September 11, 2024

Devoted to Her

September 11, 2024/ Staff

As promised, here's the full video recording of Positively Filipino's tribute to our Manongs and Manangs held in San Francisco on August 31, 2024.

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One of the reasons we think highly of Bicolanos -- beyond Leni Robredo and laing -- is their unified and passionate piety for Our Lady of Peñafrancia, the designated patroness of the Bicol region, honored every third Sunday of September with a fluvial procession in Naga and celebrated by Bicolanos wherever they may be in the world. In the San Francisco Bay Area, Bicolanos from various cities would gather for mass, food and entertainment in a park every year without fail. It's heartening then to find out from PF contributing writer Ronald Salazar that the tradition continues in New Zealand, proof that the universal reach of Our Lady of Peñafrancia, protector of seafarers, farmers and fisherfolk, knows no bounds.

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In the pantheon of internationally acclaimed photojournalists, the name of Hannah Reyes Morales is already etched in stone. Winner of a growing number of photo awards and recognition, including being finalist in the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Feature Photography for the New York Times, the 33-year-old Filipina who is also a new mother of a baby girl, has come a long way from her days when she had to sell ukay-ukay (used) clothes to support herself as an undergraduate at the University of the Philippines (UP). Read about Hannah's journey as told by Laurel Fantauzzo, herself an acclaimed novelist and writer.

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So-called "martial law babies" -- those who came of age in the early days of martial law (1972) in the Philippines -- are a different breed and mindset from millennials and Gen X, Y, Zs. They have lived through massive civil protests and authoritarian repression, experiences that have defined the rest of their lives, whether they like it or not. For the Maryknoll College (now known as Miriam) Class of '74, their years as students in that small campus on Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City cemented their sisterhood. Now in their 70s, the class gathered last week for their golden jubilee celebration of lives (mostly) well spent. PF Correspondent Cherie Querol Moreno, a class '74 stalwart, writes their story.

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Our Video of the Week, a poignant, both heartbreaking and heartwarming, 23-minute video on Manila's elderly gays: Manila’s famous ‘Golden Gays’ search for a forever home

[Partner] Commit a Hate Crime: Serve No Time?

[Register Now] Anti-Asian Hate Webinar: Caring for Ourselves, Family & Friends

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Japan, Thailand, and South Korea rank as Filipinos’ most revisited countries
https://www.bworldonline.com/arts-and-leisure/2024/08/30/617101/japan-thailand-and-south-korea-rank-as-filipinos-most-revisited-countries/

One of the masterminds behind the viral Dubai chocolate bar is actually a Filipino chef
https://pop.inquirer.net/366631/one-of-the-masterminds-behind-the-viral-dubai-chocolate-bar-is-actually-a-filipino-chef

Beauty queen indicted in scheme targeting Filipino Americans
https://asamnews.com/2024/09/06/ponzi-fraud-maria-dickserson-dulce-pino/

Anti-Asian Hate Watch

Hate incident at Chinese restaurant in Boulder, CO
https://asamnews.com/2024/09/10/anti-asian-hate-racial-slurs-restaurant-grand-opening/

Hate crimes deepen divide between Hindus & Sikhs
https://asamnews.com/2024/09/10/increased-hate-crimes-indian-americans-sikhs-hindus/

Man sentenced for intentionally running over Asian pedestrian
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NY State Sen. warns of anti-Chinese sentiment amid Sun case
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Funding provided by the State of California.

September 04, 2024

Cheers at A Rare Gathering

September 04, 2024/ Staff

Last Saturday, August 31, at the San Francisco Public Library, Positively Filipino hosted an event to honor 12 community heroes -- our manongs and manangs -- whose life stories and achievements serve as lighted paths for succeeding generations of FilAms. [https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/they-blazed-a-path-for-us]

It was a rare gathering of pioneers and "bridge generation" (children of the first wave of Filipino immigrants, who were born before 1945) offspring. Most were in their 80s or 90s (except for two) and have lived through economic hardships, discrimination and miscegenation. All have overcome social and professional barriers to excel in their respective fields.

An audience of about 200 cheered the seven honorees who were able to make it to the event. The rest who couldn't, just sent video messages.

Some of the post-event reactions:

"We thoroughly enjoyed your tribute to our incredibly gifted Manongs and Manangs at yesterday’s event. I learned so much.

Their stories are priceless contributions to our identity as beneficiaries of the Filipino immigration to America, “the land of opportunity.” Each individual’s story was unique and compelling!" - Eva Monroe

"We had a great time celebrating our Filipino American leaders and heroes. May we all learn from their sacrifices and contributions to the community, the USA, and the Filipino people." - Mario Santos

"It is humbling and gratifying to hear from the awardees their inspiring life journeys. And it is appropo that we come together and celebrate them while they are still vibrant and living." - Ben Olivas

"What a heart warming ancestral honoring event. I was so moved and proud. Thank you for including us!" - France Viana

"So effective in bringing community together. Wonderful. An honor to be a part of it. Grateful to be with awardees and participants—all pioneers forging the future for the next generations of Filipino-American compassionate changemakers and joyful determined leaders!!" - Alisa Mallari Tu

"I left inspired and proud and even choked up a few times during the program." - Kathleen Gutierrez

NOTE: We will be posting the full coverage of the event soon in Positively Filipino. Watch out for it.

[Video of the Week] One-Armed Mamba

In The Know

Calif. Filipino Americans store histories in digital archives
https://asamnews.com/2024/08/27/pajaro-valley-california-state-filipino-american-historical-preservation/

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Give my regards to Ho-land
https://www.bworldonline.com/arts-and-leisure/2024/08/29/616630/give-my-regards-to-ho-land/

Filipino American officer killed during police pursuit
https://asamnews.com/2024/08/29/police-chase-san-diego-2-dead-one-seriously-injured/

Cruise Ship Worker Sentenced to 30 years for Hiding Cameras in the Bathroom
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/29/us/royal-caribbean-employee-hidden-camera-sentence.html

Anti-Asian Hate Watch

Alameda Co. fire chief condemns firefighter seen in viral video making racial slurs
https://abc7news.com/post/alameda-county-fire-chief-speaks-after-firefighter-shown-video-making-racial-slurs/15232286/

All charges dismissed against suspect in Oakland officer’s shooting death
https://asamnews.com/2024/09/02/officer-tuan-le-killing-marquise-cooper-murder-charge-dropped/

Report and Recommendations of the New York State Bar Association Task Force on Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Asian Hate
https://nysba.org/app/uploads/2022/03/EC-AND-HOD-AMENDED-Task-Force-on-Antisemitism-and-Anti-Asian-Hate-FINAL-1.22.24.pdf

Man punched in suspected anti-Asian attack in Brooklyn: NYPD
https://pix11.com/news/local-news/brooklyn/man-punched-in-suspected-anti-asian-attack-in-brooklyn-nypd/

Funding provided by the State of California.

August 28, 2024

We Stand on Their Shoulders

August 28, 2024/ Staff

"A hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself."

- Joseph Campbell

This weekend, Positively Filipino is hosting an event honoring 12 Filipino American pioneers (our manongs and manangs) whose lifework and achievements have paved the way for succeeding generations to find their own paths in US society. Their personal journeys have not been easy. They grew up at a time of discrimination and silencing. They didn't have the advantage of our current numbers or social media to make their voices heard. They had to claw their way out and up before they were able to shine in their respective niches.

They are, by any measure, our community heroes.

In paying tribute to them this week, Positively Filipino aptly joins the celebration of National Heroes Day (a yearly celebration on the last Monday of August) in the Philippines and Labor Day (September 1) in the US.