Prickly Heat

As spring morphs into summer, the political heat is also rising in the US, what with the November presidential election looming large. How are Asian Americans reacting to the increasingly unnerving rhetoric of Donald Trump and his fans? A survey report from the Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote reveals that Asian Americans demand "Inclusion, Not Exclusion," and a full 40 percent of the 1,200 respondents who are registered voters say they will not vote for the candidate who spouts exclusionary rhetoric.  Candidates take heed. The full report can be found here: http://www.apiavote.org/sites/apiavote/files/Inclusion-2016-AAVS-final.pdf

Two very different men who are nonetheless similar in their ethnicity and their cultural advocacies are in our lineup this week:

Mamerto (Lagitan) Tindongan draws on his strong Ifugao roots for inspiration as a woodcarver, energy healer and a qigong and tai chi teacher. Regular contributor Lisa Suguitan Melnick writes, "The Spirit Carver," about this 8th-generation mumbaki (shaman) who is now based in Ohio.

In San Francisco, Filipino American Dean Dario conveys his thoughts and worldview through hip hop and is reaping success, as reported by Manzel Delacruz in "Shooting for the Stars."

Milwaukee, Wisconsin is probably not the first place you have in mind when seeking Filipino food in the Midwest. But a mobile Filipino restaurant called "Meat on the Street" serves up yummy fare for comfort food seekers in that neck of the woods.

And since it's summer, here's a refreshing and easy-to-make "Salad for All Seasons," from France-based artist Ofelia Gelvezon Tequi.

For our Video of the Week, NowThis features Hernando Guanlao who turned his home into a free library so that kids can learn to read.

Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Torch Bearers

As the Philippines heals from the bruising rhetoric and divisiveness of the 2016 election, it is refreshing to know that the Filipino soul is alive and well among its torch bearers in various parts of the world.

In San Diego, California, there's Bernard Ellorin, an ethnomusicologist, promoting the kulintang as the natural accompaniment to the dance performances of the Samahan Filipino ­American Performing Arts and Education Center. Daisy Amos Laag profiles Ellorin in "A Career in 'Roots' Music."

In Stavanger, Norway, Manila-born and -raised Michelle "Alex" Mossige does her bit to promote Filipino culinary culture with her Adobo Afternoon pop-ups, reports Jacqueline Lauri, herself a Filipino culinary advocate, in "Adobo Afternoons in Norway." Mossige's version of Pork Adobo with Norwegian flair is our featured recipe in The Happy Home Cook this week.

In Vancouver, Canada, a group of Filipino artists, the Dimasalang III International Artist Group, draws inspiration from its leader, the renowned Sofronio Ylanan Mendoza, better known as SYM. Sandie Gilles writes about them in "Brush Strokes by the Untouchables."

Meanwhile, here's a welcome respite from the heat of weather and politics: Positively Filipino Contributing Writer Criselda Yabes guides us through bird watching havens in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in "Flights of Fancy."

If you're a Filipino culture bearer, check out our Partner post this week and add your name to the growing list.

In our Video of the Week, the Asian Law Caucus honors Filipino World War II veterans as AAPI Civil Rights Heroes.

Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Chill

Three months of intense political campaigning, and Filipinos have made their choice. Whether you are rejoicing or mourning right now, it's time to calm down and return to what's truly fundamental and good.

May is the month of celebration and commemoration -- from Flores de Mayo and Marian Month, to Asian Pacific American Heritage, Mental Health Awareness and Memorial Day in the US. And then there was Mother's Day, which is pretty much universal, and to mark it, we have stories on mothers and motherhood:

From Switzerland, Cherry Malonzo, a young mother, writes about the unexpected joy of natural childbirth with a midwife assisting, in "Where Midwives Are Worth Gold."

Rosa Quirino Eugenio is a little known lady who played a big role in nurturing a president. The eldest sister of President Elpidio Quirino, the sixth president of the Philippines, Rosa took over the mothering of her younger siblings when their mother died. In "Little Mother, Big Sister," Positively Filipino Contributing Writer Elizabeth Ann Quirino reveals some family stories.

Hotel executive James Tecson Lim offers a touching tribute to his late mother, Lourdes De la Cruz Tecson, who raised him singlehandedly.

And our Read Again feature in this Marian Month, a brief guide to Marian shrines in the Philippines by Ma. Ceres P. Doyo, from the book Pueblo Amante de Maria.

In Los Angeles' Echo Park and Historic Filipinotown neighborhood, The Park's Finest BBQ Restaurant is catching attention because of its innovative approach to the well-loved Filipino barbecue. Positively Filipino Contributing Writer Anthony Maddela takes us there.

Chef Johneric Concordia of The Park's Finest BBQ shares a recipe of his mom. Our Happy Home Cook feature for the week is aptly called Mama Leah's Chicken Drummettes.

For our Video of Week, we present Anthony Bourdain's feature on the Philippines in "Parts Unknown."

Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino