The Rape of Manila

"American General Douglas MacArthur, driven from the Philippines at the start of World War II, famously vowed to return. This is the untold story of his homecoming."

And so begins journalist James Scott's electrifying narration of the Battle of Manila in February 1945, which he describes as "an urban brawl" that pitted MacArthur's troops, determined to retake the city, against Japanese General Iwabuchi's forces, intent to die fighting. This story is a condensed version of Scott's newly published book, Rampage, which details the complex military operation that practically reduced the once genteel, beautiful city to rubble. A must-read for every Filipino, even the pictures are riveting.

PF Correspondent Myles Garcia reviews journalist Walter Ang's first book, From Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater History, the first comprehensive compilation of Filipinos in American theater.

Cebuana author Cecilia Manguerra Brainard profiles her cousin, Manny Gonzalez, the CEO and major stockholder of the popular Plantation Bay Resort and Spa in Mactan, Cebu. 

Instapot owners will enjoy Elizabeth Ann Quirino's recipe for Ginataang Sitaw at Kalabasa, cooked in the multicooker.

Here are the links to stories you may have missed reading:

An American And Her Filipina Translator Exhume A Massacre In 'Insurrecto'
https://www.npr.org/2018/11/10/666360732/an-american-and-her-filipina-translator-exhume-a-massacre-in-insurrecto?utm_campaign=storyshare&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR2dnga0CwLIk1VnZnYtdJhRhXSkRH-p2kcn9FgHtGVIBOKBOc4x7MRb57o

Dating janitress, hukom na ngayon 
https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/life/04/15/18/dating-janitress-hukom-na-ngayon?fbclid=IwAR3ak8waQK6XgWBghB1acajvZUZcfOmXte1gBIE50mvSARaic104TRJjAbM

Check Out the Tropical Vibes at Oakland’s Newest Filipino Hotspot
https://sf.eater.com/2018/11/8/18075806/fob-kitchen-open-temescal-oakland-filipino-restaurant-former-juhu-beach-club?fbclid=IwAR26GG7ctV1Dd105UiCIDzR9vZEcB7mppxy5SwIECHt202-8ROZxM8FioLw

Swipe right: New dating app launched for UP students
http://www.interaksyon.com/trends-spotlights/2018/11/13/137999/swipe-right-new-dating-app-launched-for-up-students/?fbclid=IwAR3YCCEatkdGYEHanvHIPv5NMQX1EVobGjTtNBLzeIr5N5304-bZPUOU6jM

For Video of the Week, Curry Shop interviews Fil-am comedian Jo Koy at New York’s Maharlika Restaurant for a background on Filipino food.

Lost Literary Treasure, Cebuanos, and Torture

Another noteworthy Filipino went quietly into the good night -- Alberto "Bert" Florentino Jr., playwright/author and promoter of Philippine literature is given a proper farewell by author Cecilia Manguerra Brainard whose latest novel, The Newspaper Widow, was a finalist in the Best Novel in English category of the National Book Awards in Manila.

Why do Cebuanos consider themselves a superior tribe? Cebuana writer Isabel Taylor Escoda proffers her not-quite-humble reasons.

We continue our series of Martial Law Stories, this time with writer/poet/journalist/editor Jose "Pete" Lacaba's account of his horrendous torture.

Our Happy Home Cook recipe this week, Beef Caldereta cooked in an instapot, comes from our resident foodie Elizabeth Ann Quirino's new book, Instant Filipino Recipes: My Mother’s Philippine Food in a Multicooker Pot. Try it out and see how fast a meal cooks with this appliance.

Our In The Know links this week:

Boracay’s back cleaner and greener. But something’s missing: jobs
https://ph.news.yahoo.com/boracay-back-cleaner-greener-something-040320323.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=fb&fbclid=IwAR0Wq6vP_2zZgMQ7vlWZfN9orRchdivov3dTD_ZsOoq-UIhFob1sO4etHJM

Bulalacao, Coron–its quiet majesty
https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/224627/bulalacao-coron-its-quiet-majesty/?fbclid=IwAR2KCfQCzuwNMe9dqjP01noOkyPWjrAD5BNPe9mMS3-m6e_QfSw-gh_ME-o

Stuck in traffic: How Manila’s roads are making love elusive for Filipinos
https://coconuts.co/manila/features/stuck-traffic-manilas-roads-making-love-elusive-filipinos/?utm_source=Coconuts%20Media%20Mailing%20List&utm_campaign=7e0e70e2ac-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_11_02_08_10&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c10d7999ee-7e0e70e2ac-81681529&fbclid=IwAR0SIPRMu4qH4qBDAvTRavhFxU4UrkGYi-GD9yQvsvJpVP8dGdvTTyswnLU

A Brief History of the Most Popular Filipino Street Food
https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/food-and-drink/filipino-street-food-a1729-20170526-lfrm?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20181102-fbnp-culture-filipino-street-food-a1729-20170526-lfrm-fbold&fbclid=IwAR2oLIsGvGTPV88-bWNEloor0QR2QgH0Q29hvMO8I0WYMtUKbYSZTkEEu8c

The second-generation Dazas are making home cooks out of anyone
http://fnbreport.ph/features/fb/the-second-generation-dazas-are-making-home-cooks-out-of-anyone-septm-20180620/?fbclid=IwAR0MoA4yFH1k7AeXP8SpmI524UksbZQt2hXQgzQALsd7zi8IJmPfmUOuQfk

For video of the week, Esquire Philippines posted an interview with long time Philippine actor Eddie Garcia on his long career in showbiz.

A Tireless Crusader and Enchanted Tales

Ambassador Howard Dee, 2018 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, is one of an increasingly rare breed of man whose life work is focused on seeking social justice and socio-political peace. Contributing writer M.H. Hizon profiles this outstanding Filipino in "The Many Crusades of Howard Dee."

A timely piece for this week of myths and superstitions is Sylvia Mayuga's review of Bicolano anthropologist Tito Valiente's newly released book, The Last Sacristan Mayor and The Most Expensive Mass for the Dead: Tales of Ticao. Ticao is in Masbate, the author's birthplace, where tales of enchantment abound.

In Fatima, the town of many Filipino pilgrimages, traveler Isabel Lovina got the surprise of her life when her group of pilgrims were billeted in Pinoy House Fatima, owned by Ritchiel from Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, and her Portuguese husband. Take note for when you do your own Marian pilgrimage.

The compleat actress Nora Aunor was once again bypassed for the National Artist award this year (the first time was during the term of President Noynoy Aquino), a move that has incensed her legions of fans worldwide. Read Again film critic Mauro Feria Tumbucon Jr.'s "The Timeless Nora Aunor" and you'll understand why. 

And in keeping with the season, here's another Read Again: Alex G. Paman's "The Vanishing Hitchhiker, the White Lady and Hauntings Across the Seas."

Our In The Know links this week:

'Only for white people': Filipino family endures racist rant in New Zealand
https://news.abs-cbn.com/trending/10/29/18/only-for-white-people-filipino-family-endures-racist-rant-in-new-zealand?fbclid=IwAR0Wz1JnXMUbyQ_mpY0QMvxohTJfAcQovOgGj8kTCTooG6CHizQw7lszL0s

Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong facing more expenses as new law forces them to make social security contributions back home
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/2169478/filipino-domestic-workers-hong-kong-facing-more-expenses-new?fbclid=IwAR2rPgZz74bQv6saW34zIib84vaq_Xe7Xx04JtScmUR3SkTf4ZRekuxt_ew

How Wealthy Was the Rizal Family?
https://www.townandcountry.ph/people/heritage/rizal-family-net-worth-a1957-20181020-lfrm?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Siteshare&utm_campaign=20181023-rizal&fbclid=IwAR3zIVtafDi6Jxnay6i3WUIMMQVPkrRZQYQSpA0-YvROfrrFxFFE1kj-mdE

Jay Ledford’s Journey as a Filipino American Transgender Ballerina
http://www.manilamail.us/?p=6844&fbclid=IwAR0QuYZiwVWx_6oR2rMYmSaxqtcL57NWQapXZQMazxKqBR22GbbtTcnOUIM

15 Essential Filipino Restaurants in the Bay Area
https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-filipino-restaurants-food-san-francisco-bay-area-daly-city-east-bay-oakland

Our Happy Home Cook recipe, Pork Kilawin from our resident foodie Elizabeth Ann Quirino.

For our video of week, San Diego's ABC 10 News featured a story on the awarding of Congressional Gold Medals on Filipino World War II veterans at the Jacobs Center.