Victory at Sea

The biggest news as we were preparing this issue was the UN-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration’s decision to uphold all aspects of the Philippine case vs. China over territorial rights to the South China Sea, aka the West Philippine Sea. China, as expected, rejected the decision. So what happens now? To be able to understand this complex issue, Positively Filipino had published stories that hopefully led to a better understanding of how this conflict has affected the lives of Filipinos in the area.  Here are some of the stories worth reading again:

“The Philippines and China: Conflict or Cooperation” by China expert Chito Sta. Romana explains the historical roots of the conflict;

“Legal Warfare Between the Philippines and China” also by Chito Sta. Romana, discusses the realities of negotiating with China;

“South China Sea Row -- A Waiting Game” by veteran journalist Criselda Yabes gives insight on the human aspects of the conflict;

Meanwhile, contributor Patricio Abinales provides an insightful look into the linguistic impact of President Rodrigo Duterte's emergence on the national scene. "Duterte: A Chico de Calle, But a Good One," is written by a Mindanawan, which gives it heft.

On the lighter side, first-time contributor Michael Magnaye takes us to Washington, DC where he partakes of a meal in the Filipino-owned restaurant called Bad Saint, a hot item on the capital's culinary scene.

Our Happy Home Cook recipe this week celebrates summer with our food expert Elizabeth Ann Quirino's Watermelon-Cucumber-Tomato Salad with Feta Cheese and Mirin Dressing.

For our Video of the Week, young Fil-Am R. V. Mendoza gives us a tutorial on Why Black Lives Matter for Filipinos.

For Your Re-Reading Pleasure

If you're vacationing in the Philippines this month and you're setting your sights on meeting a Filipino partner, you just might meet a Kapampangan. Know what it's like to be with somebody from the Central Luzon province of Pampanga? Read Again cultural historian Robby Tantingco's insightful list, "10 Things You Need to Know About Kapampangans," one of our most-read stories. (And for non-Kapampangans, we're eager to hear from you. Send us your own list of what makes your tribe unique among Filipinos. Email to pfeditor@yahoo.com.)

Another worthy Read Again in these days of summer travel, Manuel Hizon's "11 Great Beaches You Probably Haven't Been To."

And if volunteering is your thing, look up Teach for the Philippines, an educational nonprofit that is drawing interest among Fil-Ams seeking to know more about their parents' country of origin. Positively Filipino Contributing Writer Anthony Maddela talks to Edmundo Edward Litton of Loyola Marymount College, which is in the forefront of training young teachers to assist in public schools in the Philippines.

How will the world function in 10 years? We are posting a fearless technology forecast by a Morgan Stanley analyst that should make you sit up and think, because it's inevitable that our lives and lifestyles will be upended sooner than we anticipate or want.

Where in the world is there no Filipino? Contributing Writer Rey de la Cruz travels to the smallest country in South America, the Republic of Suriname, and -- of course -- encounters kababayans.

Vegan calamari. Really? Our vegan foodie Richgail Enriquez gives us an instructional on her version of a fave pulutan, calamari for the Happy Home Cook this week.

Our Video of the Week: a rare vintage footage of Manila in the 1930s. 

Requiems for UK in EU and the EDSA Republic

The worldwide tumult brought about by the United Kingdom's Brexit vote is personal to our Britain-based friend and former colleague, Emmily Magtalas Rhodes, who gives us an impassioned account of what it means tohave an uncertain future for her family. "My Beef with Brexit" is both a rant and an appeal to reason that Americans, facing a tough election season, should heed.

A leap back to Philippine history is provided by historian Dr. Michael Gonzalez in "Heneral Antonio Luna's Railroad," which tells the story of how the Philippine National Railway ushered in a future of numerous possibilities at the turn of the 20th century. For Filipinos of a certain age, Tutuban conjures images of trains and adventure. Too bad young Filipinos now only know it as a mall.

As the six-year term of President Benigno Aquino III comes to a close, political analyst and former congressman Walden Bello shares with us his "Requiem for the EDSA Republic," a think piece that provides an important challenge to the incoming administration of President-elect Rodrigo Duterte. 

Meanwhile, regular contributor Manzel Delacruz writes about "Taklub," the award-winning movie by director Brilliante Mendoza about the resiliency of the survivors of Typhoon Haiyan (Yolanda). Nora Aunor stars.

In Sports, Positively Filipino Contributing Writer Anthony Maddela reports on the Los Angeles Dodgers' Filipino Night game and how it is seen by some members of the largest Filipino community in the US.

For our Happy Home Cook feature this week, let's celebrate US' Independence Day with a barbeque Filipino style. Actress Judy Ann Santos shares her recipe for Marinated Baby Back Ribs from her book, Judy Ann's Kitchen.

For our Video of the Week, the Philippine Department of Tourism ran a successful marketing campaign at the London Waterloo Station in order to entice the Britons and kababayan abroad to visit the Philippines.