Category Archives: Guest Writer

In keeping with Toronto’s summer vibe of mounting the biggest events, Harbourfront Centre at Toronto’s central waterfront, will play host to a much-enjoyed Filipino festival.  FUN PHILIPPINES TORONTO FOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL will celebrate its 3rd year with an expansive showcase of everything Filipino in one of Canada’s premier tourist destinations. A co-production of Harbourfront Centre and Philippine… Read More »

“I’m not afraid and these 15 days convinced me there is nothing to fear. Let them be afraid instead.” — Alexie Navalny. When I heard the news that Alexie Navalny died on Friday, March 16, in the Arctic penal colony where he was serving a 19-year sentence, my first reaction was of great sadness. I thought why would… Read More »

“Palengke” in the old Parañaque By Edwin de Leon “PAMILIHANG BAYAN NG PALANYAG” was the prominent sign of the Parañaque public market of the post-war years, right into the 50s. Anybody who has travelled between Manila and Cavite has passed the front of this iconic building along Quirino Avenue, the only thoroughfare connecting Manila to the southwest.  … Read More »

Years back, when we were living in this anxieties-filled world, busily making a living, raising families, and working hard, we failed to notice how our time flies so fast, and suddenly, with a jolt of lighting, we found ourselves already seniors. Then, on hearing the iconic Beatles’ songs, we would clap,  jump,  dance and gyrate to the tune… Read More »

Nothing attracts people more than promos, freebies, and add-ons. Business establishments spend money on research  to lure people to choose them over their competitors. That is, for people to buy what they don’t need. This is what powers consumerism and materialism. In terms of food, fanning lust and greed are two things they exploit. Lust for food and… Read More »

BREAKTHROUGH  – Elfren S. Cruz – The Philippine Star  There are again attempts to downgrade the significance of this extremely significant event in the history of the Filipino people. I think it is important that we recall the role that the EDSA movement played in our struggle for democracy. The classic definition of People Power is “political pressure… Read More »

ni Edwin Esteba Buhay  Sa ibang bansa ikaw ay nagpapakahirap Upang matupad mo iyong mga pangarap Pinipilit mong magsumikap Upang pamilya makaahon sa hirap Hindi naman kalakihan lahat ating kinikita Iyong iba nga sinasabi ay kulang pa Pero kung tayo ay marunong magpahalaga Dapat alam mo kung paano gumasta Kapag tayo ay nagbabalikbayan Sa tingin ng iba tayo… Read More »

Waiting We are eagerly hoping to see our Big Day as the sunset sets in; finding ourselves still waiting till the morning dawn greets us again. Tra la la, la, we joyfully sing to ease the pain of waiting; who knows, our Day is just around the corner. While we are waiting, it’s not an idle thing; we… Read More »

There are many, many unique things about the Philippines. Naming one’s kid is one of them. For instance, would you ever think of naming their baby girl to honor the three major Philippine islands — Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao: Luzviminda. How clever is that?! But many years later, after that initial adventure into a name, Filipino parents have become… Read More »

Under the service of Spain, Ferdinand Magellan, a Portuguese explorer, came upon the Philippines in 1521. I am not using the word ‘discover’ because like in many other countries, the Philippines already had the rudimentary elements of a civilization when the Spanish vessels docked.  In 1543, Spanish explorer Ruy Lopez de Villalobos, to honor the reigning king, Philip… Read More »