Canny Assignations
/It's almost Valentine's Day so let's talk about lust.
Oscar Peñaranda, beloved teacher of many, poet/author and master raconteur, recounts his young, wild days as an Alaskero (Filipino cannery worker), when dark nights, stinky corners, and hordes of mosquitoes did not stop lonely hearts from having intimate parties for two. "Lust Among the Ruins" is LOL funny. And poignant. A salve for pandemic Valentine blues.
Another kind of love, this one for the fave candy of one's childhood. PF Correspondent Rey E. de la Cruz reignites his love for White Rabbit, the candy created in Shanghai, and finds kindred spirits almost everywhere. ["Down the 'White Rabbit' Hole"]
When our publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco started the series of notable and famous/infamous Fil-Ams, she thought it would just take a few chapters. But names kept cropping up as friends and readers sent in their suggestions, so now "Fil-Ams Among the Remarkable and Famous" is already Part 15 (with more coming in our future issues; watch out for them).
Since February is Black History Month, it's a good time to commemorate Pvt. David Fagan, a Black American soldier sent to the Philippines to fight the Filipino rebels at the onset of the Filipino-American War of 1898-1902. Fagan chose to defect to the Philippine forces and fight the Americans. Read Again Rene G. Ontal's timeless retelling of "A Black Man's Burden."
And for more stories about romances and heartbreaks, join us for our webinar on February 16. See below for details.
Our Stories This Week
Lust Among The Ruins By Oscar Peñaranda
Down The ‘White Rabbit’ Hole By Rey E. de la Cruz
Fil-Ams Among The Remarkable And Famous, Part 15 By Mona Lisa Yuchengco
Read Again: A Black Man’s Burden By Rene G. Ontal
The Happy Home Cook: Boneless Bangus Donburi By Rene Astudillo
Video of the Week: Team Kidlat in Marawi and Tagoloan
In The Know
Europe's Army of Filipino Domestic Workers
https://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/modern-slavery-europe-s-army-of-filipino-domestic-workers-a-93346a29-3899-470c-9221-4cf7000295aa
Indigenous Filipino Fabrics Are Making a Comeback
https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/design/philippine-indigenous-fabrics-are-making-a-comeback-a00225-20171017-lfrm?fbclid=IwAR36DHhb2DRBcGcM7CZL7xxrrUYluH7aYsNEPIiFMy7SDFLOGtHz5F1KkBk
Journey Frontman Arnel Pineda on the Band’s New Record, Dreams of a Steve Perry Reunion
https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/arnel-pineda-interview-journey-album-steve-perry-1117594/?fbclid=IwAR0fmFaKIdQVOywspJYRc5vylOOZA6JCDocVoCUsTVYpSauhDWjSJEpp6rs
The Original Chefs From Bad Saint Open the Fil-Am Fast Food Counter of Their Dreams
https://dc.eater.com/2021/1/27/22250817/pogiboy-opening-past-bad-saint-chefs-jollibee-inspired-tom-cunanan-the-block-dc?fbclid=IwAR3x1vkKluOcLfSrLfvWfjhMF0e-QPHscpivWbo9AknWt4bimJwE926Fjws
Girl, 12, leads fundraising for coral rehab in Camiguin
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1126886?fbclid=IwAR2P75j0Mn1FrXYDUBtALMxUfjJYjnGNCUTwUMkZZPBzPM8vgU-hcovdwZw
Seattle mural to depict Filipino and Fil-Am history
https://usa.inquirer.net/63055/seattle-mural-to-depict-filipino-and-fil-am-history?fbclid=IwAR3XhNuXT5LOOozCyr5vJdmn51yhKjv0auQt7AsP5BnTs_LZrpdowPdByYM