In what better way could a grateful community remember its sterling moments with the congenial Alejandro Mosquera, Philippine consul general in Toronto? Celebrate with ConGen Mosquera his commencement march as he ends in June his tour of duty in Toronto; but in a singular occasion that would mark a glaring spirit of bayanihan (collective cooperation) and unity –… Read More »
A week ago the Philippine Reporter celebrated its 20th anniversary with a gala event. Several Filipino organizations shared the joyous occasion. The Hon. Mayor of Toronto, David Miller was the main speaker. He underscored the contributions of the paper to the culture growth of one of the most multi cultural cities in the world – Toronto There was… Read More »
Several days ago I attended a presentation in my parish church on the “Jewish Roots of Christianity”. This occasion was a part of the Lenten Reflections. The presenter was Sr. Lucy Thoron from the Interfaith Desk of the Scarboro Missions. I am very glad I attended this gathering. To me the presentation went beyond the religious values and… Read More »
I was at Food Basics the other day and they had some fresh carrot muffins for $1.99 in a package of six. I bought a package and when I reached home, I brewed a cup of coffee and enjoyed one of the muffins with the hot beverage. My sister and I had the muffins for two breakfasts and… Read More »
One advantage Filipino immigrants to North America have is that almost all of them can speak in English. Actually Filipino immigrants in the 60’s and 70’s were educated from elementary to university in English. In 1946 when the Philippines got full independence from the United States, the medium of instruction in the elementary schools gradually was changed to… Read More »
I was listening last Saturday to the homily at the 5:00 pm mass. The priest was reminding the congregation that it was the end of the Christmas season and the celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ. which should make us recall our own baptism. I have a great respect and admiration for this particular homilist who can… Read More »
Two weeks ago, CNN, an American Channel, presented a program honoring heroes of America. When we think of heroes, what often come to our minds are the men and women with distinguished courage who fought in battlefields and often gave their lives in the cause of freedom . Before the program actually started, I was thinking of the… Read More »
I was in the car of a close friend driving along the narrow streets in the west end of Toronto when she slowed down the vehicle as her eye caught the pushcart by the gate of one of the old houses. A man, probably in his late forties was by the stairs of the house picking up some… Read More »
I got my copy of the Time Magazine this morning, the issue after the recent election in the United States. Of course, the front-page picture is that of the new president elect, Barack Obama. The caption: “Change has come to America.” The last US election campaign had been the main news in the previous three months. It caught… Read More »
TORONTO, CANADA – Filipinos are today considered the fourth largest minority group in Canada, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area. The need to maintain community communication increases as their number expands numerically, economically, socially, and politically. The rapid growth of the community in the early 1970s brought a need to bring the Filipinos together and strengthen their connectedness… Read More »