Category Archives: Guest Writer

Legacies of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics

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 »

Some old habits never die

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?

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 »

Looking back: Four decades of life in Canada

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 »

My friend McDickenson

Noel Copiaco, Lansing, MI One of the earliest friendships I made upon moving to Michigan in the summer of 69 was with a guy I will simply refer to as McDickenson to protect the innocent. He was a few years older than me, handsome, educated, politically conservative and proud of his Irish heritage. Why he liked me, I… Read More »

Congen: In bidding each other adieu, let’s ‘unite for a cause’

In what better way could a grateful community remember its sterling moments with the congenial Alejandro Mosquera, Philippine consul general in Toronto? Celebrate with ConGen Mosquera his commencement march as he ends in June his tour of duty in Toronto; but in a singular occasion that would mark a glaring spirit of bayanihan (collective cooperation) and unity –… Read More »

Pride in being Filipino – What does it mean?

A week ago the Philippine Reporter celebrated its 20th anniversary with a gala event. Several Filipino organizations shared the joyous occasion. The Hon. Mayor of Toronto, David Miller was the main speaker. He underscored the contributions of the paper to the culture growth of one of the most multi cultural cities in the world – Toronto There was… Read More »

The Key to Tolerance

Several days ago I attended a presentation in my parish church on the “Jewish Roots of Christianity”. This occasion was a part of the Lenten Reflections. The presenter was Sr. Lucy Thoron from the Interfaith Desk of the Scarboro Missions. I am very glad I attended this gathering. To me the presentation went beyond the religious values and… Read More »

Filipinos in these hard times

I was at Food Basics the other day and they had some fresh carrot muffins for $1.99 in a package of six. I bought a package and when I reached home, I brewed a cup of coffee and enjoyed one of the muffins with the hot beverage. My sister and I had the muffins for two breakfasts and… Read More »