A Filipino caregiver who had worked several years in Canada suddenly discovered that she had cancer. Her physician told her that she would have about six months to live. She decided that she would go home to die in the Philippines. “Ayokong mamatay dito. Gusto kong mamatay sa sariling bayan, sa piling ng aking mga [...]

Kababalik ko lang mula sa pagbabakasyon sa Pilipinas. Sabihin pa, kahit pagod na pagod at talaga namang lagi pa rin akong nag-aantok ay nakapanaig pa rin sa akin ang hangaring  sumulat, kasi ba naman napakaraming idea/paksa ang nasa aking utak. Mga karanasang naghatid sa akin at sa aking mga kasama ng ibayong tuwa at kaligayahan [...]

It was one of these gloomy winter days in January. It was not extremely cold but there was a bitter wind that added a chill factor. I had to go out early and 7:30 was still partially dark. I was bundled up with a thick sweater and a vest, winter coat with a hood, woolen [...]

Lydia NoNo, noon!
Lydia YesYes, ngayon?
$20 million winner! Eskeremengoles!
Si Lydia Nono po! Ngayon, Lydia Yesyes?
Kung pano nya na-pick ining winning numbers!
Ewan ko! Ewan nyo? Ancient Chinese secret?
* * *
Lawiswis Kawayan! Si Lydia, ang dasal,
Ilokano kaya? Baka, Pangasinan?
Visaya? Tagalog? Baka, English naman?
Siya ang tanungin! Ngayon e nasaan?
* * *
Sez Pilosopong Lao, ang gulong ng palad,
Pag - ikot [...]

Noel Copiaco, Lansing, MI
One of the earliest friendships I made upon moving to Michigan in the summer of 69 was with a guy I will simply refer to as McDickenson to protect the innocent. He was a few years older than me, handsome, educated, politically conservative and proud of his Irish heritage. Why he liked [...]

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 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 [...]

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 [...]

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. [...]

LAST MAY and every May we celebrate Mothers’ Day. In June, we also celebrate Fathers’ Day. I know there are also Grandparents’ Day and Teachers’ Day. It’s really good that we have specific days to recognize and honor the great things our loved ones do at least once a year.
Up to this writing, we were [...]