Women in Action

When El Niño devastated Mindanao in 2015, thousands of Lumads (indigenous peoples) suffered as their crops died and famine began to grip the land. No aid was forthcoming so thousands of them embarked on a long march from Surigao to Quezon City in a heroic effort to bring attention to their plight and push the government to action. Among them was Marlinda Indao of the Matigsalog tribe of Bukidnon, who described their situation to Rochit Tañedo in "Birthing in the Time of El Niño: Marlinda's Story." 

A strong woman of an earlier era is the lead character of Cecilia Manguerra Brainard's latest novel, The Newspaper Widow. PF Correspondent Lisa Suguitan Melnick jots down her impressions of the book in "An Enjoyable Period Piece."

Back to the present, Sta. Rosa, CA-based professor Leny Mendoza Strobel writes about Monica Anderson, a yoga teacher, who will be her next guide as she begins the retirement phase of her life. Monica, a third-generation FilAm who runs a fitness studio, is descended from sturdy Ilocano folks, part of the first-generation Filipino workers now known as the manongs. 

As we take time out to observe Holy Week, here's a Read Again: Images of Semana Santa, taken by our contributing photographers. For those of us who can't be in our motherland, here's a link to Rappler's virtual "Visita Iglesia," our Video of the Week.

And for your Easter meal, how about making Corned Beef Sinigang, a delicious recipe shared by our PF Correspondent and food expert Elizabeth Ann Quirino.

Our In The Know links this week:

Eclipsed by Cesar Chavez, Larry Itliong's Story Now Emerges
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/eclipsed-cesar-chavez-larry-itliongs-story-now-emerges-n423336

A Taal Tale: Why This Town is More Than its Popular Volcano
https://www.realliving.com.ph/lifestyle/travel/a-taal-tale-why-this-town-is-more-than-its-popular-volcano-a00170-20170110?ref=article_related

18 Places You Would Never Have Imagined Were In The Philippines
https://www.buzzfeed.com/isabellelaureta/san-ka-pa?utm_term=.akVNMYdnx#.qqg408yEj

One Down: Filipina MC’s unite, slay colonial patriarchy on track
http://eltecolote.org/content/en/arts_culture/one-down-filipina-mcs-unite-slay-colonial-patriarchy-on-track/

Courage, Charm, and Gustation

It takes quite some strength to muster the courage to live one's truth, and Assumption College president Pinky Valdes is a model of doing just that. PF publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco writes about her fellow Assumptionista and the interesting twists and turns of her life in "Pinky Valdes' Winding Road to Healing."

If you're a fan of the Cleveland Cavaliers, you can celebrate the presence of FilAm Jordan Clarkson, the same way PF Correspondent Anthony Maddela celebrates him in "The Undeniably Charming Jordan Clarkson."

For foodies who love Japanese cuisine, here's a treat from Bella Bonner, who joined "Sandy Daza's Amazing Foodie Tour" of several cities in Japan and survived the oyster feast to write about it. 

And speaking of Sandy, here's a video of him with other noted Filipino chefs for our Video of the Week.

For our Happy Home Cook recipe, Sandy's famous mother Nora Daza's recipe for Lengua con Champignon and Mushroom-Butter Sauce.

Our In The Know listing:

What's Happening to Leni Robredo?
https://joeam.com/2018/03/21/whats-happening-to-leni-robredo/

Children of the Drug War Speak Out
http://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/multimedia/video/03/19/18/children-of-the-drug-war-speak-out

Michelle Malkin defends Bruno Mars against claims of cultural appropriation
https://www.facebook.com/CRTV/videos/1732142643519881/

Stephen Hawking's Nurse was a Filipino from Zamboanga City
https://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/stephen-hawkings-favorite-nurse-was-filipino/

Look Inside Southwest's Transportive New Asian Restaurant, Kaliwa
https://dc.eater.com/2018/3/20/17143502/kaliwa-cathal-armstrong-filipino-korean-thai-food-wharf-opening

Manhattan’s Newest Filipino Restaurant Stays Traditional With Exquisite Results
https://ny.eater.com/2018/3/19/17139226/mama-finas-east-village-nyc-what-to-order

Two Noteworthy Filipinas, Two Different Paths

Two noteworthy Filipinas, two very different paths.

Fil-Am Juslyn Manalo caps her distinguished career in government and nonprofits with the coveted position of mayor of Daly City, California, home to the biggest concentration of Filipinos in the San Francisco Bay Area. PF Correspondent Cherie Querol-Moreno introduces us to Manalo and collates some advice for her from her "sister predecessors" -- Filipino women who have become mayors of various cities in northern California.

On a totally different track, PF Correspondent Myles A. Garcia hears Nat King Cole's classic rendition of "Stardust" and waxes nostalgic with memories of his childhood in San Juan and a woman he knew then as Ginny. To his surprise, Ginny eventually became well-known within certain circles as Viring de Asis, the leading seller of antiques in Metro Manila. "Ginny, the Jukebox and Nat" is a step back in time with the beloved song setting the mood.

Back to the present, our Philippine-based correspondent, Rene M. Astudillo gives us a primer on understanding the current Filipino slang and memes. A useful guide when you are in our motherland and encountering millenials. 

Our In The Know compilation for this week:

Toyo Eatery bags coveted award from Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants for 2018—a first for Filipino dining
http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/288785/toyo-eatery-bags-coveted-award-asias-50-best-restaurants-2018-first-filipino-dining/

Filipino Food Finds a Place in the American Mainstream
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/12/dining/filipino-cooking.html

Uber to Exit the Southeast Asian and Philippines Markets
https://techpilipinas.com/uber-exit-southeast-asian-philippines-markets/

The last and definitive op-ed to shut down the Bruno Mars cultural appropriation nonsense
https://thegrio.com/2018/03/12/bruno-mars-cultural-appropriation/

Aileen Suzara Is Flipping the Script About 'Unhealthy' Filipino Food
https://www.bonappetit.com/story/aileen-suzara

Disney's A Wrinkle in Time's Deric McCabe Interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avBk0nRGRsM

Our Happy Home Cook recipe is for that addicting munchies: Adobong Malutong or Crispy Adobo Flakes.

For our Video of the Week, here's the popular infomercial that won the top prize for its director, Lyle Sacris, in the 2018 Kidlat Awards. Full disclosure: Lyle is my nephew so please indulge my auntie pride here.