Jack Layton’s last words

Early this week the whole of Canada, most especially the Greater Toronto Area, was deeply saddened by the news of the passing away of the leader of the National Democratic Party, the Honourable Jack Layton. He was the leader of the official opposition party in the Federal Parliament in Ottawa. Jack Layton as everyone in Canada addressed him,… Read More »

“All’s Well That Ends Well”

This piece has nothing to do with a Shakespearean play. It is rather exactly what it was or is: all’s well that ends well. It all started with a call for help from a friend whom I have not seen nor heard from for many years. Well, when you are in this part of the globe it is… Read More »

Political dysfunction and the economy

And I thought the Philippines’ corrupt politicians are the worst. It turns out America’s own “dysfunctional politicians,” as global rating agency Standard & Poor’s describe them, can destroy this great nation just as badly as highly contentious politics tears the Philippines apart on a regular basis. In downgrading the United States’ credit rating for the first time ever… Read More »

Will Gloria go to jail?

Will she? Visualize the scenario: Gloria Arroyo in drab orange with a big “P” on her back (the “P” not signifying President but Prisoner), languishing in a women’s penal facility somewhere in the Philippines, mopping floors or scrubbing the grime off toilet bowls, her trademark pout now permanently lodged on her face. She might not even be safe… Read More »

Just thinking

Summer is on its way out and so is the rumbling around festivals. But could you imagine a world for Filipinos without any festival at all — as in AT ALL? I could not. Filipinos would disappear from the planet the moment Euphrosyne, the goddess of mirth, takes away singing, dancing, beauty pageants, and anything to do with… Read More »

Just Asking

With the brouhaha over questions as to which festival is the biggest, the grandest, most popular, high-speed money-maker, one would wonder what would come next. If the intent is to outdo each other, then the same question will be asked all over again next round, next year. I was invited to the ‘ABS-CBN Canada One Kapamilya sa Mabuhay… Read More »

An open secret we avoid talking about.

Did you hear about that woman and her little child who jumped out of a moving car, several days ago? They landed on the road with serious injuries. Fortunately, they were not hit by in passing vehicles. The road was closed for several hours. A criminal investigation was conducted. I went over the newspapers the next day for… Read More »

Let go!!!

An awesome horror enveloped me when I heard and saw on television the horrific slaying and bombing that killed at least 76 people and destroyed considerable property in Norway. What???. Terrorism? Another 9/11? And then, I heard the announcer say that it was like that Oklahoman tragedy. A single person was responsible for all the blood spilled and… Read More »