A Christmas Far from Home

It's not every year that we get to come out on Christmas Day so here are some good stories to read when you're either revving up for the family reunion or relaxing after a long active day.

How do Filipino immigrants celebrate Christmas? We cook up a storm both of dishes dear to our hearts and memories that sustain us when the homesickness bug bites, which often happens during the holidays. That's what PF Correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino does in "Last Christmas," her recollection of the time she and her family said goodbye to their life in the Philippines.

For Cherie Querol Moreno, also a PF Correspondent, another celebration: her annual trek to Europe with her husband to celebrate their wedding anniversary. This year they went to Spain, met up with some very interesting kababayans, and told us about it in "Modern Pilgrims Find Each Other in Northern Spain." 

And if you need one more dish for today, or the days when you're sick of leftovers, try this recipe from Elizabeth Ann Quirino: Biko Kulabasa, a Kapampangan creation.

Here are some interesting In The Know links to enjoy:

A trial in the Philippines offers a ray of hope for democratic institutions
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/12/19/trial-philippines-offers-ray-hope-democratic-institutions/?fbclid=IwAR01oYDOAstmQAiDYzk1mPu9M_PXLtZ-p72pyRiR-AZb4yAjy6n2SGzqtOQ

Finland's Filipino Food Favorites: 6 Restaurants Championing Pinoy Flavors in Helsinki
https://www.clickthecity.com/travel/a/38597/finlands-filipino-food-favorites-6-restaurants-championing-pinoy-flavors-in-helsinki?fbclid=IwAR0cdN6AY07px8YvEBY3VOPfNLYgXVCfvo0xDx0nDYm697iN41QMAI0pGiM

Betty Ann Besa-Quirino’s List of 18 Favorite Kampampangan Sweets and Dishes For The Holidays
https://kaplistorian.blogspot.com/2016/12/30-betty-ann-besa-quirinos-list-of-18.html?fbclid=IwAR1DWF882NCHRy4lKOky44TeKfGgS4VXMLKFs8o-aw8MEGJpl7Mczim_6x0

How Filipinos can take an active part in sustainable tourism
https://lifestyle.inquirer.net/353295/how-filipinos-can-take-an-active-part-in-sustainable-tourism/?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR3q5N-KaAUzK6tvhNYjMOzwzU12R1_gZT7ztyt9rTQLszzse0H3pBmz-Zo#Echobox=1576326036

U.S. Requiring Social Media Information From Visa Applicants
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/02/us/us-visa-application-social-media.html?fbclid=IwAR2sqNiZaXliF6vKTXyp5WfalaKDKBd1mE_WxjsWF73YOsLqnryDVg0zUPM

For Video of the Week, CNN Philippines’ The Story of the Filipino features billiards’ great Efren “Bata” Reyes.

Heroes

We celebrate Bonifacio Day on November 30 this year in the wake of the market success of "Heneral Luna," the movie. We'd like to think there is a resurgence of interest in the lives of the men and women who helped shape our nation and heritage, so how about reading again "Andres Bonifacio, the Other National Hero," Dr. Penelope V. Flores' timeless tribute to the man whose 152nd birth anniversary we celebrate this year.

We join the Philippine American Press Club in urging justice for the victims of the Maguindanao massacre (aka Ampatuan massacre). It has been six years yet there have been no convictions. We are publishing a joint editorial with other Filipino American media to press the point.

Moving to the present, Filipino American artist Lewanda Lim wowed the audience at the Columbus (Ohio) Arts Festival with her exhibit called Intersection. Positively Filipino Correspondent Rey E. de la Cruz profiles Lim, known for her socially conscious paintings and collages, in "Lewanda Lim's Socially Conscious Art."

In sports, Los Angeles Lakers' Jordan Clarkson visited the Philippines recently in his capacity as part of the NBA All-Rookie First Team. It was an eye-opening visit for this grandson of a Pampanguena, as Positively Filipino Correspondent Anthony Maddela reports.

For those who are intending to visit Australia, regular contributor Larry Ng tells us about Uluru, Australia's crimson mountain which is really a rock, the largest in the world. "Climbing Uluru" is a fascinating story about an unconquerable natural wonder right smack in the continent's Red Centre.

Working on your Christmas menu? Try out Positively Filipino Correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino's recipe for "Suman sa Ibus" or Rice Logs. No Filipino Christmas is complete without a kakanin, and this easy-to-make recipe fits the bill.

Our Video of the Week is a feature by CNN Philippines on an inspiring organization that is making waves in education: Teach for the Philippines.