Don't Know Much About History?

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The best way to learn history is to read the meticulously researched, factually accurate and objective works of credible historians and writers.

The best way to appreciate historical events is to hear the personal stories by or about those who were there.

Our lineup this week offers both. It begins with a son's narration of his father's monumental choice and heroism during the 1989 coup d'etat that almost toppled the Cory Aquino administration.

We're also reposting some stories related to this day, December 8, a holy day of obligation in the Catholic world (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) but also marks the beginning of World War II in the Philippines (1941) and the assassination of John Lennon (1981) (we have 2 Beatles stories from Lloyd LaCuesta and Marra PL. Lanot).

Part 2 of  former COMELEC chair Andres Bautista's series on the Philippine electoral process, focusing on political dynasties, is also in this issue.

And for a sumptuous feast (or to trigger your imagination of one), PF Correspondent and resident foodie Elizabeth Ann Quirino describes the Kapampangan Christmas table of a clan matriarch who literally cooked up a feast, one dish of which is our Happy Home Cook feature this week.

Video of the Week: SB19’s “Bazinga” tops Billboard Hot Trends Chart
Partner Post: Philippine International Aid’s Christmas Gift Package Campaign

In The Know (Standard Edition)

Tourism pause helps Philippines clean up island paradise
https://news.yahoo.com/tourism-pause-helps-philippines-clean-114222987.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

52 all-Pinoy reading, storytelling spaces launched to promote Filipino books, stories
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/artandculture/812662/52-all-pinoy-reading-storytelling-spaces-launched-to-promote-filipino-books-stories/story/?fbclid=IwAR3F1aNyKY36h_JwjcIBizaYHwkalxNFvBhKjxeHrAuR40Sgj_uYByr5u20

Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar Wins Asia's Best Historic Hotel Award
https://www.esquiremag.ph/life/travel/las-casas-filipinas-de-acuzar-international-award-a833-sa00171-20211126-src-spot?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20211127-fbnp-life-las-casas-filipinas-de-acuzar-international-award-a833-sa00171-20211126-src-spot-fbfirst&fbclid=IwAR2GIIsE7RHRZWxP8p4LTjo7vTjHpD1FWx71YVkAzPYmAxq5l4XU02zk-s4

Inside IKEA in Manila: tabò, capiz windows, woven lamps, and other Pinoy home stuff

https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/11/23/21/how-worlds-biggest-ikea-was-designed-for-pinoy-market?fbclid=IwAR0AAdsDt5bGz38gPNys0sPw3DSYETwmcdTd_I_w3JRAINeNcJtKEGYVxiQ

Fil-Am among 'Best New Chefs' highlights Filipino modern cuisine in U.S.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/11/29/21/fil-am-among-best-new-chefs-highlights-filipino-modern-cuisine-in-us/?utm_campaign=sharedpost&fbclid=IwAR2QHeTJMJb1B4XXDCYqmw4DVr4OgwJi6Xo1Fbs81miQ9lLi9hcnW1aZefM 

This almost 100-year old Cubao mansion is testament to a family’s deep affection for their heritage 
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/05/29/19/this-fabled-1929-mansion-in-new-manila-is-a-war-survivor-and-family-legacy?fbclid=IwAR08wPVfOF5JombMMoESaKvuIZegfnIACG4fh88awjunIVK8Pu6_iw9yxZU

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Polls Expectations

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Elections in the Philippines is blood sport, as many who have lived through several of them can attest. In hotly contested positions where money flows and the threat of violence from goons and guns is a real possibility, the common street belief is that the one who wins in the voting may not be the one who wins in the counting. 

As the May 2022 nationwide elections loom large in the consciousness of Filipinos even at this early stage, we asked former Commission on Elections (COMELEC) chair Andy Bautista to give us the skinny on the electoral process and what citizens can do (if anything) to ensure a clean and fair election. The first of his series of articles begins this week with "Substituting Democracy."

The last of our Living Legends series drops this week with part 3 featuring some pretty impressive Fil-Ams as community leaders, military officials, media practitioners and medical doctors. 

The highest ranking Fil-Am in the Los Angeles Police Department, Commander Donald Graham tells PF Correspondent Anthony Maddela that his policing style and principles draw from his Filipino upbringing by his mother, Amelia.

In the Philippines, you'll know that Christmas is coming soon when you start hearing Jose Mari Chan crooning his Christmas hits on the airwaves, in malls and other public places -- as early as September. The popular singer/songwriter has been associated with the spirit of the season for more than three decades. Read Again Manila-based writer Paulynn Sicam's story on "Jose Mari Chan's Enduring Heart Songs." 

And during this season of giving, please consider donating to Philippine International Aid (PIA), which has been sending thousands of poor children to school for almost four decades now.

Here's one way of cooking a traditional favorite, Pasta Vongole, made easy by Chef Sandy Daza, from his series of cooking demos called Casa Daza. 

If you've ever had any doubt about the plunder charges against the Marcoses, watch this riveting special report circa 1986 by ABS-CBN News hosted by the late broadcaster Angelo Castro Jr. With never-before-seen footages and extensive documentation, this historic video is both illuminating and alarming, in the context of the coming elections.

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

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