As the New Year looms, some concerned economic forecasters have pictured a doom and gloom scenario for 2011 and beyond. And some even have hard data in their fearless proclamations. Although I understand their pessimism, I always look at the bright, hopeful side. For years, our civilization has been bombarded with doomsday forecasts. But humanity has survived and… Read More »
It is now the beginning of another year and it is time to reflect and appreciate once again all things we should be thankful for. There are moments when we feel down and discouraged, but after that have lapsed, here comes the realization that haynaku! its not that bad after all. How lucky can we be when compared… Read More »
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 »
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 »
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 »
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 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 »
We have brought down our ‘winter’ outfits from the attic, pinagpagan, ni- washing machine and hang out to dry. We can wear them again- Christmas weather na here in Manila! Felt the change in weather only last week. Di na gaanong namamawis ang aking batok at kili- kili as I travelled in the old, reliable (pero madalas nakakasuklam… Read More »
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 »
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 »