Meet Malaka Gharib, Pinay Cartoonist

When I first saw the graphic memoir of Malaka Gharib, my first thought was, why is this author included in a Filipino American book festival? Turns out she is Filipino Egyptian, brought up in southern California by her Filipino mother, and spends her summers in Egypt with her father. This unique background is material enough for an interesting memoir, but Malaka is much more than the ethnicity of her genes. A cartoonist of no mean talent, she contributes to the New Yorker and works for NPR, in addition to some non-profit involvements. PF Correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino profiles her. ["Watch Out World: Journalist-Artist Malaka Gharib Inspires Action with Cartoons]

Those who grew up in the Philippines in the 1950s to the 1970s will remember the "Weapons of Moroland," a wooden wall decor shaped like a shield with miniature swords pasted on it. We had one, I'm sure your parents or grandparents owned one too. Washington DC-based historical researcher Erwin R. Tiongson digs into the provenance of the decor and unearths some disturbing beliefs attached to this cultural icon. ["'Weapons of Moroland' and our Homes"]

Long-time Quezon City residents will remember its dynamic former mayor, Adelina S. Rodriguez, who was also the first lady of the province of Rizal since her husband, Isidro Rodriguez, was then the governor. Mrs. Rodriguez has just celebrated her centennial birthday, good enough reason for her nephew-in-law Men Sta. Ana to honor her with a tribute. ["Tia Daling: One Hundred Years of Zest, Happiness, and Meaning"]

Our Happy Home Cook recipe this week is the third of celebrity chef Sandy Daza's recipes that he is sharing with PF, from his recently released cookbook, "Cooking with Sandy." We hope you enjoy Sandy's version of "Vermicelli Spring Rolls."

Video of the Week: The world's "most under-appreciated cuisine" shows travel journalist Jonathan Legg exploring Filipino food 

Our In The Know links this week, ICYMI.

Biden holds big lead over Trump with Asian American voters, survey says
https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-09-15/biden-trump-aapi-voters?fbclid=IwAR3mHBKnI9cC83DbLX4gxsggHlofGFU5cToYt90bRUVq-rEHW2mysbKl_-k

Child Pornography Industry Booms in the Philippines, World Capital of Cybersex Crime
https://www.esquiremag.ph/money/industry/pandemic-revenue-child-exploitation-a00304-20200916?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20200916-fbnp-money-pandemic-revenue-child-exploitation-a00304-20200916-fbfirst&fbclid=IwAR2lMf9ouDzbC_yxZemkweNHGGmE_EdERaiknhAxXSa-izpJuDnUzODexNA

Martial law museum to rise on UP Diliman campus
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1337779/martial-law-museum-to-rise-on-up-campus?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1600642585

Pio Abad – interview: ‘The backbone of my practice is family: personal and political narratives entwined’
https://www.studiointernational.com/index.php/pio-abad-interview-the-collection-of-jane-ryan-william-saunders-ferdinand-imelda-marcos-phillilpines

Korean Dramas: Why Filipinos Can't Get Enough
https://www.reportr.world/news/why-filipinos-can-t-get-enough-of-korean-dramas-a4713-20200918-lfrm?fbclid=IwAR389V5n5hpH_HDSAz3GCYsico-I8IapPo8YWLkc63gv8HtpBF2FbqGbP3I

In Hawaii, a man lost his surfboard. It reappeared in the Philippines
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/in-hawaii-a-man-lost-his-surfboard-it-reappeared-in-the-philippines/ar-BB19g9rp?ocid=msedgntp


Unsettled and Unsettling

We live in unsettled and unsettling times. In both the Philippines and the US, we can almost feel the ground shifting at our feet as we deal with the pandemic and await the coming of the political maelstrom.

For those who lived in the Philippines and were attuned to the national mood in 1972, there is a feeling of deja vu, because around this time 48 years ago, the ground beneath our feet was likewise unsteady. A week later, martial law was declared and the country's historical arc bent towards authoritarianism.

Lest we forget those years under the Marcos regime (14 more years of it, from 1972) and to add to the collection of narratives of that era, here are our stories: 

Ex-political detainee Ernesto M. Hilario writes of his prison experience in "Never Again to Martial Law"

In my column, I recall my personal stories of visiting prison in "Visiting YRC"

Read Again:
Martial Law Stories: House Arrest

Martial Law Stories: The “Torture” of Playing for Miss Universe 1974

For those who missed PF's webinar on the Anti-Terror Law, here's the recording:

[Webinar] The Anti-Terrorism Law And How It Will Affect You

Our Stories This Week

Martial Law Stories: Never Again To Martial Law By Ernesto M. Hilario

Nothing Fragile About Rocker Joanna Glass By Anthony Maddela

All The Presidents’ Man, Eddie Serrano By Dr. Floriño Francisco

Meeting Pierce Brosnan And The Dalai Lama By Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Martial Law Stories: Visiting YRC By Gemma Nemenzo

The Happy Home Cook: Sandy’s Fried Rice By Chef Sandy Daza

Video of the week: AAPI Vote’s Breadth of Community

In The Know

Asian Americans’ political preferences have flipped from red to blue
https://theconversation.com/asian-americans-political-preferences-have-flipped-from-red-to-blue-145577?fbclid=IwAR1HIk45p6ym7OUfEtr8qEs1-X7k03g6pJPgvsSeIkub8wW2UeBM_V2vUZ0

For Filipino migrant workers, coronavirus dashes their ticket to a better life
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/coronavirus-unemployment-philippines-migrant-workers/2020/09/09/37972290-e688-11ea-bf44-0d31c85838a5_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_virusphil-846pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory-ans

WATCH: Hollywood’s Yellow Rose trailer speaks of Filipino immigrant spirit 
https://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/watch-hollywoods-yellow-rose-trailer-speaks-of-filipino-immigrant-spirit/?fbclid=IwAR1XVFGtNXB11fhHaArNlDr_YDuTFDvlVZ1HXPxmWIC5JQ1VJNCKNdsEqnw

Plant Thieves Scour Forests to Satisfy Foliage-Starved Filipinos
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/plant-thieves-scour-forests-satisfy-230000920.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma 

Healers grapple with mental health issues in Fil-Am community
https://usa.inquirer.net/58409/healers-grapple-with-mental-health-issues-in-fil-am-community?fbclid=IwAR1HIk45p6ym7OUfEtr8qEs1-X7k03g6pJPgvsSeIkub8wW2UeBM_V2vUZ0

Anti-Terrorism Law and You

Two heavyweights in the civil liberties arena in the Philippines will weigh in on the impact of the Anti-Terrorism Law recently passed by Congress. Senator Risa Hontiveros and Attorney Theodore Te will discuss the nuances of the law and how it will impact overseas Filipinos in Positively Filipino's webinar tomorrow at 6 pm Pacific/9 pm Eastern (in the Philippines, 9 am Friday). If you haven't registered yet, please click on the link below for details.

Meanwhile, this week we commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, pay tribute to a woman of substance, humorously expose a crackpot clan in Mindanao that claims ownership of the entire archipelago and includes Rizal and Hitler in its lineage, and introduce the new cookbook (and a recipe) of one of the leading lights of Philippine cuisine. We hope you enjoy them.

Our Stories This Week:

World War II In The Philippines - 75 Years After By Cecilia I. Gaerlan 

Gilda Cordero Fernando: Forever Groovy By Paulynn Paredes Sicam

Philippine Hoaxes: Of Cabbages And Kings, Grifters And Trolls By Myles A. Garcia

Sandy’s Handy Cookbook By Bella Bonner

[PARTNER] Byaheng Pag-Asa

The Happy Home Cook: Chili Coconut Squid By Chef Sandy Daza

Video of the Week: As the US prepares for an eventful presidential election, the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, including the Filipino American community, underscore our wholehearted participation in the charting of this country's future.

In the Know

From malls to banks: The pandemic’s domino effect
https://rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/coronavirus-pandemic-domino-effect-malls-banks

My Neighbor, The Roosevelt Statue
https://aaww.org/my-neighbor-the-roosevelt-statue-rene-g-ontal/?fbclid=IwAR0jokipkMGf65jn0XqEaIw2JaxQiNPpDZM6HRPyMBjhV45o8GNDyiNztcc

A father-daughter relationship blooms amid Philippine flora
https://news.berkeley.edu/2019/01/03/a-father-daughter-relationship-blooms-amid-philippine-flora/?fbclid=IwAR0BRoB9MX0ek1dEiC8FF4Wepa03rgvqRXfIoqwV-RLwf-UVhwSvnMaxCgg

Catholic poet, artist put spotlight on COVID
https://www.catholicregister.org/features/arts/item/32027-catholic-poet-artist-put-spotlight-on-covid

This Former Student Activist Now Owns the Largest Pawnshop Network in the Country
https://www.esquiremag.ph/money/industry/palawan-pawnshop-owner-profile-a00289-20200902-lfrm?ref=article_aside_money

Sometimes, It Takes Time': Erina Alejo, the Third-Generation Renter
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13885733/sometimes-it-takes-time-erina-alejo-the-third-generation-rente?fbclid=IwAR0RQxecWk1hFn-FW9D65UIVuZGg-Dnl-KLZGnAKs9DiL-96H87rVWSveSU

Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino