Mothers All

How would you feel if your mother is labeled a "mail order bride? First-time contributor Carolyn Prasad explores the issue as she pays tribute to the grit and courage of her mother in "The Making of a Matriarch."

Poet/author Marra PL. Lanot waxes poetic as she remembers her dynamic mother, a classical pianist and an activist who was also a fantastic cook. "My Mother, Myself" is both a tribute and an aspiration for the writer.

Another first-time contributor Amy Schlanger writes about the parallels of her approach to motherhood with her friend, Min Bernardo, who nurtured and supported the career of her daughter, Kathryn, now one of the Philippines' top movie stars. 

Aside from celebrating mothers and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, May is also Military Appreciation Month. Here are some historical stories you may want to Read Again:

The Boogie Woogie Boys written by ex-Marine, Alex S. Fabros, Jr.

The General At Ease, my exclusive interview with Major General Antonio M. Taguba, one of the highest ranking Filipino American in the US military. 

In case you missed them, our links to important stories from other publications:

Duterte’s Unrelenting Attacks on Philippine Media 
https://philippines.fnst.org/content/dutertes-unrelenting-attacks-philippine-media?fbclid=IwAR0oXGem9nACvaKBueOpqGeW0nK5Bn9LCKmtzWu85Vk0Z8c3eWlsOMkiVFs

What My Father Edjop Taught Me About Heroism 
https://thelittleagegrouper.blogspot.com/2019/05/what-my-father-edjop-taught-me-about.html?m=1&fbclid=IwAR0m4Tfd0LrtgqoYm2_FEXLMWilVm605dyyXP3m95tNGrE7jzojTDL1xF3c

The most expensive resort in the world costs $100,000 a night — here's what you get
https://ph.news.yahoo.com/most-expensive-resort-world-costs-181128004.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=fb&fbclid=IwAR1JiChPiiY6m9wAV16SqaT7kh_0ieXYaJPPwBsxZUTL_aheYf6oT-jJd6E

Cafe in the Philippines Now Uses Straws Made Out of Coconut Leaves to Cut Plastic Waste
https://nextshark.com/philippines-biodegradable-straws/?fbclid=IwAR2QPTqOtaG8v9waJdkWeEY2cl1au-Sbk9Ul5NC70H2UfUT_fB04RTgotp8

For the Happy Home Cook, another recipe contribution from SF-based foodie, Voltaire Gungab: Risotto with Shiitake, Chinese Sausage and Chicken Livers.

And for Video of the Week, we feature another Andre De La Varre Screen Traveler. This travelogue film shows Cebu in the 1930s.

A Pilgrimage and Processions

The artist France Viana, seeking inspiration for her participation in an exhibition to celebrate the agricultural roots of Asian Americans, drove to Delano, California, where Filipino manongs asserted their leadership in the Grape Strike of 1965 that lasted five years. She got more than she bargained for -- inspiration, a valuable history lesson and an emotional bond with the spirits of long-departed manongs. Read "It Takes a Pilgrimage" and appreciate the provenance of her interactive installation, Halo-Hallowed Ground. 

May, the month of Santacruzan and Flores de Mayo in our homeland, is similarly celebrated in some Fil-Am communities in the US. Taking part in these celebrations is a significant emotional draw for first-generation immigrant children, as psychologist/author BJ Gonzalvo dissects in "Transcendental May Filipino Traditions."

Meanwhile in distant Samar, journalist/author Criselda Yabes tells an enchanting story about Capul Island, where a gleaming lighthouse dominates the rustic scenery. You might want to plan a trip "To the Lighthouse -- on Capul Island."

As the summer heat begins, how about a refreshing Mango Refrigerator Cake for the Happy Home Cook. Our resident food expert Elizabeth Ann Quirino shares her recipe that uses fresh mangoes.

In case you missed them, links to keep you In The Know:

UnNews: An index of unreliable news websites
https://www.poynter.org/ifcn/unreliable-news-index/?fbclid=IwAR0TM_cNgwKBFIzfpMZwd68M4Hdbbrf0KRo58nLfXf61w4P2DRN7bKv5ij0

A History of Why Filipinos Are Obsessed with Skin Whitening
https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/lifestyle/why-filipinos-obsess-over-skin-whitening-a00293-20190426?fbclid=IwAR01LZRtuzhWwn_dnz9w3f2uBAs5BxjARUIIQnb8w0X10HaroBoJbDYCWDk

PH now one of world’s top agri-tourism destinations
https://business.inquirer.net/269437/ph-now-one-of-worlds-top-agri-tourism-destinations?fbclid=IwAR2dhRnl79E04sPz18yX2M4fl9t16KI-RaInSa9tRemZ0NSYSEEVJvzE184

U.S. Army soldier returns home to PH, helps build school
https://usa.inquirer.net/28236/u-s-army-soldier-returns-home-to-ph-helps-build-school?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1PGtEINkRaotiwuBSqMDBPcfgwGKdhCGIwTZy0pNTN512cglXFkUTSPVU#Echobox=1556133071

For Video of the Week, we feature the popular a capella group The Filharmonic as they guest on James Corden’s Late, Late Show.

Dispatch from Iraq

This week we begin a new series, Dispatches From The Embassies, which will feature stories about Filipinos in various countries. We start the series with a dispatch from the Philippine Embassy in Iraq, a harrowing story that nevertheless ended well with the successful return to the Philippines of an OFW who was a victim of unscrupulous labor recruiters and an abusive employer. "Tears of Fear Then Joy in Iraq" is shared by Vice Consul Jomar T. Sadie. Along with the story, we also post a warning from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to Filipinos seeking work abroad on how to detect recruitment frauds. With this series, we hope to encourage Philippine Embassies to tell us stories of our kababayans and the good work of their stations.

And to our series on Martial Law Stories, we add ace journalist Jo-Ann Q. Maglipon's memories of going underground and being detained with some of the biggest names in Philippine literature. "Remembering" is worth reading in its entirety.

PF Correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino reviews Somewhere in the Middle: A Journey to the Philippines In Search of Roots, Belonging, and Identity by Deborah Francisco Douglas, a Filipino American who was stayed three years in the Philippines as a Peace Corp volunteer.  The title of the book sums up its author's intent and our writer elaborates on the insights Ms. Douglas gleaned from her rich experiences.

Author/writing guru Cecilia Manguerra-Brainard's talents are not limited to literature. She's also a good cook and here she shares her personal recipe for Beef Bourguignon, complete with a secret ingredient you'll have to ask her for.

In case you missed them, our links to stories that may interest you:

[EXPLAINER] Vote-buying is not just giving or taking cash
https://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/228193-explanation-vote-buying-not-just-giving-taking-cash?utm_source=Rappler%20Subscribers&utm_campaign=6236aa21a2-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_04_21_10_37&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d18b1557b8-6236aa21a2-96744625&mc_cid=6236aa21a2&mc_eid=5b1f08a2af&fbclid=IwAR1Zlspo-k9FWNLWWbsTfCiSXAA0CzVE0lw__1XsdgkwhPLjRbIBfKdSz0c 

Ruined by War, a Stricken Philippine Town Starts to Reawaken
https://www.asiasentinel.com/society/philippines-marawi-starts-reawaken/?fbclid=IwAR2xrHNDN6mgPcVTzUiFLdiQ36YJ8lt2i2TmcJdzW15OTR7WjoYFKYUoM5U

Moscow's Filipino Domestic Staff: No Longer An Expat Preserve
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2015/11/13/moscows-filipino-domestic-staff-no-longer-an-expat-preserve-a50725

'Turontastic’: Filipino snack making waves in San Francisco
https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/04/19/19/turontastic-filipino-snack-making-waves-in-san-franciso?fbclid=IwAR2oRJzSKFKFh3RO62bwqkG87kNwBMLQS1FHqB-ubExOLjn6ngmWmge4UK0

For Video of the Week, we feature a tinikling performance by the US Naval Academy Filipino Midshipmen’s Club during their 2016 International Ball.