Letters of Love

Have you ever personally experienced up close an event so profound, so impactful that you are forever haunted by it? For retired ace broadcast journalist Ken Kashiwahara, who has seen more than a regular person's share of historical moments, nothing compares with August 21, 1983 when he flew to the Philippines to accompany his brother-in-law. 

That brother-in-law was Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino who, as the whole world knows, was assassinated that day as he was escorted down the plane in Manila. In a poignant video footage during those chaotic moments, Ken was seen insisting that he should go with Ninoy, but was told to sit down. The rest of the story remains a painful history, for Ken and the country. Here he writes a "Letter to Ninoy," recalling the tense months the family spent preparing for his return to the Philippines.

Another letter, this time an appeal on behalf of our Filipino veterans who will be bestowed the Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) in October. Major General Antonio Taguba, chair of the nonprofit Filipino Veterans Recognition and Education Project (FilVetREP), asks for your help in purchasing 10,000 bronze replicas of the single CGM medal, to be given to veterans and their families. A well-deserved recognition long overdue. 

Our publisher, Mona Lisa Yuchengco, revisits three places that have personal meaning to her: Tagaytay (for Antonio's and Balay Dako restaurants), Bacolod (for Balay ni Tana Dicang) and Davao (Eden Nature Park and Child Alert Mindanao). Enjoy her photos and plan your trips.

For master bakers and daring amateurs, Elizabeth Ann Quirino shares her recipe of the popular Kapampangan delicacy, Pan de San Nicolas. Known as a curative cookie, it's a difficult recipe so we're posting it way ahead of the feast day of San Nicolas de Tolentino on September 10 so you have time to face up to the challenge. 

Again, we have an interesting lineup of In The Know links for your reading pleasure:

Dear Filipino Americans, Let’s Talk About Charlottesville
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/dearfilipinoamericans-lets-talk-about-charlottesville_us_599723d9e4b03b5e472cef1c

HK domestic workers: A tribute to true heroes
http://www.rappler.com/move-ph/balikbayan/voices/56940-hk-domestic-workers-tribute

2017 SEA Games: PH gymnast claims gold in uneven bars event 22 years after mom's feat
http://cnnphilippines.com/sports/2017/08/22/2017-SEA-Games-Kaitlin-De-Guzman-fifth-gold-medal-Philippines-uneven-bars-gymnastics.html

Refugee remembers kindness of the Philippines
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/columnists/falkenberg/article/Refugee-remembers-kindness-of-the-Philippines-5015096.php

For our Video of the Week, Fil-Am stand-up comedian JoKoy talks about Filipino mothers, familiar to all young Fil-Ams.

Hometown Is Where the Heart Is

We're really hitting gold with our Hometown stories and we hope you send in yours. We define "hometown" as the place you remember from childhood. It doesn't matter if you grew up in an urban area or you spent only a snippet of your childhood in a particular place. Wherever you have memories -- no matter what they are --  that's your hometown. 

This week, Lilia V. Villanueva transports us to her beloved hometown with "My Bacolod of Sights, Sounds, Smells." 

Going back further in our homeland's history, PF Correspondent Dr. Penelope V. Flores once again submits an evocative piece, "Surprising Facts About Ferdinand Magellan and His Voyage to the Philippines." If the archipelago had been named Magallanes, what would we, its natives, be called?

Summertime in the western hemisphere means travel to many. Here are two stories to Read Again if you're dreaming of a French holiday: 

The artist Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi writes fondly about her adopted hometown, Limeuil, considered one of the most villages in France: http://www.positivelyfilipino. com/magazine/limeuil

Author/journalist Criselda Yabes writes about her part-time home, the remote village of Haybes in the Les Ardennes region of France: http://www.positivelyfilipino. com/magazine/my-french-village

And if you missed reading these interesting stories in various publications, here are some links so you will be In The Know:

Natixis' Nguyen Sees More Downside for Philippine Peso
https://finance.yahoo.com/video/natixis-nguyen-sees-more-downside-021752269.html

15 Filipino Actors Who Are Making It in Hollywood
http://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/arts-and-entertainment/15-filipino-actors-who-are-making-it-in-hollywood-a1926-20170719-lfrm

The 50 Best Filipino Films of the 21st Century
https://pinoyrebyu.wordpress.com/2017/07/23/the-50-best-filipino-films-of-the-21st-century/

UCLA alumna creates pop-up ice cream shop featuring Filipino flavors
http://dailybruin.com/2017/07/23/ucla-alumna-creates-pop-up-ice-cream-shop-featuring-filipino-flavors

5 Filipino heroines who changed Philippine history
http://cnnphilippines.com/life/culture/2017/06/07/5-filipino-heroines.html

And for a summer refresher to counter the scorching heat, PF Correspondent and resident foodie Elizabeth Ann Quirino shares "Cantaloupe Strings-Calamansi Dessert Drink," which should bring back memories of hot summer days in our Motherland.

For our Video of the Week, Emirates Airline released a video of Baylor University School of Music Men’s Choir performing Ryan Cayabyab's “Da Coconut Nut” after a flight to the US from Kenya. “You wake up one day and a song you wrote nearly 30 years ago has 10 million + views on the internet in three days,” Cayabyab reacted on facebook.