Myths and Monsters

We close this year's commemoration of Filipino American History Month with a fact-check and correction. 

PF contributor and recently retired urban planner M.T. Ojeda parlayed her passion for history and geography by poring over old maps and demographic data of what used to be known as San Francisco's Manilatown, Kearny St. She disputes the assertions of a powerful 2020 video by media outlet Vox that 1) there were 30,000 Filipinos living in the area; and 2) those living in the area were so terrified of racist threats that they stayed within the boundaries of Manilatown. Read her story for a more accurate picture of the once-vibrant Filipino enclave in San Francisco. 

What better time to indulge our fascination with the supernatural than Todos los Santos time (celebrated in the Philippines on November 1 and its US equivalent, Halloween, on October 31)? 

For those who want to know more about the mythical creatures of our culture, here's a somewhat-creepy primer complete with sketches from Jean Karl Gaverza, whose research on this topic qualifies him as a resource person. 

From award-winning young writer, George Deoso, comes the question, "What is it about ghost stories that fascinate us?" He proceeds to regale us with his hair-raising tales which actually whets our appetite for more.

Not exactly a ghost story but a 17-year old aspiring writer, Lucas Q. Villaseñor, whose ancestor, Emilio Quisumbing, was one of the early pensionados (Filipino students given government scholarships to study in the US), reimagines the drama of the latter's return to the Philippines following his father's execution as a suspected spy.

October is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Here's a Read Again that is a vital guide to recognizing red flags in a relationship: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/behind-the-charmer-may-hide-an-abuser?rq=abuse

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More This Week

[Video of the Week] 50 Years of Filipino American Studies

[Cook It Again] The Happy Home Cook: Salted Egg-Flavored Potato Chips

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In The Know

As Filipino American History Month comes to a close, take a peek inside the Field Museum’s Philippine Heritage Collection

https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/museums/ct-ent-filipino-american-history-month-field-museum-20221025-76xamuug6ncezm6kqla2n3zbge-story.html?fbclid=IwAR1hmCrGL9r9pT7RIU2cv0HHjbuElfLAsWto2SfMFvvFCPnSpZ4TytohTac

Americana vs. Camisa: The History of Filipino Men's Fashion

https://www.esquiremag.ph/style/fashion/filipino-mens-fashion-a2289-20190401-lfrm6?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20221020-fbnp-style-filipino-mens-fashion-a2289-20190401-lfrm6-fbold&fbclid=IwAR2PUNO3fc_-I58OKBMGXa5Up0gWeDDZj_qCp-0yLNjNpI4X28EUPU-Mot4

Nagtipunan, Quirino boasts scenic views, blend of culture

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1186509?fbclid=IwAR3KeeQKamWtpu47eA2UIycVCzrU8W1kYC-MtmF2o9tmN2HW3aNHIP_PnxY

Filipino Americans Share Their Journey to Buddhism

https://www.lionsroar.com/filipino-americans-share-their-journey-to-buddhism/?fbclid=IwAR0Ng8AfhpRrrmbsggvsaLTlUhP5vzWZWGh7j7YYB9SesoiM8OMNAV9yEAA

The BTS concert in Busan: The travails of an ARMY husband

https://verafiles.org/articles/the-bts-concert-in-busan-the-travails-of-an-army-husband?fbclid=IwAR0vAgdUGQGYcrOMbRDpdcG1c5AQhYLHtLV4ZHfKzuvypEKiPI1cQDczUGU

Miriam Quiambao On Leaving The City Life: 'Kung Kaya Ng Bulsa, Buong Pamilya, Go For It'

https://www.smartparenting.com.ph/life/home/miriam-quiambao-boracay-island-life-family-a00050-20220408?utm_source=Facebook-SP&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20221021-fbnp-life-miriam-quiambao-boracay-island-life-family-a00050-20220408-fbold&fbclid=IwAR0xZotkg-Bx_xBqfZO-JqUdCRKiOD0Du29BTkcTJFNmmRtZprinakXUUPs

Stories from Far and Away

Twenty eight years ago, Filipinas magazine, the first glossy monthly for Fil-Ams, was born, spearheaded by Mona Lisa Yuchengco, now Positively Filipino publisher. At that time, there was a severe lack of stories and writers about the Filipino diaspora and the staff (including us) had to search far and wide to identify achievers and celebrities with Filipino roots and to dig up issues worth writing about that affect us.

What a difference three decades makes! Today, the global Filipino diaspora has exploded into the millions, with Filipinos living and working in almost 200 countries, bringing with them their stories and their issues. This time, we don't have to search -- the stories are brought to us from not just the US but various nations as well. We almost can't keep up.

One such story is that of multimedia artist, dancer and Cirque du Soleil performer Ehrlich Ocampo who has captivated audiences in several countries but who finds his center in Iceland. Multi-awarded PF contributor Jennifer Fergesen profiles this multi-talented Filipino in "Ehrlich Ocampo: A Warm Light in the Cold North."

Sacramento, California-based artist/writer Alex G. Paman carries on the storytelling tradition of our motherland -- that of telling ghost stories -- in "Heirloom Ghost Stories."

Vegan chef Richgail Enriquez shares a healthy one for the Happy Home Cook this week: Patola Soup with Tempeh. 

I'm writing this from Manila where I'm somewhat saddened though not entirely surprised that the fervor of the 1986 People Power Revolt is long gone. In case you don't know or have forgotten what happened then, here's a Read Again of history:

https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/30-years-ago-coup-detat?rq=EDSA%20people%20power

And for readers and seekers of information, here are some stories worth reading:

US health care needs its Filipino nurses, so why is the system stacked against them?https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3048163/us-health-care-needs-its-filipino-nurses-so-why?fbclid=IwAR363vz_RdKSt6_pFkkY0ezZ5Rosr9lGApy-iszXaDizQeQw_vyYaGppntg

The True Story of the Mindanaoan Slave Whose Skin Was Displayed at Oxford
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/the-true-story-of-the-mindanaoan-slave-whose-skin-was-displayed-at-oxford-a00029-20171102-lfrm2?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20200215-fbnp-long-reads-the-true-story-of-the-mindanaoan-slave-whose-skin-was-displayed-at-oxford-a00029-20171102-lfrm2-fbold&fbclid=IwAR1jqAeA5WfqY7nbPctQ9WSC2doCXObAmpLkrk_MSMAfSOTlwFzvfZ9rr8s

This Pinay Has Been Working To Save Our Seas Since She Was 23
https://www.cosmo.ph/lifestyle/career-money/anna-oposa-save-philippine-seas-a93-20190308-lfrm?fbclid=IwAR3fQQpeCsZDdz6Qvh92Nm_5yNTiTHFytQnltXoe_9zpv42JEpIg9Oi7Dbg

Oriental Mart at Seattle’s Pike Place Market wins an ‘America’s Classics’ James Beard award
https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/oriental-mart-at-seattles-pike-place-market-wins-an-americas-classics-james-beard-award/?amp=1&fbclid=IwAR0wtXj31VaKXQ1SoGu3azcZEIj8tPePXYe6zrj3Vv7IuiwsDJZFfdh2UMQ

For video of the week, this video came from the Filipino galley crew aboard the cruise ship Diamond Princess which has been quarantined in Japan due several of its passengers have been infected with the corona virus. They uploaded the video to let their loved ones know that they are okay despite the crisis. 

Todos Los Santos

Growing up in the Philippines, I never experienced the fun and hassle of clan reunions and feasts in cemeteries on All Saints Day because our dead relatives were all buried in Cebu while we lived in Quezon City. Thus my take of Todos los Santos was  more geared towards the supernatural: the onset of darkness on October 31 and November 1 were white-knuckle times, when I would keep the light on all night to ward off the ghosts and goblins, the aswang and the maligno that were roaming the earth. Of course, I never really encountered anything remotely paranormal, but I'm one of the millions who-- if psychological studies are to be taken seriously -- actually take pleasure in being scared, for whatever escape or expiation it may relieve my psyche from.

In keeping with the spirit of Halloween, we hope you enjoy three stories of the supernatural contributed by our writer-friends: Elizabeth Ann Quirino writes about "The Old Lady and the Balete Tree," first-time contributor Kathleen Joaquin Burkhalter tells us the story of her childhood encounters of a different kind in "Supernatural Memories of a Tropical Childhood," and  Pete Sandoval relates a childhood story, "How My Cousin Jimmy Became a Butterfly."

Back to the real world, another first-time contributor Carolina Esguerra Colborn introduces us to an RV (recreational vehicle) lifestyle in "Cruising to An American Dream," a treat for seniors considering options for their retirement years. 

To cap our Filipino American History Month celebration, we go back in time with Helen Ragsac Sanchez's story of her brief appearance in a 1943 documentary called "Filipino Sports Parade" when she was 15 years old, as well as introduce to you the current roster of "Fil-Am Media Makers To Watch." It has been a long, storied journey to the American mainstream but we can proudly proclaim that Filipinos are not [just] in the farmlands anymore. 

For those who belong to the over-50 set, please click on the AARP button below and take advantage of the benefits that the organization offers. Our Partner post this week: "Filipino Americans Struggle with Caring for Aging Loved Ones."

And our Video of the Week transports us to Hong Kong: "The Evolution of Hong Kong's Maids"

A meaningful Todos los Santos to everyone.