Along Comes Nostalgia
/As we hold our collective breaths when we watch what's happening in our homeland, let's take a needed break.
FilAms in the Bay Area, particularly baby boomers, were treated to a nostalgia trip last weekend with the Philippine International Aid (PIA) sponsoring the showing of an indie film, Along Comes Larry. Larry is Larry Ramos, the first Filipino to garner a Grammy as part of the New Christy Minstrels in 1963. He went on to join The Association, a group familiar to Filipinos who grew up in the '60s with such hits as "Cherish," "Windy" and "Never My Love." We sang along and swayed to these songs not knowing that one of the soloists was a Filipino-Hawaiian, Larry.
The documentary by broadcast journalist Rick Quan, as PF correspondent Cherie Querol-Moreno reports, was illuminating to the more than 500 guests who watched it, most of whom were hearing about Larry Ramos for the first time. But the treat wasn't just the movie -- it also included a performance by the remaining members of The Association! Grayed and somewhat frayed now, the members of the group, minus Larry who passed away in 2014, still thrilled with their harmonies.
It was indeed a weekend that warmed hearts and souls. More significantly, it benefited the PIA, a non-profit whose 39 years of existence is not only distinguished for its longevity, but for the 70,000 or so disadvantaged children in the Philippines who have been able to go to school because of PIA.
Would that we have more -- of groups who really make a difference, of people who continue to do their part in uplifting the lives of our kababayans, of filmmakers who make consequential movies, and of music makers who sing songs that make us happy.
This Week’s Stories
Philippine International Aid (PIA) Benefit Debuts Film on Larry Ramos, First Fil-Am Grammy Winner by Cherie M. Querol Moreno
An Encounter in Florence, Autumn 2025 by Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr.
The Mercados of North Texas by Jocelyn Alvarez Allgood
The Strange, the Magical, and the Marvelous by Rashaan Alexis Meneses
Read It Again
Along Comes Larry by Peter Jamero
Why I Called Out the US Military on Torture by Maj. Gen. Antonio M. Taguba (Ret.)
Ten Thousand Stories in Chicago’s The Field Museum by Rey E. de la Cruz
Video of the Week
The Human Cost of the Philippines’ Flood-control Corruption Scandal | 101 East Documentary
In The Know
Why Cardinal David rejects Marcos-Duterte resignation call
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/why-cardinal-pablo-virgilio-david-rejects-marcos-duterte-resignation-call/
OFW who died in Hong Kong fire slated to come home for Christmas
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/pinoyabroad/dispatch/968136/ofw-who-died-in-hong-kong-fire-slated-to-come-home-for-istmas/story/
Filipino cardinal: Storytelling key to mission work in Asia
https://cbcpnews.net/cbcpnews/filipino-cardinal-storytelling-key-to-mission-work-in-asia/?
A Taste of Home in Every Bite: The Valerio Family’s Baking Legacy
https://filipinosinthe6ix.com/valerio-familys-baking-legacy/
