Women Making History

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A fitting beginning to Positively Filipino's March Women's History Month celebration is this week's collection of stories:

• A tribute to Florence Finch, born of a Filipina mother and an American father, a WWII heroine, the first female recipient of the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal for her crucial work as a clandestine operative for the Japanese resistance (for which she was imprisoned and tortured by the Japanese forces), a 1947 Medal of Freedom awardee, and a US Coast Guard (USCG) officer thereafter. In October 2024, the USCG accorded Finch (who died in 2016 at 101 years old) the singular honor of naming its 57th Fast Response Cutter after her. PF contributing writer Marissa Bañez, a lawyer and children's book author, wrote the story. 

• An introduction to a woman named Clang (Garcia), a food and travel writer/TV host and author whose book, Philippine Food Holidays (2023), won the 29th Gourmand Awards for “Best Food Tourism Book in the World.” PF Correspondent Rey de la Cruz profiles. The story includes a recipe for Tinola Nga Isda.

• Books by Filipina authors that go beyond the usual literary and historical genres spark interest and creativity, as compiled by PF Contributing Writer Claire Mercado-Obias. If you're into calligraphy, mid-century modern home design and mindfulness coloring, this list is for you. 

• Our Video of the Week focuses on Nobel Laureate and veteran FilAm journalist Maria Ressa as she weighs in on the uncanny parallelism of current US news and the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte (2016-2022). She speaks to PBS' NewsHour host Amna Nawaz. 

• And finally, our previously posted stories celebrating outstanding Filipino women.

[Read Again]

Clemencia Lopez, Independista by Lyca Benitez-Brown 

Why Women Rule Pampanga by Robby Tantingco

Pinky Valdes’ Winding Road to Healing by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Fil-Am Mayor Makes History in Daly City by Cherie M. Querol Moreno

In The Know

People Power in the Philippines: How the Bay Area helped fuel a revolution nearly 40 years ago
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/03/04/bay-area-filipino-people-power-revolution/

San Francisco’s Filipino Food Legacy Is Over a Century-Old—and Still Evolving

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/san-franciscos-filipino-food-legacy-is-over-a-century-old-and-still-evolving?

[Ilonggo Notes] The Creative City of Gastronomy, one year on

https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/arts-culture/ilonggo-notes-creative-city-gastronomy-one-year/?

'So much flavor': Drew Barrymore raves about arroz caldo

https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/2/28/-so-much-flavor-drew-barrymore-raves-about-arroz-caldo-1730?

My father is a president!

https://www.facebook.com/AlternativeMediaPH/posts/321168263482655

Jaclyn Jose included in 2025 Academy Awards' 'In Memoriam' section

https://philstarlife.com/celebrity/528156-jaclyn-jose-2025-academy-awards-in-memoriam?
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Staff

What You May Want to Know About Positively Filipino

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For those who are just now discovering Positively Filipino, here are some answers to questions that may be percolating in your mind:

*We come out with new stories for the week on Wednesdays (Thursdays in Manila).

*We are a magazine, thus we don't cover news stories, ongoing events and breaking news. What you will get from us are in-depth reports, features and profiles, opinion pieces and the always popular historical stories. 

*Overseas Filipinos (meaning those outside the Philippines) are our target audience, and our choice of stories reflect these. Since we are based in California, a large portion of our readership are Fil-Ams or Filipinos living in the US.

*We have a very small editorial staff, thus we rely on and continually welcome contributing writers from all over the world. If you want to be part of our pool of writers, please send a query to PFeditor@yahoo.com.

*In addition to our collection of new stories on Wednesdays, our newsletter also provides links to previously posted stories and a recipe  by a Filipino chef, or those who have original recipes to share. (We also welcome recipe contributions.)

*Our Global News Briefs section provides quick takes, with links to the full stories and their sources, on what's happening in Filipino communities worldwide. 

*Our Community News section features press releases from non-profits, community groups and charities. Those who want to market products will have to request for our advertising kit.

*The In the Know section at the bottom of this newsletter lists links to Filipino- and Philippine-related stories in other publications ICYMI. 

*Our Video of the Week provides visual entertainment from online sources. 

In The Know

INTRAMUROS GUIDE: New things you can do in 'Old Manila' in 2023

https://philstarlife.com/living/203760-intramuros-things-to-do-2023?page=6

The Wealth Of The Philippines: An Introduction To Locally Grown Superfoods

https://vogue.ph/beauty/wellness/filipino-superfoods-adlai-malunggay-forbidden-rice/

These 7 women are the pioneers of Philippine design

https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/style/style-profile/03/29/19/these-7-women-are-the-pioneers-of-philippine-design?fbclid=IwAR0W7ovMBGpyyK7oBv2GBxoPvsP_hdd4zj_yqwY1kh8cJVjlSwGLuwuqBE8

11,103: The nation’s soul has memory

https://www.thediarist.ph/11103-the-nations-soul-has-memory/

Manila in Milan

https://www.rawmags.com/single-post/manila-in-milan?fbclid=IwAR1ua8uT86YITXep42yZxtUNdGyM_MZEp0AwU29Z_MAQSsO2LtYWrnOJfuw

Modern jeepney to retain iconic look

https://www.manilatimes.net/2023/03/06/news/national/modern-jeepney-to-retain-iconic-look/1881450?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR1mh4G3LKr9J59WBEF0r8H5YdI8YOlW6vUz_LyrZHBum4eP5FQehhdpDag#Echobox=1678047536

For the love of lumpia: This famous Filipino food truck has evolved into a San Diego restaurant

https://fox5sandiego.com/news/local-news/for-the-love-of-lumpia-this-famous-filipino-food-truck-has-evolved-into-a-san-diego-restaurant/?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&fbclid=IwAR2kGpjwyaHH_p7azpDbi5_ZLMBx1-y38Hx8kxU9TBEodpmBsQQ0bZfTaS0

A nun’s way to live beyond 100: ‘I am happy’

https://www.thediarist.ph/a-nuns-way-to-live-beyond-100-i-am-happy/
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Staff

Courage, Charm, and Gustation

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It takes quite some strength to muster the courage to live one's truth, and Assumption College president Pinky Valdes is a model of doing just that. PF publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco writes about her fellow Assumptionista and the interesting twists and turns of her life in "Pinky Valdes' Winding Road to Healing."

If you're a fan of the Cleveland Cavaliers, you can celebrate the presence of FilAm Jordan Clarkson, the same way PF Correspondent Anthony Maddela celebrates him in "The Undeniably Charming Jordan Clarkson."

For foodies who love Japanese cuisine, here's a treat from Bella Bonner, who joined "Sandy Daza's Amazing Foodie Tour" of several cities in Japan and survived the oyster feast to write about it. 

And speaking of Sandy, here's a video of him with other noted Filipino chefs for our Video of the Week.

For our Happy Home Cook recipe, Sandy's famous mother Nora Daza's recipe for Lengua con Champignon and Mushroom-Butter Sauce.

 

Our In The Know listing:

What's Happening to Leni Robredo?
https://joeam.com/2018/03/21/whats-happening-to-leni-robredo/

Children of the Drug War Speak Out
http://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/multimedia/video/03/19/18/children-of-the-drug-war-speak-out

Michelle Malkin defends Bruno Mars against claims of cultural appropriation
https://www.facebook.com/CRTV/videos/1732142643519881/

Stephen Hawking's Nurse was a Filipino from Zamboanga City
https://www.goodnewspilipinas.com/stephen-hawkings-favorite-nurse-was-filipino/

Look Inside Southwest's Transportive New Asian Restaurant, Kaliwa
https://dc.eater.com/2018/3/20/17143502/kaliwa-cathal-armstrong-filipino-korean-thai-food-wharf-opening

Manhattan’s Newest Filipino Restaurant Stays Traditional With Exquisite Results
https://ny.eater.com/2018/3/19/17139226/mama-finas-east-village-nyc-what-to-order