Carnivals Come and Gone

Filipinos are in for a rough-and-tumbly three months with the official beginning of the election campaign yesterday, February 8, until its culmination on May 9. Before the mud-slinging and the muddling go full gear, here's a clear-eyed sum-up by our Manila correspondent Ernesto M. Hilario of what's at stake in this, arguably the most important election of this era. 

Right now, we can still afford to indulge in some merry nostalgia with a look back on the spectacles of yesteryear - the Philippines International Fair of 1953 in Manila, a massive undertaking that, of course, generated controversy and obstacles. Surprisingly, not much information about the event has survived the onslaught of decades, as PF Correspondent/Internet sleuth Myles A. Garcia discovered. That's why this painstakingly researched story that he has put together is valuable today.

Another spectacle that has gone away with not much of a bang is the annual carnival of Cebu which introduced a long line of Cebuano beauties as carnival queens. Cecilia M. Brainard, whose mother was once a carnival queen, was able to gather bits and pieces of information on these celebrated beauties in her story this week. 

And since it's Valentine's week, let's enjoy again some historical romances from our archives:

Historian Ambeth R. Ocampo's "Romances in History" 
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/romances-in-history

Penelope V. Flores' "Rizal's Great Loves" 
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/2013/6/rizals-great-loves

Titchie Carandang-Tiongson and Erwin R. Tiongson's "The Untold Story of Nina Thomas" 
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-untold-story-of-nina-thomas

And my story on "The Poet and the Women He Loved" 
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/2013/2/the-poet-and-the-women-he-loved

Our Video of the Week is a heartwarming coverage of how a Fil-Am who was just sworn in as a US citizen was honored by the students of the elementary school where he works.

Don't fail to read the election stories whose links we have compiled in our special section, Philippine Elections 2022.

[Cook It Again] Vegan Filipino Spaghetti by Chef Richgail Enriquez

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Philippine Elections 2022

Interview no-show and the Marcos myths
https://www.bworldonline.com/interview-no-show-and-the-marcos-myths/ 

Characteristics in Candidates Running for National Positions Should Possess
https://www.facebook.com/democracywatchph/posts/299961952165129

A generation that’s losing sleep over Marcos Jr.
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/analysis-generation-losing-sleep-ferdinand-bongbong-marcos-jr/?fbclid=IwAR2nzXkVAIrvN5BD2-TP--Kz8_OFwstZstMVOpHAbsDUB5DCgXc_9Ff9gIk

The ‘golden age’ I remember
https://opinion.inquirer.net/149457/the-golden-age-i-remember?fbclid=IwAR2VnWQl4bRZBrSuVbI4T7DP6YsDIw_sH48pGzdj0vci2cnpkBXgiTaiiQY

Hindsight No.4: Denial and Dissonance
https://penmanila.ph/2022/02/07/hindsight-no-4-denial-and-dissonance/?fbclid=IwAR1dCjP1gmZR0tbF2CbDMlXRd2GUXhpnjwYSLOQlIjVyzrLTCBxThyePEqc

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In The Know

Philippine Congress Allows Full Foreign Ownership in Telco, Rail
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/philippine-congress-allows-full-foreign-013456660.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

FBI releases ‘Wanted’ poster for Quiboloy
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1550293/fbi-releases-wanted-poster-for-quiboloy?fbclid=IwAR3M4AAGgILK249-QOPyO200GRXuAn95YjKB5XZXse7Q7MooY9G2-IBtk3U

FAST FACTS: Who is Filipino Winter Olympian Asa Miller?
https://www.rappler.com/sports/things-to-know-asa-miller/?fbclid=IwAR1MvYp6vgr7l4XLeZyLjdSR7vJU1iWLDx2WddWjrlJE9r28V0SnSDalUgk

Our Progressive Past
gmanetwork.com/news/specials/content/206/our-progressive-past/?fbclid=IwAR2mlav8t9Di-Mp2jqDH2-9nWlpOwhnZzhLp_SP7Albihawy8R5GetqUek0

Kidlat Tahimik’s Subversive Retelling of the Philippines’ Colonial History
https://hyperallergic.com/694716/kidlat-tahimiks-subversive-retelling-of-the-philippines-colonial-history/ 

Digital artist reimagines Madrigal sisters from Disney film ‘Encanto’ as Filipinas
https://news.yahoo.com/digital-artist-reimagines-madrigal-sisters-234144264.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

F. Sionil Jose's Solidaridad book store to continue operations
https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/02/04/22/f-sionil-joses-solidaridad-to-continue-operations?fbclid=IwAR2SUAmcHE9XMZlRpb6PBgvh65d8oazPmr_HT-o3zYpssiWPsT5o_nc5WW8 

When an icon turns 90: Celebrating Auntie Dorothy
https://iexaminer.org/when-an-icon-turns-90-celebrating-auntie-dorothy/?fbclid=IwAR3fF2Wqg0zC1lcThsfh_E3BT2pVAgML4T3UlUAQBKj3Cro-RWoDolM45oI 

With superheroes and puppets, Philippines boosts child COVID-19 vaccination drive
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/superheroes-and-puppets-philippines-boosts-child-covid-19-vaccination-drive-2484456

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Immigration and White Supremacy

Last Monday's Positively Filipino webinar on Immigration in the Time of Racial Unrest, Pandemic and Trump was chock full of information and food for thought, with the combined forces of Jose Antonio Vargas, who was, as usual, a profound, articulate "spokesperson" for the undocumented, and Lourdes Tancinco, a veteran immigration lawyer who provided valuable updates on how immigration policies have changed under Trump. One participant commented that the webinar "should be recommended viewing for all Filipinos and Fil-Ams." 

For those who missed the session, here's the recording: [WEBINAR] Racism And The Filipino American 3: Immigrants In The Time Of Racial Unrest, Pandemic, And Trump

We are also announcing the next webinar, "Shut Down for a Shakedown? Behind the Attempts to Muzzle Press Freedom and ABS-CBN.” This will be on Monday, August 24 at 6pm PDT/9 pm EDT and in the Philippines, on Tuesday, August 25 at 9 am. Click on the link to register. https://bit.ly/shutdownshakedown

This Week's Stories:

On Filipino Culture, In The Wake Of Barkadagate By Kat Velayo Greenberg

Mia Mercado Keeps It Real By Walter Ang 

What Happened On Hacienda Street By George Deoso

What’s My Future In The Culinary World? By Nina Ines Garma

Read Again: The Untold Story of Nina Thomas By Titchie Carandang-Tiongson & Erwin R. Tiongson

Recipe of the Week: The Happy Home Cook: Atsara (Pickled Papaya) By Nina Ines Garma

Video of the Week: Why People Risk Their Lives To Bleach Their Skin

In The Know

Coronavirus: Philippines denies it has the most cases in East Asia
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/philippines-denies-it-has-the-most-cases-in-east-asia?fbclid=IwAR31nRGP-2SyMK1b0Bq82hLlDqq_RDh3mN3BNwM905z7vqtTGZWpK2-J9JM

The Fearless Journalist Targeted by a Murderous Dictator
https://news.yahoo.com/fearless-journalist-targeted-murderous-dictator-091715077.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

Hot chocolate in the tropics? The story behind sikwate, a delicious Philippines treat
https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/philippines-sikwate-chocolate/index.html

Philippine fast food giant Jollibee loses US$240 million and will be closing 255 stores
https://sea.mashable.com/culture/11835/philippine-fast-food-giant-jollibee-loses-us2-billion-and-will-be-closing-255-stores?fbclid=IwAR1iW3pOOZ3WHVXedsCdKGNxPSehue5EHCc-WogmwckbyaDu2m7KTPW2C6Y

Rising volume of intercepted PH pangolins tied to Chinese influx
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1317400/rising-volume-of-intercepted-ph-pangolins-tied-to-chinese-influx#ixzz6Uw2JQ6DY

Coping with COVID-19: Food Art by Dindo Llana
https://www.australianfilipina.com.au/article/coping-with-covid-19--food-art-by-dindo-llana?fbclid=IwAR3KjTesbvwzI6qRjSKBiHEoxK9FmpNXIBPYZCA_RRtaLHfDgYuuZfSSUL8

Past and Pastime

Often overlooked in the history of American student activism is 1968 Third World students' strike in San Francisco State (University), which led to the formation of the first ethnic studies college in the country. Read all about the Filipino American students' leading role in that upheaval in Juanita Tamayo Lott's "PACE, A Critical Link in Filipino American History." 

But history is not all Big Politics. Read Bibeth Orteza's hilarious recollection of her frustrated quest for romance on campus just when the Big Politics of Marcos' Martial Law was descending on the Philippines.

For a dose of nostalgia, join our raconteur Myles Garcia as he lays his hands on one of Manila's favorite pastimes,  "Oh, How I Miss Manila Mahjong." 

We would like to thank our writers who won in the recent 7th Annual Plaridel Awards of the Philippine American Press Club, USA:

Rene Astudillo, Plaridel Award for Best International Story, “Will the Philippine Jeepney Soon Be Extinct?” http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/will-the-philippine-jeepney-soon-be-extinct

Elizabeth Ann Quirino, Plaridel Award for Best Tourism Feature Story, “Savoring Hidden Flavors of the Philippine Kitchen”
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/savoring-hidden-flavors-of-the-philippine-kitchen

Titchie Carandang-Tiongson and Erwin Tiongson, Plaridel Award for Best Profile Writing, “The Untold Story of Nina Thomas: The American Woman Who Could Have Been First Lady of the Philippines” http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-untold-story-of-nina-thomas

France Viana, Plaridel Award for Best Entertainment Story, “Myth, Magic and Madonnas In Eye-Opening Philippine Art Exhibition” http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/myth-magic-and-madonnas-in-eye-opening-philippine-art-exhibition

Rey E. de la Cruz, Honorable Mention for Best Profile Writing, “Happy Beneath the Sea”
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/robert-suntay

Rey E. de la Cruz, Honorable Mention for Best Feature Story, “Dear Satu: Letters Tell the Story of Our Lives”
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/dear-satu-letters-tell-the-story-of-our-lives

Lisa Suguitan Melnick, Honorable Mention for Best Entertainment Story, “Incarcerated 6x9 Gets You on the Cell-ular Level”
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/dance-theater-review-incarcerated-6-x-9-gets-you-on-the-cell-ular-level

Elizabeth Ann Quirino, Honorable Mention for Best Food Story, “Tupig from Tarlac,”
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/tupig-from-tarlac

For Filipino American History Month, we recommend the following Read Again stories:
“An Ilongot Murder Mystery” by Michael Gonzalez: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/an-ilongot-murder-mystery

“Fil-Am Olympic Great Vicki Manalo-Draves” by Ed Diokno: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/fil-am-olympic-great-vicki-manalo-draves

For our [In The Know] Links:

Soldiers in Facebook’s War on Fake News Are Feeling Overrun
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/09/business/facebook-philippines-rappler-fake-news.html

Wanted: More Public Libraries
https://opinion.inquirer.net/116595/wanted-public-libraries

Gov. Brown rejects ethnic studies bill, saying high school students are overburdened
https://www.dailybulletin.com/2018/10/02/gov-brown-rejects-ethnic-studies-bill-saying-high-school-students-are-overburdened/

For Happy Home Cook, Chef Paolo Espanola dishes his take on a Filipino classic, Pansit Molo.

For Video of the Week, Center for Asian American Media remembers Professor Dawn Bohulano Mabalon, through her film collection on her family's history.