Suicide Isn't Painless

Through these days of rage and disquiet, let's face up to some important issues.

With the recent spate of celebrity suicides, do you wonder if Filipinos are just as prone to mental health issues that drive a person to choose death over life? Contributor Isabel Taylor-Escoda, who has retired in Cebu from living for decades in Hong Kong, researches the issue in "Suicide Among Filipinos."

We got this heartwarming story from a first-time contributor, David R. Rabaja, a Florida-based surgeon, about how the Rabaja clan was able to reunite in its original hometown in Cagayan. "Coming Home in Ballesteros" begs an answer to the perennial question of expats, can we really go home again?

As the immigration issue burns in the US, another first-time contributor Elizabeth Keanini-Silva tells the interesting story of Mayo Buenafe-Ze, who was brought to the US as a child, deported with her family back to the Philippines, and returned as a Fulbright scholar.

If you missed these stories from other publications, read them here in our In The Know lineup:

Manila's Mystery Red Banners
https://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/manila-mystery-red-banners/

What Does It Mean To Call Yourself Filipino, If You Can't Speak The Language?https://www.shopcambio.co/blogs/news/what-does-it-mean-to-call-yourself-filipino-if-you-cant-speak-the-language

Erica Paredes introduces ‘kamayan’ style, boodle fight to Europeans
http://www.interaksyon.com/chef-filipino-cuisine-france-erica-paredes-kamayan-boodle-fight/

LOOK: Filipino-French footballer celebrates World Cup win
http://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/07/16/18/look-filipino-french-footballer-celebrates-world-cup-win

Our Happy Home Cook recipe this week is Vegan Nilaga from Richgail Enriquez. 

For video of the week, ABS-CBN News profiles Nella Sarabia, who continues the family legacy of optometry.

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.