Reptile Dysfunction

PF Correspondent Myles A. Garcia regales us with the story of Lolong, the "Largest Saltwater Crocodile in Captivity" from 2011-2013, whose capture made Bunawan, a small town in Agusan, an item in the Guinness Book of World Records. Lolong's journey did not end there: after the reptile's death in 2013, some interesting twists and turns brought its carcass to the National Museum of Natural History in Manila where it now lies. Read all about it in "Lolong, the Giant Crocodile’s Legacy is a Wake-Up Call."

A Toronto-based Filipino couple's "apo-stolic" (babysitting a grandchild) brought them to Hanoi, Vietnam, where the vestiges of war and a country's amazing recovery made for some interesting observations and memories. Patria Cabatuando-Rivera, one-half of the couple, writes about the new Vietnam in "Hanoi Diary: Vietnam's Beautiful Peace."

PF Correspondent and resident foodie Elizabeth Ann Quirino raves about the book of chef/artist/food historian Ige Ramos, aptly titled “Republic of Taste: The Untold Stories of Cavite Cuisine.”

Savor the stories behind the tastes in "Food Historian Ige Ramos Serves Cavite’s Unsung Cuisine" and actually taste a sample with our Happy Home Cook recipe this week for Pancit Choco en su Tinta, a vintage Caviteño dish from Ige Ramos himself.

Since it's All Saints Day, let me re-share with you a story I wrote about a tragedy that was common during martial law: https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/gemma/the-end-of-her-world 

Our collection of links to must-read stories, ICYMI:

She Invented Banana Ketchup & Saved Thousands of Lives. Why Have We Never Heard of Her?
https://food52.com/blog/24700-maria-orosa-profile?fbclid=IwAR2VNP3XhDZOz3jaloLRsF5zYqeZs7QJ-F_uNr6yENRNbRWnx-4jbIe7pWE

Why We Need To Remember Stockton, California’s Filipino American Legacy
https://www.buzzfeed.com/paolamardo/stockton-california-little-manila-center-vandalism-history?fbclid=IwAR2iObIf-iPIyHBiE-HuXPLMiCbC3i7bdQRdcH24IFU1Am4R7sEWqbimbcc

Being Fil-Am in the age of Trump and Duterte
https://cnnphilippines.com/life/culture/2019/10/28/filipino-american-month-essay.html?fbclid=IwAR0hFlYVj-tOht5AurOtgFxjCIc92vw0fNL9eE2LgV1YC7RDuV7CxD25uYI

In Philippine slums, meat scavenged from dumpsters feeds those short of meals and hope
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/society/article/3020306/philippine-slums-meat-scavenged-dumpsters-feeds-those-short-meals?fbclid=IwAR213NQkZ5JhEWrxnUqc-Uvp01zYwUFPWYXK1Br20WgKkagkkmjlQDL5sfU

28 Filipino Recipes That Are Absolutely Worth Feasting On
https://www.buzzfeed.com/melissaharrison/easy-filipino-recipes?utm_source=dynamic&fbclid=IwAR2fo7RXdiRQIfnJRZGm2Yg9wTdrzHfeJVUhPEj7SM6iAnLo7HduIUmM45g

For our video of the week, ANC 24/7 talks to Filipino comic book greats Whilce Portacio and Rafael Kayanan.

Millennials Rising

Let's hear it from millennials!

Ateneo medical student Pia Guballa reflects on the inequities of status and gender privilege in the obstetrics ward on her last day of rotation. "Healer, Lick Thy Wounds" is not only insightful of the harsh realities in women's health, it also reveals a compassionate human being who is cut out to be a future doctor of conscience. May her tribe increase. 

Another good one from an Ateneo student, we're sharing this essay by the valedictorian of Class 2019 and outgoing president of the Ateneo student council, Reycel Hyacenth Bendaña, whose proletarian roots (she is the daughter of a jeepney driver) makes her immensely qualified to call for, not just a more generous Ateneo but, more importantly, a more generous country. We are reposting her essay from the Ateneo University web site so we take it that the institution is officially listening. We hope its alumni are as well. ("Prayer for Generosity")

From Stockton, California, Jaelyn Galasinao Sanidad, a third-generation Filipino American, talks about how it is to survive in what was once ground zero of the Filipino manong community and the strong sense of kinship this shared history has encouraged in succeeding generations like hers. Jaelyn is part of the forthcoming (June 22) annual cultural showcase, this year titled "Dawn." (Read "Little Manila at the Break of Dawn")

Today we celebrate the 121st anniversary of Philippine Independence. Here's a valuable Read Again to put the significance of the day in perspective: "Why June 12 is Different From Other Days" by John L. Silva 

On June 16, it will be Father's Day so here's another Read Again: "A Day in the Life of a Single Dad" 

And here's a fitting tribute to the great Filipino actor, Eddie Garcia, who is currently fighting for his life after a freak accident during shooting: Marra PL. Lanot's "What Makes Eddie Run?"

Our In The Know links to articles from other publications: 

Considering History and Narratives as Spain and the Philippines Approach 500th Anniversary
https://thediplomat.com/2019/05/considering-history-and-narratives-as-spain-and-the-philippines-approach-500th-anniversary/?fbclid=IwAR1CTAoFdm_QxQ1Z7ia4t3AmjELTVkT5ik8QZUZllnWfZjpuXw7Btw6pBxg

Not just a joke: The social cost of Duterte's rape remarks
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/211438-duterte-rape-remarks-social-cost-not-just-jokes?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2IMv32rjbSAuB9R_bkTd_TWVUEtV4PZbGLVq8j0JwDLvIscs2MOOHP3D4#Echobox=1558856702

Netflix, Forest Whitaker Team On Adaptation Of Newbery-Winning Novel ‘Hello, Universe’
https://deadline.com/2019/05/hello-universe-movie-netflix-erin-entrada-kelly-forest-whitaker-1202620474/?fbclid=IwAR33xS_-GIcj8JKEf3UtCgPrNiPPFB_FAvsmcWmv8ojAxH7T1gffoKNk0cY

Ulam:Main Dish' celebrates Filipino cuisine
https://www.ncronline.org/news/media/ulammain-dish-celebrates-filipino-cuisine?clickSource=email

For the Happy Home Cook this week, we are re-posting Chef Marvin Gapultos' suggested dishes for your own Independence Day celebration.

For Video of the Week, we feature McDonald’s Philippines Father’s Day commercial.

The Writer, the Teacher, and the Chef

Acclaimed Filipino American author/playwright Jessica Hagedorn scores another literary accomplishment with the staging of her 1990 novel, The Gangster of Love, at Magic Theatre in San Francisco starting today. PF contributor Elaine Elinson did an exclusive interview with the author about her creative process and wrote "Jessica Hagedorn Brings The Gangster of Love from the Page to the Stage." The play, 20 years in the making, runs through May 6. Positively Filipino readers get a 20% discount so read the story to find out how to get tickets. 

Special education teacher Joey Cumagun was among 18 exceptional teachers chosen from hundreds nationwide to participate in a program sponsored by the American Battle Monuments Commission. He chose to research on the life of Sgt. Teofilo Yldefonzo, a Bataan Death March veteran who was the first Filipino to win an Olympic medal. Yldefonzo's life story and Cumagun's own converge in PF contributor Manzel Delacruz's  account entitled "Understanding Sacrifice," a fitting continuing tribute this month to Filipinos called to valor. 

If you're craving Filipino food in LA, there are many restaurants to choose from. A new one seems to be holding its own in West LA -- Big Boi Restaurant, run by Chef Barbara Batiste who eschews trendy fusion and sticks to traditional flavors. PF Correspondent Anthony Maddela reports.

Last week we featured Chicagoland's E + O Food and Drink Restaurant and Chef Angelo Lubiano's Pork Belly Adobo recipe for our Happy Home Cook. This week, we feature another of his creations, Chicken Sisig.

For Video of the Week, online comedian Jeppy Paraiso is back with “Tita's Rant on Daylight Savings Time.”

And here's our In The Know compilation this week for your reading pleasure:

Why We Need To Remember Stockton, California’s Filipino American Legacy
https://www.buzzfeed.com/paolamardo/stockton-california-little-manila-center-vandalism-history?utm_term=.wnV3b2D9Z#.yvO0ay56D

Cambridge Analytica boss Alexander Nix dined with two of Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign advisers in 2015
http://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2140782/cambridge-analytica-boss-alexander-nix-dined-two-rodrigo

FALEO: Home on a mission of love
http://www.manilatimes.net/home-mission-love/380915/

36 of the Most Beautiful Words in The Philippine Language
https://www.buzzfeed.com/isabellelaureta/kilig-sa-harana?utm_term=.tgYW0VwrB#.ucmY0v4VX

Colonialism in a Can
https://www.tastecooking.com/colonialism-in-a-can/