May 04, 2022

A Fork in the Road

May 04, 2022/ Gemma Nemenzo

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

April 13, 2022

Tensions in the Tenses

April 13, 2022/ Gemma Nemenzo

Amidst the calm of Holy Week in the Christian world, let’s do some reflection on how the past informs the present and how we want the future to look like. The personal may not always be political but there's no ignoring politics this time. Our story lineup this week represents past, present and future in our Motherland's storied evolution.

The present: As the Duterte administration plods through its end run, it is a good time to look at the big picture and assess its mixed legacy objectively. As political observer and professor Patricio N. Abinales writes, while the poor got the brunt of its drug war, Duterte "also leaves the presidency with a remarkable record of serving the poor even as his police officers and hired assassins continue to kill their fathers, mothers, and children." This contradiction will be scrutinized and argued in the years to come so Abinales fires the first volley to "let the debates begin."

The past: Senatorial hopeful Samira Gutoc rang the memory bell as a Marcos Jr. presidency becomes a possibility. Remember the Jabidah massacre of 1968, she says. More than 20 Muslim recruits for a top-secret mission to reclaim Sabah were gunned down in Corregidor, the training site, when they started protesting their harsh training conditions. The military had since erased all traces of the mission but there were some who escaped death and told the story. The Jabidah massacre triggered the war of Muslim Mindanao against the Marcos regime and led to the founding of MNLF. We post excerpts from the book Under the Crescent Moon: Rebellion in Mindanao by ace journalists Marites Danguilan Vitug and Glenda Gloria.

The future: What we do today will determine how our future will look like. In political terms, "We are whom we choose," former COMELEC chief Andres D. Bautista contends as he looks at the many unprecedented actions taking place throughout the Philippines right now. Will the future be rosy or blood red? We don't need a crystal ball, just fervor and dedication as we march toward May 9. Most importantly, we have to VOTE.

Read Agains:

Images of Semana Santa

Marinduque’s Mesmerizing Moriones by Wilma Consul

Art and Soul and Fr. Rey by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

[Recipe of the Week] Enjoy this YouTube video of actress Judy Ann Santos cooking her fave Holy Week dishes

[Video of the Week] Remy Martin - NCAA Champion

Philippine Elections 2022

Pulse Asia: 2 out of 10 voters change their minds on election day
https://opinion.inquirer.net/152042/pulse-asia-2-out-of-10-voters-change-their-minds-on-election-day

[Newsstand] Enough time for ‘Ro-mentum’
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/newsstand-enough-time-robredo-momentum/?fbclid=IwAR0rpeUHGU-uKi6hOvMaPw80H_6CRhMtYjVRowwzXh3wbmU6q4jBz-cXAus

Isko Moreno supporters group joins Robredo’s 'pink' wave after attempts of unification
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/04/12/2174088/isko-moreno-supporters-join-robredos-pink-wave-after-failed-attempts-unification

Carpio tells voters: Keep demanding estate tax payment from Marcos Jr.
https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2022/4/8/Bongbong-Marcos-Carpio-estate-tax-payment-demand.html?fb&fbclid=IwAR2kHCpyP-MGAdD3R2bPKeN2DU86lDsD31T7juEGu6UXaoobSamCdbXqWSU

A dictator's son runs for Philippines president in a bid to revive his family's power
https://www.npr.org/2022/04/12/1090802987/philippines-elections-ferdinand-bongbong-marcos-junior?fbclid=IwAR2VNrQ8ZHd4BJzzkUvBsKesFQRzA7g8nalUw7rh4Ij1kDsMm7elzIdCK00

Philippine volunteers in door-to-door blitz for top Marcos Jr rival
https://news.yahoo.com/philippine-volunteers-door-door-blitz-021810361.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly9sLmZhY2Vib29rLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAFiv7B7QwjQj_86QCR-k3x8XaEvIhOp4chOIPrES_OphaH_UXSvyFNBN09_mP_sSgnSpzJRzbSTUG-SaPyFRCv3_S2XFNI5fPK7gB3c0fgoyEMqxmc8tBJ0dhjtPyzRN5sAVwDN1U_KjS02HBZQhj9gMw-29ARYLodRIbcRESufw

[OPINION] Rallies, ‘hakot,’ and hope
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/opinion-rallies-hakot-hope/?fbclid=IwAR21sCNZuXJntuscIheoTq0YADyXy-0ZN7TXxQ5pKMz0grqMj2LYkqPvz0o

Why Leni is picking up huge endorsements
https://inqm.news/xqht

In The Know

20 Filipino Billionaires Have Made it to Forbes' Richest in 2022
https://www.tatlerasia.com/power-purpose/wealth/20-filipino-billionaires-made-it-to-forbes-richest-in-2022?utm_campaign=PH_DIG_FULL20220410&utm_medium=email&utm_source=tatlerasia.com

After Odette, Central Visayas reopens with new bridges, luxury resorts, outdoor attractions
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/travel/destination/04/04/22/how-bohol-cebu-siquijor-are-wooing-the-tourists-back?fbclid=IwAR0XsAmlENHZicPA38Vc3u5lyEw7YNtN9A5EMWYWUlaxuL2QP3tWPYTu1E8

One Community’s Complicated Relationship With SPAM
https://www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/archive/2022/03/spam-wwii-history-hormel-canned-meat/629416/

Get to Know All the National Artists of the Philippines
https://www.esquiremag.ph/the-good-life/pursuits/national-artists-philippines-list-a1957-20190802-lfrm10?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20220401-fbnp-the-good-life-national-artists-philippines-list-a1957-20190802-lfrm10-fbold&fbclid=IwAR0rvLv7k75cqvv5UDg4F52Lw3nK_GcYpXFDkG9o0Tlc652kzsKW25M4Bko

Fulfilled Filipina finds life, makes a mark in Morocco
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1171539?fbclid=IwAR1vpd1Gk5X_wkyOQoNC09HkHdLEoFhMMCCRXsEKzZQzOtY9GETRPouzBI4

April 06, 2022

Barnstorming

April 06, 2022/ Gemma Nemenzo

In the national elections of 1987, the first under the Cory Aquino administration, I had the privilege of being part of a campaign for a congressional seat in Laguna. I say it was a privilege because the three-month campaign turned out to be one of the most exhilarating and inspiring experiences in my life, even though we lost to the candidate with the most money.

While low on funds, we were high on enthusiasm and grassroots support. We did the whole shebang: distributing posters and leaflets (on cheap newsprint) in churches and marketplaces, organizing barrio-to-barrio meetings, shaking thousands of hands, holding a lively miting de avance in the town plaza (well-attended because we had a popular movie star as guest). Most importantly, our troupe went house-to-house to talk to people face-to-face.

It was literally back-breaking 18-hour/day work that parched our throats, browned our skin and dropped our weight as we walked to remote sitios and huddled with fishermen after hauling in their catch for the day. The demanding, all-volunteer labor was a humbling education of a lifetime. From the campaign, we took away valuable lessons on how people in the grassroots thought and lived.

In this year's election, we are witnessing something unprecedented: a widespread nationwide house-to-house campaign powered by youth volunteers for a presidential ticket. H2H is a common practice in local elections but not for national positions where it's more cost-effective and practical to rely on mass media to convey the candidates' messages.

But, as contributing writer Andres D. Bautista emphasizes in his article this week, times have changed, misinformation has become the name of the game and only direct outreach to voters can counter the lethal brew of lies and fake news.

So from across the seas, we wish the campaign volunteers continued strength and fervor as we pray (and do our bit to help in whatever way) for a better tomorrow for our Motherland.

This Week’s Stories

House To House, Heart To Heart by Andres D. Bautista

Bienvenido N. Santos, You Were A Friend Of Mine by Cecilia Manguerra-Brainard

A Filipino Voice From Down Under by Harvey I. Barkin

[Partner] Statement Against Red-Tagging And Disinformation

Read Agains:

Eighty years ago this year, on April 9, 1942, the Fall of Bataan, "the biggest single surrender in U.S. military history,'' happened. It was a tragedy that should not be forgotten.

Remember Bataan by Cecilia I. Gaerlan http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/remember-bataan

Re-enacting the Bataan Death March: A Personal Journey by Jon Melegrito http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/re-enacting-the-bataan-death-march-a-personal-journey

The Happy Home Cook: Grilled Salmon and Shrimps in Banana Leaves by Elizabeth Ann Quirino

http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-happy-home-cook-grilled-salmon-and-shrimps-in-banana-leaves

Video of the Week: Kubing the Philippine bamboo jaw harp