August 14, 2024

Our Votes Matter

August 14, 2024/ Staff

Fact: "In the 2020 and 2022 elections, Democrats won Asian Americans’ votes in national elections by noticeably smaller margins than in years past." Author/academic James Zarsadiaz, in his op-ed piece first published in the Los Angeles Times, traces the history of Asian Americans’ increasing slant towards the Republican Party, an interesting shift worth watching. But will the recent upheaval in the US presidential elections -- the phenomenal ascendance of Kamala Harris as the Democratic candidate -- alter this trend? As Filipino telenovelas would urge: Abangan ang susunod na kabanata (watch for the next episode).

The Philippine call center industry in the Philippines is big business and already a permanent presence in the nation's economy. It's just fitting then that an award-winning fictionist - Glenn Diaz, a professor at Ateneo de Manila - makes a call center the setting of this crime thriller, The Quiet Ones. New York-based writer/academic Elaine Joy Edaya Degale reviews the book.

We continue to spotlight Filipino artists, this time a pointillist born and bred in the Philippines' art capital, Angono, Rizal. Dolpee Alcantara Jr.'s signature technique and vivid colors are discussed by first-time contributor Leodovico Padua Masuli.

Our Video of the Week, another of The Filipino Story's inspiring episodes: "I Didn't Want to be Filipino."

In The Know

A quick look at Team Philippines’ unrivaled Olympic campaign
https://www.rappler.com/sports/quick-look-team-philippines-campaign-paris-olympics-2024/

How foreign Olympians with Filipino roots fared in Paris
https://www.rappler.com/sports/how-foreign-olympians-filipino-roots-fared-paris-olympics-2024/

West Michigan’s Alena Olsen Wins Bronze in Women’s Rugby Sevens at Paris Olympics
https://wghn.com/2024/07/31/west-michigans-alena-olsen-wins-bronze-in-womens-rugby-sevens-at-paris-olympics/

Kamala Harris’ moments in the Philippines
https://www.rappler.com/plus-membership-program/exclusive-content/sui-generis-kamala-harris-moments-philippines/

R’Bonney Gabriel tries motorcycle service to beat Manila traffic
https://entertainment.inquirer.net/570249/rbonney-gabriel-tries-motorcycle-service-to-beat-manila-traffic?

Manila museums, destinations accessible from North Luzon
https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/travel-and-tourism/2024/08/06/2374949/manila-museums-destinations-accessible-north-luzon?

What Happened to Sarao Motors, Iconic Philippine Jeepney Brand?
https://www.esquiremag.ph/money/industry/sarao-motors-a00289-20201201-lfrm?utm_medium=Echobox

Anti-Asian Hate Watch

North Valley JCC shooting: 25 years later, the enduring fight against hate continues
https://abc7.com/post/north-valley-jcc-shooting-25-years-later-enduring-fight-hate-continues/15167111/

Nassau County mask ban: Many concerned over 'possibility of bias and hate crimes'
https://www.yahoo.com/news/nassau-county-mask-ban-many-235320938.html

New York City mayor hosts dialogue to address unmatched levels of hate crime
https://www.philippinenews.com/new-york-city-mayor-hosts-dialogue-to-address-unmatched-levels-of-hate-crime/

Funding provided by the State of California.

December 20, 2023

Have a Joyous Holiday Season!

December 20, 2023/ Staff

The Positively Filipino team -- Lisa, Rene, Gemma and Raymond -- wishes all of you, our constant readers, a joyous holiday season. May the coming year be safe, healthy and peaceful for everyone.

Happy Holidays from Positively Filipino! (L-R) Raymond Virata, Gemma Nemenzo, Mona Lisa Yuchengco and Rene Ciria-Cruz

Our special thanks to our contributing writers whose stories have made PF a worthy chronicler of the Filipino diaspora. And to Titchie Carandang who not only wrote consequential articles but is also now helping us with our social media outreach, our gratitude.

This year, PF was also awarded a California State Grant to help inform the public, especially Fil-Ams, about the realities of anti-Asian hate, hate crimes and support services for victims. For this, we have Gail Kong as adviser and we thank her for her guidance.

As is our wont at yearend, we tally our readership numbers and come up with this list of the Most-Read Stories of 2023. We say that they're also Must Read stories.

But beyond the numbers, Read Again these stories from this year's collection that you might have missed but you're sure to enjoy. They're a merry mix of thrills, nostalgia and historic heft.

A septuagenarian's daring feat:
Paragliding, Sky Jumping And Dying Over San Francisco by Bella Bonner

Remembering Lahaina before the fire:
Tears For Lahaina by Odette Foronda

Behind the walls of girls' convent schools:
Girls’ School Confidential by Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz

A beautiful flower farm in Benguet:
A Matriarch’s Legacy Flowers In The Mountains by Ian Layugan

A harrowing escape from a war zone, an OFW nightmare:
Escape From Sudan by Lawrence Espinosa

An all-female Fil-Am rock band of the '60s makes a comeback:
Fanny And Their Ongoing Legacy In Redefining Rock by Lauren Lola

An eloquent testimony on success and social inequity:
Why My Success Is Philippine Society’s Failure by Leo Jaminola

A Filipino Sesame Street muppet:
A Muppet For All Reasons by Anthony Maddela

January 18, 2023

Across Miss Universe

January 18, 2023/ Staff

Miss Universe 2022 R’Bonney Gabriel (Photo by Gerald Herbert/AP)

You would think that after having had four Miss Universe winners (in 1969, 1973, 2015 and 2018, making the Philippines the fourth winningest country), Filipinos would be blasé or, at the very least, mellow about the 71st Miss Universe pageant held last weekend in New Orleans. But the celebration that accompanied the Fil-Am Miss USA R'Bonney Gabriel's win was loud (in the arena) and zealous. Filipinos worldwide feel proud and validated, as we are, even if the country she represents is not the Philippines. To know more about R'Bonney, whose unique name came from her father, Remigio Bonzon Gabriel's nickname R'Bon, read our "Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous, Part 41" and the "In The Know" section below.

Mahjong, that seductive, addictive table game many Chinese and Filipinos swear allegiance to, is the subject of a fascinating story by Honolulu-based writer Nanette L. Ruhter as she recalls her growing up among her elders' close-knit mahjong community. Just in time for Chinese New Year (Year of the Rabbit) on Sunday, January 22.

We're already on our 41st list of Fil-Ams Among the Famous and Remarkable and there's no end in sight. Who made it this time? Check it out.

A story that will make you Smile: PF Correspondent John Silva posted this short but heartwarming report about this electrician who loves to read literature.

The Filipinos and Chinese have a centuries-long history that has resulted in the blurring of ethnic lines. Read Again Michael Gonzalez's "Porcelain and Pansit: The Philippine Chinese."

Former student leader/activist Jaime FlorCruz comes full circle as the current Philippine ambassador to China. Read Again his narrative of his very interesting life in "Forty Years in China: From Stranded Activist to International Journalist."

Speaking of Chinese New Year, here again is the recipe for Chinese Peanut Cookies from PF Correspondent and cookbook author Elizabeth Ann Quirino.

[Video of the Week] Sinulog Grand Parade 2023