Category Archives: General

It Was Fortuitous After All

Puzzled and frankly bored as to why much of our high school Philippine history material covered battles and wars waged against the Spanish colonizers, I asked my history teacher why so?  Her profound answer was: As foreign invaders, the Spaniards treated Filipinos as second-class citizens in so many, many ways — calling them indios and ladrones, for instance.… Read More »

Memorial of Jesus’ Death on March 24

These days, millions of Jehovah’s Witnesses worldwide are now actively engaged in a special campaign to invite people of all races to the memorial of Jesus’ Death, which will be held on March 24 at 7:30 in the evening.  These Memorial Invitations contain the venue and other details for this important event. Those who live elsewhere can also… Read More »

FUN PHILIPPINES TORONTO Food and Music Festival ON JULY 26-28 at Harbourfront Centre, Toronto

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 »

Courage is useless

“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 »

How Time Flies Fast; We Are Now Seniors

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 »

On Unli and Overload 

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 »

Never forget EDSA & People Power

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 »

Balikbayan  ni Edwin Esteba

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 »

Love Poems

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 »

The Game is in the Name

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 »