Category Archives: Editorial

A Lasting Christmas Truce

Descendants of Great War veterans, in period uniforms, shake hands at the 2008 unveiling of a memorial to the truce. In 1914, ninety-six years ago, during the Great War — or World War I as we call it today — the British and French armies were manning the 27-mile Western Front fiercely defending French territory from the advancing… Read More »

The joys of Philippine Christmas

For Filipinos who have been outside of the Philippines for years, Christmas is both a time for rejoicing and a time for remembering. Even as the Filipino in America begins to feel the holiday mood immediately after Thanksgiving when people start shopping for gifts and Christmas decors, he feels at the same time a longing for home. For… Read More »

‘ HOPPING “ NEW YEAR !

Dangle out the carrots, 2011 is the year of the Rabbit according to the Chinese Zodiac calendar. Unlike 2010—year of the Tiger, considered to be fast paced and dynamic, Anno Cuniculus (year of the Rabbit) is almost always characterized as quiet, positive and inspiring. The Chinese astrology tells us that indeed it looks like “refreshing changes will come… Read More »

The Thoughts on Christmas in the Barrio

Every year Christmas comes to Christendom in unerring certainty. Symbolized by Christ child, Christmas is for children. However, this red letters day is likewise shared by the elders, for amongst them, there would always be the feeling and thoughts of childhood and the children in them. Christmas, to many of us, is the storehouse of our memories in… Read More »

WHO’S STEALING CHRISTMAS ?

WHO is really Santa Claus ?. Why is he so popular worldwide that children await him December of each year ? And why did retired Philippine bishop Teodoro Bacani said Santa is stealing Christmas from Jesus Christ who was supposed to be the center of attraction on his birth date December 25 . ****** Bacani insists Santa “helps… Read More »

Barangays can lead national transformation

While in Manila on a 10-day vacation recently, I had the opportunity to attend a media forum on barangays presided by former Sen. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. at the Club Filipino in Greenhills. No one could have explained to media members the barangay system in the Philippines better than the three-term senator who authored the Local Government Code in… Read More »

Christmas for Christ

The reason for the season has long been forgotten. Santa Claus is more popular than the birthday celebrant. All that matters now are the material things; the spirituality is gone. Let’s put back the true essence of Christmas – the glorious birth of Lord Jesus Christ. AVV1210 I have observed the complete transformation of the true essence of… Read More »

Sending mixed signals

A day after President Benigno S. Aquino III offered guarantees to foreign investors who would participate in his administration’s public-private partnership (PPP) program, an official of a Belgian firm contracted to dredge the Laguna de Bay for P18 billion complained that Malacanang unilaterally cancelled the contract without first informing them. Dimitri Ditielleux, North Asia manager of Baggerwerken Decloedt… Read More »

MAMANG COCHERO

Rig driving was a way of life among pinoys during the pre-war years in Manila. And Tondo was the main venue of these rig operators in the city. The Cochero or rig driver during those years were referred to as “king of the road” as rigs outnumbered the motor vehicles on the road, and the voting power of… Read More »