Close Encounters of the Pinoy Kind

With millions of our kababayans living, working and enjoying life all over the world, what are the chances that you'll meet some in your travels? Definitely much much more likely than not meeting one at all (which happened to us in Rio de Janeiro, but then we didn't stay long enough).

We've introduced a new section called Pinoyspotting, and that's where we put photos of your encounters with interesting Filipinos you've met while you were on vacation, on assignment, on work travel, whatever. See our guidelines in this week's Pinoyspotting feature from Rey de la Cruz.

Another section we'd like to point you to is In Brief, daily capsule reports about Filipinos all over the globe -- a perfect way to stay in touch with the diaspora without spending too much time scrolling down or searching the news sites. Checking out Global Briefs regularly fits right into your busy schedule.

Meanwhile, in The Magazine, we have a variety of offerings for you this week: virtual sleuth Myles Garcia regales us with his research on "The 'Oldest' Filipino Film?" and our art director Raymond Virata reports on celebrated chef Tim Luym's creations in "Tofu With Love.”

Another celebrated Filipino, Major General Antonio Taguba (Ret.), shares with us his op-ed, "Why I Called Out the US Military on Torture," first published by the New York Times.

We are as sad as everyone else with the death of Robin Williams, and our publisher, Mona Lisa Yuchengco, writes a heartfelt tribute. We have also picked up the video tribute of Filipino American actor Dante Basco, who worked with Williams in “Hook” and the statement of Marsha Garces, Williams' second wife who he once jokingly described as “Finnipino.”

And from one of our partner organizations, the New America Media, an informative piece that any smart phone user should read, "Can You Trust That App?"

My blog post this week: “Good Night My Friend.”

Women of Character, plus Tattoos and Martial Arts

Caridad Sanchez, one of the most revered personalities in Philippine movies, broke the mestiza "glass ceiling" through sheer talent. Sanchez has won multiple acting awards in the more than five decades of her career. She's one of the few who can do both high drama (usually as villain) and comedy with equal intensity and authenticity, in both TV and the movies. But, as she related to her daughter, Positively Filipino contributor Cathy Sanchez Babao, her career began with heartbreak and humiliation, which only propelled her to become one of the greatest character actresses of her generation. Read her story in "A Lesson My Mom, the Actress Caridad Sanchez, Told Me."

Another extraordinary woman tells us her own story of courage and resilience. Celia Ruiz Tomlinson, a New Mexico-based engineer and author, was stricken with cancer a few years ago but, just as she fought her way to success as a woman in a field dominated by men, she proved that the Big C is no match to her determination and zest for life. In "Cancer, Be Not Proud," Celia is her usual inspiring and funny self.

Still another interesting woman is our resident Rizalista, Professor Penelope V. Flores, the subject of a tribute by Sir Rainer J. Weber, a Grand Officer of the German branch of the Knights of Rizal, an international organization. Penelope has been enjoying her retirement years retracing the journeys of Rizal in Germany and Switzerland. Read "Penelope V. Flores Lost Her Heart in Heidelberg."

Tattoos may be a hot trend now, but Filipino indigenous tribes have been decorating their bodies elaborately long before the Spaniards colonized the country. In "Mark of Four Waves," historian-activist Mel Orpilla, known as Amang Red of the US-based tribe, Tatak ng Apat na Alon, gives us an overview of indigenous tattoos and why they’re catching on among Filipino-American tribe members.

Tai-Chi practitioner/acupuncturist and poet Rene J. Navarro discusses how Chinese martial arts began flourishing in the Philippines in "Getting A Kick Out of Martial Arts.” Rene knows the subject matter by heart since he was one of the first Filipinos who studied with Chinese masters in the '60s.

Don't miss our Video of the Week on Sheila Condino, an outstanding Filipina science teacher in remote Presidio, TX, who was about to be deported but for the intercession of a legislator. We picked up the video from CBS News. 

And my blog is about my “Memories of Rain” in our homeland.

Jordan, Julius and Purple Yam

With the chaos happening now in the Middle East, tourism has taken quite a hit. But it wasn't always that way, nor will it stay that way. As our travel sketcher Jojo Sabalvaro-Tan illustrates in her fascinating drawings, "Sketching Jordan," traveling through that country is a valuable education, a profound experience and a step back in time, where history and tradition dominate the landscape. Definitely a bucket list item, Jordan is. But it might be prudent to wait until peace is established once more.

Our regular food writer Elizabeth Ann Besa-Quirino introduces us to her cousin Amy Besa and Romy Dorotan, the power couple behind Brooklyn's Purple Yam restaurant and the award-winning book, Memories of Philippine Kitchens. After making Filipino food popular in New York, the two have crossed the ocean and returned to their homeland with another Purple Yam, this time in the Besas' renovated ancestral home in Malate, Manila. If you're on that side of the Pacific, be sure to check out the restaurant and partake of Romy's unique Filipino dishes.

Those planning a start-up or a nonprofit would do well to consult Julius Paras, a creative, innovative Filipino American consultant/thought leader/motivational speaker whose heart is definitely in the right place when it comes to helping his compatriots succeed. Contributing writer Harvey I. Barkin profiles him in "Julius Paras: He Came, He Saw, He Wants to Make a Change."

Our video of the week confirms what we suspect all along: Filipino call center workers are the best in the world. We applaud these talented workers and hope that the next generation will evolve into innovators and entrepreneurs.

My blog this week is about betrayals.