Traveling alone is not new to me, even in my younger years. (Huwag na ninyong itanong how long ago!). Somehow, especially in the Philippines, or in Asia for that matter, people would look at me askance, sometimes with downright incredulous eyes. This happens almost always when they find out I am on a trip by myself. This time,… Read More »
As we transitioned to today, July 1, Canada Day, it is interesting to note that the month preciding it, June, was both Filipino Heritage Month and National Indigenous Month in Canada. I started my piece for this issue intending to highlight the similarities in the cultures and histories of both nations – Canada and the Philippines. Offhand, or… Read More »
However much I try not to follow what is going on in Ukraine and the rest of the world, I am inexorably drawn to the video posts from both MSM (mainstream media) and independent journalists (mainly the latter as I am beginning to doubt the former’s credibility, or at least, their evenness). I cannot help but compare the… Read More »
The global pandemic not only devastated (in many more ways than one) countries and peoples regardless of age, color, income, and what-have-you, but it unleashed hordes of travelers in airports and countries after it was officially over (or is it?). I know. I was one of them. As early as late 2022, as soon as I received my… Read More »
This is one time when I was grateful for the heat in Manila. What???!! Yes, readers, because if Manila was hot during the Holy Week, Bangkok was near-scorching. And yet, I had an incredibly satisfying time in the land of tuktuk and traffic (I think, Bangkok traffic was even worse than Manila, or maybe “patas lang”). No wonder… Read More »
These were the words that made me burst out laughing as a bunch of sassy, indefatigable, empowered ladies in their post golden years, got together one balmy, breezy night at a lovely Santorini-inspired seaside summer home at the Terrazas de Punta Fuego in Batangas. It was the gorgeous 2nd home of Mr. and Mrs. Rafael (Babes) Simpao (Babes… Read More »
“Oh Wind. If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?”, Percy Bysshe Shelley, one of the major English Romantic poets, echoes everyone’s hopes as winter comes to a much-awaited end in his famous line. It certainly resonates with many of us as the month of March comes around. Shelley was considered radical in his poetry as well as… Read More »
Valentine’s Day should have been a rallying point for love and peace in the world –that is what many of us hope. Admittedly, Va-Day, in the commercial world, refers, more often than not, to personal love or relationships. But within the global, geopolitical context, I sincerely wish that the spirit of Va-Day had a more inclusive tenor to… Read More »
“Salamat naman” that the chaotic Year of the Tiger (2022) is over. From January 22 to February 9, the Chinese New Year is celebrated. Or maybe for 2 weeks, more or less. This year, we welcome the Year of the Water Rabbit – the symbol of longevity, peace and prosperity in Chinese culture. One of the best calming… Read More »
Yes. This is a deliberate click bait heading. But a joyful one though. For once again, as we start 2023, the earth has made a complete revolution around the sun – a process which takes approximately 365 days to accomplish. And we are thankful that the process continues, since life as we know it, could not exist here… Read More »