Light, at Last

Positively Filipino honored famous fathers with an inspiring webinar yesterday. It featured Sylvia Lazo, daughter of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo; Lindsay Keys, daughter of Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba; Rey Banatao, son of tech entrepreneur Dado Banatao; and Vicki Nievera, daughter of popular balladeer Bert Nievera. Hosted by Odette Alcazaren-Keeley, the event was a fitting celebration of Father's Day. Watch the recording here “Loving Kids Talk About Their Famous Dads”

As California, Vermont and other US states emerge from the darkness of a pandemic year, the process of reopening has triggered a slew of advice and caution, some serious how-tos on re-entering the social circuit, others offering funny cautionary tales about the post-Covid world. For seniors, undoubtedly the biggest demographic impacted by the pandemic, AARP, its trusted guardian angel, came out with a list of protocols for houseguests newly liberated to visit family. Occasional PF contributing writer Elena Buensalido Mangahas however thinks the list not too apt for Filipinos so she came up with her own, "The Fil-American Rule: Apologize Then Proceed." Do you have your own rules? 

Our series of "Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous" is now on part 21, putting talent and achievements on display. 

We're at the midpoint between two national celebrations -- Philippine Independence Day (June 12) and Rizal Day (June 19) so it's but fitting to post (and repost) stories that celebrate our Motherland's history and National Hero. First off, Harvey I. Barkin reports on a recent talk by noted historian Ambeth Ocampo on Rizal's visit to the US, "Rizal in the US: He Was Not Impressed." We also have the link to the actual lecture. 

Here are other interesting Rizal stories:

"Rizal's Great Loves" by Penelope V. Flores 

"Jose Rizal, Martial Arts Warrior" by Rene J. Navarro 

Timed appropriately for these disturbing times, our Video of the Week presents a powerful, incisive short film, "Heneral Rizal." a production of Act One in the Philippines. 

And continuing our Rizal tribute, here's a repost of the recipe for Tinolang Manok or Chicken Tinola, reportedly his fave dish.

In The Know

Trese: What Netflix's new occult anime reveals about the Philippines
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57424360?fbclid=IwAR2ifQf5T8CBDgrQwVHKb-6xnVpCujzE-5XchS-pNEBpXs6Ew6PUHP6PKTI

[Dash of SAS] Second chances in the only country in the world without divorce
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/dash-of-sas-second-chances-only-country-in-world-without-divorce?fbclid=IwAR2h6pPJqxtlWwkXeZUQ7ES5u91zm2Gi7kMLxhv8h7MYn8XR8DjXLBx2wBQ

Breaking down Filipino cuisine by region is harder than you'd think
https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2021/06/02/breaking-down-filipino-cuisine-region-harder-youd-think?fbclid=IwAR1WCSRmfIAsU99iR6vzUHuNBtc9j3XLMadbxsJM02hymoJS5YY6XlzEOk0

Filipino American nurses, reflecting on disproportionate Covid toll, look ahead
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/filipino-american-nurses-reflecting-disproportionate-covid-toll-look-a-rcna1112

NBA’s Jordan Clarkson restores vandalized Filipino food truck, decries Asian hate
https://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/nbas-jordan-clarkson-restores-vandalized-filipino-food-truck-decries-asian-hate/?fbclid=IwAR1iGw5-gjH4zaL3_2pMJnxao80m91Qxi4g6M9DvSkbTL0vMJ7OnZv1-hzo

7 Ancestral Homes and Heritage Buildings in the Philippines Turned Into Beautiful Dining Spots 
https://ph.asiatatler.com/dining/ancestral-homes-and-heritage-buildings-turned-into-beautiful-dining-spots

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A Valentine for Real Heroes

Tales of real ( as opposed to self-aggrandizing) heroism are always fascinating, and we have one this week. "Col. Edwin Ramsey's War" is Vancouver-based contributor Sandie Gilles' tribute to this American military official who volunteered for the Philippine Scouts in World War II, and who organized a 40,000-strong guerrilla force. His life story has been immortalized into a book and a movie, the better for the younger generation to appreciate his heroism.

Meanwhile, let's take a breather from the [political] passions that are currently consuming many of us, and celebrate an early Valentine's. Read Again some of our love stories:

Historian Ambeth Ocampo's titillating compilation of "Romances in History";

My story on acclaimed "balagtasan" king Jose Corazon de Jesus' daring and star-crossed love affairs, "The Poet and the Women He Loved;" and

Fil-Am historical writer Alex S. Fabros, Jr.'s chronicle of the inhumanity of US laws during the early - to mid-1900s, "When Hilario Met Sally: The Fight Against the Anti-Miscegenation Laws."

And our In the Know links this week:

What Filipino American History Can Teach Us About the Recent Executive Order on Immigration - Dawn Buhulano Mabalon
http://fanhs-national.org/ filam/what-filipinao-american- history-can-teach-us-about- the-recent-executive-order-on- immigration/

Henry Sy Jr., Dado Banatao Back Startup To Help BPOs Cope with Automation Threat
http://www.entrepreneur.com. ph/news-and-events/henry-sy- jr-dado-banatao-back-startup- to-help-bpos-cope-with- automation-threat-a36-20170126

Philippines: The Police's Murderous War on the Poor
https://www.amnesty.org/en/ latest/news/2017/01/ philippines-the-police- murderous-war-on-the-poor/

Below Deck [a report on Filipinos in the cruise ship industry]
https://story. californiasunday.com/below- deck

And then here are some Valentine treats you can make yourself, from Positively Filipino Correspondent and author, Elizabeth Ann Quirino: Flourless Chocolate Cake with Filipino Tablea and Calamansi Frozen Margarita.

Our Video of the Week: a Youtube channel uploaded a documentary on the 1945 Battle of Manila produced by the US Army Pictorial Center.

Celebration Time

Despite the political chaos and clashing of passions everywhere, there are always good reasons to celebrate in February. This week, our stories of celebration come from both good memories and good encounters.

We draw from historian/educator Ambeth R. Ocampo's book Looking Back for three romances that captured the imagination of Filipinos in specific periods in our history: in the last quarter of the 19th century, a visiting king fell in love with a Filipina lass and gifted her with extravagant jewels; in the middle part of the 20th century, a dashing mestizo who became our president transported a well-known Filipina entertainer to serenade his lady love; in the ‘30s the most beloved American general carried on a torrid  and secret love affair with a Filipina movie actress. Who says history is boring?

A personal story on how a Filipino American came to understand and appreciate her Filipino roots is told by Carlene Bonnivier in her heartwarming essay, "Adobo." 

Jumping forward to the present, Anthony Maddela features Filipino American David Lat, a lawyer/blogger/writer whose recently released first novel, Supreme Ambitions, has been getting raves in both legal and popular circles. The book integrates American justice issues with Filipino culture, and the combination is a heady brew that's both entertaining and eye-opening.

On the lighter side of the present, world traveler Rey de la Cruz introduces the Filipinos he met in Jamaica in our Pinoyspotting feature for this month. For those of you who meet kababayans in your journeys and who have documented your encounters in photos, email them to us with a short backgrounder at submissions@positivelyfilipino.com.

Our Video of the Week is a fascinating short documentary on the Wild Bird Photographers of the Philippines and their photos.