Emotional Turbulence

Such an emotional political week both in the Philippines and the US so let's take a break from the volatility and read some stories that will calm us down.

Lou Gopal, author of ManilaNostalgia.com, shared with us his very detailed and picturesque memories of the grand, ol Manila Hotel, the setting of so much history. social events and yes, scandals. His piece is a long one but it's worth every minute of your time. And it's good, especially for young readers, to know about Manila in the bygone days, when grace, elegance and discretion were iron-clad rules, not today's vulgarity and uncouth-ness.

From London, Emmily Magtalas-Rhodes catches up with acclaimed author Candy Gourlay whose two books, Tall Story and Shine, have racked up some pretty impressive awards and recognition not just in the Philippines but internationally.

For our Happy Home Cook, Elizabeth Ann Quirino tries out Leche Flan Sous Vide. Now I had to google what sous vide is and it's a method of cooking that involves steaming in plastic bags. If you're thinking of trying it out, here's a simple recipe for you.

Lastly, in our Video of the Week, History Asia's Jamie Dempsey features the Manobo priestesses' tradition of weaving their life stories into a wonderful cloak.

Living It Up to Remember the Dead

Todos los santos, araw ng patay, undas. However you call the day of memorializing the dead, it all leads to the same thing in the Philippines -- a celebration that brings clans together, involves tons of food and transforms cemeteries into party sites, candies and costumes be damned. Ghoulish? No, it's like Christmas in November, just without the gifts.

Positively Filipino Contributing Writer and food expert Elizabeth Ann Quirino remembers the November 1 practices of her childhood and tries to recapture the celebratory feeling with Asian Fried Noodles, our Happy Home Cook recipe this week. We hope you enjoy it, even if, for you, the memory it brings forth may be different.

All Souls' Day won't be complete, however, without the requisite scare so here are some Read Agains both from contributor Alex G. Paman, in keeping with the, uhm, spirit: 

The Vanishing Hitchhiker, The White Lady And Hauntings Across The Seas

Some Things Wicked This Way Come

Another of our Contributing Writers Myles A. Garcia comes up with "Six Profiles -- Five in Valor, One in Villainy," an interesting piece about lesser known heroes and non-heroes in our history.

New York-based artist Lenore RS Lim's layered life is the subject of Serina Aidasani's feature story this week.

And the scourge of lupus, the degenerative and often misdiagnosed disease that disproportionately affects women and communities of color, is discussed by Rene M. Astudillo, formerly of the Lupus Foundation in California. Astudillo puts a Filipino face to lupus as he introduces Christine Von Raesfeld, who opens up about her battle against the pain and stigma of the ailment. 

For our Video of the Week, CNN's report on "the dramatic shift in Asian-American votes," shared by the National Asian American Survey.

Pride, Joy, Sorrow and Confusion

As Filipino American History Month 2016 draws to a close, we focus on Stockton, California, home once upon a time to the largest Filipino American community in the early- to mid-20th century. The city in California's Central Valley celebrates the opening of the National Museum of Filipino American History, a project of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS). Read all about this seminal community achievement in our Partner post here. 

Another Stockton jewel is 22-year old singer/songwriter Kylle Thomasson, whose Filipino-African American- and Fijian roots define his music. First-time contributor Mariel Toni Jimenez profiles this adventurous performer in "Stockton's Pride and Joy."

While this month brings pride, it also brought sorrow with the passing of a beloved icon of the San Francisco Bay Area's FilAm community, Alice Bulos. Mrs. Bulos was the first FilAm to be appointed by a sitting American president (Bill Clinton) to a federal advisory panel. Cherie Querol-Moreno, one of the many who benefited from the late great lady's mentoring writes a loving farewell to "the most powerful Filipino American never elected."

Switching to our homeland, how do you explain a problem like [President] Duterte? Prof. Patricio Abinales attempts with "Kanto Boy Politics, the China Pivot and the Fil-Am."

And if you're visiting Chicago, be sure to visit the Mariegold Bake Shop and Fast Food where Millet de la Fuente Bagcus displays her entrepreneurial and culinary skills. Rey de la Cruz writes about this amazing lady who is often tagged "the Filipino mayor of Chicago." From Mariegold, enjoy a simple, everyday recipe for the Happy Home Cook: Garlic Butter Shrimp.

For Video of the Week, we feature the last segment of Filipino Americans: Discovering Their Past For The Future.