Disobedience and Inspiration

As the civil disobedience in Hong Kong enters a new phase, how are our OFW kababayans faring? In "To Protest or Not to Protest" Filipinos in Hong Kong Weigh In," Daisy CL Mandap, a veteran journalist who has been based there for 27 years, tells us how the 150,000-strong Filipino community is riding the wave of turbulence that, to many, brings back memories of EDSA 1986. 

Two of our featured stories this week are by Filipino Americans who visited their parents' homeland and fell in love with the culture and the people. Lisa Suguitan Melnick, our regular contributor who won two honorable mentions in this year's Plaridel Awards, writes about her memorable encounter with a  server in Cebu in "Rosa Linda Who-Loves-Her-Job," while two students of the University of San Francisco, Jordan Guingao and Ty Bernardo, relate their life-changing experiences from their two-week immersion program in urban poor areas in Metro Manila. 

And, to continue our celebration of Filipino American History Month, read again "Celestino's Crusades," one of Lisa Melnick's winning stories. 

Our Video of the Week features a 2010 video from ABC's Nightline on men who claim to be the Messiah, including Pastor Apollo Quiboloy of Davao City.

Positively Filipino invites Bay Area readers to another free movie: "Mga Anino ng Kahapon" (Shadows of the Past), an award-winning full-length feature (with English subtitles) that tackles a common but often denied issue among Filipino families, on Saturday, Oct. 25. Please check out the Partner post about the movie for details. 

And don't forget to send in your stories of supernatural encounters which we will publish at the end of the month, in time for Halloween and Todos los Santos. Send to submissions@positivelyfilipino.com.

Have a colorful autumn, everyone!

WANTED: Stories that Go Bump in the Night

An anthropologist once remarked that Filipinos have a natural affinity for the supernatural, as evidenced by the trove of stories that those who grew up in the Philippines bring with them wherever they may be in this world. Indeed, when one was lulled to sleep by tales of the diwata (fairy), scared to submission by the wrath of the aswang (evil witch) and taught respect for trees and other living things by the presence of the kapre (changeling brute) and dwende (goblin), how can one's psychic radar not be attuned to the spirits that go bump in the night? Sometimes they're friendly, occasionally they're naughty (ever wake up to the feeling that someone is tickling you?) and, when one has been bad, vengeful.

We'd like to hear your stories about your close encounter(s) with the netherworld. Please share it at submissions@positivelyfilipino.com. If the good spirits are on your side, you may be able to join the pool of Positively Filipino writers, some of whom have won awards for excellence in writing. (See Positively Filipino's Big Haul of Plaridel Awards)

A Month of Celebration

October is a busy month in the U.S. as we celebrate Filipino American History Month along with Mental Health Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Prevention Month, all three issues significant to Filipinos in America. Stay tuned to Positively Filipino as we celebrate the month with our usual collection of stories that inform, inspire, and entertain.

The history of Filipinos in America is replete with tales of hardship and heroism, triumphs and tragedies. It wasn't an easy life our predecessors had to endure in the early- and mid-1900s as Filipino American historian Alex S. Fabros Jr. narrates in "In the Heat of the Night: The Exeter and Watsonville Riots of 1929-1930."  To those who came before us, we owe a big debt of gratitude for paving the way.

This month we likewise welcome Ballet Philippines as it tours the U.S. to highlight its 45th year with a rich repertoire that showcases Philippine culture in all its glory. Writer Marlina Gonzalez introduces Ballet Philippines' president Margie Moran-Floirendo and artistic director Paul Alexander Morales to us as they lead this distinguished dance group in its six performances in the U.S. For details, see our Partner post: Ballet Philippines Brings "Master Pieces" to the U.S. and Canada.

Speaking of entertainment, our popular contributor Lotis Key comes up with another zinger this issue. "Lunatic Magnet" highlights once more her wit, humor and astute observations of Filipino culture that marked her previous essays for Positively Filipino.

Before you savor yellow fin tuna, read our Partner post from World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) which talks about what the fish means to our fishermen and our ecosystem, and what we can do to ensure that we will be enjoying its subtle flavor for generations to come.

My blog this week introduces some books that you might want to read.

And in Our Video of the Week, CNN correspondent Isha Sesay interviews White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford.