Kapampangan Mode

When it comes to food, trust Kapampangans to do a good job of creating, flavoring, cooking and presenting them. Even chocolates, as gourmet chocolatier Raul Matias proves with his innovative, high-end Manila Chocolatier and Machiavelli Chocolatier brands. PF food correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino reports.

Even a dish that originated elsewhere like the Ilocano pinakbet, a Kapampangan touch makes it unique and delicious, if the right ingredients are used. Contributor Rochit Tañedo, a Tarlacqueño Kapampangan, tells a childhood story about making this popular dish in "It's Not Pinakbet If There's No Himbaba-o."

Since we're on a Kapampangan mode, how's about reading again one of our most popular pieces, "10 Things You Need to Know About Kapampangans" by cultural historian and academic Robby Tantingco. 

Meanwhile, Titchie Carandang-Tiongson of the Philippines On the Potomac Project in Washington DC reports on the visit of the Hibla ng Lahing Filipino traveling exhibit of the National Museum.

Be In The Know with our informative links:

Philippines Deports American Missionary Over ‘Political Activity'
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/04/world/asia/philippines-us-missionary.html?smprod=nytcore-ipad&smid=nytcore-ipad-share

The Poetic Justice of Stella Abrera's Juliet
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/08/arts/dance/stella-abrera-romeo-and-juliet-american-ballet-theater.html

Le Cordon Bleu in Paris Holds First Course on Philippine Cuisine
https://dfa.gov.ph/dfa-news/news-from-our-foreign-service-postsupdate/17092-le-cordon-bleu-in-paris-holds-first-course-on-philippine-cuisine

The Comprehensive Field Guide to Filipino Bread
https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/food-and-drink/your-basic-guide-to-local-tinapay-a1623-20170510-lfrm#utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20180709-fbnp-culture-your-basic-guide-to-local-tinapay-a1623-20170510-lfrm-fbold

Let's go vegan again with our Happy Home Cook recipe for Quinoa Lugaw from Richgail Enriquez.

For our Video of the Week, GMA Public Affairs' “I-Witness” featured a documentary of General Simeon Ola, who was the last Filipino general to surrender during the Philiippine-American War.

We Will Always Have Angeles City

Philippine-American Friendship Day will always be a reminder of both the close relationship and love-hate tug-and-pull between our two countries. But there's no denying that the US will always have a place if not in Filipinos' hearts, at least in our consciousness. Today, let's revisit Angeles City, the place where Americans at their worst once wrecked havoc on the city's equanimity. Retired Ambassador Virgilio A. Reyes Jr. once again regales us with his story on "Angeles City's Mini-Renaissance in Heritage Restoration."

For a nostalgic trip into Manila's American history, Read Again Lou Gopal's "Yesterdays in Ermita," part 2 of his 2-part series on the city's once-genteel district. Part 2 features the American families who lived in the area.

Of course, you're also be enriched by part 1. "A Neighborhood of Yesterday: Malate/Ermita."

Australia's Uluru has been in the news lately, so w're reposting PF contributor Larry Ng's writeup about it: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/climbing-uluru

If you missed these reports from various publications, here are the links:

They went to Pride with 'I'm sorry' signs and people are feeling all the feels.
http://www.upworthy.com/they-went-to-pride-with-i-m-sorry-signs-and-people-are-feeling-all-the-feels?c=upw1

Puting Pinoy's response to Fil-Am's discrimination in Daly City
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REseGL0IYMw

Who was Epifanio De Los Santos?
http://opinion.inquirer.net/114241/epifanio-de-los-santos-2

What's next after that basketbrawl?
http://bleachersbrew.blogspot.com/2018/07/whats-next-after-that-basketbrawl.html

For our Happy Home Cook recipe, a most fitting July 4 treat: No-Bake Cheesecake from our resident foodie, Elizabeth Ann Quirino. 

For Video of the Week, we feature the next Filipino talent to be showcased by “America's Got Talent,” The Junior New System.

Sea Finds and a Desert Run

Pearl is one of three birthstones for June, and PF Contributor Myles A. Garcia sends in a timely story about some of the biggest pearls in the world found mainly in Palawan, including the Lao-Tzu pearl whose provenance almost reads like a crime thriller. Read "Pearls of the Orient Seas" and be amazed.

What pushes a man to run the Badwater ultramarathon, the world's toughest footrace? Ben Gaetos, an LA-based architect and probably the first Filipino to finish this extremely rigorous race, explains why he did it in "The Stubbornness of a Long-Distance Runner."

It's considered a delicacy in northern Philippines but for journalist/food connoisseur Rene M. Astudillo, "pinikpikan" is a no-no in his book. Find out why in "Why I Won't Eat the Cordilleras' Popular Pinikpikan."

Be amused at some of the funny signs one encounters in the Philippines. 

One of the best essays about Rizal is a must-read in our In The Know list this week:

“Death Is A Night Wind”
http://www.caravanmagazine.in/reviews-essays/jose-rizal-poem-haunts-philippines-today

The wrecking-ball president
https://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/205469-rodrigo-duterte-wrecking-ball-president

Manila City gov't is planning to destroy its last park
http://nolisoli.ph/44441/arroceros-forest-park/

Duterte signs Philippine Mental Health law
https://www.rappler.com/nation/205425-duterte-signs-mental-health-law-services-philippines?utm_source=The+Daily+wRap&utm_campaign=43223b578b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_06_21_04_31&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_b3868977d4-43223b578b-95400069&mc_cid=43223b578b&mc_eid=0c0639d4af

For the Happy Home Cook, another simplified version of a Filipino favorite -- cassava cake -- from Melanie Q. Suzara.

For Video of the Week, Safeguard Philippines features Norman King, the first Filipino Aeta to graduate from the University of the Philippines.