Women Making History

A fitting beginning to Positively Filipino's March Women's History Month celebration is this week's collection of stories:

• A tribute to Florence Finch, born of a Filipina mother and an American father, a WWII heroine, the first female recipient of the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal for her crucial work as a clandestine operative for the Japanese resistance (for which she was imprisoned and tortured by the Japanese forces), a 1947 Medal of Freedom awardee, and a US Coast Guard (USCG) officer thereafter. In October 2024, the USCG accorded Finch (who died in 2016 at 101 years old) the singular honor of naming its 57th Fast Response Cutter after her. PF contributing writer Marissa Bañez, a lawyer and children's book author, wrote the story. 

• An introduction to a woman named Clang (Garcia), a food and travel writer/TV host and author whose book, Philippine Food Holidays (2023), won the 29th Gourmand Awards for “Best Food Tourism Book in the World.” PF Correspondent Rey de la Cruz profiles. The story includes a recipe for Tinola Nga Isda.

• Books by Filipina authors that go beyond the usual literary and historical genres spark interest and creativity, as compiled by PF Contributing Writer Claire Mercado-Obias. If you're into calligraphy, mid-century modern home design and mindfulness coloring, this list is for you. 

• Our Video of the Week focuses on Nobel Laureate and veteran FilAm journalist Maria Ressa as she weighs in on the uncanny parallelism of current US news and the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte (2016-2022). She speaks to PBS' NewsHour host Amna Nawaz. 

• And finally, our previously posted stories celebrating outstanding Filipino women.

[Read Again]

Clemencia Lopez, Independista by Lyca Benitez-Brown 

Why Women Rule Pampanga by Robby Tantingco

Pinky Valdes’ Winding Road to Healing by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Fil-Am Mayor Makes History in Daly City by Cherie M. Querol Moreno

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In The Know

People Power in the Philippines: How the Bay Area helped fuel a revolution nearly 40 years ago
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/03/04/bay-area-filipino-people-power-revolution/

San Francisco’s Filipino Food Legacy Is Over a Century-Old—and Still Evolving

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/san-franciscos-filipino-food-legacy-is-over-a-century-old-and-still-evolving?

[Ilonggo Notes] The Creative City of Gastronomy, one year on

https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/arts-culture/ilonggo-notes-creative-city-gastronomy-one-year/?

'So much flavor': Drew Barrymore raves about arroz caldo

https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/2/28/-so-much-flavor-drew-barrymore-raves-about-arroz-caldo-1730?

My father is a president!

https://www.facebook.com/AlternativeMediaPH/posts/321168263482655

Jaclyn Jose included in 2025 Academy Awards' 'In Memoriam' section

https://philstarlife.com/celebrity/528156-jaclyn-jose-2025-academy-awards-in-memoriam?

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Awesome Filipinas

One of the delightful benefits of putting out a magazine is getting stories of Filipinos who are so inspiring that merely reading about them makes one feel elevated. On the occasion of International Women's Month, enjoy these stories by women aboutwomen who are definitely worthy of emulation:

Dr. Reinabelle Reyes, a young astrophysicist, recognized by the international scientific community for leading a study that proved Einstein's Theory of Relativity. Carleen Sacris, herself an accomplished educator, profiles this awe-inspiring woman in "Seeing Stars with Dr. Reina Reyes."

Dr. Helena Z. Benitez, educator, civic leader, former senator and former president of the Philippine Women's University, is lovingly written about by her niece. Read Again "Travels With My Aunt" by Lyca Benitez-Brown, a well-known TV producer, who wrote this story when Dr. Benitez was 99 years old. She's now turning 102 and still going strong. 

Clemencia Lopez, one of the founders of the Philippine Feminist Association in 1905, dared go to the White House (the first Filipino to do so) to talk to then-President Theodore Roosevelt and plead for the freedom of her brothers who fought in the Philippine-American War. This is another Read Again by Lyca whose illustrious genealogy includes Ms. Lopez.

Award-winning author/journalist Criselda Yabes reveals her thoughts about "Manila Life" today, the stark reality of which is that it is quickly becoming unliveable. 

Speaking of inspiring, the two winning essays of the 30th Anniversary EDSA/People Power Essay Writing Contest, by young Filipino Americans Josh Severn and Jon Luigi Abella Caña, present some worthy food for thought. 

And a peek into Positively Filipino Correspondent Myles A. Garcia's new book, "Thirty Years Later...Catching Up with the Marcos-Era Crimes," to be launched at the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco on Friday, March 11 (everyone is invited): "The True 'Tail' of the Persopolis Bash 45 Years Ago."

For our Happy Home Cook feature this week, a perfect dish for Lent: Adobong Okra from the late culinary diva, Nora Daza. 

Finally, do you think the Philippines is paradise? See for yourself in our Video of the Week feature.