May 11, 2022

We'll Be Watching

May 11, 2022/ Staff

And so it went.

A campaign that was founded on lies ("golden age," the ownership of gold, the promise of distributing gold when it wins, a non-existent Oxford diploma, etc.), fueled by lies (the $203 billion tax debt is still being negotiated, when in reality the Supreme Court has declared it final and executable, among others) and sustained by lies has won.

And a Pink Movement has risen. How this new force will be harnessed is still to be determined, but it will. The proverbial genie is already out of the bottle and there is no putting it back in.

It will be interesting times, the next six years. Unlike the father's, the son's administration will have hundreds of thousands of watchdogs that will be alert to its doings. We anticipate civilian unrest, much like the early '70s with its First Quarter Storm. We also anticipate repressive measures to quell this unrest because the son is bound to follow the father's playbook without the benefit of the father's diabolic brilliance. And therein lies the lethal brew, this mediocrity and hubris.

PF, like all legitimate media outlets, will watch, document, fact-check and share the stories that we know are real and true. We will be part of the movement to correct the historical distortions that have proliferated online and have twisted the minds of many.

This Week’s Stories

What Now, Philippines? by Ernesto M. Hilario

Food-Tripping In Manila (And Nearby) by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Hardheaded Woman by Patria Cabatuando-Rivera

[Webinar Video] Hate And "No Dogs"

[Cook it Again] The Happy Home Cook: Paella De Adobo By Señor Anastacio De Alba by Elizabeth Ann Quirino

{Video of the Week] Last Week Tonight: Philippine Elections

Philippine Elections 2022

Philippine election: US$9.3 billion wiped off stock market as investors await Marcos’ economic plans
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3177191/philippine-election-us93-billion-wiped-stock-market

Private Meal With Kingpin Offers Clues to How Marcos Will Rule Philippines
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/private-meal-kingpin-offers-clues-100002158.html

What to Expect Under a Marcos Presidency
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsEa_LidKyM

Opinion Philippines election sends warning about authoritarian nostalgia
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/05/09/ferdinand-bongbong-marcos-jr-philippines-election-authoritarian-nostalgia/

The Morning After
https://heneralunacy.wordpress.com/2022/05/10/the-morning-after/?fbclid=IwAR2_e2gSs9ISM22Xp4O140laQzJCPE0YWBAX_rA6dEnRIWsBma-9iOQhnc8

UK think tank says BBM win is bad for economy
https://opinyon.net/business/uk-think-tank-says-bbm-win-is-bad-for-economy?fbclid=IwAR2eHpQQNVHNxxGWjLgzJFukz2azZm4jDwnEJm5MXrIPMfL8Yfst2EpjKt0

Marcos rule to return to Philippines after election landslide
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/view-marcos-rule-return-philippines-after-election-landslide-2022-05-09/

Marcos Jr. benefited from Facebook -study
https://www.rappler.com/nation/elections/ferdinand-marcos-jr-benefited-facebook-disinformation-study/?fbclid=IwAR3WFkDYfjIbAvv-6vthB92J7aeeK2ZfjNazZcksx_twSSoYeHBbyp4cjlw

In The Know

Which Country Issued the Most Schengen Visas to Filipinos?
https://www.esquiremag.ph/life/travel/which-country-issued-schengen-visa-filipinos-a2274-20181210?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20220510-fbnp-life-which-country-issued-schengen-visa-filipinos-a2274-20181210-fbold&fbclid=IwAR17dUD6YEG2jsDTWDIAGK5PDu_Ki1lXO172Ia-XU2MCCevh2Of1hnUDLss

Toro y Moi opens up, embraces Filipino heritage: ‘No more acting or putting on that sad boy image’
https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/toro-y-moi-shows-love-for-filipino-heritage-on-mahal?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=headlines&utm_campaign=sfc_datebook&sid=53bb0669fdd5ac0b52000049

From IG to LA: How this Filipina home baker opened her first store in the US
https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/food-drinks/how-filipina-pajama-baker-opened-first-store-united-states/?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1RhY-D8-OzAJGN4um5TwMfGI5fL87ktNXMIIQZf65hUNH_JKDOK1e_YPo#Echobox=1650957610

The Best Schools for Business Management in the Philippines
https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/lifestyle/best-business-management-schools-philippine-a2749-20220428-src-candy-lfrm?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20220428-fbnp-culture-best-business-management-schools-philippine-a2749-20220428-src-candy-lfrm-fbfirst&fbclid=IwAR0gQfMUOXj6HGTlD90cg3DDUWKzI4G36mzVb3lehayB4_XiGxVxJdJnz_s

10 Metro Manila Roads, Then and Now
https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/lifestyle/photos-10-metro-manila-roads-then-and-now-a1729-20190812-src-spot-lfrm?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20220430-fbnp-culture-photos-10-metro-manila-roads-then-and-now-a1729-20190812-src-spot-lfrm-fbold&fbclid=IwAR0Bi_36XA7ZhiM64aoWBMYS5Qe8xejaZWpf62t5wQeEHSTP14cT4R4ds0w

Filipino-made Card Games to Know
https://www.tatlerasia.com/culture/others/pinoy-boardgames-to-know?utm_campaign=PH_DIG_FULL20220501&utm_medium=email&utm_source=tatlerasia.com

How to buy a guitar? You need to feel it in person, says this Cebu guitar maker
https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/travel/alegre-guitar-factory-lapu-lapu-city-cebu/?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR25KETR7bSMQcAi4dHXF3fVidyx9UB1qlv_fY4SylNPZu6a9JjUDq8UauM#Echobox=1651538493

The Culinary Capitals of the Philippines: Food Writer Ige Ramos’ Guide to Cavite
https://www.tatlerasia.com/dining/journeys/ige-ramos-food-guide-to-cavite?utm_campaign=PH_DIN_FULL20220505&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter

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

March 30, 2022

The Worst of Times and the Best of Times

March 30, 2022/ Gemma Nemenzo

As an active journalist in the Philippines between 1983, the year Ninoy Aquino was assassinated, and 1986 when the Marcos regime was ousted by people power, I was right there when the almost daily protests were happening. Those were heady times, alternately exhilarating and scary, when yellow confetti rained daily from the usually staid buildings in Ayala Avenue, when intense political infighting and secret strategizing among rival factions within the administration were taking place, and anti-Marcos rallies were drawing bigger and bigger crowds. We felt the electricity in the air and the ground shifting; we knew that history was being made and we were not just witnesses but participants in its unfolding.

I realize now how different it is to watch events unfold from afar. Though I'm in constant touch with friends who are on the ground, it's not the same as being there and actually feeling, hearing, seeing the tension and the excitement. Worse, with the proliferation of online disinformation, I have to suspend reacting to news until I verify their veracity, which can be a damper to spontaneous enthusiasm.

This is why I'm so happy to have my friend and WOMEN (Women Writers in Media Now) colleague Rochit Tañedo write about the nitty-gritty of the recent massive Leni Robredo-Kiko Pangilinan rallies in Nueva Ecija and Tarlac. Traveling by public bus from her home in Quezon City shortly after Covid restrictions were lifted, laden with donated campaign materials, Rochit embedded herself among the volunteer organizers and the masses who thronged to the rally sites, and wrote about the "Tears and Fears and Leni-Kiko's Abonados." Not quite the same as being actually there, but close.