'Tis the Season to Be Peaceful

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When the Hamas-Israel war broke out in October, the Philippine Embassy in Israel immediately went into crisis management mode, a familiar switch among diplomatic posts in unstable regions. With Filipino OFWs in almost 200 countries in the world, crisis-induced aid forms a major part of diplomatic work, as journalist Jeremaiah Opiniano writes in "PH Runs a Cycle of Crisis-Induced OFW Aid." In Israel today, the Philippine Embassy acts as guardian and succor to the almost 30,000 Filipinos in the country (about 130 in Gaza), most of whom have chosen to remain in their jobs (less than 300 have chosen repatriation) despite the threats they face as bystanders in the current war.

'Tis the season to be jolly nonetheless and what better way to celebrate than the traditional Simbang Gabi. Despite (or maybe because of) being away from the Motherland, overseas Filipinos nurture the holiday spirit, as first-time contributing writer Ronald Salazar reports from Wellington, New Zealand. Read "Simbang Gabi Abroad -- Our Faith and Our Music" because indeed, there's no taking the Filipino away from our Christmas traditions.

And what is Christmas without food? Our friend Micky Fenix, one of the leading lights in the Philippine culinary scene, takes us on a virtual tour of Iloilo City's gastronomic delights, a fitting tour d'horizon of the recently proclaimed UNESCO Creative City for Gastronomy.

Another food story to tickle your palates, "The Comforting Squidginess of Slow-Cooked Veggies" by Jeanne Jakob-Ashkenazi, a Filipino food researcher based in Valencia, Spain. This essay won the second prize in the 2022 Doreen Gamboa Fernandez Food Writing Award.

Finally, if you're lucky enough to have this Fil-Am movie showing in your area, here's a preview of "Asian Persuasion" starring KC Concepcion, Dante Basco and Paolo Montalban, among others, as directed by Jhett Tolentino. 

And for our Video of the Week, it's always a treat to watch Lea Salonga. This one is particularly poignant as she sings "Payapang Daigdig" with the Tabernacle Choir. The song composed by Felipe de Leon in 1946 is a paean to peace, something the world needs badly right now. 

Partner: “Remember Pearl Harbor… And The Philippines!”

Anti-Asian Hate Watch

Brutal Attack on Elderly Asian Man Is Not a Hate Crime, Says LA County Sheriff’s Department
https://ethnicmediaservices.org/stop-the-hate/brutal-attack-on-elderly-asian-man-is-not-a-hate-crime-says-la-county-sheriffs-department/

Trial to be set for killing of Vicha Ratanapakdee, who’s death sparked ‘Stop Asian Hate’
https://asamnews.com/2023/12/09/trial-to-be-set-for-killing-of-vicha-ratanapakdee-whos-death-sparked-stop-asian-hate/

Lifting the lamp for AAPI New Jerseyans, 80 years after the Chinese Exclusion Act
https://newjerseymonitor.com/2023/12/06/lifting-the-lamp-for-aapi-new-jerseyans-80-years-after-the-chinese-exclusion-act/

Hate crime surge raises alarms, adds safety concerns for minorities
https://www.losangelesblade.com/2023/12/10/hate-crime-surge-raises-alarms-adds-safety-concerns-for-minorities/

Funding provided by the State of California.

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Staff

It's Bayanihan Time

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“These are the times that try men’s souls.” - Thomas Paine, The American Crisis, 1776

Since it's busy-happy time for everyone celebrating Christmas, we compiled these heartwarming and nostalgic stories from some of our contributing writers that you can enjoy when taking breaks from preparing for your noche buena.

We're even throwing in our resident foodie Elizabeth Ann Quirino's recipe for Tocino del Cielo, that rich, sinful Kapampangan delicacy that may have been part of your childhood Christmases.

Adding to this mix is our Video of the Week, a delightful rendition by the Aroha Junior Choir and the Aroha Children's Choir of Stevie Wonder's "Someday at Christmas." This was supposed to be a light, relaxing issue -- a break from the serious, the controversial, the thought-provoking topics.But nature had other ideas.

In addition to the alarming spread of the omicron virus worldwide, throwing Christmas travel and party plans asunder, how can we turn our backs on the horrific havoc and disaster that Typhoon Odette/Ria wrecked in central and southern Philippines? The pictures that trickled out -- very slowly because power and communications were cut off -- were heartbreaking.

Here's one of the reports:

So in keeping with the true spirit of Christmas, we hope everyone can join in the worldwide bayanihan to help our kababayans in Visayas and Mindanao recover from this disaster. Your nearest Philippine embassies or consulates should be able to point you to the legitimate venues for donations. [Be watchful of scams.]

And with this, we send you our wishes for a joyful and safe Christmas celebration.

In The Know

The country that celebrates Christmas for more than 4 months a year
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/21/philippines-the-longest-christmas-celebrations-in-the-world-.html?fbclid=IwAR0767DIgXdKC8Q9dJeCN9gPGppOjaHf-p0nw2pqxVBYMjQizPsSwwB7q6I

Can the small but mighty Jollibee dethrone Popeyes’ spicy fried chicken?
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/small-mighty-jollibee-dethrone-popeyes-121000496.html

New clue to human evolution's biggest mystery emerges in Philippines
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/08/16/world/denisovan-dna-philippines-scn/index.html?fbclid=IwAR0gCb1pY9cvCDvDMg6qJ3qYMyx1P94-E3VYHmlVO29LN64YVllCJxAjPEM

Social entrepreneur’s mission of preserving Philippine cinnamon also benefits farmers
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/06/social-entrepreneurs-mission-of-preserving-philippine-cinnamon-also-benefits-farmers/?fbclid=IwAR0fx0D_5fBCctZXXX2GqxUFYA7jNfQWUmVpwoeW5tCp55-LqEVItYtuvKg

A Private Island in the Philippines Is Cheaper Than a House in Forbes Park
https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/lifestyle/private-islands-in-the-philippines-a00297-20200305?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20211205-fbnp-culture-private-islands-in-the-philippines-a00297-20200305-fbold&fbclid=IwAR0ucsxwnMxT12jq0zWRhm7r8Mzqw6EeZcrctU72tPGdosYpxR4MxFgqZZ4

In this new Filipino restaurant in London, an exuberant mural is getting a lot of attention
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/art/12/04/21/in-london-kulay-labitigan-tells-the-story-of-home/?utm_campaign=sharedpost&fbclid=IwAR3rM-Iv5-Zw3n2gDOYphzFnMRGiIYA2bHFNWoptbVuCw0llj7FWWMORiuw

Asia’s Most Influential
https://www.tatlerasia.com/list/ami/2021/ph?page=10 

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Christmas Pa More

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Simbang Gabi starts today in churches in the Philippines and among large Filipino communities all over the world. In San Francisco, Simbang Gabi has received the official imprimatur of the Vatican, thanks to the tireless efforts of Filipina church leader Nellie Hizon who worked for 20 years to get the uniquely Filipino tradition recognized. Regular Positively Filipino contributor Manzel Delacruz tells us the story of the commissioning of Simbang Gabi in the San Francisco diocese, a milestone achievement that brings Filipinos in the Bay Area together in tradition and prayer.

Another Christmas event that has done wonders for creating a sense of community is Belenismo sa Tarlac, an annual Belen-making contest that is now participated in by 17 municipalities and a city in Tarlac. Started in 2007 by the Tarlac Heritage Foundation headed by Mrs. Isabel Cojuangco Suntay, Belenisimo or the art of creating a Belen (nativity scene) has brought out the creative imagination of townsfolk and has changed the Christmas landscape of the province. Native Tarlaqueña Elizabeth Ann Quirino writes proudly about this event, which she witnessed for the first time this year.

In Atlanta, Georgia, meanwhile, Fil-Am radio producer Myke Johns is making waves in the arts community of the city. Positively Filipino Correspondent Rey de la Cruz introduces us to this dynamic personality whose heart is solidly behind public radio.

Our Happy Home Cook feature in time for the holiday gatherings is embutido, the Filipino meatloaf with homemade banana ketchup, courtesy of LA-based chef, food blogger and cookbook author Marvin Gapultos.

For Video of the Week, Micah Indiola took a video of two Filipino kids singing Parañaque Rebels' Christmas rap carol "Santa Klaws."

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino