One Man and the Sea

For over 30 years, Roberto Ballon, aka Ka Dodoy, spent most of his days fishing for a living in the West Philippine Sea and, more consequentially, organizing his fellow fishermen towards a collective effort to replant and revive the mangrove forest in Concepcion, Kabasalan, Zamboanga Sibugay. It was a long, tedious operation that took years and a lot of grief and challenges. But Ka Dodoy and his group persisted. Today they are reaping the rewards with more catch and more income. This year, Ka Dodoy is one of the awardees of the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Awards which, since 1958, has been giving due recognition to outstanding Asians whose "selfless service has offered their societies, Asia, and the world successful solutions to some of the most intractable problems of human development."  PF contributor Manuel Hizon from the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation tells us Ka Dodoy's story. ["One Man's Journey to Save the Seas"]

As the 49th anniversary of the declaration of martial law in the Philippines comes up (the official date is September 21), veteran journalist and PF Correspondent Criselda Yabes explores in depth "Marcos Legacy and the Philippine Military." Find out how and why Marcos' strongest weapon ultimately led to his downfall. 

We're getting close to ending our listings of Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous, with part 28. 

For the Happy Home Cook, Nina Daza Puyat, daughter of culinary icon Nora Daza, shares her recipe for  Parmesan Chicken Cutlets with LGBP (lemon, garlic, butter, parsley) Spaghetti, a take-off from her mother's famous Fish Sticks recipe.

Read Again: A granddaughter writes about life with her famous grandmother and her equally famous friends, http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-muses-of-lvn-pictures

For our Video of the Week: Our Friend, Larry Itliong

Every week we post links to stories in other publications that you may have missed. We thank those of you who have sent us links and shared stories with us.

In The Know

PGH’s Bahay Silungan: The healer is a home
https://www.philstar.com/other-sections/newsmakers/2021/09/10/2126193/pghs-bahay-silungan-healer-home?fbclid=IwAR1gm7thg1o2XDnHO3pR9DvN_D83kfhVAuG8epd_XH6s0_-cn8KyvfAzYhE

John Arcilla: ‘For now, I want to remember the smiles’
https://www.thediarist.ph/john-arcilla-for-now-i-want-to-remember-the-smiles/?fbclid=IwAR0azfDonx9DmyjviCXwz9P_5i63hGmtHJgdLayvaNINi02sP9uaUqA1n_k

10 Interesting Filipino Coffee Table Books: Betsy Westendorp, Old Manila, And More
https://www.tatlerasia.com/homes/decor/10-philippine-coffee-table-books 

PHL tycoons’ wealth surges by 30% amid pandemic
https://www.bworldonline.com/phl-tycoons-wealth-surges-by-30-amid-pandemic/?fbclid=IwAR1gFMvMai8jt53HApOrvh9ozeTFrE5UGz-OV6W4Nc0E3bskCf-wld1gzHE

On The Job review: Filipino series matches Hong Kong's crime thrillers
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/on-the-job-review-filipino-series-match-hong-kong-crime-thrillers-053626515.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

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Death and Life

Death has not been a stranger to anyone this past year and a half. The steady and unrelenting drip drip of news of someone's passing has become a numbing reality. Some weeks are worse than others and the emotional toll can  vary -- a little sadness for those you never got to know personally, a few tears for those you did know but were not that close to. And then there are those that are heavy as a mountain, when the loss leaves one deeply grieving. Such was the impact of the sudden passing of well-known revolutionary activist Sixto Carlos Jr. on my co-editor, Rene Ciria Cruz, whose poignant eulogy to his kasama and kabayan (they both grew up in Pandacan) is a fitting tribute to a man who lived a consequential life. ["My Friend, Sixto Carlos Jr."]

It's never all gloom and doom however. Positively Filipino publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco celebrates the long and eventful life of Delfin Gonzalez, who is now 107 years old and still hale and healthy. This man she calls Tito Delfin was the subject of her first film, "66 Years, 2 Months, 21 days…and Still Counting" made in 2009 when he was just 95. ["The Indefatigable Delfin Gonzalez"]

Contributing writer Leny Mendoza Strobel writes the inspiring story of Justin Jones whose quest to connect to his Filipino roots has given depth and impetus to his civil rights activism. ["Justin Jones – Black, Filipino, Civil Rights Activist"]

And speaking of inspiration, if you're a church goer, chances are you've sang "Time to Change," a popular inspirational song composed by Atek Jacinto, the musical director whose other claim to fame is his being the "creator" of the famous Circus band of the '70s. Many who remember the song say it's an appropriate time to revive it, considering the political situation in the Philippines. ["'Time to Change' -- How It All Began"]

Part 27 of Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous includes artists, community leaders, corporate professionals and the mother of Jo Koy. 

Always delightful, always delicious. That's Sandy Daza's cooking as showcased in the Metro Channel's Casa Daza. For the Happy Home Cooks this week, enjoy Sandy cooking classic favorites: Kare-kare, Bistek Tagalog and Adobo. 

For Video of the Week, we feature the episode of ANC’s “Our Fragile Earth” on Pujada Bay and Sarangani Bay.

[PARTNER] Deadline To Register For Overseas Voting For The 2022 Philippine National Elections

In The Know

How this Filipino accountant escaped Taliban forces in Afghanistan and made it to PH alive
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/08/31/21/how-ofw-escaped-taliban-forces-made-it-to-ph-alive

The death of my daughter Kerima
https://www.thediarist.ph/the-death-of-my-daughter-kerima/

A Local's Guide to the Philippines
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/locals-guide-philippines-050000495.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

IN PHOTOS: The stunning wooden library that earned PH its first award at Venice Biennale
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/09/04/21/this-library-won-ph-its-first-award-at-venice-biennale?fbclid=IwAR18nFG4ybRsQl7IJb8iXc6G3c6avrGQwDgCvj7Gq57vvautqQgZ4wTuoqg

Here's the Real Story of Batibot's Pong Pagong and Kiko Matsing
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/batibot-pong-pagong-kiko-matsing-a00289-20200907-lfrm?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20210901-fbnp-long-reads-batibot-pong-pagong-kiko-matsing-a00289-20200907-lfrm-fbold&fbclid=IwAR1c86gRTO4S8JJH-lVaIpq-5PKGN14ytdHpb1d8gggde4vx1ayu6w0ziLY

These memorable commercial jingles you grew up with were composed by Jose Mari Chan
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/09/01/20/these-memorable-commercial-jingles-you-grew-up-with-were-composed-by-jose-mari-chan?fbclid=IwAR1GK7eb1_jsfUvAWZUk2uExA4_ltBw10Fyaq8HqFzbr_pLBBTH63RT3gvk

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Characters

When Positively Filipino was just two months old in 2013, we asked our friends and readers to name the most awesome Filipino woman they would like or would have liked (if she is already dead) to have a long conversation with. I chose two, both famous writers and colorful characters -- Carmen Guerrero Nakpil, whom I never met in person, and Gilda Cordero Fernando whom I've met but never had the chance to be close to. Here's what I wrote: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/2013/3/awesome-women-carmen-guerrero-nakpil-and-gilda-cordero-fernando

I was reminded of this post because in this week's issue, we feature two colorful characters: Tita Aida (real name Nicky Calma), a popular transgender trailblazer/activist in the San Francisco Bay Area (profiled by Rafaelito V. Sy in "Listen to Your 'Tita Aida'") and Jaime Picornell, writer/raconteur/bon vivant whose recent death left many among Cebu City's alta sociedad bereft (Cecilia Manguerra Brainard writes about him fondly in "The Jolly Spaniard of Cebu."

Of course our ongoing series on Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous have a whole list of them, with part 26 featuring 13 Fil-Ams in a variety of professions who have made their mark in their respective fields.

Our Baguio-based correspondent Rene Astudillo sent a recipe for the Happy Home Cook who wants to cut down on rice: Thai-style Basil Pork with Chinese Pearl Barley.

And here's another Read Again: my fascination with backyards was renewed during our road trip across America. http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/gemma/backyards

For Video of the Week, we feature the six Filipinos who were honored in Ontario for their manufacture and distribution of face masks during the pandemic.

Be safe and get vaccinated.

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