Initials of Greatness

A few years into our immigration to the US, my elementary school classmate and fellow UP campus brat Michael Gonzalez asked me if I could house-sit his parents' Hayward, California home while his dad was teaching in Southern California. It was a no-brainer for me. My children and I would have a whole house to ourselves and, best of all, we would be in the close orbit of the literary giant, NVM Gonzalez, Michael's father, who was then on this way to becoming a National Artist for Literature. Being able to have conversations with NVM was a great gift, as writer Lorenzo Paran III discloses in "Remembering NVM." On his centenary this year, NVM Gonzalez remains a formidable presence in Philippine literature, but my kids will always remember him as Lolo NVM who had a lot of stories to tell.

Another artist -- this time a painter -- also known for his three-letter initials is Vancouver, Canada-based SYM. Sofronio Ylanan Mendoza is known for his "neo-classical cubism" style and has earned a generous collection of accolades in his lifetime. Sandie Gilles tells us about this respected Cebuano who has made it big in Canada.

Positively Filipino correspondent Myles A. Garcia does another gem of a sleuthing job with "The Story Behind the Philippine Gold," the exhibit of which has been wowing Ayala Museum visitors for years. The priceless pre-Hispanic gold treasures have now been transported with extraordinary care and security to the Asia Society Museum in New York where it will be on exhibit through January 3, 2016. Behind the glitter however is a cloak-and-dagger story, so read it before you go.

We remember September 21, 1972 when Philippine history was changed forever with the imposition of martial law. Read again Patricio Abinales' account of his harsh coming-of-age in politics, "Note from the Underground."

Our Happy Home Cook recipes this week: Beef Pochero from yet another Positively Filipino correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino, and Rainbow Gelatin from Goldilocks.

Our Negrense readers will love our Video of the Week -- a loving tribute to island of Negros.

And some sad news: another Positively Filipino contributor, Aries Rufo, passes on. Aries, 45, was a staff writer of Philippine newsmagazine, Rappler, and a noted investigative journalist who covered church issues, among others. We join the Rappler folks in honoring the memory of Aries.

Introducing Our Correspondents

You may have noticed that we've added the designation Positively Filipino Correspondent under the bylines of Elizabeth Ann Quirino and Rey de la Cruz. The two, along with Anthony Maddela, Myles Garcia and Criselda Yabes, have earned the title because each of them have contributed more than 10 stories for us. We are proud and grateful that these prolific and talented writers have chosen to contribute regularly to this online magazine. And we look forward to getting more stories from them.

Dr. Penelope V. Flores, our resident Rizalista and educator, tickles our imagination this week with her "What If Magellan Had Survived Mactan" hypothesis. Indeed, what would have happened if Lapulapu didn't kill the Portuguese explorer who led a Spanish expedition to look for spices? Would the Philippines have been named Magallanes? Historical ponderings that boggle the mind -- that's what the article is all about.

Meanwhile, at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco this month, an exhibit of the works of Filipino artists Manuel Ocampo and Norberto Roldan is going on. Contributor France Viana, an artist herself, takes us to Ocampo's world in "Art Star Manuel Ocampo’s Second Coming."

In Los Angeles, Positively Filipino Correspondent Anthony Maddela updates us on The Filharmonic, the boy band that continues to wow worldwide audiences with their a capella performances. "Boy Band That Sings Together, Stays Together" focuses on the six astounding talents who appeared in Pitch Perfect 2. 

Our recipes for the Happy Home Cook this week: Suam na Mais by Positively Filipino Correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino and another delicious dessert from Goldilocks.

For Video of the Week, another one from CNN's The Story of the Filipino series, this one on iconic educator Onofre Pagsanghan.

I’m writing from the road this week and I’ve made Notes on a Road Trip.

Babies, Rice and Acting

When theater actor Bodjie Pascua joined the cast of the iconic Philippine children's TV show "Batibot," he became a household name as an entire generation of Filipinos grew up watching and singing along with their Kuya Bodjie. But "Batibot" was just one of Bodjie's sterling achievements as contributor Serina Aidasani notes in "Acting Is No Child's Play." For this dedicated thespian, acting is life itself.

Speaking of children, Positively Filipino correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino writes about Namee Jarolan Sunico who authored the first Filipino baby food cookbook. Certainly Namee fits the bill for Watch Out World, This Is a Filipino.

In Los Angeles, meanwhile, another Positively Filipino correspondent Anthony Maddela writes about a tiny gem of a restaurant called Ricebar, which serves quick lunches to people who work downtown. "Ricebar Raises the Bar on Rice Bowls" spotlights the entrepreneurial abilities of two young Fil-Ams, Santos Uy and Charles Olalia, who saw the potential of a vacant space and gave it life.

With police killings and brutality hitting the news, it's the right time to Read Again our exclusive feature, "Diary of a Fil-Am Cop." Raw, thrilling vignettes on days in the life of one big-city cop who happens to be a Filipino.

Our Happy Home Cook recipe for this week: Ukoy, a merienda favorite from occasional contributor Jojo Sabalvaro-Tan. 

And from Goldilocks: their classic Mocha Chiffon Cake.

It's September, and the Philippines unofficially starts the world's longest Christmas season. Our Video of the Week features comedian Jon Santos who sings "Apat na Buwang Pasko," a finalist at the recent 2015 PhilPop Festival.