Cheers at A Rare Gathering

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Last Saturday, August 31, at the San Francisco Public Library, Positively Filipino hosted an event to honor 12 community heroes -- our manongs and manangs -- whose life stories and achievements serve as lighted paths for succeeding generations of FilAms. [https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/they-blazed-a-path-for-us]

It was a rare gathering of pioneers and "bridge generation" (children of the first wave of Filipino immigrants, who were born before 1945) offspring. Most were in their 80s or 90s (except for two) and have lived through economic hardships, discrimination and miscegenation. All have overcome social and professional barriers to excel in their respective fields.

An audience of about 200 cheered the seven honorees who were able to make it to the event. The rest who couldn't, just sent video messages. 

Some of the post-event reactions: 

"We thoroughly enjoyed your tribute to our incredibly gifted Manongs and Manangs at yesterday’s event. I learned so much. 

Their stories are priceless contributions to our identity as beneficiaries of the Filipino immigration to America, “the land of opportunity.” Each individual’s story was unique and compelling!" - Eva Monroe

"We had a great time celebrating our Filipino American leaders and heroes.  May we all learn from their sacrifices and contributions to the community, the USA, and the Filipino people." - Mario Santos

"It is humbling and gratifying to hear from the awardees their inspiring life journeys.  And it is appropo that we come together and celebrate them while they are still vibrant and living." - Ben Olivas

"What a heart warming ancestral honoring event. I was so moved and proud. Thank you for including us!" - France Viana 

"So effective in bringing community together. Wonderful. An honor to be a part of it. Grateful to be with awardees and participants—all pioneers forging the future for the next generations of Filipino-American compassionate changemakers and joyful determined leaders!!" - Alisa Mallari Tu 

"I left inspired and proud and even choked up a few times during the program." - Kathleen Gutierrez

NOTE: We will be posting the full coverage of the event soon in Positively Filipino. Watch out for it. 

[Video of the Week] One-Armed Mamba

Anti-Asian Hate Watch

Alameda Co. fire chief condemns firefighter seen in viral video making racial slurs
https://abc7news.com/post/alameda-county-fire-chief-speaks-after-firefighter-shown-video-making-racial-slurs/15232286/

All charges dismissed against suspect in Oakland officer’s shooting death
https://asamnews.com/2024/09/02/officer-tuan-le-killing-marquise-cooper-murder-charge-dropped/

Report and Recommendations of the New York State Bar Association Task Force on Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Asian Hate
https://nysba.org/app/uploads/2022/03/EC-AND-HOD-AMENDED-Task-Force-on-Antisemitism-and-Anti-Asian-Hate-FINAL-1.22.24.pdf

Man punched in suspected anti-Asian attack in Brooklyn: NYPD
https://pix11.com/news/local-news/brooklyn/man-punched-in-suspected-anti-asian-attack-in-brooklyn-nypd/

Funding provided by the State of California.

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Staff

From Loss and Grief to Vindication and Elation

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Our emotions swerved from sadness to elation this past week, as we mourn two colleagues and celebrated a long-awaited vindication.

Philippine journalism had just lost two highly regarded thought leaders -- Conrad de Quiros and Rina Jimenez-David, both popular columnists of the Philippine Daily Inquirer until they fell ill (Conrad of a stroke in 2014 and Rina of a serious renal ailment not too long ago). Conrad's "There's the Rub" column served as an early morning jolt of pointed commentary written in luxurious prose for 23 years. Rina's "At Large" was a consistent beacon for women's rights and human rights for 33 years. [To read more, go to our In The Know links below, which includes a touching personal tribute to Conrad by veteran journalist Jo-Ann Maglipon.]

The release on bail of former Justice Secretary and former senator Leila de Lima on Monday was such a happy relief. She stayed in prison for 6 years, 8 months and 21 days on obviously trumped up charges, after she started investigating the drug war deaths in Davao City then under the helm of Mayor - later President -- Rodrigo Duterte. The evidence and testimonies presented in court were so ridiculous that those who were the so-called "star witnesses" eventually recanted their testimonies, revealing they were coerced by higher powers in government to utter the lies. "It's vindication," declared Sen Leila (Sen for senator, as her supporters refer to her) as she wept, talked to her 91-year-old mother in Bicol on the phone for the first time since her incarceration, and thanked those who were her pillars, all on live TV. She was even gracious to her tormentor/enemy Duterte ("God forgive him, God bless him"). Of her three cases, two have already been dismissed and the last one awaits a verdict. [Again, for more details, see our In The Know links below]. 

*****

Anti-Asian Hate continues to rear its ugly head in unlikely places, such as the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle, where an obviously disturbed, 76-year-old man took a sledgehammer and broke the museum's glass windows while shouting racial epithets. PF Correspondent and Seattle-bred Anthony Maddela explores the issue of anti-Asian hate and its ramifications on a Pacific Rim city and on national policy.

From Ethnic Media Services, an eye-opener on school bullying as a civil rights issue.

Another Pacific Rim city -- San Francisco -- takes center stage this week as it hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit. Still reeling from the combined impact of the pandemic (and its economic blight), rampant drug addiction, and homelessness, the beautiful City by the Bay hopes the international summit to be attended by top officials from 21 countries will be the start of the rehabilitation of its downtown. PF Correspondent Myles A. Garcia gives us a situationer.

We hope you enjoy the rest of our issue featuring amazing women: Vangie Buell, a Bridge Generation stalwart, still going strong as a musician and activist at 91; Jacqueline Chio-Lauri, a UK-based Filipina whose recently released book We Cook Filipino compiles healthy recipes from Filipino chefs in different countries. And then there's "Moral" - the late acclaimed director Marilou Diaz-Abaya's movie on four Filipinas navigating the realities of the '80s in the Philippines, the recent re-showing (in San Francisco) of which elicited a commentary by Michael Gonzalez.

[Video of the Week] Anjelah Johnson

Anti-Asian Hate Watch

Why Asian Americans should care about what happens at APEC
https://asamnews.com/2023/11/11/asian-american-issues-apec-impact-effect/

Ethnic hate intensify in spillover of ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict
https://pnewstoday.com/ethnic-hate-intensify-in-spillover-of-ongoing-israel-hamas-conflict/

CAIR-LA got 300% more reports of Islamophobia last month
https://asamnews.com/2023/11/12/islamophobia-anti-palestinian-hate-massively-spike-due-to-israel-hamas-war/

Funding provided by the State of California.

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Staff

Quo Vadis, Philippine Democracy?

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The election circus came early in our Motherland and the main event (aka the freak show) this week was the family feud of the Duterte father and daughter, with a sideshow starring Bongbong Marcos and ex-President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. It's not easy to go above the fray in this sordid power gluttony drama, but PF contributor Ernesto M. Hilario did just that. See his sober take on what Filipino voters in the Philippines and overseas should not lose sight of in  the next six months of guaranteed political chaos.

We begin this week our series on Living Legends, a compilation by our publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco that honors pioneers and barrier breakers who were the first Fil-Ams to be distinguished in their respective fields. This initial list covers Legislators, Politicians and Government Officials; Authors; and Sports (including one who has been making waves in the NBA for years). 

Our Stories This Week:

Vote For Change Or Live With Tragedy By Ernesto M. Hilario

Living Legends, Part 1 By Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Hi, Boys And Girls, Have Some Banana Catsup By Anthony Maddela

Recipe of Week: The Happy Home Cook: Chicken Asado

Video of the Week: Alaala

In the Know (Philippine Election Edition)

Pages, stans and likes for sale: How K-pop and social media are figuring in Halalan 2022
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/11/08/21/fb-pages-stans-and-likes-for-sale-ahead-of-halalan-2022?fbclid=IwAR3dTHJbu6fkkX30E_p_AhBZaa8s0g1PwEy0-qd_H27VQE17tc62CtdWG-U

Networked propaganda: How the Marcoses are using social media to reclaim Malacañang
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/marcos-networked-propaganda-social-media?fbclid=IwAR0Uex85Uu9RVjNt6BQoSHWLTFvZtI29ihNaHTSCECcF-04D2RjlA4r8Fvo

Staying Relevant
https://verafiles.org/articles/staying-relevant

In The Know (Standard Edition)

Filipino American health workers reflect on trauma and healing on COVID's frontlines
https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/11/09/1052062334/covid-filipino-american-health-workers-burnout?fbclid=IwAR2iislga8-U5INfvQ0g-FTDp1k5r1KymBlDkCkaObh8sjlgh_Rj-l2pyAc

A Dose of History: The Glory Days of Philippine Society Before World War II
https://www.tatlerasia.com/culture/arts/the-glory-days-of-philippine-society-before-world-war-ii?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR20sy4BEyoz6vLzbe95lFAvTCSKh0yOt5IrswVUFjX9rNdOBjYqfzaZu38#Echobox=1635502646

Filipino martial arts isn’t as widely known, but that could be changing
https://news.yahoo.com/filipino-martial-arts-isn-t-083013795.html

Party place no more: Makati’s Poblacion is all grown up
https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/arts-culture/makati-poblacion-party-place-no-more-all-grown-up?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR16eDPgKzDXV4_i9ZJ3HDYMC455AroJz_CIpe4-JuMI6EEjmLt9Vz6g8Hw#Echobox=1635644176-1

NEW: 15 Enchanting Garden Restaurants You'll Love In Metro Manila
https://metro.style/food/restaurants/al-fresco-dining-garden-restaurants/31455?gid=71c2c275-bff1-4afc-a0b7-df84ba5b7fb2&pid=14

Pandemic anxiety could be permanent: Psychologist gives tips for prevention

https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/health-and-family/2021/11/08/2139881/pandemic-anxiety-could-bepermanent-psychologist-gives-tips-prevention?fbclid=IwAR1a8U0TxAwq-GQn5x1YcyC5pm52v1ovgOfD2T3QWGM3yyCvDxNMu1gCLkI