Of Philippine Democracy and Heroes

This issue marks the 8th year of Positively Filipino's publication. As some of you know, there are only four of us putting this e-magazine to bed but we are supported by our writers pool of over a hundred contributors (and counting). To them and to all of you, our readers, we owe our continued existence. Thank you for sticking with us.  

We begin 2022 with the continuing dissection by the former chair of the Philippine Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Andres Bautista of the realities of the Philippine electoral system.  For this issue, he continues debunking "the Big Lie" of 2016, which has real-life repercussions on the 2022 election. 

A controversial decision by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to redesign the 1,000-peso bill by replacing the images of three WW II heroes -- Josefa Llanes Escoda, Chief Justice Jose Abad Santos, and General Vicente Lim -- with the Philippine Eagle has triggered an uproar. Historical researcher and author Desiree Ann C. Benipayo makes a case for keeping the three in the 1K bill.

Aside from the martyrdom of Escoda, Abad Santos and Lim in the hands of the Japanese conquerors, they have another thing in common as history professor Jose Victor Z. Torres states. Find out more in "The Last Time They Were Seen Alive."

One of the best memoirs I've ever read on growing up a Fil-Am male is the late Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Alex Tizon's Big Little Man, published before he wrote that highly controversial essay, "My Family's Slave." Retired Philippine Ambassador Virgilio A. Reyes, a regular PF contributor, writes about Tizon's heartbreaking deep dive into the psyche of being male, gifted and brown in a society that values white the most. 

New Year toasts may be over and done but a Meyer Lemon Frozen Margarita is timeless. For the Happy Home Cook, Elizabeth Ann Quirino shares her concoction.

Our Video of the Week  offers a good start to the New Year: a frank, painful and ultimately inspirational TED talk by former Miss Universe Pia Wurtzbach on her mental health challenges. 


In The Know

Yssa Mei Panganiban talks Hawkeye and representing her Filipino Heritage in exciting interview
https://www.theilluminerdi.com/2021/12/30/yssa-mei-panganiban-hawkeye/?fbclid=IwAR2nyjlAaHSxWFbiT6rYRqPMdWC7okbuM4b3KoIqDhNv0KY4zUNAPWlsCcc 

Everybody’s Favorite 24-Hour Filipino Bakery Has Finally Reopened
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13896138/ling-nam-starbread-filipino-bakery-senorita-bread-24-hour-daly-city-open?utm_medium=Email&utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_campaign=202101127Arts&mc_key=00Q1Y00001xHmruUAC

The Untold Story of the Igorots' Revolt
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/the-untold-story-of-the-igorots-revolt-a00293-20201023-lfrm?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20211211-fbnp-long-reads-the-untold-story-of-the-igorots-revolt-a00293-20201023-lfrm-fbold&fbclid=IwAR2DyzvtS3H8THJ1OWk4Shzc14iQiek905O2XFPf5Q7h82Yq47-Vn0xAiSY

Listening to the lost peoples of Philippine history
https://philstarlife.com/geeky/482691-philippine-history-regalado-trota?page=3&fbclid=IwAR2axT4AMVCY48c-OxOjrJJlzDTkhY3HWZudUWVfNI12SnLjHsVmEUrIIEU

Scars of Empire: Harvard’s Role in U.S. Colonialism in the Philippines
https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2021/12/13/wikstrom-scars-of-empire/?fbclid=IwAR2TNvBMUBtkW4mrHAo4P2NJkx6NEyex3CVqbbx_J5pLrwbx0U3qJ4WCQX0

Quezon City: The History of New Manila & Doña Magdalena Hemady
https://lakansining.wordpress.com/2019/02/06/quezon-city-the-history-of-new-manila-dona-magdalena-hemady/?fbclid=IwAR1QT7NOv452xdsVnZ6wRhOs2wsqN4EFa98xsefvNDWEZSEctEsB-rgzB7Q


Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Poll Dancers

After our Christmas stories last week, we're resuming the series on the Philippine electoral system by former COMELEC chief, Andres Bautista. For this issue, he focuses on "Gaming Philippine Democracy," which explains the manufactured controversy regarding the 2016 vice presidential election.

And since this is our last issue of 2021, here's our list and links to the most-read stories of the year based on Google Analytics.

Our Toronto-based contributor, Patria Cabatuando Rivera, sent us an inspirational story on the kind and generous doctor from Toclong, Imus, Cavite, the late Olimpio Hembrador whose patient list includes some pretty prominent people.

For your post-Christmas healthier meals, here are some suggestions from Chef Sandy Daza, borrowed from his acclaimed series of cooking demos called Casa Daza. 

Here's wishing all of you a better year ahead.

Video of the Week: Auld Lang Syne



In The Know (Standard Edition)

Get to Know All the National Artists of the Philippines
https://www.esquiremag.ph/the-good-life/pursuits/national-artists-philippines-list-a1957-20190802-lfrm10?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20211207-fbnp-the-good-life-national-artists-philippines-list-a1957-20190802-lfrm10-fbold&fbclid=IwAR1xnG4BdBJ8iCfBktKjVrIUisRvHbOuDAC9A6EqgHkaOSXeui52nNpFlbQ

These close encounters reveal another side to The Beatles’ ‘disastrous’ Manila visit in ‘66
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/12/20/21/bbc-doc-reveals-new-details-in-beatles-vs-imelda-story

One last kiss: How iconic resto Chocolate Kiss knew it was time to say goodbye
https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/food-drinks/how-iconic-restaurant-chocolate-kiss-knew-time-say-goodbye/?fbclid=IwAR3vEp505PHylo5vbd5o3kOjC8mKwvbQ0fvTutRUDyfSBRal_3_ZfYxuYTA

How this 14-year old Pinoy kid became one of the world’s prize-winning cellists
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/music/12/09/21/meet-the-young-pinoy-cellist-making-the-country-proud?fbclid=IwAR3XViyLU6PF3BfV2zquFc3kT5Uyxtdgc2OBnWTA9v9RGueEqfzRjpT2bA0

The boy who dreamt, the man who became
https://businessmirror.com.ph/2021/12/06/the-boy-who-dreamt-the-man-who-became/?fbclid=IwAR3XEsH1kES7bgUBd0VEfHwwCQNHOnHy496pjkGsuPMEnBK5VLxpr0B7oR4 

How Spider-Man: No Way Home Lets Filipino Americans Shine
https://www.slashfilm.com/713511/how-spider-man-no-way-home-lets-filipino-americans-shine/?fbclid=IwAR2f5RpuUKnCVs5R3DbnM0wW4e1nWESt88yi-uvB3ddBsVLdJVDiQRTygrk


Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

It's Bayanihan Time

“These are the times that try men’s souls.” - Thomas Paine, The American Crisis, 1776

Since it's busy-happy time for everyone celebrating Christmas, we compiled these heartwarming and nostalgic stories from some of our contributing writers that you can enjoy when taking breaks from preparing for your noche buena.

We're even throwing in our resident foodie Elizabeth Ann Quirino's recipe for Tocino del Cielo, that rich, sinful Kapampangan delicacy that may have been part of your childhood Christmases.

Adding to this mix is our Video of the Week, a delightful rendition by the Aroha Junior Choir and the Aroha Children's Choir of Stevie Wonder's "Someday at Christmas." This was supposed to be a light, relaxing issue -- a break from the serious, the controversial, the thought-provoking topics.But nature had other ideas.

In addition to the alarming spread of the omicron virus worldwide, throwing Christmas travel and party plans asunder, how can we turn our backs on the horrific havoc and disaster that Typhoon Odette/Ria wrecked in central and southern Philippines? The pictures that trickled out -- very slowly because power and communications were cut off -- were heartbreaking.

Here's one of the reports:

So in keeping with the true spirit of Christmas, we hope everyone can join in the worldwide bayanihan to help our kababayans in Visayas and Mindanao recover from this disaster. Your nearest Philippine embassies or consulates should be able to point you to the legitimate venues for donations. [Be watchful of scams.]

And with this, we send you our wishes for a joyful and safe Christmas celebration.



In The Know

The country that celebrates Christmas for more than 4 months a year
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/12/21/philippines-the-longest-christmas-celebrations-in-the-world-.html?fbclid=IwAR0767DIgXdKC8Q9dJeCN9gPGppOjaHf-p0nw2pqxVBYMjQizPsSwwB7q6I

Can the small but mighty Jollibee dethrone Popeyes’ spicy fried chicken?
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/small-mighty-jollibee-dethrone-popeyes-121000496.html

New clue to human evolution's biggest mystery emerges in Philippines
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/08/16/world/denisovan-dna-philippines-scn/index.html?fbclid=IwAR0gCb1pY9cvCDvDMg6qJ3qYMyx1P94-E3VYHmlVO29LN64YVllCJxAjPEM

Social entrepreneur’s mission of preserving Philippine cinnamon also benefits farmers
https://mb.com.ph/2021/12/06/social-entrepreneurs-mission-of-preserving-philippine-cinnamon-also-benefits-farmers/?fbclid=IwAR0fx0D_5fBCctZXXX2GqxUFYA7jNfQWUmVpwoeW5tCp55-LqEVItYtuvKg

A Private Island in the Philippines Is Cheaper Than a House in Forbes Park
https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/lifestyle/private-islands-in-the-philippines-a00297-20200305?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20211205-fbnp-culture-private-islands-in-the-philippines-a00297-20200305-fbold&fbclid=IwAR0ucsxwnMxT12jq0zWRhm7r8Mzqw6EeZcrctU72tPGdosYpxR4MxFgqZZ4

In this new Filipino restaurant in London, an exuberant mural is getting a lot of attention
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/art/12/04/21/in-london-kulay-labitigan-tells-the-story-of-home/?utm_campaign=sharedpost&fbclid=IwAR3rM-Iv5-Zw3n2gDOYphzFnMRGiIYA2bHFNWoptbVuCw0llj7FWWMORiuw

Asia’s Most Influential
https://www.tatlerasia.com/list/ami/2021/ph?page=10 


Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino