Filipino Auction Heroes

If you've been reading art news from the Philippines these past months, you must have heard about the unbelievably high prices some newly found paintings are fetching in auctions. PF Correspondent Myles A. Garcia gives us a rundown of the who, what, where and how the said paintings have upended the world of rich art collectors in "New 'Old' Filipino Paintings Surface and Break Auction Records." Think Juan Luna and Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo and drool.

Switching to more contemporary creative pursuits, our LA-based Correspondent Anthony Maddela tracks down San Diego-based filmmaker Benito Bautista to talk about his latest work, "The Interpreter," a 40-minute feature film that he co-wrote with his fiancee, Emma Francisco. In "Sex, Love and Dating Apps," Bautista elucidates on why "Tinder is not tender."

Our series on Hometowns continue and we're proud to publish a piece written exclusively for PF by one of the giants of Philippine literature, Linda Ty-Casper. In "Camarines St." she gives us a glimpse of how life was like in Manila before and during World War II.  [You can read about Linda Ty-Casper here: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/linda-ty-casper-master-storyteller]

For the Happy Home Cook, another recipe from author Cecilia Manguerra-Brainard: LInguini with Clams.

In case you missed them, here are links to the stories of the week from other publications:

Duterte Wins Big in Midterm Elections
https://www.asiasentinel.com/politics/rodrigo-duterte-wins-big-midterm-elections/?fbclid=IwAR2jSO3YqKPeZsLm4B18M2jgvkA8NVlnd6TpozqGP69xP6NjPfH1lCDkZDk

How a Locksmith, a Dictator and a WWII General Are Connected to $22 Billion in Lost Treasure
https://www.history.com/news/wwii-yamashita-treasure-roxas-marcos-gold-buddha?fbclid=IwAR2BrQ9ddnds_ba66sdALHaPHarPqij8X02l-5wpIOugkInZn-cbvAHpKmA

The Lost Villages of Extramuros
https://traveleronfoot.wordpress.com/2008/06/25/the-lost-villages-of-extramuros/

How Filipino Martial Arts Helped Arya Stark in the Battle of Winterfell
https://www.inverse.com/article/55655-game-of-thrones-season-8-battle-of-winterfell-how-maisie-williams-trained-in-filipino-martial-arts?fbclid=IwAR2N5WAHGGJX2PvtaP0parDocaKbBH99Cp6HY8OI2fboTSrjsn1pAflEESw

In our video of the week, we feature comedian Edwin San Juan.

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.