Post-Lockdown Balikbayan

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After three years of staying put, we ventured across the ocean again for our first balikbayan visit to our Motherland. It is still quite a health risk -- breathing the same air with hundreds at the airports and on the plane for hours is not a good thing for anyone. A small consolation: we took an Asian airline and most of the passengers were masked all throughout, with few exceptions.

Manila traffic is back to being horrendous after two years of relative ease. It's too early to say how the pandemic has changed lives, scenes and attitudes but let me say this: unlike California, almost everyone including those walking down the streets, are masked. I tried entering a building and was stopped because I had no mask on (left in the car, masking being already less routine for me). I had to walk back to retrieve it.

Almost two years of lockdown and restrictions were life-changing for many and not in a good way. Those who earned daily wages are still trying to rise from the devastation of lost income. But there is always a good side, especially for those who didn't go hungry. They were able to reconnect with their neighbors, clean up their surroundings and realized how good it was to eat less, move more and yes, do their part in beating the virus by masking and distancing. Like anywhere else, many creative, home-produced products proliferated, changing the landscape of small business in the country.

Unlike typhoons, fires and other natural disasters that affect specific areas, the pandemic affected everyone regardless of class and status. It is quite the great equalizer.

                                                        - Gemma, writing from Manila

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Land of the Brave

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"How can you still live in the United States," someone asked as the almost daily news of mass shootings continue to horrify the world. How can we indeed when for the past seven years there has been a steady stream of abominations (think January 6, George Floyd, Asian hate, rightwing and racist rants -- you get the drift) that has become the daily dose of life in America.

First-generation Filipino immigrants with continuing strong ties to the Philippines have the option to stay or go, but most opt to stay. After all, most had to brave hell and high water to be able to legally live here, and that's not something one can easily give up on.

All things considered, the pros still outweigh the cons. As our stories this week show, Fil-Ams have made use of the opportunities offered by this country to fulfill their dreams and carve out their niches in American society.

Check out those who made it in today's list of Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous. They represent a variety of fields and are stand-outs in their respective ones.

Read about Ruby Silvious who's unique art medium has been noticed in New York's competitive art scene.

And await the forthcoming book of community leader Loida Nicolas Lewis where she tells her remarkable story of playing it big in America.

Yes, we ourselves sometimes ponder the question of why, despite everything, we still choose to live in the US. Because we can. 

Stories This Week

Fil-Ams Among The Remarkable And Famous, Part 42 By Mona Lisa Yuchengco

The Tea Bag Artistry Of Ruby Silvious By Claire Mercado-Obias

Why It’s Fun To Read Loida Nicolas Lewis’ ‘Why Should Guys Have All The Fun?’ By Fr. Joe Constantino, SJ

Read Again

Leonor Rivera, A Hero’s Sweetheart By Elizabeth Ann Quirino

Adobo By Carlene Sobrino Bonnivier

[Cook It Again] The Happy Home Cook: Ginataang Langka (Young Jackfruit In Coconut Milk) By Chef Richgail Enriquez

[Video of the Week] Manila 1931

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Staff

Deliver Us from Violence

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We are still reeling from the double shock of two consecutive mass shootings in California -- in Monterey Park (11 dead, 10 wounded) on January 21 and Half Moon Bay (7 dead) on January 23. What sets these two rampages apart from the 37 other mass shootings in the US since the start of 2023 is that the perpetrators were both elderly Asian men (72- and 67 years old). It was not the increasingly common "anti-Asian hate" that made these men killers, even if most of the victims were Asian. 

In Monterey Park, all the victims were Asian and seniors who were having fun ballroom dancing in what was supposed to be a safe dance studio. One of them was Filipino American Valentino Alvero, 68, identified as a hospitality worker who was planning to retire soon and return to the Philippines.

In Half Moon Bay, the victims were Asians and Latinos, farm workers presumably younger than the 67-year-old shooter who has a history of violence, according to a former coworker.

What made these two men snap? No one will know for sure with the Monterey Park shooter; he was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound a few hours after his rampage. Perhaps the Half Moon Bay perpetrator will talk; he has been taken into custody after surrendering (he parked his van in the parking lot of the Sheriff's office while waiting to be arrested).

It's certain though that both had mental health issues that could have been treated, but for its stigmatization among Asians especially of a certain age. Both shouldn't have had access to guns, particularly assault weapons, if only common-sense gun laws -- long advocated by a majority of Americans -- have been passed and implemented.

As we convey our sincerest sympathies to the families of the victims, we also continue to join the loud call for better violence prevention, more accessible mental health information and services for those who need it, and an end to the practically uncontrolled proliferation of deadly firearms. As the last few days have shown, there is no age limit to mental and psychological challenges.

In The Know

Get to know mangrove farmer Rogelio Timbal, recipient of The ONE Philippines’ unsung hero for 2022

https://www.tatlerasia.com/power-purpose/philanthropy/unsung-hero-farmer-rogelio-timbals-act-of-kindness?utm_campaign=PH_DIG_FULL20221020&utm_medium=email&utm_source=tatlerasia.com

10 Scenic Restos Near Manila Worth the Drive

https://www.spot.ph/eatdrink/the-latest-eat-drink/103149/restaurants-with-a-view-near-metro-manila-a3283-20221224-lfrm?utm_source=Facebook-Spot&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20230118-fbnp--restaurants-with-a-view-near-metro-manila-a3283-20221224-lfrm-fbprom&fbclid=IwAR3XdQLoNqJClVWy1NgB3ij7dL11vfw9FoTj8JKkqxj_2k3D_HryvSVJEaA

It’s quite possibly Dumaguete’s best resort, and now also a dining destination

https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/restaurants/01/17/23/the-henry-is-quite-possibly-dumaguetes-best-resort?fbclid=IwAR2ZLc4vrpa3LCahijLInqNivlk7AOqaz0md45cb9MB9YtbgXIxwa88vQy4

Quezon City Public Library Brings Back Evening Hours

https://www.spot.ph/things-to-do/the-latest-things-to-do/103364/quezon-city-public-library-resumes-extended-hours-a833-20230109?utm_source=Facebook-Spot&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20230115-fbnp-o-do-quezon-city-public-library-resumes-extended-hours-a833-20230109-fbprom&fbclid=IwAR37Kygs2ZMjSLU3mk8e-Ujd7RD5Fa5c3HGfOarlqgnr1txHJsoOtQfDzNE

Someone Unearthed Old Films That Give a Rare Glimpse of Pre-War Manila

https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/films-prewar-manila-a00225-20210521?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20230122-fbnp-long-reads-films-prewar-manila-a00225-20210521-fbold&fbclid=IwAR18FHoAtFHDJJ2lfVvNxUqW2eydjPFswA9b93l73vPBaYJB1a1ZuHFmYuw 

From beauty queen to military officer

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/01/22/news/regions/from-beauty-queen-to-military-officer/1875314?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1FwL-TM3twb1OPI9mpXCqQmYOr_pLJPRK2T80x_ND58jQaNm1iKePaGVM#Echobox=1674342012

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Staff