July 14, 2021

Adobomination

July 14, 2021/ Gemma Nemenzo

If there's one dish that Filipinos can agree to disagree about, it's adobo. Each region, each family, each person has individual ways of cooking this most Filipino of dishes (no matter its origins) and each one thinks that their way is the best. It's no wonder then that the announced plan of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to "standardize" the cooking technique for adobo and other popular Filipino dishes landed like a volcanic eruption, uniting Filipino chefs and foodies in the Philippines with their counterparts abroad in condemning the move. PF Correspondent Rene M. Astudillo collated the best reactions in "Much Ado About Adobo."

And since we're already on the subject (and probably already craving the taste), here are reposts of four different adobo recipes for the Happy Home Cook:

The Happy Home Cook: Amboy Adobo By Chef Alvin Cailan

The Happy Home Cook: Adobong Dilaw By Lyn B. Gamboa

The Happy Home Cook: Adobong Malutong (Adobo Flakes)

The Happy Home Cook: Adobong Baka (Braised Beef In Vinegar)

Also featured in this week's issue are two performance artists -- one focused on dance, film and the written word; the other in music fusion. Though very different from each other, the two share the passion for their art and their Filipino roots. SAMMAY, the artist originally known as Samantha Peñaflor Dizon is profiled by Lisa Suguitan Melnick while Fil-Canadian bassist/composer Chris Trinidad is introduced by Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr.

Two prominent Filipinas who have earned their places in Philippine history died on the same day this week. We pay homage to Nini Quezon Avancena and Celia Diaz Laurel, both of whom enriched our culture with their style, grace and advocacies. Here are Rappler's tributes to the two:

https://www.rappler.com/nation/zeneida-nini-quezon-avancena-dies

https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/theater/theater-actress-celia-diaz-laurel-dies

Video of the Week: Digital Nomads

In The Know

The Philippines’ secret weapon against Chinese incursions
https://www.economist.com/asia/2021/07/10/the-philippines-secret-weapon-against-chinese-incursions?fbclid=IwAR2V4kZGMVV2EqkonpEysmANGsOdYMLTomNh82WhkcEe2gTAK-fN6NN_uy0

The Mindanao Death March
https://www.metrocdo.com/2021/04/04/the-mindanao-death-march/?fbclid=IwAR2YrqgjYUnyfGEPGGSMjqTXLoq2f_PBs6-66a6CQDqwgYDY5Pe5ztlIT5k

‘…Manila Would Do’: Marking the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Manila
https://www.ong.ohio.gov/stories/2020/mar/20200303-37th-manila.html?fbclid=IwAR2C7wzj1qXIzf21g8V7XqZap1TU0NB8fqw8lvR4EpT9N4C6nVRzNPnneZ0

You don’t have to be a Philippine expat to appreciate the unique joys of Jollibee
https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2021/07/05/jollibee-restaurant-review/?fbclid=IwAR0cEvmFkkxFM5QG6KQJUKb3eaelD5rKR-Dp6PlVhJIQpsnpUW0xQAIM61k

[OPINION] The guilt of being born and raised Filipino, but having English as your first language
https://www.rappler.com/voices/rappler-blogs/opinion-guilt-being-born-raised-filipino-english-first-language?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1N5SMVKP1NuadRUN4PYK1mxhelwbFTl_yazeNyMx06kpNuTrdTp9DxSdI#Echobox=1624714628

Lou Diamond Phillips Has Worked His Whole Life to Play a Filipino-American Character

https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/a36676635/lou-diamond-phillips-interview-playing-filipino-american-characters/?fbclid=IwAR2-bG_phFBpZfNdzsiXP6ENFDrImtsJLVv2xWPWryjERmUZQYgzAqeGtFU

July 07, 2021

Down the Rabbit Hole

July 07, 2021/ Gemma Nemenzo

PF Correspondent Anthony Maddela's review of the popular FilAm comedian Jo Koy's memoir, Mixed Plate, sent me down the rabbit hole of YouTube (you know how it is, you click on one song, then another, and before you realize it, you've already used up an entire morning listening to the music of your youth) where Jo Koy videos are a-plenty. I had to stop watching after an hour because my stomach and jaw hurt from too much laughing. Jo Koy is a topnotch comic (just get past the profanity) and, if you're like me, you'll order his book pronto.

Speaking of rabbits, the Philippine government's Dept. of Agriculture is following the US Department of Agriculture's lead and promoting rabbit meat as a healthy alternative to pork and beef. Already, a Baguio City restaurant has come up with a variety of dishes for the adventurous palate. Baguio-based PF Correspondent Rene M. Astudillo reports.

We're nowhere near the end of the list of remarkable Fil-Ams, with part 22, and still counting.

For the Happy Home Cook, we picked up another recipe from Maja Hu (Melody Abrera Hu) of Maja's Kitchen Creations: Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Tamarind Glace.

Read Again:

Oscar Peñaranda’s fascinating story on how he got hold of his revolutionary grandfather's flag used during the Filipino American War in 1899: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/a-reunion-of-strangers

Jaime FlorCruz's account of his 40-year exile in China: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/2013/4/40-years-in-china-from-stranded-activist-to-international-journalist

Video of the Week: Stella Abrera

In The Know

Where Did Marcos Hide His $10 Billion Fortune?
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2021-06-28/finding-the-hidden-10-billion-fortune-of-philippines-president-ferdinand-marcos

Sesame Street tackles anti-Asian bullying with 'Proud of Your Eyes' video
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/sesame-street-tackles-anti-asian-bullying-proud-eyes-video-rcna1267?fbclid=IwAR1OwNmwxGdf1O_CVTLhqPXGEWD4ikWEQ80IXUFg0iEemIW6HZ4UrNP55_M

July Fourth is Independence Day for two countries. But for one it is hollow.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/07/04/july-fourth-is-independence-day-two-countries-one-it-is-hollow/?fbclid=IwAR3uprDlpbOXofRC2oSqiQ1O5V5PAICacpvgXmiCo7jm4DbIy2Kyw3SAZac

Remembering America’s First Filipino Settlement Before It Vanishes Into The Sea
https://www.yahoo.com/huffpost/remembering-america-first-filipino-settlement-120008602.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

Tatler Guide to Important Philippine Art Masterpieces
https://ph.asiatatler.com/life/tatler-guide-to-important-philippine-art-masterpieces

N.V.M. Gonzalez: A writing life
https://www.philstar.com/opinion/2021/07/03/2109819/nvm-gonzalez-writing-life?fbclid=IwAR2mjP0-wrno30gXyLmCwI5tCuG17P7TbcY4hVsKy9us5K4DtgT5Cm-u46U

June 30, 2021

We Didn't Know How to Love Him

June 30, 2021/ Gemma Nemenzo

Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III, better known as PNoy or Noynoy, passed away on June 24, a few hours after we sent out our issue last week (Wednesday here in the US). While we missed out on the immediacy of the sad and unexpected news (we put out a new issue only once a week), we have the advantage of being able to wade through the countless tributes on print, social media, on videos and podcasts, in churches and Zoom gatherings, on giant electronic billboards and the personal recollections of those who knew him or didn't, and those who worked with him or were the beneficiaries of his policies.

The Philippines' 11th president after 1946, the 5th since his mother assumed the post after the people toppled the Marcos regime in 1986, had consistently high popularity ratings throughout his presidency, despite his being criticized as aloof, stoic and emotionless. Yet the stories now being told by his staff, particularly the writers who collaborated with him in crafting his public statements (one of whom was told by PNoy himself to please wait until he's dead to write about him), paints a different picture -- that of a meticulous boss who made sure he got the facts straight and the grammar correct in public, and a typical loner who craved his silences and his music, alone. So unlike regular politicians who want the limelight even if they're so unfit for it.

PNoy's legacy as leader of the country from 2010 to 2016 has been cemented with his death at 61 years old. The decency and integrity that he was known for, along with his administration's achievements -- I personally consider the passage of the Reproductive Health law, which had his unwavering support despite intense opposition from the Catholic Church, as his most sterling one -- are rightfully heralded and documented for posterity. That his critics continue to try to demean and defile his legacy with such ignorance and vulgarity only reminds us of how bereft we are of losing him. Ace journalist and journalism professor Sheila Coronel says it best: “There's now sort of a wave of nostalgia for a president who was honest, sincere, didn't curse and didn't kill, and who took governance seriously”.

For those of you who didn't know him or were not aware of his policies, here's a curated collection of links to stories about Noynoy Aquino, the president and the man: