Treasuring Mindanao

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For most of us who came of age in the 20th century in Manila and surrounding provinces, Mindanao has always been a frontier land -- remote, unknowable, somewhat scary. And violent. Our elementary and high school teachers glossed over Mindanao, foreign governments warned against visiting. What a shame!

In the last few decades, as Mindanao enjoyed relative peace, both domestic and foreign tourists have discovered the richness of the Philippines' second largest island -- its indigenous cultures, its natural beauty, its biodiversity, the wealth of opportunities it offers to water sports, and many other attractions that we missed out on when we were mired in prejudices against Mindanao.

In this issue, we have put together stories about Mindanao, with the hope that the lingering biases that may still inhabit readers' minds will finally be laid to rest.

• A Muslim Mindanaoan visits Tawi-tawi, the Philippines' southernmost province, and finds kinship.

• A Fil-Am cultural worker and his group is hosted by cultural groups in Cotabato for an unforgettable cultural immersion.

• A Manila-based community activist does a whirlwind tour of Zamboanga and discovers treasures.

From our archives, enjoy reading:

• A travel writer's visit to Sarangani, the district that Manny Pacquiao used to represent in Congress: 
https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/discovering-pacquiaos-sarangani

• A Mindanaoan academic debunks the myth that our Moro kababayans are prone to violence: Why Our Moro Brothers and Sisters Will Never Turn Fundamentalist — Positively Filipino | Online Magazine for Filipinos in the Diaspora

Also in this issue, our Earth Day offering on how an entrepreneurial couple has committed to the global environmental sustainability effort by setting up a sustainable, organic farm in Coron, Palawan.

And our Fil-Am compatriot, Rob Bonta, who is California's incumbent Attorney General, talks about the challenges in convicting hate crimes. 

[Video of the Week] Chef Rex De Guzman

Anti-Asian Hate Watch

3 senior advocates attacked in alleged hate crime
https://asamnews.com/2024/04/10/anti-asian-hate-racial-comments-san-francisco/

Asian American Community Reflects on Deadly Atlanta Shooting Three Years Later
https://www.theknightnews.com/2024/04/15/asian-american-community-reflects-on-deadly-atlanta-shooting-three-years-later/

AAPI coalition continues the fight against gun violence
https://asamnews.com/2024/04/13/gun-violence-politics-suicide-survivior-trump-civil-rights-asian-shooting-texas/

The FACC celebrates 70 years of Filipino culture and community in Colorado
https://www.cpr.org/2024/04/13/facc-celebrating-70th-anniversary-filipino-culture-community-in-colorado/

Man charged with hate crime in assault of Asian person in S.F.
https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/man-charged-hate-crime-assault-asian-person-s-f-19394662.php

Muslim American students allegedly punched & mocked
https://asamnews.com/2024/04/09/hate-crime-attack-university-of-texas-austin/

Funding provided by the State of California.

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Staff