Beauty of Spring, Kindness of Neighbors

As the ugliness of terrorism, political rhetoric and bigotry tries to kill our spirits, let's not lose sight of the more important constants in our lives: the beauty of spring; the spiritual renewal of Easter; the kindness of people.

Springtime in Washington, DC is magical, with the cherry blossoms in full bloom. Read Again Titchie Carandang-Tiongson's fascinating account of how Mrs. Helen Taft (wife of US President William Howard Taft) brought her fond memories of their stint in Manila by having the West Potomac Park designed as a grandiose Luneta. At its 1909 inauguration, the Philippine Constabulary Band was transported to the US capital to participate in the pageantry. "A D.C. Springtime Concert Born in Manila" affirms the contribution of Filipinos to the history of the US.

In the remote rural town of Jagna, Bohol, the kindness of a church community abounds as townsfolk work together to build homes for their less fortunate neighbors. Contributor Menchu Sarmiento in "Balay sa Kabos -- A House for My Neighbor" describes the heartwarming bayanihan efforts of the Balay sa Kabos Foundation led by parish priest Fr. Abet Uy.

Back to North America, as Cuba hits the headlines, Read Again contributor Chibu Lagman's travel story, "Eternamente Cuba," before you buy your tickets to the mysterious island nation.

While Lent means sacrifice and fasting in the Christian world, Easter Sunday is always a celebration, and what better way than to cook a sumptuous dish fit for hungry souls. Positively Filipino Contributing Writer Elizabeth Ann Quirino shares her version of the recipe for Paella de Adobo by Senor Anastacio de Alba, our Happy Home Cook feature this week.

Meanwhile, another Positively Filipino Contributing Writer Anthony Maddela gives us a sneak peak of "They're Watching," a streamed-on-demand movie produced by the Filipino American team of Mark Lagrimas and Rico Jeffrey Garcia of Best Served Cold Productions. Watch it on March 25 after reading "'They're Watching' Could Get Hollywood Watching Too."

My blog this week is on negotiating through Pinoy macho-land.

For our Video of the Week, let's enjoy the simple pleasure of the hit song, "Kahit Maputi na ang Buhok Ko" lovingly sang by an American and a Russian.

Some More Awesome Women

A renowned artist living in a small town in France, a former movie star, an indigenous healer and educator, an international socialite -- these are the dynamic, independent Filipino women who fill our pages this week as we continue to celebrate Women's History Month.

Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi writes about how living in Limeuil, one of France's most beautiful small towns, has inspired her art.

Lotis Key recalls her exciting days as a rookie theater actress in Standing Room Only, the dinner theater troupe at the late, lamented Hotel Intercontinental in Makati.

Regular contributor Lisa Suguitan Melnick profiles Nati Delson, culture bearer and healer, who brings to the US her rich Kankanaey spiritual traditions.

Our publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco tells us about her childhood classmate, "The Stunning Isabel Preysler" whose life has taken some interesting turns. 

And Read Again Titchie Carandang-Tiongson's winning piece on "The Thoroughly Modern Sofia de Veyra," an early feminist who astonished Washington, D.C.

For our Happy Home Cook feature:  a vegan Filipino Crab Cake Omelette perfect for Lent.

For Video of the Week, photographer John Tronco captures a dancing traffic enforcer in the Philippines and creates a video set to Michael Jackson’s “Billy Jean.”

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.