A Time for People Power

Thirty-nine years ago this week, Filipinos celebrated the end of the first Marcos regime after a three-day revolt that has since been immortalized as the EDSA People Power peaceful revolution of 1986.  [Read Again below our account of this historic event.]

It wasn't the first time -- nor the last -- that the world saw a nonviolent turnover of power. In 1974, Portugal had its Carnation Revolution, which, like the Philippines, was triggered by a military coup and supported by massive civilian resistance. No shots were fired. Like the Philippines too, it resulted in the fall of the 40-year Portuguese dictatorship, then the longest lasting in Europe.

From August 19, 1989 to October 3, 1990, the Peaceful Revolution took place in Germany which led to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of the country.

In November 1989, the country then known as Czechoslovakia staged its peaceful Velvet Revolution (aka Gentle Revolution), precipitated by student protesters, and resulted in the toppling of the Czechoslovak communist government. 

Since history has a habit of repeating itself, it would be interesting to see how unpopular, abusive governments will fare once the wrath of citizens spill over and blow up.

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Public libraries are important assets that offer free and accessible information resources to the communities they serve. In places with large FilAm populations, many public libraries offer extensive Filipiniana collections, as reported by PF contributing writer Marissa Bañez, but unfortunately don't get much use because community members don't take advantage of these resources. Read "Public Libraries Need Fil-Am Love" and take note of the list of libraries that have permanent collections celebrating us.

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Winter 2025 is ending. Time to make travel plans. How about visiting Morocco, a not very common destination for Filipinos yet offer some exotic experiences that can't be had elsewhere. PF contributing writer Michael Gonzalez provides us a history lesson and an exciting travelogue in "Sahara's Sands of Time."

And if you ever find yourself in distant Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, know that there are about 500 Filipinos there who can serve up some interesting food and stories, as PF Correspondent Rey de la Cruz discovers. 

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Read Again:

77 Hours: The Behind-the-Scenes at the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution
By Gemma Nemenzo


In The Know

Post-Election Surge in Hate
https://stopaapihate.org/2025/02/20/post-election-surge-in-hate/?

Students keep ‘Edsa’ alive
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2038022/students-keep-edsa-alive/amp?

‘It’s really a miracle,’ says Filipino priest who survived Toronto plane crash
https://manilastandard.net/news/314559858/its-really-a-miracle-says-filipino-priest-who-survived-toronto-plane-crash.html

She got a tip about four human brains stored at the Smithsonian. The investigation revealed so much more.
https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2025/smithsonian-racial-brain-collection-washington-post-poynter-prize/

DoubleDragon’s Hotel101 Global listing at Nasdaq
https://www.philstar.com/business/2025/02/06/2419454/doubledragons-hotel101-global-listing-nasdaq

Financial Adviser: 5 Business Lessons Everyone Can Learn from Margarita Fóres, Founder and CEO of CIBO
https://www.esquiremag.ph/money/industry/margarita-fores-business-lessons-


Tradition!

Some folkways endure, even ones that may not be universally endearing. Cockfights is not to everyone’s taste, so being a breeder of gamebirds instead of betting on them is a better way of earning cash, as top breeder Hernani Jimenez or Nani proves (A Breeder, Not a Gambler Be, by Bella Bonner). 

Culinary folkways, however, are sure winners. The more obscure, the more tantalizing. Take linagpang or “grilled soup” as intriguing as fried ice cream. Francis Dave Lacson Selorio, a 2021 Doreen G. Fernandez Food Writing Awardee, savors memories of the soup’s grilled fish rendition (Linagpang: A Grilled Soup)

Perhaps one of the most treasured of Filipino manners is the warm solidarity Filipinos show to compatriots they bump into abroad. Ronald Salazar from New Zealand shares how Filipino crew members graced them with extra hospitality aboard the cruise ship Costa Smeralda (Cruising to Six Ports in Three Countries and Still Feeling Quite at Home).

Enjoy.

[Video of the Week] Reuniting With Mama — After 31 Years Apart


In The Know

Tandang Sora Women’s Museum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsyR5hmjnac

Queens doctor convicted in $24M medicare fraud scheme
https://asamnews.com/2025/02/16/queens-doctor-medicare-fraud/

Fil-Am deputy mayor resigns amid corruption charges against NYC mayor
https://usa.inquirer.net/166658/fil-am-deputy-mayor-resigns-amid-corruption-charges-against-nyc-mayor?


We're Loving It

Riding through Metro Manila traffic can be quite a "religious" experience. Whether you're a driver or a rider, you're bound at some point to say a prayer, for survival, for patience, for the grace of getting to your destination in one piece. And that was before the advent of the "angkas" -- tens of thousands of hired motorcyclists who can take you to where you want to go in record time because they weave in and out of traffic with only a helmet protecting your body from an accident waiting to happen. The new "kings of the road" as PF contributing writer Rene Astudillo describes this new addition to the daily chaos of living in the Philippine metropolis.

This is our Valentine's issue and we have stories about the various faces of love: 

Nanette Carreon-Ruhter recalls the thrill of first young love. ("TGIF!")

MC Canlas remembers his attempts at writing love poetry while reading his late brother-in-law's poem to his sister. ("The Story of a Love Poem")

Patria Cabatuando-Rivera lovingly relates her bonding time with her geographically distant granddaughter through playing chess via Facetime. ("It's Chess Grandma Learning a New Game")

And then there's the recent Grammy Awards where three FilAms were nominated for Best Gospel Performance/Song, as reported by Christina Luna. ("Grammy Nod a Thrill for Trio of Fil-Am Artists")

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As we go to press, we got the sad news that Margarita "Gaita" Fores, once acclaimed as Asia's best chef, passed away in Hong Kong. Read Again PF Correspondent Criselda Yabes' feature on this amazing culinary icon.

[Video of The Week] Abi “Lumpia Queen” Marquez


In The Know

Chef Margarita Fores found dead in Hong Kong hotel
https://manilastandard.net/news/314556530/chef-margarita-fores-found-dead-in-hong-kong-hotel.html?

How Wesley So Overcame All Odds To Become One Of The Best
https://www.chess.com/article/view/how-wesley-so-overcame-all-odds-to-be-one-of-the-best?

IBON BirdTalk 2025: Understanding the Philippines’ economic performance
https://verafiles.org/articles/ibon-birdtalk-2025-understanding-the-philippines-economic-performance?

San Nicolas’ Community Temple: A Refuge for the Living and the Dead
https://yvettetan.com/2025/02/10/san-nicolas-community-temple-a-refuge-for-the-living-and-the-dead/?