Feast or Famine

/

This June has been a momentous month, in both bad and good ways. The Philippines is about to begin a new era on July 1 and, depending on which side you're forecasting from, there's a "feast or famine" dichotomy involved. The incoming administration will either be the best of times or the worst of times.

What is undeniable is it's bogged down by an inherited ignominy that involves dictatorship, unprecedented corruption, and attempts to rewrite history. How will it govern effectively with these historical albatrosses weighing it down? At this point, one can only surmise; the President-elect is characteristically reticent about his plans and policies, hinting only through his choice of people to head key positions, and most of them are unknown.

Meanwhile, as the curtain closes on the Rodrigo Duterte administration, here's an objective look at what he has done: Read Again Prof. Patricio Abinales' analysis, "Duterte's Mixed Legacy." 

And if you're still gobsmacked by the results of the May elections, here's a controversial take by political analyst/defeated candidate Walden Bello: [Opinion] A Disaster Waiting To Happen: Marcos Jr. And The 2022 Elections

And yet, there are silver linings as always. The 2022 roster of National Artists is an impressive and deserving lot. Leading the pack is Nora Aunor, the long-hailed superstar who started out as a singer and evolved into one of the best actresses the Philippines has ever produced. Movie expert Mauro Feria Tumbocon Jr. wrote a story on Nora for PF and it's as timeless as its title: The Timeless Nora Aunor

Seltzer water with Filipino flavors, anyone? That's NY-based Fil-Am Sandro Roco's Sanzo brand, available through such giant retailers as Amazon, Whole Foods and Target, among others. Sanzo comes in mango, lychee, calamansi and yuzu with ginger flavors as PF Correspondent Anthony Maddela reports.

This Makes Us Smile: Mommy’s Brew

The actress Caridad Sanchez's love affair with coffee, as described by her unica hija, Cathy Sanchez Babao.

Another Read Again, this time a last hurrah for Pride Month and exquisite writing by early PF contributor, Migs Bassig: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/2013/2/via-del-mar

And who can beat Filipino humor? Another sampling of Funny Signs: Forgive Us Our Signs 15

[Recipe of the Week] The Happy Home Cook: Bulanglang Batangas-Style With Crispy Tawilis And Calamansi Dipping Sauce

[Video of the Week] Halimaw

In The Know

Ressa says Philippine courts to decide Rappler closure order
https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-hawaii-honolulu-3fab6d6081c5fc57ca0dd307bdf433eb 

‘The Punisher’: Rodrigo Duterte’s violent reign as Philippines president to end
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/28/the-punisher-rodrigo-dutertes-violent-reign-as-philippines-president-to-end?utm_term=62bae63b411cb8a3e2ab3a5d96cff1b7&utm_campaign=GuardianTodayUS&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=GTUS_email

In the Philippines, Will Marcos Give the Media Hell Like Duterte Did?
https://niemanreports.org/articles/philippines-ferdinand-marcos-duterte/

Kumu Founder Roland Ros on How Social Media Can Spark Social Change
https://www.tatlerasia.com/power-purpose/technology/roland-ros-founder-kumu?utm_campaign=ASIA_DIG_FULL20220402&utm_medium=email&utm_source=tatlerasia.com

Liwayway magazine brings back physical circulation after changes due to pandemic
https://interaksyon.philstar.com/hobbies-interests/2022/06/21/219972/liwayway-magazine-brings-back-physical-circulation-after-changes-due-to-pandemic/?fbclid=IwAR0XdWL0uG6iuYCVt0A1JvYvNtIwXTOKr37FjlhqS_JdZ8a4bPt2KWTRK_4

It has the largest collection of late 19th century houses in PH, but the houses are fast disappearing
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/06/21/22/why-manilas-san-nicolas-district-needs-to-be-rescued?fbclid=IwAR2jTkxTMzOZ8O9CimVR5g62RcpBxoVtGY98mk-21ij7AyFih5ZGYhRpgds

What Manila Looked Like in Its Heyday
https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/lifestyle/manila-glory-days-a1729-20190408-lfrm?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20220622-fbnp-culture-manila-glory-days-a1729-20190408-lfrm-fbold&fbclid=IwAR2L3Yj2Vky2__-RIGlY0eQukYp7rfZdSfjTdoGyhaJqiyjTANbqAcYAADw

/ /
, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Staff

A Night to Remember

/

As Filipinos and as journalists, we watched with great pride as Maria Ressa accepted the Nobel Peace Prize during the award  ceremony in Oslo last December 10, attended by Norway's royalty no less. Our first Filipino Nobel Laureate did not disappoint. Her speech was eloquent and inspirational, a call to action for truth, trust and protecting democracy.

If you missed the ceremony and her speech, here it is:

For the text of Maria Ressa's Nobel Laureate lecture:

https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2021/ressa/lecture/

Democracy is under siege in some major countries in the world, including the US and yes, the Philippines. In the third part of his illuminating series on the Philippine electoral process, former Comelec chair Andres Bautista states "An informed and engaged citizenry is the foundation of a successful election." He then unpacks why and how this logical idea at this point is easier said than done.

However. There are rays of hope and of joy as veteran writer Alfred "Krip" Yuson reports in his colorful situationer of the mood of the hour in pre-(official) campaign Philippines, where the political situation remains fluid as flood. 

Perhaps we can use a look back at the distant past to understand our people. PF contributor Dorian Merina tells us about Wondery's podcast series that he scripted on the Philippine American War, running now until the end of December.  

And to keep you in the holiday spirit, Toronto-based writer Patria Rivera gives a review of a book on Philippine spirits of the liquid variety. The book is a good resource on Philippine wines and a unique Christmas gift as well. 

Have you planned your Noche Buena yet? Here are some recipes that will surely light up your Christmas table. Cook Again: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-happy-home-cook-christmas-recipes?rq=christmas

Video of the Week: Larry Ramos of the Association (1942-2014)
Partner Post: UCSF Lung Cancer Research on Asian American Females

In The Know (Standard Edition)

How the rise of electric cars endangers the ‘last frontier’ of the Philippines
https://www.nbcnews.com/specials/rise-of-electric-cars-endangers-last-frontier-philippines/index.html

‘Root of all evil’: Quiboloy church’s demands for money mire followers in debt
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/quiboloy-church-demand-money-mires-kingdom-jesus-christ-followers-debt/?fbclid=IwAR0-WkxPyiskMNmS8gX13r64C_mDCAddzpV79vvai7iRm2OmCaxePfNlrnQ

Andrés Bonifacio and the house at 72 Calle Azcárraga
https://philstarlife.com/news-and-views/938092-andres-bonifacio-house-at-72-calle-azcarraga?fbclid=IwAR0dHLK9z2VGw1eoGUJubBI7t1__vKENPvSS86_mUWTOkS6aGGE44hYYEQA

Meet Mighty Magulang, the geeky Tita proving history and facts can thrive on TikTok

https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/12/05/21/meet-mighty-magulang-tiktoks-favorite-history-geek?fbclid=IwAR0FXTu4cGK7bu-GGBW9jLB1yRF1HK9YYQcpbaCEuZJpgY7dwXLqBxjZNLQ

Today in Philippine History, December 12, 1888, 20 young women of Malolos requested to open a night school for Spanish language
https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/812/today-in-philippine-history-december-12-1888-20-young-women-of-malolos-requested-to-open-a-night-school-for-spanish-language

IN PHOTOS: After more than two years of renovation, Ayala Museum reopens with a new look
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/12/03/21/in-photos-the-new-look-of-ayala-museum?fbclid=IwAR34qa319Ny-tDIp9-IehvnlRCKOVwJ2AfHp6OKlsv9zU1J4h7deRORw27k

/ /
, , , , , , , , ,

Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Critical Myth Theory

/

One of the very first books I bought when my children and I immigrated to the US more than 30 years ago is Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen. I knew that they were in for American history from a certain point of view so it was important to prepare for some counter-mythmaking. The book was too complex for my little kids to appreciate at that time but its presence in our bookshelf was a constant and symbolic reminder that stories/lessons (particularly historical ones) passed on as "facts" should be examined before they are believed. 

I just reread Loewen's chapter on "The Truth About the First Thanksgiving" because, well, it's Thanksgiving. This "feel-good" holiday is not as pure and innocent (and celebratory) as has been drummed into American schoolchildren through generations. There was another side to the story and it was dark and diabolical, involving, among other things, the slaughter of Native Americans. This ugly side has been exposed by other historians, not just Loewen. 

Historical myth-making or revisionism is not limited to long-ago events; some evil souls are even trying to rewrite contemporary history -- events that many still living can easily remember and expose as lies. (I'm looking at you, martial-law-as-golden-age liars.)

"The antidote to feel-good history is not feel-bad history but honest and inclusive history," Loewen says. It means "...allowing students to learn both the 'good' and the 'bad' side...." 

It is in this same spirit that we encourage you to read "The Conservation President's Troubling Legacy," our lead story this week about President Theodore Roosevelt whose monumental legacy is the protection of millions of acres of land that we visit and appreciate to this day. Roosevelt, however, was also a hard-core imperialist who considered Filipinos as an inferior specie. First-time PF contributor Mikko Jimenez, a conservation biologist and academic, de-mystifies the 26th US president.

There's nothing mystifying about our Living Legends series which hails the very real achievements of some Filipino Americans. Part 2 of Mona Lisa Yuchengco's compilation features Historians and Archivists, the Academe and the Arts. 

Sisig, that crispy, savory pork sensation that has surpassed adobo and lumpia as the Filipino dish of choice, has an interesting -- and accidental -- beginning, as chef and food historian Claude Tayag relates. And to top his delectable story, Claude is sharing his own recipe for this Pampangueño delicacy, for the Happy Home Cook.

Our Video of the Week is a short video documentary on the disappearing art of making Asin Tibuok in Bohol, one of the rarest salt in the world.

Read Again:

We commemorate the 147th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio on November 30:
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/andres-bonifacio-the-other-national-hero

/ /
, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino