Election Time in the Philippines: Days of Disquiet

It's election time in the Philippines, thus a period of chaos, uncertainty and disquiet. In Magdalena, a small town in Laguna which doesn't usually appear in people's consciousness, this local election takes on an added stake. A mysterious candidate with no visible ties to the town has inserted himself into its politics and has enabled some questionable deals that will transform some farmlands into sanitary landfills, i.e., garbage dumps. Magdalena's story is an actual case study on what is wrong with Philippine politics, among other things. A Magdalena native, Richard Cavasora, reveals this sordid tale of stinky politics.

The Philippines is known as a welcoming country for those fleeing persecution in others. The UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in fact recognizes nine "waves" of refugees that have found safe haven in our homeland, starting in the 17th century with Japanese Christians until just a few years back with the Rohingya from Myanmar. One of the biggest refugee groups that settled temporarily in the Philippines was the Vietnamese who fled their homeland following the end of the Vietnamese American War in 1975. Fifty years later, in February 2025, a museum documenting the Philippine First Asylum Camp (PFAC) in Puerto Princesa, Palawan was inaugurated. PF contributing writer Dr. Vicente S. Salas, once the chief medical officer of the camp and now a board member of the museum, gives us the story. 

Look, the FIFA World Cup 26 has chosen the official San Francisco Bay Area Host City poster and it’s designed by a FilAm artist, LeRoid David, who bested other artists in the competition. David however isn't a newbie in sports brands design. As our writer Wilfred Galila discloses, David’s impressive portfolio includes designs for all the Bay Area’s pro sports teams.

Who’s afraid of AI? Certainly not FilAm microbiology lab specialist Rochie Cuevas who applies this data analytics technology to her work in the combined public health laboratory of four California counties. Rogelio Constantino Medina profiles this impressive lady scientist.

Getting ready for summer travel? As PF contributing writer and intrepid traveler Odette Foronda cautions, it’s always best to prepare for rain but also to enjoy the glory of getting soaked.

Read Agains:

Mother of All Devotions by Ma. Ceres P. Doyo
Do You Remember Polio? By Alex S. Fabros, Jr.
How Black and Filipino Unity Was Forged in the Pullman Workers Union By Don Villar

[Video of the Week] Sana Naman, Taumbayan

---

In The Know

The story of Paul Palines, the Filipino fighter who stopped the Vancouver festival suspect
https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/5/2/the-story-of-paul-palines-the-filipino-fighter-who-stopped-the-vancouver-festival-suspect-1628

Chef Jessie recalls the blessing of cooking for Pope Francis
https://www.thediarist.ph/chef-jessie-recalls-the-blessing-of-cooking-for-pope-francis/

Maria Ressa warns of authoritarianism in the US: “This is a pivotal moment"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWpedkNHo3E

From Pussycat Dolls Star to Broadway Leading Lady, Nicole Scherzinger Has Nothing Left to Prove
https://people.com/nicole-scherzinger-has-nothing-left-to-prove-broadway-sunset-blvd 

The Origins of Labor Day in the Philippines
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/origins-of-labor-day-in-the-philippines

---

On the Vancouver Tragedy

"When violence strikes one of us, it strikes all of us."

These words from our British Columbia-based contributing writer Lani Domaloy hits home for Filipinos everywhere following the shock of the recent tragedy in Vancouver where a mentally deranged Asian man drove through a large crowd of Filipino Canadians at the tail end of the Lapu Lapu Day Festival last Saturday, April 26. What started out with such joy -- a Filipino gathering of thousands can't help but be a grand celebration (and kudos to FilCans for honoring the first Filipino anti-colonial, a hero that FilAms barely know) -- ended up in collective sorrow. Eleven dead so far, including a five-year-old girl. WHY? 

At this point, there are no answers, only more questions. And outrage. A vehicle as a weapon for mass killing has happened several times in the US in recent years. But in Canada?

We join our northern neighbor -- and kababayans there -- in mourning, not just the dead and the wounded but also its loss of innocence.

*****

In an agrarian economy like the Philippines, land reform is not an abstract idea but a living, breathing organism that determines the livelihood and survival of the millions who rely on the land for subsistence. This week, writer/photographer/social activist David Bacon discusses a little known (at least to the general public) issue that has immense repercussions on the Philippine economy: the World Bank is financing a program that will dismantle farm cooperatives, which have helped small farmers gain collective ownership of big plantations, in favor of splitting ownership of land into small parcels. This is a new twist to the very fraught issue of agrarian reform, for which insurgencies have been fought and lives lost. Bacon provides a comprehensive overview of what's happening and what the resistance has been doing.

*****

We introduce two books and their women authors in this issue: Kalayaan: Filipina Heroines of World War II by Kathryn Serrano, as featured by Elaine J.E. Degale; and Dirty Kitchen: A Memoir of Food and Family by Jill Damatac, as reviewed by Anthony Maddela. Both books are about Filipina warriors, in war and against domestic abuse. 

For our Video of the Week, here’s a short trailer for the film on Larry Ramos, created by independent filmmaker Rick Quan. Larry was one of the lead singers of the iconic Grammy Award-winning group of the 1960s, The Association. He was the first Asian and Filipino American Grammy winner. He died 11 years ago today. For more about Larry Ramos, Read Again our story on him below.

Read Again

Along Comes Larry by Peter Jamero

A D.C. Springtime Concert Born in Manila by Titchie Carandang

---

In The Know

Despair Blankets Scene of Car-Ramming Attack at Festival
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/28/world/canada/vancouver-festival-attack.html

Five year-old girl and her parents among 11 people killed in the Vancouver festival attack
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/vancouver-car-attack-victims-philippines-festival-b2740927.html

Why the death of Pope Francis is hitting me so hard
https://www.thediarist.ph/why-the-death-of-pope-francis-is-hitting-me-so-hard/

The brilliance and humanity of Nora Aunor
https://www.thediarist.ph/the-brilliance-and-humanity-of-nora-aunor/

Fil-Am blasts rival over ballot fight, alleged affair with NYC mayor
https://usa.inquirer.net/170990/fil-am-blasts-rival-over-ballot-fight-alleged-affair-with-nyc-mayor?

---

Goodbyes at Easter

Just as we were still mourning the unexpected death of Asia’s Queen of Songs, Pilita Corrales, we were shocked by the news that the Philippines’ only superstar, Nora Aunor, died. Nora is Pilita’s balae: Nora’s daughter Lotlot was the long-time partner of Pilita’s son Monching Gutierrez, and the two big stars of the entertainment industry shared three grandchildren.

And as we were still witnessing the pomp and circumstance of National Artist Nora’s funeral (watch our Video of the Week), we got the news that Pope Francis who many Filipino Catholics idolized, passed away. At the end of the same day, another death – Hajji Alejandro, one of the biggest singing sensations of the ‘70s. In the US, 82-year-old Patrick Adiarte who as a young boy played the role of the crown prince in the much beloved musical, The King and I, passed a few days earlier. (PF Correspondent Myles Garcia updated his feature on him, link below). 

All this sadness happened within two weeks of the Easter season. It’s as if we don’t have enough stress and sorrow already as we watch the world as we know it implode before our eyes.

But we plodded on, searching for silver linings.

Like pride in our kababayans who have been elected or appointed to important government positions in their adopted countries. PF’s list, compiled by our publisher Mona Lisa Yuchengco, is proof that Filipinos are a positive force wherever they may be. 

Like wonderment in the beautiful bonsai creations of ex-ad industry executive Angelito Pangilinan, who is not just a bonsai enthusiast but also an acknowledged advocate of the art.

The glut of empty condo units in metropolitan Manila at present, however, is a mixed bag. While the oversupply may mean prices may go down for the moneyed intending to buy units, there is also the glaring inequity issue, as Manila-based PF Correspondent Rene Astudillo points out.

Despite the contradictions in our realities, we hope you enjoy this issue.

Read Again:

We’re on a Pope Mobile By Nitz Almazora

The Manila Boy Who Would Be King By Myles A. Garcia

Pope Francis and My Brother By Gemma Nemenzo

---

In The Know

People Gather to Mourn and Honor Pope Francis
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/21/world/europe/pope-francis-photos-mourning-reaction.html?

Hajji Alejandro, OPM legend and balladeer, dead at 70 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSSg0DjX6uk

A Canadian Company Says It’s Fighting Pollution in the Philippines. Is It Cashing In Instead?
https://thewalrus.ca/plastic-credits/?lid=tyznz7alkt1s

Alexandra Eala: The reality of travel and difficulty of securing visas with a Philippine passport
https://www.tennis.com/baseline/articles/alexandra-eala-the-reality-of-travel-and-difficulty-of-securing-visas-with-a-philippine-passport?

Why the ICC should consider Sara in next round of arrests
https://www.rappler.com/voices/thought-leaders/why-icc-should-consider-sara-next-round-arrests/?

Clark County Commission establishes 'Filipino Town' cultural district
https://news3lv.com/news/local/clark-county-commission-establishes-filipino-town-cultural-district?

Joel Lamangan and Ricky Lee to honor Nora Aunor with biopic
https://tribune.net.ph/2025/04/20/joel-lamangan-and-ricky-lee-to-honor-nora-aunor-with-biopic

---