June 07, 2023

Proud of Pride Month

June 07, 2023/ Staff

June is Pride Month for the LGBTQIA+ community.* We thank its unceasing struggle for equal rights for helping expand the meaning of democratic rights and social justice, even as the narrow-minded among us are trying to impose their morality on everyone else, culturally, politically and legally.

It is truly appalling that some right-wing politicians and their supporters have made gender identity-sexual orientation a wedge issue to gain political power. Their hateful rhetoric has triggered unprovoked violence and verbal abuse against fellow human beings, and their dark vision only bodes ill for society's future. We stand with the LGBTQIA+ community in its fight against bigotry and moral extremism and for equal rights and social justice.

[*LGBTQIA+ is an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, asexual, with the + indicating the continual expansion of the term's meaning.]

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If you're in or will be in the Los Angeles area the next few days, hie over to the David Hwang Theater for the hit musicale, On This Side of the World, created and composed by Fil-Am writer/composer Paulo K Tiról. The show is about to end its run. PF Correspondent Anthony Maddela tells us why you shouldn't miss it.

From the Philippines, a performing arts ensemble called Kontra-GaPi has become a mainstay in theater productions both in the country and abroad, its high-energy dances and unique musical arrangements steered by its leader, the ultimate performer/cultural activist/professor Pedro Abraham. His academic colleague Elena Rivera Mirano writes about the man everyone knows as Edru, who is often described as "legendary."

From our call for submissions for travel tales comes this story about a group of colegialas' trip to Russia which almost ended in tragedy. Lucila Dypiangco writes about fun and friendship in "In Russia With Love.

Going back to this week's main theme, we are reposting U.S. Commissioner on Civil Rights and pioneer Fil-Am LGBTQ activist Glenn D. Magpantay's story about his coming out to his parents, a common enough dilemma of Fil-Ams from conservative families.

Likewise, Read Again an eye-opening account of how it is to be young, trans and Fil-Am: Robin Cid Calleja's "Gender: The Paradox of Passing," which we posted in 2020.

More This Week

[Recipe of the Week] The Happy Home Cook: Vegan Embutido

[Video of the Week] Loida Lewis Talks About New Book "Why Should Guys Have All The Fun?"

In The Know

The Price of Being Principled in the Philippines
https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2023/05/leila-de-lima-acquittal-philippines-duterte-marcos/674040/?fbclid=IwAR0R6atIOAMuLWs7Lm4YwLafNtI7prABPULmkUHVEshvb2Y9di6qavAXat8

Imagining a New Filipino American Neighborhood Into Being, Starting With Food
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/02/dining/los-angeles-pop-up-market-filipino-food.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

Who are SB19, the Filipino boy band gaining worldwide popularity?
https://www.thenationalnews.com/arts-culture/music-stage/2023/05/31/who-are-sb19-the-filipino-boy-band-gaining-worldwide-popularity/?fbclid=IwAR04Nj4lr1WB1SUjhA8iOeZSv5GLqFTpuCMTtRqMAkZK-v_s4NjOpxPLg1Q

‘Loud and proud’: Miss Universe Philippines comes out as bisexual
https://nextshark.com/miss-universe-philippines-bisexual

I’m Filipino American. Here’s what no one understands. | Opinion
https://www.nj.com/opinion/2023/05/im-filipino-american-heres-what-no-one-understands-opinion.html?outputType=amp&fbclid=IwAR3iqLan-65AKBSQXWQZi2DEfjaS1B3FgknEKHJ4FdkuRM-rzpLsixmFimU

Filipino mermaids and mermen flock to cinemas to watch ‘The Little Mermaid’
https://nextshark.com/filipino-mermaids-and-mermen-flock-to-cinemas-to-watch-the-little-mermaid?fbclid=IwAR3TvzelkVZpE-_ESTQMY68F1tJHFYwrsl6O5-91vVegjq365WyEMqNYLaE

May 31, 2023

Maternal Instincts

May 31, 2023/ Staff

Since the beginning of May, we've been asking for and posting travel stories to help you with your post-Covid travel plans.

What we haven't done yet is post stories about people and places in the Philippines that travelers, both local and foreign, should include in their itineraries. One of them is the PatisTito Garden Cafe and B&B in San Pablo, Laguna where its main attraction, the superbly talented fashion designer-artist-social activist Patis Tesoro lives, works and displays her singular creations.

Patis, despite her successes, is no stranger to pathos and tragedy but her story is one of survival and passion. PF publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco tells us about her visit to the colorful, eclectic world of Patis Tesoro.

A month that honors mothers should rightfully end with a tribute to a remarkable mother. The late Estrella Macute Echavez was one dynamo of a woman who never let anything - not war, not immigration, not economic difficulties - stop her from shining. Her son, Tim Salaver, honors her and invites readers to concerts in her honor.

Speaking of mothers, here's some very welcome help for new, overwhelmed ones: Chiyo, a New York-based meal delivery service has a nutritious meal kit for mothers that can be delivered anywhere in the US. The company is co-founded by Fil-Am postpartum chef Jennifer Jolorte Doro, who is also the company's Chief Culinary Officer. PF contributing writer Claire Mercado-Obias profiles the chef and the unique service.

Author/world traveler Cecilia Manguerra Brainard tours Belgium and unexpectedly digs up information about her alma mater, St. Theresa's College in Cebu and Manila.

This week marks the 6th anniversary of the Battle of Marawi, a tragedy of epic proportions. Read Again PF Correspondent Criselda Yabes' excellent reportage on the war: In the Rubble of Marawi — Positively Filipino | Online Magazine for Filipinos in the Diaspora

Our unique offering for the Happy Home Cook this week is shared by Jennifer Doro of Chiyo, an ideal dish for postpartum mothers: Kelp Noodle Pancit.

In The Know

Fil-Am musician AJ Rafael announces ‘The Take Me Back Tour’ after 9-year hiatus

https://nextshark.com/aj-rafael-interview-take-me-back-tour

Meet Rural Rising: this social enterprise saved farmers and their produce when they needed it most

https://www.tatlerasia.com/power-purpose/philanthropy/rural-rising-social-enterprise-ph?utm_source=tatlerasia.com&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PH_DIG_ODETOFILIPINOCREATIVITY_FULL20230519

Communists Crumbling in the Philippines

https://www.asiasentinel.com/p/communists-crumbling-philippines?utm_source=direct&r=l2k5o&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&fbclid=IwAR1F5kWGJIZ4oDiZAlCnwVScjRM40xTZ1icLwgqiRvXX82ec63pCq30rX7Y

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 23, 2023

Soulful Sojourns

May 23, 2023/ Staff

Transformational travel is not the usual route one takes when one wants to see as many places within a prescribed time period (say, a two-week vacation from work) for cheap. You have travel deals, tours and cruises for that.

Transformational travel is intentional and immersive, with the goal of deep learning -- the place's culture and spiritual growth for oneself. In other words, meditation, not selfies; solitude, not crowds; communion with the divine, not imbibing the spirit of alcohol. Which is what writer and teacher Rene J. Navarro directs us to in his travel story "Pilgrimages" this week. "That is the apotheosis of a pilgrimage. Your soul is touched, and you are not the same again," he writes. Would that we all experience such a rare travel gift at least once in our lifetime.

Fanny is not the name of just one woman. It is an all-female rock band, three of whom are Fil-Ams, who were big in San Francisco in the late '60's and early '70s, and hadn't been heard of in the decades since. Now, the group is resurrected and touring in California, and is the subject of a documentary called "Fanny: The Right to Rock," streaming here until June 19:

https://www.pbs.org/video/fanny-the-right-to-rock-bn4llg

We are reposting the Center for Asian American Media's (CAAM) feature on these remarkable women, elderly now yet still feisty and lively. And definitely rockin'.

A novel about a boy from Batac (Ilocos Norte) witnessing the rise to power of another boy from Batac won Manila's recent National Book Award for Best Novel in English. Its author, Patrick Everhard, is the first foreigner to win for his fictional/historical novel, Snakes in the Grass. PF Correspondent Criselda Yabes, whose novels have also won awards, tells us about the book.

Regular PF contributing writer Ian Layugan relates one of the most memorable experiences in his young life. It involves a nun, torrential rain and a mountainous foot path. "Sister" is a story of unexpected caring.