Heroes and Duplicities

August is the month of Filipino heroes and one of them is August-born Manuel Luis Quezon, president of the Philippines during the Commonwealth period. Quezon initiated a shining moment in our country's heritage when shortly before World War II, he opened the country's shores in welcome to European Jews fleeing the impending Holocaust. Historian Ambeth R. Ocampo writes about Philippine-Jewish relations and the magnanimity of Quezon in "Quezon Saved Jews from the Holocaust." We commemorate the legacy of Quezon on his 139th birthday on August 19.

Another history lesson, this time from lawyer Saul Hofileña Jr., whose book Under the Stacks, unearths some previously ignored or unknown facts of Philippine colonial history. Veteran journalist Sylvia L. Mayuga introduces us to "A Man and His Book: Unmasking Duplicities of the Past," an eye-opener and a must-read (both the book and this review) to understand the deep roots of the Muslim conflict in Mindanao.

We continue our Hometown series with Toronto-based writer Patria Cabatuando-Rivera's story of growing up in Nueva Ecija and revisiting her childhood haunts in the towns of Peñaranda, Gapan and Santa Cruz. 

Our Happy Home Cook recipe this week is Liver in Bistek Sauce, one of the recipes in Gerri Barangan-Korten's book, Sagana. 

And another list of links to interesting stories is compiled in our In The Know section:

Duterte: Marcos family willing to open, return ‘wealth in question’
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/926476/president-rodrigo-duterte-marcos-family-ill-gotten-wealth-gold-bars-ferdinand-marcos

Philippines' communist rebellion: A new generation
http://bworldonline.com/philippines-communist-rebellion-new-generation/

Manila's 12 Oldest Restaurants and What They Look Like Now
http://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/food-and-drink/old-restaurants-manila-a1729-20170505-lfrm

Tagalog-speaking Qatari teen thanks Pinay nanny; says he owe her a lot for his upbringing
http://kickerdaily.com/posts/2017/08/tagalog-speaking-qatari-teen-thanks-pinay-nanny-says-he-owe-her-a-lot-for-his-upbringing/

51 Old Colorized Photos Reveal The Fascinating Filipino Life Between 1900 - 1960
http://www.filipiknow.net/old-colorized-photos-philippines/

Our Video of the Week takes us to Brooklyn where Nick Solares, host of The Meat Show, feasts on sisig, adobo and Filipino bbq at F.O.B., the Filipino food destination in the Cobble Hill neighborhood.