Anthony Bourdain is an American journalist who hosts a travel show named Places Unknown. He has traveled extensively to far-off parts of the world, featuring places like China, Japan, Madagascar, Paris, Greece, Thailand and many more. He introduces his audience to different groups of people, their cultures, ways of life, their food which is usually very different from… Read More »

Happy New Year! This is the greeting that we give to our family and friends this time of year. We look forward to a bright future. But recently I utter this goodwill hopes with trepidation. Will it be a happy new year? The year 2015 left us a deal to worry and be scared about. There were the… Read More »

It is federal general election campaign times in Canada! If you turn on your TV on one of the news hours: twelve at noon, six in the afternoon or eleven at night, you will surely catch some information on issues in this election. Economy seems to be number one- creating jobs, raising the minimum wage, lowering the unemployment… Read More »

Why do people from more than one hundred countries in the world come to North America? I remember more than four decades ago, I was one of those lured to cross the ocean to an uncertain future when I was well-placed in my country of origin. I held a prestigious position in a university with a remuneration enough… Read More »

Television, radio and newspapers as well as the social media were all full of news these last few days about a terrible massacre in a church in Charleston South Carolina wherein six women and three men were killed. The suspect was already apprehended; a twenty-one year old who looked just like any other young man we meet in… Read More »

It was featured on television several days ago that children in school are being taught how to handle money. Grade  five kids made presentations  on such grown-up topics as “Which is better for you- buy a house or rent an apartment?” or “What to buy or not to buy when you are in the mall.” I thought this… Read More »

I was in a gathering of close friends a few weeks ago. It was a relaxed quiet affair, comfortable and secure in the company of people I have known for years. We  had a sumptuous dinner, full of laughter and banter. After the dinner, we retired in the spacious living room and chatted about our lives here in… Read More »

When this short comment is uttered towards a person, it can have several meanings. It could mean you do not belong; you are outside of the group. If the person is an interviewer for a job, it is a sign that he/she would not hire you. You do not fit the job. Your accent will be a hindrance… Read More »

HAPPY NEW YEAR! The holidays are over. The rushing and dashing to shop for presents for our loved ones, friends and others we had to remember during this period is over. Shopping for presents is not an easy task. We have to decide what would please the person we intend the gift for. We also have to consider… Read More »

Huwag kang sasagot!” Answering back elders is a sign of disrespect. No matter whether the elder is right or wrong. Respect for elders is a tradition deep in Filipino culture. Younger generations are expected to kiss the hand of parents, grandparents, uncles or aunts as sign of respect. The Filipino language (Tagalog) contains expressions of respect like “po… Read More »