Critical Myth Theory

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One of the very first books I bought when my children and I immigrated to the US more than 30 years ago is Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen. I knew that they were in for American history from a certain point of view so it was important to prepare for some counter-mythmaking. The book was too complex for my little kids to appreciate at that time but its presence in our bookshelf was a constant and symbolic reminder that stories/lessons (particularly historical ones) passed on as "facts" should be examined before they are believed. 

I just reread Loewen's chapter on "The Truth About the First Thanksgiving" because, well, it's Thanksgiving. This "feel-good" holiday is not as pure and innocent (and celebratory) as has been drummed into American schoolchildren through generations. There was another side to the story and it was dark and diabolical, involving, among other things, the slaughter of Native Americans. This ugly side has been exposed by other historians, not just Loewen. 

Historical myth-making or revisionism is not limited to long-ago events; some evil souls are even trying to rewrite contemporary history -- events that many still living can easily remember and expose as lies. (I'm looking at you, martial-law-as-golden-age liars.)

"The antidote to feel-good history is not feel-bad history but honest and inclusive history," Loewen says. It means "...allowing students to learn both the 'good' and the 'bad' side...." 

It is in this same spirit that we encourage you to read "The Conservation President's Troubling Legacy," our lead story this week about President Theodore Roosevelt whose monumental legacy is the protection of millions of acres of land that we visit and appreciate to this day. Roosevelt, however, was also a hard-core imperialist who considered Filipinos as an inferior specie. First-time PF contributor Mikko Jimenez, a conservation biologist and academic, de-mystifies the 26th US president.

There's nothing mystifying about our Living Legends series which hails the very real achievements of some Filipino Americans. Part 2 of Mona Lisa Yuchengco's compilation features Historians and Archivists, the Academe and the Arts. 

Sisig, that crispy, savory pork sensation that has surpassed adobo and lumpia as the Filipino dish of choice, has an interesting -- and accidental -- beginning, as chef and food historian Claude Tayag relates. And to top his delectable story, Claude is sharing his own recipe for this Pampangueño delicacy, for the Happy Home Cook.

Our Video of the Week is a short video documentary on the disappearing art of making Asin Tibuok in Bohol, one of the rarest salt in the world.

Read Again:

We commemorate the 147th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio on November 30:
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/andres-bonifacio-the-other-national-hero

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Golden Diaz

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Filipinos all over the globe had a generous dose of euphoria on Monday, July 26 when Hidilyn Diaz won the Olympic gold medal for the women's 55-kg weightlifting event in Tokyo. Not only did the 30-year old Zamboanguena best all others, including the favored 20-year old Chinese competitor, she also set two world records. With her win, the Philippine National Anthem was finally heard in the Olympics, for the first time since the country started competing 97 years ago. It was a "bucketful-of-tears" minutes as the anthem played and Hidilyn stood on center stage saluting and crying. Still is, when you watch the video again.

Hidilyn's victory is a timely reminder that our nation glories in the achievements and the hard work of its people. It's not a nation of harebrained functionaries who implement the law through killing or who willingly kowtow to a stronger power to gain favors. It was ironic that a few hours before her win, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was giving a rambling State of the Nation speech where he vowed once again to impose law and order by killing drug dealers, among other atrocious statements. 

On this side of the Pacific, it is also worth noting the Olympic gold medal of Lee Kiefer in the individual foil (fencing) event. Kiefer's mother is Filipina. 

Our stories this week focus on food: Manila-based foodie John Silva rhapsodizes on the various superb cuisines of the exclusive resort, Balesin; Los Angeles-based PF Correspondent Anthony Maddela's take on Filled (or Filipino-Led) Market, an open bazaar that sells food and other things close to everyone's hearts; and documentary producer Jennie Celdran's love notes on Cebu lechon. 

Speaking of lechon, if you ever have some left over, here's what to do with it: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-happy-home-cook-paksiw-na-lechon-roast-pork-in-homemade-liver-sauce-and-vinegar?rq=lechon

In The Know

A PROMISE FULFILLED: Hidilyn Diaz lifts the Filipino people with historic Olympic gold
http://www.fullcourtfresh.com/mainnews/a-promise-fulfilled-hidilyn-diaz-lifts-the-filipino-people-with-historic-olympic-gold/?fbclid=IwAR0Ui_EvelfROX7yNr4vkxQNl1OHhBtsb328FmbkrdLXjz-ZYc7rRt3ae0Y

VALORANT's popularity in the Philippines, SEA 'a welcome surprise' for Riot Games
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/valorant-popularity-philippines-sea-welcome-surprise-riot-games-015450648.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

Meet the war hero who invented banana ketchup
https://nextshark.com/banana-ketchup-maria-orosa-war-hero-philippines/

No Asian hate can stop this Filipino food truck in Utah from selling sisig and lechon kawali
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/features/07/16/21/no-asian-hate-can-stop-this-filipino-owned-food-truck-in-utah

How Does the Philippine Spanish Accent Sound Like?
https://lajornadafilipina.com/arts-and-culture/philippine-spanish-accent/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ReviveOldPost&fbclid=IwAR3E3o5myku7NGaTXUP5e_IEaX6OmOFVZVoMzx5DG7YaBbzG2galQGViIAI

The Last Tattooed Women of Kalinga—Jake Versoza On His World-Renowned Photography Series
https://ph.asiatatler.com/life/jake-verzosa-the-last-tattooed-women-of-kalinga-book-exhibition

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

What a Difference 30 Years Make

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When Mona Lisa Yuchengco started Filipinas magazine in 1992, it was quite a task to find prominent Fil-Ams to feature. There were just a few in entertainment, fewer still in media and politics. 

What a difference 30 years make! Today, Fil-Ams have a strong presence in many fields -- entertainment, music, literature, the academe, media, government service and local politics. One of them is Rob Bonta, elected for multiple terms as the first Fil-Am in the California state legislature and recently appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom as the state Attorney General, taking the place of now Vice President Kamala Harris. The appointment has left Bonta's legislative seat vacant and one of those running to fill that seat is Malia Vella, a Filipino American who is currently the vice mayor of Alameda, CA. Read about her (and wish her luck) in Harvey I. Barkin's write-up.

Part of the world is opening up after the devastating pandemic so we're now posting travel stories to places you might consider visiting in the future. A regular PF contributing writer, former Ambassador Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr., writes about visiting Guam, a US territory with strong ties to our Motherland. 

Fil-Am author Mia P. Manansala's Arsenic and Adobo, one of Buzzfeed's highly anticipated mystery novels of 2021, is given a review by PF Correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino.

From our archives, here are some Read Agains that continue to be good reading: 

Veteran journalist Philip M. Lustre Jr.'s recalls a time when politicians were competent and colorful, and the best of them all was Manila's mayor: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/arsenio-h-lacson-the-best-president-the-philippines-never-had

Famous artist/chef Claude Tayag remembers Anthony Bourdain's Philippine visit: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/bourdains-last-famous-badass-words

And we have a new contributor to our Happy Home Cook section: Maja Hu, based in Austin, TX, shares with us her recipe for waffles using the currently trendy Philippine root crop, ube. 

For Video of the Week, Asia Society Philippines put together a music video with well-known Filipino performers in a campaign against the rising Anti-Asian Hate Crimes in the U.S.

In The Know

Filipino Americans reported highest Covid mental health issues of any Asian group
https://news.yahoo.com/filipino-americans-reported-highest-covid-163936139.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

Viral images show people of color as anti-Asian perpetrators. That misses the big picture.
https://news.yahoo.com/viral-images-show-people-color-184732271.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

Little Manila Perseveres: How Filipinx Leaders in Stockton Are Organizing for the Next Generation
https://www.kqed.org/news/11878030/little-manila-perseveres-how-filipinx-leaders-in-stockton-are-organizing-for-the-next-generation?fbclid=IwAR19sHskRRMr-YmgMZum9saxnsBiKdvidcvUebOXjXtLtjr3Cd1NYlFNhSI

Kakanin: As Pinoy as it gets
https://philstarlife.com/living/999106-kakanin-pinoy-food?page=6

Partner Posts

Kalayaan 2021: Celebrating Partnership And Humanity

13th Annual Our Family, Our Future: ALLICE Virtual Event Aims To Empower Older Adults By Cherie M. Querol Moreno

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino