Our Places in the World

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Filipinos are known for finding places in many corners of the globe to make their home. Necessity often spurs them to do so. In “Landscapes of Diaspora,” we feature the works of Janine Barrera, a young artist who paints as a “global citizen with a Filipino aesthetic” and one who is grateful for the new home she has found for herself.

Meanwhile, former career diplomat Virgilio A Reyes revisits one of his temporary homes in search of footprints of a French ancestor. “A ‘French Leave’ in Paris on a Eurailpass” is Part 2 of his series on returning to Europe 50 years after he was an exchange student on the continent in 1972.

Some compatriots are able to find success in the old sod and generously try to better our common home. One such Filipino was the late business leader-philanthropist Ambassador Alfonso T. Yuchengco. Positively Filipino Publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco tells of her family’s loving commemoration of her late father’s 100th February birthday. His loved ones recalled his “A Legacy of Compassion,” which was rooted in his conviction that an enterprise should aim for a “social return on investment,” or use private investment for the public good. Fittingly, The AY Foundation continues to render assistance to employees of the Yuchengco Group of Companies and their children, as well as to the most vulnerable in Philippine society, through scholarships and health care and skills development programs. Ambassador Yuchengco’s philosophy in action makes sure that his legacy of compassion will last well beyond the 100 years he spent in this world.

And more of the noteworthy Fil-Ams in our 43rd edition of the remarkable and famous.

Read Agains: 

Romances In History by Ambeth R. Ocampo

Second Springs by Cathy S. Babao

A Year Of God’s Sweet Time by Corito Fiel

Cook It Again: The Happy Home Cook: Scampi And Crab Pasta by Bernie Cervantes

[Video of the Week] Can Filipinos be Superstitious and Scientific? 

Breaking the Tabo’s Sapphire Sandalo talks about the background oof some of our superstitions and their acceptance into the mainstream.

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