For a bare-bones operation like Positively Filipino, contributing writers are the oxygen of our existence. There are over a hundred of them listed on our website. Some are friends and former colleagues, but a large number started out as total strangers who reached out to ask if they could write for PF.

Take Dr. Patricio Abinales, a friend of ours from our alma mater, who is now with the University of Hawaii in Manoa. Jojo is one of our regulars, willing to take on assignments, eager to write reviews of books dealing with Philippine politics (among others). In this issue, he looks at a newly launched book, Unrequited Love: Duterte's China Embrace, by ace journalists Marites D. Vitug and Camille Elemia.

Gary Ferrington, a retired University of Oregon professor, is one of those who wrote to us out of the blue, asking if we were interested in profiles of three young, relatively unknown Filipino singers. Gary is a writer for Oregon ArtsWatch and identifies himself as an advocate for emerging artists. We have published two of his articles (on Francis Greg and Bugoy Drilon) and we have his third -- and final -- contribution this week, on a gifted Cebuano cover singer, Anthony Uy.

Odette Foronda, based in Toronto, is a world traveler and adventurer, who regularly contributes enticing travel essays that include her stunning photographs. Here she focuses on her adventure in Siargao in Surigao, one of the Philippines' most visited destinations for water sports.

With these three and the more than 100 other contributing writers, Positively Filipino survives and thrives as a chronicler of the Filipino diaspora, and a valuable repository of some of the best journalism pieces ever written.

We are ever so grateful.

Stories This Week

China And Duterte: ‘Who’s Your Daddy?’ by Patricio Abinales

Fil-Ams Among The Remarkable And Famous, Part 59 by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Anthony Uy: A Musical Journey Rooted In Family And Faith by Gary Ferrington

Why Did The Chickens Go To Siargao? by Odette Foronda

[Video of the Week] Sylvia La Torre, Diomedes Maturan and Bobby Gonzales

In The Know

Jollibee named best fast food fried chicken by USA Today
https://asamnews.com/2024/07/18/jollibee-chickenjoy-ranked-number-1-in-united-states-usa-today-editors/

Filipino workers have among worst work-life balance – report
https://www.rappler.com/philippines/score-global-life-work-balance-index-2024/

15 Vintage Photos of Manila During the 1950s That Show What Life Was Like Back Then
https://www.esquiremag.ph/culture/lifestyle/manila-1950s-photos-

How The Acolyte’s Manny Jacinto Brought Sexy Back to Star Wars
https://www.gq.com/story/manny-jacinto-the-acolyte-finale-interview?

Who Was Benson Flores, the First Filipino in Canada?
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/benson-flores-the-first-filipino-in-canada-

Anti-Asian Hate Watch

Former Bentonville fire captain pleads guilty to assaulting Asian man
https://www.nwahomepage.com/news/former-bentonville-fire-captain-pleads-guilty-to-assaulting-asian-man/

Rash of vandalism at Muslim Center raises fear of hate crime
https://asamnews.com/2024/07/18/tibayan-center-st-anthony-targeted-for-vandalism-minnesota/

Seattle interim police chief fires officer who made ‘vile’ comments
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/law-justice/seattle-interim-police-chief-fires-officer-who-made-vile-comments/

Funding provided by the State of California.

The holidays are coming up fast and we know this is a busy and stressful (though joyful) time, so we'll just keep this short.

Everyone needs to take time for a break so we hope Positively Filipino will provide you some relaxation as you take a breather from the many tasks you have before you.

In this issue, a San Francisco Bay Area dance troupe brings some Filipino culture to the World Folklore Festival in Cannes, France.

A worthy gift for the young readers and literature lovers in your life: the third volume of Growing Up Filipino, a collection of short stories from writers of the diaspora.

And for the home cooks gearing up for a Filipino holiday cookfest, a bit of history behind a staple in a Filipino kitchen -- Rufina Patis.

If you're hungry for some food nostalgia or are in need of some ideas for your holiday feast, Read Again our features on two distinctive cuisines, both written by culinary expert Micky Fenix. The first on Ilocano food, the second about Batangas dishes.

Soup Tales And Big Breakfasts

Straightforward, Simple Batangas Cuisine

Not exactly for the health nut but a delicious, occasional treat (and what better time than the cold December holidays): Cook Again the favorite Ilocano dish, Igado: The Happy Home Cook: Igado — Positively Filipino | Online Magazine for Filipinos in the Diaspora

We end with a celebration of an extraordinary life, that of the Ultimate Entertainer, the Queen of Kundiman, the lovable Ibyang of TV sit-com fame, Sylvia La Torre who passed away last week at the age of 89. Our Video of the Week (in Filipino) pays tribute to her talent and her unmatched legacy in Philippine entertainment history.