Awesome Filipinas

One of the delightful benefits of putting out a magazine is getting stories of Filipinos who are so inspiring that merely reading about them makes one feel elevated. On the occasion of International Women's Month, enjoy these stories by women aboutwomen who are definitely worthy of emulation:

Dr. Reinabelle Reyes, a young astrophysicist, recognized by the international scientific community for leading a study that proved Einstein's Theory of Relativity. Carleen Sacris, herself an accomplished educator, profiles this awe-inspiring woman in "Seeing Stars with Dr. Reina Reyes."

Dr. Helena Z. Benitez, educator, civic leader, former senator and former president of the Philippine Women's University, is lovingly written about by her niece. Read Again "Travels With My Aunt" by Lyca Benitez-Brown, a well-known TV producer, who wrote this story when Dr. Benitez was 99 years old. She's now turning 102 and still going strong. 

Clemencia Lopez, one of the founders of the Philippine Feminist Association in 1905, dared go to the White House (the first Filipino to do so) to talk to then-President Theodore Roosevelt and plead for the freedom of her brothers who fought in the Philippine-American War. This is another Read Again by Lyca whose illustrious genealogy includes Ms. Lopez.

Award-winning author/journalist Criselda Yabes reveals her thoughts about "Manila Life" today, the stark reality of which is that it is quickly becoming unliveable. 

Speaking of inspiring, the two winning essays of the 30th Anniversary EDSA/People Power Essay Writing Contest, by young Filipino Americans Josh Severn and Jon Luigi Abella Caña, present some worthy food for thought. 

And a peek into Positively Filipino Correspondent Myles A. Garcia's new book, "Thirty Years Later...Catching Up with the Marcos-Era Crimes," to be launched at the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco on Friday, March 11 (everyone is invited): "The True 'Tail' of the Persopolis Bash 45 Years Ago."

For our Happy Home Cook feature this week, a perfect dish for Lent: Adobong Okra from the late culinary diva, Nora Daza. 

Finally, do you think the Philippines is paradise? See for yourself in our Video of the Week feature. 

Women Power

We join the celebration of Women's Month with stories by, about and for Filipino women, so keep reading us in the next few weeks as we honor those that hold up half the sky. Like artist Imelda Cajipe Endaya, as profiled by Serina Aidasani in "Presents from the Past." Her art is inspired by her passion for Philippine history and her exploration of what it means to be Filipina in today's world.

And then there's author F.H. Batacan whose book, Smaller and Smaller Circles, a whodunit set in Metro Manila's Payatas garbage dump, won the Palanca Memorial Award, the Philippine National Book Award and the Madrigal-Gonzales Best First Book Award. The murder mystery is considered the first Philippine crime novel. This must-read book, now international distributed, is reviewed by veteran journalist Ben Pimentel.

In "Looking for My Father in Cuyo Island," contributing writer Gia R. Mendoza revisits her family history as she returns to the island of her birth where her father was once the resident physician. It was an eye-opening, nostalgic journey for her and she shares the experience with us.

Our publisher, Mona Lisa Yuchengco, likewise shares her thoughts on the joys and the challenges of returning to our homeland, something which she does regularly but still looks forward to and savors. "Four Funerals and a Surgery" is something most balikbayans can relate to.

And here's something you might want to Read Again: Journalist Aurora Almendral's profile of Henry Motte Muñoz, a French-born Filipino whose crusade against corruption led him to set up a social enterprise called Bantay PH. Motte Muñoz was recently named by Forbes magazine as one of "30 Under 30" outstanding young people to watch out for. 

Our Happy Home Cook featured recipe this week is an easy one for dinner: Ginataang Tilapia from Rene Astudillo.

And our Video of the Week: from the Broadway hit "Hamilton," creator and lead actor Lin-Manuel Miranda introduces new Filipina cast member, Karla Puno Garcia, in this rap song "!0 Taglish Duel Commandments."

An Astounding Historical Event

Our series on February 1986 recollections ends this week with "Coup d'etat and People Power," a re-telling of what happened during the 77 hours of the peaceful EDSA People Power Revolt which ended with the ouster of Ferdinand Marcos and the flight of his family and several others to exile in Hawaii. My article's focus is on one side of the military action, the side of the Reform the Armed Forces Movement (RAM).

There have been attempts to revise the significance of EDSA, that astounding historical event; some even want to diminish it as just a hiccup in Philippine contemporary history. Well, I was there through it all and I knew then as I know now that it was a transformative triumph of a united people, the likes of which we may never see again in our lifetime.

Here's one reason to watch the Oscar Awards this Sunday: Filipino American Ronnie del Carmen is part of the team nominated for best screenplay for Pixar's acclaimed "Inside Out." He is also one of the co-directors of the film that is nominated for best animation feature this year. Entertainment insider Ruben Nepales features his fellow University of Santo Tomas alum Ronnie in "In the In-Crowd for 'Inside Out'".

How about trying out the "20 Filipino Foods You Need to Try Before You Die," a list compiled by foodie Rene Astudillo. The list includes such exotic names as "sundot kulangot," "dinakdakan," "kwek kwek" and "pigar pigar." Now doesn't that just whet your appetite?

From Rene's list we bring you our Happy Home Cook recipe for this week, the famous Vigan empanada.

Our Video of the Week: Hillary Clinton affirms her support for faster visa processing for family unification, in this one-on-one with ABS-CBN's Bev Llorente.