Do you recall the word syzygy of a couple of Throwback columns past; how I surmised that it was quite impossible to use syzygy as another high-scoring jargon on a scrabble board? Well, I was wrong. I stand corrected. I forgot that a scrabble set has two blank tiles, each of which may be used to substitute for… Read More »
Talking about the weather as a conversation breaker is undoubtedly sinking into the psyche of the newly-arrived immigrants coming to Canada. Here in Toronto, the haven of multiculturalism, conversing about the weather is slowly becoming part of these immigrants’ daily routine since they are now experiencing the country’s different seasons. Although some immigrants find it weird to initiate… Read More »
DURING my tenure with a First Nations School in Northern Ontario, the Governor General of the day would send a regular infusion of books for use by the elementary students of that school. The books were quite apart from the regular ones prescribed and supplied by the Ministry. However, they provide further reading and library materials to school… Read More »
Campaigning for an unforeseen Toronto mayoral by-election on June 26th is underway. As expected, candidate outreach through social media is becoming increasingly important. Do candidates no longer knock on doors and hold town halls? It is not a stretch to say that social media has increased political engagement and polarized users, with most online political discourse leaning either… Read More »
It’s true, it’s real, and it’s genuine! Media colleague Jose “Joey” Baking is again eyeing Toronto City’s topmost political post in the upcoming June 26, 2023 mayoral by-elections. Will love be lovelier the second time around? Joey is one of two journalists who have signed up (well, until candidate registration ends on May 12, 2023) with more than… 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 »
By Nick Kossovan While paying some bills online, three questions suddenly popped into my head. These questions may have manifested themselves because Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are coming up or because I had recently attended a friend’s 60th birthday party, but I am speculating. (I am not comfortable with, and hence not good at, self-analysis.) It felt… Read More »
“I was required to read books that opened up the world for me and made me see how much roomier it was than I imagined. I read books which gave me courage and helped me to see, and I imagined that I bore my chalice safely through a throng of foes.” – Abdulrazak Gurnah, Gravel Heart (2017). “I… Read More »
Given the ever-increasing number of would-be candidates making pre-nomination announcements, it does not take a mathematical wizard to predict that whoever wins the upcoming Toronto mayoral by-election on June 26th will have received at most 20% of the votes. John Tory was not challenged by a notable candidate in the past two elections. Now with Tory out of… Read More »
Laughter goes beyond being relief for a tired soul. It is also one of the best ways to express a truth, with little pain. No offense meant. Perhaps, a little taken? Obviously no laughing matter; but again, why the hurt before the sorry? ***** Ewan ko, pero madalang nang makatagpo ng matinong mapapagtanungan at kausap these days. Kung… Read More »