My mother will turn 92 this March and is upbeat as ever. When I talked to her by phone the other day —3pm in Vancouver, BC— she said that she’s fine and that she was baking pizzas for her apos, aged 18, 16, and 13. Whew, when are you going to stop, mother? No, not now — not… Read More »
I was in the house of a friend lately and I noticed that the pictures in the family room have been changed. The former portraits were gone and the new ones were all of young ones –hockey teams, a child’s birthday party, a young girl by a Christmas tree. They were all about two to ten year olds… Read More »
Alahoy! Alahoy! ‘Ginaya’ ang EDSA! Sa Egypt! Sa Yemen! At maging sa Libya! Sez Barack to Moammar: “Abah, sibat ka na” Hihihi! ! Sa Hawaii, Baka dun mapunta? * * * Tararadzingpotpot! Nagkapetotpetot! Gulo sa Middle East, ang OFWs! Sila ‘naiipit’ pirde ang trabahos! Iniuuwi na! Buhe delikados! * * * Sir Tomas Kaluban! Iba e ‘palaban’ Me… Read More »
Through efforts of the Filipino community of Brampton the remains of Girlie Maglalang has arrived to her grieving family in San Juan, Apalit, Pampanga. Girlie was hit by a car at the Shoppers’ World parking lot in Brampton in January. She has no relatives here — only friends and kababayans with good hearts. Like a number of our… Read More »
Eskeremengoles! Saming Last Kalabit, Isang Receptionist, bumula ang bibig! Dahil kanyang ngiti e very expensive! Bihira mangilid! Di malaman, bakit? * * * Dahil me reklamo! At bulungbulungan! Butihin nyang bossing e talked to her naman! Pinay Receptionist, dati dating Badang! OK na po ngayon! Wah! Appy Valentine! * * * Sa Araw Ng Puso! Me saya, me… Read More »
Holy Kalungkaling! Malupit na weather Rumagasa na naman di lamang sa atin! Maging sa Australia, La Nina hataw rin! Taksang kababayan sa baha e victims! * * * Pinoy community e malaki doon! Bahay e binaha! Abot hanggang bubung! Sakmal ng pangamba! Bagyo parang Ondoy! ‘Bayanihan’ Tembong! Alahoy! Alahoy! * * * Mabuhay ang Pinoy! Itong ‘Bayanihan’ Hindi… Read More »
Balita’s previous issue reported on Cebu-based honorary Canadian Consul Robert Lee being here to talk to several personalities, including businessman Steve Pagao and retired Judge Ric Manankil. Over coffee, the report said, Mr. Lee “cobbled together a think tank on ways to promote unity among Filipino-Canadians…” With all due respect this is a lofty and noble intention on… Read More »
It has been quite awhile since I last wrote a piece for a paper. I remember first writing for Balita, then — here and there. This time, you will have to help me to find back my mojo otherwise I may write jejemon style here. I deem it appropriate to start writing again as we enter 2011. The… Read More »
By Ab. Velasco This past November, I embarked on an unforgettable three-week, cross country visit to the Philippines. I was born in Manila in 1981 and my family immigrated to Canada in 1989. I returned briefly for a one-week visit in 2008 – as part of a larger Asian trip – and enjoyed it so much that I… Read More »
It gives me great pleasure to utter this greeting in our language although I do not get much chance as most, even our own “kababayan” greet one another in English; “Merry Christmas!” The much-awaited day of the year will soon be here. The preparation starts early, usually in November, right after Halloween. It usually starts with the Santa… Read More »