Polls Expectations

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Elections in the Philippines is blood sport, as many who have lived through several of them can attest. In hotly contested positions where money flows and the threat of violence from goons and guns is a real possibility, the common street belief is that the one who wins in the voting may not be the one who wins in the counting. 

As the May 2022 nationwide elections loom large in the consciousness of Filipinos even at this early stage, we asked former Commission on Elections (COMELEC) chair Andy Bautista to give us the skinny on the electoral process and what citizens can do (if anything) to ensure a clean and fair election. The first of his series of articles begins this week with "Substituting Democracy."

The last of our Living Legends series drops this week with part 3 featuring some pretty impressive Fil-Ams as community leaders, military officials, media practitioners and medical doctors. 

The highest ranking Fil-Am in the Los Angeles Police Department, Commander Donald Graham tells PF Correspondent Anthony Maddela that his policing style and principles draw from his Filipino upbringing by his mother, Amelia.

In the Philippines, you'll know that Christmas is coming soon when you start hearing Jose Mari Chan crooning his Christmas hits on the airwaves, in malls and other public places -- as early as September. The popular singer/songwriter has been associated with the spirit of the season for more than three decades. Read Again Manila-based writer Paulynn Sicam's story on "Jose Mari Chan's Enduring Heart Songs." 

And during this season of giving, please consider donating to Philippine International Aid (PIA), which has been sending thousands of poor children to school for almost four decades now.

Here's one way of cooking a traditional favorite, Pasta Vongole, made easy by Chef Sandy Daza, from his series of cooking demos called Casa Daza. 

If you've ever had any doubt about the plunder charges against the Marcoses, watch this riveting special report circa 1986 by ABS-CBN News hosted by the late broadcaster Angelo Castro Jr. With never-before-seen footages and extensive documentation, this historic video is both illuminating and alarming, in the context of the coming elections.

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Light, at Last

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Positively Filipino honored famous fathers with an inspiring webinar yesterday. It featured Sylvia Lazo, daughter of National Artist Fernando Amorsolo; Lindsay Keys, daughter of Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba; Rey Banatao, son of tech entrepreneur Dado Banatao; and Vicki Nievera, daughter of popular balladeer Bert Nievera. Hosted by Odette Alcazaren-Keeley, the event was a fitting celebration of Father's Day. Watch the recording here “Loving Kids Talk About Their Famous Dads”

As California, Vermont and other US states emerge from the darkness of a pandemic year, the process of reopening has triggered a slew of advice and caution, some serious how-tos on re-entering the social circuit, others offering funny cautionary tales about the post-Covid world. For seniors, undoubtedly the biggest demographic impacted by the pandemic, AARP, its trusted guardian angel, came out with a list of protocols for houseguests newly liberated to visit family. Occasional PF contributing writer Elena Buensalido Mangahas however thinks the list not too apt for Filipinos so she came up with her own, "The Fil-American Rule: Apologize Then Proceed." Do you have your own rules? 

Our series of "Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous" is now on part 21, putting talent and achievements on display. 

We're at the midpoint between two national celebrations -- Philippine Independence Day (June 12) and Rizal Day (June 19) so it's but fitting to post (and repost) stories that celebrate our Motherland's history and National Hero. First off, Harvey I. Barkin reports on a recent talk by noted historian Ambeth Ocampo on Rizal's visit to the US, "Rizal in the US: He Was Not Impressed." We also have the link to the actual lecture. 

Here are other interesting Rizal stories:

"Rizal's Great Loves" by Penelope V. Flores 

"Jose Rizal, Martial Arts Warrior" by Rene J. Navarro 

Timed appropriately for these disturbing times, our Video of the Week presents a powerful, incisive short film, "Heneral Rizal." a production of Act One in the Philippines. 

And continuing our Rizal tribute, here's a repost of the recipe for Tinolang Manok or Chicken Tinola, reportedly his fave dish.

In The Know

Trese: What Netflix's new occult anime reveals about the Philippines
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-57424360?fbclid=IwAR2ifQf5T8CBDgrQwVHKb-6xnVpCujzE-5XchS-pNEBpXs6Ew6PUHP6PKTI

[Dash of SAS] Second chances in the only country in the world without divorce
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/dash-of-sas-second-chances-only-country-in-world-without-divorce?fbclid=IwAR2h6pPJqxtlWwkXeZUQ7ES5u91zm2Gi7kMLxhv8h7MYn8XR8DjXLBx2wBQ

Breaking down Filipino cuisine by region is harder than you'd think
https://www.sbs.com.au/food/article/2021/06/02/breaking-down-filipino-cuisine-region-harder-youd-think?fbclid=IwAR1WCSRmfIAsU99iR6vzUHuNBtc9j3XLMadbxsJM02hymoJS5YY6XlzEOk0

Filipino American nurses, reflecting on disproportionate Covid toll, look ahead
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/filipino-american-nurses-reflecting-disproportionate-covid-toll-look-a-rcna1112

NBA’s Jordan Clarkson restores vandalized Filipino food truck, decries Asian hate
https://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/nbas-jordan-clarkson-restores-vandalized-filipino-food-truck-decries-asian-hate/?fbclid=IwAR1iGw5-gjH4zaL3_2pMJnxao80m91Qxi4g6M9DvSkbTL0vMJ7OnZv1-hzo

7 Ancestral Homes and Heritage Buildings in the Philippines Turned Into Beautiful Dining Spots 
https://ph.asiatatler.com/dining/ancestral-homes-and-heritage-buildings-turned-into-beautiful-dining-spots

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Daddies Dearest

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Time for another webinar and this time it's the dads' turn to be honored. Four famous fathers will be on the spotlight: National Artist Fernando Amorsolo, tech entrepreneur Dado Banatao, Major General (Ret.) Antonio Taguba and the late balladeer Bert Nievera. See the flyer below to get the details. Please join us and tell your friends too.

It was a proud day for Filipinos last Sunday as 19-year old golfer Yuka Saso won the US Women's Open, a major title no other Filipino golfer has achieved. (No Filipino male golfer has even come close.) Seeing the final scoreboard with the Philippine flag on top of its former colonizers, Japan and the US, was a brief shining moment but it punctuated the euphoria of the win. Coincidentally, Yuka's victory happened at the Olympic Golf Course, right next door to Daly City where more than 30,000 kababayans reside, providing her a loud, cheering audience waving Philippine flags. PF contributor and avid golfer I. Wilfredo Ver explains to us the gravitas of Yuka's win in "Yuka Saso's Golf Victory -- A Historic Filipino Triumph." [Full disclosure: the writer is my husband.]

Introduced obtrusively in the streets of San Francisco, TNT Traysikel, a brainchild of artist Paolo Asuncion and Mike Arcega, is both moveable sculpture and statement. Corin Ramos writes about the innovative concept behind "TNT Traysikel, a Social Sculpture of Protest and Solidarity."

It's Pride Month and Baguio City-based PF Correspondent Rene M. Astudillo profiles John Raspado, winner of the 2017 Mr. Gay World international competition, who has used his platform for activism in the social and environmental issues he cares most about. ["From Mr. Gay World to Community Activist"]

Belem is a city in Brazil that most of us have not heard of, but apparently it's a city of varied charms as well as being a choice starting point for cruising the Amazon river. PF contributing writer Chibu Lagman, a Latin American Studies professor and world adventurer, introduces us to the place in "Sampling La Vida Local Along the Amazon." 

For the Happy Home Cook, here's another "cook it again" recipe from our archives, perfect for summer: Ensaladang Talong (Eggplant Salad).

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino