Category Archives: Current

Thank God it’s not Balita

At the lobby of a hospital a huge sign in bold reads: “All procedures performed at this hospital are of the staff only. This hospital and its owners are not liable for any error or death that would happen as a result of any procedure done by our staff in this hospital. Whatever our staff do, doctors included,… Read More »

The Ugly Habit of Being Late

Aristotle, the Greek Philosopher, said that “we are what we repeatedly do; and that “excellence is not an act. . . it’s a habit.” Rightly, so. However, this piece is not about how to achieve excellence by way of habits. I do not have the right fitness to talk about the subject. My limitations are enough to make… Read More »

Taking the bull by the horns

You may call me party pooper, but I dare ask whether majority of Pinoys in this part of the world still have the same hunger for things associated with the homeland. Things have changed and with it came change in attitude. Those that were valued twenty years ago have faded, if not completely gone, from the radar screen… Read More »

Not all the perfumes could hide the stench

“Yet, here’s a spot. Out damned spot; out I say.” She resumes washing her hands and continues: not all the perfumes of Arabia will sweeten this little hand… She cannot get the stain or smell of blood off her hand. Impeached Supreme Court Justice Renato C. Corona is no Lady Macbeth. But there’s the spot indeed. The more… Read More »

The Chicken and the Duck

One that quacks like a duck and walks like a duck is certainly not a chicken. Groups that flaunt themselves as community organizations but say their financial books are private and that the public has no business to pry into them are chickens pretending to be ducks, or is it ducks pretending to be chickens? A community group… Read More »

National Game, National Shame

It is scandalous. It is hypocritical. While Canadians hype themselves as being tolerant, humane, gentle and polite people, the opposite happens in ice hockey, bandied and glorified as Canada’s national sport. It spurts blood! The Wikipedia says violence has been with ice hockey since the 1900. It also says that in 1904 alone four players were killed. It… Read More »

The Cat’s Out of the Bag

The expression “let the cat out of the bag” has its origins from Medieval England. During the Middle Ages, livestock and farm products were sold to the public in open markets by the farmers themselves. Aside from vegetables, fruits, eggs and dairy products, live animals among them piglets were staple produce for the English table that were available… Read More »

Patay na Patay?

I don’t know what you did last Valentines Day but this one guy’s idea of a date was to take her girlfriend to the cemetery. “Bakit mo ako dinala dito, sementeryo eto, ah!” the girl asked. “Para malaman mo kung paano ako ka patay-na-patay sa ‘yo,” he said. On the surface, it is funny. Dig a little deeper… Read More »

It’s more fun in the Philippines, Part 2

It’s more fun in the Philippines; no doubt. What’s more fun, still, is that such Pinoy ethos has spilt over to one part of Toronto — the undisputed Pinoy karaoke central. Yes, you’re right. It’s where Wilson Avenue and Bathurst Street intersect and the areas surrounding it: to the east, west, north, and south. By just passing through… Read More »

Dura lex: not your mom’s kitchenware

Although Tess Cusipag has been in charge of Balita for quite a time now, a salute is in order now that it is made official. Balita is now over 40 years old and strong, in fact stronger. Congratulations and salute from this column. Is it appropriate to say “life begins at 40?” – even for a publication? Speaking… Read More »