Warriors and Remembrance

We end this month that marks the 81st anniversary of the Bataan Death March with a rare first-person account by the late Lt. Col. Federico Peralta who survived the cruelty, the extreme hunger, malaria and severe exhaustion, and was later released as POW #24. Peralta served in the Philippine Armed Forces for 26 years and was able to write down his story and leave it with his daughter before he passed on in 1995. This is a riveting, heartbreaking recollection of the insanity of war and a testament to the valor of what has been called "the greatest generation."

In another WWII story, anthropologist/author Thomas McKenna's recently released book Moro Warrior documents the little-known valiant resistance of Moro guerillas against the Japanese army. The focus is on the unlikely friendship between a Moro boy and his American teacher which exemplifies the bond between the Muslims and the Americans in fighting a common enemy. PF Correspondent and Mindanao advocate Criselda Yabes reviews the book. 

If a centuries-old tree could talk, what fascinating stories it would tell. At the Lichauco ancestral home in Sta. Ana, beside the Pasig river, the balete tree which has given the Lichauco children so much joy, has been officially declared a Heritage Tree by the Philippine government. Two Lichauco daughters, Sylvia and Loretta, pooled their childhood memories for this article.

And speaking of warriors, once upon a time, in the late 1970s, an esteemed Kalinga chief named Macli-ing Dulag led his tribe's resistance against the Chico River Project of the national government. The damming of the river would have wiped out the vestiges of the Kalinga way of life. Macli-ing was assassinated on April 24, 1980 by government troops. Since then, April 24 has been designated as Cordillera Peoples Day. Read Again Ma. Ceres P. Doyo's story on this valiant warrior: The Unforgettable Macli-ing Dulag — Positively Filipino | Online Magazine for Filipinos in the Diaspora

It's summer in the Philippines, and traditionally the season brings about a rite of manhood for Filipino boys. Read Again: 

Circumcision: Writhe of Passage — Positively Filipino | Online Magazine for Filipinos in the Diaspora

Summer also means mango season in the Philippines and now, even here in the US. Visit your Asian store so you can taste again this delicious treat from PF Correspondent and foodie, Elizabeth Ann Quirino: The Happy Home Cook: Mango Refrigerator Cake — Positively Filipino | Online Magazine for Filipinos in the Diaspora

[Video of the Week] Why Is The Filipino Calamansi Being Left Behind?

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In The Know

LIST: Premium buses to drive you through a relaxing out-of-town trip in PH

https://philstarlife.com/living/312762-list-premium-buses-baguio-ilocos-bicol?page=4

Coloring the Margins: Pacita Abad

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/25/arts/design/walker-pacita-abad-minneapolis.html?fbclid=IwAR1ATyWLHeUWYAgvfbG7ooJsZerqmUqlrQmEtRLfov3W9DP1sp2PEQ9pYbU

Goodbye, tilapia surprise: Selecta’s transparent ice cream container goes viral

https://www.rappler.com/technology/internet-culture/selecta-transparent-container-viral/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&fbclid=IwAR0go2TlC_xvwYsIh2sjn4dbswlnAYnz3ttwpzDEpo9RAThfI006JBRIzL4

IN PHOTOS: Why Chef Tatung’s Azadore might be the coolest-looking new restaurant in QC

https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/restaurants/04/21/23/this-might-be-the-coolest-looking-new-restaurant-in-qc?fbclid=IwAR1zq7ZidToM2uplawqJtEThpTaaPralDoWUmhd1oYTSCap9uYBQ0c2Mdj8

The Fascinating World of Caroline Kennedy

https://anankemag.com/2016/10/18/the-fascinating-world-of-caroline-kennedy/?fbclid=IwAR1nj-LlPycni9avD8nLVBXh72A0Eh4RKYyv5Gvk6SovR9TZU_wsHpeI1SU

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40 Years Ago This Month

Two major events in the last week of April changed history, and we commemorate both in this week's issue.

April 24 is the 35th death anniversary of Macli-ing Dulag, the Kalinga tribal chief who led the opposition to the Chico River Dam project in the Cordilleras. His assassination by elements of the Philippine Army in 1980 unified the people against the dam and led to the eventual scuttling of the project by the Marcos dictatorship. Macli-ing Dulag's legacy is forever etched in Philippine history and April 24 is celebrated as Cordillera Peoples Day every year.  Ace journalist Ceres P. Doyo shares some excerpts from her new book on the charismatic chieftain in "The Unforgettable Macli-ing Dulag."

April 30 marks the 40th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, which ended the catastrophic Vietnam War. Ken Kashiwahara witnessed the chaos and the tragedy of the withdrawal of the US and revisited Saigon for the first time a few months ago. He shares his recollections and observations in "Escape from Saigon."

Meanwhile, a confrontation that the whole world awaits with gusto happens on May 2 when Manny Pacquiao comes head-to-head with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Two boxing enthusiasts, Roilo Golez and Peter Bacho, share their predictions on the outcome. You can also share your pick on our new online poll.

In Seattle, pet owners are lucky to have in their midst Dr. Michael Mison, a topnotch veterinary surgeon, who comes from a family of educators and civil servants. Gia Mendoza profiles her pet's lifesaver in "A Pet's Best Friend."

As we celebrate Earth Day this month, read again two of our informative postings on the environmental impact of the aquarium fish trade ("Saving Nemo") and the holy guardians of Bud Bungao, the magical mountain in Tawi-tawi ("The Holy Mountain of Tawi-tawi"), both by Philippine environmental writer, Gregg Yan.

Our recipe for the week in The Happy Home Cook comes from food blogger and author, Marvin Gapultos, who shares his award-winning "Slow-braised Pork and Pineapple Adobo."

And for our Video of the Week, the Bisaya-speaking Americans of the Hey Joe Show are back in “Signs That You Are Filipino.”

I hope you also visit my blog, “Gemma Nemenzo on Life, Love, Writing, and Everything In Between” and let me know your thoughts on "Expat Realities."