Roots & Wings | June 2020 by Roots and Wings

Dear Kababayans The Philippines is a stunning archipelago of 7000+ islands in the western pacific. Sample Bohol’s chocolate hills and tarsiers. It is a nation of immense natural resources yet a constant prey to predators. Its population counts nearly 110 million with almost half crowding urban areas. The Filipinos are about the most welcoming, hospitable, clever, fun-loving people on earth you can meet, all with a traumatic past. Between 1565 to 1898 are 333 years of Spanish invasion and control of what rightfully belonged to indigenous Filipinos: psyche, dignity, beliefs, language, culture, land, gold, name and country. The colonized live with it, struggling to loosen up from generations of psychological and emotional scarring. Marthy Angue’s Celebrating Independence Day 2020 could spur you to pick up Noli MeTangere or read up on the history of Philippine war for independence.

June 12th commemorates Filipino Freedom Day when revolutionary forces under General Emilio Aguinaldo declared the sovereignty and independence of the Philippines from Spain’s colonial rule. But the end of Spanish rule marked the beginning of American colonization. From Spanish, Filipinos spoke English and today, the nation is at home with endearing Filipino or

Tagalog. Listen up, T. Malit’s poem Ang Kawayan, humihiyaw ang hangin, naririnig mo ba? Yes, like the bamboo, Filipinos sway in the wind of colonial mentality, and change. Many still reel from a controversial campaign against illegal drugs. Over 10 million Pinoy nurses, carers, and workers continue the exodus overseas for a living. Hailed as modern heroes, sadly, some are now fallen frontliners. But many in the UK have conquered the covid pandemic, probed by Aimee Alado. Here are moving narratives of trying situations and Filipino traits that helped “keep calm and carry on.”

Witness how Filipinos at home and in Europe free themselves from adversities. Negrosbased multi-generational visual artists hone and mentor skills, keeping alive the legacy of Benjamin Valenciano Sr. Hollandbased JV Totanes challenged social media with a series of quarantine sketches called #whatsindahouse? Lily C. Fen talks about Filipino Scholars in Spain and award-winning book Bending without Breaking.

Follow Jennifer Fergesen’s connection with Pinoy restaurateurs in Milan and Rome. Finally, Zoom in to Wealth-Building towards Nation Building for Overseas Filipino through Cooperative Investment in a series of webinars by OFSPES, AAALSE, NATCCO, all in celebration of the 122nd Philippine Independence.

Betsy von Atzigen

Editor in Chief, Switzerland

the team ELIZABETH “Betsy” VON ATZIGEN RACHEL HANSEN Editor-in-Chief Editor-in-Chief & Founder MARTHY ANGUE MARTHY ANGUE Associate Editor, Philippines Associate Editor, Philippines MAE CAYIR DONNA MANIO Bureau Editor, Austria Lifestyle Editor, Philippines LOUISE BATERNA ELIZABETH “BETSY”VON ATZIGEN Bureau Editor, Belgium Bureau Editor, Switzerland REBECCA GARCIA URBANCIK AIMEE ALADO Bureau Editor, Czechia & Germany Bureau Editor, United Kingdom JENNIFER FERGESEN LORNA REAL DEL ROSARIO Bureau Editor, Iceland Bureau Editor, Ireland AYASUNGA SUNGAASKERT ASKERT AYA BureauEditor, Editor, Sweden Bureau Sweden LILY DE C. FEN LIZA VERA-PREICZER Bureau Editor, Switzerland Bureau Editor, Austria GLORIA HERNANDEZ GREJALDE LUZ BERGERSEN BureauEditor, Editor, Russia Bureau Norway AIMEE BAGARES ALADO LYNDY Bureau Editor, United Kingdom Web Editor, Fornebu, Norway LYNDY BAGARES Web Editor, Norway

contents

FEATURE Independence Day 2020 p4 UK’s Filipino Frontliners p10 Scholars in Spain p32 FEATURED ARTIST JV Totañes p18 FEATUREDFamily ARTIST Valenciano p26 Betsy Westendorp pg.4 LITERATURE COMMUNITY Poetry p24 Filipino Artists’ Association of Sweden, pg. 10 NEWS MAM Awards p32 LITERATURE Book Launch in Bern, pg. 14 FOOD StrangeLechon Spaces,p38 pg. 16 Nilda’s Quarantine in Rome p40 PROFILE Four Restaurants p44 Carl Hansen, pg. 24 TRAVEL PROGRESS Bohol p46 VP Leni in London, pg.28 COMMUNITY Webinar Series p50 Cover Image: Tapasero by Benjamin Valenciano III from Negros Occidental

RACHEL HANSEN Business Ventures Editor, Founder

Download more issues at Rawmags.com or follow us on social media: Instagram: @Rawmags Twitter: @rawmags www.facebook.com/rawmags

words by Marthy Angue | the Philippines

One might find it strange to celebrate Independence at such constrained times; freedom from colonial powers is abstract enough without also contending for the freedom to get haircuts or send kids to school. It should come as no surprise that the 122nd anniversary of Philippine Independence from Spain would be similarly constrained: the traditionally grandiose ceremonies at Rizal Park, for example, will have a significantly more austere guest-cap of ten people.

Then again, ironic circumstances often do make for ironic ends. What better time to understand liberty then when we are all huddled together in our homes, pining for many of the small freedoms we once took for granted? In the spirit of Philippine Independence and Social Distancing, here are some tips on celebrating Independence Day this 2020.

STREAM THE CELEBRATIONS

The Rizal Park Celebrations may only have room for ten attendees but the live streams from these events should be able to accommodate every Filipino watching online. The key ceremonies will be held at Rizal Park in Manila, the Lapu Lapu Shrine in Mactan, and Rizal Park in Davao City as well as select historical sites across the country. Themed “Kalayaan 2020: Tungo sa Bansang Malaya, Nagbabayanihan, at Ligtas” (Freedom 2020: Towards a Free, United, and Safe Nation),” by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the programs themselves are expected to be simple and subdued.

Nevertheless, watching them unfold on Philippine government and news pages on Facebook (live or otherwise) should remind us of the symbols, shrines, and ceremonies of Freedom that we all share as a nation.

WAVE THE FLAG HIGH AT HOME

The unfurling of the Philippine Flag in Kawit, 1898, was one of the great touchstone moments of the Declaration of Philippine Independence and Philippine Presidents have been reenacting that moment at the Aguinaldo Shrine and Museum ever since. You don’t need a balcony, much less a crowd, to 5

This Independence Day, given our common global cross, we are given an opportunity to remember the best of what being a Filipino can stand for.

celebrate the flag-raising: if you have Philippine flag or know how to make one, why not wave them together with the family while singing the National Anthem? Both flag and song contain symbols from our land and history so experiencing them through ceremony can be potent ways of reminding us of what it means to be Filipino.

READ UP ON THE HISTORY OF THE PHILIPPINE REVOLUTIONARY WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE What better way is there to spend a day of highly-recommended hometime than with some restful reading? This Independence Day Weekend, there are a great number of suggested readings for anyone who might be interested in knowing more about the late 19th Century Revolutionary Period

in Philippine History. The Wikipedia article on the Philippine Revolution is a free and extravagantly hyperlinked springboard into the topic and is a handy primer for anyone interested in learning the broad-strokes and key players of the Independence Movement. For anyone who’s interested in a more personal account of the injustices that led to the revolt against Spain, the novels that sparked it – Jose Rizal’s Noli me Tangere and El Filibusterismo – are free to download in English, Tagalog, and the Original Spanish from sites like Project Gutenberg and Apple’s reading app.

VISIT AN ONLINE FILIPINO MUSEUM

Want to immerse yourself in Filipino culture without having to leave the house? Google Arts and Culture contains portals to Filipino museums that you can explore with your fingertips. Among the jaunts available to anyone with internet access are the Presidential Museum and Library, the Ayala Museum, the Museo de Intramuros, and the Martial Law Museum.

LEARN TO COOK A FILIPINO DISH

Whether you’re in the Philippines or far away, the Filipino palate knows what it likes. With dining options heavily reduced, this can be a great time to go hands on with Pinoy home cooking. Youtube is a rich resource for virtually all of the signature dishes – adobo, tinola, biko, gisng-gising, kare-kare, and so forth – but if you have relatives back home whose cooking you miss, this might be a great time to call them for their tasty, tasty, secrets.

SING ALONG TO OPM

It doesn’t matter if you’re into Pop, Rock, Jazz, or Rap – there’s inevitably going to be an entire music scene of that genre in the Philippines. Again, Youtube is a great place to find Filipino musicians both old and new to add to your playlist. Original Pilipino Music is such an indelible part of our heritage and there is a massive oeuvre of songs both classic and contemporary to unite around.

BINGE ON FILIPINO FILMS

“Heneral Luna” and “Goyo: The Boy General” may be movies largely set after the end of Spanish Colonialism (their war was with the American Colonialism that came almost immediately after) but such is the continuing story of the Filipino fight for Freedom. Specifically, it is the story of Filipino Freedom as available on Netflix alongside many other Filipino movies. Various streaming sites have Filipino movies available and these can be great ways to indulge in Philippine culture, language, and scenery.

REMEMBER FILIPINO HEROISM

Perhaps the most striking thing to remember about Filipino Independence is how fleeting it can become. The Independence Day we celebrate, after all, happened before a fifty-year occupation by the United States, nearly half a decade under the Japanese in World War II, and at least one homegrown dalliance with dictatorship. Every year, one tends to hear cynicism about Independence Day 8

and what that hard-won freedom meant if it had been won at all. If there was one anodyne we could recommend for cynicism, it would be to remember the heroism of Filipinos past and present.

We see it both in the history books and in the news, how imperfect people like you and I manage to still represent the best of what it means to be Filipino. We see it among the sword-bearers and the storytellers, the scientists and the statesmen, the journalists, the clergy, and the wage-worker both here and abroad, the ones who continue to grapple with the protean faces of oppression. We see it in the Filipino Frontliners who stand in the gap for a world wracked by this present virus. We see it wherever someone’s belief in the Filipino right to self-determination and unalienable value is put into action. We see it wherever time and life are sacrificed voluntarily to secure liberty for others. This Independence Day, given our common global cross, we are given an opportunity to remember the best of what being a Filipino can stand for. If we have any hope of triumphing over this present darkness, we might not have a choice to stand for anything else. R&W

ROOTS AND WINGS JUNE 2020 | FEATURE

Quieter times are never necessarily less meaningful. Photo by Jairus V. Bellen. 9

words by Atty. Aimee Alado | the United Kingdom

There have been several events in the United Kingdom and the world that I personally witnessed and best described as “unprecedented!” The June 23, 2016 EU Brexit Referendum and the November 09, 2016 Trump winning the US presidency were of the biggest few.

But there is no other event in the world that has made the word “unprecedented” such a cliché than the novel corona virus or Covid-19. It appeared in November and identified in December 2019 as a

cluster of pneumonia cases in Wuhan, China. The first recorded case outside of China was in Thailand in January 2020 and has since spread to 188 countries and territories. On January 30, 2020, the Emergency Committee of the World Health Organisation declared the novel coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. In March, WHO made the assessment and declaration that Covid-19 can

be characterised as pandemic due to alarming levels of spread, severity, and infection.

Five months later, over 6 million cases were confirmed; 377,966 deaths and thankfully, almost 3 million recoveries but may bear lifelong toll on their health. If we were to compare Covid-19

statistics with other pandemics in the last 100 years,

• HIV/AIDS Pandemic (2005-2012) death toll: 36 million • Flu Pandemic (1968) death toll: 1 million

• Asian Flu (1956-1958) death toll: 2 million

• Flu Pandemic (1918) death toll: 20-50 million • Sixth Cholera Pandemic (1910-1911) death toll: 800K+

ROOTS AND WINGS JUNE 2020 | FEATURE

the final statistics could look different as Covid-19 crisis is ongoing and with fears of a second wave of infections as countries ease lockdown and open borders to mitigate further impact on health, the economy, employment, and livelihood.

In the UK, the first two patients were Chinese nationals from the same family. Four months later, it ranked 5th globally in confirmed cases and 2nd highest after the U.S. in deaths. It has the 2nd number of infections after Spain and 4th confirmed infections per 1M citizens in the EU. (See chart) So, was the UK’s approach wrong or something to do with the nuances of the country and other contributing factors? Eight temporary hospitals were set up for Covid-19 in England (and each of the home nations in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland). NHS Nightingale Hospital London with 4,000 beds is the biggest to reflect the high percentage of infection. This London hospital is said to be the largest critical care unit in the world. The NHS is one of the most cherished

institutions in the UK. It was set up in 1948 after the second world war to provide health care for all UK citizens based on need for medical care rather than ability to pay. It’s the third biggest employer in the world at one point employing around 1.2 million+ migrant workers from 16 nationalities. Filipinos are the third biggest with almost 20K+ staff, after British nationals with over a million while Indians number 21K+. There could be additional 20K+ Filipinos working in the private sector such as private nursing homes, private nurses and carers.

Medical frontliners are considered heroes and accorded special treatment. Since the start of the pandemic, the whole country has gathered every Thursday at 8pm to clap for them.

Below, I’ve connected with 5 Filipino doctors, nurses, and care workers, asked them about the most trying situation experienced in the service of their community, how they overcame it and which Filipino traits helped them “keep calm and carry on” in these trying times. 13

Upper Left: Dr F Ledesma, surgeon (2nd from right) | Upper Right: Dr Fernando Ereñeta III, specialist doctor. | Far Left: Grace Davis, carer (first from left) | Center: Roselie Alado, nurse (center, seated) | Bottom Right: Carol Panday, carer.

Frances Ledesma, MD

Vascular Surgery, Royal London Hospital I was redeployed from vascular surgery to ITU and part of my job was to enact a DNAR-Do Not Attempt Resuscitation. It involved patients of significant, complex medical history and advanced age. However, I had to sign one for young patients slowly dying from CoVID. It made me realize that this disease affects every age, gender, complex medical history or none. Support from the team helps me with decisions and confirm 14

what’s best for the patient. I don’t think I’ve overcome this difficulty but ensure everyone a fighting chance. The absolute compassion of Filipinos or ‘malasakit’ makes us memorable to patients, their relatives, and our colleagues. It encompasses more than compassion – it’s taking care of people as if they were family, evident in how we approach patients, providing what we could to remind them of home, finding ways to connect them to their families outside, holding their hand as

they struggle to survive. ‘Malasakit’ is embodied by every Filipino healthcare worker, and it had made me proud to work with them during these frightening and uncertain times. They are proof that there is something to look forward to when this all ends.

Fernando Ereñeta III, MD

Locum Specialist Registrar Diabetes and Endocrine/Acute Medicine George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust, Nuneaton, Warwickshire Staff suddenly realized that the covid epidemic has become so close to home - a scary time for all of us. As we arrive for work, the first question is how will Ì be able to care for my patients? Will I get the proper PPE? What support can I get? Will I catch the virus? Quality of care is suddenly at the edge of being compromised. You have the duty of care but at the back of your mind you are thinking of how to protect yourself from the “invisible enemy” that is covid -19. And thinking of the safety and health of your family, colleagues and friends. But in the end, your duty and patients come first. You gather strength from

your colleagues and family and as a Christian, your faith in the Almighty is always important.

What stood out during this pandemic are the resilience and the resolve of the Filipinos, the willingness to care for patients and support of colleagues despite the adversity. As a doctor, you are expected to lead and show determination at work, support to your colleagues and decisive in your actions. This in effect makes working on the wards more bearable.

Mary Grace Hibaler Ibardolaza Davis, Care Practitioner Bodawen Nursing Home, North Wales

I arrived in the UK in 2013 and have worked as a care assistant in a home for the elderly. It changed dramatically during the Covid-19 pandemic. No PPE appeared in our section and wondered if anybody cared about us. We are not robots. We felt fear. We wondered if we’d get home when our shift ended. We wondered if we’d get to see our families, my new grandson in the Philippines. Despite all

these, we carried on.

There was an occasion when management asked: “If found that the virus has entered and is active in our Care Home, will you be prepared to carry on?” There really wasn’t much thought to reach a conclusion: We’re professional carers with a duty to care for our residents. If we give up, who will look after them? We’re currently fit and healthy. We’re being paid (poorly) to do a job. Filipinos are God-fearing people, loyal, and responsible. Faced with stressful or dangerous situations, we carry on and pray we survive and prosper. Our resilience has been demonstrated and proven beyond doubt. If we are tired, feel low, or feel unappreciated, we carry on. If we are asked to do extra duties, we say “Yes!” and carry on. We do the very best we can, and smile!

Roselie Alado, Registered Nurse Royal Sussex County Hospital- Emerald Ward / Adelaide Nursing Home

I work both in the ward and the nursing 16

home but chose to temporarily stop working in the hospital to “shield” the residents in the home. What a nightmare when COVID hit our nursing home. The virus made staff and residents fall ill unpredictably. Constant adjustment to staffing and working with limited resources was tricky. Reassuring families and members of staff who are worried about contracting the disease was also difficult. Resilience during the crisis encouraged me to be optimistic yet realistic. Listening to staff members’ concerns on PPE and providing what they needed including testing, eased their fears. Scary times, but most were very cooperative. Thankfully, we are COVID free now. This pandemic doesn’t change us, but reveals us, they say. The sense of “bayanihan” became second nature. Filipinos did food shopping and cooking for households in isolation. Some sent thermometer or paracetamol. When my turn came to receive help, I found it truly humbling, and felt what “looking out for each other” really was.

Carol Panday, Health Care Assistant

Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital / Brylee Care Staffing Agency I hold multiple roles as a carer, producer, event organizer and at home, as partner, woman and friend. I was skeptical about this pandemic, thinking of a conspiracy theory and or political agenda. However, when the situation worsened, and deaths soared, I questioned. All my events got called off, potential profits put on hold, and liaised with partner-producers for postponement. I realised the only job to sustain me was to return to the nursing home as a Health Care Assistant. Pandemic or not, your support to family

back home doesn’t stop.

Each time I showed up for my shift, I was loaded with ‘what ifs?’ The feeling of paranoia set in. There were times that I didn’t want to sleep for fear of not waking up. There were silent cries, endless prayers, never-ending thoughts that haunted every day. It is faith that strengthens us. The more we feel helpless, the more we must believe. If I ask for His protection, why should I fear? If I believe in Him, why should I worry? Social media was bombarded with holy masses, prayer meetings and faith-related activities. Religious denominations got in touch with each other and gave encouragement.

Illustrator cum painter JV Totañes takes on 14-day quarantine sketch challenge

as interviewed by Betsy von Atzigen | Switzerland

How did your love for art start? Behind the canvas and paint brushes is me - painter and illustrator - Jesamine V. Totañes (JVTotañes, 1982) born in Butuan City, Philippines, based in Assen, The Netherlands. When I moved to Europe for love, I fell in love with Europe’s art and culture. Finding a job back then was difficult, so I initially took part in a local art class and hobby shop. Then I opened a business where my artwork can be viewed online, in

local galeries, exhibits and art market. I eventually became a freelance creative instructor. A fan of Frida Khalo and Gustav Klimt, I paint still-life, portraits, animal and cityscapes with lots of bold colours and contrast. I carry a sketchjournal wherever I go and record memories through sketches.

What initiatives, projects or work have you done or doing to further your art?

I became a member of Urban Sketchers Netherlands, a group of global illustrators who gather monthly to capture what we see through sketches. We inspire members to share their work through official social media urban sketchers group. The Filipino community in the Netherlands hold special events every now and then and I collaborate with them by donating a painting for a cause.

How are you using your talent at this time of a pandemic? Since 2016, Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve been conducting workshops as well as sketch journaling. Both are always funpacked but all of a sudden, the world stopped caused by a corona virus pandemic. So did my creative workshops of 6 events lined up for May 2020. Hectic schedules turned into waiting moments, stuck at home. Did they say lockdowns create opportunities?

My creative me posted on Instagram and Facebook a 14 day-quarantine sketch challenge which asked: #whatsindahouse? It’s simply sketching anything one finds inside the house - a stack of shoes, laundry, food for dinner, etc. What feedback have you received?

Positive reactions rolled in from social media, gaining sketchers from Spain, Denmark, Italy, India, USA, Asia and more. As excitement grew on, a 30-day challenge came next throughout April calling it, “The Social Distance Sketch Challenge. Inspired by this enthusiasm, a “Final Sketch Challenge” followed in May. Meanwhile I was giving free online livestream painting workshops on

Facebook and Instagram to guide and enhance skills. The list I made inspired a Corona sketchbook, diary and sketch journal. Anxiety turned into excitement, worries into laughter and hopelessness into faith - all while staying home. Due to its popularity, local newspaper Dagblad van het Noorden featured #whatsindahouse sketch challenge in the news. ABS-CBN Global news carried the same balita with Jofelle Tesorio, and GMA’s 24 Oras with Oscar Oida.

Where can our readers e-connect with you for sketch lessons or painting tips? See instagram artist account @jesamine_creates Youtube account with step by step artwork, tips and tricks: Jesamine Creates Portfolio: www.jvtotanes.com

Poems by T. Malit | Belgium

Haiku ja, antwoorde zij het begon met dat één woord en eindigt niet meer yes, she answered him it began with that one word and ended no more weerzien duurt langer de zon zucht naar de morgen er is toch geen keus to see you takes time the sun sighs for the morning now there is no choice de mieren zijn weer de hanen kraaien vroeger zo lang op gewacht ants are here again the roosters crow earlier waited so long for 24

Ang Kawayan

Humihiyaw ang hangin Naririnig mo ba? Umiiyak ang mga ulap Nakikita mo ba? Nanginginig ang acacia Nangangatog ang molave Nayayanig ang narra Nguni’t tingnan mo ang kawayan Ito ay umuunday, sumasayaw At tinatawanan lamang ang dumarating na bagyo.

The Bamboo

The wind is howling Can you hear it? The clouds are weeping Can you see them? The acacia is trembling The molave is quivering The narra is shivering But look at the bamboo It sways, it bends, And laughs at the approaching storm.

ROOTS AND WINGS JUNE 2020 | LITERATURE

Maria Teresa Malit-Roelant (Techie) is a graduate of the Univ of Sto. Tomas, Manila and lives in Herent, Belgium. She creates jewelry out of vintage necklaces and buttons, sings in a community choir and writes poetry in English, Dutch and Tagalog.

Bamboe

De wind schreeuwt Hoor je hem niet? De wolken huilen Zie je dat niet? De acacia bibbert De molave trilt En de narra beeft Maar kijk eens naar de bamboe Hij zwaait, hij zwiert En hij lacht naar de nakende storm.

ROOTS AND WINGS JUNE 2020 | FEATURED ARTISTS

words with Betsy von Atzigen | Switzerland

The artistic legacy of the late Benjamin D. Valenciano Sr. is evident in his multigenerational family of visual artists. His artwork depicts ‘Filipinized’ wooden sculptures of our Lady and the Infant Jesus, St. Joseph, a beardless Crucified Christ, and Stations of the Cross in the famed St. Joseph the Worker Chapel. Built by the Ossorio family, it is also known as the Angry Christ Church of Victorias Milling Company, Negros Occidental - the cane sugar producing province of the Philippines. Benjamin Sr. was a common post-war carpenter who carved machete wooden handles when Belgian-American artist Ade de Bethune discovered his uncommon talent. The city of Victorias honoured him with a Malihaw Award for his contribution to society.

What’s in the DNA naturally gets passed on, add to it limitless hours of learning and practice to become skilled at what they do. Sons Ireneo and Benjamin Jr. ventured into oil paintings, charcoal pencil drawings and wood sculptures. The province soon recognized their abilities in the sculpted statues of the crucified Christ on a wheel cart and the Virgin Mary in Filipiniana terno in the Chapel of the Cartwheels of the Gaston family in Sta. Rosalia, Manapla and the wall-painted Stations of the Cross at Biscom Chapel of Binalbagan-Isabela Sugar Company Inc.

Younger siblings Brosix, Romeliz I and Oeneri also pursued their talents in oil, watercolor and coffee painting, sculpture,

Fr. Rosmon Miguelangelo Valenciano, SDB pays tribute to grandfather Ben Valenciano Sr and renowned beardless Crucified Christ in St Joseph’s Chapel, Victorias Milling Co.

Ben Valenciano Jr.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Mary in Cartwheel Chapel 28

Ben Valenciano III.â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tapasero

charcoal portraits, drawings, photography and add to the list, the performing arts. The late Romeliz I achieved laudable success in both solo and group art exhibitions, reaping in 2016 the next Malihaw Award in Visual Arts, after his late father. Third generation visual artists Dennis and architect Benjamin III epitomize the spiritual, moral, cultural and social issues of modern life, portraying extreme contrast of lights and shadows in distinct human figures. Both are highly

accomplished in their use of coffee, oil, acrylic and watercolor mediums, pen and ink, and wood sculpture. Both have conducted art exhibits in various cities in the Philippines and abroad, acknowledged by art collectors in the US and Europe.

Bede Dominic, Indonesia-based engineer and main collaborator of this magazine article and behind the Valenciano weblink, is fulfilled with coloured pencils and photography while Fr. Rosmon Miguelangelo, SDB does oil paintings and

Dennis Castaneda Valenciano’s winning entry Sunlight Touch in recent 1st international online Coffee Painting contest hosted by IWS London Café Gallery &amp; IWS British Isles.

sculptures given free time out of a hectic commitment to the priesthood. The youngest of Valenciano artists are advancing their mark using traditional alongside contemporary, modern mediums. Benjamin IV excels in acrylics, Jose Ynego delves into digital arts, Jose Mitchell transcends watercolor and acrylics while Dea Elizabeth impresses with her pencil drawings and poster paintings. To each his own distinct art style. But what brings about harmony and a sense of cohesion among generations of Valenciano art? It is primarily the legacy of patriarch Benjamin Sr., robust family values, religious, and sociocultural-economic themes exceptionally interwoven, giving face to rural life, the youth, family, the plight 30

of sugarcane cutters and concern to safeguard frontliners from the current covid pandemic. Dennis and his group of artists contributed part of their online art proceeds for this purpose. He and son John Mitchell created do-it-yourself protective face covers and donated locally. So how does this family pass on their immense reservoir of flair and expertise to future generations and society? It comes naturally for the experienced to support young members’ artistic growth within the family and community through art workshops where fundamental and technical skills are taught, sharing of insights, of techniques and nuances, and passing on generations of inspiration, encouragement and visual art mentoring. Check out https://bdvalenciano.wixsite. com/valencianoarts, or connect with bdvalenciano@yahoo.com

Dennis Castaneda’s winning entry Sunlight Touch in recent 1st international online Coffee Painting contest hosted by IWS London Café Gallery &amp; IWS British Isles.

Artwork (clockwise from top left) by Romeliz, Ireneo, Bede, John Mitchell, and Dea Valenciano.

(Clockwise from top left) A copy of the book over coffee; Flavio Bolli from the Swiss Embassy in Manila and CFO Secretary Franscisco Acosta join the women of Bending without Breaking onstage to celebrate their award; In addition to a book launch in Bern, Bending without Breaking also had a book reading in Zurich, Switzerland.

NEWS

Bending without Breaking: Best Book at the MAM Awards with reports from Lily C. Fen | Switzerland

Bending without Breaking: Thirteen Women’s Stories of Migration and Resilience earned the Best Book title at the MAM Awards in 2019. Edited by Monette Bichsel, Lenny Kaye Bugayong, and Lily C. Fen, it is a Swiss-Filipino collection of women’s stories of journeying from Asia to Europe. The Migration Advocacy and Media Awards (MAM Awards) came into being in 2011, a brainchild of the Commission of Filipinos Overseas. The Awards salute members of the media who build awareness about Filipino migration across the globe. To receive the award in Manila, contributing writers Anny Misa-Hefti (also the book’s project manager), Monette Bichsel (also editor), Esther Windler, Catalina Weber, and Lilian Chu (who represented editor, L.C. Fen) joined the festivities at the Diamond Hotel.

Onstage, Misa-Hefti thanked the MAM Awarding committee for honoring Bending without Breaking. She also acknowledged the CFO for paying tribute to media work that advocates migration. “We show how we migrants working in foreign countries make the world a better place in which to live. On behalf of the editors and writers of Bending without Breaking, I accept this award. In this book, we illustrate how migrants are not only survivors, they are winners.” Taking two years to build, these women’s stories can be accessed through Zentralbibliothek in Zurich, as well as two libraries at the University of the Philippines in Diliman. Its first 700 copies were quickly sold out. A Philippine release may soon be available and orders placed through catalina_weber@yahoo.com.

Córdoba’s awe-inspiring Mezquita Cathedral, Andalucía region 34

Filipino exchange students in Malaga, from left to right: Mari Leiozelle Sol Cruz, Julia Negre, Julia Alexandra Chu, Atty. Kristine Sonon, Sittie Namraidah L Ali, Atty. Joby Guerrero, Dawn Bernabe, Edward Co, Atty. Dake Mandocdoc, Atty. Solomon Lumba

words and photos by Lily C. Fen | Switzerland

José M. Torres from the Department of Civil Law of the University of Malaga (UMA), and Professor Ruben Balane, well-versed in Filipino legislation in Spanish, wanted a way for Spanish and Filipino students of law to strengthen their understanding of the legal history shared between both nations. The ERASMUS+ K-107 soon allowed two Filipino teachers to pursue their doctoral theses at UMA—Attorney Lumba, from the University of the Philippines (UP

Diliman), and Attorney Mandocdoc, from Ateneo de Manila (ADMU). How deep did the roots of Spanish legislation go into the heart of Philippine law? Ten Filipino students—from UP Diliman and ADMU, would have access to that knowledge. The selected scholars spent the first half of 2019 at the University of Malaga’s Faculty of Law. Julia Alexandra Chu, one of the UP Diliman students, shares her thoughts.

This program is a first of its kind. What subjects did you select at UMA and why? I chose Public International Law, Law and Economics, International Organizations, and European and Comparative Constitutional Law. I wanted to learn about how constitutions of the European states were created— particularly now that the Philippines is considering a charter change. Understanding the beginnings of these documents would be useful. It’s also easy to get caught in legalese, which can be divorced from societal needs—Law and Economics would give me a practical perspective. What were your goals?

I penned concrete goals to start with: to study international law and other subjects not available in the Philippines, deepen my Spanish language skills, build a personal and professional network. Explore neighboring regions, fall in love. I managed every goal I set out for myself! 36

This program could be a precursor to a master’s degree in law. It was also an allexpense paid exchange program—flight, tuition, and monthly allowance were provided. Any advice for students who dream of a study-abroad semester?

Have clear goals. What do you want to achieve in that short season, personally and professionally? Time can fly by fast. Without concrete objectives, choosing how you spend your time or which classes to select can be confusing. Also, manage your budget. I made a monthly account and daily itemized list of my expenses. With our allowance given in a lump sum, I learned early on that it was valuable to handle my finances well. R&W Left: Graceful vaults at the Mezquita Cathedral, Andalucía region. Inset: University of the Philippines took home the award for overall champion for the international rounds at the Monroe E. Price Media Law Moot Court Competition in Oxford, England in the spring of 2019.

words by Jennifer Fergesen | Iceland photos by Adrian de la Cruz

Open since 2016, Nilda’s bills itself as the only lechon purveyor in northern Italy. Co-owner Adrian Dela Cruz, who shares ownership with his parents Nilda and Andy, says his customers drive from as far as Rome, Florence and Venice to secure their charcoal-roasted pigs — before travel in and out of the northern region was banned. 38

Milan, near the Swiss border, has been locked down longer than the country as a whole. On March 7, the government placed a travel ban on the northern region, restricting all movement in and out except for family or work emergencies. But by then the virus had already reached further south. Nilda’s chose to close a day before the decree. “It was for the safety of me and our family and our workers, but also for our customers,” Adrian says. “We wanted to avoid getting in contact with this virus.” Business had been brisk before

Co-owners Nilda and Andy Dela Cruz outside their restaurant in Milan.

the closure, but Nilda’s customers — 90 percent of whom are Filipino, Adrian estimates — were getting anxious. He says that the Filipino community in Italy was affected by a distrust of Asians in general as the virus began to spread from China. “In the first days, when the coronavirus started to scare people, there was … weird and racist behavior against Asians,” says Adrian, who moved to Italy with his family when he was 9 years old. “Many videos were posted on Facebook and on the news where Filipino people were insulted by Italians for no reason. And this shocked the Filipino community a little bit, because in all of the years that I’m here, I never saw such behavior from Italians against us.” By the middle of March, the racist sentiment against Asians seemed to have been subsumed into more fundamental

worries in Milan. “There used to be a lot of people walking around, and cars coming and going, but these days it’s practically empty,” Adrian says. “It’s very rare to see cars, apart from some ambulances passing.” Even pedestrians were sometimes stopped by the police, unless they had a reason to leave their homes, such as a dog to walk. (Adrian is grateful for his own dog.) “I hope that they can find a solution to this virus so that we and everyone can get back to normality, to a normal life,” he says. “It is still going to take some time, I think.” Nilda’s Lechon is located at Via Palmanova, 60, 20132 Milano MI, Italy. +39 327 874 0295 https://www.facebook.com/ NildasLechonMilano

Claire Datu, right, with her co-owner and husband Reinnar, left, and a regular customer in their restaurant. 40

words by Jennifer Fergesen | Iceland photos by Claire Datu

Just outside the walls of the Holy See in Rome, the five-year-old Neighborhood Restaurant (featured on an episode of the Eater series “Dining on a Dime” with Lucas Peterson) serves a steady stream of clergy and other Vatican workers. This is prime — and expensive — real estate, but co-owner Claire Datu wants Filipinos to have “the best location.” “We are always in the suburbs, eating in the park and everything,” she says. “So even if we have a lot of bills to pay, whatever.”

There were even more bills to pay than usual when Neighborhood shuttered on March 12, one day after Italian prime minister Giuseppe Conte ordered the closure of all restaurants, bars, shops and other “non-essential” businesses. In anticipation of a new Jollibee opening blocks away, Claire and her husband closed for renovations in January and took a vacation to the Philippines. The freshly-renovated restaurant had been open for little more than two weeks before the decree came in. “But since then the government is arranging some help for everyone,” says Claire, who moved to Italy with her family when she was 12 years old. “Italy is very rich. We pay high taxes here, so the government can really afford to say don’t pay the bills.” (On March 18, Italy signed a $28 billion economic survival plan that gives shop owners tax credits to cover 60 percent of this month’s commercial rent. Residential rent is not mentioned in the plan.) Claire is doing her best to look for

small positives, such as extra time with her husband and their three-year-old daughter. “When we are operating, we don’t even have time to say hi,” she says. “I see (my daughter) for one hour a day.” She is also enjoying the leftovers from the restaurant. “Our Bicol Express (pork in coconut sauce) is so good! I’ve sold it for five years and I didn’t even taste it,” she says.

At times, shreds of panic break through the positivity. “Everyone is psychologically afraid,” she says. “But people are really doing a good job … After this, we’ll work and pay everything, I’m sure.” Neighborhood Restaurant is located at Via Germanico, 170a, 00192 Roma RM, Italy. https://www.facebook.com/ NeighborhoodRestaurantRome +39 06 323 3563 The restaurant is receiving donations to recoup their losses at https:// www.paypal.com/paypalme2/ neighborhoodrome.

A recent party of Filipino pilgrims to Rome at Neighborhood Restaurant. (Photo courtesy Claire Datu) 43

words by Jennifer Fergesen | Iceland

Like a bear after hibernation, Europe is slowly shaking awake after the long coronavirus quarantine. Restaurants, one of hardest-hit sectors, have been tasked with developing new safety protocols â&#x20AC;&#x201D; masks for servers, halfcapacity dining rooms â&#x20AC;&#x201D; to minimize contact. For those who are still wary of dining out, takeaway remains an option. These four creative restaurants have adapted their menus for at-home dining. For more options, check out the restaurant listings at rawmags.com.

ROOTS AND WINGS APRIL 2020 | FOOD

United Kingdom

Switzerland

https://www.romulocafe.co.uk/ 343 Kensington High St, Kensington, London W8 6NW, United Kingdom +44 20 3141 6390

https://www.papaoros.ch/ Weite G. 29, 5400 Baden, Switzerland hello@papaoros.ch

ROMULO CAFE & RESTAURANT After temporarily closing its dining room in March, Romulo Cafe set up its own delivery fleet and developed a new “Feast at Home” menu — five-course bacchanals designed to feed families quarantined together. They send out a dozen of their house-baked pandesal with every order.

Finland

POBRE FILIPINO Pobre’s New Nordic-inspired Filipino fare is now available for delivery through the Finnish app Wolt. Current menu offerings lean towards comfort foods, like P.F.C. (Pobre Fried Chicken) drizzled with caramel soy sauce and the ineluctable pork adobo. https://www.pobre.fi/ Urho Kekkosen katu 1, 00100 Helsinki, Finland +358 44 9787821

PAPA ORO’S Designed as a modern take on the classic carinderia, Papa Oro’s launched a streamlined online ordering and pickup system in March. For a limited time, they’ll include a free order of lumpia with every meal. You can also buy Papa Oro’s gift vouchers at a reduced rate through the Poinz app.

France

BoBi Paris entered a strict lockdown in March, with even outdoor exercise restricted — but BoBi, the city’s only Filipino restaurant, kept Parisians fed throughout. You can order their most popular dishes through Deliveroo from Tuesday to Saturday or buy a gift voucher through Hemblem. https://www.bobiparis.com/

Traveling to extraordinary sites is the focal point of any bucket list. Has the Philippine island of Bohol made it to your list? words and pictures by Betsy von Atzigen | Switzerland

Acclaimed as the world’s eighth wonder is Bohol’s Chocolate Hills. Feast your eyes on more than a thousand unusual geological formations that spread over a fifty square kilometer land area. They look like unwrapped chocolate kisses under the sun. Locals tell of their existence through legends and myths. Geology on the other hand, explains it as the erosion of limestones carried beyond sea level and fractured by divergent tectonic processes thousands of years ago. The hills turn chocolatey during the dry season in late November until end of May. The coco-brown hills contrast with the island’s lush green jungle. Position yourself on the viewing deck in the town of Carmen or at the Sagbayan peak for a prized observation and photography.

The Philippine Tarsier is indigenous to the island. Be mesmerized by the world’s smallest primate in its natural habitat. It measures about 3.5 to 6 inches or 9 to16 cm excluding the tail which is twice its body. It is nocturnal, so mostly asleep on tree branches at daytime but with big round eyes that remain wide open. Don’t be deceived by those eyes; they are extremely sensitive to flash camera. Guides at the site encourage observers to stay quiet, keep a distance and no flash photography! The tarsier shows suicidal tendencies by banging its head on branches when under extreme stress or discomfort. Exotic caves, cascading waterfalls, white sand beaches, exquisite diving spots and turquoise rivers abound in this island. After moving from site to site, a

relaxing Loboc River Cruise with lunch on board is the next appealing attraction. It gently cruises through the town of Loboc via a winding waterway, claimed to be one of the cleanest in the country. Filipino delicacies of lechon, pata, pansit, seafoods, fruits and fresh coconut juice are served on board, depending on your choice of menu. The river cruiseâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s native comfort, friendly service and romantic Kundiman serenades truly entertain. It makes short stops to take on natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unspoilt river scenery and applaud local costumed children performing popular folk dances and songs on a makeshift riverbank stage. Bohol is also well known for its heritage sites and stone churches like the Purisima Concepcion de la Virgen Maria Church in Baclayon. A new efficient airport in Panglao, home to the islandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s luxury resorts with ready guest transport awaits visitors upon landing. Welcome to Bohol. R&W

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: OFSPES, AAALSE, NATCCO WEBINAR SERIES

Building Wealth while helping the community from Maris Gavino | Italy

A win-win kind of investment for the OFWs is an investment in a cooperative. Why? Because you increase your money at the same time you help develop your province or community and in the end, the economy of the country. The Ateneo LSE (Leadership, Financial Literacy, Social Entrepreneurship) Alumni Association Rome, Naples, Florence (AAALSE RNF) and the Pilipinas-OFSPES Association Non Profit collaborated with the Philippine National Confederation of Cooperatives (NATCCO) Diaspora Program to provide information and knowledge on cooperatives and its benefits. To this end, a series of free webinars are scheduled in 2020, such as: 14 June: Multiply Wealth through Investment 05 July: Protecting Wealth through Insurance 26 July: Cooperative’s Business Development Services Here’s the link to participate:

despite the pandemic through a blended face to face/online approach to learning. The AAALSE RNF, on the other hand, is the association of the alumni of the ALSE Program Information on Wealth-Building towards Nation Building for Overseas Filipino through Cooperative Investment: Featuring Tagum Cooperative This event is FREE and includes a Certificate of Participation upon completion of the Webinar. #SocialInvestment #Cooperative #OverseasFilipinoWorkers in #Italy When: June 14, 2020 (Sunday) Time: 15:00 - 17:00 Where: Zoom Maximum slots: 100 For registration & slot reservation, kindly fill up the form below:

https://bit.ly/2zu6UJM

https://bit.ly/2zoEIb1

The Pilipinas OFSPES Association NonProfit in Rome advocates to promote economic security for OFWs. It coordinates the Leadership, Financial Literacy, Social Entrepreneurship (ALSE) Program of the Ateneo de Manila University. The good news is that the program will continue

Two days before the event, you’ll receive via email the meeting ID and password. You can also attend through your mobile phone by downloading “Zoom” app on Playstore or Apple store.