July 26, 2023

On the Ball

July 26, 2023/ Staff

In California yesterday morning, we woke up to thrilling news: the unexpected 1-0 victory of the Philippines' Women's National Football Team at the FIFA World Cup in New Zealand. The win was doubly sweet: a historic first by a Philippine team in soccer, an underrated sport in a basketball-crazy country; and it was against the favored home team. For FilAms, some icing on the cake -- 18 out of the 23 players are FilAm; and the winning goal was by Sarina Bolden, a San Francisco Bay Area native.

[Read about the team's victory in the In The Know links below, and Read Again PF Correspondent Criselda Yabes' pre-World Cup story.]

Another FilAm excitement is taking place in Broadway, where the musical Here Lies Love has opened to resounding acclaim. All performers are FilAms, a historic first in itself. PF Correspondent Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr. went to the show and looked beyond the considerable hype to write this honest appraisal of the immersive experience.

A certified heroine and a daughter's determination to tell her mother's story. This is what PF Correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino's newly released book, Every Ounce of Courage, is about. Our editor Gemma Nemenzo writes the review.

He would have been 95 this year. We remember Dolphy, the beloved entertainment king who ruled the Philippines' comedy world for decades. July is the month of his birth and death (2012) so we are posting Bibeth Orteza's story on the making of his biography, which came out in Filipinas magazine in 2008.

There's a new Filipino restaurant in Oslo, Norway and writer Jennifer Fergesen, thinks it could be the best Filipino restaurant in Europe. High praise indeed from someone who has eaten and written about Filipino food in many countries. Kain Neo-Filipino Bistro, ran by brothers Daniel and Dominic Vergara, offers brave and innovative versions of Filipino flavors, something only Michelin-trained chefs will attempt.

Stories This Week

Romancing Imelda by Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr.

What Did You Do In The War, Mommy? by Gemma Nemenzo

New Nordic Meets Neo-Filipino by Jennifer Fergesen

Dolphy Is A Book by Bibeth Orteza

Read Agains:

Women Who Kick Aspiration by Criselda Yabes

It's Not Pinakbet If There's No Himbaba-O by Rochit Tañedo

[Recipe of the Week] The Happy Home Cook: Pinaupong Manok by Elizabeth Ann Quirino

[Video of the Week] Difference Between Harana And Kundiman

In The Know

Philippines beats New Zealand in historic Women’s World Cup first win
https://sports.inquirer.net/520654/philippines-beats-new-zealand-in-historic-womens-world-cup-first-win#ixzz88ZMVI5dM

‘We share blood’: The US-born players leading the Philippines’ World Cup charge

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jul/24/we-share-blood-the-us-born-players-leading-the-philippines-world-cup-charge?fbclid=IwAR3ragois4HKygWcKDB9SL0SGtrSPLOnXj2gylj4--SZHSnLGv_rGBb9k7g

Church starts process to make 13-year-old Ilocano girl a saint

https://www.rappler.com/nation/diocese-laoag-opens-cause-sainthood-ilocano-girl-nina-ruiz-abad/?fbclid=IwAR14Sntk4EYJ_bOn2iT8uAEBsea1Ye8SOO3uZRqRcyjb6u2QYaBwSLmOs3c

Former Janitor, Now Owner of a Pinoy Restaurant in Australia

https://www.businessnews.com.ph/former-janitor-now-owner-of-a-pinoy-restaurant-in-australia-20211111/?fbclid=IwAR2lTFuMh6EcHXaCFbrr_wofZErtRyqO7bImw1nXlOL_A0Wpfyou6iml8UE

Filipino Pop-Up Kultura Finds Permanent Home on Spring Street

https://carolinas.eater.com/2023/7/18/23798103/filipino-kultura-charleston?fbclid=IwAR2DMGsH7Q6x4TBQ3N2pJ0IG58klNedkt75oz4Lt2kmou3lpp1fZ2KGl9zc

Stateside Podcast: Detroit baker delivers “Filipino flavors in a familiar format”

https://www.michiganradio.org/podcast/stateside/2023-07-18/stateside-podcast?fbclid=IwAR1cEMdaNWIsy5GCvlaMb6IpEq502LWrjU4WoTjmwlDQqj3PSO24PGj0ve8

Tboli draws inspiration from tribal deity to top MSU graduating class

https://www.rappler.com/nation/tboli-draws-inspiration-tribal-deity-top-graduating-class-state-university-2023/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&fbclid=IwAR1PIH2PNA7ruUFvbTWdrgHXnbEHBdk_MMPPsXMzjzOicN77vbA5Oate25E

July 19, 2023

Achievers

July 19, 2023/ Staff

A Filipina race car driver, a Filipino author published by a mainstream US publisher, 15 outstanding Filipino Americans representing various fields chosen for an immersive journey to their parents' homeland.

Talk about achievers and achievements!

Bianca Bustamante, Nathan Go and the 10th batch of cohorts of the Filipino Young Leaders Program (FYLPRO) represent a new generation of movers and shakers who do not hesitate to break barriers and glass ceilings that, even just a few decades ago, had stymied the previous generations from claiming their full potential.

Yet, to the older generation the young owe their strength and their opportunities. On the shoulders of their elders, who did the ground-breaking and back-breaking work, they are able to stand tall and soar.

The torch has been passed, yes. Long live those who lit the fire.

Stories This Week

Woman In The Fast Lane by Anthony Maddela

Driving Mrs. Cory by Lisa Suguitan Melnick

FYLPRO: Delegates Of Hope by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Buffeted But Unbowed In Brittany by Criselda Yabes

Read Agains

Going Home by Lotis Key

Beyond Belief by Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz

[Make It Again] The Happy Home Cook: Buko-Pandan Gelatin (Young Coconut-Pandan Gelatin)

[Video of the Week] Here Lie Love Trailer

In The Know

Filipino leaders have grand vision for their S.F. cultural district. Is it possible?
https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/soma-pilipinas-18171118.php?sid=53bb0669fdd5ac0b52000049&ss=A&st_rid=5be30fe8-563d-4e90-9752-af9f0a3c12ee&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=briefing&utm_campaign=sfc_baybriefing_am

From filmmaking to the World Cup – Reina’s mind-blowing script
https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/tournaments/womens/womensworldcup/australia-new-zealand2023/articles/reina-bonta-interview-filmmaker-footballers-philippines-womens-world-cup-2023?fbclid=IwAR2wNmjAFsQ75OAlZn1R60z1PYdpD7x6w0YMWmUWWW_7TEKiyghCEQiLKDg

Averie Bishop ends her Miss Texas tenure with scathing piece calling out Texas politicians
https://nextshark.com/miss-texas-averie-bishop-activism

Olivia Rodrigo Becomes Youngest Artist to Debut Three No. 1 Hits on Songs Chart
https://variety.com/2023/music/news/olivia-rodrigo-youngest-number-one-debut-vampire-1235665717/

This year's Gerber Baby is a military kid from a first generation family
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/2023-gerber-baby-military-kid-first-generation-family-rcna93887?cid=sm_npd_nn_fb_aa&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwAR3Phvs5nG_SIggAA1BVZyv3qqUr06u3nqzurynb2QiUGGsIrAjYB42hwdA&_branch_match_id=1121133821907759179&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXz0tKzkstL9ZLLCjQy8nMy9Yvt8hMNMivcMpzSrJPS0rOyUyx9Sx3DDIOyCgrNs1zjw%2F2TE93dDR0CouqLDMuLAwtMjArNc4rrCotqsxLMgrMDHV3L%2FYscsyKdDIxyihPcQQAnZOqBWkAAAA%3D

How this 10-year-old chess prodigy became PH’s first female National Master
https://www.rappler.com/sports/child-chess-prodigy-first-female-philippine-national-master/?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR3h4UjTlelPHOR3ptsSmWotW16BXt-ANNKCUoagzu4QeLRPYIE_wFf9lR4

Lodi, awit, omsim: The nuances of Filipino AI language training
https://www.rappler.com/technology/features/dost-itanong-project-filipino-ai-language-training/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&fbclid=IwAR3jDbXzXeJvR2VyB_7CFL_Yt-aVNm95JzYj5xuPU1rGeW_Dw68uuCddWvc

July 12, 2023

Armchair Tourists

July 12, 2023/ Staff

There is wisdom in staying put at home this week as the earth heats up to unprecedented levels, as millions of people do some revenge travel (to make up for the lost years of the pandemic), and airlines are still in the midst of sorting out their scheduling and understaffing messes. Faced with such chaos in real-world traveling, it's a good idea to sit back and consider better travel options, like waiting till later this year to embark on your dream journey.

For the armchair traveler we have a collection of stories that can guide you to exotic places and experiences (see our Read It Again reposts below). But first, enjoy this week's travel story on Türkiye (formerly Turkey), the most famous transcontinental (located in two continents) city in the world. PF Correspondent Myles Garcia writes about his fascination for the place.

A different kind of leisure is the pleasure one gets from collecting objects of desire. PF Correspondent Virgilio Reyes Jr. has a unique collection -- miniatures -- gathered from his travels and postings as a member of the Philippine diplomatic corps (he was ambassador to multiple countries).

Our list of the remarkable and famous in the FilAm community this week includes the stage actress who plays Imelda Marcos in Here Lies Love, the immersive musical that opens on Broadway next week. Those who will be in New York City then, take note.