Guided by a bright Star that lit the right path, three eastern Wise Men — not North Pole’s Santa Claus or a westerner — brought gifts honouring the humanity, kingship and divinity of the Christ Child, born on a manger. Humble shepherds and the herd — not Robin Hood or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles — knelt and stood… Read More »
Pinitpit na tansan, timbang plastik, an overused Cebu-made guitar at tatlong mukhang may boses. Checked! All systems go! Three teenagers, circa late ‘60s, were bringing it on for the nightly rendezvous with fun, a little cash and a host of all-time Christmas carols. Carolling on the length and breathe of Manila’s streets and communities eons ago – on… Read More »
Ayon sa mga dalubhasang weather-weather, ang unang pagbagsak ng niyebe o first snowfall ay madalas mangyari sa buwan ng Nobyembre; ngunit maaaring maganap din sa Oktubre. Subalit nuong 2009, sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon in 162 years, hinayaan ni Inang Kalikasan na gawin ni Autumn what the season was meant to do – shed off its colourful beauty, prepare for… Read More »
Profound realization: Sometimes, listening attentively to unending tales of woe brings relief. It’s nice to discover that you are running ahead of someone and a nasty bear. ***** Late post: Tatang tried to outrun aspiring bets in the latest polls. On the eve of the halalan, naghanap siya ng barya sa ilalim ng mesa. Kaso naumpog, utak ay… Read More »
“Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.” (First line of Desiderata, Max Ehrmann) ***** When the phone rings and an annoying caller ID reads Unknown Name, Private Name and anything of that sort, the call will definitely deserve a “no reply” and, sometimes, two unprintable words. I respect the… Read More »
Matamlay ang hangin, may kilya ang boka-boka. Tsubibo’y umiikot, payaso’y ‘di na nakatutuwa. Buktot at sukdulang nakinabang sa kasalanan Pati asin ng salat ay inihanda sa sabsaban. ***** ‘Ika nga: “The sin of the father is not the sin of the son.” Patutsada: “Like father, like son.” Whatever, it is what it is; tanggalin ang kaliskis. ***** I… Read More »
Until we are sure of the future, let us enjoy living in the present and have fun rekindling the past. No guarantees, no regrets; it is what it is. Smile. Better yet, laugh life’s hearty jokes out loud. ***** Okidok! Bagamat nakalipas na ang Agosto, ang Buwan ng Wika, hindi ito hudyat na muli nating ipasasantabi ang pag-gamit… Read More »
The last long weekend of summer is over. Short trips, weekend breaks and vacations preceding Autumn’s chill are done. Ooops! The school buses are rolling. Young Canadians are back in classrooms. People’s brains and brawn go on rotating the nation’s socio- economic wheels. Going around in circles, at least, is both an option and a reality of seasonal… Read More »
Remember when these conversations were commonly overheard in Filipino gatherings? “Pilipino ka?” “Oo. Ikaw?” “Obvious ba?” “Taga-saan ka?” “Sa Scarborough.” “Hindi. Sa Pilipinas!” “Ah! Visayas.” “Tinuod ka, bay?” “Ay, ambot!” And off they go … new friends … talking in their native language. ***** “Pards, taga-Luzon ako na lumaki sa Cebu.” “Ha? Taga-Cebu ako na nakapangasawa ng taga-Mindanao.”… Read More »
For 17 University of Santo Tomas-Education High School Class of 1970 members and 14 of their spouses and family, the pre-pandemic midsummer of 2018 – from August 17 to 19 – was special. Many of them may have not seen each other for over four decades, but the hugs and handshakes were still as warm and welcoming as… Read More »