May 08, 2024

Hooray to Our Heritage

May 08, 2024/ Staff

We join the nation in celebrating Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) this whole month of May. This heritage month is a time to reflect on and acknowledge with gratitude the shared history and the contributions of AANHPIs in shaping this great experiment called the United States of America.

AANHPIs have, through the years, birthed a wide variety of advocacies and social service organizations, one of which is the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association. As its name implies, this nonprofit focuses on the mental health concerns of its constituents, many of whom have been gobsmacked with anti-Asian hate incidents the past four years. Learn about what it does here. https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/act-against-hate/alliance-fights-hate-through-policy-advocacy-helps-victims-heal

What does it take to be a Philippine National Artist? The Order of National Artists is the highest national recognition that can be conferred on individuals whose body of work represents the best in Philippine music, dance, theater, visual arts, literature, film, broadcast arts, and architecture and allied arts. First awarded in 1972 posthumously to the great Filipino painter, Fernando Amorsolo, the honor has been given to a total of 86 outstanding Filipinos. Only 12 of them are still alive. The search is on for the next batch and we hope the internationally acclaimed pianist Cecile Licad will be among them.

Aside from the many town fiestas that take place yearly in our homeland this month, Mother's Day is also a May event. We'll be putting out mom stories in our issues this month because, well, mama love can't be limited to just a day.

Our Stories This Week

Pianist Cecile Licad Is A National Treasure by Pablo A. Tariman

[Act Against Hate] Alliance Fights Hate Through Policy Advocacy, Helps Victims Heal by Anthony Maddela

Caroline Cabading's Musical Journey Through Filipino American History by Caroline Ocampo

Postcards From Rome by Odette Foronda

{Video of the Week] Talilo’s Waves (Featuring Apo Whang-Od)

Read Again:

The Filipinas who became finalists in this year's Pulitzer Prize
https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-stories-behind-searching-for-maura-of-the-smithsonians-racial-brain-collection

Asian Americans as Medical Scapegoats
https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/asian-americans-as-medical-scapegoats

Anti-Asian Hate Watch

The Federal Response to Anti-Asian Racism in the United States
https://www.usccr.gov/files/2023-10/fy-2023-se-report.pdf

Rising global tensions continue to fuel anti-Asian rhetoric across the US
https://headtopics.com/sg/rising-global-tensions-continue-to-fuel-anti-asian-rhetoric-52018241

Lowell High teens reported anti-Asian hate on Muni. Now, their parents demand action
https://sfstandard.com/2024/05/04/lowell-high-teens-reported-anti-asian-hate-on-muni-now-their-parents-demand-action/

Southeast Asian Americans face the brunt of racist attacks among Asians in U.S., new study finds
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/southeast-asian-americans-face-brunt-racist-attacks-asians-us-new-stud-rcna149890

When Hate Hits the Golf Course
https://ethnicmediaservices.org/news-exchange/when-hate-hits-the-golf-course/

Funding provided by the State of California.

In The Know

Philippines: Drought dries up dam to reveal centuries-old town
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-68852451

Why American Billionaire Andrew Carnegie Offered To Buy The Philippines’ Freedom For $20 Million
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/andrew-carnegie-philippines-

Overlooked During Her Lifetime, Filipino American Artist Pacita Abad Has Suddenly Become a Global Star
https://www.vogue.com/article/pacita-abad-moma-ps1-retrospective?

The Bay Area’s Great American Diner Is a 24-Hour Filipino Casino Restaurant
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13956683/late-night-filipino-food-24-hour-cafe-colma-lucky-chances

How do you make 600 students from 80 countries feel at home? Ask Chef Abigail Serbins
https://www.berkeleyside.org/2024/05/01/uc-berkeley-international-house-chef-abigail-serbins

November 08, 2023

Write for Positively Filipino

November 08, 2023/ Staff

Some new readers have been inquiring if they can write for PF. The answer is Yes, we always welcome articles with a Filipino slant, from everywhere in the world. And you don't have to be Filipino to write for us.

Here are answers to FAQs about contributing to PF:

Q: How do I start writing for PF?

A: The first step is to send us a query email about the topic you wish to write about, a brief description and your short bio (make sure you include your location). If the editorial desk okays your topic, we will send you guidelines and suggestions. Send your query to submissions@positivelyfilipino.com or PFeditor@yahoo.com.

Q: How do I submit an article to PF?

A: Email your finished article (corrected for facts, typos and grammar), preferably as a Word doc, to PFeditor@yahoo.com. Make sure you include photos with photo credits, and captions. Send us at least five photos to choose from. We will also need your 2-sentence bio and your headshot.

Q: What happens after I send in my article?

A: The editors will evaluate your piece. If revisions or clarifications are required, we will send it back to you. You will then send us back the revised version for final editing by us. Your edited article will then be added to our editorial schedule.

Q: How long does it take from final submission to publication?

A: Normally it takes 2-3 weeks, but there are caveats. If we have a lot of pending stories lined up, it might take longer. Since PF comes out with a new issue only once a week (Wednesdays), we make sure that there is a balance of stories that will keep our readers interested. So we will have to determine where your story fits. Time-sensitive stories will be fast-tracked.

Q: Do I get a writer's fee?

A: Yes, we have a standard fee for each story that is original and exclusive to PF, meaning it is not posted or published anywhere else (not even personal blogs). If your article has been published/posted on another site, we will include the link to the original post, but no fee. Writers' fees are paid via Paypal the month after publication.

Q: Can my published article be read elsewhere other than the PF website?

A: We will post the link to our social media sites (Facebook, X and Instagram). You're also free to repost the link to your networks.

Welcome to the Positively Filipino writers pool, where you'll be in the exalted company of some of the best writers of Filipino heritage.

Funding provided by the State of California.

Stories This Week

The Stories Behind ‘Searching For Maura’ Of The Smithsonian’s Racial Brain Collection by Titchie Carandang

‘We Want Justice For Our Daughter’ by Cherie M. Querol Moreno

San Miguel De Allende: A Mexican Heritage Jewel by Cecilia Manguerra-Brainard

Remembering The ‘Brain Man’ by Virgilio A. Reyes, Jr.

Documenting The Diaspora by Corin Ramos Lujan

[Video This Week] Internet Trolls: The Unseen Force Behind Philippines' Politics

Anti-Asian Hate Watch

Hate Crimes Surge in 2022, Leading to an Urgent Call for Unity and Action
https://africanamericanvoice.net/?p=5507

Justice Dept Cracks Down on Hate Crimes
https://www.culvercityobserver.com/story/2023/11/02/news/justice-dept-cracks-down-on-hate-crimes/12954.html

US Hate Crime: Indian Student Stabbed In Head For Looking 'Threatening, Weird' To Attacker; On Life Support
https://zeenews.india.com/india/us-hate-crime-indian-student-varun-raj-stabbed-in-head-for-looking-threatening-weird-to-attacker-on-life-support-2683130.html

PANG: Celebrate the Asian American Student Center
https://www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2023/11/pang-celebrate-the-asian-american-student-center

Sacramento AAPI leaders outraged after robbery of supermarket shopper caught on camera
https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/south-sacramento/sacramento-aapi-leaders-outraged-brazen-robbery-inside-supermarket-caught-on-video/103-3f6e95ae-1cc8-4fe3-b1f2-bdbdd3694c43

‘I don’t feel safe right now:’ BHS AAPI community grapples with social impacts of COVID-19
https://berkeleyhighjacket.com/2023/investigative/i-dont-feel-safe-right-now-bhs-aapi-community-grapples-with-social-impacts-of-covid-19/

Funding provided by the State of California.

In The Know

The Dimensions of Inequality in the Philippines, by the numbers
https://coverstory.ph/the-dimensions-of-inequality-in-the-philippines-by-the-numbers/

California professor talks Filipino Americans' underrepresentation despite large population
https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/california-professor-talks-filipino-americans-underrepresentation-despite-large-population/?fbclid=IwAR0jMz96Pjawo6BaBFNXiQ0V4FyJpkcRBNwZu7nk8TG1EuhtAreWm74Md5I

As the world looks elsewhere, China stirs trouble in the South China Sea
https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/world-looks-elsewhere-china-stirs-trouble-south-china-sea

Seaside town’s once abused territorial seas now protected
https://www.ndbcnews.com.ph/news/seaside-town%E2%80%99s-once-abused-territorial-seas-now-protected

How New Jersey’s first Pinoy coffee shop brews Filipino culture and community
https://nextshark.com/new-jersey-first-filipino-coffee-shop-ayala

September 08, 2021

Death and Life

September 08, 2021/ Gemma Nemenzo

Death has not been a stranger to anyone this past year and a half. The steady and unrelenting drip drip of news of someone's passing has become a numbing reality. Some weeks are worse than others and the emotional toll can vary -- a little sadness for those you never got to know personally, a few tears for those you did know but were not that close to. And then there are those that are heavy as a mountain, when the loss leaves one deeply grieving. Such was the impact of the sudden passing of well-known revolutionary activist Sixto Carlos Jr. on my co-editor, Rene Ciria Cruz, whose poignant eulogy to his kasama and kabayan (they both grew up in Pandacan) is a fitting tribute to a man who lived a consequential life. ["My Friend, Sixto Carlos Jr."]

It's never all gloom and doom however. Positively Filipino publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco celebrates the long and eventful life of Delfin Gonzalez, who is now 107 years old and still hale and healthy. This man she calls Tito Delfin was the subject of her first film, "66 Years, 2 Months, 21 days…and Still Counting" made in 2009 when he was just 95. ["The Indefatigable Delfin Gonzalez"]

Contributing writer Leny Mendoza Strobel writes the inspiring story of Justin Jones whose quest to connect to his Filipino roots has given depth and impetus to his civil rights activism. ["Justin Jones – Black, Filipino, Civil Rights Activist"]

And speaking of inspiration, if you're a church goer, chances are you've sang "Time to Change," a popular inspirational song composed by Atek Jacinto, the musical director whose other claim to fame is his being the "creator" of the famous Circus band of the '70s. Many who remember the song say it's an appropriate time to revive it, considering the political situation in the Philippines. ["'Time to Change' -- How It All Began"]

Part 27 of Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous includes artists, community leaders, corporate professionals and the mother of Jo Koy.

Always delightful, always delicious. That's Sandy Daza's cooking as showcased in the Metro Channel's Casa Daza. For the Happy Home Cooks this week, enjoy Sandy cooking classic favorites: Kare-kare, Bistek Tagalog and Adobo.

For Video of the Week, we feature the episode of ANC’s “Our Fragile Earth” on Pujada Bay and Sarangani Bay.

[PARTNER] Deadline To Register For Overseas Voting For The 2022 Philippine National Elections