Defenses: Civil Rights and Martial Arts

President Trump put his order to conduct raids in major cities to ferret out the undocumented for deportation on hold for two weeks, and that two weeks will end on July 6. If you or someone you know will be affected by this order, it's best to be prepared and to know your rights. Immigration lawyer Lourdes Tancinco puts together a guide on what to do if ICE knocks on your door. (Our Partner Post: "Are ICE Raids Really on Hold? Know Your Rights")

While her boss, New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio seeks the Democratic presidential nomination, the newly appointed Commissioner of the NY Mayor’s Office for Media and Entertainment , Fil-Am Anne del Castillo, quietly does her job. PF Correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino profiles this young lawyer whose mandate is to create more job opportunities for the underrepresented -- women and minorities  -- in the city's media and entertainment industries. ("Watch Out World: Anne del Castillo, NYC Mayor's Media and Entertainment Czar")

In San Francisco, Eskabo Daan, the organization that teaches Filipino martial arts and culture to children, is celebrating the 10th year of a strong presence in the community's cultural scene. The group has expanded its classes to Daly City, where aspiring young warriors are learning not just Filipino self-defense but also writing in baybayin, the ancient Filipino script. Lorna Lardizabal Dietz reports. ("Eskabo Daan: Filipino Martial Arts for Kids")

Canada-based contributor Albert J. Lesaca tells us how a red bicycle and a neighborhood "siga" (tough guy) taught him valuable street-smarts that guided him for life in "The Bicycle of Tomorrow."

To celebrate Filipino American Friendship Day tomorrow, here are some stories worth re-reading: 

Alex S. Fabros Jr.'s "The Boogie-Woogie Boys" 

Erwin R. Tiongson's "A 3-D Image of the Philippine Scouts: March 4, 1905" 

Titchie Carandang-Tiongson's "A D.C. Springtime Concert Born in Manila" 

For our In The Know links:

Targeted by Duterte
https://www.cjr.org/special_report/maria-ressa-duterte.php?utm_medium=10today.ad3li.20190629.smartflab.421.2&fbclid=IwAR3reVmE_9on-2fbta_YlcRbK6BRinqHIukJMy2xhvJrvbAfQJKQbAWJ82w

Five books that tackle the truth and injustices of the Marcos regime
http://youngstar.ph/5-books-tackle-harsh-truths-martial-law/?fbclid=IwAR3hPCXyhsE2oMKM4QoBflQxMEFDoDEyZCMkpxQAX7ockVBL7-n0nlMusZI

Theodore Roosevelt’s ‘Forgotten War’?
https://opinion.inquirer.net/122303/theodore-roosevelts-forgotten-war?fbclid=IwAR1RIeVT-2An9HKKxc8xJRt7xE5Fn43_hTnP4zDDL5L80kwy--PsMVBnjTo

Tuna kinilaw takes the spotlight at Portugal festival
https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/06/27/19/tuna-kinilaw-takes-the-spotlight-at-portugal-festival?fbclid=IwAR3nIYQ7HiaqCQQ1V2KZctKMJnQGwv4EtsnRsiCuVSksv9YyAZo38J8cAek

Our Happy Home Cook recipe this week from Elizabeth Ann Quirino makes use of summer tomatoes: Kamatis-Tokwa with Shrimps Guisado

And for our Video of the Week, I-Witness' Howie Severino looks into the life of Juan Luna, this greatest of Filipino painters who was also a tragically flawed human.

Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Mothers All

How would you feel if your mother is labeled a "mail order bride? First-time contributor Carolyn Prasad explores the issue as she pays tribute to the grit and courage of her mother in "The Making of a Matriarch."

Poet/author Marra PL. Lanot waxes poetic as she remembers her dynamic mother, a classical pianist and an activist who was also a fantastic cook. "My Mother, Myself" is both a tribute and an aspiration for the writer.

Another first-time contributor Amy Schlanger writes about the parallels of her approach to motherhood with her friend, Min Bernardo, who nurtured and supported the career of her daughter, Kathryn, now one of the Philippines' top movie stars. 

Aside from celebrating mothers and Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, May is also Military Appreciation Month. Here are some historical stories you may want to Read Again:

The Boogie Woogie Boys written by ex-Marine, Alex S. Fabros, Jr.

The General At Ease, my exclusive interview with Major General Antonio M. Taguba, one of the highest ranking Filipino American in the US military. 

In case you missed them, our links to important stories from other publications:

Duterte’s Unrelenting Attacks on Philippine Media 
https://philippines.fnst.org/content/dutertes-unrelenting-attacks-philippine-media?fbclid=IwAR0oXGem9nACvaKBueOpqGeW0nK5Bn9LCKmtzWu85Vk0Z8c3eWlsOMkiVFs

What My Father Edjop Taught Me About Heroism 
https://thelittleagegrouper.blogspot.com/2019/05/what-my-father-edjop-taught-me-about.html?m=1&fbclid=IwAR0m4Tfd0LrtgqoYm2_FEXLMWilVm605dyyXP3m95tNGrE7jzojTDL1xF3c

The most expensive resort in the world costs $100,000 a night — here's what you get
https://ph.news.yahoo.com/most-expensive-resort-world-costs-181128004.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=fb&fbclid=IwAR1JiChPiiY6m9wAV16SqaT7kh_0ieXYaJPPwBsxZUTL_aheYf6oT-jJd6E

Cafe in the Philippines Now Uses Straws Made Out of Coconut Leaves to Cut Plastic Waste
https://nextshark.com/philippines-biodegradable-straws/?fbclid=IwAR2QPTqOtaG8v9waJdkWeEY2cl1au-Sbk9Ul5NC70H2UfUT_fB04RTgotp8

For the Happy Home Cook, another recipe contribution from SF-based foodie, Voltaire Gungab: Risotto with Shiitake, Chinese Sausage and Chicken Livers.

And for Video of the Week, we feature another Andre De La Varre Screen Traveler. This travelogue film shows Cebu in the 1930s.