Birds and Spirits

There's something about bird watching that brings out the poetry in everyone, particularly if you're already an award-winning poet/playwright like Reuel Molina Aguila. In "On the Wings of Bird Poems," contributing writer Ed Maranan, himself an award-winning poet and author, lets us soar on Molina Aguila's bird photographs that are accompanied by his poetry and Maranan's translations. 

Another uplifting story this week is Toronto-based contributor Maripi Leynes' profile of Arlene Oliveros, the first female Filipino certified sommelier. With the spunk and determination common among immigrants, Oliveros worked her way from caregiving to becoming a wine expert. Read "The Spirit Moves Her" and be inspired.

Father's Day happens in a few days and we wish to celebrate all fathers and mom-dads out there. Our publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco shares with us the touching story of her father, Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco, who passed away recently after living a long, colorful and substantial life. 

Here's our In The Know links for this week:

How ISIS Got a Foothold in the Philippines
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/04/opinion/isis-philippines-rodrigo-duterte.html?smid=tw-share&_r=1

Rape within the family: The Philippines' silent incest problem
http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/171457-incest-rape-philippines-sexual-abuse

Priest brings psychosocial help to Mindanao conflict zone
http://www.ucanews.com/news/priest-brings-psychosocial-help-to-mindanao-conflict-zone/79414

Former Pinoy dishwasher now owner of pizzeria in Italy
http://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/05/30/17/former-pinoy-dishwasher-now-owner-of-pizzeria-in-italy

10 Must-Visit Libraries in Metro Manila
http://www.spot.ph/newsfeatures/the-latest-news-features/69388/10-must-visit-libraries-in-metro-manila-a00171-20170223-lfrm

And our post-Independence Day Happy Home Cook recipe is Arroz A La Cubana from PF Correspondent and foodie Elizabeth Ann Quirino.

Our Video of the Week: The Sing Philippines Youth Choir made up of 100 singers from from all over the country, surprise the commuters of LRT Line 2 with a flash mob performance.

Beginnings

Another June, another beginning (summer in the western hemisphere, the school year and the rainy season in the Philippines), another Independence Day celebration.

In Los Angeles, the Filipino American Symphony Orchestra (FASO) will perform another enchanting concert with "The Maestro from Kawit," Bob Shroder at the helm as conductor and musical director. Contributing writer Carlos Zialcita, a professional musician himself, writes about Shroder, who declares himself "pinoy na pinoy," and the pleasure of sitting in on the rehearsal of FASO as it prepares for its annual concert on June 17.

Switching back to the Motherland, San Francisco Bay Area-based professor Michael Gonzalez revisits Baguio, a city which holds some cherished memories for him but he hasn't seen for 40 years. In "Baguio On My Mind," he notes the transformation of the provincial city of his childhood to the "super-urban" metropolis that it is now. 

As we commemorate another June 12, it's always fitting to Read Again Oscar Peñaranda's serendipitious "A Reunion of Strangers" and how it led him to the flag that his grandfather carried as he fought in the Filipino-American War at the turn of the 20th century. 

And how about making champorado from scratch? Mike Grajewski of the popular Uncle Mike's Place in Chicago, gives us his version of the traditional favorite "chocolate rice" breakfast fare. 

Here's our In The Know lineup of links to various publications this week:

Philippine sectarian bloodshed unites Muslims and Christians
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/03/philippine-sectarian-bloodshed-unites-muslims-and-christians

Filipinos Flee Duterte’s Violent Drug Crackdown
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/04/world/asia/rodrigo-duterte-philippines-drug-crackdown.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur&_r=0

Remembering the Manongs and Story of the Filipino Farm Worker Movement
https://www.npca.org/articles/1555-remembering-the-manongs-and-story-of-the-filipino-farm-worker-movement

7 Recipes Any Cebuano Would Love
http://www.kalamicebu.com/2015/03/7-recipes-that-any-cebuano-would-love.html

Our Video of the Week, we feature a video of historical photos set to soprano Conching Rosal's “Kundiman ng Magandang Diwata” and “Mutya ng Pasig.'

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TELL US ABOUT YOUR HOMETOWN

Who can best shine a light on that nostalgic place where a part of you still resides than you, whose childhood memories are full of the wonders of growing up in that special place? Write about your hometown and/or send us an old photograph with a description of how your hometown looks and how it makes you feel. 

Send to pfeditor@yahoo.com and we will post them so the whole world can share the wonder.

Deja Vu in Mindanao

Martial law in Mindanao fills up all the news slots in the Philippines since President Rodrigo Duterte declared it a week ago. We focus our In The Know listings on analyses and news reports, to get you updated on what has been happening:

How A Military Raid Triggered Marawi Attacks
http://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/171245-marawi-crisis-isis-plan-bautista

More Details Emerge on How Duterte Made Martial Law Decision
http://www.philstar.com/headlines/2017/05/26/1703846/more-details-emerge-how-duterte-made-martial-law-decision

Is Martial Law the Right Response to ISIS?
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/157444/martial-law-right-response-isis-threat

Why People in Mindanao don't mind Martial Law
https://lefthandedsnake.wordpress.com/2017/05/27/why-people-in-mindanao-dont-mind-martial-law/

Priest Says He and 200 Others Are Being Held Hostage in the Philippines
http://time.com/4798001/philippines-isis-militants-hostage-video/

As our Video of the Week, we feature journalist Howie Severino and the iWitness team of GMA7 network who flew to Marawi right after the martial law declaration to document the real situation in that war-torn city. Here's "Ilaw ng Marawi."

Switching to the more peaceful and enduring part of the Philippines, PF Correspondent Criselda Yabes visits Mayon Volcano for the first time and is rightfully awed. In "Volcano Lover," the well-traveled journalist realizes that "Mayon Volcano is the gorgeous lady you save for last." 

From Vancouver, Filipino artist Chito Maravilla is making waves with his eclectic art that a writer/collector describes as "Maravillaesque." PF Correspondent Rey de la Cruz reports.

Now that Memorial Day in the US has come and gone, summer barbecues are dominating family meals. PF Correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino has come up with a Peanut Sesame Pasta Salad that pairs well with the grilled meats and veggies that will surely be part of your summer table.

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TELL US ABOUT YOUR HOMETOWN

Who can best shine a light on that nostalgic place where a part of you still resides than you, whose childhood memories are full of the wonders of growing up in that special place? Write about your hometown and/or send us an old photograph with a description of how your hometown looks and how it makes you feel. 

Send to pfeditor@yahoo.com and we will post them so the whole world can share the wonder.