April 27, 2022

High Jinks Before May 9 High Noon?

April 27, 2022/ Gemma Nemenzo

Eleven more days before Filipinos in the Philippines cast their ballots and already, there are increasingly frequent reports about "deactivated names." The COMELEC has admitted that close to 10.5 million registered voters have been dropped for various reasons, the more common of which is that the voter didn't vote in previous elections. [Read: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1171115]

Not true, says PF contributor Bella Bonner whose name is missing. On her Facebook page, she posted: "And so I find out after months of campaigning and rah rah-ing my favored candidates that I will be unable to vote. I was DEACTIVATED! Huh?! I voted in the last election. I double checked with Comelec a couple of years ago and they said I was good to go. Well apparently to hell! What happened here???"

As former COMELEC chair and now PF contributing writer Andres D. Bautista urges in his article this week: "...check the precinct finder feature of the Comelec website (voterverifier.comelec.gov.ph/voter precinct) or call Comelec’s IT Department at 8526-7769 or 8527-9365 before Election day." Better yet, DO IT NOW, way before May 9, so there's time to rectify the problem. In "Voter Beware," Bautista issues very strong warnings on possible anomalies that voters should watch out for. Please read his article and pass it on.

And to help you in planning your voting activity, here's a comprehensive cheat sheet that guides you through the process and helps you make decisions:

https://candidata.ph/?fbclid=IwAR2msVFtnLAjlANLSyBmm-MvTOs7qzHiXCkekWziTWFuIyrkyVVaWEem--Q

In the US where ballots have already been mailed out (if you're a registered voter and you haven't received your ballot yet, contact your nearest Consulate), be aware that the return envelope only has two stamps. You need to ADD ANOTHER STAMP (one Forever stamp should do it) to ensure that your ballot is delivered back to your Consulate.

Little items that might spell the difference in a hotly elected election like this one. So let's spread the word to all Filipino voters we know, to be vigilant and to make sure they can vote.

P.S. Don't forget to join us on May 4 for our webinar: Hate and "No Dogs"

This Week’s Stories

Voter Beware By Andres D. Bautista

A Birthday Party For The Ages By Ma-an Hontiveros

Chel Diokno: Like Father, Like Son By Quintin Enrico Cepeda

Remembrance Of Crispy Pork Bellies Past By Miguel Carrion

How Tommy Tomás Of ‘Mr. Mayor’ Became Filipino By Anthony Maddela

[Recipe of the Week] The Happy Home Cook: Lechon Kawali By Miguel Carrion

[Video of the Week] Modern Tinikling

Philippine Elections 2022

The endgame: Rivals ramp up attacks as Robredo rides pink wave to May 9
https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/endgame-rivals-amp-up-attacks-as-robredo-rides-pink-wave-to-may-9/?fbclid=IwAR2GVxkSFLI02DRgVYyAqvq4qIzoWgPfc5mIXpEkipi-pw8T7n3syK1Bo2M

Washington Post journalist details social media attacks after report exposing Marcos ‘online revisionism project’ goes live
https://ph.news.yahoo.com/washington-post-journalist-details-social-084555712.html

NBI: Ex-employee of Smartmatic admitted ‘deal’ in systems breach
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1584815/nbi-ex-employee-of-smartmatic-admitted-deal-in-security-breach?fbclid=IwAR2EZj2immeCf6JsmgqesiyJTts20aERTzXtdZ2qqP4LkhX_lZzwl1ulSm0

[ANALYSIS] The race to May 9: Can Robredo do a Binay?
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/analysis-can-robredo-do-binay-come-behind-victory-race-may-9-2022/

‘Hindi solid ang north’: Pacquiao braves Marcos country Ilocos Norte
https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/pacquiao-braves-marcos-country-ilocos-norte/?fbclid=IwAR2yoeNyTb5j6rhCInuU1xK7-OGiWHNQNesNZb5uzAW-p8arlkgGzsF2ez4

Philippine election: Can Leni Robredo’s ‘pink wave’ reverse the Bongbong Marcos tide?
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3174148/philippine-election-robredo-fans-surf-pink-wave-will-tide-ebb

Leni's list final: No more additions, subtractions from Robredo senatorial slate
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/03/20/2168628/lenis-list-final-no-more-additions-subtractions-robredo-senatorial-slate/amp

Marcos Jr. as a lottery ticket
https://inqm.news/xgwv

[The Slingshot] The son sinned as the father
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/opinion-slingshot-son-sinned-as-father/?fbclid=IwAR1A7o-55t8y_RRQ12T0uIMNhVUAcZX2JaIDsk1hsgJDX5T3h7ZksbrExX4

In The Know

Tributes pour in for late Philippine ambassador hailed as ‘good friend’ of China
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3174802/tributes-pour-philippine-ambassador-china-hailed-good-friend?fbclid=IwAR0n7lnEiMpoFMp_xF2ijfQK0gXfavBGDFcNCy0jnMSftsJY2bZrh0I33Nc

Jesus Villamor Was the Greatest Filipino Fighter Pilot in History
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/jesus-villamor-greatest-fighter-pilot-philippines-a00293-20200611-lfrm?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20220415-fbnp-long-reads-jesus-villamor-greatest-fighter-pilot-philippines-a00293-20200611-lfrm-fbold&fbclid=IwAR0m1BJZwbyA5UpZrXwxg9hhOH8rsk9-vGbCw9I9i2bvEmZFZ5WEOMe7UEY

'I will continue to be brave': Surviving WWII Filipino 'comfort women' fight for recognition, apology
https://news.yahoo.com/continue-brave-surviving-wwii-filipino-185913812.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

Is Francis Ford Coppola the Godfather of Filipino Surf Culture?
https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/lifestyle/francis-ford-coppola-philippines-surf-culture-a2765-20220409?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare-Photo&utm_campaign=20220410-fbnp-culture-francis-ford-coppola-philippines-surf-culture-a2765-20220409-fbfirst&fbclid=IwAR22VEnWR53ARvMOLVJJUJxHZ54BVqUoHk8gspY08-E09q_2PUadj227ckQ

Katre Bistro: A hidden treasure
https://www.postguam.com/island_life/maila_ta_fan_boka/katre-bistro-a-hidden-treasure/article_44eca424-da51-11e7-afc7-cbfdf9b4d7ac.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=user-share&fbclid=IwAR3y5VDIfUjO75VD-2z8ImUzMEC--VByTlC812_oi-O48TPEpvv4Ea0Se5I

A Final Farewell to Irineo C. Odoy, Father of U.P. Ikot Jeepneys
https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/lifestyle/irineo-odoy-father-up-ikot-jeep-a2765-20220414?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20220417-fbnp-culture-irineo-odoy-father-up-ikot-jeep-a2765-20220414-fbfirst&fbclid=IwAR2GiUpjXA1rqv8Ktgs4rq32U2Gjyp8mW3gcVtWhVXPhUucG9zyumlKAybE

Must-visits in Laguna, according to the experts
https://www.thediarist.ph/must-visits-in-laguna-according-to-the-experts/

'Is It Cake?' contestant aims to normalize sights and flavors of Filipino cuisine
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/-cake-contestant-aims-normalize-sights-flavors-filipino-cuisine-rcna23029?cid=sm_npd_nn_fb_aa&fbclid=IwAR12xkaAA-vizv7TbpcITpCKS9yf79lOB65udjqj6ADkvpzqp4WevB7dz60&_branch_match_id=964530804741778813&utm_source=socialflow&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAAw3IWwuCMBQA4H%2FTW66iJgYRs16swC5Cj2MXR3PrcGQ6a7%2B%2BvsfvNQwYtoSAVNBOIROImbfgyK1O15MZLwblXlm9C28OqDkAN5ILMTNS%2BX9XE7svVx8nGJtHm2LeSFRVg4fzo%2FiavPB1STej7vqOsqOLmHpcP9tY5jrRxQ%2FblXvufQAAAA%3D%3D

SNEAK PEEK: Cubao’s heritage jewel MiraNila opens hotel, restaurant within its stately compound
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/04/20/22/cubaos-heritage-jewel-miranila-opens-hotel-restaurant

April 20, 2022

Not All Doom and Gloom

April 20, 2022/ Gemma Nemenzo

We start our Easter Week with mourning. An exemplary Filipino public servant, Jose Santiago "Chito" Sta. Romana, the current Philippine ambassador to China (previously a well-known student activist, exile and ABC News Bureau Chief in China), passed away unexpectedly in an island off Shanghai, leaving family, friends and colleagues shocked and in deep grief. [Here's Rappler's obit: https://www.rappler.com/nation/philippine-diplomat-chito-sta-romana-dies/?fbclid=IwAR0WcPcqhoA8bM3T8BqG6OgWKyOfVYDGxDWLCosxbB8ga6AMZ7nHWxB07AM]

But it's not all doom and gloom. If you want comedy, ridiculousness and incredulousness all at once, check out our Election News links below to get a full taste of the Grand Philippine Circus, aka Elections 2022. You gotta read it to believe it!

There's also reason for amazement. In the current election climate, a new, never-before-seen-in-such-scale organizing strategy is sweeping many areas of the country: murals -- giant artworks painted on public walls and fences, proclaiming support for a specific candidate. Mural creation is a large-group activity, thus a great tool for motivating, inspiring and consolidating the troops (of supporters). Contributor Bella Bonner takes us behind the scenes to one such project in West Fairview, Quezon City.

And always, a reason to stand up and be counted. Regular contributing writer and former COMELEC head honcho Andres D. Bautista exhorts overseas Filipino voters, all 1.7 million of us, to VOTE. Philippine embassies and consulates have mailed out the ballots but if you haven't received yours, contact them. If you're in the San Francisco Bay Area, make sure your name is here: https://pcgsanfrancisco.org/certified-list-of-overseas-voters-clov-2022/

If you haven't received your ballot, check your name here: List of Voters with No or Incomplete Address. If you'd had a change of address and haven't informed the Consulate, check here: List of Returned Postal Voting Packets. Email the Consulate immediately if your name is on the two lists above: ovs@pcgsanfrancisco.org. You can also go personally to Consulate on May 9 to vote.

Our lineup this week also includes a sentimental journey to the sites that forged Filipino American connections in WWII by Carol Esguerra Colborn [Read: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/war-and-remembrance-in-the-philippines]

And the interesting story of Johnny Valdes, the man who built Johnny Air Cargo, written by first-time PF contributor Glenna Aquino. [Read: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/how-johnny-became-johnny-air-cargo]

Enjoy the wild ride towards a new Philippine future.

[Recipe of the Week] The Happy Home Cook: Airfried Vegetarian Crispy Pork Belly

[Video of the Week] Awit ng Pagasa

Philippine Elections 2022

Youtube Channels ‘Hijacking’ News Genre to Influence Philippine Polls
https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/youtube-channels-hijacking-news-genre-disinformation-influence-2022-philippine-elections/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR3mWaOvTWtVY2FfEx1z6Lpw5dRM73Dqe5tJg98d4JaTvPeQaLMc0f7k5Z8#Echobox=1649996525-4

[ANALYSIS] Ping Lacson’s premature endgame
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/newsstand-ping-lacson-premature-endgame-2022-elections/?fbclid=IwAR0RMtZxW-FVjdBYWA0KwopzoWIQtOYYsc22TRgqwUEOZIdUjVCgTIF869o

[OPINION] What have these guys been sniffing?
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/opinion-lacson-moreno-gonzales-press-conference-what-have-these-guys-been-sniffing/?fbclid=IwAR0nrP4MBE0nT8vrQ8uz4qoSqx6VgdU5qYzkhwGNVecQ93MRuKT1JB7hg78

Filipinos flood Twitter with ‘Leni Withdraw’ memes after lagging candidates gang up on Robredo
https://ph.news.yahoo.com/filipinos-flood-twitter-leni-withdraw-051106771.html

How the Philippines’ brutal history is being whitewashed for voters
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/12/philippines-marcos-memory-election/

The Philippines Toppled One Marcos. Now His Son May Become President.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/13/world/asia/philippines-marcos-president-election.html?unlocked_article_code=AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACEIPuomT1JKd6J17Vw1cRCfTTMQmqxCdw_PIxftm3iWka3DJDm8ZiPsSGYyMvE7WZKMkf9sy2zWDXN5HPaRqQfVoxehEelR3RhKprpaChNEIJyg-tYO0WCU2w5fJF_gewAPdU1OYeq151aHt-FWPKiSxCvmIzyV3Jw5uppBmaVmv3CEXwqzAQfp_joMtwf0rDph4TDgFYCKA7OL6SEkrYKXwZRne6QM8UuxbWyiC3oLPruJdL3gBTA7OX3h94m0j6d5DON5xPK73LxYoe8qWkqxGQyUzb9_vX8ttMtCSw7Z6srfNqgiOzN61wpg1FKZXvLDEugWqJW7Fvj6yEs9r8CKZOCGjNSo&smid=em-share

Ties that bind: 17 years ago, Leni trudged Masbate to help rural folk
https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/17-years-ago-leni-robredo-trudged-masbate-help-rural-folk-elections-2022/?fbclid=IwAR3BJkVPvoH8RDuwTGgZuXOdWt2rjrk7x5PSi8MlHSOJqrbCJHq9e9dl09E#l1yqz8l40abgor9vn9mf

Networked propaganda: How the Marcoses are using social media to reclaim Malacañang
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/245290-marcos-networked-propaganda-social-media/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=Social&fbclid=IwAR3W6LGxu0zS8ZlRGNWmdSs_zPSaLTz30EZI52FdFEArdxCLXLyLQ_mui18

Networked Propaganda: How the Marcoses are rewriting history
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/245402-networked-propaganda-marcoses-rewriting-history/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=Social&fbclid=IwAR3wGgA-dkNfl4Zhezg_EuuRU8NGVBGLvnolcXcxNn1tm9HDckuwSRkS5WE

Networked propaganda: False narratives from the Marcos arsenal
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/245540-networked-propaganda-false-narratives-from-the-marcos-arsenal/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=Social&fbclid=IwAR244VmzBQ8adan_AvWqa4NNSXzUxoSwlu7FnV2eYnzgvkl3AILpKpT6D5Y

Citizen engagement against the surveys
https://opinion.inquirer.net/152120/citizen-engagement-against-the-surveys?fbclid=IwAR0vaTxCjCW0CtlBv05x2k5F6tsQWuCHl3DfcUibnQ2w12y6m0jcnQEEPi8#ixzz7Qfmzcryi

The twists and turns of the presidential election
https://opinion.inquirer.net/152085/the-twists-and-turns-of-the-presidential-election

[OPINION] Thoughts on the saying ‘The best man for the job is a woman’
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/opinion-best-man-for-job-is-woman/?fbclid=IwAR2VzjfMC31Xci7fFUZEa5yfmu7V4wF2O3Gh1RSLcH5ayM6wEFiyWOiAG50

In The Know

Lost History: How Czech Fighters Defended Bataan During World War 2
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/czech-fighters-defended-bataan-world-war-2-a00289-20200903-lfrm?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20220419-fbnp-long-reads-czech-fighters-defended-bataan-world-war-2-a00289-20200903-lfrm-fbold&fbclid=IwAR38Z5ZNrSzZvIC8wxs_0qDSbUnUP4V-eTYnpdrsfPYw61QCEuuI7f4EbY0

Read the Philippines' Most Banned Books in This 'Secret' Digital Archive
https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/books-and-art/read-the-world-s-most-banned-books-in-this-secret-digital-archive-a2746-20220418?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20220418-fbnp-culture-read-the-world-s-most-banned-books-in-this-secret-digital-archive-a2746-20220418-fbold&fbclid=IwAR36eZa4LFLW3jJ5SODo2QWumF2eduIdJyXi-DpGuXSoE0QONQibvf8oA0Y

The "Women of Impact" 2022 List: Filipinas Who Have Made Their Mark
https://www.tatlerasia.com/power-purpose/others/the-women-of-impact-2022-list-filipinas-who-have-made-their-mark

What brought about the Filipino’s love affair with rice, according to a food historian
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/features/04/07/22/a-filipino-food-historian-on-why-we-eat-what-we-eat?fbclid=IwAR1tof19EE2A1EVqHb7chtUN-fxhHHjkZoxyoJRXez5TinxNNxwUpfo8uhQ

Slater Young set the record straight on who really built this PHP30-billion Cebu bridge, and people are loving it
https://ph.news.yahoo.com/slater-young-set-record-straight-073758169.html

This Filipino Circumnavigated the World for P240,000 and No Visas

https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/filipino-circumnavigated-world-regin-reyno-a00293-20200312-lfrm2?utm_source=Facebook-EsquireMoney&utm_medium=Siteshare&utm_campaign=20220406-fbnp-long-reads-filipino-circumnavigated-world-regin-reyno-a00293-20200312-lfrm2-fbold&fbclid=IwAR2BJ8w8ivt0NS-giydnnEbckKUn2pn1vc9YP18yc9QSwkdGTGu5FkPOFbQ

Pioneering Filipina Filmmakers
https://www.goldenglobes.com/articles/pioneering-filipina-filmmakers?fbclid=iwar3mjp4zu8tjymaehvodklul4o3ezq8_gqyj6ef1pe_tljjndait31bzun8

Artworks by PH children with autism showcased in NY | TFC News New York, USA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c3R07fgMVCM

April 13, 2022

Tensions in the Tenses

April 13, 2022/ Gemma Nemenzo

Amidst the calm of Holy Week in the Christian world, let’s do some reflection on how the past informs the present and how we want the future to look like. The personal may not always be political but there's no ignoring politics this time. Our story lineup this week represents past, present and future in our Motherland's storied evolution.

The present: As the Duterte administration plods through its end run, it is a good time to look at the big picture and assess its mixed legacy objectively. As political observer and professor Patricio N. Abinales writes, while the poor got the brunt of its drug war, Duterte "also leaves the presidency with a remarkable record of serving the poor even as his police officers and hired assassins continue to kill their fathers, mothers, and children." This contradiction will be scrutinized and argued in the years to come so Abinales fires the first volley to "let the debates begin."

The past: Senatorial hopeful Samira Gutoc rang the memory bell as a Marcos Jr. presidency becomes a possibility. Remember the Jabidah massacre of 1968, she says. More than 20 Muslim recruits for a top-secret mission to reclaim Sabah were gunned down in Corregidor, the training site, when they started protesting their harsh training conditions. The military had since erased all traces of the mission but there were some who escaped death and told the story. The Jabidah massacre triggered the war of Muslim Mindanao against the Marcos regime and led to the founding of MNLF. We post excerpts from the book Under the Crescent Moon: Rebellion in Mindanao by ace journalists Marites Danguilan Vitug and Glenda Gloria.

The future: What we do today will determine how our future will look like. In political terms, "We are whom we choose," former COMELEC chief Andres D. Bautista contends as he looks at the many unprecedented actions taking place throughout the Philippines right now. Will the future be rosy or blood red? We don't need a crystal ball, just fervor and dedication as we march toward May 9. Most importantly, we have to VOTE.

Read Agains:

Images of Semana Santa

Marinduque’s Mesmerizing Moriones by Wilma Consul

Art and Soul and Fr. Rey by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

[Recipe of the Week] Enjoy this YouTube video of actress Judy Ann Santos cooking her fave Holy Week dishes

[Video of the Week] Remy Martin - NCAA Champion