February 24, 2021

We Know What It Takes

February 24, 2021/ Gemma Nemenzo

Thirty five years ago this week, the uprising that came to be known as the EDSA People Power Revolt happened in the Philippines. The memories and the hopes have dimmed now, commemorations have dwindled to almost zero.

EDSA '86 was the confluence of decades-long efforts by various sectors of Philippine society to end the Marcos dictatorship, and on this goal alone, it succeeded without the widespread bloodshed that normally accompanies similar uprisings.

EDSA '86, however, was hardly a revolution, as the initial euphoria labelled it. The People Power Revolt did not change the power structure of the country, it merely changed -- or in a lot of cases, restored -- the people who would hold that power.

For whatever woes and disappointments EDSA '86 later spawned, it was still, on its own, a truly historic moment in our homeland's history, one that we should always be proud of. Now that the world is watching Myanmar go through its own people power revolt, we Filipinos can sympathize and cheer them on. Yes, we've been there; we know what it takes.

On March 3, Positively Filipino will hold its second webinar in 2021, "An Open Door: The Philippines as Refuge for Jews Fleeing Nazism" and we hope you will join us in celebrating another reason to be proud -- the decision of then Philippine president Manuel L. Quezon to welcome to our country Jews who were fleeing Nazism in Europe. The flyer below shows how to register for this free Zoom event.

Our Stories This Week

Cesar Climaco: The Life And Times Of A Democracy Icon By Eduardo C. Tadem

[New Webinar] An Open Door: The Philippines As A Refuge For Jews Fleeing Nazism

[Opinion] Lent And Rush Limbaugh By Andres D. Bautista

[Opinion] Take Part In The American Project (A Postscript To Black History Month) By Thelma King Estrada

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

[PARTNER] Repeal The Rescission Act Of 1946 By Jon Melegrito

The Happy Home Cook: Vegan Tinola By Chef Richgail Enriquez

Video of the Week: Memorare Manila - 2021

In The Know

Pinoy engineer in Perseverance journey credits Baguio schooling for science roots
https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/19/21/pinoy-engineer-in-perseverance-journey-credits-baguio-schooling-for-science-roots?fbclid=IwAR2PvIsGk91-2ug77_QEMMFWWW8hq_KpQluPSx8fNw9Mf8ARSdJuI3rxbjM

IN PHOTOS: Intramuros museum Casa Manila gets a stunning makeover
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/02/18/21/in-photos-in-time-for-its-reopening-intramuros-museum-casa-manila-gets-a-stunning-makeover?fbclid=IwAR0TuC7-Mu43mjghYfayQeKS2Jmbed6lucvXipfgxVVpYSnob75ZVsj8GzQ

‘It tasted like my childhood’: How a new generation is bringing Filipino flavours to Toronto
https://www.thestar.com/life/food_wine/2021/02/18/it-tasted-like-my-childhood-how-a-new-generation-is-bringing-filipino-flavours-to-toronto.html?utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=SocialMedia&utm_campaign=Life&utm_content=filipinofoodtoronto&fbclid=IwAR35IsDZLQ0wuJgjtgqvcXMqZvc9gu98fKzLwnQUqzY8KBHB51Ap7gOshPQ

IKEA PH taps Filipino artisans for custom-made textile products
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/02/16/21/ikea-philippines-rags2riches-sewing?fbclid=IwAR1Iv2e_JyXbb8wGhdEcXJOiFAvVNV4XQ2Eg-Lvd0JMpn9ajqyWPgAx-mLk

These 6 Filipinx Recipes Turn Pantry Staples Into a Cozy Winter Menu
https://www.bonappetit.com/gallery/melissa-miranda-filipinx-pantry-recipes?fbclid=IwAR2f4ysQ-qHrne9dGjRS-KPAnDEwkLjLb3S6aDC97uc2S5q4z5D9YA-uJeE

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.