August 04, 2021

Dreaming of "Normal"

August 04, 2021/ Gemma Nemenzo

In "normal" times --meaning the world as we knew it before Covid struck -- this month of August would have been vacation month in the western hemisphere, when tourists spread out to see places beyond their personal borders. Not anymore. For the fully vaccinated who have the capability to travel abroad during these risky times, destinations are now more targeted, the pandemic numbers checked regularly to determine the viability of visits.

But still we dream of getting out of our comfort zones in exotic places offering unusual adventures. One of our stories this week is "In the Lapp of Luxury" by first-time contributor Alpha Puey who spent one memorable winter wonderland vacation in Santa Claus land. This is essentially a Christmas story but who doesn't welcome a whiff of Christmas in August? Besides, for those interested in going on this adventure, it might take months to make arrangements, so read up and make plans.

And for those who prefer a staycation, here's an inspiring show to follow: G-Diaries featuring newlyweds Ernie Lopez and Michelle Arville focusing on people helping others. PF Correspondent Elizabeth Ann Quirino elucidates on this feel-good program that honors the legacy of Ernie's late elder sister, the well-known environmentalist Gina Lopez.

PF Publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco who compiles the Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous series made a list of all the names she has included in the compilation and was amazed that the total was already 359. Still counting, as we see some newly discovered Fil-Ams in Part 24.

For a summer treat, how about a Make Again recipe for No-Churn Ube Ice Cream, shared to us by Lulelyn Andres from Budapest.

For Video of the Week, we commemorate the 40th day anniversary of the passing of President Benigno S. Aquino III with a tribute from his sister Pinky.

In The Know

Tagalog Is the Third Most Widely Spoken Language in Three U.S. States
https://www.esquiremag.ph/politics/news/tagalog-us-language-a00225-20210802?fbclid=IwAR0XcS0OJGmXdj_JCYOhZWV5M5ygWhpDi962ViFzJ7j10u1EYZ5hY4GpAAc

An Olympic romance: The love story of Hidilyn Diaz and her coach Julius Naranjo
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/07/28/21/an-olympic-romance-the-love-story-of-hidilyn-diaz-and-her-coach-julius-naranjo

20 Filipino Architectural Marvels That Have Stood The Test Of Time
https://ph.asiatatler.com/life/20-iconic-filipino-architecture-that-have-stood-the-tests-of-time

Venice Competition Philippines Title ‘On The Job’ Sets HBO GO Premiere in Asia, Reveals Trailer
https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/on-the-job-erik-matti-hbo-philippines-venice-1235029127/

October 21, 2020

Life Lessons from Manongs

October 21, 2020/ Gemma Nemenzo

In last Monday's Positively Filipino webinar, our guest raconteurs Alex Fabros Jr. and Oscar Peñaranda regaled us with insider stories about life among the manongs on the farms of Salinas, California and in the salmon canneries of Anchorage, Alaska. Both knew whereof they speak -- Alex grew up and worked with them and Oscar spent 15 summers of his youth as an Alaskero (cannery worker). To that generation of Filipino culture bearers, the two attribute lessons in work ethics, joy, appreciation, cunning, survival, courtship and most importantly, building community. To listen to their stories (if you missed the webinar), here's the recording: Memories Of Fil-Am Life On The Farms And In The Canneries Of The West Coast

Our next webinar is the first of our forthcoming series on FilAm Trailblazers and it will feature two community heavyweights: California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye in a rare public appearance and Major General Antonio Taguba (Ret.). We hope you join us this coming Monday, October 26, 2020. Register here: http://bit.ly/filamtrailblazers

As this year's Filipino American History Month (FAHM) begins to wind down, here are two stories you have to read:

American-born Filipino/Japanese citizen Amadio Arboleda tells us his complicated and definitely unique life. ["My Audacious Filipino Journey"]

US citizen John Silva, writing from Manila where he now resides, relates how voting in a US election is worth going through hell and high water (or at least, an attempt at voter suppression) for him, a son of a war veteran. [A Ballot from Manila]

Here's another recommended book list for your FAHM reading from San Francisco Public Library's Abraham Ignacio Jr. [Book Recommendations For 2020 Filipino American History Month]

And another intro to notable Fil-Ams from our publisher, Mona Lisa Yuchengco. [Fil-Ams Among The Remarkable And Famous, Part 10]

Read Again:

Robert V. Ragsac Sr.'s "Forget Them Not"

Alex S. Fabros Jr.'s "Murder Most Foul"

For the Happy Home Cook, here's a repost of Chef Romy Dorotan's (Purple Yam in Brooklyn) Beef Shortribs Adobo, definitely a winner.

For Video of the Week, young Fil-Am comedian JR De Guzman makes an appearance on Harry Connick, Jr.’s show.

In The Know

I Went to a 'Filipinos for Trump' Rally. Here's What I Found
https://www.colorlines.com/articles/i-went-filipinos-trump-rally-heres-what-i-found?fbclid=IwAR3G9ywtAiOrqRFyO11IPw_woeqW6B0MHoAdPCPEMb1x067-TunCqdpveaA

‘Buried alive’: ‘The Celine Archive’ uncovers young Filipina’s horrific 1932 killing in Delta
https://www.recordnet.com/story/news/2020/10/11/buried-alive-the-celine-archive-documentary-uncovers-filipinas-1932-horrific-killing-delta/5918519002/?fbclid=IwAR3DiI-ahEP-vPE-4x6_5JfUSC398lFYaFCwsTLAs2jF8MHSa2NncmVyP_M

Exulting in a tribute to our National Hero
https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/arts-and-culture/2018/11/26/1871613/exulting-tribute-our-national-hero/amp

From 800, it’s now a 10,000 waitlist for Filipino flavor Kora doughnuts
https://thefilam.net/archives/32996?fbclid=IwAR2BiaxeMD0YevN0RXwkaJkYaacJjE-ivyg7CeBfYet53gFE6WriDXGktAE

September 02, 2020

Virtual Everything

September 02, 2020/ Gemma Nemenzo

Nine months since the coronavirus pandemic hit earth like the proverbial giant meteorite, a virtual world has opened up for us. Webinars, podcasts, streaming movies, tutorials, family reunions, exercise videos, Broadway shows, awards shows, online learning, virtual international travel -- they're all ours for the taking (or watching/listening). Zoom has even become a household word.

(Speaking of webinars, in case you missed Positively Filipino's very enlightening conversation with ace journalists Sheila Coronel and Ging Reyes, "Shutdown For a Shakedown? Behind the Attempts to Muzzle Press Freedom and ABS-CBN," you can watch it here.)

Unfortunately the online world also has its share of trolls and criminals, preying on the naive, the seniors (who are not as tech savvy) and the emotionally vulnerable. True these scammers have been around pre-covid but presumably they are more active now that people are staying home and relying only on their electronic devices to maintain their contact with the rest of the world. And then there's the loneliness factor.

Pre-pandemic, romance scams (the type with the highest recorded occurence) lost its victims in the US $143 million in 2018 alone, with an average per-victim loss of $2,600.

PF publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco writes about her friend's brush with a romance scammer, truly a cautionary tale for potential sweet-talk victims. If you or someone you know is being scammed, there are web sites (such as https://www.usa.gov/stop-scams-frauds) for reporting them. Just make sure you do a background check on the site you choose lest it might be another scam.

Stories this Week:

[Webinar] Shut Down For A Shakedown? Behind The Attempts To Muzzle Press Freedom And ABS-CBN

Looking For Love In All The Wrong URLs By Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Dishes You’d Like To Cook And Eat In Self-Quarantine By Jennifer Fergesen

Jason Tanamor And His Aswang By Walter Ang

Amba Girly: Spirit Of The Corps By Marisa S. Roque

The Happy Home Cook: Blond Biko By Chef Nouel Omamalin

Video of the Week: The Voice Kids UK winner Justine Afante

In The Know

WATCH: Why all Filipinos are considered indigenous
https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/life/10/27/16/watch-why-all-filipinos-are-considered-indigenous?fbclid=IwAR2jwrF9GGtzeG-sO2u6uuZZ0aNPZdsYLjfQC6RuDNNn0AdTBEjeT3LPJhI

Philippine human rights workers are being systematically killed in a growing war on dissent
https://news.yahoo.com/philippine-human-rights-workers-being-184122085.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

25 years after: Amy Besa & Romy Dorotan on the pains and glory of being New York restaurateurs