Today marks the 41st anniversary of the assassination of Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. -- a crime so consequential to Philippine contemporary history that there has not been a dearth of stories recalling, analyzing, commenting on the historical moment and its earthshaking consequences.

Here's one of them: https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/ninoy-aquino-was-not-alone

The main protagonists of this tragedy -- Ninoy and Ferdinand Marcos -- remain subjects of speculation and scrutiny, with Ninoy of course emerging as the tragic hero and Marcos the despicable villain. But as journalists the world over know, every big story has a more interesting backstory, just like this one. Toronto-based Rogie Concepcion, a fraternity brod of both Ninoy and Marcos, writes about his encounters with Ninoy and some of the [many] stories the latter told.

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In this issue, we are reviving a series we started some years back, Pinoyspotting which highlights random encounters of Filipino travelers with kababayans in various places and situations. Here's a group of them, crew members of Viking's Mani longship which plies the Rhine River in Europe. With almost half a million Filipinos working in the merchant marine industry, it's a given that you'll meet some in any cruise you're taking.

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A young woman who chose to be a farmer, an environmentalist, a non-profit leader and an advocate for staying put in the homeland. Cherrie Atilano, as profiled here by constant PF contributor Ian Layugan, is a worthy role model for Filipino youths who seek a meaningful, sustainable path in the service of Mother Earth.

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Our Video of the Week again comes from the creators of The Filipino Story, an online series that celebrates being Filipino. Historian Prof. Xiao Chua answers questions from FilAms posted on Instagram.

In The Know

An Aggressive China Is Pushing the Philippines and Vietnam Closer Than Ever
https://thediplomat.com/2024/08/an-aggressive-china-is-pushing-the-philippines-and-vietnam-closer-than-ever/

Fiesta in America bridges the gap for Filipino Americans in New Jersey
https://asamnews.com/2024/08/16/filipino-cultural-showcase-this-weekend-in-east-rutherford-new-jersey/

In ‘And So It Begins,’ Ramona Diaz asserts moving past nostalgia
https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/movies/interview-and-so-it-begins-ramona-diaz-asserts-moving-past-nostalgia/

PH seen struggling with shortage of accountants
https://business.inquirer.net/475199/ph-seen-struggling-with-shortage-of-accountants

Anti-Asian Hate Watch

Study highlights challenges in detecting violent speech aimed at Asian communities
https://techxplore.com/news/2024-08-highlights-violent-speech-aimed-asian.html

‘Unity is strength:’ Oakland Chinatown elders tackle public safety
https://asamnews.com/2024/08/06/oakland-chinatown-elders-community-safety-asian-black-documentary-violence-theft/

Upstate NY’s Karen community seeks justice after fatal shooting
https://asamnews.com/2024/08/19/karen-refugee-killed-in-us-after-fleeing-military-junta-in-myanmar/

Funding provided by the State of California.

This is our last issue for August, and we hope you enjoy our stories for this week. We feature a Filipina actress who made a splash in Cannes and is being talked about as a possible Oscar contender, an upcoming Fil-Am romance novelist, a rumination on the challenges of aging by a well-known Filipino social activist, an increasingly popular Filipino street-food restaurant in LA and New York called Dollar Hits, and a recipe for scrumptious Leche Flan Tiramisu.

For September, our issues will have a special focus on marking a historical anniversary. Fifty years ago, on the night of September 23, 1972, then-President Ferdinand Marcos went on national broadcast to announce that he had placed the entire country under martial law. Although official documents placed the proclamation date as September 21, it was actually two days later that the gears of state suppression became evident. That Saturday, all media were muzzled, mass arrests took place, and the Philippine military assumed an oversized role as implementer of the presidential decrees that transformed Marcos from a duly elected chief of state to a self-proclaimed dictator. He would rule for 14 years.

It was a period of pain and uncertainty for many, and we reject the recent attempts to sugarcoat, whitewash and revise history. Thus, our collection of personal narratives from those who lived through that time.

Starting tomorrow, September 1, you can also watch for free the much acclaimed movie, "Imelda" by Ramona Diaz. Described as a "documentary film at its best," Ramona Diaz's 2003 movie on Imelda Marcos "beyond the shoes" is a must-see. Watch it here for FREE here for two weeks.

A brand new film, 11,103, about martial law survivors by director Mike Alcazaren and producer Kara Magsanoc Alikpala will be premiering on September 17 in the San Francisco Bay Area. See announcement below.