A Ship for a Hero

What does it take for a US Navy ship to be named after a Filipino American naval hero? Positively Filipino's forthcoming webinar next Wednesday October 27 zeroes in on this important and intriguing topic. I hope you can join us. Get the details below and please help us spread the word.

We're now on part 3 of "We Stand On Their Shoulders," our tribute to deceased Fil-Am historical figures, as compiled by our publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco. This week's list covers community leaders, and notable achievers in the fields of medicine and the academe.

Retired Sony Pictures executive Fritz Friedman has left the private sector and is now a commissioner of the Arts and Culture Commission of the city of San Diego, California. San Diego mayor and fellow Fil-Am Todd Gloria tapped Friedman, who now heads his own production and marketing consulting firm in addition to his non-profit activities.

To mark the 77th founding anniversary of the United Nations, retired Ambassador Virgilio A. Reyes Jr. shares with us significant historical events that occurred during his time as Third Secretary of the Philippine Mission to the UN. It was a time of great upheaval in our homeland and Reyes, on his first diplomatic assignment, was there to witness the rumblings and ripples of history.

 For our young adult readers, get a heads up on Brown Boy Nowhere, a newly released novel by Fil-Am Sheeryl Lim, as reviewed by Audrey Bell, a freshly minted Fil-Am college student. 

PF Correspondent and resident foodie Elizabeth Ann Quirino shares a recipe for another perfect cold-weather treat, Lomi Noodle Soup with Pork, Shrimps and Vegetables.

For Video of the Week, Seattle’s KING-5 News features Dorothy Cordova of the Filipino American National Historical Society.


In The Know (Philippine Election Edition)

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

Facebook Data shows Leni Leading
https://wilson-chua.medium.com/adds-report-shows-leni-leading-1669032eab95

Vulnerabilities of the automated elections
https://opinion.inquirer.net/145234/vulnerabilities-of-the-automated-elections?fbclid=IwAR3-3lEWPx4GrfMjDYgcRjMe5qkrJirl3Vkvdwl7bOitfQUXO2EpgIU9RXs

Sui Generis: Rule of law matters 
http://us4.forward-to-friend.com/forward/show?u=81b6ec9d9be6b6261a822deb0&id=cb4c02ee33


In The Know (Standard Edition)

My Family Moved To The US For A Better Life. But What Does That Really Mean?
https://news.yahoo.com/family-wanted-white-americans-cousin-173834292.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

Shades of L.A.: The Filipino American Experience
https://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/blogs/lapl/filipino-american-history-month?ct=YTo1OntzOjY6InNvdXJjZSI7YToyOntpOjA7czo1OiJlbWFpbCI7aToxO2k6MTI2O31zOjU6ImVtYWlsIjtpOjEyNjtzOjQ6InN0YXQiO3M6MjI6IjYxNjkyYThiNGMxYWQ5NTYyNjYwOTkiO3M6NDoibGVhZCI7czo2OiIxNzYxMzQiO3M6NzoiY2hhbm5lbCI7YToxOntzOjU6ImVtYWlsIjtpOjEyNjt9fQ%3D%3D

The Government Is Never Incompetent: Power In The Pandemic Under Duterte
https://itsgoingdown.org/the-government-is-never-incompetent-power-in-the-pandemic-under-duterte/?fbclid=IwAR2jxy4IknfYdbBe9cgqr8MFWcI15WvcmmiurM88jAYFkjxEQxBarFNQdX8

‘We just need food’: Manila’s newly homeless tell stories of survival in lockdown – photo essay
https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/oct/08/we-just-need-food-manilas-newly-homeless-tell-stories-of-survival-in-lockdown-photo-essay?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other&fbclid=IwAR10t4Bb8zducxk_q9a853F76ryEH4NcRpQ4QA3bWRDpahauIscLI4nWypI

4 Oldest Chinatowns in the World
https://www.traveltrivia.com/4-oldest-chinatowns-in-the-world/XqgZkXU1XQAGkiMB 

The Filipino actor from ‘Squid Game’ shares his struggles before his big break 
https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/series/meet-christian-lagahit-filipino-actor-squid-game?fbclid=IwAR0021ovkDd1IyP7ubwaEaHfESeu7dromm2_JJjLZHp90TfNQ34ZvfO45II

Anatomy of a Monique Lhullier Gown
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/06/style/monique-lhuillier-bridal-fashion.html?fbclid=IwAR0dWUay913cStNkQsuuJteZmsOpRoeDVY00R7Z_Doi3RppqB2BZoh93ujQ


Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

The First Nobel

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/



Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

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

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


Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino