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

Two Women

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Two women making and writing history are the subjects of our two profiles this week.

From Honolulu, Dr. Belinda "Lindy" Aquino, founder of the University of Hawaii's Philippine Studies Program and author/esteemed professor/historian/activist, is profiled by Pepi Nieva in "Stranded in Paradise: How Lindy Aquino Became Hawaii’s Foremost Authority on the Philippines."

From London, Candy Gourlay, the critically acclaimed author of Bone Talk and the children's book, Is It A Mermaid?, is interviewed by UK-based writer Joy Watford in a piece titled "In Her Own Write."

And this being Women's Month, let's honor two women who had captured the nation's hearts through their music, their acting and their presence in the public eye. 

Read Again: 

Film critic Mauro Feria Tumbucon Jr.'s affectionate tribute to the one and only superstar, "The Timeless Nora Aunor." 

And a granddaughter shows her love for her beloved grandmother, Armida Siguion-Reyna of "Aawitan Kita" fame,  who recently passed away.

Our Happy Home Cook recipe is a sure favorite -- Paksiw na Bangus.

Here are our In The Know links this week: 

How ISIS Is Rising in the Philippines as It Dwindles in the Middle East
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/09/world/asia/isis-philippines-jolo.html

'They fooled us': the men who left ISIS in the Philippines
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/mar/09/they-fooled-us-the-men-who-left-isis-in-the-philippines?fbclid=IwAR0S1JOGP0McJhkAiu6ftGVUkIjwLxO7N6x_M06VfVU3aogvnTvfIFGypfU

Get to know the women National Artists and Scientists
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/87875-women-national-artists-scientists?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR0fnYYPYcAsKjHKcqzeW1U6HXvKCQRISezxxWca0t2svyW2KxKaeTDsTSA#Echobox=1552007205

40 poorest provinces in the Philippines 
http://onemediaph.com/40-poorest-provinces-in-the-philippines/?fbclid=IwAR1TqpzJPJKnS5tWvTbooleE6h70L7gPZmTDhxuNubwbmyGHBsLIvTj00Fc

Job Very Well Done: Philippine Airlines (A350-900) in Business Class From Manila to JFK
https://thepointsguy.com/reviews/philippine-airlines-a350-business-class/?fbclid=IwAR3K4zgRPjv00Ai1eIA61oFF76yF7ySVPci34ASPJJiKmJ1_5qo3ObV3Z20

For our Video of the Week, we feature the cultural preservation project called “Documenting and Preserving Mangyan Scripts in the 21st Century”

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino