One advantage Filipino immigrants to North America have is that almost all of them can speak in English. Actually Filipino immigrants in the 60’s and 70’s were educated from elementary to university in English. In 1946 when the Philippines got full independence from the United States, the medium of instruction in the elementary schools gradually was changed to… Read More »
I was listening last Saturday to the homily at the 5:00 pm mass. The priest was reminding the congregation that it was the end of the Christmas season and the celebration of the baptism of Jesus Christ. which should make us recall our own baptism. I have a great respect and admiration for this particular homilist who can… Read More »
Two weeks ago, CNN, an American Channel, presented a program honoring heroes of America. When we think of heroes, what often come to our minds are the men and women with distinguished courage who fought in battlefields and often gave their lives in the cause of freedom . Before the program actually started, I was thinking of the… Read More »
I was in the car of a close friend driving along the narrow streets in the west end of Toronto when she slowed down the vehicle as her eye caught the pushcart by the gate of one of the old houses. A man, probably in his late forties was by the stairs of the house picking up some… Read More »
I got my copy of the Time Magazine this morning, the issue after the recent election in the United States. Of course, the front-page picture is that of the new president elect, Barack Obama. The caption: “Change has come to America.” The last US election campaign had been the main news in the previous three months. It caught… Read More »
TORONTO, CANADA – Filipinos are today considered the fourth largest minority group in Canada, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area. The need to maintain community communication increases as their number expands numerically, economically, socially, and politically. The rapid growth of the community in the early 1970s brought a need to bring the Filipinos together and strengthen their connectedness… Read More »
Several days ago, the Philippine Consulate General of Toronto hosted an art exhibition of the paintings of a Filipino artist, Rosalinda Roman. Her works featured the Philippine bahay kubo and the rare, awesome orchids, like the cattleya and the Waling Waling. This art exhibit has already traveled to some cities in Europe and now in North America, starting… Read More »
LAST MAY and every May we celebrate Mothers’ Day. In June, we also celebrate Fathers’ Day. I know there are also Grandparents’ Day and Teachers’ Day. It’s really good that we have specific days to recognize and honor the great things our loved ones do at least once a year. Up to this writing, we were wondering, why… Read More »
“We’ve come to offer a proactive approach to break barriers and stereotypes, increase communication and understanding between the groups and the police, thereby helping to create a safe and improved quality of living in this city and communities.” Rowena Santos, Co-Chair, Planning Committee This statement in the introductory speech of one of the Filipino leaders and co-chair of… Read More »