Sesame Mucho

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In the early 1980s, Filipino children were introduced to two lovable muppets -- Pong Pagong and Kiko Matsing -- in the educational TV program, "Sesame." The two muppets were created by the Children's Television Workshop (CTW), producer of Sesame Street, in a partnership with the Philippine Sesame Street Project (PSSP). Under the partnership, CTW also trained key PSSP creative staff, including the puppeteers, in the Sesame Street model of educational TV -- curriculum-based segments, age-focused and fun.

"Sesame," the program, eventually became the famous "Batibot" and PSSP became the Philippine Children's Television Foundation (PCTVF), but the concept, format, and Pong Pagong and Kiko Matsing remained. The program aired five days a week for a remarkable 18 years, bringing forth an actual "Batibot generation" whose formative years were guided by the show, the same way generations of American children were reared on Sesame Street.  

When the partnership between CTW and PCTVF expired in the 1990s, CTW claimed back Pong and Kiko, the muppets. Unfazed, PCTVF created locally made muppets for Batibot. Sesame Street's Filipino connection ended then.

Fast forward to 2023, and CTW, now known as the Sesame Workshop, recently introduced in Sesame Street,  a Fil-Am muppet named TJ, mirroring a four-year old child living in Daly City. Conceptualized by Fil-Ams, TJ's creation followed the same rigorous attention to details that made Pong and Kiko so endearing to Filipino children. This week, we bring you the background story of TJ's creation, from PF Correspondent Anthony Maddela. 

We are noting three significant events in this issue: Philippine Independence Day (June 12), Jose Rizal's birthday (June 19) and Father's Day (June 18). We hope you enjoy our lineup this week.

Stories This Week

A Muppet For All Reasons by Anthony Maddela

In My Father’s Two Worlds by Nanette Carreon-Ruhter

Meet Miss Texas America And Her Mom’s Tulong Foundation by Jocelyn Alvarez Allgood

Paco, Manila – Call It By Its Name by Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr.

[Read Agains]

A Valiant People's Army by John L. Silva

Why June 12 Is Different From Other Days by John L. Silva

Untold Lessons From My Father by Ed Diokno

Jose Rizal, Martial Arts Warrior by Rene J. Navarro

[Cook It Again] Dishes For Independence Day by Chef Marvin Gapultos

[Video of the Week] Immigrant Heritage Month

[Partner] 14th Annual Our Family, Our Future ALLICE 20th Jubilee Event Aims To Empower Older Adults, Stop Hate by Cherie M. Querol Moreno

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Staff

Proud of Pride Month

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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. 

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Staff

Maternal Instincts

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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.

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Staff