Guiding Light

A few days ago, on September 28, the Philippines lost one of its most esteemed citizens, Bienvenido L. Lumbera, National Artist for Literature and beloved by many as writer, professor, activist and guiding light. Here's why his legacy will forever be revered  in the annals of Philippine arts and letters, from the web site of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, where Bien taught for years.

Positively Filipino joins the Filipino nation in paying tribute to this national treasure. 

Bienvenido L. Lumbera

A writer’s truth: The legacy of National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera

Meanwhile in Broadway, Fil-Am actor Marc delaCruz made history when he played three major roles in the much acclaimed musical, "Hamilton," -- the lead role of Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr (Hamilton's "ideological foil", and King George, the British monarch who was the enemy of the revolutionaries. In the still relatively un-diverse New York City theater world, DelaCruz's singular feat is an important breakthrough. PF contributor Walter Ang, author of "Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater History", writes about "The Talented Mr. delaCruz."

With part 30 of the very long list, "Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous" will take a break to give way to another important list in October. Watch out for it starting next Wednesday.

There is no stopping the remarkable and famous from getting well-deserved honors, however. Irene Natividad, one of the most prominent community leaders, was honored by the French government recently for her gender activism. Washington D.C. community leader Jon Melegrito reports.

"Kuhol" (snail in English, escargot in French) is a relatively new delicacy in mainstream Filipino cuisine. PF Correspondent and cookbook author Rene M. Astudillo gives us the dark origins of this exotic dish and shares two recipes for it for the Happy Home Cook. 

For Video of the Week: One Down features Food Insecurity in the Filipino Community

In The Know

Filipino, Vietnamese, Thai students ‘invisible’ victims of STEM inequality
https://www.buffalo.edu/ubnow/stories/2021/09/asian-stem-disparities.html?fbclid=IwAR1MVwxoOuurl9Vs0Cnp_1OXeec5KMjYip2F1u6hIe5GERTssS_PBsIkKoQ

Dante Basco reflects on diversity in Hollywood as a child star: 'No one even knew what a Filipino was'
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/dante-basco-hook-avatar-the-last-airbender-child-actor-are-the-kids-alright-150049635.html?soc_src=yahooapp

Washington DC version of Jollibee spaghetti is among best dishes of 2021, says Food & Wine mag
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/restaurants/09/23/21/jolly-spaghetti-homage-among-best-dishes-of-2021?fbclid=IwAR2uo058_-EOxoIYINMyQUZO99ze-ZucZpaSkrmrgAlsIzepg_oovVSQZSk

The making of “Squid Game” and why Pinoys can’t get enough of it
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/movies/09/28/21/the-making-of-squid-game-and-why-pinoys-are-watching?fbclid=IwAR1ZT2OLL0m02yEtXAYJEvU-HMJM6E7M2VrIHBU_ZmUczbULGPeivww3RWM

Tatler Spotlight: The International Icon Of Elegance, Style, And Beauty, Isabel Preysler
https://www.tatlerasia.com/the-scene/people-parties/tatler-spotlight-isabel-preysler?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2jJS_IrDlAHq03mLAat7-toKJ3nKWoVvHHfWHRIqEklKCok6U4wkMUfsE#Echobox=1632366815

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Pandemic Hideaway

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!

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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

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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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