For Kids' Sake

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Giving up a successful business to engage fulltime in volunteer civic action is a giant step for anyone. That's what Vicky Vergara Wieneke did when she set up Kabisig ng Kalahi, a non-governmental organization (NGO) that started as a feeding program for malnourished children in Batangas and has since expanded as a full-fledged nutrition and livelihood program in various provinces. Kabisig's projects has the support of both the Philippine government and private corporations. PF contributing writer Gia R. Mendoza gives a first-hand report on Kabisig and her sorority sister, Vicky VW.

Collecting trading cards of sports heroes is arguably a rite of passage of young people interested in sports. But for FilAm collector Mark John Sanchez, who teaches Asian American Studies at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, trading cards of 20th century Filipino and FilAm sports personalities are a valuable source of history and nostalgia. He gives us a glimpse of his collection and the historical information it provides.

If you're searching for a meaningful book for children in the first- to fourth grade, here's a highly recommended one: Philip Vera Cruz by Karen Su, a fitting introduction to the Filipino working class hero who was a leading light in the US labor movement.

What Month Is It? It's Fil-Am History Month

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We begin this significant month of October by putting together an updated timeline of Filipino American history. Through the years, there have been several compilations of significant Fil-Am historical events by various groups and publications, updated regularly as time marches on. Positively Filipino's update is the most comprehensive yet because we have included items that are not listed in previous timelines. To achieve this, we consulted with a number of community leaders, such as Jon Melegrito, Dan Gonzales and Juanita Tamayo Lott; and pored over books, online sources and other timeline versions to cull out and consolidate data. We hope "Positively Filipino's Fil-Am History Timeline" will be useful to everyone with an interest in our community's history in the United States.

While we tried our best to make this timeline as complete as possible, we know that it isn't perfect. If you have any item additions or corrections, please send documentation to PFpublisher@yahoo.com. Let’s all work together to make our stories as accurate and complete as possible. And if you want to share a copy, please make sure you credit Positively Filipino.

Another October special we have is the list and bios of pioneers in various fields who are no longer with us but who have paved the way so our Fil-Am community can flourish and claim our stake in the American social tapestry. Part 1 of "We Stand On Their Shoulders" focuses on labor leaders who fought for workers' rights and authors who chronicled the Fil-Am experience. We will be posting tributes every Wednesday this month so watch out for it. 

Our Video of the Week is an eye-opening mini documentary on "The Battles During the Filipino American War (1899-1901)" which shows some rare war photographs.

And for the Happy Home Cook, you remember our childhood favorite, Choc-Nut? Here's Nina Daza-Puyat's Choc-nut Brownies with Peanut Glaze, sure to trigger some nostalgia. In the US, Choc-Nut packs are available at Seafood City.

In The Know

PROFILES: Filipino tycoons, government officials in Pandora Papers leak
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/investigative/filipinos-tycoons-government-officials-mentioned-pandora-papers-icij?fbclid=IwAR3NV5v7Big_LoLOieM2C70rcmJwBbd4Y3HM8dofQVDDUGXDDwdYbWw07eI

BREAKDOWN: P174B recovered from Marcos loot, P125B more to get 
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/breakdown-billions-recovered-marcos-ill-gotten-wealth-by-pcgg-more-to-get?mc_cid=c68c979509&mc_eid=5b1f08a2af

Philippine 'Angels of the Sea' use their voices to repel Chinese ships
https://news.yahoo.com/philippine-angels-sea-voices-repel-153650391.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=ma

UP Visayas won’t ditch ‘subversive’ materials
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1494350/up-visayas-wont-ditch-subversive-materials?fbclid=IwAR3irW6Vi2kJn3c0GAU5Di2Gjp20lgAenwLUVCNijr3D4MKqLHtASY8fXac#ixzz786VBNqgF

This safari-style home in Pampanga looks like a movie set with Hollywood pedigree
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/culture/spotlight/01/20/19/this-pampanga-home-is-a-magnum-opus-of-hollywood-movie-set-proportions?fbclid=IwAR1ZT2OLL0m02yEtXAYJEvU-HMJM6E7M2VrIHBU_ZmUczbULGPeivww3RWM

Throwback to 1975: What it was like watching “Thrilla in Manila” at the Araneta Coliseum
https://news.abs-cbn.com/ancx/drive/sports/10/01/18/thrilla-in-manila

Omo, This Pinay Based In South Korea Has Appeared In More Than 50 K-Dramas!
https://www.cosmo.ph/entertainment/pinay-actress-noreen-joyce-south-korea-a4575-20210126-lfrm?utm_source=Facebook-Sparkling&utm_medium=Siteshare&utm_campaign=20210926-pinay-actress-noreen-joyce-south-korea&fbclid=IwAR1t0Vg63I2O3EB1GDt6OhPom6dvSQucjz36iQzVz76HiPO3S7GtHteLmZM

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino

Some True Heroes and a Fake One

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To our Muslim friends, we wish you all a joyous and meaningful celebration of Eid al-Adha.

Fifty one years ago, on September 8, 1965, the historic Delano Grape Strike began when Filipino farm workers led by Larry Itliong, Philip Vera Cruz, Benjamin Gines and Pete Velasco walked out of their jobs to demand fair wages for all. The strike, which lasted five years, led to the founding of the United Farm Workers of America and turned Cesar Chavez, who had been reluctant to join, into a national icon. Not much credit was given to the brave Filipinos who initiated the strike. Our Video of the Week is a documentary that honors them, the "Forgotten Filipino American Heroes," and gives us a history lesson we shouldn't forget.

Taking up the legacy of Filipino labor leaders, first-time contributor Amihan David, writes about Filipino American Luisa Blue, the highest ranking Asian American official of the giant Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Another community icon that shouldn't be forgotten, Bob Santos of Seattle passed away recently, and his friend Peter Jamero writes a loving and informative piece on his fellow "Young Turk" of the bridge generation (children of Filipino immigrants of the early- to mid-1900s). Uncle Bob's role in strengthening the Filipino American community in Seattle is a legacy that must be honored.

From the other side of the pond, the dark legacy of Ferdinand Marcos is getting quite an airing as Filipinos debate the issue of whether he deserves to be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Sociologist/columnist Randy David puts context to the debate in "Two Awakenings and a Funeral."

Our publisher, Mona Lisa Yuchengco, likewise weighs in on current events with her random notes on politics and aging.

On a lighter but no less impressive side, two Filipinas -- Jeraldine Mendoza and Christine Rocas -- are heating up Chicago's Joffrey Ballet company. Regular contributor Serina Aidasani profiles the two in "Of Grace and Grit: Two Filipinas Bring Ballet Front and Center on the Global Stage."

And for our Happy Home Cook feature, how about a vegan sans rival? Yes, it's real and Carissa Leventis-Cox shares her recipe for our culinary pleasure.

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Gemma Nemenzo

Editor, Positively Filipino