Not for the Faint-Hearted

Recent reports about the rise in the number of assaults on Asian Americans, particularly the elderly, in 47 states is seriously concerning. It's not just happening here in the US; some countries in Europe have also had incidents. And if you think that only Chinese are affected (owing to the previous administration's anti-Chinese rhetoric regarding the virus), think again. A Filipino, Noel Quintana, was slashed in the face while in a New York subway a few weeks ago and required almost 100 stitches. Just yesterday, an elderly Filipina was punched in the face in San Diego. These are not isolated cases. Time and again, Fil-Ams have been victimized by racist tirades during this pandemic. The twin scourges of hatred and ignorance do not after all distinguish among Asians; to them we all look alike.

So be careful out there. If you want to be updated on the situation, check out the Stop AAPI Hate web site (stopaapihate.org). And make sure you yourself do not do the hating.

If you missed our webinar last night on Philippine-American "Relations"-- Romance and Heartbreak Among Filipino and American Celebrities in  Washington, D.C., 1898-1946, here's the link to the recording: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/webinar-video-philippine-american-relations-romance-and-heartbreak-among-filipino-and-american-celebrities-in-nbspwashington-dc-1898-1946

Our issue this week introduces the FilAms who won their races in the 2020 elections, and it's a record number. ["Empowerment: Fil-Am Winners in the 2020 Elections"]. We also feature Kanlungan, a web site that honors Fil-Am covid frontliners who gave up their lives so others can live ["Kanlungan Honors Unsung Health Care Heroes"]. International travel during this pandemic is not for the faint-hearted as our First Person story describes ["Journal of a Pandemic Traveler"].  Finally, our Partner post brings good news to H1-B visa applicants.

For those harsh winter blues, how's about treating your love ones to Triple Chocolate Champorado, a repost of Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo's own recipe.

For our Video of the Week, here's a feature on Baybayin, the ancient Filipino writing that's being revived. 

Our Stories This Week

[Webinar Video] Philippine-American “Relations”-- Romance And Heartbreak Among Filipino And American Celebrities In  Washington, D.C., 1898-1946

Empowerment: Fil-Am Winners In The 2020 Elections By Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Kanlungan Honors Unsung Health Care Heroes By Cherie M. Querol Moreno

Journal Of A Pandemic Traveler By Bella Bonner

[PARTNER] H1B Visa Registration To Start On March 9, 2021 By Lourdes Santos Tancinco

Triple Chocolate Champorado By Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo

Video of the Week: Baybayin

In The Know

Ube: The Filipino Tuber That’s Taking Over the World
http://www.bbc.com/travel/story/20210203-ube-the-filipino-tuber-taking-over-the-world?ocid=ww.social.link.facebook&referer=https%3A%2F%2Fl.facebook.com%2F

How South Korea's 'CLOY' can help Filipinos create a better future
https://asia.nikkei.com/Opinion/How-South-Korea-s-CLOY-can-help-Filipinos-create-a-better-future?fbclid=IwAR35Ma0AZ-PdXtoD_79p2Wwa4MpF1HKo7Iv46iBzG1lVdKiy40ZdgZ2JxOY

Meet the artist/activist behind UP’s much talked about barricade
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/art/01/29/21/meet-the-artist-slash-activist-behind-ups-much-talked-about-barricade?fbclid=IwAR2GfTKkt-KQIbV1goIMfiVahZDGxv1v6RuQAOlq2pwEJ7KTELmQndltK_s

WATCH: The Story Behind Spain's Infamous Zoo That Featured Philippine Animals... And Then Filipinos
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/filipino-human-zoo-madrid-spain-crystal-palace-a00293-20201006-lfrm?ref=article_featured&fbclid=IwAR1lX6JzXN01IZzeVTU3s4mVdKP7qtMkHfKP5oFnKThvO_8vqm-eIN1TNxE

---

Stimulants, Magic and India

Have you ever wondered how coffee, a non-native crop, and cacao reach Philippine shores? Did you know that the Philippines was once one of the world's top coffee exporters and cacao was so prevalent that many households had their own homegrown supply of chocolate?  Cultural historian Felice Prudente Sta. Maria takes us on a historical trip, "From Coffee to Pollo con Chocolate," that reminds us of the intertwined histories of our homeland and Mexico.

Magical realism is not the exclusive domain of Latin American authors as a new novel, The Book of Pedro Bautista by Dr. Mary Jane Guazon-Uy, attests. Veteran journalist/author Sylvia L. Mayuga reviews this new book from the prolific Ateneo de Naga University Press.

India, the land of mystery and contradiction, was the latest destination of PF Correspondent Myles A. Garcia, who channels E. M. Forster in "A Passage to India, 2019." The country, Garcia states, is an "acquired taste," a feast for the senses, and requires some physical and mental preparation to visit. 

And if reading about tsokolate stirred up your craving, here's a recipe for Triple Chocolate Champorado from Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, our recipe of the week for the Happy Home Cook.

Here's our ICYMI listing of stories from other publications for this week:

[ANALYSIS] How the Marcos-World Bank partnership brought PH economy to its knees
https://www.rappler.com/thought-leaders/227198-analysis-how-marcos-world-bank-partnership-brought-philippine-economy-to-knees?fbclid=IwAR1XflcNwCkq4X5hbWarcUIL768qt0P7STcOO50cdlMeRiR5Uzdxus_UDQs

The Duterte wealth: Unregistered law firm, undisclosed biz interests, rice import deal for creditor
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/227315-pcij-report-rodrigo-sara-paolo-duterte-wealth?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2ek03rBAi-1v15JlgfOqTS5_a5TSW_NrZ7FeVhYTgT1y740gyFAunt6RE#Echobox=1554285268

Don Jacinto: the Filipino American managing the iconic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
https://www.asianjournal.com/magazines/mdwk-magazine/don-jacinto-the-filipino-american-managing-the-iconic-hollywood-roosevelt-hotel/?fbclid=IwAR1aDWN1rz3HqsDCuQzz-HJyEqXn9DOnWVGJxbUZz0NARjP8sNARaCkKOac

15 Heritage buildings that need to be rescued
https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/02/11/14/15-heritage-buildings-need-be-rescued?fbclid=IwAR0K9b_grKt4A7KNY5DMxxVIyubVHG4HlcXHnFuse28ZCDOQnYQp7Xt4WHo

For our video of the week, we present Rappler’s “Defend Press Freedom,” a video featuring journalists from the Martial Law years to today’s campus reporters.

Farewells

Positively Filipino shares the sorrow of the Filipino American community in the unexpected loss of Dawn Bohulano Mabalon, our highly esteemed historian and activist, whose lifework -- documenting the stories of FilAms of various generations -- is unmatched in its scope and reach. Here's our Video of the Week from TFC, paying tribute to this exemplary Filipina.

Another sadness brings about a deeply personal and heartfelt tribute to another great Filipina, Carmen Guerrero Nakpil, from veteran journalist Sylvia L. Mayuga, whose friendship with the woman she calls Mama Chitang goes back several decades, political sides and personal reckonings.

An issue to ponder during Buwan ng Wika (National Language Month) is a common first question among Filipino expats. Contributor Dayyuman Marie Ngoddo makes a case of choosing the question "What Languages Do You Speak?" over "where do you come from?"

The language of film as spoken by filmmaker Mikhail Red is the subject of Joy Watford's interview.

Here are links to stories you may have missed in various publications:

Recovering Fil-Am History
https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/arts-and-culture/2018/07/23/1835805/recovering-fil-am-history

Duterte: China should temper its behavior in disputed waters
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia_pacific/duterte-china-should-temper-its-behavior-in-disputed-waters/2018/08/14/d7ec1f38-9fc8-11e8-a3dd-2a1991f075d5_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.b7201d5d0e81

A Sisterhood of Nurses
https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-sisterhood-of-nurses-1533992461

Manga Creators: Jose Rizal More Than A Filipino Hero
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/1025-profiles/207033-manga-artist-ryo-konno-writer-takahiro-matsui-on-jose-rizal

Yes, Champorado and Tuyo-Flavored Suman Exists!
https://www.yummy.ph/news-trends/budbud-gourmet-suman-a00260-20180803?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=CPC&utm_campaign=080518-BudbudGourmetSuman

For our Happy Home Cook recipe this week, San Francisco-based foodie Voltaire Gungab does his own version of the Venezuelan national dish, Pabellon Criollo.