Colors are finally bursting out. Hurrah. We are done with the somber hues of winter. Our cherry tree is finally blooming and budding. Looking forward to harvesting cherries in our backyard soon. Mother’s Day was especially exhilarating, albeit, I was still nursing a bit of a cold. It did not stop me though from joining the rest of… Read More »
With the advent of spring, “hope springs eternal in the human breast” again as English poet Alexander Pope wisely expressed in his 1732 poem An Essay on Man. I say rightly so. It feels like a primordial urge within every man which keeps us going on no matter the challenges. With this in mind and heart, I proceed… Read More »
I thought that maybe, just maybe, things would calm down a bit as 2025 dawned. Oh, no! It seems to be getting worse. In western astrology though, I understand that this was to be expected. There was a late 1960s medley of two songs — Aquarius /Let the Sunshine In made popular and released as a single by… Read More »
I don’t know about you, but I sense that the Christmas spirit has not really kicked in this year with most people. Then again maybe it is just me. How could it? With all the craziness going on around the world. And yet, I still believe that there are redeeming qualities that life, through history, offers for us… Read More »
After living in Canada for quite a number of years now, it was refreshing and welcome to be reminded of our rich and diverse roots when I finally came to experience over a week ago, the art works of the prolific Filipino artist — the late great Pacita Abad at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) on Dundas… Read More »
It seems to have been a dream. Summer in Canada this year feels like a microcosm of the volatile weather (literally and figuratively, I must say) around the globe. A friend of mine who is quite adept at astrology, says that these turbulent times are a sort of “spring cleaning” as we usher in the Age of Aquarius.… Read More »
I bring news of good tidings in the aftermath of the wrath of Typhoon Gaemi (known as Typhoon Carina in the Philippines). After visiting the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila last year, and after such a devastating natural disaster in Manila, I was elated to hear that a good friend of ours (and our balae), Rosalie… Read More »
In short…we are still in the midst of celebrating Filipino Heritage Month. With this in mind, I cannot think of a better way to revel in our own Filipino culture and history than to view the very engaging and nostalgic vlog of a fellow Filipino on YT – Scenario by Ka You Tubero. Scenario features ancestral houses and… Read More »
Today, and all the days of June, we celebrate Filipino Heritage Month. Expect a whole slew of interesting events and activities from the numerous leading Filipino-Canadian communities around Canada, precisely to recognize, celebrate and raise awareness about the Filipino community in Canada and their valuable contributions throughout Canadian history. And rightly so. As stated in the Philippine Embassy… Read More »
In my last column, I had mentioned the admirable and effective work being done by Tahanan Sta. Luisa (TSL), a crisis intervention center for street girls in Manila. I learned about their outstanding work from a longtime friend and a director of TSL, Victoria “Bubut” Rialp, married to TV and stage director and talented artist, Leo Rialp. Out… Read More »