Timeline of Our Lives

/

As soon as we posted Positively Filipino's Fil-Am History Timeline in our October 6 issue, readers started sending reminders of items we missed or items that we didn't know about. After research, we have updated the timeline, so here's the new version. We thank those who participated in making this timeline more comprehensive and current.

(L-R) Philip Vera Cruz, Carlos Bulosan and Larry Itliong

We're now at the end of our tribute to deceased Fil-Am community elders who paved the way for all of us living in the US today. Part 4 features our heroes in Media, the Arts and the Military. 

Alex Esclamado, founder and publisher of Philippine News

After being cooped up during the pandemic year 2020, retired college professor James Sobredo took to the road this summer on his beloved BMW motorcycle on a cross-country trip across the US that was exhilarating, harrowing, liberating and soul-renewing, Which means it was a road trip to remember. 

Riding on the “Loneliest Road in America,” Highway 50 through Nevada was a pleasant break. Almost no cars behind me for nearly three hours. Enjoyed a beautiful sunset behind my shoulders as I rode to my motel. (Photo by James Sobredo)

Twenty years ago, Fr. Gerdenio "Sonny" Manuel wrote a reflective piece on how it was to be Filipino in an Italian neighborhood and later, in the Jesuit order. He resurrected that essay recently (his 50th year as a priest) because he thought it is as timely now as it was in 2001. We think so too. 

Father Gerdenio Manuel serving communion.

A last-minute addition to our lineup for this last week of Fil-Am History Month is this report on activist Filipinx nurses who are fighting for better working conditions in the time of Covid. With the National Nurses Union (NNU), they stand strong.

Seton Medical Center RNs protest on April 2, 2020

It's always a delight to watch Chef Sandy Daza cook so, for the Happy Home Cook, let's witness how he whips up two comfort dishes from his childhood -- Lolo Farm's Baked Chicken Spaghetti and Chicken Casserole.

Lolo Farm's Baked Chicken Spaghetti

Labor leader Larry Itliong (Source: ABC10)

Filipino World War II Veterans

/ /

Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

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