The latter part of 1896 was a pivotal juncture for Jose Rizal, who, after having spent four years as an exile in Dapitan, sought permission to sail for an embattled Cuba as a medical volunteer. The wars of independence against Spain were simultaneously being waged at the time by revolutionaries from both colonies. The Spanish Crown was in… Read More »
The recurring heat wave phenomenon continues to disrupt summer enjoyment in Canada in recent years. The frequency and scale of wildfires predominantly thrust its existential threat in close proximity with Canadians. Air quality has since become a major health concern. Destruction of forest continues to affect wildlife and vegetation. Humanity, as a result, bears the catastrophic brunt of… Read More »
In Toronto’s ever-evolving landscape of community work, social enterprises often operate quietly in the background — building livelihoods, strengthening neighborhoods, and creating opportunities where traditional systems fall short. A social enterprise is a business that exists not only to generate revenue, but to achieve a social purpose. Unlike charitable organizations, which rely heavily on donations and grants, social… Read More »
With the Canadian winter looming just three months away, many of you may already be wondering where to escape the cold. For one group of family and friends — Frederick, Kat, Ephraim, Ann, Marlyn, Marilyn, Edwin, Jeanne, Cody, Olive and Kim — that question led them to consider Cuba, a destination often surrounded by misconceptions yet known for… Read More »
The month of July in Canada crosses the threshold of summer with a personal warmth of nostalgia tethering the enormity of presentiment. From coast to coast to coast, every Canadian embraces this particular time with elation and anticipation. It signals placid days for families to take pleasure in while their children are off from school. The luscious and… Read More »
Recently, I attended both a moving-out sale and an estate sale in our apartment building. As I walked through each one, I felt a quiet sadness. Although many of the items were being sold at bargain prices—almost given away—the experience left me reflecting on how temporary our material possessions really are. It was also the first time I… Read More »
Breakdancing, or breaking, emerged in the early 1970s in the Bronx as part of hip-hop culture, blending athleticism, rhythm, and creativity into a dance form unlike anything seen before. Rooted in street battles and community expression, breaking evolved through crews who pushed movement innovation—spins, freezes, footwork, and power moves—into an art that demanded both physical strength and musicality.… Read More »
Zumba began in 2001 when Colombian dancer and aerobics instructor Alberto “Beto” Perez accidentally improvised a class using salsa and merengue music he had on hand. What started as a happy mistake quickly grew into a global fitness movement, blending Latin rhythms, dance, and cardio into an experience that feels more like a party than a workout. For… Read More »
After “El Filibusterismo” came off the press in September 1891, Rizal had mentioned to his friend Ferdinand Blumentritt, that he was contemplating on writing a third novel. The Austrian intellectual who had written extensively about the Philippines wrote the preface to what would eventually become Rizal’s second and last completed novel. As a confidant, he was apprised of… Read More »
Let’s welcome our new lawyer, Atty Neil Abam, to the Filipino community in Toronto. He took his oath at the Law Society of Ontario on June 23, 2026. In a recent interview, Neil, as he is fondly called by friends, said that he is willing to serve his kababayans pro bono, for free, especially those who cannot afford… Read More »