Looking Back

As Filipinos the world over gear up to celebrate another Philippine Independence Day, it's a good time to learn about the two-day visit of President Manuel Luis Quezon and his family to Washington, D.C. 76 years ago, the only Philippine president to stay at the White House. Titchie Carandang-Tiongson who, along with her husband Erwin and two sons, are digging up Philippine history in Washington, D.C., writes the historical account.

Another Washington, D.C. story is Myrna Montera Lopez's profile of Santiago "Sonny" Busa, Jr., an outstanding FilAm who was a military officer, a diplomat, an academic and a community leader, among the many roles he has distinguished himself in.

And switching to the motherland, Prof. Michael Gonzalez teams up with student journalist Meeko Angela Camba to introduce the work of Gerry Tan, a sound artist, who is "weaving sound from a tapestry."

Our In The Know links for this week:

Inside a Philippine City Seized by ISIS Loyalists
https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/asia/100000005858523/isis-loyalists-marawi.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=photo-spot-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news

Inside the Controversial World of Slum Tourism
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/features/photography/history-controversy-debate-slum-tourism/

Five Blood Transfusions, One Bone Marrow Transplant — All Before Birth
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/25/health/fetal-bone-marrow-transplant.html

Valencia Brothers Seek to Represent Filipino American Experience Through Food
https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Lasa-Restaurant-Filipino-483165571.html

For our Happy Home Cook, Chef Richgail Enriquez features her vegan version of Munggo Guisado.

For Video of the Week, Youtube comedian Jeppy Paraiso is back with his Tita series.

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.