History In Our Hearts

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Happy Thanksgiving Day to our US-based readers. We have a lot to be grateful for, foremost of which is that we're still around. Quite a blessing after three years of living through a raging pandemic. 

In the California Museum of Sacramento, an exhibit called "California is in the Heart" recognizes and celebrates the history and contributions of FilAms in this state where our presence is biggest. The exhibit, a joint project of UC Davis' Bulosan Center for Filipino Studies and the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) Museum, runs until April 9, 2023 so it's a good reason to plan a trip to the state capital.

A FilAm carving her place in the theater arts, Alexandra Palting created and performed her one-woman musical 0874: A Filipino-American Love Story on social media and is now preparing for its full theater production with a grant from the Kennedy Center in Washington DC. Why 874? That was the number of love letters Alex's lolo and lola wrote to each other when they were separated by the Pacific Ocean between 1958-1963.

And if you've ever craved lanzones, here's something that will trigger your nostalgia some more.

As the days get nippier and the holiday emotions heat up (ok, it's already in full throttle in the Philippines), it's a good time to reacquaint ourselves with Jose Mari Chan, long-time purveyor of sentimental OPM Christmas songs. http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/joe-mari-chans-enduring-heart-songs

In The Know

The school with 18,000 students: educating the Philippines’ booming population

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/17/the-school-with-18000-students-educating-the-philippines-booming-population?utm_term=6376305611f213bda61335b9cd8de38f&utm_campaign=GuardianTodayUS&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=GTUS_email

40 Other Important Filipino Visual Artists Who Are Not Yet National Artists

https://www.tatlerasia.com/culture/arts/filipino-visual-artists-not-yet-national-artists?tool=addthis&fbclid=IwAR03-cSx1nUJOUc6eMy7T0Pj9t1uLqNY3oll4GOfJkTP0O1-HuiaBkGzzo4#.Y3PQPyDgFzs.facebook

Kapos sa budget, batang Pinoy na chess champion sa Thailand, 3 days natulog sa airport

https://www.pep.ph/lifestyle/extraordinary/169710/bince-rafael-operiano-chess-thailand-a4888-20221116?utm_source=Facebook-PEP&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20221116-fbnp-lifestyle-bince-rafael-operiano-chess-thailand-a4888-20221116-fbfirst&fbclid=IwAR2adH9g9GynsBULHhxyzX3OwVDf2oSIWwAKyPwqd2ZeHsISygItxb9iI6s

SB19, a boy band with a K-pop connection, wants fans ‘immersed in Filipino culture’

https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/sb19-a-boy-band-with-a-k-pop-connection-wants-fans-immersed-in-filipino-culture?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=headlines&utm_campaign=sfc_datebook&sid=53bb0669fdd5ac0b52000049

How a Philosophy Graduate From Ateneo Became Bohol's Premium Blademaker

https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/bohol-blades-a00289-20221114-lfrm?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare-Photo&utm_campaign=20221115-fbnp-long-reads-bohol-blades-a00289-20221114-lfrm-fbnew&fbclid=IwAR0McqOxmx9-o770oGNv5vUGhoTiEGUkZxcIItb3T9PK9AbBJoT1n9AohfA

The Wheel contestant 'speechless' as he wins show's biggest ever jackpot

https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/tv/the-wheel-contestant-speechless-as-he-wins-show-s-biggest-ever-jackpot/ar-AA14kjAK?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=6dc096a0561640cc82cdafdffa9b5aaa

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Staff

A Filmmaking Legend

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There's no doubt about it -- Mike de Leon is up there in the pantheon of all-time great Filipino movie directors. The scion of movie industry royalty -- his grandmother was Dona Narcisa de Leon, the head honcho of LVN Pictures, his father Manuel de Leon was another directorial icon; Mike grew up watching movies made, surrounded by stars and crew alike -- his movies are classics. Think "Kisapmata," "Itim," "Sister Stella L," "Kakabakaba Ka Ba," "Batch '81," the unforgettable "Kung Mangarap Ka't Magising." It's but fitting that De Leon has become the first Filipino director to have a retrospective at the MoMA (otherwise known as New York's Museum of Modern Art). PF contributing writer Claire Mercado-Obias was there and filed this report.

Are septuagenarians still able to walk the Camino pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela? If you're healthy and practiced and determined, you definitely can, as PF contributing writer Michael Gonzalez and his wife Patricia proved. Read about their adventures in Portugal and Spain as they walked the 170 miles for their hard-earned compostela (official certificate of completion). 

A proposal in the fascinating city of Istanbul? Dreams of romance swirled in PF Correspondent Criselda Yabes' mind as she roamed this Turkish city of glorious history and a tortured present. 

An art-inclined mother and her neurodivergent son bond through art, an inspiring story for parents of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities.

One of the FilAms who won in the recent US elections is Justin Jones (D), a civil rights activist with a string of political arrests to his name. Jones, 26, was elected as State Representative for District 52 of Tennessee, the youngest lawmaker of the current General Assembly. Read Again his story about his Filipino roots:

http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/justin-jones-black-filipino-civil-rights-activist

And what does a freshman legislator do on his first day on the job? Watch Rep. Justin Jones as he introduces himself to his (much older) colleagues.

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Staff

Province of Tasty Delights

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So much has been written about Filipino food lately even in mainstream US publications. Filipino restaurants are also sprouting up in various countries as more overseas Filipinos with culinary creds recreate and/or improve on the dishes that they grew up with.

But if one were to ask where to find the best Filipino cooking, the arrow will definitely point to Pampanga which rightfully claims to be the culinary capital of the country. How did "Kapampangan" and "good food" become natural correlates in the taste buds of food connoisseurs? Robby Tantingco, a Kapampangan cultural historian, gives 10 reasons. 

Meanwhile, here's a new reason to smile: trendy sneakers that's 100% Filipino sourced and crafted. And better yet, they're made using a sustainable process that meets international standards. Lakat certainly puts pride in footwear.

And a reason to laugh: Pinoy street humor in Funny Signs #17.

Just this week came the news that the new Philippine ambassador to China is Jaime FlorCruz, a retired international journalist (Time magazine and CNN) whose intimate knowledge of China was borne out of imposed 15-year exile in that country due to his being in the wanted list of the first Ferdinand Marcos. Jimi succeeds his co-exile and close friend Santiago "Chito" Sta. Romana who was Duterte's ambassador to China and who died in office earlier this year. Read Again Jimi's story: 

http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/2013/4/40-years-in-china-from-stranded-activist-to-international-journalist

Here's an inspiring story about the T'Boli weavers, they who craft such beautiful indigenous fabrics. Read Again Patricia Araneta's report:

T’Boli: It’s Better to Weave Than to Leave — Positively Filipino | Online Magazine for Filipinos in the Diaspora

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Staff