From Broadway to Batanes

Watching Julian DeGuzman dance in the Broadway hit “Newsies,” one would not believe that the energetic, talented Filipino American performer was once told by his doctor that his dancing career was over and he should take a desk job instead. Julian was diagnosed with hip cancer, operated on twice and had to undergo a painful rehab -- obstacles that would have stopped a less courageous person. But cancer was no match for Julian's commitment and determination and he was back to his great love -- dancing -- in no time. Bert Eljera profiles this exemplary young man in "Dancing His Way to Broadway."

Those who grew up in the Philippines once considered Batanes, the country's northernmost island-province as a no-man's land, difficult to go to because of the lack of regular transport, difficult to get out of because constant bad weather could derail one's leave-taking.  Not anymore. Regular flights and an influx of tourists have made the island a must-see destination and our contributing writer Omar Paz takes us with him as he wanders around the land of the Ivatans in "Batanes Beckons."

From Batanes, we take a virtual trip to the Netherlands as Jojo Sabalvaro-Tan shares with us the third of her series of travel sketches. Sketching, she says, seers the memories of beautiful sites deeper into one's soul, more than photographs do. Enjoy "Travel Sketching: The Netherlands" and share with us your own travel sketches.

For visitors to Chicago wanting the sweet tastes of home, there's Rowie's Bakery on the city's North Side. Our regular contributor Rey E. De la Cruz introduces us to Rowie Ramos, co-owner (with husband Mike) and chief baker in "Cakes To Have and Eat, Too." Rowie's Fruta de Crema recipe is our feature this week in The Happy Home Cook.

As we begin this month of weddings, read again "The Philippines Top 10 Wedding Destinations."

Remembering, Celebrating

Of the cluster of celebrations and commemorations this month, often neglected is the Fall of Corregidor in 1942, a sad milestone of World War II in the Philippines. A key figure in the Voice of Freedom broadcast that emanated from the island was Norman Reyes, who voiced the heartbreaking announcement a year earlier of the fall of Bataan. Reyes, a Filipino American mestizo, became a Japanese prisoner of war and was eventually made to broadcast wartime propaganda from Tokyo. In this compelling story by Australia-based contributor Larry Ng, Reyes' high school classmate, Reyes' proper place in history is brought to light -- a fitting commemoration of a war that defined a a generation. Read "The Sad Saga of Norman Reyes" in this issue.

Once upon a time, San Francisco Bay Area Filipinos were hard put looking for a restaurant where they could bring their non-Filipino friends and brag about our cuisine. While there were several operating then, their location, the ambiance (read: cleanliness) and their food wouldn't pass muster. Patio Filipino changed all that. Not only is the restaurant pretty, professionally run and accessible, its Filipino and Spanish dishes are something to return to. Blogger Lorenzo Paran III writes "A Cozy Patio and Its Delights," a fitting celebration of Patio Filipino's 10th anniversary this month. In the Bay Area's fickle and exacting culinary world, 10 years is no mean feat.

Pinoyspotting takes us to a cruise in the Panama Canal, to Athens and to Vienna, with contributions from Albert Romero and Bella Bonner.

In The Happy Home Cook this week, we take a page from the late Filipina culinary superstar Nora Daza's cookbook, Let's Cook with Nora, for Meat Loaf Deluxe with Gravy.

For our Video of the Week, we borrow a CNN report on Filipinos working abroad.

Enjoy the full blooming of spring!

Out of the Shadows

El Gamma Penumbra, a shadow play performance troupe from Tanauan, Batangas, bagged the first-ever Asia Got Talent gold with their mesmerizing dance routine -- a profound statement on climate change and the need to protect the environment. Watch the highly creative, winning performance of these 13 young Batangueños in our Video of the Week.

Another show worth watching is the revival of "Gigi" on Broadway starring Filipino American Vanessa Hudgens in the title role previously played by Audrey Hepburn and Leslie Caron. Myles Garcia writes a review, "Our Own New Gal on Broadway," that's also a backgrounder to this beloved musicale, while Ella Garcia (no relation to Myles) introduces her daughter Karla, who performs alongside Vanessa. 

Considering retirement in the Philippines? Think twice, as our Toronto-based contributor Maripi Leynes suggests in "Expat Retirement in the Philippines Isn't That Simple." While there's plenty of real estate to be bought, facilities or amenities geared towards the specific needs of seniors are sorely lacking. Maripi spent five months touring the motherland looking into places to retire in, if she decides to go home for good.

Lupus, that deadly autoimmune disease that disproportionately affects women and communities of color (including Filipinos), has been found to have a strong genetic  component. Meaning if a close family member has it, there's a big chance you might get it too. It might be wise to get yourself tested, like Lady Gaga did. "Genetics May Be Key in Detecting Causes of Lupus" is a waker-upper from the Lupus Foundation, which is celebrating Lupus Awareness Month.

The Happy Home Cook recipe this week is "Longanisa Meatballs with Peanut Sauce," a quick, delicious meal that uses prepackaged Filipino-style sausage.

In my blog, I pay tribute to the Filipina nanny in "Mama Wasn't My Mother."

We'd like to hear from you so how's about taking a quick poll: Should Sen. Grace Poe run for president in 2016?

To our US-based readers, safe travels this Memorial Day weekend.