Fish In Our Time

Remember the dalagang bukid, the fish with red skin, that was a constant dish of our Philippine childhood? Intrepid food writer Jennifer Fergesen offers a paean to this popular aquatic staple with her award-winning piece, "Dalagang Bukid: Mountain Maiden of the Seas," which tells some interesting vignettes about the origin of its name.

From Manila, a groundbreaking art gallery is making waves not just in the Philippines but in Southeast Asia as well. PF contributor Rafaelito V. Sy tells us of the vision of the two women behind it, Isa Lorenzo and Rachel Rillo, in "Silverlens Galleries: Revolutionizing Philippine Art."

Toronto-based PF contributor Patria Cabatuando-Rivera regales us with her memories of growing up Filipino in the '50s with her personal essay, "Growing Up in La Loma, Listening to Lao Tzu."

For the Happy Home Cook, here's another vegan recipe from Richgail Enriquez: Kalamansi Coconut Risotto

In case you missed them, our In The Know links:

The Paradox of Rodrigo Duterte
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2020/02/philippines-rodrigo-duterte-china/606754/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share&fbclid=IwAR34CIx5p6Bv5ROnmDgPQuyBvQqsxbYIpcOCqOkR2O8YfoNZXRZtGkKbeU8

Adapting to Rising Seas, Schools Move to the Rafters and Cats Swim
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/22/world/asia/philippines-climate-change-batasan-tubigon.html?&te=1&nl=morning-briefing&emc=edit_nn_20200223&campaign_id=9&instance_id=16217&segment_id=21539&user_id=16d7575e10266dafe720f35699d1aecb&regi_id=96361930_nn_20200223

Coronavirus: Mass masked wedding in the Philippines
https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-asia-51604625/coronavirus-mass-masked-wedding-in-the-philippines?fbclid=IwAR33ALDMOdS0pLFvt_4PioinGO9xyxp_exdNq7foy2SVLr1lD_AtX2lOJd8

Blackapina: An Essay from Janet Stickmon
https://www.mixedlife.net/eveything/2020/2/12/blackapina-an-essay-from-janet-stickmon?fbclid=IwAR03SGb6SEytVbUQDlLza26r3w-mE1HFGU4vz9-EeK8gIpwEm9mYU7VW_ZM

Pilipino Idioms of Nineteen Kopong-kopong
https://pinoytransplant.com/2016/10/18/pilipino-idioms-of-nineteen-kopong-kopong/ 

For video of the week, defending press freedom at a Senate hearing is director Joel Lamangan who speaks for broadcaster ABS-CBN which is seeking to renew its media franchise.

Stories from Far and Away

Twenty eight years ago, Filipinas magazine, the first glossy monthly for Fil-Ams, was born, spearheaded by Mona Lisa Yuchengco, now Positively Filipino publisher. At that time, there was a severe lack of stories and writers about the Filipino diaspora and the staff (including us) had to search far and wide to identify achievers and celebrities with Filipino roots and to dig up issues worth writing about that affect us.

What a difference three decades makes! Today, the global Filipino diaspora has exploded into the millions, with Filipinos living and working in almost 200 countries, bringing with them their stories and their issues. This time, we don't have to search -- the stories are brought to us from not just the US but various nations as well. We almost can't keep up.

One such story is that of multimedia artist, dancer and Cirque du Soleil performer Ehrlich Ocampo who has captivated audiences in several countries but who finds his center in Iceland. Multi-awarded PF contributor Jennifer Fergesen profiles this multi-talented Filipino in "Ehrlich Ocampo: A Warm Light in the Cold North."

Sacramento, California-based artist/writer Alex G. Paman carries on the storytelling tradition of our motherland -- that of telling ghost stories -- in "Heirloom Ghost Stories."

Vegan chef Richgail Enriquez shares a healthy one for the Happy Home Cook this week: Patola Soup with Tempeh. 

I'm writing this from Manila where I'm somewhat saddened though not entirely surprised that the fervor of the 1986 People Power Revolt is long gone. In case you don't know or have forgotten what happened then, here's a Read Again of history:

https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/30-years-ago-coup-detat?rq=EDSA%20people%20power

And for readers and seekers of information, here are some stories worth reading:

US health care needs its Filipino nurses, so why is the system stacked against them?https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3048163/us-health-care-needs-its-filipino-nurses-so-why?fbclid=IwAR363vz_RdKSt6_pFkkY0ezZ5Rosr9lGApy-iszXaDizQeQw_vyYaGppntg

The True Story of the Mindanaoan Slave Whose Skin Was Displayed at Oxford
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/the-true-story-of-the-mindanaoan-slave-whose-skin-was-displayed-at-oxford-a00029-20171102-lfrm2?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20200215-fbnp-long-reads-the-true-story-of-the-mindanaoan-slave-whose-skin-was-displayed-at-oxford-a00029-20171102-lfrm2-fbold&fbclid=IwAR1jqAeA5WfqY7nbPctQ9WSC2doCXObAmpLkrk_MSMAfSOTlwFzvfZ9rr8s

This Pinay Has Been Working To Save Our Seas Since She Was 23
https://www.cosmo.ph/lifestyle/career-money/anna-oposa-save-philippine-seas-a93-20190308-lfrm?fbclid=IwAR3fQQpeCsZDdz6Qvh92Nm_5yNTiTHFytQnltXoe_9zpv42JEpIg9Oi7Dbg

Oriental Mart at Seattle’s Pike Place Market wins an ‘America’s Classics’ James Beard award
https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/oriental-mart-at-seattles-pike-place-market-wins-an-americas-classics-james-beard-award/?amp=1&fbclid=IwAR0wtXj31VaKXQ1SoGu3azcZEIj8tPePXYe6zrj3Vv7IuiwsDJZFfdh2UMQ

For video of the week, this video came from the Filipino galley crew aboard the cruise ship Diamond Princess which has been quarantined in Japan due several of its passengers have been infected with the corona virus. They uploaded the video to let their loved ones know that they are okay despite the crisis. 

Memories and Consciousness

President Manuel L. Quezon's Open Door policy that welcomed Jews fleeing from the Holocaust to the Philippines has been hailed as a humanitarian achievement. One of the beneficiaries of the Open Door was the Cassel family, who later established the Berg's Department Store that became an institution in Escolta. Recently, a Cassel daughter, Margot Cassel Pins Kestenbaum, who was just 7 years old when her family arrived in Manila, visited Philippine Women's University (PWU) where she went to school, and shared her memories of the city that welcomed them. Lyca Benitez Brown, a top PWU official, tells us about the nostalgic homecoming in "Memories of Refuge in Manila." 

A compelling story of gender transitioning is told in this first person article, "Gender: The Paradox of Passing" by UC Berkeley student Robin Cid Calleja. 

The life and loves of a revolutionary -- that's the big story in the late Rolando Peña's unique memoir, Crossings. University of Hawaii professor Patricio Abinales reviews in "A Red and Expert Renaissance Man."

Here are links to stories from other publications that might catch your fancy:

US health care needs its Filipino nurses, so why is the system stacked against them?https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3048163/us-health-care-needs-its-filipino-nurses-so-why?fbclid=IwAR36LPp0_26pOh4UwRXd95J8louaRJMOov7M0I4OAQhQ38qIuldKRoO8CFE

Did You Know That These Places Around the World Were Named After Filipinos?https://esquiremag.ph/life/travel/places-named-after-filipin-a2281-20190513-src-spot-lfrm2?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20200208-fbnp-life-places-named-after-filipin-a2281-20190513-src-spot-lfrm2-fbold&fbclid=IwAR1oTLwVDGqmWyn4XlY4Imwym2A4OGzCCOb5HDzLWRNNI2sp1MVNWEcljyI

Exclusive: 'Shock and awe' has failed in Philippines drug war, enforcement chief says
https://news.yahoo.com/exclusive-shock-awe-failed-philippines-055724232.html

Manny Jacinto to star alongside Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick
https://www.msn.com/en-ph/entertainment/celebrity/manny-jacinto-to-star-alongside-tom-cruise-in-top-gun-maverick/ar-AAHSkLi?li=BBr8zL6&fbclid=IwAR1pa1zh8hO6pTrikxwOQ6ozMH1Y0_6UU1SAeingAT9q00B6zw0mp2XJwq0

Elizabeth Ann Quirino shares her Chocolate Bark Crackers with Salted Caramel recipe for Valentine’s Day.

For our video of the week, dual voice singer Marcelito Pomoy takes “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” by storm.