Treasuring Mindanao

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For most of us who came of age in the 20th century in Manila and surrounding provinces, Mindanao has always been a frontier land -- remote, unknowable, somewhat scary. And violent. Our elementary and high school teachers glossed over Mindanao, foreign governments warned against visiting. What a shame!

In the last few decades, as Mindanao enjoyed relative peace, both domestic and foreign tourists have discovered the richness of the Philippines' second largest island -- its indigenous cultures, its natural beauty, its biodiversity, the wealth of opportunities it offers to water sports, and many other attractions that we missed out on when we were mired in prejudices against Mindanao.

In this issue, we have put together stories about Mindanao, with the hope that the lingering biases that may still inhabit readers' minds will finally be laid to rest.

• A Muslim Mindanaoan visits Tawi-tawi, the Philippines' southernmost province, and finds kinship.

• A Fil-Am cultural worker and his group is hosted by cultural groups in Cotabato for an unforgettable cultural immersion.

• A Manila-based community activist does a whirlwind tour of Zamboanga and discovers treasures.

From our archives, enjoy reading:

• A travel writer's visit to Sarangani, the district that Manny Pacquiao used to represent in Congress: 
https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/discovering-pacquiaos-sarangani

• A Mindanaoan academic debunks the myth that our Moro kababayans are prone to violence: Why Our Moro Brothers and Sisters Will Never Turn Fundamentalist — Positively Filipino | Online Magazine for Filipinos in the Diaspora

Also in this issue, our Earth Day offering on how an entrepreneurial couple has committed to the global environmental sustainability effort by setting up a sustainable, organic farm in Coron, Palawan.

And our Fil-Am compatriot, Rob Bonta, who is California's incumbent Attorney General, talks about the challenges in convicting hate crimes. 

[Video of the Week] Chef Rex De Guzman

Anti-Asian Hate Watch

3 senior advocates attacked in alleged hate crime
https://asamnews.com/2024/04/10/anti-asian-hate-racial-comments-san-francisco/

Asian American Community Reflects on Deadly Atlanta Shooting Three Years Later
https://www.theknightnews.com/2024/04/15/asian-american-community-reflects-on-deadly-atlanta-shooting-three-years-later/

AAPI coalition continues the fight against gun violence
https://asamnews.com/2024/04/13/gun-violence-politics-suicide-survivior-trump-civil-rights-asian-shooting-texas/

The FACC celebrates 70 years of Filipino culture and community in Colorado
https://www.cpr.org/2024/04/13/facc-celebrating-70th-anniversary-filipino-culture-community-in-colorado/

Man charged with hate crime in assault of Asian person in S.F.
https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/man-charged-hate-crime-assault-asian-person-s-f-19394662.php

Muslim American students allegedly punched & mocked
https://asamnews.com/2024/04/09/hate-crime-attack-university-of-texas-austin/

Funding provided by the State of California.

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Staff

Filipino American Milestones and Millstones 2022

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How did Filipino Americans fare in 2022? PF Correspondent Cherie Querol Moreno describes the year as a roller coaster, good things juxtaposed with the bad, crimes and misdemeanors interspersed with the triumph of many who ran for public office, several of them for the first time, in multiple states. Take the ride in "Fil-Am Milestones and Millstones 2022."

What is without doubt is that 2022 was a sad year. Many mourned family members and Filipinos felt the loss of some of its beloved icons. PF Publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco pays tribute to them in "In Memoriam 2022."

On a brighter note, FilAm author Angela Garbes -- she who has written two hot selling books and was interviewed by Trevor Noah on his nightly show -- converses with PF contributing writer Claire Mercado Obias on how her Filipino heritage inspired her to write about motherhood and immigration. Her latest book, Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change, is listed as one of the best books of 2022 by both NPR and the New Yorker.

Some reposts of timeless topics:

How Filipinos Got Their Surnames
Dr. Penelope Flores gives us a history lesson on how we got our surnames.

Filipino Terms of Endearment
Myles A. Garcia explores the terms we use to express love.

Another reason to keep coconut water handy:

[Make It Again] The Happy Home Cook: Binacol na Manok (Chicken Stewed in Coconut Water)

[Video of the Week] A Passion for Ube

In The Know

The Philippines' food worries amid Ukraine war and typhoons

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-64053059?fbclid=IwAR2UNPq6kwqdIIi76axIbwNXlqR5ssqpKxk7YtlCLJaau6yX8rPu214C7uU

Heading East Bay Filipino food manufacturing, distributing company a labor of love

https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2022/12/30/heading-filipino-food-manufacturing-distributing-company-a-labor-of-love/?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_content=fb-eastbaytimes&utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwAR2lbQ2iiUqm6BrKST3_ewveuar3TRnvNWGN8HEjDqZvCMsbtTfqsRRJviU

The making of a movie queen: Susan Roces, her growing up years, her leading men, her fiercest rival

https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/05/29/22/susan-roces-and-the-making-of-a-movie-queen?fbclid=IwAR2Vd-T_RgD8nuUUvxcqMUaqlV7kvp3sPzSRPbA49zU3HduW5ypqrW8p1uY

The first Rizal books on Audible are read by acclaimed British actor Richard Grant

https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/12/28/22/you-can-now-listen-to-the-noli-and-fili-on-audible?fbclid=IwAR2MeqP4vvHwKK-Z8xtwx70IjBVVns_hWC9bJa3jSS22A8SZy0rSnWuozao

Dolly De Leon On Her ‘Triangle Of Sadness’ Golden Globe Nomination And What It Means To The Filipino Community

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffconway/2022/12/29/dolly-de-leon-on-her-triangle-of-sadness-golden-globe-nomination-and-what-it-means-to-her-filipino-community/?fbclid=IwAR1-wa8sNyTiHxvltnDD2tgXAOKcX8L_m3TYMPi4I-A75YHm2Jkvr0wII6E&sh=51b3aa067fc9

How Two Former Fragrance Execs Are Using Travel To Inspire A New Organic Beauty Company

https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2022/12/31/how-two-former-fragrance-execs-are-using-travel-to-inspire-a-new-organic-beauty-company/?sh=27d8169c7572&fbclid=IwAR1PivYvudQWCLTWcOHfyEQ7Pty5rQUGkE6Hn7AU0gkwguGR_ObSQSQtovM

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Staff

What Month Is It? It's Fil-Am History Month

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We begin this significant month of October by putting together an updated timeline of Filipino American history. Through the years, there have been several compilations of significant Fil-Am historical events by various groups and publications, updated regularly as time marches on. Positively Filipino's update is the most comprehensive yet because we have included items that are not listed in previous timelines. To achieve this, we consulted with a number of community leaders, such as Jon Melegrito, Dan Gonzales and Juanita Tamayo Lott; and pored over books, online sources and other timeline versions to cull out and consolidate data. We hope "Positively Filipino's Fil-Am History Timeline" will be useful to everyone with an interest in our community's history in the United States.

While we tried our best to make this timeline as complete as possible, we know that it isn't perfect. If you have any item additions or corrections, please send documentation to PFpublisher@yahoo.com. Let’s all work together to make our stories as accurate and complete as possible. And if you want to share a copy, please make sure you credit Positively Filipino.

Another October special we have is the list and bios of pioneers in various fields who are no longer with us but who have paved the way so our Fil-Am community can flourish and claim our stake in the American social tapestry. Part 1 of "We Stand On Their Shoulders" focuses on labor leaders who fought for workers' rights and authors who chronicled the Fil-Am experience. We will be posting tributes every Wednesday this month so watch out for it. 

Our Video of the Week is an eye-opening mini documentary on "The Battles During the Filipino American War (1899-1901)" which shows some rare war photographs.

And for the Happy Home Cook, you remember our childhood favorite, Choc-Nut? Here's Nina Daza-Puyat's Choc-nut Brownies with Peanut Glaze, sure to trigger some nostalgia. In the US, Choc-Nut packs are available at Seafood City.

In The Know

PROFILES: Filipino tycoons, government officials in Pandora Papers leak
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/filipinos-tycoons-government-officials-mentioned-pandora-papers-icij?fbclid=IwAR3NV5v7Big_LoLOieM2C70rcmJwBbd4Y3HM8dofQVDDUGXDDwdYbWw07eI

BREAKDOWN: P174B recovered from Marcos loot, P125B more to get 
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/breakdown-billions-recovered-marcos-ill-gotten-wealth-by-pcgg-more-to-get?mc_cid=c68c979509&mc_eid=5b1f08a2af

Philippine 'Angels of the Sea' use their voices to repel Chinese ships
https://news.yahoo.com/philippine-angels-sea-voices-repel-153650391.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

UP Visayas won’t ditch ‘subversive’ materials
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1494350/up-visayas-wont-ditch-subversive-materials?fbclid=IwAR3irW6Vi2kJn3c0GAU5Di2Gjp20lgAenwLUVCNijr3D4MKqLHtASY8fXac#ixzz786VBNqgF

This safari-style home in Pampanga looks like a movie set with Hollywood pedigree
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/01/20/19/this-pampanga-home-is-a-magnum-opus-of-hollywood-movie-set-proportions?fbclid=IwAR1ZT2OLL0m02yEtXAYJEvU-HMJM6E7M2VrIHBU_ZmUczbULGPeivww3RWM

Throwback to 1975: What it was like watching “Thrilla in Manila” at the Araneta Coliseum
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/drive/sports/10/01/18/thrilla-in-manila

Omo, This Pinay Based In South Korea Has Appeared In More Than 50 K-Dramas!
https://www.cosmo.ph/entertainment/pinay-actress-noreen-joyce-south-korea-a4575-20210126-lfrm?utm_source=Facebook-Sparkling&utm_medium=Siteshare&utm_campaign=20210926-pinay-actress-noreen-joyce-south-korea&fbclid=IwAR1t0Vg63I2O3EB1GDt6OhPom6dvSQucjz36iQzVz76HiPO3S7GtHteLmZM

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino