Don't Know Much About History?

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The best way to learn history is to read the meticulously researched, factually accurate and objective works of credible historians and writers.

The best way to appreciate historical events is to hear the personal stories by or about those who were there.

Our lineup this week offers both. It begins with a son's narration of his father's monumental choice and heroism during the 1989 coup d'etat that almost toppled the Cory Aquino administration.

We're also reposting some stories related to this day, December 8, a holy day of obligation in the Catholic world (Feast of the Immaculate Conception) but also marks the beginning of World War II in the Philippines (1941) and the assassination of John Lennon (1981) (we have 2 Beatles stories from Lloyd LaCuesta and Marra PL. Lanot).

Part 2 of  former COMELEC chair Andres Bautista's series on the Philippine electoral process, focusing on political dynasties, is also in this issue.

And for a sumptuous feast (or to trigger your imagination of one), PF Correspondent and resident foodie Elizabeth Ann Quirino describes the Kapampangan Christmas table of a clan matriarch who literally cooked up a feast, one dish of which is our Happy Home Cook feature this week.

Video of the Week: SB19’s “Bazinga” tops Billboard Hot Trends Chart
Partner Post: Philippine International Aid’s Christmas Gift Package Campaign

In The Know (Standard Edition)

Tourism pause helps Philippines clean up island paradise
https://news.yahoo.com/tourism-pause-helps-philippines-clean-114222987.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

52 all-Pinoy reading, storytelling spaces launched to promote Filipino books, stories
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/lifestyle/artandculture/812662/52-all-pinoy-reading-storytelling-spaces-launched-to-promote-filipino-books-stories/story/?fbclid=IwAR3F1aNyKY36h_JwjcIBizaYHwkalxNFvBhKjxeHrAuR40Sgj_uYByr5u20

Las Casas Filipinas De Acuzar Wins Asia's Best Historic Hotel Award
https://www.esquiremag.ph/life/travel/las-casas-filipinas-de-acuzar-international-award-a833-sa00171-20211126-src-spot?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20211127-fbnp-life-las-casas-filipinas-de-acuzar-international-award-a833-sa00171-20211126-src-spot-fbfirst&fbclid=IwAR2GIIsE7RHRZWxP8p4LTjo7vTjHpD1FWx71YVkAzPYmAxq5l4XU02zk-s4

Inside IKEA in Manila: tabò, capiz windows, woven lamps, and other Pinoy home stuff

https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/11/23/21/how-worlds-biggest-ikea-was-designed-for-pinoy-market?fbclid=IwAR0AAdsDt5bGz38gPNys0sPw3DSYETwmcdTd_I_w3JRAINeNcJtKEGYVxiQ

Fil-Am among 'Best New Chefs' highlights Filipino modern cuisine in U.S.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/11/29/21/fil-am-among-best-new-chefs-highlights-filipino-modern-cuisine-in-us/?utm_campaign=sharedpost&fbclid=IwAR2QHeTJMJb1B4XXDCYqmw4DVr4OgwJi6Xo1Fbs81miQ9lLi9hcnW1aZefM 

This almost 100-year old Cubao mansion is testament to a family’s deep affection for their heritage 
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/05/29/19/this-fabled-1929-mansion-in-new-manila-is-a-war-survivor-and-family-legacy?fbclid=IwAR08wPVfOF5JombMMoESaKvuIZegfnIACG4fh88awjunIVK8Pu6_iw9yxZU

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Polls Expectations

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Elections in the Philippines is blood sport, as many who have lived through several of them can attest. In hotly contested positions where money flows and the threat of violence from goons and guns is a real possibility, the common street belief is that the one who wins in the voting may not be the one who wins in the counting. 

As the May 2022 nationwide elections loom large in the consciousness of Filipinos even at this early stage, we asked former Commission on Elections (COMELEC) chair Andy Bautista to give us the skinny on the electoral process and what citizens can do (if anything) to ensure a clean and fair election. The first of his series of articles begins this week with "Substituting Democracy."

The last of our Living Legends series drops this week with part 3 featuring some pretty impressive Fil-Ams as community leaders, military officials, media practitioners and medical doctors. 

The highest ranking Fil-Am in the Los Angeles Police Department, Commander Donald Graham tells PF Correspondent Anthony Maddela that his policing style and principles draw from his Filipino upbringing by his mother, Amelia.

In the Philippines, you'll know that Christmas is coming soon when you start hearing Jose Mari Chan crooning his Christmas hits on the airwaves, in malls and other public places -- as early as September. The popular singer/songwriter has been associated with the spirit of the season for more than three decades. Read Again Manila-based writer Paulynn Sicam's story on "Jose Mari Chan's Enduring Heart Songs." 

And during this season of giving, please consider donating to Philippine International Aid (PIA), which has been sending thousands of poor children to school for almost four decades now.

Here's one way of cooking a traditional favorite, Pasta Vongole, made easy by Chef Sandy Daza, from his series of cooking demos called Casa Daza. 

If you've ever had any doubt about the plunder charges against the Marcoses, watch this riveting special report circa 1986 by ABS-CBN News hosted by the late broadcaster Angelo Castro Jr. With never-before-seen footages and extensive documentation, this historic video is both illuminating and alarming, in the context of the coming elections.

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Immigration and White Supremacy

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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