn Andres from Budapest. 

For Video of the Week, we commemorate the 40th day anniversary of the passing of President Benigno S. Aquino III with a tribute from his sister Pinky.

In The Know

Tagalog Is the Third Most Widely Spoken Language in Three U.S. States
https://www.esquiremag.ph/politics/news/tagalog-us-language-a00225-20210802?fbclid=IwAR0XcS0OJGmXdj_JCYOhZWV5M5ygWhpDi962ViFzJ7j10u1EYZ5hY4GpAAc

An Olympic romance: The love story of Hidilyn Diaz and her coach Julius Naranjo
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/07/28/21/an-olympic-romance-the-love-story-of-hidilyn-diaz-and-her-coach-julius-naranjo

20 Filipino Architectural Marvels That Have Stood The Test Of Time
https://ph.asiatatler.com/life/20-iconic-filipino-architecture-that-have-stood-the-tests-of-time

Venice Competition Philippines Title ‘On The Job’ Sets HBO GO Premiere in Asia, Reveals Trailer
https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/on-the-job-erik-matti-hbo-philippines-venice-1235029127/

---

We Didn't Know How to Love Him

Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III, better known as PNoy or Noynoy, passed away on June 24, a few hours after we sent out our issue last week (Wednesday here in the US). While we missed out on the immediacy of the sad and unexpected news (we put out a new issue only once a week), we have the advantage of being able to wade through the countless tributes on print, social media, on videos and podcasts, in churches and Zoom gatherings, on giant electronic billboards and the personal recollections of those who knew him or didn't, and those who worked with him or were the beneficiaries of his policies.

The Philippines' 11th president after 1946, the 5th since his mother assumed the post after the people toppled the Marcos regime in 1986, had consistently high popularity ratings throughout his presidency, despite his being criticized as aloof, stoic and emotionless. Yet the stories now being told by his staff, particularly the writers who collaborated with him in crafting his public statements (one of whom was told by PNoy himself to please wait until he's dead to write about him), paints a different picture -- that of a meticulous boss who made sure he got the facts straight and the grammar correct in public, and a typical loner who craved his silences and his music, alone. So unlike regular politicians who want the limelight even if they're so unfit for it.

PNoy's legacy as leader of the country from 2010 to 2016 has been cemented with his death at 61 years old. The decency and integrity that he was known for, along with his administration's achievements  -- I personally consider the passage of the Reproductive Health law, which had his unwavering support despite intense opposition from the Catholic Church, as his most sterling one -- are rightfully heralded and documented for posterity. That his critics continue to try to demean and defile his legacy with such ignorance and vulgarity only reminds us of how bereft we are of losing him. Ace journalist and journalism professor Sheila Coronel says it best: “There's now sort of a wave of nostalgia for a president who was honest, sincere, didn't curse and didn't kill, and who took governance seriously”.

For those of you who didn't know him or were not aware of his policies, here's a curated collection of links to stories about Noynoy Aquino, the president and the man:

In The Know (Special Edition)

The Impossible Dreamer
https://www.spot.ph//newsfeatures/the-latest-news-features/86591/benigno-noynoy-aquino-iii-tribute-a3256-20210626-lfrm4?ref=home_aside_popular

The unfinished legacy of Noynoy Aquino
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/opinion-unfinished-legacy-noynoy-aquino 

A Former Close-In Aide Shares His Experiences With President Noynoy Aquino: 'I Lost a Friend'
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/noynoy-close-in-aide-experience-a2650-20210625-lfrm?utm_source=facebook-esquire&utm_medium=ownshare&utm_campaign=20210625-fbnp-long-reads%2Ffeatures%2Fnoynoy-close-in-aide-experience-fbfirst&fbclid=IwAR1-TAzUxhiek402MRQ1oHmXl8Qlt5dtED3brA0QF7RC-scHHZoQYS_HGoM

PNoy was My Boss: A delayed dispatch from an ex-Palace speechwriter
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/06/25/21/pnoy-was-my-boss-a-delayed-dispatch-from-a-palace-speechwriter?fbclid=IwAR37EML9A7Fsvha435dgo1EJKHcakHW_ucOhHV2bQ7bKOFxdgxKlZRq7ClY

The Story of the Aquino and Cojuangco Clans And The Struggles of the Philippine Nation
https://ph.asiatatler.com/society/family-matters-the-aquino-and-cojuangco-aquino-clans?fbclid=IwAR1cDGKZMZeFeqdnfIEjae0T0edbveLXE_mpVLb_3rd9CkCkcLU-I7H-eig

Mula sa taumbayan, maraming salamat, PNoy!
https://www.rappler.com/voices/editorials/thank-you-noynoy-aquino-from-the-filipino-people?fbclid=IwAR3iLCGN0HnCU-0bkiO2vM7LL6FdFyErD9C_GuT2Jvy_212Q9rrObArILDY

A lament for a president
https://www.philstar.com/business/2021/06/28/2108474/lament-president?fbclid=IwAR3tGIRLo9liSJeqkQwv2EpcAC58LgehaqhUeU0Iy29tL7UXEKJQxQT1XiQ

Our Stories This Week

"Grand Agers" Prove 80 Is The New 50 By Cherie M. Querol Moreno

Ma Tante Laura By Myles A. Garcia

Teng-Teng Panciteria By Rey E. de la Cruz

The Happy Home Cook: Pork Ampalaya (Bittermelon) By Chef Teng Rondina

Video of the Week: Remembering Noynoy Aquino

---

Politics and Food

The Philippine presidential race is heating up, with President Benigno Aquino’s endorsement of Mar Roxas as his heir apparent. Contributing writer Marites D. Vitug gives us a political situationer, "Stakes Are High in the '16 Presidential Election," that gives food for thought to all Filipino voters, wherever they may be.

The cuisine of Batangas is the focus of food expert Michaela Fenix as she regales us with savory delights that make the southern Tagalog province a necessary stop when doing a food tour of the Philippines. "Straightforward, Simple Batangas Cuisine" will make your mouth water, and it's just one of the chapters of Fenix's excellent book, Country Cooking: Philippine Regional Cuisines.

From food we shift to fabrics as writer Serina Aidasani introduces us to Art Almeida, an artist and textile designer, in "He Leaves You in Stitches." Almeida, who runs his family corporation Genknit, walks us through the intricate process of textile design, a niche market for sure, that requires not just talent, but also dedication and intuition.

In San Francisco last week, a tribute to one of the greatest Filipino writers in English, Nick Joaquin, took place. There cannot be enough ways to honor the memory of this literary great; thus, we ask you to Read Again his nephew Tony Joaquin's "My Uncle, Nick Joaquin," which we published last year.

This week's recipe in the Happy Home Cook: Marvin Gapultos' version of Sardines in Spicy Tomato Sauce, from his book The Adobo Road Cookbook: A Filipino Food Journey -- from Food Blog, to Food Truck, and Beyond. Also featured this week is Goldilocks' Taisan Loaf Cake.

Our Video of the Week is on Willy Layug, the ecclesiastical sculptor from Pampanga, courtesy of CNN Philippines.

And for my blog, my ruminations on Twilight Time.