A Fork in the Road

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We have more stories this week than usual because we are at the threshold of either a dark or a bright era in Philippine politics. Some observers say the country is at an inflection point, that whatever happens on election day will determine the path of future generations. Do you agree?

But first a reminder: Elections are always fraught with high drama and unconscionable shenanigans so PF contributing writer Andy Bautista, who knows whereof he speaks, alerts us to what can happen if we lay down our guard in protecting our votes in "E-day 9th of May 101."

And an unexpected historical reckoning of the dark years of martial law:

"The Image That Never Left Me" by Lila Ramos-Shahani, the niece of President Fidel V. Ramos

"General Ver's Daughter Reckons with Her Father's Martial Law Legacy" by Wanna Ver, et.al.

We've published several stories about WWII in the Philippines but today's piece by first-time PF contributor Thomas McKenna stands out because it celebrates the outstanding bravery of the Maranaos in fighting Japanese incursion into their land. "The Battle of Tamparan and the Forgotten Moro Heroes of WWII" corrects a historical ignorance -- ours, in failing to recognize the heroism of our Muslim brothers and sisters.

Speaking of heroes, the recent sudden death of Ambassador Jose Santiago "Chito" Sta. Romana brought on a deluge of tributes, the most poignant of which come from his bosom buddies, Jaime FlorCruz and Eric Baculinao, they whose lives are tightly meshed with Chito's since 1971.

And finally, a renewed faith in our better angels, as reported by PF Correspondent Cherie Querol-Moreno, with the hope that it will last beyond the elections. 

Read Again: Mother’s Day Stories

Model Mom By Cherie Querol Moreno

Lessons from My Mother By James T. Lim

My Unmom Mom By John L. Silva

[Recipe of the Week] The Happy Home Cook: Instant Pot Spanish Sardine-Style Bangus

[Video of The Week] Philippines At A Crossroads: Will There Be Another Marcos Presidency?

[Partner] The Vagina Monologues: Asian Women Speak Out Against Hate

Philippine Elections 2022

After Kerwin, DOJ’s star witness retracts accusation vs. De Lima
https://www.rappler.com/nation/doj-star-witness-rafael-ragos-retracts-accusation-vs-de-lima/?utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR0oKhOfkvdjzeeOodF4D7-pLeTZuDenqVQkCLUYEds4ALq3zo6Rtv7g-gQ#Echobox=1651451425

UP profs urge next admin to focus on jobs, healthcare
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/nation/830170/up-profs-urge-next-admin-to-focus-on-jobs-healthcare/story/?fbclid=IwAR0Ge_6zIKWEEjYvip_-0v-ccfKbKWw9OUoslI5i83FpHjRTh77JSNg6tQs

Civil Society
https://www.philstar.com/business/2022/04/22/2175810/civil-society

Make some noise: Placard Power
https://www.thediarist.ph/placard-power/

Under scarcity: Leni service, BBM welfarism, and Isko overspending
https://www.bworldonline.com/opinion/2022/04/25/444392/under-scarcity-leni-service-bbm-welfarism-and-isko-overspending/

Here  comes the Pink Tsunami
https://manilastandard.net/opinion/columns/business-class-by-rudy-romero/314224445/here-comes-the-pink-tsunami.html

Wanted: A Leader Who Inspires
https://opinion.inquirer.net/152457/wanted-a-leader-who-inspires/amp?fbclid=IwAR1IApI8WleoI6z6cWjfsuelmEmkb_Qff_XAbHSkOHPX3oN5gA8oqI0DmFc

Fil-Ams ask facebook to take down troll sites
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1591949/fil-ams-ask-facebook-to-take-down-troll-sites?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2EYch4kW6G9j6BK_6AbWDi9MCSYiLlT8D8AFVjpWOSPuNcjosnW8bBNlk#Echobox=1651617761

In the Know

1930s Filipinos were hip to American Style
https://daily.jstor.org/1930s-filipinos-were-hip-to-american-style/?fbclid=IwAR1OXnAglpnaOlsaU16OGZT70pCdrYEG-clZP_ASCralE2hZLuy1703j2dI

There’s a touching story behind this trailer carinderia in the Alaskan countryside
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/food-drink/features/10/13/21/carinderia-in-alaskan-countryside-has-a-touching-story?fbclid=IwAR1KD3PCLtHLMhsZDMjG9pSkvY8vcK74u-KnkNxFudhgDyiLp-FurK2UB1E

Pio Abad Presents Telling New Art Exhibit on the "Conjugal Dictatorship" of the Marcos Family
https://www.tatlerasia.com/culture/arts/pio-abad-arete-exhibit

San Diego author pens fantasy story about Filipino family in debut book
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/lifestyle/people/story/2022-04-23/san-diego-author-pens-fantasy-story-about-filipino-family-in-debut-book?fbclid=IwAR18mGBtYeLcnR8XNbvsrJrLwrk8sZUvcivobaTHUBavJNiYdzgTFZRKUOs

Off the beaten track: Hard-to-reach PH destinations worth the journey
https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/travel/off-beaten-track-philippine-destinations-hard-reach-worth-journey/?fbclid=IwAR3I4MVO-PZLuSMUjz0842rZ50mj1SWwa-ZHBXchDxJnGugMhJHcFL00Gnc

What do Olivia Rodrigo, Saweetie, H.E.R., Bruno Mars, Elle King and Remy Martin have in common? Me.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/what-do-olivia-rodrigo-saweetie-h-e-r-bruno-mars-elle-king-and-remy-martin-have-in-common-me/ar-AAWz72Q?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=ae5e8f7f9ca74fb9b44e9c1dbadb4590&fbclid=IwAR1qNti9spY8b1J-7eJ2rYFRbRb-G19qHNgPPo1e0vZIcLfUbyQljhM3ehQ

Wealthy and Educated: A Look at Manila's First Beauty Queens
https://www.esquiremag.ph/the-good-life/what-she-wants/evolution-of-beauty-pageant-titles-in-the-philippines-a00208-20171213-lfrm?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20220425-fbnp-the-good-life-evolution-of-beauty-pageant-titles-in-the-philippines-a00208-20171213-lfrm-fbold&fbclid=IwAR1mm2psqy_Yd5eLswg-wp5I0yL3nvV1QGBJaZ-gJ5cubwtEfdIFqufATvo

Exploring Ilocos Sur: The Northern Region Rich With Hidden Gems
https://www.tatlerasia.com/culture/travel/exploring-ilocos-sur-santiago?utm_campaign=PH_DIG_FULL20220428&utm_medium=email&utm_source=tatlerasia.com

What's It Like to Have a Famous Mom?

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Since June last year, Positively Filipino has held 14 webinars on a variety of topics, from racism to anti-terrorism to hate crimes, the environment and Filipino women in the pandemic frontlines. 

For our 15th webinar next week, we will bring it closer to home with "Loving Kids Talk About Their Famous Mothers," featuring Melissa Ugarte, TJ Manotoc, Nina Daza Puyat and Aika Robredo sharing stories about growing up under the wing (or the shadow) of their brave, unconventional moms. 

Melissa is the eldest child of the late Maita Gomez, supermodel/beauty queen/revolutionary/college professor, who spent part of her childhood with her mother in the underground movement.

TJ is the son of Aurora Pijuan, the Philippines' second Miss International (winning the title in 1970) who is now a strong advocate of democracy and human rights in the Philippines.

Nina is the youngest of culinary icon Nora Daza's four children and she has followed her mother's path as a food writer and recipe developer.

Aika is the eldest of Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo's three daughters and she works closely with her mother in the latter's many humanitarian involvements.

Our moderator is Paulynn Sicam, a mother herself and a veteran journalist, who has interviewed presidents,  generals and rebels alike. 

You will enjoy this session as we surely will, so please register to join.

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

ABS-CBN Shutdown: Once More, the Trauma

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One Saturday morning in September 1972, I left for work early because it was going to be a busy day -- we were going to shoot a promo announcing the first nationwide broadcast of ABS-CBN, then as now, the Philippines' largest network. The sight that confronted me was chilling: Metrocom soldiers in full battle gear were guarding the gates of the sprawling complex in Bohol Avenue, Quezon City. Across the street, my fellow employees gathered, faces perplexed and fearful. It took a while before the collective whisper reached me: martial law had been declared, and just like that we lost our jobs, our personal stuff in our offices inside, and our freedom.

I didn't realize how deeply embedded that trauma is in my psyche until I woke up this morning to the news that ABS-CBN, the network that has since expanded tenfold since our time, has been ordered closed by the Duterte administration's National Telecommunications Commission. Once again, I felt shivers down my spine. The end was just as dramatic as 1972 -- one minute viewers were watching a regular news program; the next, the screen just went dark.

Beyond the legalese and the sycophantic justifications, we know that ABS-CBN has once again fallen prey to political vindictiveness that goes all the way to the top. It was that way in 1972, albeit under different circumstances; it is the same reason now. Talk about ill-timed and ill-conceived. With the country reeling from a pandemic and its subsequent economic turmoil, when information dissemination is vital, the nation's largest broadcast network is silenced. 

This story of course is just beginning. It took 14 years and a dictator's ouster for ABS-CBN to rise again. Will history repeat itself?

Our stories this week:

US Marines veteran and military brat Alex G. Fabros Jr. tells a cautionary tale of how an epidemic victimized his childhood friends in "Do You Remember Polio?"

Retired Philippine ambassador Virgilio Reyes Jr. relates his Covid-19 story in "Living with Corona, a New Yorker's Perspective."

For those in search of good books to read in quarantine, history professor Vicente L. Rafael shares his "Lockdown Reading List: Filipino Fiction (Mostly)."

To celebrate Mother's Day, I wrote down my thoughts on motherhood, "Love, Patience and Renewal."

Read Again Carolyn Prasad's touching tribute to her "mail-order bride" mother, "The Making of a Matriarch." 

And Cathy S. Babao's story about "A Lesson My Mom, the Actress Caridad Sanchez, Told Me" 

For the Happy Home Cook, treat yourself to a repeat of Elizabeth Ann Quirino's Mango Refrigerator Cake, because it's May and mangoes are in season. Plus, hopefully, you've been good in quarantine. 

Here are this week's links to stories you have to read: 

Commentary: Racism is the other virus sweeping America during this pandemic
https://www.chicagotribune.com/opinion/commentary/ct-opinion-coronavirus-asian-americans-morita-20200420-ep3bmn3tincczfihw3qvl64boa-story.html?fbclid=IwAR3G9NjNjFhxwBKVTWFSZWMbo5XjmyezMeB7APFYs4LGQ-QxirXK-6KwZ5s

Philippine nurses, long treated like exports, now told to stay home to fight coronavirus
https://news.yahoo.com/philippine-nurses-long-treated-exports-013256696.html

The Philippine Peso’s Resilience Is a Risk to the Economy
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/philippine-peso-resilience-risk-economy-221454976.html

'Second tragedy': Cremation traumatises in virus-hit Philippines
https://news.yahoo.com/second-tragedy-cremation-traumatises-virus-hit-philippines-043849393.html

The Heartbreaking ‘Last Shift’ of a New York City Nurse
https://ph.news.yahoo.com/heartbreaking-last-shift-york-city-170412559.html

Which ABS-CBN businesses can still operate after NTC's cease and desist order?
https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/05/20/which-abs-cbn-businesses-can-still-operate-after-ntcs-cease-and-desist-order?fbclid=IwAR1w8Z5dLemXle9LzpyL28VeNw0VTv3vuoX0xlYzQi9h4l9LCMC7iVNJTYM 

For video of week, the Filipino-American Airmen community of the US Air Force put together their version of the “Don’t Rush Challenge” on social media

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino