September 22, 2021

Pandemic Hideaway

September 22, 2021/ Gemma Nemenzo

Travel restrictions may be easing in various countries as vaccination rates go up, but in the Philippines, reportedly with an infection rate of almost 30 percent (roughly 1 in 3 Filipinos has the virus), escaping covid has become practically a blood sport. Those who can leave Manila has done so, taking refuge in provincial towns with lower infection rates. PF contributor Bernard Supetran chose Dumaguete City, where he and his family are enjoying sun, sea and relaxation as they wait out the scourge of the Delta variant. Enjoy his telling of life in "Dumaguete: A Genteel Haven from the Pandemic."

The second to the last listing (at least for this year) of Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous includes some pretty amazing achievers. Read about them and be proud.

There's something so mouth-watering about PF Correspondent Anthony Maddela's story on Petite Peso, a small restaurant in Los Angeles that is big on Filipino flavors with an American twist. Not only are the offerings delicious but Chef Ria Dolly Barbosa makes sure the prices remain attractive. She has even bottled her own dressings for the home cook.

Chef Ria Dolly shares her Pork, Shrimp and Shiitake Lumpia recipe for the Happy Home Cook

For our Video of the Week, a history lesson on martial law. Never Again!

Partner Posts:
Consulate overseas voting deadline
Aloha an Mabuhay Conference

In The Know

Academicians say education must correct Marcos, martial law myths and disinformation
https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2021/9/20/up-ferdinand-marcos-martial-law-information.html?fb%3Ffbclid&fbclid=IwAR2jC54OaCPoxiUlysqCRKi44uPuqvB3CL42EYnGCZcin_sko4V6Sc9VJ2U

9 Filipina Poets To Know And Why You Should Read More Poetry
https://www.tatlerasia.com/culture/arts/filipino-poets-to-know?utm_campaign=ASIA_DIG_FULL20210906&utm_medium=email&utm_source=tatlerasia.com

The accomplished children of Coney Reyes
https://www.gmanetwork.com/entertainment/celebritylife/family/12217/meet-la-mumar-carla-mumar-and-vico-sotto-the-accomplished-children-of-coney-reyes/photo

How this Filipina painter from the ‘50s became today’s auction superstar
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/art/video/09/11/21/pinay-painter-from-the-50s-is-todays-auction-star?fbclid=IwAR0e5ewPXMe_N29AJROIJtO0EVPp6lgc4QD2fGFATSmKpFokpf5CIg72Vhk

New Yorker of the Week: Sheila Logrono
https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/nyer-of-the-week/2021/09/13/new-yorker-of-the-week-sheila-logrono-salt-city-parks-educational-alliance?fbclid=IwAR3vgp8BTOEFpuWNVWSD__9bb-7spWQ8z4Hm_2Fz1ggM2r_fqV_kk8jOqaU

Meet Drew Barrymore's Private Chef: Filipina Pilar Valdes
https://www.tatlerasia.com/dining/the-industry/ph-drew-barrymores-private-chef-pilar-valdes?utm_campaign=ASIA_DIG_FULL20210919&utm_medium=email&utm_source=tatlerasia.com

September 15, 2021

One Man and the Sea

September 15, 2021/ Gemma Nemenzo

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

September 08, 2021

Death and Life

September 08, 2021/ Gemma Nemenzo

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