A new report from the World Health Organization (WHO) confirms that HIV infection is a significant independent risk factor for both severe COVID-19 presentation at hospital admission and in-hospital mortality. Overall, nearly a quarter of all people living with HIV who were hospitalized with COVID-19, died. COVID-19 is threatening the gains in fighting the HIV epidemic. It is leading… Read More »
WHAT IS THE TROUBLE with the Democratic Party? Are they going crazy? They have the presidency, the Senate and the House of Representatives. They have full control of the Executive and Legislative branches of government! They haven’t done so well in a very long time. They passed the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill, which surpassed any government program since… Read More »
It feels tentative to have typed 2022 to date this piece. But I am undoubtedly looking forward to 2022 for many reasons – foremost of them because it might just be the year when covid will be a thing of the past, just like many of us are hoping as well. Except maybe (Big MAYBE, in short, in… Read More »
And the winner is…..Charo, who’s a recipient of countless awards and recognitions did it again! This time for her fine acting performance in “Kun Maupay Man It Panahon” at the recently concluded Metro Manila Film Festival. You must remember that Charo got her first major acting award in her very first film ITIM as Asia’s Best Actress (1978)… Read More »
I greet the New Year with great hope and positivity as always, with a solemn prayer for better things tucked in for good measure. Better things because I am feeling blessed as can be, having overcome the greatest hurdles of my life, which come with bringing you the news through Balita. Looking back, it is interesting to note… Read More »
Christmas is the time for family and friends to celebrate the holiday season together. Unfortunately, for many seniors in our community this time of the year only increases their sense of isolation and loneliness. This past year and a half had been challenging for everyone and even more so for many of seniors who are on their own,… Read More »
This is my favorite story I love to tell again and again in Christmas time and I am sharing it with you. Dec. 15, 1968, Sunday: I am at the Araneta Coliseum to watch a basketball charity event featuring the FPJ All-Stars. Susan, my good friend and favorite interview subject, is around, and no one wonders why she… Read More »
It is a universal fact that sports fans will never tire of rooting for their teams. Even if the Raptors seem to miss the hometown hoop, I still believe that in the long 82-game season, a place in the playoffs is still in their sights. Konting kayod pa, .500 na. I am a never-say-die fan. Peks man! Makulam… Read More »
IN THE AFTERMATH of the “People Power” that deposed President Ferdinand Marcos in 1986, the word “balimbing” became popular. The “balimbing,” or star fruit, became the mark of a turncoat. The star fruit’s cross-section is shaped like a five-sided star; thus, a person who changes political loyalty is called a “balimbing.” After Marcos was ousted from the presidency,… Read More »
A Christmas melody was playing over the radio in a Toronto home in 2019. Suddenly, my 87-year old mom hummed and then sang along: “Hmmmm. City sidewalks, busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style. In the air, there’s a feeling of Christmas. Children laughing, people passing, meeting smile after smile. And on every street corner you’ll hear: Silver bells,… Read More »