A Conversation with Pope Francis • The Filipino-Malaysian Connection • Last Year’s Most Read Stories • Street Food in Manila

Allow me to personally greet you a Happy New Year. Both our editors are on vacation, so this gives me the perfect opportunity to personally thank you for being a loyal reader. I know you have many reading choices, so we are especially grateful for your following, comments and feedback.

It’s the first working week of the New Year, and despite resolutions and promises, it is difficult to erase bad habits. We can at least try. It is said that goals should be set one at a time -- the simpler, the easier to achieve. But let us take you back shortly to 2014 to highlight our ten most popular stories. You may want to read these stories again.

Pope Francis will be in Manila mid-January and travelers are being warned to stay away from visiting. He has redefined certain traditional concepts of the Catholic Church, but much more needs to be done. Contributing writer, Marilen Danguilan, presents thought provoking questions to the popular pope in a wishful interview. I would also like to hear what his responses might be.

Our Southern California writer, Anthony Maddela, introduces us to two new faces in ABC Family’s “The Fosters” – Filipina Ashley Argota and Jordan Rodrigues, an Australian with Malaysian descent. Together they “rock.”

Our Video of the Week features National Geographic’s take on Manila’s street food. I must confess, I have never tried balut and I don’t think I ever will, but for everyone who has, I applaud your courage!

Happy reading. May you have a year of hope, compassion and love.

Happy New Starts and a Heroic End

Happy New Year everyone!

It's also Positively Filipino's second birthday. Our first issue came out January 1, 2013 and since then we've come out with over 600 stories from 217 contributing writers, who have won 16 Plaridel Awards for excellence in writing. Just a month ago, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas gave us the Best Interactive Media Award (Website Category). Not bad for a fledgling online magazine created by five dreamers, and now run by four. 

We couldn't have done it, of course, without the continuing and enthusiastic support of our own global village -- our readers from all over the world, writers, sponsors and contributing photographers who we are introducing to you in this issue. They are the talented gents and ladies who have generously shared with us their magnificent photos that make our pages burst out with color and meaning.

Also in this issue, we feature Judy Uson, a cake artist, who has been contracted to make the cake for one of the most talked about weddings in February. Her aunt, Bella Bonner, is justly proud as she tells us about "My Niece, the Cake Artist."

Blogger Ed Diokno introduces us to Angelia Trinidad, a 24-year-old Filipino American whose Kickstarter campaign to start her business earned her a whopping $650,000! An inspiring achievement by any standard.

And since December 30 is the 118th anniversary of the execution of our National Hero Jose Rizal, we are posting a compilation of facts about that tragic day by retired Philippine Ambassador Rodolfo A. Arizala. 

Our Video of Week features Philanthropilipino, a nonprofit organization of overseas Filipinos based in Dubai.

My blog this week: Ring In the New Year!

May 2015 endow all of us with good luck and good memories to last our lifetimes.

Make Merry, One and All

Merry Christmas everyone! May this holiday season fill your hearts and homes with all the good feelings that make life worth living.

I won't take up much of your time because I know you're quite busy today, but let me just point you to our chosen stories this week: 

In "The Holy Child Was Born, Now Let's Eat," Dr. Penelope V. Flores waxes nostalgic with her memories of Noche Buena in her hometown of Calapan in Mindoro. 

In "Lulu's Fifty-Peso Christmas Gift," Elizabeth Ann Quirino tugs at our hearts with her poignant story of her mother's spontaneous act of kindness one Christmas Eve shortly after WWII, which gave nine little children a memorable Pasko (one of the kids became famous and immortalized the story). 

In "Loving My Religions," Lotis Key gives us pause as she reveals the two clashing belief systems that make her the introspective person that she has become.

And for some levity, Filipino-Canadian Internet star Mikey Bustos returns with "12 Days of Filipino Christmas."

My blog lists the 10 Reasons Why I Miss a Philippine Christmas.

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) presented Positively Filipino "Best Interactive Media (Website)" Award during its 2014 Migration Advocacy and Media Awards, last December 18, 2014 at SSS Magsaysay Hall in Quezon City, Philippines.

Contributing writer Aurora Almendral (right) accepts the award on behalf of Positively Filipino during the 2014 Migration Advocacy and Media Awards last December 18, 2014 at SSS Magsaysay Hall in Quezon City, Philippines.