HP Weekly Link-Up: Celebrating Pride Month + More on Duterte's "Drug War" in the PH
While we might be constantly plugged in via smartphones/tablets/laptops, the tons of information we're bombarded with can sometimes be overwhelming - that's why we've rounded up some of the top Pilipinx/API-related stories from around the internets to help filter out the noise. From culture news and Pinxys who made headlines to personal essays, politics, etc, here's what we were reading last week.
"Singer and Former 'Glee' Star Comes Out as Transgender," Carla Herreria, The Huffington Post
The singer formerly known as Charice Pempengco, announced this week his transgender identity. The 25-year-old star had scrubbed his social media accounts when he made the announcement, changing his usernames to fit his identity and deleting all of his past photos on Instagram. Zyrus’ singing career began at a young age in the Philippines when he started performing in talent shows ― first locally, then throughout Asia ― as a way to make money for his family, and got super famous on YouTube. His powerful voice earned him spots on tons of shows and eventually, a guest starring role as Sunshine Corazon on the hit musical TV show “Glee.”
Photo: Mike Coppola via Getty Images
"I Blame President Duterte's 'Drug War' for My Cousin's Death," Isadora Torres, Teen Vogue
Op-ed, Isidora Torres explores the personal impact of "drug war" policies implemented by Duterte through a devastating true story about how her cousin was murdered on the brink of coming to live in America with her five children.
"20 LGBTQ Filipino Americans to Celebrate During Pride Month," Kevin Nadal, The Huffington Post
List celebrating twenty of the many LGBTQ Filipina/o/x Americans who are making their marks in the worlds of acting, journalism, advocacy, everywhere!
Several LGBTQ Filipino Americans represented at New York City Mayor de Blasio’s annual Pride Party at Gracie Mansion (Leah Obias)
"Hard Life Among the Dead in the Philippines," Adam Dean, The New York Times
I feel really ignorant but I hadn't heard of this before and it's sooooooo upsetting. Piece in the NYT about the Manila North Cemetery, one of the oldest and largest in the Philippines - "The final resting place of presidents, movie stars and literary icons, the cemetery is also inhabited by some of Manila’s poorest people. Many live in the crypts and mausoleums of wealthy families, who pay them a stipend to clean and watch over them."
Noemi Canilang, 41, resting in a family mausoleum with her 8-month-old grandchild. She has cared for the mausoleum for 25 years and sleeps there with five members of her family. She receives a monthly stipend of 50 pesos, about $1. (Adam Dean for The New York Times)
"I'm Ashamed because I don't know what it means to be Filipino," Russell Sabio, Huffington Post Canada
Piece about the complexities of shame and saving face in relation to Filipino identity (also super cute video!).
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