Two Women

Two women making and writing history are the subjects of our two profiles this week.

From Honolulu, Dr. Belinda "Lindy" Aquino, founder of the University of Hawaii's Philippine Studies Program and author/esteemed professor/historian/activist, is profiled by Pepi Nieva in "Stranded in Paradise: How Lindy Aquino Became Hawaii’s Foremost Authority on the Philippines."

From London, Candy Gourlay, the critically acclaimed author of Bone Talk and the children's book, Is It A Mermaid?, is interviewed by UK-based writer Joy Watford in a piece titled "In Her Own Write."

And this being Women's Month, let's honor two women who had captured the nation's hearts through their music, their acting and their presence in the public eye. 

Read Again: 

Film critic Mauro Feria Tumbucon Jr.'s affectionate tribute to the one and only superstar, "The Timeless Nora Aunor." 

And a granddaughter shows her love for her beloved grandmother, Armida Siguion-Reyna of "Aawitan Kita" fame,  who recently passed away.

Our Happy Home Cook recipe is a sure favorite -- Paksiw na Bangus.

Here are our In The Know links this week: 

How ISIS Is Rising in the Philippines as It Dwindles in the Middle East
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/09/world/asia/isis-philippines-jolo.html

'They fooled us': the men who left ISIS in the Philippines
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/09/they-fooled-us-the-men-who-left-isis-in-the-philippines?fbclid=IwAR0S1JOGP0McJhkAiu6ftGVUkIjwLxO7N6x_M06VfVU3aogvnTvfIFGypfU

Get to know the women National Artists and Scientists
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/87875-women-national-artists-scientists?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR0fnYYPYcAsKjHKcqzeW1U6HXvKCQRISezxxWca0t2svyW2KxKaeTDsTSA#Echobox=1552007205

40 poorest provinces in the Philippines 
http://onemediaph.com/40-poorest-provinces-in-the-philippines/?fbclid=IwAR1TqpzJPJKnS5tWvTbooleE6h70L7gPZmTDhxuNubwbmyGHBsLIvTj00Fc

Job Very Well Done: Philippine Airlines (A350-900) in Business Class From Manila to JFK
https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/philippine-airlines-a350-business-class/?fbclid=IwAR3K4zgRPjv00Ai1eIA61oFF76yF7ySVPci34ASPJJiKmJ1_5qo3ObV3Z20

For our Video of the Week, we feature the cultural preservation project called “Documenting and Preserving Mangyan Scripts in the 21st Century”

All Rise for Inspiring Filipino Women

We join the world in celebrating International Women's Day this Friday by featuring Filipino women, each very different from the others but equally deserving of accolades and respect.

First, Whang Od, the oldest living -- and most famous -- mambabatok or tribal tattoo artist. Living in a tiny village called Buscalan in Kalinga, she has singlehandedly drawn tourists by the hundreds eager to get her tattoo imprint. First-time contributor (who is also my daughter) Maia Almendral Esteves shares her first-hand experience with the 102-year-old lady. 

And then there's Conchita "Ching" Baltazar whose loyal and exemplary service to both her employer and the community of OFWs in Hong Kong earned her the accolade "Bagong Bayani." This story from The Sun Hong Kong is written by its editor, Daisy CL Mandap.

In the US, an impressive number of Fil-Am women have been elected and/or appointed to plum public positions in their respective cities and counties. PF Correspondent Cherie M. Querol Moreno introduces this "Rising Wave of Fil-Am Women Political Pioneers."

And if you're into the tattoo mode, here's an interesting Read Again from Mel Orpilla, "Mark of Four Waves," which puts a historical context to indigenous Philippine tattoos.

In time for Lent, here's a Read Again recipe for the Happy Home Cook: Vegan Longganisa from our favorite vegan chef, RichGail Enriquez.

In case you missed them, our links to interesting stories so you'll be In The Know:

'Do you ever think about me?': the children sex tourists leave behind
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/mar/02/children-sex-tourists-leave-behind-fathers-visited-philippines?utm_medium=sundayedition.20190303.smartflab.421.2&utm_source=email&utm_content=article&utm_campaign=10-for-today---4.0-styling

Meet the Chinese Patriots of the Philippines
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/chinese-filipino-revolutionaries-heroes-a2212-20190206-lfrm?ref=taboola_related&fbclid=IwAR0bI8JZ1JWnfKgrZYDyRl7JnHiYQNo6a57mL4VwftEjZdbKE-duOj6WNao

A Walk to Remember: U.P. Organizes Commune Tour
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1089763/a-walk-to-remember-up-organizes-commune-tour?fbclid=IwAR282fuoBfZig5QwtYwaBaHjB7Vk_GrXGi9OfMtzXhJm_VJOAcswP9nxblo&utm_expid=.XqNwTug2W6nwDVUSgFJXed.1

Inspiring Loyalty, and Serving Chickenjoy at Jollibee
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/14/dining/jollibee-review.html

Our Video of the Week: another encounter between millennials and martial law victims.

Name That Dish

Before taking a bite of a cheese-laden ensaimada or savoring a scoop of tasty mechado, have you ever stopped and wondered where their names come from? Not likely, but it's always good to know how the names of those rich, delicious Spanish dishes came to be. PF Correspondent Cherie M. Querol Moreno satisfies our craving for culinary knowledge with an etymological feast, "Behind the Names of Those Spanish Recipes."

Another valuable history lesson can be had with Sydney-based historian Deborah Ruiz Wall's research on "The 'Indio Hacenderos' of Angono," which includes her forebears. 

History of more recent vintage is the subject of author/journalist Benjamin Pimentel's opinion piece, "Never Mind EDSA: Remember the mini-EDSAs, the Battles Before the Uprising" which contends that the 1986 People Power Revolution was the culmination of a series of citizens' actions that chipped away at the Marcos dictatorship's hold on power.

And February being Black History Month, here are some Read Agains that illustrate the close kinship of African Americans and Filipinos:

Rene G. Ontal's "A Black Man's Burden" 

Benjamin Pimentel's “The Untold Story of Sugar Pie DeSanto” 

For the Happy Home Cook, here's another one from San Francisco-based foodie, Voltaire Gungab: Double-Decker Chocolate and Coconut Pudding.

Here are the links for stories you may have missed: 

Central Luzon: New killing fields in Duterte's drug war
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/224159-central-luzon-new-killing-fields-duterte-drug-war?fbclid=IwAR1U-7ENDlJdgnEWjoehOaNPR1ip1Ok1y7KKkdpHagBXQwhCppw7oZyDGo8

The Bobby Mañosa I knew–a Filipino architect like no other
https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/325359/the-bobby-manosa-i-knew-a-filipino-architect-like-no-other/

Silicon Valley tech entrepreneur reveals who's behind his success
https://pia.gov.ph/features/articles/1018315?fbclid=IwAR0rG1CkcFX6-zxuzU0hGxoEqO7OBt8Us-VRRKqnQ7Jk3knm0NhXmyiF63k

Ana Valdes-Lim: The Reward is in the Process
http://www.dailygood.org/story/2233/ana-valdes-lim-the-reward-is-in-the-process-richard-whittaker/

For Video of the Week, we feature “Kangkungan,” a new video short by acclaimed filmmaker Mike De Leon, who presents a critique of the current administration of President Rodrigo Duterte and urges Filipinos to vote in the upcoming election.