Don't Let the Memory Fade

Thirty eight years ago on Saturday, August 21, the trajectory of Philippine history was altered unexpectedly and irrevocably when Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr., the arch-nemesis of then-President Ferdinand Marcos, returned to Manila from a three-year exile and was summarily assassinated at the airport tarmac. Two  generations have been born since and the memory and impact of that cataclysmic tragedy have faded. To commemorate the death of this national icon or introduce him to those that may not know him, here are two heartwarming stories, chapters of the book The Aquino Legacy: An Enduring Narrative by Elfren Sicangco Cruz and Neni Sta. Romana Cruz. 

Did Ninoy Aquino die in vain? Our Manila-based political observer Ernesto Hilario provides an objective look at what his martyrdom had brought forth in contemporary Philippine history. 

Several waves of Filipino immigrants, intermarriage with the Tlingit indigenous people, previous Filipino food entrepreneurs and a rapidly expanding Filipino community have enabled Marivic and Arsenio Carbonel to set up Sizzling Chow, serving Filipino delicacies such as sisig and chicharon to residents and visitors in Sitka, Alaska. Itinerant food writer Jennifer Fergesen reports in "Sitka’s Sizzling Chow Cuisine: Filipino Presence on a Platter."

You'll want to check out part 25 of "Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous" which includes a "Barbie Doll" doctor, an outstanding pulmonologist in Las Vegas, authors, artists, a publicist, a professor, a fashion designer and a military officer.

Here's part 2 of my 2015 Road Trip stories, first posted when we were driving across America. http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/gemma/random-notes-on-a-road-trip

Sizzling Chow's chicharon specialty had me looking for a recipe and what I found is "Pinakupsan" which is another Cebuano term for chicharon. Same deliciousness, same cholesterol risk but what a (occasional) treat!

For Video of the Week, we feature One Down’s Body Shaming in Filipino Culture.

In The Know

What to Stream: “Bontoc Eulogy,” a Filipino Filmmaker’s Docu-Fiction About His Grandfathers’ Disappearances
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-front-row/what-to-stream-bontoc-eulogy-a-filipino-filmmakers-docu-fiction-about-his-grandfathers-disappearances?fbclid=IwAR0GJoLO14mLugPjYxj3EaAt2FnGftFkQNhYjWkEau7lPHug6dVWN_njxJc

In Dubai, Filipina pulls no punches in jokes on Mideast life
https://news.yahoo.com/dubai-filipina-pulls-no-punches-062524410.html

Mindanao Pride: The Hometowns of the Philippines' Tokyo Olympic Medalists
https://www.esquiremag.ph/life/sports/mindanao-olympics-hometowns-a00304-20210806?fbclid=IwAR0ESiqECex47Pd-4MHqGDvUhWm2Xgqx8m7A0RY826lIKy0kYHCVwSfOweQ

Exclusive: How this diet coach helped the Philippines bring home four Olympic medals
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/drive/sports/08/12/21/exclusive-how-this-diet-coach-helped-the-philippines-bring-home-four-olympic-medals?fbclid=IwAR16jGSL7CKE9MlLT2dtdFNMTkAoivICEMWyLN_-TI4oPcqQJMgjiJaAKkU

Why Silicon Valley’s Many Asian Americans Still Feel Like a Minority
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2021-08-06/why-silicon-valley-s-asian-americans-still-feel-like-a-minority?utm_campaign=news&utm_medium=bd&utm_source=applenews

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Not Too Shabby

The recently concluded Olympics in Tokyo was the Philippines' most successful in its 97 years of participation. A medal haul of one gold, two silvers and a bronze from a delegation of 19 athletes is not too shabby for a country that hardly provides institutional support to its Olympic contenders. Here's an informative wrap-up of the Tokyo games by Olympic historian and PF Correspondent Myles A. Garcia. ["Filipino Sports Stars in the Land of the Rising Sun"]

Retired Ambassador Virgilio A. Reyes Jr. provides a valuable history lesson on the parallelism between the Spain during its civil war years (1930s) and the Philippine Commonwealth era. He shines a spotlight on Adelina Gurrea, a little-known (in the Philippines) Filipino-Spanish writer of that period who blazed trails with her writing and her life. ["Philippine Echoes of Spain's Civil War"]

K-pop may rule the pop music world today but P-pop, its Filipino counterpart, is making big waves too, according to Harvey I. Barkin who introduces PF readers to BINI, the P-pop girl band which is a creation of ABS-CBN's Star Hunt Academy in cooperation with MU Doctor, the Korean company of dance and vocal trainers that handled such phenoms as BTS. ["P-pop's BINI: Not Just Eye Candy"]

Fully vaxxed people are reportedly embarking on road trips this summer in the US. It was six years ago when my husband and I began our road trip across the US that took us over 33,000 miles and three months. Read Again my first report on our adventure of a lifetime.

For the Happy Home Cook this week, here's a repeat of a popular Filipino street food: Banana-cue! 

For Video of the Week, we feature the mansion Palacio de Memoria in Parañaque.

In The Know

Ilocano Shark: The War Hero Who Won the First Olympic Medal for the Philippines
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/teofilo-yldefonso-a00293-20210805?fbclid=IwAR3njoXsYKmZC-eqpUJRhTqSpbVThLvxnbt0bDb4Y3rPYG1pOF1O0yuX_hY

Will it take another street fighter to defeat Duterte?
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/Will-it-take-another-street-fighter-to-defeat-Duterte?fbclid=IwAR2WpcP7gi-4lPkYZ_dj0vZ2-6FEaDGdlcPCLNoUrlOXwsWUqvYyF0vHRXE

Hernández: The Philippines' rich boxing history, revived by Manny Pacquiao, shines at Olympics
https://news.yahoo.com/hern-ndez-philippines-rich-boxing-140654696.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

Hidilyn Diaz: 5 Things You Should Know About The Filipina Olympic Champion
https://www.tatlerasia.com/culture/sports/ph-hidilyn-diaz-5-things-you-should-know?utm_campaign=ASIA_DIG_FULL20210806&utm_medium=email&utm_source=tatlerasia.com

Olivia Rodrigo Was Built 4 This
https://www.gq.com/story/olivia-rodrigo-profile

In Daly City, the Bayanihan Spirit Is Alive and Well
https://www.kqed.org/news/11883382/in-daly-city-the-bayanihan-spirit-is-alive-and-well?fbclid=IwAR0l0ydU1V1c64loNd1tFxeFi54noxceEJQLl84Y8_IlmiJaQPYbuX3Rsqg

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Dreaming of "Normal"

In "normal" times --meaning the world as we knew it before Covid struck -- this month of August would have been vacation month in the western hemisphere, when tourists spread out to see places beyond their personal borders. Not anymore. For the fully vaccinated who have the capability to travel abroad during these risky times, destinations are now more targeted, the pandemic numbers checked regularly to determine the viability of visits. 

But still we dream of getting out of our comfort zones in exotic places offering unusual adventures. One of our stories this week is "In the Lapp of Luxury" by first-time contributor Alpha Puey who spent one memorable  winter wonderland vacation in Santa Claus land. This is essentially a Christmas story but who doesn't welcome a whiff of Christmas in August? Besides, for those interested in going on this adventure, it might take months to make arrangements, so read up and make plans.

And for those who prefer a staycation, here's an inspiring show to follow: G-Diaries featuring newlyweds Ernie Lopez and Michelle Arville focusing on people helping others. PF Correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino elucidates on this feel-good program that honors the legacy of Ernie's late elder sister, the well-known environmentalist Gina Lopez.

PF Publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco who compiles the Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous series made a list of all the names she has included in the compilation and was amazed that the total was already 359. Still counting, as we see some newly discovered Fil-Ams in Part 24.

For a summer treat, how about a Make Again recipe for No-Churn Ube Ice Cream, shared to us by Lulelyn Andres from Budapest. 

For Video of the Week, we commemorate the 40th day anniversary of the passing of President Benigno S. Aquino III with a tribute from his sister Pinky.

In The Know

Tagalog Is the Third Most Widely Spoken Language in Three U.S. States
https://www.esquiremag.ph/politics/news/tagalog-us-language-a00225-20210802?fbclid=IwAR0XcS0OJGmXdj_JCYOhZWV5M5ygWhpDi962ViFzJ7j10u1EYZ5hY4GpAAc

An Olympic romance: The love story of Hidilyn Diaz and her coach Julius Naranjo
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/07/28/21/an-olympic-romance-the-love-story-of-hidilyn-diaz-and-her-coach-julius-naranjo

20 Filipino Architectural Marvels That Have Stood The Test Of Time
https://ph.asiatatler.com/life/20-iconic-filipino-architecture-that-have-stood-the-tests-of-time

Venice Competition Philippines Title ‘On The Job’ Sets HBO GO Premiere in Asia, Reveals Trailer
https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/on-the-job-erik-matti-hbo-philippines-venice-1235029127/

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