A Tireless Crusader and Enchanted Tales

Ambassador Howard Dee, 2018 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, is one of an increasingly rare breed of man whose life work is focused on seeking social justice and socio-political peace. Contributing writer M.H. Hizon profiles this outstanding Filipino in "The Many Crusades of Howard Dee."

A timely piece for this week of myths and superstitions is Sylvia Mayuga's review of Bicolano anthropologist Tito Valiente's newly released book, The Last Sacristan Mayor and The Most Expensive Mass for the Dead: Tales of Ticao. Ticao is in Masbate, the author's birthplace, where tales of enchantment abound.

In Fatima, the town of many Filipino pilgrimages, traveler Isabel Lovina got the surprise of her life when her group of pilgrims were billeted in Pinoy House Fatima, owned by Ritchiel from Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, and her Portuguese husband. Take note for when you do your own Marian pilgrimage.

The compleat actress Nora Aunor was once again bypassed for the National Artist award this year (the first time was during the term of President Noynoy Aquino), a move that has incensed her legions of fans worldwide. Read Again film critic Mauro Feria Tumbucon Jr.'s "The Timeless Nora Aunor" and you'll understand why. 

And in keeping with the season, here's another Read Again: Alex G. Paman's "The Vanishing Hitchhiker, the White Lady and Hauntings Across the Seas."

Our In The Know links this week:

'Only for white people': Filipino family endures racist rant in New Zealand
https://news.abs-cbn.com/trending/10/29/18/only-for-white-people-filipino-family-endures-racist-rant-in-new-zealand?fbclid=IwAR0Wz1JnXMUbyQ_mpY0QMvxohTJfAcQovOgGj8kTCTooG6CHizQw7lszL0s

Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong facing more expenses as new law forces them to make social security contributions back home
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/2169478/filipino-domestic-workers-hong-kong-facing-more-expenses-new?fbclid=IwAR2rPgZz74bQv6saW34zIib84vaq_Xe7Xx04JtScmUR3SkTf4ZRekuxt_ew

How Wealthy Was the Rizal Family?
https://www.townandcountry.ph/people/heritage/rizal-family-net-worth-a1957-20181020-lfrm?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Siteshare&utm_campaign=20181023-rizal&fbclid=IwAR3zIVtafDi6Jxnay6i3WUIMMQVPkrRZQYQSpA0-YvROfrrFxFFE1kj-mdE

Jay Ledford’s Journey as a Filipino American Transgender Ballerina
http://www.manilamail.us/?p=6844&fbclid=IwAR0QuYZiwVWx_6oR2rMYmSaxqtcL57NWQapXZQMazxKqBR22GbbtTcnOUIM

15 Essential Filipino Restaurants in the Bay Area
https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-filipino-restaurants-food-san-francisco-bay-area-daly-city-east-bay-oakland

Our Happy Home Cook recipe, Pork Kilawin from our resident foodie Elizabeth Ann Quirino.

For our video of week, San Diego's ABC 10 News featured a story on the awarding of Congressional Gold Medals on Filipino World War II veterans at the Jacobs Center.

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.