Making Waves

To be a farmer in the Philippines is to be poor. That's the prevailing view of many, in this age of El Niño, market competition and continuing feudalism. Expert plant nematologist Romulo Davide seeks to reverse both the perception and the reality on the ground by asserting that "Farmers Deserve to be Rich." Davide has established the Farmer-Specialist Training Program (FSTP), an ambitious and already successful project to give Filipino farmers technical empowerment and attitudinal change to improve their lot. Read about this visionary scientist and his inspiring program from contributor Manuel Hizon, in this week's lead story.

We got media credentials for the Pacquiao-Bradley rematch last week so sportswriter Irwin Ver went to Las Vegas to watch it live. Here's his report "Watching Pacquiao's "Last" Fight."

Going back in time, first-time contributor Collis Davis reacted to our post, "A D.C. Springtime Concert Born in Manila" by Titchie Carandang-Tiongson by sending us this story about Col. Walter Howard Loving, the African American conductor of the Philippine Constabulary Band which played at the inauguration of President William Howard Taft. Loving's love affair with the Philippines ended tragically during WWII, as Collis Davis narrates in "Leader of the Band."

Positively Filipino Contributing Writer Elizabeth Ann Quirino tells us about Jasmine and Melissa Hemsley, sisters who are making waves in England as food activists, TV personalities and cookbook authors. The two have come up with their second cookbook (available this month in the US) called Good + Simple, with 140 healthy recipes inspired by their Filipino culinary heritage. Watch Out World, they're British-Filipinos and they're poised to become international successes. 

The Hemsley sisters also provide us with their "Tahini Date Fridge Fudge" recipe in this week's Happy Home Cook feature. Yummy and healthy, it certainly is.

We join the celebration of Earth Day this month with our Read Again story: "Saving Nemo," a hard look at the lucrative ornamental fish trade threatening the Philippines' blue environment. Gregg Yan reports. 

Another Earth Day feature: introducing the magnificent Philippine Eagle in our Video of the Week.