Critical Myth Theory

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One of the very first books I bought when my children and I immigrated to the US more than 30 years ago is Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen. I knew that they were in for American history from a certain point of view so it was important to prepare for some counter-mythmaking. The book was too complex for my little kids to appreciate at that time but its presence in our bookshelf was a constant and symbolic reminder that stories/lessons (particularly historical ones) passed on as "facts" should be examined before they are believed. 

I just reread Loewen's chapter on "The Truth About the First Thanksgiving" because, well, it's Thanksgiving. This "feel-good" holiday is not as pure and innocent (and celebratory) as has been drummed into American schoolchildren through generations. There was another side to the story and it was dark and diabolical, involving, among other things, the slaughter of Native Americans. This ugly side has been exposed by other historians, not just Loewen. 

Historical myth-making or revisionism is not limited to long-ago events; some evil souls are even trying to rewrite contemporary history -- events that many still living can easily remember and expose as lies. (I'm looking at you, martial-law-as-golden-age liars.)

"The antidote to feel-good history is not feel-bad history but honest and inclusive history," Loewen says. It means "...allowing students to learn both the 'good' and the 'bad' side...." 

It is in this same spirit that we encourage you to read "The Conservation President's Troubling Legacy," our lead story this week about President Theodore Roosevelt whose monumental legacy is the protection of millions of acres of land that we visit and appreciate to this day. Roosevelt, however, was also a hard-core imperialist who considered Filipinos as an inferior specie. First-time PF contributor Mikko Jimenez, a conservation biologist and academic, de-mystifies the 26th US president.

There's nothing mystifying about our Living Legends series which hails the very real achievements of some Filipino Americans. Part 2 of Mona Lisa Yuchengco's compilation features Historians and Archivists, the Academe and the Arts. 

Sisig, that crispy, savory pork sensation that has surpassed adobo and lumpia as the Filipino dish of choice, has an interesting -- and accidental -- beginning, as chef and food historian Claude Tayag relates. And to top his delectable story, Claude is sharing his own recipe for this Pampangueño delicacy, for the Happy Home Cook.

Our Video of the Week is a short video documentary on the disappearing art of making Asin Tibuok in Bohol, one of the rarest salt in the world.

Read Again:

We commemorate the 147th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio on November 30:
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/andres-bonifacio-the-other-national-hero

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Quo Vadis, Philippine Democracy?

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The election circus came early in our Motherland and the main event (aka the freak show) this week was the family feud of the Duterte father and daughter, with a sideshow starring Bongbong Marcos and ex-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. It's not easy to go above the fray in this sordid power gluttony drama, but PF contributor Ernesto M. Hilario did just that. See his sober take on what Filipino voters in the Philippines and overseas should not lose sight of in  the next six months of guaranteed political chaos.

We begin this week our series on Living Legends, a compilation by our publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco that honors pioneers and barrier breakers who were the first Fil-Ams to be distinguished in their respective fields. This initial list covers Legislators, Politicians and Government Officials; Authors; and Sports (including one who has been making waves in the NBA for years). 

Our Stories This Week:

Vote For Change Or Live With Tragedy By Ernesto M. Hilario

Living Legends, Part 1 By Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Hi, Boys And Girls, Have Some Banana Catsup By Anthony Maddela

Recipe of Week: The Happy Home Cook: Chicken Asado

Video of the Week: Alaala

In the Know (Philippine Election Edition)

Pages, stans and likes for sale: How K-pop and social media are figuring in Halalan 2022
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/11/08/21/fb-pages-stans-and-likes-for-sale-ahead-of-halalan-2022?fbclid=IwAR3dTHJbu6fkkX30E_p_AhBZaa8s0g1PwEy0-qd_H27VQE17tc62CtdWG-U

Networked propaganda: How the Marcoses are using social media to reclaim Malacañang
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/marcos-networked-propaganda-social-media?fbclid=IwAR0Uex85Uu9RVjNt6BQoSHWLTFvZtI29ihNaHTSCECcF-04D2RjlA4r8Fvo

Staying Relevant
https://verafiles.org/articles/staying-relevant

In The Know (Standard Edition)

Filipino American health workers reflect on trauma and healing on COVID's frontlines
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/11/09/1052062334/covid-filipino-american-health-workers-burnout?fbclid=IwAR2iislga8-U5INfvQ0g-FTDp1k5r1KymBlDkCkaObh8sjlgh_Rj-l2pyAc

A Dose of History: The Glory Days of Philippine Society Before World War II
https://www.tatlerasia.com/culture/arts/the-glory-days-of-philippine-society-before-world-war-ii?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR20sy4BEyoz6vLzbe95lFAvTCSKh0yOt5IrswVUFjX9rNdOBjYqfzaZu38#Echobox=1635502646

Filipino martial arts isn’t as widely known, but that could be changing
https://news.yahoo.com/filipino-martial-arts-isn-t-083013795.html

Party place no more: Makati’s Poblacion is all grown up
https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/arts-culture/makati-poblacion-party-place-no-more-all-grown-up?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR16eDPgKzDXV4_i9ZJ3HDYMC455AroJz_CIpe4-JuMI6EEjmLt9Vz6g8Hw#Echobox=1635644176-1

NEW: 15 Enchanting Garden Restaurants You'll Love In Metro Manila
https://metro.style/food/restaurants/al-fresco-dining-garden-restaurants/31455?gid=71c2c275-bff1-4afc-a0b7-df84ba5b7fb2&pid=14

Pandemic anxiety could be permanent: Psychologist gives tips for prevention

https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/health-and-family/2021/11/08/2139881/pandemic-anxiety-could-bepermanent-psychologist-gives-tips-prevention?fbclid=IwAR1a8U0TxAwq-GQn5x1YcyC5pm52v1ovgOfD2T3QWGM3yyCvDxNMu1gCLkI

Our Season of Grief

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When the Covid pandemic started last year and some people I knew were dying (not necessarily of Covid), I started making a list of those who passed in 2020. There were 27 of them, filling up an entire page of my notebook, most of them I knew personally, and a few I just knew from afar but who I mourned nonetheless (RBG and John Lewis, for example).

I should have anticipated that 2021 will yield a longer list, already filling up three pages, and it's just November. Seventy one people I knew said goodbye this year, one of them my only sister, whose death in late September still twists my heart out of shape.

And of course I'm not alone in grieving. Former Ambassador Virgilio A. Reyes Jr., one of Positively Filipino's most prolific contributors pays tribute below to three "Ateneo immortals" who helped shape him.

What about you, did you lose a significant person this year to the pandemic or some other reason?

Though the remaining days of 2021 may be shrouded with a patina of gray for grief, there are always rays of sunshine and inspiration. Our other new story this week on a humanitarian worker who has chosen to live his life among the displaced in Southeast Asia is one such inspiration. 

Last night's Positively Filipino webinar titled Cook with Books and featuring four wonderful cookbook authors, one of whom was PF Correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino who moderated the forum, was another.

Most of all, to commemorate a life well lived, we are posting as our Video of the Week CNN Philippines' 2016 tribute to one of the most inspiring women to walk this earth, Jessie Lichauco, who passed away a few days ago at 109 years old. Mrs. Lichauco was the subject of her granddaughter Sunshine Lichauco de Leon's documentary "Curiosity, Adventure and Love."

Read Again:

Possessed and Repossessed in T’Boli Country

Passing The Torch to Generation Y

Cook It Again:

The Happy Home Cook: Vegan Longganisa

In The Know (Standard Edition)

A group of teachers in the Philippines has launched an internet archive of “subversive” books.
https://lithub.com/a-group-of-teachers-in-the-philippines-have-launched-an-internet-archive-of-subversive-books/?fbclid=IwAR3Vj40K4W5HxXvglKeMJVo0hDwKsHAncJuvX3r9gatjj_Qh3xzjwXb1YIE

A New Generation of Filipino Hip-Hop Builds On a Deep Bay Area Legacy
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13905208/a-new-generation-of-filipino-hip-hop-builds-on-a-deep-bay-area-legacy?fbclid=IwAR24Lv5KpaEn0oRjrdc-bGAKh0yv-ZtulRcsTkSieYHuOOKJNtE4WwuwEj8 

Filipino martial art Balintawak Eskrima featured in Hollywood sci-fi film ‘Dune’
https://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/filipino-martial-art-balintawak-eskrima-featured-in-hollywood-sci-fi-film-dune/?fbclid=IwAR1g9Geqphf9lVZ0gK_SeGesW80HOHxhvLHAbh_1pxQwDq7-vWmo1Yj1ruk 

‘Squid Game’ Filipino actor says racist cabbage-throwing incident in South Korea left him ‘crying inside’
https://nextshark.com/squid-game-christian-lagahit-racism-south-korea/ 

How Bulakeño values built one of the country’s most enduring lechon manok brands
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/features/10/25/21/bulakeo-values-built-this-enduring-lechon-manok-brand?fbclid=IwAR0_a-yQIRDodbK97LIdYwbH_KrXqCVslyDbE-GJP3rAiZ07dYcd10gc4As 

LOOK! An improved Bacolod City Public Plaza is inspiring pride among locals
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/travel/destination/04/18/21/look-an-improved-bacolod-city-public-plaza-is-inspiring-pride-among-locals?fbclid=IwAR0x_C5vRmpEjKQ_pPThh06teJxwWISi1oWw_BxG4DUK5ce-rpKu7spfQiE

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino