From Cuba to Tagaytay

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As the US and Cuba prepare to restore diplomatic relations, Latin America specialist Chibu Lagman's photo essay gives us a peek into the mysterious island nation before the deluge of American businesses alters its landscape. Cuba is the Philippines' historical kin as both countries were ceded by Spain to the US in 1898 under the Treaty of Paris that ended the Spanish-American War.  "Eternamente Cuba" illustrates the endurance of this kinship despite the two countries following divergent paths in the past five decades.

In Makati, the sordid tale of the Binay political dynasty is given a new twist in Rene Ciria Cruz's satirical piece, "The Grabfather (Excerpt)." Originally published in Inquirer.net, it is some sort of “remake” of Mario Puzo’s hit novel — a part of it, at least — Makati-style.

Speaking of altered landscapes, when visiting Tagaytay, make sure you visit Museo Orlina, a new and beautiful structure built by internationally acclaimed glass sculptor Manuel Orlina over his ancestral house. Regular contributor Omar Paz visited the place -- Tagaytay's answer to Baguio's famous landmark, the BenCab Museum -- and shows us yet another reason to enjoy Tagaytay.

In Chicago, when craving for homemade Filipino food, hie over to Merla's Kitchen where fresh is always the operative word. In "It's Always Fresh at Merla's Kitchen," Rey de la Cruz introduces us to Merla Birondo, the owner, from whose skillful hands come such delicious dishes as her version of pork menudo, the recipe for which she shares in The Happy Home Cook this week. 

Also, we feature another recipe of a Filipino favorite: Mamon from Goldilocks.

We have a Partner post this week from the Asian Journal: Teach For The Philippines: Committed To Nation-Building Through Education

In our Video of the Week, the Department of Tourism's Postcards from Paradise campaign aimed at former Beatles drummer Ringo Starr, picks up steam as more Filipinos join in to invite him back to the Philippines after the band's disastrous exit after their 1966 tour in Manila.

A Week To Remember

June 26, 2015. The day the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples can marry in all 50 states. I didn’t think I would see this in my lifetime. I cried just as I did when a black man assumed the presidency in 2008. Times are indeed changing, sometimes too fast for some of us, sometimes staggered, “two steps forward, one step back” as President Obama said, and for those who refuse to accept equality for everyone, then time stands still. In Now It Can Be Called Just Plain “Marriage,” writer and blogger, Rene Astudillo, talks about his own personal crusade on marriage equality and what this landmark decision means to him and many of his LGBT peers. “No longer may this liberty be denied,” wrote Justice Anthony M. Kennedy.

On the other side of our world, we uncover secrets. In The Lost Treasures of Corregidor, Larry Ng writes about one of the secrets of Manila Bay – when 425 tons of silver coins and 2,222 gold ingots were sunk into Caballo Bay just before the Japanese invaded Corregidor. The gold was never seen again.

When I first arrived in San Francisco, my children and I frequented Goldilocks for a taste of home. It was the only Filipino restaurant/bakery at the time. One of the dishes we liked but didn’t know how to cook was Brazo de Mercedes. In this issue, Goldilocks shares the secret for this dessert in Happy Home Cook. And if you’re traveling and miss home, Sasha Lim Uy lists 10 Filipino Restaurants Around the World. And speaking of traveling, artist Ivan Kevin Castro introduces us to Filipinos in Pinoyspotting: China. Finally, our Video of the Week showcases two talented Ilongo brothers, “The Gentlemen,” on America’s Got Talent.

July 4, 1776. The day the United States of America became an independent nation. As we celebrate this day, let us not forget the freedom we enjoy to live the way we want, without excluding those who may seem different from us. Happy 4th of July to all.

Things To Do Before Bedtime

In case you're not doing it yet, you can read Positively Filipino from your smart phone or tablet. Just bookmark the website, add the icon and enjoy the stories whenever, wherever you are. (See below for instructions on how to bookmark the page.)

Like you can imagine yourself  "Chasing Dolphins" at the Tañon Strait  as you take your lunch break. The Tañon Strait, off the island of Bais in Negros Oriental is where half of the 27 species of dolphins and whales found in the Philippines congregate, and it's quite a sight, as our regular contributor Criselda Yabes describes.

Or in case you are considering a relationship with a Kapampangan (a native of Pampanga Province) and want to have some insider info on their character, you can read cultural historian Robby Tantingco's "10 Things You Need to Know About Kapampangans" while taking the train on your way home from work.

And before you step into the supermarket to buy ingredients for your dinner, you can stop and savor this week's The Happy Home Cook recipe: San Miguel Steamed Manila Clams with Longanisa, as created by brothers Chase and Chad Valencia who are making waves in Los Angeles with their LASA pop-up restaurant, also featured here (Anthony Maddela's 'LASA: Rescuing Filipino Cuisine from the Doldrums').

When doing your daily walk, you can also check out our Pinoyspotting feature by our publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco who met some interesting Filipinos in Balboa Beach, Budapest and Berlin. Or watch our Video of the Week featuring the fun creations of famous Filipino couturier Patis Tesoro during the Independence Day Gala in Washington, D.C. this year.

While relaxing before bedtime, during this month that honors fathers, you can Read Again some stories to stir your hearts: Eva Alminiana Nieva Monroe's "The Ardor of My Father" and Robert V. Ragsac Sr.'s "You'll Never See Me Again."

Take Positively Filipino with you wherever you go, scroll through the variety of present and past stories, and you'll never have moments of boredom.

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To add the Positively Filipino icon on your mobile devices, go to your browser, and open the PF website then choose "Add to Home Screen" the website (i.e., bookmark a website, www.positivelyfilipino.com).  This adds the PF icon to your home screen. So anytime you want to read Positively Filipino, you can just click on that icon and you will be brought directly to The Magazine.

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