Women Making History

A fitting beginning to Positively Filipino's March Women's History Month celebration is this week's collection of stories:

• A tribute to Florence Finch, born of a Filipina mother and an American father, a WWII heroine, the first female recipient of the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal for her crucial work as a clandestine operative for the Japanese resistance (for which she was imprisoned and tortured by the Japanese forces), a 1947 Medal of Freedom awardee, and a US Coast Guard (USCG) officer thereafter. In October 2024, the USCG accorded Finch (who died in 2016 at 101 years old) the singular honor of naming its 57th Fast Response Cutter after her. PF contributing writer Marissa Bañez, a lawyer and children's book author, wrote the story. 

• An introduction to a woman named Clang (Garcia), a food and travel writer/TV host and author whose book, Philippine Food Holidays (2023), won the 29th Gourmand Awards for “Best Food Tourism Book in the World.” PF Correspondent Rey de la Cruz profiles. The story includes a recipe for Tinola Nga Isda.

• Books by Filipina authors that go beyond the usual literary and historical genres spark interest and creativity, as compiled by PF Contributing Writer Claire Mercado-Obias. If you're into calligraphy, mid-century modern home design and mindfulness coloring, this list is for you. 

• Our Video of the Week focuses on Nobel Laureate and veteran FilAm journalist Maria Ressa as she weighs in on the uncanny parallelism of current US news and the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte (2016-2022). She speaks to PBS' NewsHour host Amna Nawaz. 

• And finally, our previously posted stories celebrating outstanding Filipino women.

[Read Again]

Clemencia Lopez, Independista by Lyca Benitez-Brown 

Why Women Rule Pampanga by Robby Tantingco

Pinky Valdes’ Winding Road to Healing by Mona Lisa Yuchengco

Fil-Am Mayor Makes History in Daly City by Cherie M. Querol Moreno

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In The Know

People Power in the Philippines: How the Bay Area helped fuel a revolution nearly 40 years ago
https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/03/04/bay-area-filipino-people-power-revolution/

San Francisco’s Filipino Food Legacy Is Over a Century-Old—and Still Evolving

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/san-franciscos-filipino-food-legacy-is-over-a-century-old-and-still-evolving?

[Ilonggo Notes] The Creative City of Gastronomy, one year on

https://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/arts-culture/ilonggo-notes-creative-city-gastronomy-one-year/?

'So much flavor': Drew Barrymore raves about arroz caldo

https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/2/28/-so-much-flavor-drew-barrymore-raves-about-arroz-caldo-1730?

My father is a president!

https://www.facebook.com/AlternativeMediaPH/posts/321168263482655

Jaclyn Jose included in 2025 Academy Awards' 'In Memoriam' section

https://philstarlife.com/celebrity/528156-jaclyn-jose-2025-academy-awards-in-memoriam?

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A Time for People Power

Thirty-nine years ago this week, Filipinos celebrated the end of the first Marcos regime after a three-day revolt that has since been immortalized as the EDSA People Power peaceful revolution of 1986.  [Read Again below our account of this historic event.]

It wasn't the first time -- nor the last -- that the world saw a nonviolent turnover of power. In 1974, Portugal had its Carnation Revolution, which, like the Philippines, was triggered by a military coup and supported by massive civilian resistance. No shots were fired. Like the Philippines too, it resulted in the fall of the 40-year Portuguese dictatorship, then the longest lasting in Europe.

From August 19, 1989 to October 3, 1990, the Peaceful Revolution took place in Germany which led to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of the country.

In November 1989, the country then known as Czechoslovakia staged its peaceful Velvet Revolution (aka Gentle Revolution), precipitated by student protesters, and resulted in the toppling of the Czechoslovak communist government. 

Since history has a habit of repeating itself, it would be interesting to see how unpopular, abusive governments will fare once the wrath of citizens spill over and blow up.

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Public libraries are important assets that offer free and accessible information resources to the communities they serve. In places with large FilAm populations, many public libraries offer extensive Filipiniana collections, as reported by PF contributing writer Marissa Bañez, but unfortunately don't get much use because community members don't take advantage of these resources. Read "Public Libraries Need Fil-Am Love" and take note of the list of libraries that have permanent collections celebrating us.

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Winter 2025 is ending. Time to make travel plans. How about visiting Morocco, a not very common destination for Filipinos yet offer some exotic experiences that can't be had elsewhere. PF contributing writer Michael Gonzalez provides us a history lesson and an exciting travelogue in "Sahara's Sands of Time."

And if you ever find yourself in distant Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean, know that there are about 500 Filipinos there who can serve up some interesting food and stories, as PF Correspondent Rey de la Cruz discovers. 

*****

Read Again:

77 Hours: The Behind-the-Scenes at the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution
By Gemma Nemenzo

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In The Know

Post-Election Surge in Hate
https://stopaapihate.org/2025/02/20/post-election-surge-in-hate/?

Students keep ‘Edsa’ alive
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2038022/students-keep-edsa-alive/amp?

‘It’s really a miracle,’ says Filipino priest who survived Toronto plane crash
https://manilastandard.net/news/314559858/its-really-a-miracle-says-filipino-priest-who-survived-toronto-plane-crash.html

She got a tip about four human brains stored at the Smithsonian. The investigation revealed so much more.
https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2025/smithsonian-racial-brain-collection-washington-post-poynter-prize/

DoubleDragon’s Hotel101 Global listing at Nasdaq
https://www.philstar.com/business/2025/02/06/2419454/doubledragons-hotel101-global-listing-nasdaq

Financial Adviser: 5 Business Lessons Everyone Can Learn from Margarita Fóres, Founder and CEO of CIBO
https://www.esquiremag.ph/money/industry/margarita-fores-business-lessons-

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Tradition!

Some folkways endure, even ones that may not be universally endearing. Cockfights is not to everyone’s taste, so being a breeder of gamebirds instead of betting on them is a better way of earning cash, as top breeder Hernani Jimenez or Nani proves (A Breeder, Not a Gambler Be, by Bella Bonner). 

Culinary folkways, however, are sure winners. The more obscure, the more tantalizing. Take linagpang or “grilled soup” as intriguing as fried ice cream. Francis Dave Lacson Selorio, a 2021 Doreen G. Fernandez Food Writing Awardee, savors memories of the soup’s grilled fish rendition (Linagpang: A Grilled Soup)

Perhaps one of the most treasured of Filipino manners is the warm solidarity Filipinos show to compatriots they bump into abroad. Ronald Salazar from New Zealand shares how Filipino crew members graced them with extra hospitality aboard the cruise ship Costa Smeralda (Cruising to Six Ports in Three Countries and Still Feeling Quite at Home).

Enjoy.

[Video of the Week] Reuniting With Mama — After 31 Years Apart

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In The Know

Tandang Sora Women’s Museum
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsyR5hmjnac

Queens doctor convicted in $24M medicare fraud scheme
https://asamnews.com/2025/02/16/queens-doctor-medicare-fraud/

Fil-Am deputy mayor resigns amid corruption charges against NYC mayor
https://usa.inquirer.net/166658/fil-am-deputy-mayor-resigns-amid-corruption-charges-against-nyc-mayor?

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