The First Nobel

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With a great deal of pride and joy, we celebrate our colleague in journalism, Maria Ressa, for winning the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize. The first Nobel in Philippine history, her triumph and that of her co-winner Dmitri  Muratov of Russia is a significant statement that freedom of the press is a sacred democratic right and must be fought for when autocrats try to smother it. 

Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa (Source: Reuters)

Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa (Source: Reuters)

You've seen the iconic photo and the many posters spawned in its wake: a door with a sign that says "Positively No Filipinos Allowed." As PF contributing writer M.T. Ojeda notes, the caption usually just says "Stockton hotel, circa 1930s." Ojeda's archival digging reveals a clearer provenance, however, and it involves the author Wallace Stegner and Look magazine. Read the interesting backstory here: "Positively No Filipinos Allowed."

Filipino Freemasonry has a long illustrious history, with such well-known members as Jose Rizal and Andres Bonifacio. Filipinos in America have continued the tradition with Mason lodges sprouting up in California and other states. PF contributing writer James Sobredo gives us a rare close-up of this age-old fraternity in "Behind the Growing Popularity of Fil-Am Freemasonry."

Part 2 of "We Stand on Their Shoulders," PF's list and bios of Fil-Am pioneers no longer with us, focuses on historians and archivists; legislators, politicians and government officials; and a multiple Olympic gold medalist. 

October 11 this year was declared Indigenous People's Day for the first time by President Joe Biden. A federal holiday, the commemoration was known as Columbus Day. PF Correspondent Cherie Querol Moreno explains why Fil-Ams should find solidarity with our indigenous brothers and sisters in "Did You Say 'Happy Columbus Day'?"

A timely Video of the Week features Alaska-based Fil-Am psychologist E.J. David talking about raising his children as both Filipinos and Athabascan, his wife's people.

When the weather turns colder, nothing beats Arroz Caldo for a warmer-upper. Here's a repost of an Instant Pot Arroz Caldo recipe from PF Correspondent and foodie, Elizabeth Ann Quirino. 

In The Know (Philippine Election Edition)

As the Philippine election season heats up in preparation for the actual voting in May 2022, Positively Filipino will be posting links to stories from other publications that we hope will clarify issues and prod overseas Filipinos to vote.

Philippine presidential elections open, dominated by fascistic and far-right forces
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/10/11/phil-o11.html?fbclid=IwAR35wAJHwRkh4biKuzYx7g1EkNxbZF6_6d-vfnR8aGQDl5pHGtHfHXVxL30

Electoral Merry-Go-Round Update
https://www.getrevue.co/profile/mlq3/issues/manolo-quezon-is-theexplainer-newsletter-issue-37-electoral-merry-go-round-update-786987

Turning Point: The Changing Political Area
https://www.mindanews.com/mindaviews/2021/10/turning-point-the-changing-political-arena/

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

What Month Is It? It's Fil-Am History Month

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We begin this significant month of October by putting together an updated timeline of Filipino American history. Through the years, there have been several compilations of significant Fil-Am historical events by various groups and publications, updated regularly as time marches on. Positively Filipino's update is the most comprehensive yet because we have included items that are not listed in previous timelines. To achieve this, we consulted with a number of community leaders, such as Jon Melegrito, Dan Gonzales and Juanita Tamayo Lott; and pored over books, online sources and other timeline versions to cull out and consolidate data. We hope "Positively Filipino's Fil-Am History Timeline" will be useful to everyone with an interest in our community's history in the United States.

While we tried our best to make this timeline as complete as possible, we know that it isn't perfect. If you have any item additions or corrections, please send documentation to PFpublisher@yahoo.com. Let’s all work together to make our stories as accurate and complete as possible. And if you want to share a copy, please make sure you credit Positively Filipino.

Another October special we have is the list and bios of pioneers in various fields who are no longer with us but who have paved the way so our Fil-Am community can flourish and claim our stake in the American social tapestry. Part 1 of "We Stand On Their Shoulders" focuses on labor leaders who fought for workers' rights and authors who chronicled the Fil-Am experience. We will be posting tributes every Wednesday this month so watch out for it. 

Our Video of the Week is an eye-opening mini documentary on "The Battles During the Filipino American War (1899-1901)" which shows some rare war photographs.

And for the Happy Home Cook, you remember our childhood favorite, Choc-Nut? Here's Nina Daza-Puyat's Choc-nut Brownies with Peanut Glaze, sure to trigger some nostalgia. In the US, Choc-Nut packs are available at Seafood City.

In The Know

PROFILES: Filipino tycoons, government officials in Pandora Papers leak
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/filipinos-tycoons-government-officials-mentioned-pandora-papers-icij?fbclid=IwAR3NV5v7Big_LoLOieM2C70rcmJwBbd4Y3HM8dofQVDDUGXDDwdYbWw07eI

BREAKDOWN: P174B recovered from Marcos loot, P125B more to get 
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/breakdown-billions-recovered-marcos-ill-gotten-wealth-by-pcgg-more-to-get?mc_cid=c68c979509&mc_eid=5b1f08a2af

Philippine 'Angels of the Sea' use their voices to repel Chinese ships
https://news.yahoo.com/philippine-angels-sea-voices-repel-153650391.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

UP Visayas won’t ditch ‘subversive’ materials
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1494350/up-visayas-wont-ditch-subversive-materials?fbclid=IwAR3irW6Vi2kJn3c0GAU5Di2Gjp20lgAenwLUVCNijr3D4MKqLHtASY8fXac#ixzz786VBNqgF

This safari-style home in Pampanga looks like a movie set with Hollywood pedigree
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/01/20/19/this-pampanga-home-is-a-magnum-opus-of-hollywood-movie-set-proportions?fbclid=IwAR1ZT2OLL0m02yEtXAYJEvU-HMJM6E7M2VrIHBU_ZmUczbULGPeivww3RWM

Throwback to 1975: What it was like watching “Thrilla in Manila” at the Araneta Coliseum
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/drive/sports/10/01/18/thrilla-in-manila

Omo, This Pinay Based In South Korea Has Appeared In More Than 50 K-Dramas!
https://www.cosmo.ph/entertainment/pinay-actress-noreen-joyce-south-korea-a4575-20210126-lfrm?utm_source=Facebook-Sparkling&utm_medium=Siteshare&utm_campaign=20210926-pinay-actress-noreen-joyce-south-korea&fbclid=IwAR1t0Vg63I2O3EB1GDt6OhPom6dvSQucjz36iQzVz76HiPO3S7GtHteLmZM

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Guiding Light

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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

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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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino