On a Hopeful Note

We end 2022 as we have done every year -- on a hopeful, optimistic note especially now that the Covid pandemic seems to be better controlled. It hasn't been an easy 12 months, politically and personally, but 2022, at the very least, was when the world returned to as close to normal as it can get after two years of debilitating lockdowns and isolation.

Our Motherland inaugurated a new administration this year which didn't really change much of anything other than the faces of those in charge. Here's the Philippine yearend report as summarized by political journalist, Ernesto M. Hilario.

Two days from now, on December 30, the 124th anniversary of Jose Rizal's execution by the Spanish colonialists will be commemorated. Writing from the Netherlands, first-time PF contributor Jacob Apostol revisits the "controversy" around Rizal's National Hero designation.

One of the more enduring FilAm woman city mayor/council member in the San Francisco Bay Area is Joanne del Rosario of Colma, CA. A former Maryknoll College schoolmate, PF Correspondent Cherie Querol-Moreno, recalls their college days and celebrates their subsequent friendship.

If you did some cooking this holiday season, chances are you used Chorizo de Bilbao, a mainstay of Filipino dishes for special occasions. It's the Spanish touch that actually isn't, as PF Correspondent Myles A. Garcia reveals.

In case you missed out on some of our issues this year, here's our Top 10 Most Read Stories. 

And for your New Year celebration, PF Correspondent and author of multiple recipe books, Elizabeth Ann Quirino, shares her favorites. http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/recipes-for-your-new-year-celebration

[Video of the Week] 26 Year Old Filipino on the Road to Sainthood

Here's to a healthier, happier 2023. 



Poll Dancers

After our Christmas stories last week, we're resuming the series on the Philippine electoral system by former COMELEC chief, Andres Bautista. For this issue, he focuses on "Gaming Philippine Democracy," which explains the manufactured controversy regarding the 2016 vice presidential election.

And since this is our last issue of 2021, here's our list and links to the most-read stories of the year based on Google Analytics.

Our Toronto-based contributor, Patria Cabatuando Rivera, sent us an inspirational story on the kind and generous doctor from Toclong, Imus, Cavite, the late Olimpio Hembrador whose patient list includes some pretty prominent people.

For your post-Christmas healthier meals, here are some suggestions from Chef Sandy Daza, borrowed from his acclaimed series of cooking demos called Casa Daza. 

Here's wishing all of you a better year ahead.

Video of the Week: Auld Lang Syne



In The Know (Standard Edition)

Get to Know All the National Artists of the Philippines
https://www.esquiremag.ph/the-good-life/pursuits/national-artists-philippines-list-a1957-20190802-lfrm10?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20211207-fbnp-the-good-life-national-artists-philippines-list-a1957-20190802-lfrm10-fbold&fbclid=IwAR1xnG4BdBJ8iCfBktKjVrIUisRvHbOuDAC9A6EqgHkaOSXeui52nNpFlbQ

These close encounters reveal another side to The Beatles’ ‘disastrous’ Manila visit in ‘66
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/12/20/21/bbc-doc-reveals-new-details-in-beatles-vs-imelda-story

One last kiss: How iconic resto Chocolate Kiss knew it was time to say goodbye
https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/food-drinks/how-iconic-restaurant-chocolate-kiss-knew-time-say-goodbye/?fbclid=IwAR3vEp505PHylo5vbd5o3kOjC8mKwvbQ0fvTutRUDyfSBRal_3_ZfYxuYTA

How this 14-year old Pinoy kid became one of the world’s prize-winning cellists
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/music/12/09/21/meet-the-young-pinoy-cellist-making-the-country-proud?fbclid=IwAR3XViyLU6PF3BfV2zquFc3kT5Uyxtdgc2OBnWTA9v9RGueEqfzRjpT2bA0

The boy who dreamt, the man who became
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/12/06/the-boy-who-dreamt-the-man-who-became/?fbclid=IwAR3XEsH1kES7bgUBd0VEfHwwCQNHOnHy496pjkGsuPMEnBK5VLxpr0B7oR4 

How Spider-Man: No Way Home Lets Filipino Americans Shine
https://www.slashfilm.com/713511/how-spider-man-no-way-home-lets-filipino-americans-shine/?fbclid=IwAR2f5RpuUKnCVs5R3DbnM0wW4e1nWESt88yi-uvB3ddBsVLdJVDiQRTygrk


Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Hello, Young Readers

A glorious and hopeful 2019 to all.

We just looked into our 2018 readership stats and we're very happy to note that we got a lot more readers from the millennial generation. In fact, the majority (54%) of our readers last year were from the 18-34 age group, which is both surprising and gratifying. Since most of our stories are about history and culture, we'd like to think that young people look to Positively Filipino as a source of information and guidance (from elders like us) in navigating their collective history and heritage.

If you want to read or re-read our most popular stories of 2018, here are the links.

One of the major progress that happened in the Philippines in recent years is the passage of the RH (for reproductive health) Law that came about after years of wrangling between the Catholic Church and legislators. Dr. Marilen J. Danguilan, who was at the forefront of the struggle, has come out with a book that detailed the process of awareness, negotiations and passage of the bill. The RH Bill Story: Contentions and Compromises and its valuable lessons are discussed by Rep. Edcel Lagman here. (Read "A True Chronicle of the Reproductive Health Law's Odyssey")

PF Correspondent Serina Aidasani profiles Esmie Gayo McLaren, a Vancouver-based artist who recently had exhibits in Ottawa and New York.

Our Happy Home Cook recipe comes from San Francisco-based foodie Voltaire Gungab who came up with the scrumptious Bibingka Cakes with Lambanog-Lemongrass Syrup and Coconut Cream. 

Links for stories you may have missed are here:

A Mother and Daughter’s Unlikely Journey as Migrant Workers
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/27/lens/xyza-bacani-migrant-workers.html?fbclid=IwAR08u3-E-8NJckDP0pl6JEjyzo-4VCHhqkA6rGqcOWia-jJY5uTVgE-IQSQ

A Comic Novel Asks Who Gets to Write the History of the Colonial Philippines
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/12/26/books/review/gina-apostol-insurrecto.html?fbclid=IwAR0uLa-UMLfOhU_FzhZsW0TOsBSlipBg_MhJLCALxP9uZVIS9fat1fZJnbU

In Albay, protecting the sea leads to bountiful tanigue
https://www.rappler.com/nation/219014-albay-fishermen-catch-tanigue?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR3dtA-7Ap2btYMUFGaTi2IljkrWZe-_lbGttmBmgE1Drd2jOV3Bba9nju8#Echobox=1544962090

H.E.R. Has Been Writing Grammy Acceptance Speech Since She Was A Kid
https://start.att.net/news/read/category/news/article/rolling_stone-her_has_been_writing_grammy_acceptance_speech_sinc-rpenskemc?fbclid=IwAR132z4f1d_feBEO-GUCVhCxk29kWfxCe96KC_mZbNzzSlnOUbQ3RpUv9xs

This Netflix Anime Series could be a Game Changer for Philippine Mythology
https://www.vice.com/en_asia/article/xwj987/netflix-trese-anime-series-philippines-comics?utm_source=viceasiafb&fbclid=IwAR27AxlkfuQ2LLCCaaDk5lgxZnd4PEEIeCCKVPcxtEygnCnmUWFFsrXeEng

For video of the week, Food Insider features Manam, a new restaurant in Manila which presents a new twist on Pancit Palabok and other Filipino favorites.

Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino