More Dispatches from the Diaspora

Filipinos are all over the world, we know, but it's still a pleasant surprise to find out that in such exotic places like Tbilisi, Georgia (once a country within the USSR), there is a nondescript Filipino restaurant called Little Manila Grill and Restaurant that serves comfort food to visiting OFWs mostly from Mideast countries. Quite a brave entrepreneurial move in a country that only has 25 Filipino households, but owner Nante Marilag and chef Don Palmero, OFWs themselves, were willing to take the risk, if only to provide kababayans based in pork-banning countries with their fave pork dishes. Intrepid PF contributor Jennifer Fergesen smokes out this little-known Tbilisi restaurant in "Surprise! A Filipino Table in Tbilisi."

From Don Palmero, chef of Little Manila Grill and Restaurant, comes our Happy Home Cook recipe this week for Lemon Peel Papaitan. 

In New York, the Ma-Yi Theater company celebrates its pearl anniversary (30 years) by staging "the first musical created by Filipino Americans to open Off Broadway.” Author and theater expert Walter Ang relates the evolution of this innovative troupe in "Ma-Yi Theater: A Pearl in the Big Apple."

Speaking of OFWs, a book called A Good Provider Is One Who Leaves by New York Times reporter Jason DeParle documents the very complicated journeys of a Filipino OFW family over a 30-year period. Perhaps the most detailed and up close account of the travails and triumphs of overseas workers, the book is reviewed by first-time PF contributor Lily Chua O'Connor.

ICYMI, here are links to stories that you might find interesting:

Filipino American actor Dante Basco details successes and sacrifices in new memoir
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/filipino-american-actor-dante-basco-details-successes-sacrifices-new-memoir-n1076541?fbclid=IwAR1qltckJmOFetRllH0k7mT1BlytsrXqc5hCckBzUwaW9_JhELPliveYfA8

#MagandangMorenx: How Asia Jackson is igniting a mission to end colorism and challenge Filipino beauty standards
https://www.asianjournal.com/magazines/mdwk-magazine/magandangmorenx-how-asia-jackson-is-igniting-a-mission-to-end-colorism-and-challenge-filipino-beauty-standards/ 

Arnis: The Philippines' National Sport and Martial Art
https://theculturetrip.com/asia/philippines/articles/arnis-the-philippines-national-sport-and-martial-art/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=share&_branch_match_id=719483218834507064&fbclid=IwAR24e5Q1rest9nQWpXQPiFzxBuAq_ROfGwB6clH-BH2a6VgL_GxPfe

The Mysterious Curse of the Manila Film Center
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/manila-film-center-haunted-a1729-20191107-lfrm2?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=201911107-fbnp-long-reads-manila-film-center-haunted-a1729-20191107-lfrm2-fbfirst&fbclid=IwAR1QpRE4Hf-PuFu5QxrrBstyqu01kRvIO0TcTv8y6bX-NyVmrcm2_Gt4Mb8

For Video of the Week, National Graphic presents “The Nightcrawlers,” a documentary on the ongoing drug war in the Philippines.

Fil-Ams and the Political Arena

As many US states hold its election primaries this week, it's timely to look into the presence of Filipino Americans in the election process. University of San Francisco history major Amarjot Aulakh focuses on the issue and writes that indeed, the Filipino voice is rising in American politics.

One proof of this is the emergence of FilAms seeking public office, such as Cristina Osmeña, who has decided to throw her hat as a Republican in a congressional race long held by a well-regarded Democrat.

Across the ocean, UK-based writer Joy Watford sends  in a report of the good, courageous work of Fr. Danny Pilario, the parish priest of Payatas in Quezon City where a disturbing number of  EJKs (extra-judicial killings) have taken place. Fr. Danny founded Project SOW (Support for Orphans and Widows).

For more information about what's happening in Filipino communities worldwide, here are our In The Know links for this week:

She Stands Up to Power. Now, She’s Afraid to Go Home.
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/03/world/asia/hurman-rights-philippines.html?smid=fb-nytimes&smtyp=cur

Ruby Ibarra raps, unapologetically, about Filipina experience
https://www.sfchronicle.com/music/article/Ruby-Ibarra-raps-unapologetically-about-12934982.php

In racial conflicts, video becomes a megaphone
https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/In-racial-conflicts-video-becomes-a-megaphone-12946997.php

More than 228,000 pounds of Spam recalled
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/more-228-000-pounds-spam-recalled-n877921?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma

Barbecue season is here so we're sharing our food expert Elizabeth Ann Quirino's personal recipe for Pork Barbecue, a staple of Filipino picnics and house parties everywhere.

And our Video of the Week: meet Nephi Garcia, Designer Daddy.