May 17, 2023

Deliverance

May 17, 2023/ Staff

What would you do if war came to your doorstep?

In Sudan right now, warring political factions have destroyed lives and homes, giving Filipino OFWs no choice but to leave -- quickly, secretly. In this harrowing, exclusive, day-to-day report of their escape from Sudan, first-time PF contributor Lawrence Espinosa shows us what it takes, how it feels when your day begins with the sounds of battle and ends with sleeping on sidewalks as you try to get to safe ground.

A different kind of conflict -- age-old, pernicious -- is the blame game Asian Americans are subjected to whenever an economic or medical crisis such as Covid-19 hits US soil. UC Berkeley professor and author Catherine Ceniza Choy dissects the roots of medical scapegoating and anti-Asian violence that has been the wont of immigrants from our side of the Pacific since the 1800s.

Finding one's voice and getting published constitute the holy grail of writers, and Chinese Filipino-American Mae Coyiuto does it with her YA (young adult) novel, Chloe and the Kaishao Boys, now available under the Penguin Random House imprint. PF contributor Rafaelito Sy shares his conversation with the young author.

And of course our list of Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous compiled by our publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco, continues, with chapter 47.

Stories This Week

Escape From Sudan by Lawrence Espinosa

Asians Americans As Medical Scapegoats by Catherine Ceniza Choy

From Catholic Schoolgirl To YA Novelist by Rafaelito Sy

Fil-Ams Among The Remarkable And Famous, Part 47 by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

[Partner] "11,103" At The San Francisco Public Library

[Partner] SF Bay Area Community Forum With Philippine Senator Risa Hontiveros

Read Agains:

The Unusual Friendship Of The Mestiza And The Morena by Cathy S. Babao

Origins Of Our Daily Breads by Felice Prudente Sta. Maria

[Cook it Again] The Happy Home Cook: Shrimp Toast by Nora V. Daza and Nina Daza Puyat

[Video of the Week] "Here Lies Love" Features All-Filipino Cast

In The Week

Revisiting Malacañang Palace's storied past and a tour of its recent renovations
https://www.tatlerasia.com/homes/architecture-design/tatler-exclusive-malacanang-palace?utm_source=tatlerasia.com&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PH_DIG_FULL_Malaca%C3%B1ang_Revisited_20230505

Filipino composer-lyricist’s musical opens to standing ovation in LA: ‘These are our stories!’
https://www.thediarist.ph/filipino-composer-lyricists-musical-opens-to-acclaim-in-la-these-are-our-stories/

Dutch museum picks Filipino engineer’s unique take on Vermeer’s famous ‘girl’
https://www.rappler.com/nation/overseas-filipinos/mauritshuis-museum-filipino-engineer-maria-glensie-ombrebueno-take-girl-pearl-earring-painting/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_medium=Social&fbclid=IwAR0tmMD_zdOd7UEGqGp3BciCe2LzzXWVDYSwbE0jDyf4tJo4h3TU4uqZPL8

ECE grad on visit visa and tight budget ends up managing Pinoy resto in Dubai
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/pinoyabroad/pinoyachievers/868565/ece-grad-on-visit-visa-and-tight-budget-ends-up-managing-pinoy-resto-in-dubai/story/?fbclid=IwAR1kxDIeKb5UeIOWPLfp74gRUySKiIR2Gw-hVIfnbwTOC624F6-W_cTHfrA

An Adobo in Every Pot
https://www.eater.com/23178801/filipino-adobo-alaska-food-restaurants-juneau?fbclid=IwAR2KtKAV4QE2tajRXLeeROhlJanpvPlljpPT-OKwlt7VxLEx_6Ee36Okzzk

Meet the Davaoeña introducing Pinoy food to one of Manhattan’s coolest neighborhoods
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/restaurants/05/06/23/choly-where-nys-greenwich-village-goes-for-pinoy-food?fbclid=IwAR2lj9dtmNWOlCClPsRbpDyFaJaifYo4JMsPzgQCK7TY8h3S7qcOqGSSAQQ

May 10, 2023

The Merry Month of May

May 10, 2023/ Staff

May, as those who grew up in the Philippines knows, is the month of fiestas, when feast days of saints are celebrated more extravagantly because it's summer and the fruits and other seasonal produce are in abundance (among other reasons). The most high profile among these fiestas happens on May 15, the feast day of San Isidro, the patron saints of farmers. Since the Philippines is still highly agricultural, San Isidro is revered in many towns all over the islands. The more famous festivals that draw a lot of tourists are the Pahiyas of Lucban, Quezon, and the Carabao parade of Pulilan, Bulacan where kneeling carabaos -- the beast of burden of farmers -- are the main attraction.

Here in the US, the big event, in addition to the month-long AANHPI Heritage celebration, is Mother's Day (May 14 this year), a de facto "holiday of obligation" for everyone who still has mothers, are mothers themselves, or function as mothers (single dads, for example).

The spirit of celebration and commemoration is something we always try to capture in our story lineup. This week, we have a loving tribute by a son (who happens to be one of the most respected writers in our homeland) to his 95-year-old mother, a review of a children's book that recollects sari-sari stores in the summer (which includes a recipe for the Happy Home Cook), and a remembrance of one of the greatest writers our motherland has produced -- Nick Joaquin aka Quijano de Manila, who would have been 107 years old this month.

Summer also means travel, and we continue to collect travel stories, one of which is in this issue: a riverboat journey through the Amazon River.

If you haven't yet, tell us your most memorable travel story. Send to submissions@positivelyfilipino.com and don't forget to include pictures.

Stories This Week

La Vida Local On The Amazon, The Sequel by Chibu Lagman

Summers At The Sari-Sari Store by Claire Mercado-Obias

My Mother, Emy by Jose Dalisay, Jr.

{Partner] The Aftermath Of The Los Baños Rescue – The Massacre Of Innocent Civilians by Cecilia I. Gaerlan

[Partner] Righting Wrongs

Read Agains:

Remembering Nick by Marra PL. Lanot

Nini Quezon Avanceña Was My First Call by Elizabeth Ann Quirino

May, Come She Will by Gemma Nemenzo

[Recipe of the Week] The Happy Home Cook: Lola Soling’s Mango Ice Candy by Lynnor Bontigao

[Video of the Week] The First Filipino Muppet on Sesame Street

In The Know

‘Largest nationally representative’ survey from Pew explores Asians’ views on identity in the US

https://nextshark.com/pew-asian-american-identity-survey

U.S. issues guidelines on defending Philippines from South China Sea attack

https://www.reuters.com/world/us-issues-guidelines-defending-philippines-south-china-sea-attack-2023-05-04/?fbclid=IwAR3OHPCvng2wAaL87Ihh_dROz4rUItqIzItsoKzHDMiQ1ZqOjPwTrO7IjPQ

Biden courts son of Philippine dictator he once opposed

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/04/30/marcos-biden-philippines-united-states/?

Southern Philippines: Making Peace Stick in the Bangsamoro

https://www.crisisgroup.org/asia/south-east-asia/philippines/331-southern-philippines-making-peace-stick-bangsamoro?fbclid=IwAR1v4npKn39meGupX-_Y1Ak-vh7I9c2ADzuFE7kWb5Dpq0UQdxAqAtDHsK0

Why the Philippines Is Exposing China’s Aggressive Actions in the South China Sea

https://analyzingwar.org/the-commons/war-and-peace/why-the-philippines-is-exposing-chinas-aggressive-actions-in-the-south-china-sea/?mc_cid=1c357fc1be&mc_eid=e53de1c49c

6 Museums and Tours Where You Can Learn About Asian American History

https://www.afar.com/magazine/best-asian-american-museums-and-tours?fbclid=IwAR2Z0ahE5PrKUm-WsFX_O-TyVp_VwTfW5ZydUefsiPjUYnPjB2eOzOlhtBE

‘I love showing pride in my heritage’: Saweetie flexes her Filipino roots in Manila

https://nextshark.com/saweetie-embrace-filipino-heritage-manila?fbclid=IwAR2dbRASeT5UoHqJRI-LVeADYb9xTGC3nWNVW0hhvwgWNZzYW2fLrR_qgC8

May 03, 2023

Happy AANHPI Heritage Month!

May 03, 2023/ Staff

AANHPI refers to Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, an expansion of the original AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islanders), the segment of the US population that is honored in May. According to the latest census, there are approximately 24 million Asian Americans, the fastest growing demographic. At 1.6 million, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are the third fastest growing demographic.

With such formidable numbers, AANHPIs' contributions to American society cannot be ignored. From high tech to health care to public service, social services, arts and entertainment, we are a force to reckon with. And we are here to stay even if anti-Asian hate (the buzzword for racism directed at people who look like us) is on the rise.

We celebrate this month by honoring the generations of AANHPIs who came before us and who had to suffer and struggle to find their place in the American tapestry. To them who paved the way, we offer our undying gratitude.

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As the pandemic wanes and summer approaches, the world is now open for travel. Help us spread the word about good places to visit. Send us your story about your favorite destinations, your most memorable travel experience, the places you will always remember all your life. For queries and submissions, you may write to PFeditor@yahoo.com.