Women Today

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Today is International Women's Day, a yearly event that celebrates the contribution of women to society in various fields. The day also puts in focus the continuing fight for gender equality.

Philippine law likewise officially marks March 8 as National Women's Day, with the same goal of putting a spotlight on the achievements of Filipino women in all fields including science, technology, medicine, education, politics, literature and the arts, and various aspects of nation-building.

One arena that used to exclude -- but has since been breached -- by women is sports writing. Just over 40 years ago, there were only three Filipino women journalists who covered sports and one of them is Tessa Jazmines, a professor of communications at the University of the Philippines, whose spunk and love for basketball enabled her to break the gender barrier in covering sports events. 

Filipino women of course have long dominated the culinary arts although gender equality has leveled the field just within the last few decades (definitely a welcome development). Young, innovative chefs are giving traditional Filipino recipes new life. One of them is Abi Balingit (profiled here by PF contributing writer Claire Mercado Obias) whose recently published cookbook puts an interesting twist to Filipino desserts. 

We are also reposting two stories from our archives of brave Filipinas who found themselves in unusual circumstances and emerged triumphant.

Community organizer and Manila-based contributor Rochit Tañedo shares the story of Marlinda, a Lumad, unfazed by pregnancy, weather and political danger as she joined a Mindanao-to-Manila march to protest human rights violations in their indigenous communities. http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/birthing-in-the-time-of-el-nio-marlindas-story

Our publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco wrote about how Filipinas saved a small town in Japan from natural extinction. http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/how-filipinas-saved-a-town-in-japan 

Read more stories about Filipino women in our In The Know links below.

A treat for dessert and coffee lovers and the Happy Home Cook: Abi Balingit shares her creative concoction: Sago't Gulaman Iced Coffee.

Our Video of the Week features the inimitable Apl.de.Ap, one Fil-Am we can all be proud of.

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Staff

Millennials Rising

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Let's hear it from millennials!

Ateneo medical student Pia Guballa reflects on the inequities of status and gender privilege in the obstetrics ward on her last day of rotation. "Healer, Lick Thy Wounds" is not only insightful of the harsh realities in women's health, it also reveals a compassionate human being who is cut out to be a future doctor of conscience. May her tribe increase. 

Another good one from an Ateneo student, we're sharing this essay by the valedictorian of Class 2019 and outgoing president of the Ateneo student council, Reycel Hyacenth Bendaña, whose proletarian roots (she is the daughter of a jeepney driver) makes her immensely qualified to call for, not just a more generous Ateneo but, more importantly, a more generous country. We are reposting her essay from the Ateneo University web site so we take it that the institution is officially listening. We hope its alumni are as well. ("Prayer for Generosity")

From Stockton, California, Jaelyn Galasinao Sanidad, a third-generation Filipino American, talks about how it is to survive in what was once ground zero of the Filipino manong community and the strong sense of kinship this shared history has encouraged in succeeding generations like hers. Jaelyn is part of the forthcoming (June 22) annual cultural showcase, this year titled "Dawn." (Read "Little Manila at the Break of Dawn")

Today we celebrate the 121st anniversary of Philippine Independence. Here's a valuable Read Again to put the significance of the day in perspective: "Why June 12 is Different From Other Days" by John L. Silva 

On June 16, it will be Father's Day so here's another Read Again: "A Day in the Life of a Single Dad" 

And here's a fitting tribute to the great Filipino actor, Eddie Garcia, who is currently fighting for his life after a freak accident during shooting: Marra PL. Lanot's "What Makes Eddie Run?"

Our In The Know links to articles from other publications: 

Considering History and Narratives as Spain and the Philippines Approach 500th Anniversary
https://thediplomat.com/2019/05/considering-history-and-narratives-as-spain-and-the-philippines-approach-500th-anniversary/?fbclid=IwAR1CTAoFdm_QxQ1Z7ia4t3AmjELTVkT5ik8QZUZllnWfZjpuXw7Btw6pBxg

Not just a joke: The social cost of Duterte's rape remarks
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/in-depth/211438-duterte-rape-remarks-social-cost-not-just-jokes?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&fbclid=IwAR2IMv32rjbSAuB9R_bkTd_TWVUEtV4PZbGLVq8j0JwDLvIscs2MOOHP3D4#Echobox=1558856702

Netflix, Forest Whitaker Team On Adaptation Of Newbery-Winning Novel ‘Hello, Universe’
https://deadline.com/2019/05/hello-universe-movie-netflix-erin-entrada-kelly-forest-whitaker-1202620474/?fbclid=IwAR33xS_-GIcj8JKEf3UtCgPrNiPPFB_FAvsmcWmv8ojAxH7T1gffoKNk0cY

Ulam:Main Dish' celebrates Filipino cuisine
https://www.ncronline.org/news/media/ulammain-dish-celebrates-filipino-cuisine?clickSource=email

For the Happy Home Cook this week, we are re-posting Chef Marvin Gapultos' suggested dishes for your own Independence Day celebration.

For Video of the Week, we feature McDonald’s Philippines Father’s Day commercial.