We end this month that marks the 81st anniversary of the Bataan Death March with a rare first-person account by the late Lt. Col. Federico Peralta who survived the cruelty, the extreme hunger, malaria and severe exhaustion, and was later released as POW #24. Peralta served in the Philippine Armed Forces for 26 years and was able to write down his story and leave it with his daughter before he passed on in 1995. This is a riveting, heartbreaking recollection of the insanity of war and a testament to the valor of what has been called "the greatest generation."

In another WWII story, anthropologist/author Thomas McKenna's recently released book Moro Warrior documents the little-known valiant resistance of Moro guerillas against the Japanese army. The focus is on the unlikely friendship between a Moro boy and his American teacher which exemplifies the bond between the Muslims and the Americans in fighting a common enemy. PF Correspondent and Mindanao advocate Criselda Yabes reviews the book.

If a centuries-old tree could talk, what fascinating stories it would tell. At the Lichauco ancestral home in Sta. Ana, beside the Pasig river, the balete tree which has given the Lichauco children so much joy, has been officially declared a Heritage Tree by the Philippine government. Two Lichauco daughters, Sylvia and Loretta, pooled their childhood memories for this article.

And speaking of warriors, once upon a time, in the late 1970s, an esteemed Kalinga chief named Macli-ing Dulag led his tribe's resistance against the Chico River Project of the national government. The damming of the river would have wiped out the vestiges of the Kalinga way of life. Macli-ing was assassinated on April 24, 1980 by government troops. Since then, April 24 has been designated as Cordillera Peoples Day. Read Again Ma. Ceres P. Doyo's story on this valiant warrior: The Unforgettable Macli-ing Dulag — Positively Filipino | Online Magazine for Filipinos in the Diaspora

It's summer in the Philippines, and traditionally the season brings about a rite of manhood for Filipino boys. Read Again:

Circumcision: Writhe of Passage — Positively Filipino | Online Magazine for Filipinos in the Diaspora

Summer also means mango season in the Philippines and now, even here in the US. Visit your Asian store so you can taste again this delicious treat from PF Correspondent and foodie, Elizabeth Ann Quirino: The Happy Home Cook: Mango Refrigerator Cake — Positively Filipino | Online Magazine for Filipinos in the Diaspora

[Video of the Week] Why Is The Filipino Calamansi Being Left Behind?

In The Know

LIST: Premium buses to drive you through a relaxing out-of-town trip in PH

https://philstarlife.com/living/312762-list-premium-buses-baguio-ilocos-bicol?page=4

Coloring the Margins: Pacita Abad

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/25/arts/design/walker-pacita-abad-minneapolis.html?fbclid=IwAR1ATyWLHeUWYAgvfbG7ooJsZerqmUqlrQmEtRLfov3W9DP1sp2PEQ9pYbU

Goodbye, tilapia surprise: Selecta’s transparent ice cream container goes viral

https://www.rappler.com/technology/internet-culture/selecta-transparent-container-viral/?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=SocialFlow&fbclid=IwAR0go2TlC_xvwYsIh2sjn4dbswlnAYnz3ttwpzDEpo9RAThfI006JBRIzL4

IN PHOTOS: Why Chef Tatung’s Azadore might be the coolest-looking new restaurant in QC

https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/restaurants/04/21/23/this-might-be-the-coolest-looking-new-restaurant-in-qc?fbclid=IwAR1zq7ZidToM2uplawqJtEThpTaaPralDoWUmhd1oYTSCap9uYBQ0c2Mdj8

The Fascinating World of Caroline Kennedy

https://anankemag.com/2016/10/18/the-fascinating-world-of-caroline-kennedy/?fbclid=IwAR1nj-LlPycni9avD8nLVBXh72A0Eh4RKYyv5Gvk6SovR9TZU_wsHpeI1SU