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.

In The Know

UST Library and Archives' 12 Most Important Treasures
https://www.spot.ph/newsfeatures/culture/108581/12-most-important-treasures-of-the-ust-library-a5358-20240409-lfrm2?ref=home_feed_1&fbclid=IwAR0MAyPUYxX2GBo7arphVpDlhM2epFn7vC0gmFAZOC_IH55apAYWJX1b7Es

UP makes it to 2024 QS World University Rankings in 3 subjects
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1928982/up-makes-it-to-2024-qs-world-university-rankings-in-3-subjects?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR30vKn4Uw59eCmNUiGzPYyLaN4-ZpsYGa-_HWpanjHm7dW9OHVcauNFCYc

This doctor is revolutionising women’s health by developing an integrated digital and physical healthcare system
https://www.tatlerasia.com/power-purpose/front-female/dr-jaycy-violago-olivarez-eluvo-health?utm_source=tatlerasia.com&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PH_DIG_THECHANGEMAKERS_FULL20240412

Who is Nellie E. Brown? Olongapo school finally discovers mystery woman after 71 years
https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/on-the-radar/2024/04/12/2347159/who-nellie-e-brown-olongapo-school-finally-discovers-mystery-woman-after-71-years?fbclid=IwAR0Cg_o5u8kgoSNd35AH4haYVD6SmdSqQvO9qIKKshGXmzhNgUXH0dcxq_I

‘Exploitation’: Discourse about post on NYC virtual cashier from Philippines
https://interaksyon.philstar.com/trends-spotlights/2024/04/13/273698/exploitation-discourse-about-post-on-nyc-virtual-cashier-from-philippines/?fbclid=IwAR2xopYVbbDbjkxU_tLHFY4eI5ZMmBsWMVJFH5lvkpVSp27N-LjXD7jCfi0

Tinikling, the iconic Filipino bamboo dance, is as ubiquitous as lumpia, adobo, and pancit as shorthand for Filipino presence and identity in America. The dance, which calls for timing one’s steps to avoid being caught between two clashing bamboo poles, is also a metaphor for learning to navigate life in an adopted homeland, according to author Bobbie Peyton’s children’s book, Dancing the Tinikling. Contributor Claire Mercado-Obias reviews the book illustrated by artist Diobelle Cerna (“Living Through the Rhythm of the Tinikling,”).

February as African American History Month is also a timely reminder of our own political and organic links to Black America. Rene G. Ontal tells the story of Pvt. David Fagan, a Black American soldier who defected to the Filipino resistance during the Philippine-American War (Read Again “A Black Man’s Burden,”) warning, “To the Colored American Soldier: It is without honor that you shed your precious blood. Your masters have thrown you in the most iniquitous fight” as instruments of their ambition.

More contemporarily, Filipina African American writer Janet Stickmon shares insights on growing up in both cultures: “Identifying as only African American or Filipino American never felt right because it just wasn’t true. College and scholarship applications told me, ‘Please choose one,’ but categories like African American and Asian/Pacific Islander felt too constraining” (Read Again “Blackapina, Third Movement: The Blend”).

Meanwhile, in time for the coming California primaries on March 5, 2024, Filipino community leaders who have long learned the importance of political representation and empowerment are encouraging Filipino Americans to be engaged in democratic life, to vote for candidates from the community, and to hold them accountable while in office. Contributor Jun Nucum reports on Fil-Am movers and shakers who are gunning for California legislative posts (“Meet Fil-Ams Running in California Primaries ’24,”)

Back in the Philippines, human rights activist Robert Francis Garcia and peers from the Commission on Human Rights find that the human rights situation in Cotabato in Mindanao has improved such that they could enjoy unperturbed visits with friends and their innovative livelihood projects (“Catching Up in Cotabato,”).

And here’s an actor to watch: Red Concepcion. Within a decade, Concepcion has made it from college theater productions in the Philippines to the world’s biggest stage – Broadway. Concepcion just debuted as gullible car mechanic Amos Hart in the long-running musical Chicago, the second-longest running show on The Great White Way (“Actor Red Concepcion Takes on ‘Chicago’ on Broadway,”).

[Video of the Week] Panagbenga Festival 2024