Networking, identity and culture for Second Generation Filipinos in the UK

1930s film footage of pre-war Manila. So this is how our grandparents lived...
It's fascinating.

Graeme, a reader and new member of Phil-UK Network, wants us to spread the word about the Philippines' entries in the New 7 Wonders of the World.

Philippine Generations has organised a lecture on Filipino cuisine.

Philippine Generations in partnership with Asia House is proud to present the first lecture on Filipino Cuisine in London. Discover the difference between Chow Mein and Pancit, Lumpia and Spring rolls, and how the food has changed over the years to the present day.

Philippine Generations, created by a small number of young volunteers to raise awareness of the Philippines, its people and culture has teamed up with Asia House, a charity for the promotion of Asia by bringing the owner of the no.1 Filipino Restaurant in America, Cendrillion, Amy Besa, the author of the award winning cook book, ‘Memories of a Philippine Kitchen’ to give a lecture on the History of Philippine Cuisine.

Celebrate the culture and food that raised the Pearl of the Orient on the 19th June, Asia House, New Cavendish Street.

A London-based TV production company wants two fluent Filipino speakers to transcribe footage filmed in the Philippines. The position is available immediately until mid June. This is an unpaid work experience placement but they'll cover travel expenses.

You'll see the editing process within a small production company and get the chance to explore other departments. This should be great for your CV if you'd like to break into the industry.

Get in touch ASAP if you're interested and I'll send you more information.

The BBC's 'Meet the Immigrants' episode featuring Filipino domestic workers seemed to generate lots if interest. I thought it would be a good time to follow it up buy uploading 'Between Two Cultures', a short video documentary filmed by two members of Phil-UK back in 2000.

It's a 12 minute video documentary about two Filipinas: a student who grew up in the UK, and a nanny working to support her family in the Philippines.

For more information, and to watch the video, head to the Between Two Cultures page.

Did you catch the episode of BBC's 'Meet the Immigrants' that featured Filipino domestic workers? If not, there's another chance to watch it through the BBC iPlayer.

Take a look at the filmefilms website for more videos.

Some independent coverage on the Philippines' rice shortage:

A visitor recently objected to my post that asked for people interested in helping with some background research about balut.

Here's the message:

Perhaps this human interest story regarding the balut, is merely another way to make the Filipino appear less civilized and more barbaric. I hope you reconsider encouraging anyone of our people to go on television and allowing others to make us look foolish.

There's an interesting discussion in Filipino Voices about changing 'the system' to improve the Philippines. It's well worth a read:

• Because We Can
• Because We Must
• Must we?
• We Must Resist
• Because We Can Change the Dynamics of the Game

Personally, I don't think things will improve until certain aspects of Filipino society changes. You can alter the system as much as you like but if people approach things the same way, the end result will be no different.

Are any UK-based Filipinos out there interested in being interviewed by a TV production company?

We just been contacted by a producer who's looking for Filipinos willing to take part in some background research. The company is thinking about creating a program about unusual international delicacies. Of course, when it comes to the Philippines, the most obvious choice is to feature something about balut. They'd like to chat with people to get an idea of balut's culinary properties and cultural significance.

If you'd like to be interviewed, please let me know and I'll pass on your contact details. Should the project go ahead, they expect filming to take place over the next month or so. Time is tight so drop me a note as soon as possible.

Kim Blasco, from the Filipino Children’s Fund, dropped us a note to ask that we post some information about the group. We don't know about them but Kim says they have applied for registration with the Charity Commission and are recognised by the Philippine Embassy in London.

"Created in September 2007, the Filipino Children’s Fund (UK) is a Charitable Organisation, which has applied for registration with the Charity Commission and is recognised by the Philippines Embassy in London.

Our objectives are very specific:
• To make sure that every destitute child in 14 villages in the provinces of Laguna, Cavite, Batangas and Quezon has all he/she needs to attend school and to benefit from his/her attendance. These children need clothing, uniforms, footwear, school materials, books, etc., so that, despite their difficult beginnings in life, they can develop their innate capabilities.

The guys at Philippine Generations have an article about Filipinos and football.

What happens when Pocahontas goes to the Philippines? She becomes Urduja. Seriously though, other than the weird similarity to the Disney character, this animated film doesn't look bad at all.

It's about Princess Urduja a 14th century warrior of legendary Tawalisi, said to be in Pangasinan, northern Philippines. We can't be sure that Urduja really existed. Philippine written history only started during the time of Spanish rule. However, the odds are that most British-born Filipinos like myself have only heard of Lapu-Lapu, Dr Jose Rizal and The Katipunan bunch. Discovering something new about our past is refreshing.