Afternoon Delight

What's your idea of an afternoon well spent, one that elevates your spirit and shakes or stirs you to take, if not outright action, at least to take the next step towards greater enlightenment?

Would it be watching a controversial movie that presents an alternate reality of a well-documented historical event, like "Maid in Malacanang"?

Would it be taking time off to pursue a passion that saved you from pursuing a wrong path, like chef/photographer Jomel Bartolome in New Zealand? 

Certainly, it will not be what author/professor/human rights activist/occasional politician Walden Bello endured recently when he had to spend jail time for displeasing the powerful. 

For many of us, an afternoon of Filipino music and an intimate conversation about our musical culture with Maestro Michael Dadap wins hands down as the activity of choice, more so if it's in the company of kindred spirits, as PF contributor Lorna Lardizabal-Dietz writes about.

These stories and another of our popular recurring list of Fil-Ams who are making this world a better place are our offerings this week. 

We are also re-sharing some stories that we hope will make your day better.

In 2013, during the search for a new Pope, then newly named Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle was talked about as a possible candidate. Here's the late ace reporter Aries Rufo's take on the issue: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/2013/3/the-man-who-could-be-pope

And a good read, at any time of day from Lotis Key-Kabigting: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/white-men-cant-jump-start

[Cook It Again] The Happy Home Cook: Rellenong Talong (Stuffed Eggplant)

[Video of the Week] "Gintong Kasaysayan, Gintong Pamana" LA's Historic Filipinotown Mural

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In The Know

Philippine media under pressure as Marcos Jr courts influencers
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/8/20/philippine-media-under-pressure-as-marcos-jr-courts-influencers

When Filipinos Fight with Filipino-Americans, No One Wins
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/filipinos-filipino-americans-filams-filipinx-diaspora-a2819-20220813-lfrm2
Philippine classrooms reopen after more than two years
https://ph.news.yahoo.com/philippine-classrooms-reopen-more-two-032342193.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9sLmZhY2Vib29rLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFiv7B7QwjQj_86QCR-k3x8XaEvIhOp4chOIPrES_OphaH_UXSvyFNBN09_mP_sSgnSpzJRzbSTUG-SaPyFRCv3_S2XFNI5fPK7gB3c0fgoyEMqxmc8tBJ0dhjtPyzRN5sAVwDN1U_KjS02HBZQhj9gMw-29ARYLodRIbcRESufw

Why American Billionaire Andrew Carnegie Offered To Buy The Philippines’ Freedom For $20 Million
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/andrew-carnegie-philippines-a00304-20200105?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20220815-fbnp-long-reads-andrew-carnegie-philippines-a00304-20200105-fbold&fbclid=IwAR2dzkEZ8Zkzr4MZoKKPzMGtLOO_5O8aAhHYLmFhc6VGFscV8zz54fzBrnY

Why Niagara Falls has become home to many Filipinos
https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/08/16/22/why-niagara-falls-has-become-home-to-many-filipinos

The story of esteemed 19th-century Spanish painter’s ‘lonely tomb’ at the La Loma Cemetery
https://pop.inquirer.net/331379/the-story-of-esteemed-19th-century-spanish-painters-lonely-tomb-at-the-la-loma-cemetery

What Ever Happened to the Legendary Salinas Salt Springs?
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/salinas-salt-springs-a00293-20201201?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare-Photo&utm_campaign=20220822-fbnp-long-reads-salinas-salt-springs-a00293-20201201-fbold&fbclid=IwAR1slU5yvifhDoHV6amCmF_ZZXply4tS4idc05GNrTtELjeacn2jenyaowo

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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

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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

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Requiems for UK in EU and the EDSA Republic

The worldwide tumult brought about by the United Kingdom's Brexit vote is personal to our Britain-based friend and former colleague, Emmily Magtalas Rhodes, who gives us an impassioned account of what it means tohave an uncertain future for her family. "My Beef with Brexit" is both a rant and an appeal to reason that Americans, facing a tough election season, should heed.

A leap back to Philippine history is provided by historian Dr. Michael Gonzalez in "Heneral Antonio Luna's Railroad," which tells the story of how the Philippine National Railway ushered in a future of numerous possibilities at the turn of the 20th century. For Filipinos of a certain age, Tutuban conjures images of trains and adventure. Too bad young Filipinos now only know it as a mall.

As the six-year term of President Benigno Aquino III comes to a close, political analyst and former congressman Walden Bello shares with us his "Requiem for the EDSA Republic," a think piece that provides an important challenge to the incoming administration of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte. 

Meanwhile, regular contributor Manzel Delacruz writes about "Taklub," the award-winning movie by director Brilliante Mendoza about the resiliency of the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). Nora Aunor stars.

In Sports, Positively Filipino Contributing Writer Anthony Maddela reports on the Los Angeles Dodgers' Filipino Night game and how it is seen by some members of the largest Filipino community in the US.

For our Happy Home Cook feature this week, let's celebrate US' Independence Day with a barbeque Filipino style. Actress Judy Ann Santos shares her recipe for Marinated Baby Back Ribs from her book, Judy Ann's Kitchen.

For our Video of the Week, the Philippine Department of Tourism ran a successful marketing campaign at the London Waterloo Station in order to entice the Britons and kababayan abroad to visit the Philippines.