Gratitude

Gratitude is what we're giving in spades this week as the US, where about 4 million of our kababayans live, go through the annual ritual of celebrating Thanksgiving Day. 

For first-time contributor Teresa de Veyra-Montilla, the unexpected gift of visiting the former home of her grandparents, Jaime and Sofia de Veyra in Washington, DC, plus meeting Erwin and Titchie Tiongson, who are documenting the history of Filipinos in the US capital, are beatitudes that she writes about in "A Journey in Time with My Grandma." Montilla's forebears are important historical figures. Jaime C. de Veyra was the Philippine Resident Commissioner in the US Congress, representing the country as a colony; Sofia de Veyra, who we had featured before (Read Again Titchie Carandang-Tiongson's profile of this outstanding Filipina http://www. positivelyfilipino.com/ magazine/the-thoroughly- modern-sofia-de-veyra?rq= sofia%20de%20veyra) was an early feminist, suffragist and patriot.

Meanwhile, Jin Chow of Hong Kong and Stanford University, submits a tribute to the two  Filipina OFWs who raised her -- Rosita Aguas and Florencia Masbang -- and she admits guilt that she belatedly realized how much these women sacrificed to be able to work for her family. In "Words of Gratitude from an 'Alaga,'" her thankfulness shines through.

If you've been to Manila recently, I'm sure you've heard about the current rage: Salted Egg-Flavored Potato Chips. Since it's not yet available in the US, our culinary expert Elizabeth Ann Quirino shares her own recipe for the delicacy. 

Our In The Know links for this week:

How the Philippines’ Coral Heart Keeps Beating
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/proof/2017/11/tubbataha-coral-reef-philippines-unesco-world-heritage-site-sulu-sea/

The Former Army Navy Club Is Now The Rizal Park Hotel
https://www.realliving.com.ph/tips-and-guides/the-former-army-navy-club-is-now-the-rizal-park-hotel-a247-20170825-lfrm2

Tribes, Treks and Life Stories with Indigenous Aetas in the Philippines
https://www.nastasha.ca/2017/11/20/tribes-treks-and-life-stories-with-indigenous-aetas-in-the-philippines/

New York Times sues Filipina journalist for false representation
https://www.rappler.com/nation/188650-new-york-times-filipina-journalist-misrepresentation

For our Video of the Week, the US Signal Corps produced a documentary narrated by US Marine Corps Captain David Griffin about the war crimes in Manila during World War II. The film also features General Carlos P. Romulo in the introduction.

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The Philippine American Press Club USA's 2017 Plaridel Awards (Photo by Raymond Virata)

We'd also like to give a big thanks to our writers for winning big at the PAPC-USA Plaridel Awards, which was held last month at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco.

Plaridel Awards

Elizabeth Ann Quirino - 2 Plaridel Awards
Best Profile Writing: "Watch Out World: Tanya Maynigo Louks, Creator of Healthy Craft Kombucha"
Best Food Story: "Food for the Memory"

Gia Mendoza
Plaridel Award for Best Tourism Feature: "Two Side Trips (Cebu and Bohol) and a Wedding"

France Viana
Plaridel Award for Best Entertainment Story: "Her Mission Was In the Cards"

Merit Awards

Manzel Delacruz - 3 Merit Awards
Best International Reporting: "Priest and Physicist"
Best Investigative Reporting: "In The End, Love Wins"
Best Entertainment Story: "Taklub"

Rey de la Cruz
Best Entertainment Story: "Carol Varga: When She's Bad, She's Very Good"

Tragedy and Enchantment

Almost two months have elapsed since the tragedy in Mamasapano, Maguindanao, but the story is still very much alive in the military, the media and especially in the Aquino administration, which continues to suffer in the fallout.

This week we feature guest contributor Randy David, UP professor of sociology and political movements, who explains to us the bigger context of the tragedy: a police operation vs. the peace process that the government is trying to rebuild in Mindanao. Randy is known for his consistently illuminating pieces and this one is no exception.

From tragedy, we switch to enchantment and we have two stories to do just that: Engkanto Falls in Naga City in the Bicol region is where spirits of the supernatural variety dwell, according to legend. Excel V. Dyquiangco takes us there in "Romance of the Falls."

Likewise, our publisher, Mona Lisa Yuchengco, gives us a glimpse of enchanting India as she traveled with her sisters and some friends and encountered Filipinos, among others. "Pinoyspotting: Kababayans in India" continues our Pinoyspotting series, and we'd like to hear from you too about your travels and your encounters.

We continue to celebrate Women's History Month and this time, we'd like to point you back to enchanting women we have featured:

"Travels with My Aunt," by Lyca Benitez-Brown is about the formidable stateswoman and educator, Helena Z. Benitez, who at 100 years old, is still going strong.

"The Thoroughly Modern Sofia de Veyra" by Titchie Carandang-Tiongson introduces us to a little-known but definitely a memorable Filipina who, as wife of the Philippine Resident Commissioner in 1917, astonished and impressed Washington, DC with her intelligence, energy and charm.

"The Untold Story of Sugar Pie DeSanto" by Ben Pimentel is another eye-opener because Sugar Pie is not well known among Filipino Americans but was a big name in the jazz world.

Our Video of the Week transports us to enchanting Paris as bloggers Randy Diaz and Joyce Ibardolaza sample the culinary creations of Chef Aaron Isip of Restaurant Dix-Huit.

Wishing you a life of enchantment.