A Night to Remember

/

As Filipinos and as journalists, we watched with great pride as Maria Ressa accepted the Nobel Peace Prize during the award  ceremony in Oslo last December 10, attended by Norway's royalty no less. Our first Filipino Nobel Laureate did not disappoint. Her speech was eloquent and inspirational, a call to action for truth, trust and protecting democracy.

If you missed the ceremony and her speech, here it is:

For the text of Maria Ressa's Nobel Laureate lecture:

https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2021/ressa/lecture/

Democracy is under siege in some major countries in the world, including the US and yes, the Philippines. In the third part of his illuminating series on the Philippine electoral process, former Comelec chair Andres Bautista states "An informed and engaged citizenry is the foundation of a successful election." He then unpacks why and how this logical idea at this point is easier said than done.

However. There are rays of hope and of joy as veteran writer Alfred "Krip" Yuson reports in his colorful situationer of the mood of the hour in pre-(official) campaign Philippines, where the political situation remains fluid as flood. 

Perhaps we can use a look back at the distant past to understand our people. PF contributor Dorian Merina tells us about Wondery's podcast series that he scripted on the Philippine American War, running now until the end of December.  

And to keep you in the holiday spirit, Toronto-based writer Patria Rivera gives a review of a book on Philippine spirits of the liquid variety. The book is a good resource on Philippine wines and a unique Christmas gift as well. 

Have you planned your Noche Buena yet? Here are some recipes that will surely light up your Christmas table. Cook Again: http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-happy-home-cook-christmas-recipes?rq=christmas

Video of the Week: Larry Ramos of the Association (1942-2014)
Partner Post: UCSF Lung Cancer Research on Asian American Females

In The Know (Standard Edition)

How the rise of electric cars endangers the ‘last frontier’ of the Philippines
https://www.nbcnews.com/specials/rise-of-electric-cars-endangers-last-frontier-philippines/index.html

‘Root of all evil’: Quiboloy church’s demands for money mire followers in debt
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/quiboloy-church-demand-money-mires-kingdom-jesus-christ-followers-debt/?fbclid=IwAR0-WkxPyiskMNmS8gX13r64C_mDCAddzpV79vvai7iRm2OmCaxePfNlrnQ

Andrés Bonifacio and the house at 72 Calle Azcárraga
https://philstarlife.com/news-and-views/938092-andres-bonifacio-house-at-72-calle-azcarraga?fbclid=IwAR0dHLK9z2VGw1eoGUJubBI7t1__vKENPvSS86_mUWTOkS6aGGE44hYYEQA

Meet Mighty Magulang, the geeky Tita proving history and facts can thrive on TikTok

https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/12/05/21/meet-mighty-magulang-tiktoks-favorite-history-geek?fbclid=IwAR0FXTu4cGK7bu-GGBW9jLB1yRF1HK9YYQcpbaCEuZJpgY7dwXLqBxjZNLQ

Today in Philippine History, December 12, 1888, 20 young women of Malolos requested to open a night school for Spanish language
https://kahimyang.com/kauswagan/articles/812/today-in-philippine-history-december-12-1888-20-young-women-of-malolos-requested-to-open-a-night-school-for-spanish-language

IN PHOTOS: After more than two years of renovation, Ayala Museum reopens with a new look
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/12/03/21/in-photos-the-new-look-of-ayala-museum?fbclid=IwAR34qa319Ny-tDIp9-IehvnlRCKOVwJ2AfHp6OKlsv9zU1J4h7deRORw27k
/ /
, , , , , , , , ,
Share

Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Polls Expectations

/

Elections in the Philippines is blood sport, as many who have lived through several of them can attest. In hotly contested positions where money flows and the threat of violence from goons and guns is a real possibility, the common street belief is that the one who wins in the voting may not be the one who wins in the counting. 

As the May 2022 nationwide elections loom large in the consciousness of Filipinos even at this early stage, we asked former Commission on Elections (COMELEC) chair Andy Bautista to give us the skinny on the electoral process and what citizens can do (if anything) to ensure a clean and fair election. The first of his series of articles begins this week with "Substituting Democracy."

The last of our Living Legends series drops this week with part 3 featuring some pretty impressive Fil-Ams as community leaders, military officials, media practitioners and medical doctors. 

The highest ranking Fil-Am in the Los Angeles Police Department, Commander Donald Graham tells PF Correspondent Anthony Maddela that his policing style and principles draw from his Filipino upbringing by his mother, Amelia.

In the Philippines, you'll know that Christmas is coming soon when you start hearing Jose Mari Chan crooning his Christmas hits on the airwaves, in malls and other public places -- as early as September. The popular singer/songwriter has been associated with the spirit of the season for more than three decades. Read Again Manila-based writer Paulynn Sicam's story on "Jose Mari Chan's Enduring Heart Songs." 

And during this season of giving, please consider donating to Philippine International Aid (PIA), which has been sending thousands of poor children to school for almost four decades now.

Here's one way of cooking a traditional favorite, Pasta Vongole, made easy by Chef Sandy Daza, from his series of cooking demos called Casa Daza. 

If you've ever had any doubt about the plunder charges against the Marcoses, watch this riveting special report circa 1986 by ABS-CBN News hosted by the late broadcaster Angelo Castro Jr. With never-before-seen footages and extensive documentation, this historic video is both illuminating and alarming, in the context of the coming elections.
/ /
, , , , , ,
Share

Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Critical Myth Theory

/

One of the very first books I bought when my children and I immigrated to the US more than 30 years ago is Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen. I knew that they were in for American history from a certain point of view so it was important to prepare for some counter-mythmaking. The book was too complex for my little kids to appreciate at that time but its presence in our bookshelf was a constant and symbolic reminder that stories/lessons (particularly historical ones) passed on as "facts" should be examined before they are believed. 

I just reread Loewen's chapter on "The Truth About the First Thanksgiving" because, well, it's Thanksgiving. This "feel-good" holiday is not as pure and innocent (and celebratory) as has been drummed into American schoolchildren through generations. There was another side to the story and it was dark and diabolical, involving, among other things, the slaughter of Native Americans. This ugly side has been exposed by other historians, not just Loewen. 

Historical myth-making or revisionism is not limited to long-ago events; some evil souls are even trying to rewrite contemporary history -- events that many still living can easily remember and expose as lies. (I'm looking at you, martial-law-as-golden-age liars.)

"The antidote to feel-good history is not feel-bad history but honest and inclusive history," Loewen says. It means "...allowing students to learn both the 'good' and the 'bad' side...." 

It is in this same spirit that we encourage you to read "The Conservation President's Troubling Legacy," our lead story this week about President Theodore Roosevelt whose monumental legacy is the protection of millions of acres of land that we visit and appreciate to this day. Roosevelt, however, was also a hard-core imperialist who considered Filipinos as an inferior specie. First-time PF contributor Mikko Jimenez, a conservation biologist and academic, de-mystifies the 26th US president.

There's nothing mystifying about our Living Legends series which hails the very real achievements of some Filipino Americans. Part 2 of Mona Lisa Yuchengco's compilation features Historians and Archivists, the Academe and the Arts. 

Sisig, that crispy, savory pork sensation that has surpassed adobo and lumpia as the Filipino dish of choice, has an interesting -- and accidental -- beginning, as chef and food historian Claude Tayag relates. And to top his delectable story, Claude is sharing his own recipe for this Pampangueño delicacy, for the Happy Home Cook.

Our Video of the Week is a short video documentary on the disappearing art of making Asin Tibuok in Bohol, one of the rarest salt in the world.

Read Again:

We commemorate the 147th birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio on November 30:
http://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/andres-bonifacio-the-other-national-hero
/ /
, , , , , , , , , , , ,
Share

Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino