Christmas Memories

What does noche buena mean to you? An essay by the late cultural and culinary historian Doreen G. Fernandez from her classic book, Tikim: Essays on Philippine Food and Culture defines this very cherished Filipino Christmas tradition from the memories of various people from different provinces. 

A young FilAm writer Leah K. Sikat reflects on making suman, her California-based family's Christmas ritual, and how the stories of home that accompany the making of this kakanin shape her own memories of the holiday season. ("Banana Leaves, Rice and Coconut")

And if you haven't planned out your Christmas meal yet, Read Again the suggestions and recipes of Chef Rolando Laudico, Elizabeth Ann Quirino and Goldilocks Bakeshop.

Here are the In The Know links this week:

Massacre or fight for freedom? Putting the Balangiga bells in context
https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/317599/massacre-or-fight-for-freedom-putting-the-balangiga-bells-in-context/?fbclid=IwAR1JnVSGmuj0P9TQt43KE_fmKoeMngYr9BHXyZd-KWw0tEtD5h97ZBSR1YA

Filipino teachers popular among Chinese English learners
https://news.cgtn.com/news/3d3d674d334d7a4e30457a6333566d54/share_p.html?fbclid=IwAR39KN63W44UvLmbz2EcWQBMSKbSKTUhYGc9lrFEsaZyLFzuXYCOiXEgXRs

Under a code name, George H.W. Bush sponsored Filipino child through Colorado Springs-based nonprofit
https://gazette.com/news/under-a-code-name-george-h-w-bush-sponsored-filipino/article_834568aa-f8e6-11e8-a94f-bbf2c209978c.html?fbclid=IwAR3GR5AkKU6B7FeqlkOpYlYbnWvsy2CDpMU5d-xyj0J4zQu9-YOGZnUYY2c

Cecile Licad in a daster: the pianist on smoking at 11, the Marcoses, and the love of her life
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/music/12/15/18/cecile-licad-in-a-daster-a-concerto-in-three-acts?fbclid=IwAR0qVxehJZ_6WyDQUAbCpyQW-0PABgAe_cgsPuW29_jcSO9sSwYyKr-_Apw

For Video of the Week, we feature newly-crowned Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray in a music video for Young Focus Philippines.

Tough Ladies

Before anything else, we would like to congratulate our colleague in the journalistic profession, Maria Ressa, the embattled but undaunted CEO and editor in chief of Rappler, for the string of international awards and accolades she has been receiving. The latest one, just announced yesterday, comes from Time magazine whose year-end issue includes Ressa on the cover as one of "The Guardians" of press freedom. In this era of fake news, unbridled trolling and political intimidation, Positively Filipino stands alongside those who courageously fight for truth, honesty and the rule of law.

A welcome break from the frenzy of the season is first-time contributor Pia Guballa's feature on some movie stars of yesteryear. "The Muses of LVN Pictures" spotlights Caridad Sanchez, Marita Zobel and Luz Valdez who "grew up" under the wing of the formidable Doña Sisang de Leon, the grand matriarch of the movie studio.

In Chicagoland, a Filipino singer named Ester Hana, has been making waves, as attested to by PF Correspondent Rey E. de la Cruz in "A Cebuana Songbird in the Windy City." 

In keeping with the holiday spirit, Read Again Elizabeth Ann Quirino's "Lulu's Fifty-Peso Christmas Gift," her tribute to her mom, Lulu Reyes Besa who was awarded the US Medal of Freedom in 1947 as one of the heroines of WWII.  

Here are some of the stories from other publications that you may have missed:

Time Person of the Year, Maria Ressa: She Reported From War Zones. But Covering Philippine President Duterte Might Be Her Most Dangerous Job Yet
http://time.com/5475492/maria-ressa-rappler-person-of-the-year-2018/?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=social-share-article&utm_content=20181211&fbclid=IwAR00b5bvenymv1aT3LRaNCpyu2h7O-I1cDCz_aSu2Gk5KbueRSX6QtCw8Ko

Vallejo-Raised Singer H.E.R. Snags 5 Grammy Nominations
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13846668/vallejo-raised-h-e-r-snags-5-grammy-nominations?fbclid=IwAR2xgaCXoXpQm6vmaanfWgcu43MI5orZX2EtAvJuFMSbrHsF_5shasBmMHI

This Tribe Saved My Family and US Soldiers Decades Ago – Miles and Points Made It Possible to Say Thank You
https://millionmilesecrets.com/inspiration/this-tribe-saved-my-family-and-us-soldiers-decades-ago-miles-and-points-made-it-possible-to-say-thank-you/?fbclid=IwAR3SwZ4kGDqwXJsbBZ0DcyqHKd5-Xt4DbsbGYMoN_rpa02tWadKv6yR7H3U

Rolando Peña: portrait of a rock scientist as a rare gem
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/12/10/18/rolando-pea-portrait-of-a-rock-scientist-as-a-rare-gem?fbclid=IwAR1FAnuN-9yOYpmGUq0iP0kfxumoSCYAAtKsFJC-KJl3nwGdoFvAZyukyU0

Before we indulge the annual food gorging that is Christmas, take time for a lean, healthy recipe from PF Correspondent Rene M. Astudillo, Chilled BroCauli Salad.

 “Forgive Us Our Signs” makes a comeback for its 12th edition. More funny Pinoy signs and memes.

For Video of the Week, the BBC News Service features Nanie Guanlao, who opened  the Reading Club 2000, a community library with no rules, open 24 hours a day and children can bring home the books if they wanted to.

Baguio, What the Hell?

If you've been to Baguio recently and can remember the Baguio of yesteryears (peaceful, romantic, the air replete with the aroma of pine trees), you know that the Philippines' summer capital has some big, big-city problems (traffic, crime, congestion, pollution). But banning cussing in public? Baguio-based PF correspondent Rene M. Astudillo reports on the recent city government ordinance -- questionable, unenforceable -- that  makes one wonder if taxpayers' money is truly wasted on legislators. (Read "Baguio City Goes Cuss-Free, or Will It?”)

Speaking of nostalgia, PF Correspondent Myles A. Garcia shares his memories of a trip to a London suburb he won't forget, and how he racked up mileage miles on the late, lamented Trans World Airlines (TWA). ("The Night I Drove to Bexleyheath")

We missed out on commemorating the 145th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio last week so here's a fitting Read Again from cultural historian Penelope V. Flores on the Philippines' other National Hero.

Our In The Know links this week:

Filipino-American Vet Says Starbucks Barista Wrote Racial Slur On His Cup
https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2018/12/01/filipino-american-starbucks-racial-slur-cup/?fbclid=IwAR0GRRm8tyIa8RyLBb3p3RRVVuEA3wNc0b79bMl1zTBufLT0dSL6y0Ye7T8

The hardest job in Silicon Valley is a living nightmare
https://www.fastcompany.com/90263921/the-hardest-job-in-silicon-valley-is-a-living-nightmare 

This year’s buffet of Fil-Am and Fil-Canadian cookbooks
https://usa.inquirer.net/17026/this-years-buffet-of-fil-am-and-fil-canadian-cookbooks#ixzz5YoRgHV2l 

Meet a history-making White House executive chef
https://share.america.gov/meet-history-making-white-house-executive-chef/?fbclid=IwAR3tPVAMoMiUnxRmFLrrXhd0QqHq1e07y2LwJalIQSEpNAWZh9PsAz0AsAU 

If you're starting to stress out with your planned Christmas menu, here's something to ease the tension somewhat: our Happy Home Cook recipe for Instapot Leche Flan, another of Elizabeth Ann Quirino's time-saving shares. 

In our video of the week, the story behind the well-loved Filipino Christmas carol “Pasko na, Sinta ko.”