February 17, 2021

Not for the Faint-Hearted

February 17, 2021/ Gemma Nemenzo

Recent reports about the rise in the number of assaults on Asian Americans, particularly the elderly, in 47 states is seriously concerning. It's not just happening here in the US; some countries in Europe have also had incidents. And if you think that only Chinese are affected (owing to the previous administration's anti-Chinese rhetoric regarding the virus), think again. A Filipino, Noel Quintana, was slashed in the face while in a New York subway a few weeks ago and required almost 100 stitches. Just yesterday, an elderly Filipina was punched in the face in San Diego. These are not isolated cases. Time and again, Fil-Ams have been victimized by racist tirades during this pandemic. The twin scourges of hatred and ignorance do not after all distinguish among Asians; to them we all look alike.

So be careful out there. If you want to be updated on the situation, check out the Stop AAPI Hate web site (stopaapihate.org). And make sure you yourself do not do the hating.

If you missed our webinar last night on Philippine-American "Relations"-- Romance and Heartbreak Among Filipino and American Celebrities in Washington, D.C., 1898-1946, here's the link to the recording: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/webinar-video-philippine-american-relations-romance-and-heartbreak-among-filipino-and-american-celebrities-in-nbspwashington-dc-1898-1946

Our issue this week introduces the FilAms who won their races in the 2020 elections, and it's a record number. ["Empowerment: Fil-Am Winners in the 2020 Elections"]. We also feature Kanlungan, a web site that honors Fil-Am covid frontliners who gave up their lives so others can live ["Kanlungan Honors Unsung Health Care Heroes"]. International travel during this pandemic is not for the faint-hearted as our First Person story describes ["Journal of a Pandemic Traveler"]. Finally, our Partner post brings good news to H1-B visa applicants.

For those harsh winter blues, how's about treating your love ones to Triple Chocolate Champorado, a repost of Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo's own recipe.

For our Video of the Week, here's a feature on Baybayin, the ancient Filipino writing that's being revived.

Our Stories This Week

[Webinar Video] Philippine-American “Relations”-- Romance And Heartbreak Among Filipino And American Celebrities In Washington, D.C., 1898-1946

Empowerment: Fil-Am Winners In The 2020 Elections By Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Kanlungan Honors Unsung Health Care Heroes By Cherie M. Querol Moreno

Journal Of A Pandemic Traveler By Bella Bonner

[PARTNER] H1B Visa Registration To Start On March 9, 2021 By Lourdes Santos Tancinco

Triple Chocolate Champorado By Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo

Video of the Week: Baybayin

In The Know

Ube: The Filipino Tuber That’s Taking Over the World
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20210203-ube-the-filipino-tuber-taking-over-the-world?ocid=ww.social.link.facebook&referer=https%3A%2F%2Fl.facebook.com%2F

How South Korea's 'CLOY' can help Filipinos create a better future
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/How-South-Korea-s-CLOY-can-help-Filipinos-create-a-better-future?fbclid=IwAR35Ma0AZ-PdXtoD_79p2Wwa4MpF1HKo7Iv46iBzG1lVdKiy40ZdgZ2JxOY

Meet the artist/activist behind UP’s much talked about barricade
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/art/01/29/21/meet-the-artist-slash-activist-behind-ups-much-talked-about-barricade?fbclid=IwAR2GfTKkt-KQIbV1goIMfiVahZDGxv1v6RuQAOlq2pwEJ7KTELmQndltK_s

WATCH: The Story Behind Spain's Infamous Zoo That Featured Philippine Animals... And Then Filipinos
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/filipino-human-zoo-madrid-spain-crystal-palace-a00293-20201006-lfrm?ref=article_featured&fbclid=IwAR1lX6JzXN01IZzeVTU3s4mVdKP7qtMkHfKP5oFnKThvO_8vqm-eIN1TNxE

February 10, 2021

Canny Assignations

February 10, 2021/ Gemma Nemenzo

It's almost Valentine's Day so let's talk about lust.

Oscar Peñaranda, beloved teacher of many, poet/author and master raconteur, recounts his young, wild days as an Alaskero (Filipino cannery worker), when dark nights, stinky corners, and hordes of mosquitoes did not stop lonely hearts from having intimate parties for two. "Lust Among the Ruins" is LOL funny. And poignant. A salve for pandemic Valentine blues.

Another kind of love, this one for the fave candy of one's childhood. PF Correspondent Rey E. de la Cruz reignites his love for White Rabbit, the candy created in Shanghai, and finds kindred spirits almost everywhere. ["Down the 'White Rabbit' Hole"]

When our publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco started the series of notable and famous/infamous Fil-Ams, she thought it would just take a few chapters. But names kept cropping up as friends and readers sent in their suggestions, so now "Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous" is already Part 15 (with more coming in our future issues; watch out for them).

Since February is Black History Month, it's a good time to commemorate Pvt. David Fagan, a Black American soldier sent to the Philippines to fight the Filipino rebels at the onset of the Filipino-American War of 1898-1902. Fagan chose to defect to the Philippine forces and fight the Americans. Read Again Rene G. Ontal's timeless retelling of "A Black Man's Burden."

And for more stories about romances and heartbreaks, join us for our webinar on February 16. See below for details.

Our Stories This Week

Lust Among The Ruins By Oscar Peñaranda

Down The ‘White Rabbit’ Hole By Rey E. de la Cruz

Fil-Ams Among The Remarkable And Famous, Part 15 By Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Read Again: A Black Man’s Burden By Rene G. Ontal

The Happy Home Cook: Boneless Bangus Donburi By Rene Astudillo

Video of the Week: Team Kidlat in Marawi and Tagoloan

In The Know

Europe's Army of Filipino Domestic Workers
https://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/modern-slavery-europe-s-army-of-filipino-domestic-workers-a-93346a29-3899-470c-9221-4cf7000295aa

Indigenous Filipino Fabrics Are Making a Comeback
https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/design/philippine-indigenous-fabrics-are-making-a-comeback-a00225-20171017-lfrm?fbclid=IwAR36DHhb2DRBcGcM7CZL7xxrrUYluH7aYsNEPIiFMy7SDFLOGtHz5F1KkBk

Journey Frontman Arnel Pineda on the Band’s New Record, Dreams of a Steve Perry Reunion
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/arnel-pineda-interview-journey-album-steve-perry-1117594/?fbclid=IwAR0fmFaKIdQVOywspJYRc5vylOOZA6JCDocVoCUsTVYpSauhDWjSJEpp6rs

The Original Chefs From Bad Saint Open the Fil-Am Fast Food Counter of Their Dreams
https://dc.eater.com/2021/1/27/22250817/pogiboy-opening-past-bad-saint-chefs-jollibee-inspired-tom-cunanan-the-block-dc?fbclid=IwAR3x1vkKluOcLfSrLfvWfjhMF0e-QPHscpivWbo9AknWt4bimJwE926Fjws

Girl, 12, leads fundraising for coral rehab in Camiguin
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126886?fbclid=IwAR2P75j0Mn1FrXYDUBtALMxUfjJYjnGNCUTwUMkZZPBzPM8vgU-hcovdwZw

Seattle mural to depict Filipino and Fil-Am history
https://usa.inquirer.net/63055/seattle-mural-to-depict-filipino-and-fil-am-history?fbclid=IwAR3XhNuXT5LOOozCyr5vJdmn51yhKjv0auQt7AsP5BnTs_LZrpdowPdByYM

February 03, 2021

Giving a New Meaning to 'Foreign Affairs'

February 03, 2021/ Gemma Nemenzo

Washington D.C. has a long history of Philippine connections, ever since the US officially annexed our archipelago as its first foreign territory in 1898. PF has ran some stories about these historical and cultural milestones, such as the Philippine Constabulary Band playing at the inauguration of President William Howard Taft in 1909: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/2013/4/a-dc-springtime-concert-born-in-manila

We also had a story about Sofia de Veyra, the wife of the Philippine Resident Commissioner, who wowed D.C. society with her intellect and dynamism: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-thoroughly-modern-sofia-de-veyra?rq=sofia%20de%20veyra

And then there was the star-crossed romance of then-Resident Commissioner Manuel L. Quezon with Nina Thomas, an American lawyer: The Untold Story of Nina Thomas: The American Woman who could have been First Lady of the Philippines — Positively Filipino | Online Magazine for Filipinos in the Diaspora

These stories and more are the products of the historical sleuthing of Georgetown U economics professor Erwin Tiongson and his writer-wife Titchie Carandang-Tiongson. The intrepid couple has unearthed interesting documents and artifacts about Filipinos who lived and worked, or just passed through Washington D.C.

The couple will be sharing some stories about romances and heartbreaks in the first of our series of FREE webinars for 2021. We hope you can join us.

And enjoy our stories this week on the new crop of women mayors in California; on Felipe Tempongko, one of the soldiers of Emilio Aguinaldo's army, and an opinion piece on Trump's impeachment. If you're snowed in, how about savoring an easy Instant Pot Arroz Caldo.