The Merry Month of May

/

May, as those who grew up in the Philippines knows, is the month of fiestas, when feast days of saints are celebrated more extravagantly because it's summer and the fruits and other seasonal produce are in abundance (among other reasons). The most high profile among these fiestas happens on May 15, the feast day of San Isidro, the patron saints of farmers. Since the Philippines is still highly agricultural, San Isidro is revered in many towns all over the islands. The more famous festivals that draw a lot of tourists are the Pahiyas of Lucban, Quezon, and the Carabao parade of Pulilan, Bulacan where kneeling carabaos -- the beast of burden of farmers -- are the main attraction.

Here in the US, the big event, in addition to the month-long AANHPI Heritage celebration, is Mother's Day (May 14 this year), a de facto "holiday of obligation" for everyone who still has mothers, are mothers themselves, or function as mothers (single dads, for example). 

The spirit of celebration and commemoration is something we always try to capture in our story lineup. This week, we have a loving tribute by a son (who happens to be one of the most respected writers in our homeland) to his 95-year-old mother, a review of a children's book that recollects sari-sari stores in the summer (which includes a recipe for the Happy Home Cook), and a remembrance of one of the greatest writers our motherland has produced -- Nick Joaquin aka Quijano de Manila, who would have been 107 years old this month. 

Summer also means travel, and we continue to collect travel stories, one of which is in this issue: a riverboat journey through the Amazon River.

If you haven't yet, tell us your most memorable travel story. Send to submissions@positivelyfilipino.com and don't forget to include pictures.

/ /

Staff