Memories and Consciousness

President Manuel L. Quezon's Open Door policy that welcomed Jews fleeing from the Holocaust to the Philippines has been hailed as a humanitarian achievement. One of the beneficiaries of the Open Door was the Cassel family, who later established the Berg's Department Store that became an institution in Escolta. Recently, a Cassel daughter, Margot Cassel Pins Kestenbaum, who was just 7 years old when her family arrived in Manila, visited Philippine Women's University (PWU) where she went to school, and shared her memories of the city that welcomed them. Lyca Benitez Brown, a top PWU official, tells us about the nostalgic homecoming in "Memories of Refuge in Manila." 

A compelling story of gender transitioning is told in this first person article, "Gender: The Paradox of Passing" by UC Berkeley student Robin Cid Calleja. 

The life and loves of a revolutionary -- that's the big story in the late Rolando Peña's unique memoir, Crossings. University of Hawaii professor Patricio Abinales reviews in "A Red and Expert Renaissance Man."

Here are links to stories from other publications that might catch your fancy:

US health care needs its Filipino nurses, so why is the system stacked against them?https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/long-reads/article/3048163/us-health-care-needs-its-filipino-nurses-so-why?fbclid=IwAR36LPp0_26pOh4UwRXd95J8louaRJMOov7M0I4OAQhQ38qIuldKRoO8CFE

Did You Know That These Places Around the World Were Named After Filipinos?https://esquiremag.ph/life/travel/places-named-after-filipin-a2281-20190513-src-spot-lfrm2?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Ownshare&utm_campaign=20200208-fbnp-life-places-named-after-filipin-a2281-20190513-src-spot-lfrm2-fbold&fbclid=IwAR1oTLwVDGqmWyn4XlY4Imwym2A4OGzCCOb5HDzLWRNNI2sp1MVNWEcljyI

Exclusive: 'Shock and awe' has failed in Philippines drug war, enforcement chief says
https://news.yahoo.com/exclusive-shock-awe-failed-philippines-055724232.html

Manny Jacinto to star alongside Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick
https://www.msn.com/en-ph/entertainment/celebrity/manny-jacinto-to-star-alongside-tom-cruise-in-top-gun-maverick/ar-AAHSkLi?li=BBr8zL6&fbclid=IwAR1pa1zh8hO6pTrikxwOQ6ozMH1Y0_6UU1SAeingAT9q00B6zw0mp2XJwq0

Elizabeth Ann Quirino shares her Chocolate Bark Crackers with Salted Caramel recipe for Valentine’s Day.

For our video of the week, dual voice singer Marcelito Pomoy takes “America’s Got Talent: The Champions” by storm.

A Tireless Crusader and Enchanted Tales

Ambassador Howard Dee, 2018 Ramon Magsaysay Awardee, is one of an increasingly rare breed of man whose life work is focused on seeking social justice and socio-political peace. Contributing writer M.H. Hizon profiles this outstanding Filipino in "The Many Crusades of Howard Dee."

A timely piece for this week of myths and superstitions is Sylvia Mayuga's review of Bicolano anthropologist Tito Valiente's newly released book, The Last Sacristan Mayor and The Most Expensive Mass for the Dead: Tales of Ticao. Ticao is in Masbate, the author's birthplace, where tales of enchantment abound.

In Fatima, the town of many Filipino pilgrimages, traveler Isabel Lovina got the surprise of her life when her group of pilgrims were billeted in Pinoy House Fatima, owned by Ritchiel from Hinigaran, Negros Occidental, and her Portuguese husband. Take note for when you do your own Marian pilgrimage.

The compleat actress Nora Aunor was once again bypassed for the National Artist award this year (the first time was during the term of President Noynoy Aquino), a move that has incensed her legions of fans worldwide. Read Again film critic Mauro Feria Tumbucon Jr.'s "The Timeless Nora Aunor" and you'll understand why. 

And in keeping with the season, here's another Read Again: Alex G. Paman's "The Vanishing Hitchhiker, the White Lady and Hauntings Across the Seas."

Our In The Know links this week:

'Only for white people': Filipino family endures racist rant in New Zealand
https://news.abs-cbn.com/trending/10/29/18/only-for-white-people-filipino-family-endures-racist-rant-in-new-zealand?fbclid=IwAR0Wz1JnXMUbyQ_mpY0QMvxohTJfAcQovOgGj8kTCTooG6CHizQw7lszL0s

Filipino domestic workers in Hong Kong facing more expenses as new law forces them to make social security contributions back home
https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/2169478/filipino-domestic-workers-hong-kong-facing-more-expenses-new?fbclid=IwAR2rPgZz74bQv6saW34zIib84vaq_Xe7Xx04JtScmUR3SkTf4ZRekuxt_ew

How Wealthy Was the Rizal Family?
https://www.townandcountry.ph/people/heritage/rizal-family-net-worth-a1957-20181020-lfrm?utm_source=Facebook-Esquire&utm_medium=Siteshare&utm_campaign=20181023-rizal&fbclid=IwAR3zIVtafDi6Jxnay6i3WUIMMQVPkrRZQYQSpA0-YvROfrrFxFFE1kj-mdE

Jay Ledford’s Journey as a Filipino American Transgender Ballerina
http://www.manilamail.us/?p=6844&fbclid=IwAR0QuYZiwVWx_6oR2rMYmSaxqtcL57NWQapXZQMazxKqBR22GbbtTcnOUIM

15 Essential Filipino Restaurants in the Bay Area
https://sf.eater.com/maps/best-filipino-restaurants-food-san-francisco-bay-area-daly-city-east-bay-oakland

Our Happy Home Cook recipe, Pork Kilawin from our resident foodie Elizabeth Ann Quirino.

For our video of week, San Diego's ABC 10 News featured a story on the awarding of Congressional Gold Medals on Filipino World War II veterans at the Jacobs Center.