It was only weeks ago in November that the Filipino was the toast of the world in the persons of Manny Pacquiao and CNN Hero of the year Efren Penaflorida. This did not last long as the glory was obliterated by a grisly incident that would shake the nation and the entire world. The Maguindanao massacre has flung… Read More »
It will happen. It has to happen. “We are morons not to let it happen,” Richard Schaefeer, president of the Golden Boy Promotions that promoted the last three fights of Floyd Mayweather Jr., was quoted as saying on the possibility of a fight between Mayweather and Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao. Indeed, it is… Read More »
Last year, I received an e-mail commenting about one of my articles. Growing up in Vancouver, she stated her parents were “cold” and never showed affection. In fact, they called her names and put her down almost daily. Her only respite was when they were asleep. In her letter, she stated, “Dr. Rayel, they always told… Read More »
Isaoko Kosaka and his petite wife Keseiko operated a small refreshment parlour at the corner of Potenciana and Cabildo streets in the mid 30’s inside the Walled City of Intramuros. Cabildo was a very busy street while Potenciana led to two big churches where daily devotees would pass in varying groups. The couples could have never chosen a… Read More »
I attended a baby shower a few days ago. It was a joyous occasion with plenty of goodies to eat and bags galore of presents. I heard that this is only one of the gatherings for the same purpose. There were other two on the other side of the family and of friends of the mother. The expectant… Read More »
The observation of Remembrance Day on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of this year was deeply touching. I watched that one held in Ottawa over the television. It was preceded by a two-minute silence, followed by the singing of the national anthem with the Canadian flag up high and four armed forces… Read More »
Barrio Fiesta was a much- awaited yearly event, for its locale would give it an indigenous flavor and local color. The barrio folks would wait this occasion with heightened expectancy due to its religious significance. The early Spanish missionaries must have given the barrio a patron saint to guide its destiny and progress, which must therefore be honored… Read More »
It was ominous and clear as day…. The November issue of the iconic Time Magazine, in its Asia edition had him as the cover ….an honor only afforded rulers of state, pop stars like Michael Jackson and even the Philippines’ Icon of Democracy” the late president Corazon Aquino. Matter of fact, Manny Pacquiao is the only Filipinos boxer… Read More »
My family has always been optimists- Papa Porfirio, Mama Brigida, brothers Tony and Hec, sisters Tesi and Joy. It is no wonder that this outlook in life is the same thing that allows the new generation of this family to cope up beautifully in the most trying of circumstances. We were taught to make ‘diskarte’ of situations that… Read More »
It was sheer joy to meet old friends and relatives. They all say how good I looked and how I never aged at all. I foresaw all these and of course I was prepared. I have gifts for everyone, small momentous for remember me by. After the usual round of meeting friends and relatives, and old friends… Read More »