A Filipino caregiver who had worked several years in Canada suddenly discovered that she had cancer. Her physician told her that she would have about six months to live. She decided that she would go home to die in the Philippines. “Ayokong mamatay dito. Gusto kong mamatay sa sariling bayan, sa piling ng aking mga kapatid at iba… Read More »
I was passing by a small flower shop inside the Finch Subway when my attention was caught by a row of sampagita plants in pots. The label was jasmine, but I know it was the Philippine sampagita with its small white sweet-scented blossoms. I know many of us grow them indoors during the cold weather and put them… Read More »
Holy Week had just passed and once again, the Philippines was featured on television. Scenes from some areas were shown wherein men, the upper parts of their bodies naked, walked along the dusty roads, flagellating themselves on Good Friday. The “Penitensya” has become a tourist attraction that draws crowds from distant places, some of whom are foreigners to… Read More »
OUR HEROES By Rudy M.Viernes The Philippine government cannot provide employment opportunities to its teeming employable citizens, sad to say. So, many Filipinos go abroad where employment abounds. Thus the template OFW was coined for Overseas Filipino Worker (which used to be OCW for Overseas Contract Worker) and has become commonplace, a phenomenon nevertheless, and its here… Read More »
One morning while out for my coffee break walk downtown, a young man deliberately went out of his way with the intention of bumping me with his shoulder. With the remaining agility of an aging baby boomer left in me, I sidestepped (basic Aikido) and he almost fell to the pavement. Then he looked at me and yelled… Read More »
Where were you that Sunday afternoon when Sidney Crosby shot the puck that declared Canada the Olympic Hockey champions of 2010? Did you see how Canadians from coast to coast jumped with excitement and joy? Did you join in the screaming and the singing of the national anthem “O Canada”? It did not matter whether you were… Read More »
It was one of these gloomy winter days in January. It was not extremely cold but there was a bitter wind that added a chill factor. I had to go out early and 7:30 was still partially dark. I was bundled up with a thick sweater and a vest, winter coat with a hood, woolen scarf, gloves and… Read More »
I was in a mall on Boxing Day morning and I was expecting hoards of people rushing for the big sales. I was kind of disappointed; there were not too many shoppers. The big announcement at the doors of the stores indicating 50 to 70% discounts were there but there were not too many passers by eyeing at… Read More »
Lydia NoNo, noon! Lydia YesYes, ngayon? $20 million winner! Eskeremengoles! Si Lydia Nono po! Ngayon, Lydia Yesyes? Kung pano nya na-pick ining winning numbers! Ewan ko! Ewan nyo? Ancient Chinese secret? * * * Lawiswis Kawayan! Si Lydia, ang dasal, Ilokano kaya? Baka, Pangasinan? Visaya? Tagalog? Baka, English naman? Siya ang tanungin! Ngayon e nasaan? * * *… Read More »
I was sitting in the waiting room of the family court in Toronto working on some puzzles when a duty counselor called my attention. “Are you the court interpreter in Tagalog? “Yes” I responded, “but not in the actual hearing. I am here for the conference of the lawyers and their clients”. After a few minutes, an elderly… Read More »