Fil-Ams and the Political Arena

As many US states hold its election primaries this week, it's timely to look into the presence of Filipino Americans in the election process. University of San Francisco history major Amarjot Aulakh focuses on the issue and writes that indeed, the Filipino voice is rising in American politics.

One proof of this is the emergence of FilAms seeking public office, such as Cristina Osmeña, who has decided to throw her hat as a Republican in a congressional race long held by a well-regarded Democrat.

Across the ocean, UK-based writer Joy Watford sends  in a report of the good, courageous work of Fr. Danny Pilario, the parish priest of Payatas in Quezon City where a disturbing number of  EJKs (extra-judicial killings) have taken place. Fr. Danny founded Project SOW (Support for Orphans and Widows).

For more information about what's happening in Filipino communities worldwide, here are our In The Know links for this week:

She Stands Up to Power. Now, She’s Afraid to Go Home.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/03/world/asia/hurman-rights-philippines.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur

Ruby Ibarra raps, unapologetically, about Filipina experience
https://www.sfchronicle.com/music/article/Ruby-Ibarra-raps-unapologetically-about-12934982.php

In racial conflicts, video becomes a megaphone
https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/In-racial-conflicts-video-becomes-a-megaphone-12946997.php

More than 228,000 pounds of Spam recalled
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/more-228-000-pounds-spam-recalled-n877921?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma

Barbecue season is here so we're sharing our food expert Elizabeth Ann Quirino's personal recipe for Pork Barbecue, a staple of Filipino picnics and house parties everywhere.

And our Video of the Week: meet Nephi Garcia, Designer Daddy.

Citizen Mike and Other Artists

"Citizen Jake," the comeback movie of director Mike de Leon, starts its commercial run in Manila today, and those of us abroad can only hope that it will likewise show in our neck of the woods. The famously reclusive director jokes that this movie could be his swan song. Veteran journalist Sylvia L. Mayuga, an avid Mike de Leon watcher, says it more profoundly in her review.  It is also "his strongest challenge yet to the society he has surprised and challenged throughout his career."  Let's hope “Citizen Jake” will have an international showing. 

Washington D.C.-based contributor Titchie Carandang-Tiongson writes a review of Hello Universe, the children's book that won for its Fil-Am author, Erin Entrada Kelly, the coveted Newbery Medal (for outstandng children's literature) for 2018. 

PF Correspondent Anthony Maddela profiles freelance art director and concept artist Jacqueline "Jax" Jocson who he describes as "The Dragon Lady of Game Development."

Here are the In The Know links for this week:

8 of the Leading Filipino Scientists Who Make Us Proud
https://www.rappler.com/science-nature/society-culture/202367-leading-filipino-scientists-list?utm_source=The+Daily+wRap&utm_campaign=d328c3be85-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_05_15&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b3868977d4-d328c3be85-95400069&mc_cid=d328c3be85&mc_eid=0c0639d4af

She’ll Play the Jewish Mother, and Wants Other Asian-Americans to Get the Best Parts, Too
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2015/06/28/theater/an-asian-american-theater-company-cuts-a-fresh-casting-trail.html

Britain’s Best Home Cook: Meet Josie, the Glasgow girl flying the flag for Scotland
http://www.heraldscotland.com/ news/homenews/16193010.___I_ho pe_Glasgow___s_proud_of_me____ _Meet_the_Dennistoun_girl_flyi ng_the_flag_for_Scotland_on_ BBC___s_new_cooking_series/

A Workplace Potluck Filled With Filipino Food And Memories
https://www.npr.org/sections/ thesalt/2018/05/04/601837774/ a-workplace-potluck-filled- with-filipino-food-and- memories

For Video of the Week, we look back at the Biography's 2001 episode on Imelda Marcos.

And for the Happy Home Cook, Adobong Baka from Kulinarya.

Mothers All

No words can adequately express a mother's sorrow over a child's death, but two years after her son, Robby, was fatally shot, journalist/author Pati Navalta Poblete has channeled her grief into a book, A Better Place: A Memoir of Peace in the Face of Tragedy. Cathy Sanchez Babao, one of very few professional grief counselors in Manila, writes a review. The remarkable Pati has also founded the Robby Poblete Foundation, dedicated to buying back guns, which are then dismantled and the materials transformed into art pieces by Bay Area artists.

Another heart-rending story is our Video of the Week, "My Mother's Heart," featuring veteran (and retired) Fil-Am broadcast news reporter Lloyd La Cuesta's meeting with Sierra Jamieson Grande, a woman seeking information about her late mother, whom Lloyd interviewed in 1984 before and after her heart transplant. 

Switching now to our homeland, PF Correspondent Criselda Yabes visited the heritage town of Vigan, Ilocos Sur and takes us with her in "Vestigial Vigan."

With the British Royal Wedding coming up, PF Correspondent and world wanderer Rey de la Cruz spotted some Filipinos in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Be In The Know with our collection of links this week:

She Was the Enemy of Philippine President Duterte and Her Fellow Judges Just Sacked Her
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/05/11/she-was-the-enemy-of-philippine-president-duterte-and-her-fellow-judges-just-sacked-her/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.4d463a4c59ec

Butchered rhino unearthed in Philippines suggests the origin of ‘hobbits’
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/human-origins-hobbit-philippines-rhino-south-east-asia-flores-a8335241.html

Chinese Money Triggers a Dizzying Rally in Manila Property
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-03/in-china-s-new-gambling-hot-spot-property-prices-are-on-a-tear

Overlooked No More: Leticia Ramos Shahani, A Philippine Women's Rights Pioneer
https://mobile.nytimes.com/2018/05/09/obituaries/overlooked-leticia-ramos-shahani.html

Our Happy Home Cook recipe, Rene Astudillo's Chilled, Fresh Sayote Fruit Salad.