That third Monday of February was just another typical Ole Winter’s day.         Nothing out of character, it was always be one of those times when I avoided answering the door lest my face is lashed by a sudden blast of Arctic wind, which could be worse than being startled by a jolt of static electricity.         Answering the phone… Read More »

 In His own well-laid plans and mysterious ways, God makes things happen according to His plan, His time and His will. This, I believe so.         January passed with a lot of glad and sad surprises, all of which were worthy to be kept in my shoebox trove of great memories. *****         Geez! My kumare Sally and inaanak Karen,… Read More »

        Good tidings! The Season of Advent has begun.         Every December 25, the world celebrates the birth of the Holy Baby in Bethlehem.         Joy to the world! Jesus, the Christ, is come! Indeed, it is a Holy day. *****         “Season’s Greetings!” and “Happy Holidays!” are both politically correct.         However, it is quite awkward to use the catchphrases nowadays when… Read More »

My 10-Cents Worth Butch Galicia Have you ever had that sudden impish impulse to sip a Sarsi worth five centavos and enjoy pan de lemon stuffed with “dirty” ice cream, also worth five centavos, from Mamang Sorbetero.Yes, I did … five decades and plus years ago. But I did not have the ten centavos.So, I tiptoed to where… Read More »

Bishop Colin Bagaforo of the Archdiocese of Kidapawan is appealing for donations for the quick relief and meaningful rehabilitation of victims and survivors of a series of strong earthquakes that have been shaking many communities in Mindanao, Southern Philippines since October 16.A Quick Response Command Center for Relief Operations under the diocese’s Social Action Commission has been opened… Read More »

        Voters in all 25 electoral ridings in Toronto have spoken and have painted Canada’s premier city red – cautiously, conscientiously and convincingly.         Way beyond reasonable doubt, the resounding cry is, was and ever shall be “Let’s Go, Raptors!” *****         Just like the Raptors, champions and winners are subject to greater expectations.         Congratulations! You have won in your riding.… Read More »

 Say what?!! Autumn has quietly set in? Oh, for the love of my arthritic knees!         Jointly, all that we — members of Seniors Aging Gracefully (forget the acronym, please) like me — could do is to hang on to our incessant cold night ramblings, highly-anticipated post-winter musings and much-expected pre-summer day dreams.         What else is new, anyways? Winter… Read More »

        Bianca Vanessa Andreescu deserves the praise and adulation of a grateful Canadian nation.         At the age of 19, Bianca has achieved a feat no other Canadian professional tennis player had done since 1969, when Faye Urban won a major tournament.          She defeated tennis queen Serena Williams, who was out to fight for a 24th US Open title, on… Read More »

        Kuya Badong: “Give the devil an inch; he’d want to be a ruler.”         Kabesang Betong: “Ibaon ang problema. Bigyan na natin ng anim na ruler!”         *****         Tandang Andoy: “An idle mind is a devil’s factory.”         Tatay Kaloy: “Kaya pala ang taas ng employment rate ng mga zombie.”         Tandang Andoy: “For clarity, I said idle mind.”         Tatay Kaloy: “Just… Read More »

        Napag-uusapan lang:         Ingkong Tasyo: “Bakit hila-hila mo ‘yang sinulid?”         Aling Pacing: “Sige nga, itulak mo.” *****         “Do the right thing,” so it is always advised.         Quite a truism among many people struggling with sense and sensibilities, doing the right thing seems to be the most plausible cliche oft-said to feel blameless and detached until proven otherwise.         An advice-seeking… Read More »