June 16, 2021

Light, at Last

June 16, 2021/ Gemma Nemenzo

Positively Filipino honored famous fathers with an inspiring webinar yesterday. It featured Sylvia Lazo, daughter of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo; Lindsay Keys, daughter of Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba; Rey Banatao, son of tech entrepreneur Dado Banatao; and Vicki Nievera, daughter of popular balladeer Bert Nievera. Hosted by Odette Alcazaren-Keeley, the event was a fitting celebration of Father's Day. Watch the recording here “Loving Kids Talk About Their Famous Dads”

As California, Vermont and other US states emerge from the darkness of a pandemic year, the process of reopening has triggered a slew of advice and caution, some serious how-tos on re-entering the social circuit, others offering funny cautionary tales about the post-Covid world. For seniors, undoubtedly the biggest demographic impacted by the pandemic, AARP, its trusted guardian angel, came out with a list of protocols for houseguests newly liberated to visit family. Occasional PF contributing writer Elena Buensalido Mangahas however thinks the list not too apt for Filipinos so she came up with her own, "The Fil-American Rule: Apologize Then Proceed." Do you have your own rules?

Our series of "Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous" is now on part 21, putting talent and achievements on display.

We're at the midpoint between two national celebrations -- Philippine Independence Day (June 12) and Rizal Day (June 19) so it's but fitting to post (and repost) stories that celebrate our Motherland's history and National Hero. First off, Harvey I. Barkin reports on a recent talk by noted historian Ambeth Ocampo on Rizal's visit to the US, "Rizal in the US: He Was Not Impressed." We also have the link to the actual lecture.

Here are other interesting Rizal stories:

"Rizal's Great Loves" by Penelope V. Flores

"Jose Rizal, Martial Arts Warrior" by Rene J. Navarro

Timed appropriately for these disturbing times, our Video of the Week presents a powerful, incisive short film, "Heneral Rizal." a production of Act One in the Philippines.

And continuing our Rizal tribute, here's a repost of the recipe for Tinolang Manok or Chicken Tinola, reportedly his fave dish.

In The Know

Trese: What Netflix's new occult anime reveals about the Philippines
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57424360?fbclid=IwAR2ifQf5T8CBDgrQwVHKb-6xnVpCujzE-5XchS-pNEBpXs6Ew6PUHP6PKTI

[Dash of SAS] Second chances in the only country in the world without divorce
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/dash-of-sas-second-chances-only-country-in-world-without-divorce?fbclid=IwAR2h6pPJqxtlWwkXeZUQ7ES5u91zm2Gi7kMLxhv8h7MYn8XR8DjXLBx2wBQ

Breaking down Filipino cuisine by region is harder than you'd think
https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2021/06/02/breaking-down-filipino-cuisine-region-harder-youd-think?fbclid=IwAR1WCSRmfIAsU99iR6vzUHuNBtc9j3XLMadbxsJM02hymoJS5YY6XlzEOk0

Filipino American nurses, reflecting on disproportionate Covid toll, look ahead
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/filipino-american-nurses-reflecting-disproportionate-covid-toll-look-a-rcna1112

NBA’s Jordan Clarkson restores vandalized Filipino food truck, decries Asian hate
https://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/nbas-jordan-clarkson-restores-vandalized-filipino-food-truck-decries-asian-hate/?fbclid=IwAR1iGw5-gjH4zaL3_2pMJnxao80m91Qxi4g6M9DvSkbTL0vMJ7OnZv1-hzo

7 Ancestral Homes and Heritage Buildings in the Philippines Turned Into Beautiful Dining Spots
https://ph.asiatatler.com/dining/ancestral-homes-and-heritage-buildings-turned-into-beautiful-dining-spots

June 09, 2021

Daddies Dearest

June 09, 2021/ Gemma Nemenzo

Time for another webinar and this time it's the dads' turn to be honored. Four famous fathers will be on the spotlight: National Artist Fernando Amorsolo, tech entrepreneur Dado Banatao, Major General (Ret.) Antonio Taguba and the late balladeer Bert Nievera. See the flyer below to get the details. Please join us and tell your friends too.

It was a proud day for Filipinos last Sunday as 19-year old golfer Yuka Saso won the US Women's Open, a major title no other Filipino golfer has achieved. (No Filipino male golfer has even come close.) Seeing the final scoreboard with the Philippine flag on top of its former colonizers, Japan and the US, was a brief shining moment but it punctuated the euphoria of the win. Coincidentally, Yuka's victory happened at the Olympic Golf Course, right next door to Daly City where more than 30,000 kababayans reside, providing her a loud, cheering audience waving Philippine flags. PF contributor and avid golfer I. Wilfredo Ver explains to us the gravitas of Yuka's win in "Yuka Saso's Golf Victory -- A Historic Filipino Triumph." [Full disclosure: the writer is my husband.]

Introduced obtrusively in the streets of San Francisco, TNT Traysikel, a brainchild of artist Paolo Asuncion and Mike Arcega, is both moveable sculpture and statement. Corin Ramos writes about the innovative concept behind "TNT Traysikel, a Social Sculpture of Protest and Solidarity."

It's Pride Month and Baguio City-based PF Correspondent Rene M. Astudillo profiles John Raspado, winner of the 2017 Mr. Gay World international competition, who has used his platform for activism in the social and environmental issues he cares most about. ["From Mr. Gay World to Community Activist"]

Belem is a city in Brazil that most of us have not heard of, but apparently it's a city of varied charms as well as being a choice starting point for cruising the Amazon river. PF contributing writer Chibu Lagman, a Latin American Studies professor and world adventurer, introduces us to the place in "Sampling La Vida Local Along the Amazon."

For the Happy Home Cook, here's another "cook it again" recipe from our archives, perfect for summer: Ensaladang Talong (Eggplant Salad).

This Week’s Stories

Yuka Saso’s Golf Victory -- A Historic Filipino Triumph By I. Wilfredo Ver

TNT Traysikel, A Social Sculpture Of Protest And Solidarity By Corin Ramos

From Mr. Gay World To Community Activist By Rene Astudillo

Sampling La Vida Local Along The Amazon By Chibu Lagman

[Cook It Again] The Happy Home Cook: Ensaladang Talong (Eggplant Salad) with Coconut Vinaigrette

[Video of the Week] Little Manila

In The Know

Filipino nurses hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/filipino-nurses-hit-hard-by-covid-19-as-well-as-anti-asian-bias-191118101.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

Asian American, Pacific Islander community looks for public office wins after year of racism, hate crimes
https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/politics/2021/06/03/asian-american-communities-seek-public-office-wins-after-year-hate/5044762001/

Marvel's Newest Captain America Is a College-Age Filipino-American Woman
https://www.cbr.com/marvel-captain-america-filipino-woman/

Prestigious US firm to publish Filipino author Sophia Lee’s book
https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/374636/prestigious-us-firm-to-publish-filipino-author-sophia-lees-book/?fbclid=IwAR05ps7d4Ddfvf2-kfwTArMescaZquCgmhRzRh8gg-R5QKG-Qv7-XeBPZhU

June 02, 2021

June Is (Almost) Bustin' Out All Over

June 02, 2021/ Gemma Nemenzo

We're already halfway through 2021 and we (meaning most of humankind) are in a much better place now than we were this time last year. Though we are not completely out of the woods yet with the pandemic, the fully vaccinated in the US are now able to do "normal" things like visit with people we love, eat in our favorite restaurants and get on flights, albeit with masks, sanitizers and just the right amount of squeamishness to keep us on alert.

This breathe of freedom that we hope is permanent, is not the only reason we celebrate this summer solstice month. There's Philippine Independence Day (June 12), Jose Rizal's birth anniversary (June 19), LGBT Pride (we expect those most awaited parades, cancelled last year, will resume this year) and Father's Day (June 20), which Positively Filipino will mark with a webinar on June 16 featuring famous fathers being honored by their children (much like how we honored mothers last month).

Best of all, we shall be bringing you travel stories -- some held back from last year -- that will hopefully transport you to places that can make you dream of traveling again. Here's one of them, a story that will set any biker's heart a-flutter: "Reflections of a Long-Distance Motorcyclist" by James Sobredo.

H. Arlo Nimmo may not be a familiar name for most Filipinos but this American writer/ethnographer wrote some of the most beautiful stories of Tawi-Tawi and Jolo, and the lives of the Badjao people with whom he lived during his research stint as a young man. Two of his books, The Songs of Salanda and A Very Far Place, are must-reads for those who dream of exotic isles in the Philippine archipelago. PF Correspondent Criselda Yabes pays tribute to this gentle man, her friend, who passed recently.

And here's another installment of Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous. This is already Part 20 and our publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco's list continues. Just proves that Fil-Ams are making it big in this country.

To bookend the month of May, our Partner post comes from the Fil-Am Veterans Research Project as they honor some outstanding Filipino veterans.

There's nothing like a refreshing cocktail drink to welcome the warmth of June. How about savoring this recipe again from Elizabeth Ann Quirino. http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-happy-home-cook-mango-tango-cocktail-drink