Guiding Light

A few days ago, on September 28, the Philippines lost one of its most esteemed citizens, Bienvenido L. Lumbera, National Artist for Literature and beloved by many as writer, professor, activist and guiding light. Here's why his legacy will forever be revered  in the annals of Philippine arts and letters, from the web site of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, where Bien taught for years.

Positively Filipino joins the Filipino nation in paying tribute to this national treasure. 

Bienvenido L. Lumbera

A writer’s truth: The legacy of National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera

Meanwhile in Broadway, Fil-Am actor Marc delaCruz made history when he played three major roles in the much acclaimed musical, "Hamilton," -- the lead role of Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr (Hamilton's "ideological foil", and King George, the British monarch who was the enemy of the revolutionaries. In the still relatively un-diverse New York City theater world, DelaCruz's singular feat is an important breakthrough. PF contributor Walter Ang, author of "Barangay to Broadway: Filipino American Theater History", writes about "The Talented Mr. delaCruz."

With part 30 of the very long list, "Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous" will take a break to give way to another important list in October. Watch out for it starting next Wednesday.

There is no stopping the remarkable and famous from getting well-deserved honors, however. Irene Natividad, one of the most prominent community leaders, was honored by the French government recently for her gender activism. Washington D.C. community leader Jon Melegrito reports.

"Kuhol" (snail in English, escargot in French) is a relatively new delicacy in mainstream Filipino cuisine. PF Correspondent and cookbook author Rene M. Astudillo gives us the dark origins of this exotic dish and shares two recipes for it for the Happy Home Cook. 

For Video of the Week: One Down features Food Insecurity in the Filipino Community

In The Know

Filipino, Vietnamese, Thai students ‘invisible’ victims of STEM inequality
https://www.buffalo.edu/ubnow/stories/2021/09/asian-stem-disparities.html?fbclid=IwAR1MVwxoOuurl9Vs0Cnp_1OXeec5KMjYip2F1u6hIe5GERTssS_PBsIkKoQ

Dante Basco reflects on diversity in Hollywood as a child star: 'No one even knew what a Filipino was'
https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/dante-basco-hook-avatar-the-last-airbender-child-actor-are-the-kids-alright-150049635.html?soc_src=yahooapp

Washington DC version of Jollibee spaghetti is among best dishes of 2021, says Food & Wine mag
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/restaurants/09/23/21/jolly-spaghetti-homage-among-best-dishes-of-2021?fbclid=IwAR2uo058_-EOxoIYINMyQUZO99ze-ZucZpaSkrmrgAlsIzepg_oovVSQZSk

The making of “Squid Game” and why Pinoys can’t get enough of it
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/movies/09/28/21/the-making-of-squid-game-and-why-pinoys-are-watching?fbclid=IwAR1ZT2OLL0m02yEtXAYJEvU-HMJM6E7M2VrIHBU_ZmUczbULGPeivww3RWM

Tatler Spotlight: The International Icon Of Elegance, Style, And Beauty, Isabel Preysler
https://www.tatlerasia.com/the-scene/people-parties/tatler-spotlight-isabel-preysler?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2jJS_IrDlAHq03mLAat7-toKJ3nKWoVvHHfWHRIqEklKCok6U4wkMUfsE#Echobox=1632366815

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Some More Awesome Women

A renowned artist living in a small town in France, a former movie star, an indigenous healer and educator, an international socialite -- these are the dynamic, independent Filipino women who fill our pages this week as we continue to celebrate Women's History Month.

Ofelia Gelvezon-Tequi writes about how living in Limeuil, one of France's most beautiful small towns, has inspired her art.

Lotis Key recalls her exciting days as a rookie theater actress in Standing Room Only, the dinner theater troupe at the late, lamented Hotel Intercontinental in Makati.

Regular contributor Lisa Suguitan Melnick profiles Nati Delson, culture bearer and healer, who brings to the US her rich Kankanaey spiritual traditions.

Our publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco tells us about her childhood classmate, "The Stunning Isabel Preysler" whose life has taken some interesting turns. 

And Read Again Titchie Carandang-Tiongson's winning piece on "The Thoroughly Modern Sofia de Veyra," an early feminist who astonished Washington, D.C.

For our Happy Home Cook feature:  a vegan Filipino Crab Cake Omelette perfect for Lent.

For Video of the Week, photographer John Tronco captures a dancing traffic enforcer in the Philippines and creates a video set to Michael Jackson’s “Billy Jean.”